RV-C Seminar
Outline
A Glimpse of the Future
Imagine this: you bring your RV into the service center.
Technician plugs in his computer.
He reads a problem - “Code 264-11. Level sensor is inoperative.”
He reads the make and model - “An HWH Control Board, Model 454B”
He consults HWH and orders the new part.
When the part is installed, the code is cleared. Mission Accomplished.
Who benefits?
The Technician gets the right information immediately. He can actually meet the flat rate guide, even when he isn't familiar with the specific product.
The Service Center has cleaner paperwork and less “pencil-whipping”.
The RV owner gets faster, more accurate service.
The Warranty provider only pays for the service once, pays less diagnostic time, and doesn't pay for unnecessary work.
A pipe dream?
No, this is already the norm in the passenger car industry.
This has revitalized the car dealerships. Service has gone from being a cost center to be minimized, to a profit center to be built up.
It works because the cars have an integrated network connecting all the major components - engine, transmission, even the power windows and air conditioning.
RV-C brings this same technology into the RV industry.
What is RV-C?
It is the same technology used in cars, applied to RVs.
It uses the same wiring and hardware as the CAN protocol used in cars.
It merely extends the “language” to generators, inverters, waste tanks, and more.
By using existing technology, we benefit from:
proven reliability
The technology was originally devised by Bosch for anti-lock brakes.
obviously reliability was priority #1.
low cost
With virtually every car built today using CAN, hundred of millions of CAN chips are produced each year.
RV-C is a simple, two-wire digital network.
Think “ethernet”, but designed for very high reliability.
Where did RV-C come from?
RVIA began meeting in 2002 to produce the specification.
The specification is always growing, and the RVIA's work shall never end.
By 2006 the first RV-C products were available in RVs from several vendors.
In 2008 the specification was presented to ISO with the intention of becoming an internationally recognized standard.
What are the benefits of RV-C.
Diagnostics
A common language for diagnostic information allows the scenario in our introduction to occur.
Technicians receive “scan codes”, like the car mechanic does. Supplier documentation can provide detailed instructions on how to address the faults.
The network explicitly identifies the products. Technicians can order parts with confidence.
Even if the technician is not familiar with the specific RV or component, the diagnostic procedures are the same.
At the very least, the technician can call the right vendor and ask informed questions!
Common tools also allow common methods for testing and configuring products.
A technician can use the same testing procedures in his shop that the RV manufacturer uses in quality control.
For example, after changing out a set of batteries, the technician can run a charge cycle test to verify that the new batteries meet the original factory specification.
A technician needs just a single tool to configure all the components, regardless of type, brand, or model.
In the long term, we expect to see RV-C diagnostics to be integrated into the warranty process.
Fault information recorded by the tool becomes part of the warranty documentation, replacing a RO.
Post-repair test information gets submitted to document the repair for reimbursement.
Automating this process stands to save the industry millions of dollars in the long run.
Control and Coordination
RV-C also allows devices on the network to talk to each other.
So all devices can see the status of the generator, chassis, batteries, etc..
Power management.
All devices can see whether the generator is running or shore power available, and potentially change their power consumption.
Safety
Devices can see whether the park brake is set or the RV is in motion.
Awnings might retract automatically
Some devices, such as slide rooms, might prevent the transmission from engaging.
Ease of Use
RV-C allows the RV builder to make things as simple (or as complicated!) as they like.
They are no longer limited by what their vendors provide as controls.
They may combine multiple controls in one place.
e.g. a combination genset, inverter, and transfer switch monitor
They may have multiple controls for the same device.
e.g. tank monitors in the basement and in the coach.
Simplified Wiring
Anything you can do with RV-C you could do with conventional technology.
But RV-C makes it cheap and easy.
Just one set of data wires - two wires - run through the RV.
The rest is simply in the programming of the components.
An aside about Cost.
You can't simply say, “Equipping an RV with RV-C will cost X dollars.”
In many cases, RV-C saves money right from the start.
In other cases, RV-C requires an initial upcharge,
but always by providing additional value, as well.
You can say, “RV-C is the least expensive way possible to achieve these features.”
RV-C is not just for high-end RVs.
Many of the benefits are even more compelling in lower cost RVs.
Space for control panels is at a premium in smaller RVs.
Power management is often more important in smaller RVs.
Conclusion: Where do we stand?
RV-C is already proven in the field.
Several thousand RV-C components are being shipped each year.
Multiple RV manufacturers are building with RV-C today.
With components from multiple vendors, all interoperating.
Service tools are available and in use at service centers.
RV-C has broad support in the vendor community.
Many major suppliers are already on board.
(Note: This section will change over time.)
Most product types are represented
Where native support is lacking, RV-C bridges are often possible as an interim solution.
There is no question that RV-C will continue to grow.
The question is, “How fast?”
Enthusiasm from RVers and RV Dealers, as communicated to the RV manufacturers, is critical to answering that question.