Sam has been paying attention to the threads about the HiLo not lifting. - Hi-Lo camper travel trailer forum

sam · 06-10-2015, 08:17 PM

Went over to our HiLo to put away clean laundry and supplies. Pulled the red cord and only got a faint grunt. The top wouldn't raise. DH couldn't believe it didn't have a full charge after driving home for two hrs. on Sunday. We turned the truck around and jumped the HiLo battery. It is good to keep a multimeter in the HiLo. The battery reading was 11.7volts. It went up with no problems. The last few days have been cloudy with periods of rain. The solar charger had no sun power. We went to Wally World to get 30 amp fuses and a few other items. They were out of stock. The interstate battery was purchased in 2014. Auto Zone had what we wanted. The water level in the battery is fine. DH is charging the battery and will change the fuse at the battery tomorrow. Double checked and nothing power wise had been left on inside the HiLo. He will also check the pump fluid level when he gets a chance. Lately he chooses to check a fuse and will change it out even if it looks good. Did I forget anything? New alternator in the truck six months ago.

RichR · 06-11-2015, 09:15 AM

Check the charge line from the TV while your at it.

sam · 06-11-2015, 09:13 PM

Thanks Rich R. for the reminder. Will pass the message along to DH. The battery took a full charge. Didn't get over to the HiLo today. Had too much fun brushing on Thompsons water seal to our treated lumber colonial porch. Tomorrow we will be at our lot mowing and will trouble shoot. Don't want to have trouble on our upcoming campout.

RichR · 06-12-2015, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sam

Had too much fun brushing on Thompsons water seal to our treated lumber colonial porch.

Since you had so much fun doing that, come on down and do ours.

sam · 06-12-2015, 09:14 PM

Darn rain. I was supposed to have 24hrs without rain to let the water proofer dry. It beads up. Now I just have to do my back steps. Not to worry we have 15 things on the outdoor list to do. Will be able to change fuses in the HiLo tomorrow. The truck has a button to reset the circuit in the charge line that was installed by our RV dealer. DH is good with electrical/electronics.

sam · 06-13-2015, 09:36 PM

I was only able to raise the trailer up half way. DH started by checking out the back connector on the truck and sprayed the connector with CLP. Everything checked out fine with our tow vehicle. The furnice thermostat had been left on and this drained the battery down again. DH hates that mechanical thermostat. We were able to jump it and the top rose without even touching the toggle switch inside or the red pull cord. DH is pretty sure it is a bad solenoid starter switch. After the morning rain tomorrow he will take the solenoid switch out and see if auto zone has one. This old trailer. How do the newer electronic thermostats hold up with road shaking?

RichR · 06-14-2015, 07:19 AM

We have had a non-programmable digital thermostat for most of the time we have our 2310H and it has worked flawlessly. I just have to put a new set of AAA batteries in it at the start of camping season and remember to remove them at the end of the season. It sure beats the cheap factory thermostat.

desert trailer · 06-14-2015, 05:37 PM

We installed the same thermostat as Rich did. I do the same, remove the battery and reinstall during camping season. We have not had a problem. It works great. The new trailer life magazine, that just came out, had a story about how to change over to a digital stat, very good info.

sam · 06-14-2015, 10:43 PM

Dh removed the solenoid starter switch in between rain storms. No luck getting one at AutoZone. DH tested the switch and it was okay. Next guess is the toggle switch is bad. It seems kind of stiff after millions of uses. DH had fun taking the cupboard apart to get at the switch. Will call our HiLo dealer to see if they have the part in stock. I need a few things while we are out there. I have this months issue of trailer Life. I read the fun parts and leave the technical articles to DH.

RichR · 06-15-2015, 08:15 AM

Try a lawn and garden center that sells lawn tractors or Tractor Supply, they may have the solenoid.

sam · 06-15-2015, 09:45 PM

DH has determined that the starter solenoid is good. We were both outside at the front of the HiLo when DH jumped the HiLo from the battery in his truck. The HiLo immediately raised up to full height without us using the togle switch. His conclusion was that the togle switch was stuck in the on(lift up position). Today we were able to find HD toggle switch at Radio Shack . Our specialty electronics store would of had to order it in(3or4 days). DH will install tuesday in the AM. Thanks for the suggestion of where to purchase a starter solenoid. I wouldn't have thought of that. We made a trip out to our HiLo dealer today for some needed parts. Kim Mantelli let us know that she has a used 28ft. HiLo Classic with the tipout for sale. She is open to offers on this. PM me for more details.

gus · 06-16-2015, 01:16 PM

Good thing you found your toggle switch, I didn't know there were any Radio shacks left.
I usually can find 30A toggle switches at any auto parts stores, like Advanced and Autozone.

sam · 06-16-2015, 09:11 PM

Radio Shack has been bought out by sprint. All they sell now are spring phones. The usual Radio Shack merchandise is available. Both of our stores stayed open. Our toggle switch is not an exact replacement. Close enough to work. Here is what is in the 1990 Classic HiLo. Toggle Switch single pole double throw momentary contacts both ways. 6AMPS @125volts. Paid $5.00. Going camping this weekend and well report any problems. J&R left me a message really fast. The switch is $15.00 plus shipping. I was afraid we wouldn't get it in time. It is installed.