Panel Switches Strange Behavior - Printable Version
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Panel Switches Strange Behavior - Superannuated Peregrinator - 11-21-2025
I have a strange phenomenon happen when I press the button to turn the auxiliary air compressors on or off on one of the control panels next to the microwave. When the auxiliary compressor switch is in the off position, the compressor button and three of the other six buttons on that panel turn on as if those buttons have been pressed and those items turned on (main water pump, diesel hot water, and electric hot water). Those extra items do not turn on, but their buttons show they are on. If I press one of those buttons, the item turns on and off normally, but the light stays on. Additionally, a panel above the front entry door has three buttons that also turn on (outside flood lights). Again, pressing those buttons toggle the items on and off, but the panel lights stay on regardless. The buttons in the water bay also show the main water pump as on all the time. When I press the auxiliary compressor to the on state, all other panel lights behave normally. Since I am chasing air leaks, I have been turning the compressors off so they don't run all the time, but it's driving me nuts to not know if my water pump and water heaters are really on or off. I've been turning the compressors on so my panel lights work correctly and have been physically unplugging the compressors to keep them from running. Is this one for the Newell factory to address and replace a faulty button panel? Or is there some other approach I can try. I did disconnect all power, including turning off all switches in the battery bay so there was no power to the coach and let it sit for a long while. I thought that may reset something, but it did not work.
RE: Panel Switches Strange Behavior - [email protected] - 11-21-2025
(11-21-2025, 05:48 PM)Superannuated Peregrinator Wrote: I have a strange phenomenon happen when I press the button to turn the auxiliary air compressors on or off on one of the control panels next to the microwave. When the auxiliary compressor switch is in the off position, the compressor button and three of the other six buttons on that panel turn on as if those buttons have been pressed and those items turned on (main water pump, diesel hot water, and electric hot water). Those extra items do not turn on, but their buttons show they are on. If I press one of those buttons, the item turns on and off normally, but the light stays on. Additionally, a panel above the front entry door has three buttons that also turn on (outside flood lights). Again, pressing those buttons toggle the items on and off, but the panel lights stay on regardless. The buttons in the water bay also show the main water pump as on all the time. When I press the auxiliary compressor to the on state, all other panel lights behave normally. Since I am chasing air leaks, I have been turning the compressors off so they don't run all the time, but it's driving me nuts to not know if my water pump and water heaters are really on or off. I've been turning the compressors on so my panel lights work correctly and have been physically unplugging the compressors to keep them from running. Is this one for the Newell factory to address and replace a faulty button panel? Or is there some other approach I can try. I did disconnect all power, including turning off all switches in the battery bay so there was no power to the coach and let it sit for a long while. I thought that may reset something, but it did not work.
Pat, sorry to say I am not much help with your year coach. Your coach is new compared to most of the active members on here. We do have a few guys who have newer coaches who frequent here and hopefully one of those guys will be able to guide you on this. A photo of your switches will also help if you can add that, at least so we know what kind of switches we are talking about. I am thinking your coach is using some of the new multiplex type system, with various components to make things operate.
RE: Panel Switches Strange Behavior - Superannuated Peregrinator - 11-21-2025
Thanks for your reply. I chuckle when you say my coach is "newer." I've already run into two instances where Newell has told me parts are no longer available for my coach, and in one case their replacement requires a Newell factory tech to install and program (waste tank sensor).
I was wrong. Four, not three of the other buttons light up when the compressor switch is toggled to the off state. I attached some pictures. When you see the buttons lit a bright red, the compressor switch is in the off state. When you see them green (normally off state for each button), the compressor is in the on state.
RE: Panel Switches Strange Behavior - [email protected] - 11-22-2025
(11-21-2025, 06:45 PM)Superannuated Peregrinator Wrote: Thanks for your reply. I chuckle when you say my coach is "newer." I've already run into two instances where Newell has told me parts are no longer available for my coach, and in one case their replacement requires a Newell factory tech to install and program (waste tank sensor).
I was wrong. Four, not three of the other buttons light up when the compressor switch is toggled to the off state. I attached some pictures. When you see the buttons lit a bright red, the compressor switch is in the off state. When you see them green (normally off state for each button), the compressor is in the on state.
Hopefully Jim @Hypoxia will chime in on these switches. I am not sure how these operate but I am guessing they are a type of multiplex system, and it could be the switches are acting up or it could be another issue in the system.
RE: Panel Switches Strange Behavior - arcticdude - 11-22-2025
Find the module that controls these functions. It should be all in the same module. The relays that control all these functions should be controlled by that module and should be close to that module. I’ll bet you’ll find there’s a bad/poor common ground involved with these functions.
When I say “module”, I’m referring to what ever unit that carries out the actions told to it by the multiplex control computer.
In my coach that has a multiplex system, there are only 3 locations for these “acting modules”. These take a very low amperage signal and convert it to a higher voltage through relays that actually do the switch on or off. The neat thing about a multiplex system is the ability to put any action (turn on/off a light, an ac, a generator or anything that can be switched) in any location in the coach. Additionally, only a few (3 wires on my coach) run from each switch panel only to the system computer. Only a few wires also run to each action module.
The downside is the added complexity of the additional relays and grounds needed to do said action.
One confounding factor I’ve found in my coach is the system is 12V, but my chassis is 24V. The step down dc to dc converter needs to produce very clean power or the entire system acts VERY poorly. I do not think that is your issue here, or at least it would be way down the possibility list- unless you’re seeing some other oddities (switches need a couple of pushes to stay on/off, for example).
RE: Panel Switches Strange Behavior - Superannuated Peregrinator - 11-22-2025
Interesting. Now to find where the common module is. Pretty sure I'm 12V across the board, so shouldn't have that complication. Thanks for your input.
RE: Panel Switches Strange Behavior - ian1959 - 11-26-2025
(11-22-2025, 06:37 PM)Superannuated Peregrinator Wrote: Interesting. Now to find where the common module is. Pretty sure I'm 12V across the board, so shouldn't have that complication. Thanks for your input.
Hi there,
coach #1218 here in the UK, the control modules are in the electrical city bay on my coach, take off the panel which houses the fuses/switch overides and this will reveal the control modules, normally a wiggle around with the respective board fixes my issues, they are in banks of 4 which all slot into what looks like a large PC mother board, if this does not work I have swapped the module from another position, ( be sure you set the dip switches correctly) if they are not in the same possition.
Regards
Ian
RE: Panel Switches Strange Behavior - Superannuated Peregrinator - 11-26-2025
Ian, thanks for your input. I'll take a look. Newell also suggested swapping switch panels to see if it's the button panel or the control module. They said to not use one that runs the blinds, etc. because those have extra resistors on them. I have not had time to try anything yet.
RE: Panel Switches Strange Behavior - Superannuated Peregrinator - 11-28-2025
I swapped the button panel from the bedroom with the panel next to the microwave and the bedroom panel behaved the same way. Therefore, I know it is not the button panel, but the control module in the electrical bay. I did wiggle the module a bit as Ian suggested, but that did not do anything. I gave it a pretty good tug, but it did not come out of the motherboard socket. How hard can I pull on the module? Also, do I need to shut down any power to the panel with the modules on it before pulling out a control module?
RE: Panel Switches Strange Behavior - CaptainGizmo - 11-28-2025
My first step would be to reboot the Spyder system. You can shoot the entire coach down, or pull the fuses that power the system. On later “teen” coaches? Those fuses are:
610, 611, 612, and 624
Sometimes, the system just goes wonky and needs a reset.