I discovered a very generous annual program
I thought readers and perhaps some
manufacturers might like to consider the
implications of the installation of touchscreen
systems to control some or all of the 12-volt DC
circuits in motorhomes.
By way of background, in March 2017 I took
delivery of a new motorhome, the fourth we
have owned over the past 12 years. The van is
fitted with a Finscan touchscreen system which
has been configured to control most of the
12-volt DC circuits in the van, plus display the
12-volt battery levels, including the Iveco’s truck
battery, and the level of the fresh and grey water
tanks.
I was initially annoyed with this system, as the
Finscan system must have power at all times.
It cannot be turned off. When in storage this
system is drawing on the house batteries at
all times – not great if you are storing the van
where 240-volt AC is not available and/or
undercover so the solar panels do not get any
sun.
The main purpose of this letter is to note how
potentially dangerous such a system design can
be if the touchscreen fails. The screen in our van
failed when we were in Tasmania. We live in far
northern NSW. The screen failed, fortunately,
with all the circuits switched ‘on’ except for
the water pump. This meant that the van was
liveable except for use of the water pump.Finscan told me, over the phone, how to
get the water pump working. This involved
moving a fuse to another position on the main
circuit board which is located in the battery
compartment. This was not a user friendly
solution.I must point out that our situation could have
been much worse and potentially dangerous if
the screen had failed with most of the circuits
‘off’ and had the slideout extended; the electric
awning out and no fresh water anywhere in
the van, and perhaps with no mobile phone
reception.It would seem at the very least the system
should have a master switch which will turn all
the 12-volt DC circuits ‘on’ or ‘off’. In my view
the van should also have a separate 12-volt DC
battery level display and probably water tank
level display. I understand that manufacturers
like this type of touch screen system as it
reduces the amount of electrical cabling
required. Light switches just have to be glued to
the wall.It’s only fitting that since Ed has his say in On My Mind, you should be able to have yours too.
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Finscan Foibles
10 | On your mind
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