HWH 325 Levelers Shutting Off When Extended? Quick Fix Guide

What's Going On

Your HWH 325 series levelers are experiencing a voltage drop issue that's causing the system to shut down immediately when you try to operate the extend buttons. Even though your battery monitor shows good levels and they've been charging overnight, the leveling system is drawing significant amperage when activated, and there's likely insufficient voltage reaching the pump motor under load. This is a classic symptom of either poor electrical connections, undersized wiring, or battery issues that don't show up until the system is actually working. The fact that the system powers on initially but shuts off as soon as you press extend confirms this is a power delivery problem, not a mechanical issue with the levelers themselves.

Why This Happens

The HWH 325 system requires substantial current draw - typically 15-25 amps - when extending or retracting the jacks. Your battery monitor might show good voltage at rest, but voltage drops significantly under heavy load if there are connection problems. Common culprits include corroded battery terminals, loose connections at the leveling system's main power junction, or deteriorated wiring between the batteries and the leveling pump. Additionally, even with overnight charging, your house batteries might not be holding proper voltage under load if they're aging or have been deeply discharged.

Another possibility is that the leveling system's built-in low-voltage protection is kicking in. The HWH control module monitors incoming voltage and will shut down the system if it drops below approximately 11.5-12.0 volts to prevent damage to the pump motor. This protection feature often triggers when there's resistance in the electrical path that causes voltage drop under load, even when batteries test good at rest.

Getting Ready

You'll need a digital multimeter capable of measuring both voltage and continuity, along with basic hand tools including wrenches for battery terminals and wire brushes or sandpaper for cleaning connections. Have some dielectric grease on hand for reassembly. Locate your HWH system's main power connections - typically there's a large fuse or breaker near the battery compartment, and the pump motor will have heavy gauge wires running to it, usually 4 AWG or larger.

Start by identifying all the major electrical components in the power path: your house batteries, the main disconnect or breaker for the leveling system (typically 30-40 amps), any junction blocks or distribution panels, and the pump motor connections. Take photos before disconnecting anything so you can reference proper wire placement. Make sure you have the engine off and the coach disconnected from shore power before working on 12V systems.

Walking Through the Fix

Begin by testing voltage at the batteries with your multimeter under load while someone attempts to extend the levelers - you're looking for voltage drop under load. If voltage drops below 12 volts at the batteries themselves, your batteries are the problem despite showing good on the monitor. Clean all battery terminals thoroughly with a wire brush until they're bright metal, then reconnect tightly and retest.

Next, check voltage at the HWH pump motor connections while operating the system. You should see very close to battery voltage here - if there's more than a 0.5-volt difference between battery voltage and pump voltage under load, you have a connection problem somewhere in the circuit. Work backwards from the pump, checking the main breaker or fuse, any junction blocks, and the battery disconnect switch if equipped.

Pay special attention to the ground connections - the HWH system requires a solid ground path back to the battery negative terminal. Check the pump motor ground, chassis ground connections, and ensure the battery negative is properly connected to the chassis. A poor ground connection will cause the exact symptoms you're experiencing. Use your multimeter's continuity function to verify good ground paths.

If all connections test good, the issue might be undersized wiring that's developed internal resistance over time. This is less common but can happen with older coaches. The solution involves running new, properly sized cables directly from the batteries to the leveling system, typically 4 AWG minimum for runs up to 20 feet.

Beyond DIY Territory

If you've verified all connections are clean and tight, voltage is good at the batteries under load, and you're still getting immediate shutdowns, the problem likely lies within the HWH control module itself. The internal low-voltage protection circuit may have drifted out of specification, or there could be a fault in the control board that's causing false shutdowns. This requires specialized diagnostic equipment and replacement parts that typically run $300-500 for the control module.

Another scenario requiring professional help is if you discover the pump motor itself is drawing excessive current due to internal wear or contaminated hydraulic fluid. This would require system pressure testing and potentially a pump rebuild or replacement, which involves specialized hydraulic knowledge and tools. Signs pointing to this include the pump running but very slowly, unusual noises, or fluid leaks around the pump assembly. Professional repair costs for pump issues typically range from $800-1500 depending on what needs replacement.