Additional Switch for the Front Landing Gear Jack

Mar 23, 2002 Sat0Electrical
Mar 23, 2002 Sat 4:49:49 PM EST

The electric jacks are great but life is too short to stand for a couple of minutes holding the button to extend or retract the jacks. They are very slow.

I solved that problem with a 30 amp double throw, double pole switch. The direction of the jack motor is changed by simply flipping the positive and negative power feed.

I hooked my switch to the power feed going to the existing switch. I then hooked my switch to the two wires going to the jack motor. A couple of cross connects were required on the switch poles so that the positive and negative power feeds are reversed between the 'up' and 'down' switch positions. The switch has a middle position where no power is applied to the motor.

I left the existing factory switch in place. Now I can flip my switch and do something else while the jacks make their slow journey. With my switch off, I can still use the factory switch if I need to make a fine adjustment to the jacks while hooking up or unhooking. I put two 30 amp inline fuses in the wires going from my switch to the jack motor. This prevents fireworks if for example my switch is flipped on and the jacks are going up then I hit the factory switch to run the jacks down. The fuse blows and there is no harm to the motor or wiring.

I placed the switch in a metal electrical junction box inside the left front storage area. This keeps it out of the weather and I did not want to put a hole in the fiberglass to mount the switch. I always have this door open anyway when I am setting up or breaking camp. I mounted a couple of aluminum bars over the switch to prevent accidental activation by stuff moving around in the storage area while traveling.

There is another switch in the box. I'll talk about it in the Backup Lights section.

Mar 23, 2002 Sat 4:49:58 PM EST
It's not pretty but it works great.
Inspecting Hubs and Grease Seals




TagsElectrical  (18),Generator  (7),Leaks  (3),Lights  (3),Springs and shackles  (7),Tires  (3)