Stargazer user control panel (1 Viewer)

brocsman

Free Member
Nov 28, 2011
11
0
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Funster No
19,052
MH
Coachbuilt
Exp
20 years
I have a three year old Autocruise Stargazer. Everything is great except the control panel. It took me two years to get it working properly via the supplier, manufacturer, and the makers of the panel itself.

Now it seems to be the most wasteful device on the van. I thought I had a problem, so three days ago I got a local battery specialist to fit a fully charged heavy duty battery. In less than 72 hours, with the control panel switched on, and no other devices of any kind in use, it has reduced my battery charge level to 70%. I don't know how to convert this into ampere hours or what ever.

Can someone advise me if this is excessive? It certainly seems like it to me.

Thanks.
 

hilldweller

LIFE MEMBER
Dec 5, 2008
605
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From Aug 2007
In less than 72 hours, with the control panel switched on, and no other devices of any kind in use, it has reduced my battery charge level to 70%. I don't know how to convert this into ampere hours or what ever.

Can someone advise me if this is excessive? It certainly seems like it to me.

Thanks.

How sure are you that something is not running in the background ? Like a charge going to the starter battery.

On the face of it is excessive but is it accurate ? I would not believe the accuracy of such a panel until I'd verified it by meter.

Charge fully, 24 hrs, measure voltage. Should be 13.6 plus before you switch off the charger.

Now measure voltage one hour on then every few hours and report back.
 

Peter JohnsCross MH

Funster
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Jan 5, 2008
9,617
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Autotrail
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1995
Hi Brocsman
Could you clarify what manufacture of electronics you have in the "Stargazer".
If its "Nord electronica" the chances are that the relay / fuse panel has a fault in it.Even with everything in a dormont state it could still have a current pull of around 4.0 aph (common fault with "Nord" equipment).This will significantly reduce the life of the leisure battery.
If you put a amp metre on the battery terminals of the leisure battery you should be seeing readings of about 0.04 aph.
If you need any help you are more than welcome contact me.

Regards

Glenn Harris Workshop Manager



Glenn Harris Workshop Manager

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brocsman

Free Member
Nov 28, 2011
11
0
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Funster No
19,052
MH
Coachbuilt
Exp
20 years
How do I find out the manufacturer? The name I was given was three initials, like SEM EMS, something like that.

Hi Brocsman
Could you clarify what manufacture of electronics you have in the "Stargazer".
If its "Nord electronica" the chances are that the relay / fuse panel has a fault in it.Even with everything in a dormont state it could still have a current pull of around 4.0 aph (common fault with "Nord" equipment).This will significantly reduce the life of the leisure battery.
If you put a amp metre on the battery terminals of the leisure battery you should be seeing readings of about 0.04 aph.
If you need any help you are more than welcome contact me.

Regards

Glenn Harris Workshop Manager



Glenn Harris Workshop Manager
 

keith

Free Member
Aug 25, 2007
3,421
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Ecclefechan
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Autocruise Starseeker
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Caravaning since 1974 - Motorhoming since 2003
I have an Autocruise and I find the panel very helpful in the information it provides, but by fitting a different battery you may have upset it. :whatthe:

I'm sure I remember that when fitting a new battery there is a sequence for setting up the panel to the new battery as it may be different to the original equipment.

If you have the original handbook it is explained under "Connection of Services".

I would also agree with Brian, check the batteries themselves as these control panels may not be perfect.

EDIT: Just checked mine & when it switches on it says it's a "Kingass" system. The initials EMS could mean Electronic Management System.
 
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brocsman

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Nov 28, 2011
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Coachbuilt
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20 years
This is what I did over the weekend. Start, battery 100%, voltage 13.something. Day 1 battery 90%, voltage 12.6, day2 battery 80%, voltage 12.3, today battery 70%, voltage 12.1. Only the control panel switched on. No link to the vehicle battery as far as I know. (I'm a long way from understanding vehicle electrics).

I've had it in the dealers for a week and they tell me there is no fault on it. It should be drawing 0.4 amps. Would that run down the battery so quickly?


How sure are you that something is not running in the background ? Like a charge going to the starter battery.

On the face of it is excessive but is it accurate ? I would not believe the accuracy of such a panel until I'd verified it by meter.

Charge fully, 24 hrs, measure voltage. Should be 13.6 plus before you switch off the charger.

Now measure voltage one hour on then every few hours and report back.

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hilldweller

LIFE MEMBER
Dec 5, 2008
605
36,108
Macclesfield
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5,089
MH
Zilch Mk1
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From Aug 2007
readings of about 0.04 aph.
Glenn Harris Workshop Manager

Just to avoid confusion, he's never going to see aph on a meter. You used this twice so not a typo.

He will see mA ( milli amps or thousands of an amp ) or A ( full amps ).

If everything is off I'd be expecting 50mA, which is 0.05A or less. Greater than this is poor design in the electronics. A good designer can get standby current below 1mA.

=======================

While I am typing. The original post say loss of 30% charge in 72 hours. That makes 10% per day. Assume 100Ah battery. So 10Ah has gone missing in 24 hours. Divide by 24 hours and we get a drain of 0.4A or 400mA. That's way too high if in standby.
 

scotjimland

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Jul 25, 2007
2,091
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Suffolk Coastal District, UK
Funster No
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Timberland
This is what I did over the weekend. Start, battery 100%, voltage 13.something. Day 1 battery 90%, voltage 12.6, day2 battery 80%, voltage 12.3, today battery 70%, voltage 12.1. Only the control panel switched on. No link to the vehicle battery as far as I know. (I'm a long way from understanding vehicle electrics).

I've had it in the dealers for a week and they tell me there is no fault on it. It should be drawing 0.4 amps. Would that run down the battery so quickly?

0.4 amps is a big drain.. , over 24 hrs that is 9.6AH .. 72 hrs = 28.8AH

An 85AH battery will be all but flat in five days.

Either the dealer has the wrong info or knows nothing about electrics ,..
 

Peter JohnsCross MH

Funster
Deceased RIP
Jan 5, 2008
9,617
6,194
East Sussex
Funster No
1,134
MH
Autotrail
Exp
1995
HI Brocsman
We believe you have a "Sargent" system within your van.
Its very difficult to try and diagnose an electrical fault without
seeing it.
Our advise would be to get ALL the "Sargent" equipment checked out as like the "nord" equipment its unfortunatly not uncommon for these types of units to get a fault like you are experiencing.

Regards

Glenn Harris

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hilldweller

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Dec 5, 2008
605
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From Aug 2007
I've had it in the dealers for a week and they tell me there is no fault on it. It should be drawing 0.4 amps. Would that run down the battery so quickly?

I posted my sums before seeing this. Both numbers agree.

Well if that is "normal" it's a devastatingly crap control system.

If the dealer said that was acceptable I reckon he's as crap as the control panel.

0.4A 12V = 4.8 watts. Does not sound a lot but 24/7 it is.

Is there a backlight on all the time on the panel display ?
 

hilldweller

LIFE MEMBER
Dec 5, 2008
605
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Macclesfield
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From Aug 2007
Our advise would be to get ALL the "Sargent" equipment checked out
Glenn Harris

We were wild camping in Scotland, got talking to woman next door she said they would have to go home early because the heating had failed. I poked around, had to repair a fuse holder she had damaged on the Truma. Then I remembered the old advice, power down the control panel. Ripped it off the wall, unplugged. Plugged. BINGO, heating. Ridiculous not to have a "poke pen in a hole" reset switch. Says a lot about the designer.

She tried to stuff a load of notes in my pocket, silly lady.
 
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brocsman

Free Member
Nov 28, 2011
11
0
UK
Funster No
19,052
MH
Coachbuilt
Exp
20 years
Hi Brocsman
Could you clarify what manufacture of electronics you have in the "Stargazer".
If its "Nord electronica" the chances are that the relay / fuse panel has a fault in it.Even with everything in a dormont state it could still have a current pull of around 4.0 aph (common fault with "Nord" equipment).This will significantly reduce the life of the leisure battery.
If you put a amp metre on the battery terminals of the leisure battery you should be seeing readings of about 0.04 aph.
If you need any help you are more than welcome contact me.

Regards

Glenn Harris Workshop Manager



Glenn Harris Workshop Manager

I've established that the control panel was made by a company called MES, a British company, but I can't find any contact details for them. Does that ring a bell with anyone?

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brocsman

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Nov 28, 2011
11
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19,052
MH
Coachbuilt
Exp
20 years
I posted my sums before seeing this. Both numbers agree.

Well if that is "normal" it's a devastatingly crap control system.

If the dealer said that was acceptable I reckon he's as crap as the control panel.

0.4A 12V = 4.8 watts. Does not sound a lot but 24/7 it is.

Is there a backlight on all the time on the panel display ?

Yes, it's backlit most of the time. It goes out at 8pm.

If I need to get all this checked who do I go to? My dealer doesn't seem to know anything, and I've failed to find any trace of the people who made it (I got a phone number, but it was disconnected).

I'm in Shropshire.

Thanks
 

hilldweller

LIFE MEMBER
Dec 5, 2008
605
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From Aug 2007
Yes, it's backlit most of the time. It goes out at 8pm.

If I need to get all this checked who do I go to? My dealer doesn't seem to know anything, and I've failed to find any trace of the people who made it (I got a phone number, but it was disconnected).

I'm in Shropshire.

Thanks

Oops, you've gone read only, hard to have a conversation now.
 
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brocsman

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Oops, you've gone read only, hard to have a conversation now.

Didn't know this was a subscription site! I've been lured into joining.

Now where were we?

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hilldweller

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Dec 5, 2008
605
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Didn't know this was a subscription site! I've been lured into joining.

Now where were we?

Gotcha ::bigsmile:

Not very far. 4.8W could be an over generous back light though 150mA is enough normally. It would be interesting to measure when on then after it goes off.

Can't help with MES, let's hope someone else knows them.

How about taking some good pics and posting them, might jog someone's memory, might turn out to be a different make re-badged.
 
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brocsman

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Nov 28, 2011
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Gotcha ::bigsmile:

Not very far. 4.8W could be an over generous back light though 150mA is enough normally. It would be interesting to measure when on then after it goes off.

Can't help with MES, let's hope someone else knows them.

How about taking some good pics and posting them, might jog someone's memory, might turn out to be a different make re-badged.

I'll get on to it in the morning. It's getting a bit dark now.

Thanks all.
 

Peter JohnsCross MH

Funster
Deceased RIP
Jan 5, 2008
9,617
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East Sussex
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Autotrail
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1995
Easy answer, just get on the phone to Glenn in the morning and have a chat to him, we don't charge for advice!

01-580-883061 is the direct line to the workshop.

Peter

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keith

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Aug 25, 2007
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Your welcome and well worth the tenner to subscribe and become a full member, we are a helpfull lot in here and not bloody minded like some other forum

Peter

Said with feeling no doubt Peter. :winky:

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Peter JohnsCross MH

Funster
Deceased RIP
Jan 5, 2008
9,617
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MH
Autotrail
Exp
1995
Said with feeling no doubt Peter. :winky:

Not really Keith, I made my point on there that I was fed up with being treated like a naughty schoolboy, they would have deleted the post advising the OP to call for free advice.

Theres nowt for free on there, its all about money and no back up, mainly b***sh*t about what they are supposed to have.

They are so sad, try searching for a dealer in Sussex, they even deleted our details and thats a Fact:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:

Any way digressing from helping the OP but had to answer your post.

Peter

Peter
 
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brocsman

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Nov 28, 2011
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Coachbuilt
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brocsman


http://s91.photobucket.com/albums/k...an/?action=view&current=IMG_6480_edited-1.jpg

http://s91.photobucket.com/albums/k...an/?action=view&current=IMG_6479_edited-1.jpg



Here are a couple of photos of the control panel. It's a touch screen one. Today's readings were 70% (again) and voltage 12.0
 
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brocsman

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Nov 28, 2011
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I spoke to Glenn this morning. He's convinced me that the control panel is probably doing what it is supposed to do. It's just consuming a huge amount of power. Obviously the vehicle was designed for hooking up on campsite, with only the occasional night without hookup, which probably explains why no other Stargazer users have complained.

Probably only a few were ever made, and most people only use them on sites with hookup.

Looks like I'll just have to manage it differently in future, and think twice before I buy a new one.

Now where can I get a good heavy duty battery charger?

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hilldweller

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From Aug 2007
Here are a couple of photos of the control panel. It's a touch screen one. Today's readings were 70% (again) and voltage 12.0

Never seen one. Looks quite neat but the big 32 pin chips makes me think it's an old design, don't see those any more. 2007 date gives you a little hope though many companies have gone to the wall since then. Are there any clues in the hidden writing near the "2007" ?

Fingers crossed it rings a bell with someone else on here.
 

Teasy2007

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I've established that the control panel was made by a company called MES, a British company, but I can't find any contact details for them. Does that ring a bell with anyone?

Hi, We had an MES system in our Autocruise Startrail. You have to access the 'hidden menu''

Before you start make sure that there is no power being used - or going into the motorhome.

Put your finger in the centre of the panel, at the top and hold it there until the screen changes to the Engineer's screen - one you have never seen before!

Only a few boxes will be available to you, look for Cali. Press and hold until a beeping sound is heard. This means the system has been reset /recallibrated.

Marquis sent our panel back to MES 3 times and they still did not know how to reset it. MES talked Mike through the process over the phone and it took a couple of minutes to complete. We also had major drain on the 12 volt, and we ended up installing a new habitation battery.

Good luck

Ginny and Mike
 
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brocsman

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Coachbuilt
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Wow! That's the best thing I've heard in the past three years! Why don't they tell dealers these things?

Do you know if MES still exist or have a phone number for them? I have tried contacting them by e-mail, but get no reply form the address I had last year.

Many thanks

Les



Hi, We had an MES system in our Autocruise Startrail. You have to access the 'hidden menu''

Before you start make sure that there is no power being used - or going into the motorhome.

Put your finger in the centre of the panel, at the top and hold it there until the screen changes to the Engineer's screen - one you have never seen before!

Only a few boxes will be available to you, look for Cali. Press and hold until a beeping sound is heard. This means the system has been reset /recallibrated.

Marquis sent our panel back to MES 3 times and they still did not know how to reset it. MES talked Mike through the process over the phone and it took a couple of minutes to complete. We also had major drain on the 12 volt, and we ended up installing a new habitation battery.

Good luck

Ginny and Mike

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