How to Automate Motorhome Stabilisers

[Calamaster]

My Moho has 2 Screw jack type Stabilisers at the rear. I soon got bored of the manual wind down / up and now use cordless drill with correct Socket / extension. I bored of this now.
I want to make this Screw Jack motorised. I am quite OK with all the electronics need to do this via remote control / phone APP / Button.
My Question is which Motor to use.... and if anyone else has done this mod on their Moho?

 

[Guigsy]

My Moho has 2 Screw jack type Stabilisers at the rear. I soon got bored of the manual wind down / up and now use cordless drill with correct Socket / extension. I bored of this now.
I want to make this Screw Jack motorised. I am quite OK with all the electronics need to do this via remote control / phone APP / Button.
My Question is which Motor to use.... and if anyone else has done this mod on their Moho?

It's an interesting idea. I think your issue is going to be to make it robust enough so it survives being jetted by salty road spray for a few hours. I'd probably still want a manual switch somewhere to prevent it being triggered while you're driving down the road just because it got wet.

If you can get around that, you could probably just pull apart a couple of cheapo 12v battery drills as you know they already have enough torque and the correct gearing.

 

[Calamaster]

It's an interesting idea. I think your issue is going to be to make it robust enough so it survives being jetted by salty road spray for a few hours. I'd probably still want a manual switch somewhere to prevent it being triggered while you're driving down the road just because it got wet.

If you can get around that, you could probably just pull apart a couple of cheapo 12v battery drills as you know they already have enough torque and the correct gearing.

Thanks for input. I am kind of thinking one of those underwater pump motors......?

 

[donkey]

Thanks for input. I am kind of thinking one of those underwater pump motors......?

What is the spec for those underwater pump motors?
Not sure they would have the required torque as the motor will most probably be direct drive to impeller and you will almost certainly need gearing.

Geoff

 

[pappajohn]

You can buy 12v motorised scissor jacks.
The motors off those should be powerful enough......if you can find a way to fit them ...in fact, find a way to fit any motor to the screw jacks.

But it does sound a waste of time and money to save 5 minutes with a battery drill

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[tonyidle]

Use windscreen wiper motors - they're geared about right & they have sufficient torque.

 

[peterc10]

May not be a good idea. Those types of jacks are usually only used for stabilising, i.e. stop the rocking. They are not strong enough to lift the axle. The ones I had were only fixed to a light outrigger and not the chassis.

 

[The Wino]

May not be a good idea. Those types of jacks are usually only used for stabilising, i.e. stop the rocking. They are not strong enough to lift the axle. The ones I had were only fixed to a light outrigger and not the chassis.

I had assumed that they were being used just to stop rocking once parked up as you say not suitable to actually lift the MH it's different on a caravan with the axle just being a pivot point to a MH on 4 wheels.

 

[funflair]

May not be a good idea. Those types of jacks are usually only used for stabilising, i.e. stop the rocking. They are not strong enough to lift the axle. The ones I had were only fixed to a light outrigger and not the chassis.

I quite agree, in which case the OP is going to need some sort of torque sensing to limit the "lift" applied by the motor.

 

[Guigsy]

I quite agree, in which case the OP is going to need some sort of torque sensing to limit the "lift" applied by the motor.

You could measure current on the motors. It'll massively ramp up when they hit load, suggesting you're planted on the deck or they've stalled out because they are fully raised.

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[Calamaster]

Thanks all for your input. Like the motorised Scissor Jack idea and Windscreen wiper motor. I have a couple of motors from old 'Lazy Boy' chairs which may do. It IS just the stabilisers and not to lift Motorhome. My thoughts on 'cut out' were a trip switch.
Electrics and welding is not a problem.

 

[headlight]

Seems to me to be a lot of hassle to rectify a problem that doesn't exist.
Cordless drill already does the job fine and will have torque settings so you won't "wind" the corner steady to far down or up.

 

[The Wino]

Seems to me to be a lot of hassle to rectify a problem that doesn't exist.
Cordless drill already does the job fine and will have torque settings so you won't "wind" the corner steady to far down or up.

And if you need one on holiday you have a cordless drill handy.

 

[Calamaster]

And if you need one on holiday you have a cordless drill handy.

Seems to me to be a lot of hassle to rectify a problem that doesn't exist.
Cordless drill already does the job fine and will have torque settings so you won't "wind" the corner steady to far down or up.

LOL. There is no problem it's just 'If I can do - I will do'. I like automation and have a ton of stuff invented and built.

 

[Dave Scadding]

Personally I wouldn’t go to all that trouble, just use battery drill and socket like most other people.

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[Lenny HB]

And if you need one on holiday you have a cordless drill handy.

Always carry one in the van but don't have steadies, love the van rocking in the wind, sleep better.

 

[funflair]

Personally I wouldn’t go to all that trouble, just use battery drill and socket like most other people.

I think we have established that he fancies a project which is fine.