Remote control for slide out

From their usual location inside, it is not easy to gauge whether or not your slide is clearing that big tree you had a hard time avoid when backing up the trailer. Until today,  I have had an easy work around and  it's called the wife: "love, would you mind telling me how much room there is before I hit that big rock over there with the slide out?!!" While this always has allowed us to get by, it is a bother when there isn't someone else around to help.

Photo of the RF remote used on my DIY concrete countertop
I have recently come across RF switches, wireless remotes that allow to switch a load from afar, while browsing on one of these Chinese websites where stuff can be had for really cheap.

I thought that installing one of these remotes, provided that they would work with the kind of setup I have, would allow my spouse to keep busy when I usually need her to provide guidance.

First, you need to identify the load that the motor of the slide draws. Usually, this will be found in your user manual, and if not, can probably be found using Google. I was able to tell using my manual, that the slide out motor was on a 20A circuit, therefore drawing less than 20A. I was not able to find a remote switch that had more than a rated 15A on a 12v circuit, but I though I would give it a try.

The first one I bought was this one RF switch You may want to do proper research first, as these may come with different modes, for which Latch, Unlatch info can also be found online. For slide-out purposes, you need a relay that is normally open (NO) and that closes when you press the switch, and opens when you release the switch. The first model I bought only had this mode so that was perfect.

To clarify how the install was made, I will post a thorough video explaining how I did it shortly.

 
 
Here is a basic wiring diagram depicting how everything is connected.
 
 
 
 

8 comments:

  1. Hello, I am very interested in the this mod that you have done. I am trying to do this myself for my camper and have already went through 2 RF remote switches that I got from Amazon. I think the first one was defective and the other one I blew the board trying to wire it up. Could you please go in more detail or possibly make a video /pictures of the setup that you have. I just ordered the exact remote control that you have and want to do the same setup. Thanks in advance for your time.

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  2. Hello Albert! I will try and help the best I can. Have you referred to the circuit diagram above? While the switches could have blown up from being improperly wired, there is also the possibility the motor drew too many amps thus exceeding the capacity of the switches you were trying to use. Did the slide out move at all?

    I will post the video I made tonight.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hello Albert! I will try and help the best I can. Have you referred to the circuit diagram above? While the switches could have blown up from being improperly wired, there is also the possibility the motor drew too many amps thus exceeding the capacity of the switches you were trying to use. Did the slide out move at all?

    I will post the video I made tonight.

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  4. I tried to follow your diagram the best I could. My slide out switch has 5 wires to it. 2 blacks, red ,green , yellow. I found out that the 2 blacks were to extend /retract. The slide did not move at all with remote.

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  5. Okay with hours and hours of countless research and playing around with wires....I traced where each wire went to and even cut a hole in the underbelly to gain access to the slide out motor. I have a 2012 North Trail 32qbss. Has 2 slides. Anyway...I was able to finally get the one slide out to work with the remote when I was messing around with it. My question now is how you hooked up the negative wire(s). Also how your relay board is setup. If you could please post vid or a picture of your setup. I also would like to thank you for your time and this great idea. Super excited about it. 😉

    ReplyDelete
  6. Okay with hours and hours of countless research and playing around with wires....I traced where each wire went to and even cut a hole in the underbelly to gain access to the slide out motor. I have a 2012 North Trail 32qbss. Has 2 slides. Anyway...I was able to finally get the one slide out to work with the remote when I was messing around with it. My question now is how you hooked up the negative wire(s). Also how your relay board is setup. If you could please post vid or a picture of your setup. I also would like to thank you for your time and this great idea. Super excited about it. 😉

    ReplyDelete
  7. I own a Rockwood windjammer 2715VS and boy what a pain in the ass trying to access this unit when the slides are closed. They put chairs in the way of the back door and the bed in the way on the front door. In order to access the unit you have to first try squeeze by the chairs to get to the control panel switch to open the slides. Just go to the bathroom while on the road you had to open both slides to get to the bathroom plus move the recliner chairs.
    Here is what I did, I installed a Gama RF12V1PR-ASL on the bedroom slide. This allows access to the kitchen and bathroom from the front door without having to move anything. My wife is one happy camper

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  8. Guys, I have your gadget, and even better it is BLE and works on your smart phone, check it out, https://rviqproducts.com/products/jas30/ available in RV retailers, I saw them at LazyDays in Tampa, they were running the awning on the wall with one, $250.

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