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Subject Topic: OMNISTEP PROBLEM Post Reply Post New Topic
Personmikebs
28/6/2016 at 11:18am
 Location: Dorset
 Outfit: Autocruise Starspirit View mikebs's Profile View Profile   Reply to mikebs Reply   Quote mikebs Quote  
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Hello,
The electric double step on my motorhome, 2008 Autocruise, in not working.

When I operate the switch the step tries to expand but stops having moved a a couple of centimetres. When the motorhome was last used the step retracted okay.

Any advice to what the problem might be.

Thanks
Mikebs


Persontango55
28/6/2016 at 5:21pm
 Location: Lichfield
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 450 View tango55's Profile View Profile   Reply to tango55 Reply   Quote tango55 Quote  
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I assume the step is operated by 12 volt power from the leisure battery. If so check the battery voltage with a volt meter as a low battery would have insufficient power for the step to function.
The battery needs to be around 13 volts.


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Personmikebs
28/6/2016 at 7:18pm
 Location: Dorset
 Outfit: Autocruise Starspirit View mikebs's Profile View Profile   Reply to mikebs Reply   Quote mikebs Quote  
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Hi tango55.
Thanks for the suggestion.

I have checked the voltage and it's showing 12 1/2 volts. I've also connected EHU and this didn't make any difference.
Guess I'm looking for a repairer in South Dorset.

Mikebs


Persontango55
28/6/2016 at 7:52pm
 Location: Lichfield
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If the battery only has 12.5 volts then it's discharged and deemed as useless as it should be at least 12.8 volts minimum. Even if it's connected to 240 volt mains power it has to be transformed down to 12 volts so if the battery is not holding a charge then it's most definitely the source of the problem. I would try another fully charged battery (temporarily) before you go and buy a new one and see if it solves the problem.


Personiggycamper
28/6/2016 at 10:16pm
 Location: Devon
 Outfit: Dreamer(Rapido) D.55 select Plus View iggycamper's Profile View Profile   Reply to iggycamper Reply   Quote iggycamper Quote  
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12.5 volts indicates that the battery is about 90% fully charged so is OK. The omnistep motor will normally work fine down to 12.2 volts. If the step worked fine earlier it may be worth checking the two limit switches for dirt etc. WD40 would be a good start. 😋

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The older I get the better I used to be.


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Personmikebs
29/6/2016 at 11:10am
 Location: Dorset
 Outfit: Autocruise Starspirit View mikebs's Profile View Profile   Reply to mikebs Reply   Quote mikebs Quote  
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Hello iggycamper.
Thanks for your suggestion.
I've had a look underneath and all I can see apart from the step is a black box. Where and what do the limit switches look like.

Mikebs


Personiggycamper
29/6/2016 at 9:44pm
 Location: Devon
 Outfit: Dreamer(Rapido) D.55 select Plus View iggycamper's Profile View Profile   Reply to iggycamper Reply   Quote iggycamper Quote  
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Some more info here Mike which help - especially the 'outandabout' forum.

https://www.google.co.uk/?ion=1&espv=2#q=wiring+diagram+for+Omnistep%3F

My experience has involved solving problems with several different electric steps - for what it's worth they often fail electrically because of the location underneath the van and the effect of water and dirt.

Also note that many converters wire the steps differently - some feature an alarm if the step is not retracted when you start the engine - others will automatically retract the step when ignition is on - indeed some will be fed by the engine battery rather than the leisure battery. Not sure how Autocruise will have wired yours - anything in the manual btw?

If it were me I would be tempted to see if the 'box' you mentioned can be removed so that you can inspect the motor, the limit switch and the gears.watch your fingers btw - moving steps can cause a degree of pain!

If you are not happy with doing this I guess your only course of action will be to visit your friendly local motor-home dealer workshop! (could suggest Chelston near Wellington if you want to wander 'over the border'.)

Hope this helps Mike - sorry can't be more specific.

Iggy

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The older I get the better I used to be.


Personmikebs
30/6/2016 at 9:46am
 Location: Dorset
 Outfit: Autocruise Starspirit View mikebs's Profile View Profile   Reply to mikebs Reply   Quote mikebs Quote  
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Hello iggycamper.
Once again thanks for your help and advice.

When and if the weather improves I will have a look at the black box. In the interim I have resorted to the easy option, I'm using a portable step. This hasn't broken down yet.


Mike

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Mikebs


Personiggycamper
01/7/2016 at 12:32am
 Location: Devon
 Outfit: Dreamer(Rapido) D.55 select Plus View iggycamper's Profile View Profile   Reply to iggycamper Reply   Quote iggycamper Quote  
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Also have a manual step on current van - very reliable! We try to avoid things that can go wrong these days ... like electrically operated drop down beds - not great if you are ready for bed and then find the auxiliary battery has failed. Or electrically pumped water tank fillers - hose + gravity much more reliable.😉👍🆒

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The older I get the better I used to be.


PersonGreg M
05/7/2016 at 4:31pm
 Location: South Wales
 Outfit: Elddis Majestic 155 View Greg M's Profile View Profile   Reply to Greg M Reply   Quote Greg M Quote  
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My friend had a similar problem recently on a 15 plate Elddis van.It would appear the limit switches are mounted near the step and right in the path of the spray and muck thrown up from the wheel.Despite being in the box you describe, it would be difficult to prevent ingress of that kind.after repairing his and seeing the problem I have made a deflector to stop the same problem arising on mine (hopefully).


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PersonCamperkate
19/7/2016 at 1:27pm
 Location: Scotland
 Outfit: Campervan (East Neuk fifer) View Camperkate's Profile View Profile   Reply to Camperkate Reply   Quote Camperkate Quote  
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Are you sure you don't have a bit of grit stuck in between the panels of the retracting step? We have notices if a little stone gets between these it stops the step coming in and out, we have had to resort to pushing /pulling step down a bit while pressing the switch that has the effect of separating the treads slightly and the step then closes/opens
It's worth a go

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CK


Persongm54
24/7/2016 at 9:11pm
 Location: None Entered
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I have had similar problems and it has always been due to grit trapped in the mechanism. A little gentle help and a rattle about usually does the trick. It also plays up if I go through heavy flooding.This results in the step alarm sounding (though not as loudly as usual) and goes away once the van is stood for a short while.
I have an Adria twin and another problem is the step ground clearance. It definitely does not like being scraped and bounced.


Personmikebs
25/7/2016 at 1:47pm
 Location: Dorset
 Outfit: Autocruise Starspirit View mikebs's Profile View Profile   Reply to mikebs Reply   Quote mikebs Quote  
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Hello All.
I've had another look at the step and it appears to working as it is supposed to. Perhaps as gm54 suggested a bit of grit or similar was obstructing the mechanism.

Thanks to all for your suggestions.
Mikebs

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Mikebs



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