Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 10-28-2007, 11:21 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
jage's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Parker, CO
Posts: 7,643
Heat Treatment 1-Moving Chili Dog

The "Chili Dog" control panel, seen in the first picture above the removed part of the dash, is a remote start temperature control unit that came with the van. The idea is you set the Chili Dog to a temperature, and if that temperature is exceeded, the van "remote starts" and runs until the temperature is restored.

Since the doghouse lets off excessive heat, putting the Chili Dog, which has an internal temperature sensor, in this spot on the dash gave really inconsistent temperature readings. Not only is the engine heating the element through the doghouse, but sunlight and the proximity of the vents really played havoc with consistent temperatures and didn't do much for determining the actual temperature in the van, which ostensibly is the whole point.


Chili Dog unit in original location (top left black box) The black cord was all of a few inches behind the dash and then tied in with 5 wires in the alarm system.


Not much room to work with.


I used Cat5 which had 4 twisted pairs, giving me 8 wires to work with. I bought 10 feet to move the Chili Dog.


I pulled out the visor in trying to find a wire routing for the Cat5, and the yellow clip that SMB used was so mangled that it fell apart. I found many such "over clamped" connectors.


Here is the Chili Dog in its new location. More central and the temperature is regestring very close to the temperature monitor across the van on the other wall. In the old location a reading of 106º was not uncommon when the inside of the van was actually in the 90s.


The wire routing for the Cat5 in red. I actually couldn't find a path through the headliner that didn't derail into the van body enroute. I wound up pulling the thick green wire from the visor clip back through in order to route both the green and Cat5 forward through the path Sportsmobile used. It was clear the wire was placed before cementing the headliner as it was partially glued. Nothing was damaged in my van, but your results may vary so approach this carelfully.

The thick green wire is kind of an enigma, as originally I thought it was brought forward from the house battery to power the visor mirror lights, but it turns out the wire is only hot with the dome lights, which means it is controlled by the door timer or the headlight switch. Why it goes behind the door I have no idea.

__________________
it was good to be back
jage is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-04-2007, 07:38 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
jage's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Parker, CO
Posts: 7,643
The new location is great, although the control panel is asleep unless the van is on. It might wake up if I mess with it, but I truely don't bother with it that much.

The benefits are more accurate temperature and the panel was bright enough to be bothersome when driving. Also I didn't need a 3rd clock staring at me while driving.

The original install used industrial strength velcro as the Chilly Dog (I really need to look up the corrrect term) already had some from the dash. The adhesive melted and left a tacky patch on the vinyl. I reattached it with Scotch double stick tape- I forget the exact name but it's spongy and has a diamond green and white pattern. It comes in a roll or small squares.
__________________
it was good to be back
jage is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

» Sportsmobile Registry

VivaLaVida

Pschitt

Moby

new2tx
Add your Sportsmobile
» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sportsmobile SIP or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:18 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.