Compass Connect Lighting Control possible dimmer?

[looknow12]

I know with the older Convenience Center, the light switches are analog so it seems easy enough to install dimmers, but with the new Compass Connect, any ideas on how to do that?

The Compass Connect controls the ceiling and exterior awning lights. Suffice to say, the ceiling lights it'd be great to be able to dim them.

 

[oldmanonthebike]

Look up a post by my wife. S&TDoyel here on the forum. She details how I installed dimmers.

 

[Randy3911]

I tried to find the post, but couldn't find it. Where is it located? Thanks.

 

[Ynot4me2]

I'm not too familiar with the new Compass Connect system but I dont think these dimmers will work unless you install them beside the panel if you can trace the wire.

Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk

 

[Randy3911]

Yep, the new Compass Connect is a "touch button" type. The entire panel has a motion sensor to turn the panel on. Pretty cool, except I don't think a regular switch will work either.

 

[looknow12]

Was this solved?

There are only four wires. I suspect two of them are DC voltage to power the panel, and the other two might be to a control computer.

Otherwise the panel maybe works wirelessly to control different modules. Either way, it has to go analog (relay) before it gets to the lights.

Any feedback appreciated.

 

[Heavysledz]

The control panel is just an interface...kind of like your thermostat. All of the actual switching is done at the Unity control module. It should be labeled so you can see which circuit is for what output. You would then need to tie your dimmer switch into the output going to the lighting that you want to have dimming control for. So you will need to locate the Unity control module in your rig....it is typically hidden behind a false wall or cabinet. My control panel is on the side of the overhead cabinet as you walk into the trailer but the Unity control module was on the opposite side of the entry door inside the cabinet above the kitchen counter behind a false wall.

 

[looknow12]

Thank you! Yes I found it a few hours ago and will post pictures of the final install shortly. Works great

 

[Heavysledz]

Thank you! Yes I found it a few hours ago and will post pictures of the final install shortly. Works great

Awesome, this will be great to see a successful dimmer switch install with Compass Connect.

 

[jproctor9]

Very interested in which dimmers you used. I've ordered a couple from Diode Dynamics because they dim on the positive wire. Most other PWM dimmers work on the negative side , and those typically don't work on chassis ground systems.

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

 

[looknow12]

So my coach is a Imagine XLS 23BHE. I found the Lippert Unity controller behind the radio mounted on the outside wall. They used only one screw BTW (discussion for another time) Here's are pictures of it.

Here is where it is located:
More misc pictures of it. This controller takes the digital feedback from the Compass Connect panel and/or App and triggers open and closed circuits. It also must talk to the tank sensors as well.

The 12VDC Output for the Main LED Lights is here.
I used a switch I bought on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08F2Y1NR1/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_3V04RYXECK5Y1G1YSMKD?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
There was another switch which was a press and hold but I couldn't get that to work. I can send the link later.
The switch (showing the back here) has three wires. 12VDC Line, Output to Light and a ground. The dimmer portion will not work without the ground.
The 12VDC wire (Red) goes to the output module shown in previous picture (highlighted in red).
Output (white) goes to the wire that used to be connected to the output module. For me it was brown, but whatever you take out of that Output is it.
Ground (Black), I wired to the radio connector. It is easy to pickup because there is a ribbon labeling it as Ground.

 

[looknow12]

Sorry the pictures turned. They looked fine on my PC, I know vbulletin does this in some situations.

Here's the final picture.


As a bonus, and certainly much easier, I added a switch to the bedroom. Keep in mind the bedroom lights feed two supply (yellow) wires spliced together. One is for the switch and ultimately the ceiling lights, the spliced wire also continues to the reading lights. I know because as I re-spliced the reading lights went out. Remember these switches need a ground, so because I did this switch after,I passed another wire for ground back to the radio and tied into it.

 

[Heavysledz]

great job! Thanks for posting the details...

 

[Grandesigner]

Nice...is there a way to control the power vent fan?

 

[shaggybob]

Thanks for this!

I'm definitely looking at dimmer options as our 17MKE has all lights on or off and can't selectively turn any lights off outside of the entry and 1 under cabinet light that aren't controlled by CC.

I'll have to look because we do have a hard switch, that's 3-way by the door. Assuming this switch just feeds to the Unity and not directly to the lights. Because of that I'm looking at this option: Rotary PWM High Side Dimmer instead of going with another switch. and picking up the output from the Unity then spicing in to the light feed.

Again, I appreciate your leg work on this!

 

[looknow12]

Nice...is there a way to control the power vent fan?

The factory skylight fan? I think we all recommend MaxAir or Fan-Tastic Fans. However to control the factory fan you might google search "12 volt variable speed fan switch". I don't think these dimmers are rated to vary output to a fan motor (motors are always different). Though I would reach out to the manufacturer before purchasing. If they will that would be ideal.

Obviously it would be nice to use a similar looking switch. Though the bathroom switch is a duplex and I'm not sure the duplex cover plate will fit. I can check that.

 

[Grandesigner]

What would be nice for me would be to simply open and close the factory maxx fan vent lid via compass connect. Fan speed would be a bonus...

 

[jrgandelg]

compass connect buzz

So my coach is a Imagine XLS 23BHE. I found the Lippert Unity controller behind the radio mounted on the outside wall. They used only one screw BTW (discussion for another time) Here's are pictures of it.
View attachment 35310
Here is where it is located: View attachment 35311
More misc pictures of it. This controller takes the digital feedback from the Compass Connect panel and/or App and triggers open and closed circuits. It also must talk to the tank sensors as well.
View attachment 35312
The 12VDC Output for the Main LED Lights is here. View attachment 35313
I used a switch I bought on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08F2Y1NR1/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_3V04RYXECK5Y1G1YSMKD?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
There was another switch which was a press and hold but I couldn't get that to work. I can send the link later.
The switch (showing the back here) has three wires. 12VDC Line, Output to Light and a ground. The dimmer portion will not work without the ground. View attachment 35314
The 12VDC wire (Red) goes to the output module shown in previous picture (highlighted in red).
Output (white) goes to the wire that used to be connected to the output module. For me it was brown, but whatever you take out of that Output is it.
Ground (Black), I wired to the radio connector. It is easy to pickup because there is a ribbon labeling it as Ground.

Thanks for your post, wired up the high side dimmer and it works great as you instructed. However I noticed the compass connect panel has a light buzz sound. Did you notice this after installing the dimmer?

 

[looknow12]

I don't have the camper anymore but I didn't notice a buzz. It might be the switch though that is buzzing. It's typical behavior for a dimmer switch.

 

[jrgandelg]

I don't have the camper anymore but I didn't notice a buzz. It might be the switch though that is buzzing. It's typical behavior for a dimmer switch.

Thank you!