Lippert One Control / Compass Connect CANBUS Communication Issue

[olanandkate]

Hey everyone!
I'm going to try to summarize everything I've done in this initial post so hopefully I get all of the relevant information in here.

Back Story:
We handed our RV (2022 Grand Design Reflection 28BH) over for some warranty service in October of 2023. Aside from the roof issues we were having, everything functioned properly. I finally got the RV back just last week and I took it to a local RV park for a quick shake down to make sure everything worked as expected (plumbing, electrical, slides, awnings, etc.) After setting up the RV and aside from a single plumbing issue I found that everything was functional except I could not connect to the Compass Connect / One Control system anymore.

Troubleshooting:
I reset the system by disconnecting all power (solar, shore, and battery) and even disconnected the power and ground cables from the Unity X1.5 board. I did this for over an hour as I went to lunch and when I came back I hooked it all back up. This did not fix my issue.

I called Lippert support (who were VERY awesome!) and went through the system. While reviewing the system we noticed that the LCD panel in the passthrough no longer saw any of the systems in the RV. All of them were offline. We went through and tested the ohms on each connection (this included every connector, both on the boards, on the cables, and the terminators). Each of them was within the 116.5 to 120 range that they gave me as nominal readings. They also had me check the voltage readings on the battery, the voltage readings at the Unity board, and then they wanted me to check the reading from the power at the Unity panel and a chassis ground. Every single one of those read back 14.2volts (I have lithium batteries and a lithium charger).

They concluded the call stating that this was more advanced than could be handled over the phone and that I would need to take it back to the dealer. I don't want to have my RV at the dealer for another 7 (almost 8) months and I am quite capable of fixing this myself. My uneducated guess is that something is wrong with the unity board since the bluetooth is not connecting. All of the other systems in the CANBUS chain are functional and did not report any communication issues. Any suggestions from all you super experienced and well educated people in this forum? haha. I've included some pictures for reference. The convenience panel is not my panel but it is the same one.

 

[Soundsailor]

It sounds to me like the board was damaged while at your dealer. I feel your pain about not wanting to return the coach to the dealer. Did Lippert give you any guidance on how to test the board? Your best bet may be to replace the board yourself. Yes, an expense, but at least you can camp this summer. You don't say which coach you have, that may help others to give appropriate advice.

BTW: Welcome to the forum.

 

[olanandkate]

I have a 2022 Grand Design Reflection 28BH. Lippert did not provide any further guidance. They didn't even say the Unity board might be bad, that's just my opinion. Their final statement was to take it back to the dealer. I do have a board sourced but I just haven't purchased it yet. Waiting to see if there are any thoughts before I proceed with this expense. Also luckily the RV is usable without the Compass Connect. I was able to setup the entire RV without a single issue. I really only use the Compass Connect to control the lights/awnings when I'm lazy. The only worry I have is if I have to manage any of the individual legs of the leveling system I will be out of luck since I had to use the panel to access that function.

 

[olanandkate]

A little bit more info. I disconnected the CANBUS from the Unity X1.5 board and all of my devices came back online (minus of course the ones that are connected to the Unity board) So I honestly believe it is the Unity board. I've bought a new board and will let you know what happens when I replace it.

 

[triplethreat]

A little bit more info. I disconnected the CANBUS from the Unity X1.5 board and all of my devices came back online (minus of course the ones that are connected to the Unity board) So I honestly believe it is the Unity board. I've bought a new board and will let you know what happens when I replace it.

Thanks for the update, and yes please, let us know if that fixes it. It could be valuable info for someone else in the future.

 

[Butcher]

What I would do and encourage everyone that think they are handy, is to take the Lippert online training course. It's free and it tailored for an RV tech. They are simple enough to understand and since they are online, you can take the course over and over till you get it. When you are done, you get a certificate too!
https://lippert.learnupon.com/users/sign_in?next=/dashboard

As a German car mechanic that loves to diagnose, I would rather check voltages vs resistances. I also prefer to make those tests while connected. You never know what the computer will do to a circuit if the connector is unplugged. It can shut off the power and therefore you think there are other issues. Their CAN system is nothing new. The automotive industry have been using this type of communication for decades.

I have never dealt with Lippert but I suspect if you call them, talk to a professional, if the trailer is under warranty, and you have shown that you have real knowledge of the workings of the system [as well as your online certificate], they just might send you the part for free. Of course, I do not know but Lippert would save money by not having to pay you labor and that is the carrot for them. The carrot for you is that you know the mechanic that is fixing it so you know if there are any ever since issues. You also could have enough money to just want to pay for the part yourself.

As an automotive tech for well over 40 years, nothing frustrates me more than 'Ever since' complaints. 'It sounds to me like the board was damaged while at your dealer.' just makes any mechanic go through the roof. That said, it does happen but it's best not go into the dealership and start blaming others for your problem.

Things break all the time. Sometimes what happened a few seconds ago might be a reason why it broke, but that is not always the case. Just because it stopped working when it left the dealership, does not mean they caused it.

 

[olanandkate]

What I would do and encourage everyone that think they are handy, is to take the Lippert online training course. It's free and it tailored for an RV tech. They are simple enough to understand and since they are online, you can take the course over and over till you get it. When you are done, you get a certificate too!
https://lippert.learnupon.com/users/sign_in?next=/dashboard

As a German car mechanic that loves to diagnose, I would rather check voltages vs resistances. I also prefer to make those tests while connected. You never know what the computer will do to a circuit if the connector is unplugged. It can shut off the power and therefore you think there are other issues. Their CAN system is nothing new. The automotive industry have been using this type of communication for decades.

I have never dealt with Lippert but I suspect if you call them, talk to a professional, if the trailer is under warranty, and you have shown that you have real knowledge of the workings of the system [as well as your online certificate], they just might send you the part for free. Of course, I do not know but Lippert would save money by not having to pay you labor and that is the carrot for them. The carrot for you is that you know the mechanic that is fixing it so you know if there are any ever since issues. You also could have enough money to just want to pay for the part yourself.

As an automotive tech for well over 40 years, nothing frustrates me more than 'Ever since' complaints. 'It sounds to me like the board was damaged while at your dealer.' just makes any mechanic go through the roof. That said, it does happen but it's best not go into the dealership and start blaming others for your problem.

Things break all the time. Sometimes what happened a few seconds ago might be a reason why it broke, but that is not always the case. Just because it stopped working when it left the dealership, does not mean they caused it.

Thanks Butcher! I've taken that class they have now regarding their One Control system and I am now certified! Unfortunately their troubleshooting steps were the same as they did with me over the phone which was doing the resistance testing on the CANBUS network. The new Unity board should be in tomorrow so I'll let you guys know if that fixes it and if it does what I did to reprogram it for the 28BH.

 

[Butcher]

Knowing the rest of the story is a good deal. Waiting at the edge of my seat.

 

[olanandkate]

Final reply here. It is fixed! I got the replacement part this morning and installed it. I immediately went to see if the bluetooth was working and it did not work. I was a little bummed at first but I thought I should check to see if the CANBUS is seeing it. Sure enough the CANBUS reported the Unity board now! I went ahead and set it all up which was a breeze thanks to the Lippert Technical Institute course that Butcher referenced. After I got it setup I decided to try the bluetooth again. Still no luck. I reset the system by disconnecting all power (shore, battery, and solar) and decided to rest on the couch while waiting for it to clear LOL After it was done I connected the power and verified that all of the functions were still working through the OCTP (One Control Touch Panel) and it was. I tried bluetooth again and sure enough it worked this time! So it was a bad Unity board for us which resolved our issue. Thanks for all the help everyone!

 

[Butcher]

So, now you have proven your skills, time to make some money on your new found knowledge.

It's always a good feeling when you find the needle in the haystack.