EC800 CONTROL PANEL

[ALANSHARKY]

I am a newbie to caravans but after reading so much about the EC800 Sargent command panel, I was amazed that know one mentions the BATTERIES. Yes batteries.
I had the issue of the panel not reacting to my touches after having the caravan turned off and then back on again, forcing me to re-calibrate my screen every time I disconnected the power from the mains ie: In storage.
I did some research and found that the main screen needs to keep the memory but how can it do that when you cut the power. I then found out that in the back of these screens are two CR2032 batteries. Maybe they also keep the settings and calibration information, and that if I replace the two batteries, the problem will go away ?
I have my caravan in storage away from the home and cannot replace the batteries until the weekend to see if I have cured my problem, but I will be doing this at the weekend and hope its just that.
Failing that, could it be the damp air in storage affecting the front panel?. When I last started the screen, it did feel a bit wet, so maybe a bag with a silicone bag inside, taped over the panel, whilst in storage, may help there. I will be trying out both this weekend, so I hope my thoughts are of some help to those with a panel that wont act when touched, or just playing up, try replacing the batteries or drying out the whole panel. Please let me know if you have any luck, happy vanning !

 

[Dustydog]

Interesting post , thanks. I don’t know but someone here will , I hope.
If your small batteries don’t fix the issue then try these guys at Apuljack

 

[ALANSHARKY]

Thank you for the link. FYI. When we bought this caravan, the first one we ever owned, in Nov 22024, the man went through all of the components and when he got to this one he said, "this command panel can be temperamental", huh, well my wife and I looked at each other and regrettably we said nothing. He then proceeded to show us how to re-calibrate the panel as he must have know we would need this bit of info. Seems that quite a few people have the same issue as us but no one on any site has ever come up with an answer of how to cure the issue. Being my age I cannot remember what I wrote in the 1st post so a reminder to all is that our issue is :- If we turn the power to the caravan off eg: in storage, when we then turn the power back on and switch the ec800 command panel on, it comes on, but the contact of the touch screen does not work. We can see the main screen icons, but nothing works when touched. We have to hold on to the on/off switch till the screen goes off, then keep holding for about 20 seconds, then the 'calibrate by hitting the three dots' screen comes up, you then tap the three dots, it calibrates goes black, then you hit the on/off button and it comes back and its all working. I am hoping the battery is preventing it from memorising the calibration, otherwise we have a faulty panel. I will post success or failure after the weekend. thanks for your replies.

 

[ALANSHARKY]

Just thought I would add one extra bit of info. When I went to touch the screen, I noticed it was quite damp. We had been in the cold caravan for a while doing work and the condensation was very evident on the screen. It occurs to me now that there is an outside chance that it could be the wet screen that's causing an issue, so when we replace the battery, we intend to seal a plastic bag over the front of the panel with silicone gel bag inside, just for storage, and see if that helps should the battery idea fail. ty

 

[IanB1485]

The Sargent control panel does use older memory technology( unlike more modern ones which uses 'flash' memory technology which doesn't require a backup battery ) which requires a small battery to preserve the memory . Replacing the batteries should stop it happening , be careful to wear gloves when handling and fitting the new ( they are actually cells , not batteries) cells as finger grease can prevent good electrical contact .
Any dampness which could affect them will show up as discolouration on the comand unit cell connectors ( little springy clips) don't use abrasive items such as emery or sandpaper as this will remove the plating exposing the spring steel which will just corrode again- I use Isopropyl alcohol on a cotton bud to gently remove any debris and if the contacts are corroded use a 'nickel pen' to resurface the contacts

 

[ALANSHARKY]

WELL GUYS, DISAPOINTMENT AGAIN. I REPLACED THE EC800 BATTERY WITH A TOP NOTCH TOSHIBA CR2032 AND...................................... STILL THE SAME. I ALSO WIPED THE SCREEN TO MAKE SURE IT WAS DRY.
THEN I PUT THE POWER ON AND HIT THE ON BUTTON ON THE COMMAND PANEL. THE SCREEN CAME UP BUT THE TOUCH SYMBOLS DID NOT RESPOND. I HAD TO RE-CALIBRATE AGAIN. I THEN TURNED IT ALL OFF TO SEE IF THE NEW BATTERY HAD HELP THE MEMORY AND NOPE, STILL HAD TO RE-CALIBRATE AGAIN. I ALSO PUT SILICONE GEL IN THE BACK TO TRY AND TAKE AWAY ANY DAMP, NOT THAT THERE WAS ANY EVIDENT. I DID START THE SCREEN ONE MORE TIME, THIS TIME I HIT OUTSIDE, AND I MEAN WAY OUTSIDE THE SYMBOLS AND MUST HAVE HIT THE PUMP, SO QUICKLY HIT THE OFF BUTTON TO PREVENT DAMAGE AS WE ARE IN STORAGE. SO I AM AFRAID, WE STILL HAVE TO RE-CALIBRATE THE COMMAND PANEL EVERY TIME WE PITCH UP. ITS ONLY A ONE MINUTE SETUP BUT JUST STICKS IN MY CRAW A BIT. I AM RELUCTANT TO USE THE GREAT LINK SENT TO ME BY DUSTY DOG, THE SITE APPLEJAK LOOKS REALLY GOOD, BUT FOR A ONE MINUTE SETUP, I WONDER HOW MUCH THEY ARE GOING TO CHARGE, MIGHT TRY ASKING AND REPORT BACK GUYS. SORRY I WAS UNABLE TO CURE ISSUE IF YOU ARE HAVING SAME FAULT.

 

[Dustydog]

That’s a shame. At least you have tried.
How about a phone call to Sargent’s technical advice dept?

 

[ALANSHARKY]

LOL, I WAS FILLING OUT THE SARGENT TCKET FORM JUST BEFORE I READ YOUR POST DUSTYDOG. I EXPLAINED ALL AND ASKED THEM 4 QUESTIONS.
1. DO YOU KNOW WHATS WRONG
2. CAN YOU FIX IT
3. WHAT WILL THE COST BE
4. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE
I'M NOT HOLDING MY BREATH, IT CAM BACK WITH A TICKET RAISED NUMBER, AND A LINE THAT SAID, GET BACK TO YOU WITHIN 10 WORKING DAYS.......
WELL I WILL KEEP TRYING AND LET YOU ALL KNOW HOW IT WENT.
BUT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW AN ANSWER TO SOMETHING IF ANYONE CAN HELP/.
WE VISITED OUR VAN ON SATURDAY, WE HAVE ALREADY BEEN ON HOIDAY, IN POURING RAIN. HAD THE VAN SITTING IN A PITCH ON OUR STORAGE FOR A FEW MONTHS AND NO ISSUES AT ALL. THEN WE MOVED PITCHES AND LEFT THE VAN SLIGHTLY SLOPING BACKWARDS. WE NOTICED THIS SATURDAY, AND WOUND THE JOCKEY TO LEVEL UP AND HEARD LOADS OF WATER SPLASHING. WHEN WE WENT INSIDE THE PLACE WAS DRIPPING, FROM WHAT APPEARED THE TOP FRONT OPENABLE HATCH.
WHEN WE CLEARED UP I CAN ONLY THINK THAT THE WATER WAS SITTING ON THE ROOF, AND WHEN WE LEVELLED UP, IT CREATED A WAVE THAT ROLLED DOWN THE VAN, AND UP OVER THE HATCH WALLS THAT WERE CLOSED AT THE TIME, BUT AS YOU KNOW THEY ONLY FIT OVER A LOW WALL.
PLEASE TELL ME THAT I AM CORRECT AND WE HAVE NOT DEVELOPED A HOLE SOMEWHERE. IT WAS DRY INSIDE WHEN WE ARRIVED, ONLY FLOODED AFTER WE LEVELED UP.?

 

[toad a caravan]

Other people have had similar problems with water collection on roof, a suggestion I found was to have it slightly tilted either to the left or right

 

[Dustydog]

LOL, I WAS FILLING OUT THE SARGENT TCKET FORM JUST BEFORE I READ YOUR POST DUSTYDOG. I EXPLAINED ALL AND ASKED THEM 4 QUESTIONS.
1. DO YOU KNOW WHATS WRONG
2. CAN YOU FIX IT
3. WHAT WILL THE COST BE
4. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE
I'M NOT HOLDING MY BREATH, IT CAM BACK WITH A TICKET RAISED NUMBER, AND A LINE THAT SAID, GET BACK TO YOU WITHIN 10 WORKING DAYS.......
WELL I WILL KEEP TRYING AND LET YOU ALL KNOW HOW IT WENT.
BUT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW AN ANSWER TO SOMETHING IF ANYONE CAN HELP/.
WE VISITED OUR VAN ON SATURDAY, WE HAVE ALREADY BEEN ON HOIDAY, IN POURING RAIN. HAD THE VAN SITTING IN A PITCH ON OUR STORAGE FOR A FEW MONTHS AND NO ISSUES AT ALL. THEN WE MOVED PITCHES AND LEFT THE VAN SLIGHTLY SLOPING BACKWARDS. WE NOTICED THIS SATURDAY, AND WOUND THE JOCKEY TO LEVEL UP AND HEARD LOADS OF WATER SPLASHING. WHEN WE WENT INSIDE THE PLACE WAS DRIPPING, FROM WHAT APPEARED THE TOP FRONT OPENABLE HATCH.
WHEN WE CLEARED UP I CAN ONLY THINK THAT THE WATER WAS SITTING ON THE ROOF, AND WHEN WE LEVELLED UP, IT CREATED A WAVE THAT ROLLED DOWN THE VAN, AND UP OVER THE HATCH WALLS THAT WERE CLOSED AT THE TIME, BUT AS YOU KNOW THEY ONLY FIT OVER A LOW WALL.
PLEASE TELL ME THAT I AM CORRECT AND WE HAVE NOT DEVELOPED A HOLE SOMEWHERE. IT WAS DRY INSIDE WHEN WE ARRIVED, ONLY FLOODED AFTER WE LEVELED UP.?

Did the water enter through the open door or open roof: Sun roof? Very unlikely so much water came in through the caravan bonding!We always leave ours stored tilted to help the water run off the roof towards the rear. It doesn’t matter which way you tilt as long as all apertures are closed😉

I’m not a great fan of email questions. I prefer to speak to a human being😜

BTW using upper case for posting is not good on the eyes for reading. Believe it or not clarity gets lost . Much better in lower case and easier to highlight specific points😉

 

[ALANSHARKY]

Great idea, thank you.

I just got told off for what was described as a personal attack on someone so saying YOU in the thank you might be personal and not allowed again. It seems its ok to attack what I have written and NOT class that as personal, but for me to respond and point out that their comments are of no value to the subject as they were commenting on the way I write, and THATS NOT CLASSED AS PERSONAL THEN.
Sadly I don't think I m gonna be on here for long, if PERSONAL attacks of how I write are allowed, and me pointing out to someone that they are not contributing to the information but merely looking for spelling mistakes or writing in capital letters is PERSONAL then Another joke site? or is that personal.?

 

[ALANSHARKY]

The water appeared to come in from the top hatch. There is no seal on these. The lid just basically fits over a raised hatch wall and we were hoping the levelling just sent a wave up over this wall.
We have had it several months without issue, and it was dry when we arrived, just heard the splashing as we levelled up

 

[ALANSHARKY]

Wife is very upset thinking we have a leak, but I cannot see how if we have had no issues till now. I think a pool of water must have been sitting on top and levelling it up caused a wave which went over the hatch lip. I believe this is about an inch high and the roof lids just fit over, there is no seals on any of them. That's the only explanation I can think of.

 

[birdman101]

You are better off phoning Sargent rather than wait with ticket number response. When they answer phone give them the ticket number so they can refer then cancel. It. I phoned them three weeks ago with a warranty problem and they sent me new unit next day and when I had changed it courier collect the old one,

 

[woodsieboy]

We ended up sending our screen back to Sargent when it translated evrything in to German, had it repaired and back to us within a week,not sure why they don't just offer an exchange unit.I have been told that there is only 1 person at Sargent that deals with repairing the screens and he is part time, not sure how true it is but would explain the 10 day wait,a word of warning, we had the similar issue to you and took the calibrate each time route, but eventually it went to German and bore no resemblence to the buttons, luckily we were at home when it happened,So you risk it not working at all when you are away,I still never trust a touch screen,whatever make it is.

 

[ALANSHARKY]

I appreciate your input Woodsieboy, but I use my phone (touch screen) all day every day, so until now never had a issue. I have contacted a company (closed at present) who do firmware updates. There is a suggestion that having this updated may cure the issue and add other options of use. If thats not expensive, I may start with that, before exploring repair at what cost?

 

[woodsieboy]

From memory I think Sargent charged approx £175 for the repair, I think the whole touch screen thing in a caravan is overkill, I suspect Swift used them as part of the Swift Connect package, but that in my view was pointless, just my view, and I would rather have had a bank of toggle switches to control pump,lights etc. I also use my touch screen phone every day but I don't trust it, I think Swift have changed to a different screen in later models. I also explored buying a used screen,but there was no guarantee it would be better than the one we had.
Since we have had our screen back we have had no further problems and Sargent said it had been upgraded, so I assumed it was some sort of software tweak,

 

[IanB1485]

We ended up sending our screen back to Sargent when it translated evrything in to German, had it repaired and back to us within a week,not sure why they don't just offer an exchange unit.I have been told that there is only 1 person at Sargent that deals with repairing the screens and he is part time, not sure how true it is but would explain the 10 day wait,a word of warning, we had the similar issue to you and took the calibrate each time route, but eventually it went to German and bore no resemblence to the buttons, luckily we were at home when it happened,So you risk it not working at all when you are away,I still never trust a touch screen,whatever make it is.

I have been on Sargents engineering course at their factory and I can say there is more than one person checking/repairing the various modules they produce and get back for repair/Upgrade. Sargent are relatively small firm and the Sargent Family do care about their customer service, but be aware they do produce a lots of modules both in quantity and range together with wiring harnesses and are continually trying to improve their products .While I was there I think there were either 3 or 4 people in the service centre just dealing with phone/email and website requests from associate engineers and customers for parts and repairs , e.tc .The people out on the final testing and repair bays had specialised kit to run each type of module through its paces even lecagy units which are no longer in current production.So I would echo Birdman and give them a ring.
As to touch screens , unfortunately that the way of the world for all types of products.

 

[Mel]

I just got told off for what was described as a personal attack on someone so saying YOU in the thank you might be personal and not allowed again. It seems its ok to attack what I have written and NOT class that as personal, but for me to respond and point out that their comments are of no value to the subject as they were commenting on the way I write, and THATS NOT CLASSED AS PERSONAL THEN.
Sadly I don't think I m gonna be on here for long, if PERSONAL attacks of how I write are allowed, and me pointing out to someone that they are not contributing to the information but merely looking for spelling mistakes or writing in capital letters is PERSONAL then Another joke site? or is that personal.?

Let’s start again.
You are raising an important technical issue that will be helpful to others. The discussion within that, which I deleted, contained everyone’s contributions to the deleted part, not just yours. It did contain unnecessary comments which were not helpful to the topic and so all those comments were deleted. Dustydog’s recent suggestion that you don’t use uppercase typing was helpful to you as a new poster and to other forum users. I would not call it a personal attack; more like support. I am sorry that you feel that things have started on the wrong foot and hope that you do continue to provide valuable input to this forum.
Mel