Replaced the JayCommand display with a controller

[NoFly]

Hey everybody,

Good info here, and I have some of the same questions pertaining to the node and what I can add to it. I just got off the phone with Jayco and of course their customer service was pretty much useless when it comes to adding anything to the node that didn't come stock.

I too would like to know how I can get my GoPower Solar system hooked up to the Jaycommand so I can monitor it remotely and get more detailed information about the panel in the temperature. I too also have just the standalone controller mounted into the wall currently.

My next task is I like to find out what wire from my newly purchased tank heater pads would go into the node so the Jay command system would recognize my tank heater pads. Would it be the positive or the negative of the heater pads, and what would be the max amperage safely to be drawn?

Finally, after looking at the pictures of everyone's node, mine looks completely different as it's much much bigger than all of yours. I can add pictures if anybody's interested but it was just a side thought when I seen the pictures on here. I have a 2020 pinnacle 37mdqs.


If anyone has any ideas I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[gobdeep]

Yeah NoFly, upload your pictures. Now I'm curious as to what you have installed compared to what we have.

 

[NoFly]

Here are the pics of my node.... To me, it just looks allot different than others.... It could be just me though...

 

[TomC_AZ]

There are two models of the nodes, I have not seen a good picture of the larger one but I believe it has more capabilities/hookups than the smaller one that we have been working with.

I have had more success with reaching directly out to companies that integrate with it than with Jayco or even BMPro. But BMPro has always at least steered me into the right direction.

For the solar I know its only compatible with GoPower, but I do not know which models. I would suggest reaching out to GoPower and asking. They tend to have good service and responses.

I am not sure what to say about the heater pads, my trailer has them but they are not connected to my node. They just have their own power switch, again may be a node capability thing though... I am also not sure if power flows through the node to the device or if they use relays to turn things on/off. I would suspect relays as that would be a better design but not sure. Just something to keep in mind when looking.

Would love to see pictures as well.

 

[NoFly]

Additional photos of the control node

 

[NoFly]

Damn... Those photos were horribly focused... Damn phone.. ��... I'll try to get better photos of anyone is interested

 

[NoFly]

There are two models of the nodes, I have not seen a good picture of the larger one but I believe it has more capabilities/hookups than the smaller one that we have been working with.

I have had more success with reaching directly out to companies that integrate with it than with Jayco or even BMPro. But BMPro has always at least steered me into the right direction.

For the solar I know its only compatible with GoPower, but I do not know which models. I would suggest reaching out to GoPower and asking. They tend to have good service and responses.

I am not sure what to say about the heater pads, my trailer has them but they are not connected to my node. They just have their own power switch, again may be a node capability thing though... I am also not sure if power flows through the node to the device or if they use relays to turn things on/off. I would suspect relays as that would be a better design but not sure. Just something to keep in mind when looking.

Would love to see pictures as well.

Yeah, your probably correct on the relays being used for controls... I'll definitely reach out to GoPower and see if they can guide me in the right direction. I just find it odd that the system has the ability to control and monitor the solar, but yet Jayco didn't have it added directly to the system. I'm wondering if the solar control is for the Australian version of solar..

Each heater pad is 2.8 amps, and I have 5 pads going on. Additionally, I already have 6 pipe heaters and 3 valve heaters directly wired...

It would be awesome to get them all on their own relays and run it through the jaycommand..

 

[TomC_AZ]

I hadn't thought about the tank heaters, prob because here in AZ we dont normally need them. I do know there are US models of the solar that do work, BMPro confirmed that for me. I just have not had a chance to reach out to GoPower and ask more about it. I suspect that its something like one of their MPPT vs PWM controllers etc.. that works with it.

 

[NoFly]

I hadn't thought about the tank heaters, prob because here in AZ we dont normally need them. I do know there are US models of the solar that do work, BMPro confirmed that for me. I just have not had a chance to reach out to GoPower and ask more about it. I suspect that its something like one of their MPPT vs PWM controllers etc.. that works with it.

Tom, that's good to know that there's the possibility of solar attaching to the BMPRO system. I'll work on reaching out to them on the subject, as well as GoPower...

Also, since you mentioned the use of relays, I've found an 8 bank relay bank, among with an 18 bank fuse block that I'll be connecting everything to. If everything works out, I'll be creating a video of the mod and uploading to YouTube.

Thanks again for the help and conversation.

 

[NoFly]

Ironically, I just received our new control Node from the dealer....

Back story: when we bought our 2020, I did my inspection prior to signing on the line. Well, I found the area of the controller that controlled and recognized the landing gear, was fried.

Well, after dinner discussion, I made it clear that we weren't going to buy, unless it was guaranteed to be replaced...

Just got it today

 

[NoFly]

If anyone is looking for the charge cable for their Jaycommand display tablet, I found it here on eBay.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/BMPRO-JHUB...349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=705-154756-20017-0

 

[gobdeep]

@NoFly - you have the actual RV Genius hardware, not the smaller and rebranded JayCommand setup. Nice!

TomC_AZ and I have had a few Direct Message conversations about this equipment. He and I are testing various components trying to figure out what kind of "trouble" we can get into.

I am going camping this weekend and I have a self-imposed "mod" hold in place so I don't break something right before a trip. However, when I return I intend on probing the ports to see what I can get out of them.

I've already pulled the GoPower Solar panel off during a different mod and there is a controller port on the back. I am going to re-explore the GoPower controller documentation to see what I can find in regards to integrating with the JayCommand device.

As far as heated tank pads go, ours is 120 volt. The pad power plugs are underneath our oven. The next time I am under the TT, I will remove my underbelly panel and snap a picture of the heated tank pad sticker that shows volts, amps, watts, details, etc. I wouldn't try to run the pad itself through the controller as, at least in ours, it is on a shared 30 amp self-resetting circuit. I would try to run a relay (low volts/amps) and have the relay switch the heated pads on and off.

I thought about generator control, but our dual-fuel generator is not a remote start unit so that is out of the picture.

I also thought about installing some bright LED flood lights on the corners of the TT and setting those up for control in the unit as "HALL/ENTER/AWN2". We had a security issue on a cross-country trip this past summer and the LED floods would have helped, although "my family 1 - bad college kids 0 + jail time" (we won't be staying overnight in a non-trucker parking lot ever again). This is still being considered.

My end game is to install a second HVAC and control the unit through the JayCommand system. I already have the second HVAC up on the control panel. Just need the HVAC unit itself and run the wire bundle. Ours was ordered pre-wired 50 amps and ducted which I confirmed by removing the ceiling in the master bedroom although I shouldn't have any issues because I am using an Easy Start from Micro-air.

 

[NoFly]

Update:

Success....I bought a relay board from Amazon and finally wired all my heat pads, pipe heaters and valve heaters up. I just hooked up the relay to the system and attached the valve heaters to it. Then I hooked up the signal wire coming from Jaycommand "tank heater" port, and then to the relay.... SUCCESS! Works flawlessly! Thanks for everyone's help and recommendations!

Now to find out what else I can ask do!

 

[gobdeep]

Hey, that's great! What make and model relay board is that? I am interested in doing this.

 

[NoFly]

Morning Go deep... This is the
BMPRO Rvgeniusnode #RVMN101A Rev: 09A

 

[gobdeep]

Morning Go deep... This is the
BMPRO Rvgeniusnode #RVMN101A Rev: 09A

Sorry, I was asking about the relay board from Amazon. I have the BMPro device.

 

[NoFly]

Oops sorry about that... Just woke up and didn't have coffee ;-)...

Relay:. HiLetgo 12V 8 Channel Relay... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LW2GA5Y?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Fuse block:. DC Power Fuse Distribution Strip... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PT3PXSB?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

 

[TomC_AZ]

Gobdeep, I am not sure that we have the tank heat option on our nodes like the larger one has. Here are some good pictures I found. Unless you think you have a way to connect?

 

[NoFly]

As a side note:.

Last week I completed most of my underbelly insulating project. Well, it's currently -8°F and has been around that all night, and this morning I still have water!!
Although, I did shut off the water heater last night, and left the gallery dribble (both hot and cold lines) all night, it still didn't freeze up.

Before the insulation going in, I froze up at 14°F, so I'd have to say it's well worth the effort to insulate.

The only place to insulate is the the front section from the black and grey tanks and forward...

 

[gobdeep]

Gobdeep, I am not sure that we have the tank heat option on our nodes like the larger one has. Here are some good pictures I found. Unless you think you have a way to connect?

I'm thinking about using one of the unused lighting circuits. I want to get the probe out and see if I can do AC/1 HEAT PUMP or AC/2 HEAT PUMP. There isn't a stab plug on those terminals, but I can wire something securely if they actually function.

When I get a break from work today I'll run out there with the volt meter and probe em.