Kwikee 47 Series User manual

47 Series Operation Manual Page 3
If the step does not work or operates erratically, such as extending part way and shutting 'off,'
the first item that should be checked is the vehicle’s battery. Low supply voltage may cause
erratic operation of the step. Poor ground connections may also cause erratic operation of the
step. Check battery voltage and condition. A battery in good condition and properly charged
will have a no load voltage of approx. 12.6 volts. Check the voltage at the battery and at the
four-way connector at the control unit. Insure that all battery and step control unit connections
are clean and secure. Recharge or replace the battery as necessary and retest the step for
proper operation.
The step may also operate erratically if the step is being operated directly from a converter,
and the output from the converter is not adequate or properly filtered for clean DC voltage. The
converter must be capable of producing a minimum of 30 amps for proper step operation.
If the ground to the control unit is lost, either between the step control unit and the vehicle
chassis (the long green ground wire) or between the vehicle battery and the ground (negative
battery cable) the step will not function. Make sure the battery terminals and all wire
connections are clean and tight. Verify that all wires meet the minimum requirements specified
in Figures 2 and 3 on Page 4-5.
These general service notes and
the Step Test Procedures
address the most common
questions about Kwikee electric
steps. Due to the number of
variable conditions, you may
experience symptoms other than
those covered. Please feel free
to contact the Customer Service
Department at 1-800-736-9961 for
further information or
assistance.
The following Step Test Procedures have been provided to troubleshoot and test all of the
Kwikee automatic electric step functions. They are designed to initially check the step's basic
functions separately from the RV wiring to determine whether or not the step is malfunctioning.
The following procedures test the various components of the step until the source of the
malfunction is located. Using these procedures will shorten and reduce the time spent
troubleshooting.
Some portions of the test procedures require additional equipment. This equipment includes: a
voltmeter, a well charged 12 volt DC automotive battery, and a 4-way connector/pigtail (Part
#909306000, available from Kwikee Products Company).
Read the entire procedure prior to testing. If you need assistance contact Kwikee’s
Service Line at 1-800-736-9961.
TESTING THE STEP
1. Inspect the step for visible damage that might restrict the step’s operation.
2. Obtain a 4-way pigtail connector (part #909306000) from Kwikee.
3. Disconnect 4-way connector on underside of step and connect step-half of the connector
to the four-way connector pigtail. See Figures 2 and 3 on Pages 4 and 5.
4. Set a fully charged 12 volt DC automotive battery beside the step.
ATTENTION: Do not allow the battery terminals to come in contact with step. Complete a
ground for step testing by connecting 10 gauge wire from the negative (_) battery post to the
green ground wire of the control unit.
5. To supply power, attach the red wire from pigtail to positive (+) post. The step will extend.
6. With the power and ground connections complete, all functions of the control unit can be
checked at the four wires of the pigtail. The brown wire is the door switch, the white wire is the
override switch, and the yellow wire is the ignition override.
7. To retract the step, touch the brown wire to the negative (_) terminal.
8. To extend the step, remove the brown wire from the battery's negative (-) post.
Troubleshooting & Testing Procedures
WARNING

!
WARNING

!
Keep fingers, arms,
and legs clear of step
mechanism while performing
these tests.
12 volt automotive
batteries contain sulfuric acid
which can cause severe burns.
Avoid contact with the skin,
eyes and clothing. 12 volt
automotive batteries produce
hydrogen gas which is
explosive; keep cigarettes,
open flames and sparks away
from the battery at all times.
IMPORTANT INSTALLER
NOTES:
Be sure that all ground
connections are securely
fastened with good
metal-to-metal contact. A
good ground is required for
proper step operation.

47 Series Operation Manual Page 4
FIGURE 2: Wiring diagram for step with control unit
Vehicle Wiring
Motor
assembly
12 AWG green
ground to step top
Not used
Control
unit
Four-way
connector
16 AWG brown
16 AWG yellow
12 AWG red
16 AWG white
Power
switch
Chassis
ground
Normally OPEN
magnetic door switch
20 amp fuse or
curcuit breaker required
Battery
disconnect
box/switch
IMPORTANT:
If the switch is
'OFF' the step
will not
operate.
Chassis
ground
12 volt DC
battery
Fuse block
IMPORTANT:
The yellow wire must go to a
terminal marked IGN (ignition)
or to another terminal that is hot
when the ignition is turned on.
Two-way
connector
12 AWG green ground wire
must be securely attached to
the chassis for step to operate
16 AWG purple
optional step light switch
may be connected
to porch light
(see Inset 4A)
6 amp maximum fuse or
circuit breaker required
5 amp maximum fuse or
circuit breaker (not supplied)
Step Wiring
INSET 4A - Wiring step light to
porch light switch: Understep light can be
wired directly to the RV porch light switch. If you
choose to do this, a 5 amp maximum fuse or
circuit breaker is required and can be installed
in either of two locations as shown in the
wiring diagram below.
Battery disconnect
box/switch
IMPORTANT: If the
switch is 'OFF' the
light will not operate.
Porch light switch Step Light
Control Unit
Butt connector
Porch light
To
Battery
Purple wire
from Control Unit
Alternate
fuse location
Fuse location
1 amp max
or circuit breaker
required
(not supplied)
9. To test the Ignition Override feature, extend the step as in Step 8. With the step extended,
connect the white wire to the battery's positive (+) terminal and attach the brown wire to the
battery's negative (_) terminal. Next, touch the yellow wire to the battery's positive (+) terminal.
The step should retract. Remove the brown wire and the step should extend.
10. To test the Override Switch, with the step retracted, touch the brown wire to the negative
(_) terminal to retract the step. While holding the brown wire to the negative (_) terminal, touch
the shite wire to the battery's positive (+) terminal, and remove the yellow from the positive (+)
terminal. The Step will stay retracted. Now, remove the brown wire. The step should extend.
Now touch the brown wire to the battery's negative (-) terminal and the step should stay
extended.
11. If any of the step functions do not work, the source of the malfunction is either in the
control unit and/or the motor. Proceed to the "Testing the Motor" section on Page 5.
If all of the step functions do work, the malfunction is either in the door switch, power switch, or
the vehicle wiring. Proceed to "Testing the 4-way Connector" section.
WARNING

!
12 volt automotive
batteries contain sulfuric acid
which can cause severe burns.
Avoid contact with the skin,
eyes and clothing. 12 volt
automotive batteries produce
hydrogen gas which is
explosive; keep cigarettes,
open flames and sparks away
from the battery at all times.

47 Series Operation Manual Page 5
FIGURE 3: Wiring diagram for steps with door switch only operation
16 AWG brown
12 AWG red
Chassis
ground
Normally OPEN
magnetic door switch
20 amp fuse or
curcuit breaker required
Battery
disconnect
box/switch
IMPORTANT:
If the switch is
'OFF' the step
will not
operate.
Chassis
ground
12 volt DC
battery
Vehicle Wiring
Motor
assembly
12 AWG green
ground to step top
Not used
Control
unit
Four-way
connector
Two-way
connector
12 AWG green ground wire
must be securely attached to
the chassis for step to operate
16 AWG purple
optional step light switch
may be connected
to porch light
(see Inset 5A)
Step Wiring
INSET 5A - Wiring step light to
porch light switch: Understep light can be
wired directly to the RV porch light switch. If you
choose to do this, a 5 amp maximum fuse or
circuit breaker is required and can be installed
in either of two locations as shown in the
wiring diagram below.
Battery disconnect
box/switch
IMPORTANT: If the
switch is 'OFF' the
light will not operate.
Porch light switch Step Light
Control Unit
Butt connector
Porch light
To
Battery
Purple wire
from Control Unit
Alternate
fuse location
Fuse location
1 amp max
or circuit breaker
required
(not supplied)
TESTING THE MOTOR
1. Disconnect the two-way connector between the step motor and the control unit.
Connect the motor’s yellow wire to the positive (+) terminal of the battery and touch the motor’s
red wire to the negative (_) terminal of the battery to extend the step. To retract the step,
reverse the connections. If the step extends and retracts during this test, the condition of the
step motor is good.
TESTING THE 4-WAY CONNECTOR
1. To check the main power source, connect a voltmeter between the red wire from the
4-way connector (vehicle half) and the ground terminal at the end of the control unit’s green
ground wire (see Figure 4 on Page 6). The reading should be a minimum of 12 volts DC.
If the voltage reading is low, there may be a loose or corroded connection at the battery, a low
charge level on the battery itself, or a poor ground. If the voltage reading is zero (0) volts,
check the step fuse/circuit breaker, all connections, and the condition of the wiring between the
battery and the plug, including the ground connection at the chassis.
WARNING

!
Do not leave the
wires connected during this
test once the step has cycled
either in or out. Failure to
remove the wires from the
battery will burn out the motor
voiding any warranty.

47 Series Operation Manual Page 6
2. To check the override switch, connect a voltmeter between the white wire from the 4-way
connector (vehicle half) and the terminal at the end of the control unit’s green ground wire (see
Figure 5). The reading should be a minimum of 12 volts DC (the same as in Step 1) when the
switch is on, and zero (0) volts DC when the switch is off.
If the voltmeter reads zero (0) volts when the override switch is on, there is a problem
in the override switch circuit.
Check the 6 amp in-line fuse, the override switch itself and the condition of the
circuit’s wiring and terminal connections.
3. To check the door switch, connect a voltmeter between the red wire from the
4-way connector (vehicle half) and the brown in the same connector (see Figure 6) on Page
7). The voltage should be a minimum of 12 volts DC (the same as in Step 1) when the door is
closed and zero (0) volts when the door is open.
If the readings are incorrect, there is a problem with the switch. Check the door switch and the
condition of the circuit's wiring and terminal connections.
Red
4-way connector
(vehicle-side)
Ground wire: green ground wire
must be attached to vehicle
chassis; a good ground is needed
for proper step operation
Voltmeter should
read 12 volts DC
FIGURE 4: Check power source
4. To check the ignition override system, connect a
voltmeter between the yellow wire from the 4-way connector
(vehicle half) and the ground terminal on the end of the
control unit’s green ground wire (see Figure 7.) The voltage
reading should be approximately 12 volts DC when ignition is
on and zero (0) volts when ignition is off.
If the reading is zero when the ignition is on, check all
terminal connections, wiring, and the vehicle's ignition fuse.
NOTE: The step wiring circuit must be independent. No other
device (i.e. alarm systems, step well lights, etc.) can be
connected to the step wiring circuit. Any device connected to
the steps wiring can cause the step to malfunction and will
void the warranty.
5. For steps equipped with door switch only operation:
Connect the white jumper wire from the vehicle half of the
four-way connector and the ground terminal at the end of the
control unit’s green ground wire (see Figure 8).
NOTE: Be sure to use the terminal with only the white wire.
The reading should be 0 volts DC. If the voltage reading is more, the white wire is connected
to 12 volts and should be cut.
If you have additional questions or need more assistance, contact Kwikee’s Service
Representative at 1-800-736-9961.

47 Series Operation Manual Page 7
FIGURE 8: Check connector
Red
Brown
4-way connector
(vehicle-side)
4-way connector
(vehicle-side)
Ground wire: green ground wire
must be attached to vehicle
chassis; a good ground is needed
for proper step operation
Voltmeter should
read 0 volts DC
White
4-way connector
(vehicle-side)
Ground wire: green ground wire
must be attached to vehicle
chassis; a good ground is needed
for proper step operation
Voltmeter should read
12 volts DC / override 'on'
0 volts DC / override 'off'
FIGURE 5: Check override switch
FIGURE 7: Check ignition override
Yellow
Ground wire: green ground wire
must be attached to vehicle
chassis; a good ground is needed
for proper step operation
Voltmeter should read
12 volts DC / ignition 'on'
0 volts DC / ignition 'off'
Red
Brown
4-way connector
(vehicle-side)
Voltmeter should read
12 volts DC when door
is closed
Voltmeter should read
0 volts DC when door
is open
FIGURE 6: Check door switch

47 Series Operation Manual Page 8
1. We warrant that the equipment is free from defects in material and
workmanship under normal use and service. The provisions of this warranty shall
not apply to any equipment that has been subject to misuse, negligence, alteration,
accident, improper installation (such as the welding of the step to the vehicle frame
or mounting brackets), normal deterioration due to wear, or has been repaired
outside our place of business in any way as, in our reasonable judgement, to
adversely affect its performance and reliability.
2. Our obligation under this warranty is limited to repairing or replacing, at our
option, any product that is returned to our place of business and when in its
examination shall disclose to our reasonable satisfaction that it is defective. The
repair or replacement of the defective parts under this warranty will be made without
charge for parts or labor. Shipping charges for returning parts to Kwikee Products
(“Kwikee”) shall be the responsibility of the customer. Kwikee will pay shipping
charges when returning warrantable parts to the customer. Kwikee will not accept
C.O.D. shipments of any returned goods.
3. The warranty is effective as of the date of sale to the original purchaser and
extends two years for parts and labor on step mechanisms and one year for step
finish. Since it is the responsibility of the owner to verify the original purchase date,
Kwikee recommends that a bill of sale or sales receipt be kept for that purpose.
4. The duration of any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a
particular purpose shall be limited in all respects to the duration of the limited
warranty, and the warranty described above shall be in lieu of any other express
warranty. Some states do not allow limitations on how long implied warranties last,
so the above limitations may not apply to you. We neither assume or authorize any
other persons to assume any other liability in connection with our products.
5. The buyer’s sole and exclusive remedy against the seller shall be for the repair
or replacement of defective merchandise as provided above. No other remedy,
including but not limited to, incidental or consequential damages for lost profits, lost
sales, injury to property or any other incidental or consequential loss, shall be
available to him. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or
consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.
Before using, user shall determine the suitability of the product for its intended use,
and user assumes all risk and liability whatsoever in connection there with.
6. Kwikee will not, under any circumstances, reimburse the cost of warranty parts
purchased from sources other than Kwikee Products.
7. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights
which vary from state to state.
WARRANTY GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES
1. Replace only those parts that are actually defective. Motors, gear cases, gears,
linkage assemblies, and control units are all replaceable as individual parts. If you
exchange a complete assembly when only the replacement of an individual part is
required, the non-defective parts will be returned and only the defective part will be
credited to you or replaced.
2. Do not use conversion kits for warranty repairs. Conversion kits are intended
for the conversion of older steps with field-wound motors to the newer permanent
magnet motor system.
3. A Returned Goods Authorization (RGA) number must be obtained before any
parts or claims are sent in. Call Kwikee's Service Line at 1-800-736-9961 for an
RGA number.
4. Our warranty does not cover travel time, mileage, or other incidental costs. It is
limited solely to the replacement of defective parts under warranty.
For questions regarding
these warranty
procedures or technical
assistance,
call 1-800-736-9961.
Be sure to visit us
online for updates, and
downloadable
documents.
Go to:
www.kwikee.com
230 Davidson Avenue
Cottage Grove, OR 97424
541-942-3888
www.kwikee.com
Warranty