Community Forums

big jimbo · 06-22-2008, 05:51 AM

Does anybody know how I can disable the daytime running lights on my 2006 Apex?

When I flash my lights, with the button on the Smart Wheel, to signal truckers and other RV'rs that they are clear go come back into my lane, nobody can see my my lights flash because of the daytime running lights.

I got ahold of one trucker on the CB and asked him to watch while I flashed my lights and he said that he could barely see anything happening, and if I had not asked him to watch, he would not have seen my signal at all.

Soooo, I am thinking that as a matter of courtesy to other drivers, I would like to turn my daytime running lights off.

big jimbo · 06-22-2008, 05:51 AM

Does anybody know how I can disable the daytime running lights on my 2006 Apex?

When I flash my lights, with the button on the Smart Wheel, to signal truckers and other RV'rs that they are clear go come back into my lane, nobody can see my my lights flash because of the daytime running lights.

I got ahold of one trucker on the CB and asked him to watch while I flashed my lights and he said that he could barely see anything happening, and if I had not asked him to watch, he would not have seen my signal at all.

Soooo, I am thinking that as a matter of courtesy to other drivers, I would like to turn my daytime running lights off.

Wil Rathke · 06-22-2008, 11:54 AM

I have also been aware of this and have tested my lights when following a vehicle closely. It would be difficult to notice the lights flash. I try to leave my lights in the "high" mode when traveling because the high beams then flash. Trucks and other RV's seem to notice the high beam flash then.

Did you know that the lights come on when the wipers are turned on? They will not turn on, however, when the washer button in pressed. Also, after the wipers are turned off the light switch must be turned on and then off to turn the lights off.

I can only guess that this was a WRV design glitch or it was not considered a major problem to warrent a possible major redesign.

dgerstel · 06-22-2008, 01:24 PM

This is not an unknown problem, it was brought up a year ago at the focus group. I am sure that WRV never did anything about it. I plan to do a fix on my coach when I find the time. It is a low priority for me right now. The problem is in the Vansco ladder logic software. If the daytime running lights are a separate bulb then I should be able to come up with a "work around" solution. If the daytime running light is just a reduced voltage to the night time bulb, then it will be more difficult.

Wil,
Have you tried it with just the regular lights on? The headlights should then flash off and on like at night. The other problems you mention are also in the Vansco ladder logic.

Dale

Bob2 · 07-03-2008, 12:25 PM

We have same problem with our '09, so have been using high beams as signal, which of course means flipping the light switch on and off if in daytime. On prior Monaco coach I took fog lights off regular circuit and connected a spring loaded (momentary)switch to them for use as a signal device. I almost never used them as fog lights prior to the change, so did not miss them. Bob2 2009 34'

racer_ss · 07-03-2008, 07:29 PM

the day time running lights are controlled buy the ladder logic it is progrommed to drop down to 75% of voltage. as for the headlights coming on with the wipers that was done to confirm to cal. law. let me do some thinking and see if i can come up with a diagram that would bypass the ladder logic.

dgerstel · 07-04-2008, 04:43 AM

Racer_ss,

Could we install a relay in the headlight circuit, DPDT, with the each headlight circuit on the one pair of the normally closed contacts. Power this relay from the Smart Wheel controller output. Then when the Smart Wheel relay sent out power to flash the headlights, it would cause the power to the headlights to be cut off by the relay? My concern with this set up is how does the Smart Wheel work to cut off the lights at night when the lights are on? Is there any way that the ladder logic can be modified?

Thanks in advance for your help!!!!!!!!!!

racer_ss · 07-05-2008, 09:16 PM

I think so a relay would work but iam still doing a little research. this is the time I wish i had all my drawings. changeing the ladder logic would be the easist if you could find someone with the vansco program. i will continue to research and let you know

big jimbo · 07-06-2008, 06:56 AM

I am afraid there are manuals and other info, on paper, that I did not get with my coach. I am aware there is a Vansco system but I have no idea what "ladder logic" is.

Also, I noticed under my coach, there are two small antenna looking things that are pointed towards the ground. One is near the front axle and the other is under the engine, near the back of the coach. What are these for?

All of these complicated systems are contributing to my thoughts about trading out of my Alpine. I am wary of things that could go wrong and not being able to find anybody who is familiar with these systems.

In spite of my constant complaints, I don't mind fixing minor things, but do not want to spend the rest of my life wondering "what is next"

dgerstel · 07-06-2008, 07:23 AM

racer_ss,

Do you know if the Smart Wheel just out puts 12 volts when the headlight flash button is pressed, or does it change when the headlights are on or off? In other words, does the Smart Wheel or the Vansco system control how the headlights switch, on & off from the headlight flash button, depending on if the headlights are already on or off?

Jim,

A lot of the information for the misc. systems are available on line or at the ACA website. If you need something specific, ask about it here and someone will probably be able to help you. The ladder logic is just basically the software for the Vansco multiplexing system. The Vansco system reduces the number on wires needed to operate the coach 12 volt system, replaces the fuses for those circuits and allows the manufacturer to automate a lot of the electrical system's operations.

The two small antennas are for the SmartTire system, they receive the signals from the sensors in the tires on the coach and tow car, if installed.

As to what is next, maybe some of the other Apex owners can give you some feedback.

EngineerMike · 07-06-2008, 11:17 AM

Jim- You'll find a lot of technical info in the ACA Tech Library which we are updating regularly. Shortly you will see the SmartTire manual under Chassis stuff, and an Apex Vansco Schematic showing the relation of inputs to outputs (for those working on this headlight issue among other things). Tho not everybody has an Apex, the Vansco schematic is likely to be correct except for Apex-specific circuits.

This centrally located on-line resource is much better than most coach manufacturers offer, and because it is managed thru ACA, the fact that WRV is gone won't affect the Library's availability over time.

Wil Rathke · 07-07-2008, 04:25 AM

big jimbo,
I worked with ladder logic some in my job as an electrical engineer. It was then used in "Programmable Logic Controllers" which are functionally similar to the Vansco units.
There is a good description of ladder logic at the following web site.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ladder_logic

Hope that helps.