Toggle Switch Issue with Jack

[Hans627]

My 2009 AS has a Barker VIP 3000 Power Jack. It has two toggle switches. One turns on the light the other raises or lowers the hitch.

The jack raises when I toggle the switch to the "Up" position. However, when I toggle it to the "Down" position it sometimes grunts a bit and then stops. Sometimes if I toggle "Up" and then immediately push it "Down" it will operate as normal. Sometimes it just operates in both directions without issue.

I am assuming this is a toggle switch issue. Your thoughts? BTW a new switch is $45 including shipping (from one source).

Thanks!

[rmkrum]

It could also be a loose/corroded wire. There are six terminals on the back of a typical switch. If one is loose and making an intermittent connection it may act like you describe.

[Castaway]

Remove your bad one and take it
to your local auto parts store, I replaced for less than $25.

[rmkrum]

Take good pictures of the wiring, make notes, or label the wires carefully. It would not be fun to mix them up. Just saying....

[hhendrix]

Check connections first, but I had one go bad on the road. What you need is a DPDT toggle switch. That is a double pole, double throw toggle switch. Here is a link to options as low as $5-9: https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=dpdt+toggle+switch

I like Grainger as they are about everywhere. Amazon probably has it too.

[waltb]

Personally, I'd contact Barker. It could be one of the switches to prevent the jack from retracting/extending too far is at fault. They are great people to work with and have fast service.

[vintagemotor]

Originally Posted by waltb

Personally, I'd contact Barker. It could be one of the switches to prevent the jack from retracting/extending too far is at fault. They are great people to work with and have fast service.

I second waltb, I have had several of the toggle switches fail-easy to replace, take a photo of wires before you disassemble. Also 2 of the micro limit switches- also easy to replace.
I get both from the local electrical supply store.

[GammaDog]

I had the exact same issue. Called Barker. They sent me a new switch. Problem fixed.

[rmatkovich]

Just had the same prob on my 2000 AS and finely fix it. Took it apart and when I had the motor out it worked. I put the motor back and it did not work some times it worked and some times it did not. By flook I happened to move the power wire going into the motor and it stopped. Found the prob. Wire loose in the motor. Replaced the motor with one I had around, problem solved.

[gunnyrose]

We just had this issue and replaced the switch, now works fine.

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by rmkrum

Take good pictures of the wiring, make notes, or label the wires carefully. It would not be fun to mix them up. Just saying....

Yes indeed. Been there and done that before. But a good reminder nonetheless.

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by hhendrix

Check connections first, but I had one go bad on the road. What you need is a DPDT toggle switch. That is a double pole, double throw toggle switch. Here is a link to options as low as $5-9: https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=dpdt+toggle+switch

I like Grainger as they are about everywhere. Amazon probably has it too.

I ordered the switch from Grainger. Should have it in a day or two. Thanks for the recommendation.

I checked the local auto parts store and they had a switch but with screw attachments, not the quick spade attachment I needed.

[BillfromWI]

But don't forget to check the ground--probably the bolts that attach the jack to the A-frame.

[ReddinStream]

I also had almost same issue.....mine was trouble getting it up. Yes, I've heard the joke already. I called Barker and "she" said to replace the micro switch. I did that and had same problem. I then replaced the the DPDT switch as others said and was pleased to solve the problem.

[Hans627]

Well I replaced the DPDT switch and it works great. No I can get it up... and down again, so all is well!

I blew the fuse when I disconnected the bad switch (the battery cable slipped and touched the positive terminal causing a current flow at the wrong time). So I went about trying to find a replacement fuse. The Barker owners manual calls for a S30A (a slo-blo) fuse. I could not find such a fuse anywhere. I tried all the auto parts stores, even NAPA. Tried Tractor Supply and Home Depot. Nothing! So I stopped at Camping World and ask the service guy what they use and he said they just use a standard 30A fuse. So that's what I got and it works, at least to this point.

Anyone have a place to get S30A fuses or should I just ignore the Barker recommendation? Thoughts?

[OTRA15]

You probably need the slow blow variety IMO. Search results should have recent threads:

https://www.google.com/search?q=Jack...=airforums.com

We got ours at Napa but the edge of the little box was not labeled correctly so the sales rep had to check the SKU in the computer, and find it that way.

Good luck,

Peter

PS -- From 20-footer thread -- click on arrow in quote to go there:

Originally Posted by OTRA15

I guess you can order online, but your NAPA store should have them IMO. The label on the end of the small box does not indicate Slow-blow, so the counter clerk did not find them right away. A search of the catalog yielded the right SKU.

http://www.napaonline.com/napa/en/p/...335/BK_7821335

On end of small box:
782-1335...QTY
MDL-30........5

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

You probably need the slow blow variety IMO. Search results should have recent threads:

https://www.google.com/search?q=Jack...=airforums.com

We got ours at Napa but the edge of the little box was not labeled correctly so the sales rep had to check the SKU in the computer, and find it that way.

Good luck,

Peter

PS -- From 20-footer thread -- click on arrow in quote to go there:

Thanks for the information. I'll definitely followup with NAPA. My logic is that there is a reason the slo-blo fuses are specified by Barker.

[Hans627]

I finally have my 30A slo-blo fuses. They did not have them at the NAPA store (at least that is what they told me).

I ordered a box of 5 from McMaster-Carr Supply Co. They have everything!

Thanks for all the suggestions and input on this, now completed, repair project!