Reich mover not budging

[Mad Meg]

Hello all. Mover is abt 15 years old and has been great for us oldies, cos Coachman vans are heavy. On our latest outing (still on it) only one roller engaged on arrival, the other didn't budge. We managed to get it on pitch (it was a farm field and the owner was not too fussy). A few days later I gave it another try and it worked fine both sides so I imagined it was a temporary blip. We changed sites yesterday. It engaged fine on leaving the first site but nothing at all on arrival at the second. The CAMHC site was full of motorhomes so few "proper" vanners to ask for advice. The warden graciously allowed us to park sideways over two pitches as the site wasn't full.

It is one that uses a controller to automatically engage or disengage the rollers and turn it in any direction.

Years ago it failed on leaving a site and the site owner informed us there was a "manual override" facility on some movers and we did in fact use that facility. I can't remember how we did it, and what happened next, but all was well thereafter.

The van battery is fine. We are plugged into EHU and you can't use the mover without unplugging the EHU.

Anybody got any advice? We have a mobile mechanic able to come out on Friday but we have to leave before noon, so if we can sort it before then it will save a lot of stress. There is also the possibility that the mobile chap needs a part or similar and can't do it at once.

Thanks for your help.

Meg

 

[otherclive]

My automatic Powrtouch mover had a T handle that you could use to advance or retract the mover. I’m sure Reich would do similarly. Could yours do with some lubrication perhaps?

See page 10 of Powrtouch arrangement

https://www.powrtouch.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Evolution-Single-Auto-Instructions-FMCD-Issue-10.pdf

 

[IanB1485]

Connections , connections, connections,! check the spade connectors on the motors these are exposed to the weather (even if inside covers) and can become corroded /dislodged( did a powrtouch the other week) simply removing them and crimping the edges 'slightly' (see photo) and replacing can help to clean the mating surfaces( the ones on the motors are larger an usually insulated type. The other thing which can become intermittent are the brushes on the motors , they can 'stick and not touch the commutator , taking them out can be a bit of a pain , but they may develop a step in the sides, they also can wear out. the other thing to check is the motor connections in the base unit are tight

 

[woodsieboy]

I think it may be the 15 years old that is causing the problem, Ian B1485 has given you good suggestions,but it may be wise to arrange for a technician to look at it for you

 

[Mad Meg]

Ian, that's way beyond our technical capabilities - but, Woodsieboy we do have an engineer booked for Friday. If he can't fix it I hope he is strong enough to help us drag the Coachman (not a lightweight!) onto the towball cos we can't do it. Hubby is suffering from a fractured spine!

 

[Mel]

Ian, that's way beyond our technical capabilities - but, Woodsieboy we do have an engineer booked for Friday. If he can't fix it I hope he is strong enough to help us drag the Coachman (not a lightweight!) onto the towball cos we can't do it. Hubby is suffering from a fractured spine!

Hope it is fixable for you, but may be worth alerting the site warden/owner to the possible need to Marshall several strong folks to help shove.
In my experience people are happy to lend a push if they know it is needed.
Good luck
Mel

 

[Beachball]

Ian, that's way beyond our technical capabilities - but, Woodsieboy we do have an engineer booked for Friday. If he can't fix it I hope he is strong enough to help us drag the Coachman (not a lightweight!) onto the towball cos we can't do it. Hubby is suffering from a fractured spine!

I think the engineer will get your mover working been a professional and will be able to solved your problem good luck.

 

[Mad Meg]

Son in law came to the site to hook us up manually and we took the van to where the engineer has his workshop (en-route home). 20 mins later he had fixed it - a broken wire - fitted a new wire and new housing unit to the outside compartment - and demonstrated both rollers working fine. So we drove home and guess what? Only one roller would engage when we tried to get it on the drive! Had to leave the van skewed overnight - the neighbours think we were drunk on arrival.

Rang the engineer this morning and he said to look for loose connections. No idea which connections to check and so many of them under the front bunk, some of which we can't reach.

So another engineer coming out on Wednesday (he initially said May 30th!!), but not holding our breath cos we have used this chap in the past and were less than impressed.

Watch this space!

 

[birdman101]

It is either a loose connection or a bad dry soldered joint in the control box being affected by vibration when towing.