greenhoe58 Posted August 15, 2023 Share Posted August 15, 2023 Hi there, the ems control panel acting up ,I've tried hairdryer stop warm up.electrical oil at the backs there a fix for this pls. j Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geeco Posted August 16, 2023 Share Posted August 16, 2023 Maybe you need to tell us what "acting up" means or is this spam? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenhoe58 Posted August 16, 2023 Author Share Posted August 16, 2023 Hi Geeco, Normally you press start for two seconds the the panel lights up ,recently it’s been around 20 times pressing this in to get it operating, also will only turn off when engine starts its a 2007 Autocruise star spirit, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted August 16, 2023 Share Posted August 16, 2023 Do you know the make and model of control panel? The likes of http://www.apuljackengineering.co.uk/ or https://www.aandncaravanservices.co.uk/ may be able offer a repair service? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenhoe58 Posted August 16, 2023 Author Share Posted August 16, 2023 Hi Keith, it’s a VB03-2 Ki Glas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Labby Posted August 16, 2023 Share Posted August 16, 2023 (edited) That is an Energy Managment system (EMS) control panel you have and , as suggested , it would be worth trying apuljack electronics or Aandacaravanservices to see if they can help as Energy Managment Products ltd , who produced the EMS Motorhome power control system along with its A and B control modules , appear to no longer to support it.(If they still exist) Or you could try www.nationalcaravanbreakers.co.uk , who also have Motorhome parts , to see if they have a replacement. Edited August 16, 2023 by Labby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted August 17, 2023 Share Posted August 17, 2023 This January 2023 MHFacts forum thread discussed issues with the VB03 control-panel that was also being fitted to Murvi motorhomes for a while, and there's an image of the panel itself. https://www.motorhomefacts.com/threads/vb03-control-panel-issue.245510/ A 'disconnection reboot' was suggested but was seemingly ineffective, and "corrosion on the cables going into the control boxes" was also mentioned as a possible culprit. Apuljack Electronic's advice about the VB03 panel can be found here https://www.apuljackelectronics.co.uk/Kigass-VB03-Control-Panel__p-248.aspx The advice reads as follows There have been numerous threads on this forum about problems with the EMS system when fitted to Autocruise models. The link provided in the Apuljack advice still exists and brings up the website of a company called Energy Management Products Ltd. There are phone and contact details (Tel: 01287555015 Email: enquiries@nrgmp.com) but I believe this is a dead end nowadays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenhoe58 Posted August 17, 2023 Author Share Posted August 17, 2023 Yes.I’ve already tried, should there not be a fix,it’s a pub, has anyone tried fixing this themselves, j. thanks for reply Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenhoe58 Posted August 17, 2023 Author Share Posted August 17, 2023 Hi there, thanks for reply is there not a fix for this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onecal Posted August 17, 2023 Share Posted August 17, 2023 Hi I am not so sure many want to take it on , One of the simple fix as you look for, was to replace the corroded wiring to the unit. Regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted August 18, 2023 Share Posted August 18, 2023 Out of idle curiosity I looked into the background of Kigass Electronics Ltd that manufactured the VB03 control-panel. The company began life in 1983 and was finally wound up in 2010. One of the company's technical directors describes his 1999-2008 role in Kigass Electronics as follows: Responsible for 14 Engineers based on two sites in the UK (Southampton and Birmingham), designing products for consumer electronics applications. I was tasked with re-branding the business after the sale of the consumer electronics operations in 2005. This involved the conception, design and production of new product ranges for vehicle conversion, marine and military markets from the ground up. This was built up to c.£700K turnover over a three-year period. In 2009 he founded a new company and his role there was Founding member of Energy Management Products, a company specialising in the creative design, marketing and supply of innovative systems for specialist consumer, military and vehicle conversion markets. Took the business from a standing start to c. £500K turnover over a four-year period during the 2008 recession period. Although Energy Management Products (EMP) is still an active company, I'm pretty sure it does nothing 'productive' nowadays. The director of EMP has moved on and - since 2016 - has worked for a large company in Basingstoke. Responsible for designing controls for the automotive electronics sector, with a client base including: Jaguar Land Rover, Volvo, McLaren, Bentley Motors and Morgan Cars. Leading a team of 12 multi-discipline Engineers covering: mechanical design, software engineering, digital and analogue hardware and PCB design. Applications range from ASIL (Automotive Safety Integrity Level) rated actuator and drive electronics, through to full car body control systems, including associated drivers and bootloaders. (e.g. Morgan Cars CX platform, launched in 2919.) What this research boils down to is that there are (realistically) zero chances of getting help from the manufacturers regarding problems with the control panels made by Kigass or EMP. ............................................................................................................................. I notice that Avondale used the VB03 panel in their motorhomes. One owner referred to the system as "beastly complicated" and - when a control panel developed a fault - the 'fix' involved replacing the complete panel. A 2012 Out&AboutLive forum thread mentioned the EMP-made control panel fitted to Bentley motorhomes, with a Bentley owner explaining that this had a useful emergency engine-starting feature using the motorhome's leisure battery. I commented While I can understand your enthusiasm for about cutting-edge motorhome technology, this sort of thing engenders a deep-seated horror in me. I favour simplicity and, for me, a motorhome with "a lot of electronics" under its driver's seat immediately makes me ask myself "If they go wrong, will anyone understand them and be able to fix them?" This 2019 forum thread discussed trouble-shooting EMP-panel problems https://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/topic/46218-lazy-control-panel/ but greenhoe58 has already tried (without success) the methods suggested there. I recall it being advised that - if these systems failed and did not respond to simple basic trouble-shooting ploys - the only option would be to junk the system completely and replace it with (say) a CBE kit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted August 18, 2023 Share Posted August 18, 2023 9 hours ago, Derek Uzzell said: .........................................................................I recall it being advised that - if these systems failed and did not respond to simple basic trouble-shooting ploys - the only option would be to junk the system completely and replace it with (say) a CBE kit. Given the history provided in Derek's full post above, it is difficult to arrive at a different conclusion. However satisfactorily achieving this will depend on your abilities if your decide to DIY, good advice and a willingness to spend, I think several hundred pounds including parts and labour if you decide to hand the job over to a dealer workshop to remedy. It seems Autocruise vans became Swift Select vans over 2016/7, so the brand itself no longer exists apart from on used vans. It might be a good idea to initially contact Swift and ask if they can recommend a brand of equipment to replace the EMS installation. Apart from the control panel itself, there will be a 12V power pack/battery charger, a, or several, fuse boards, a fresh water tank probe (to provide the - presumed - fresh water level indication), probably some form of of waste water tank contents indication, probably a means of sensing and indicating the leisure battery charge state (and possibly ditto the starter battery), and a number of wiring looms/harnesses connecting these together. Starting with the last first, those wiring looms will almost certainly need to be replaced, because there will be no standardisation in the gauge of wires used, the identifying insulation colours, the types of connection plugs (if used), and of which wires connect to what, in what order. The fresh, and waste, water tank probes must be understood by the control panel if it is to give a useful indication of actual levels, and the tank probes themselves will need to be suitable in length to suit the depth of the tanks. So component compatibility will be critical. This indicates, as Derek suggests, that a "kit" will probably be the simplest way to ensure all the bits fit, and work, together. To get the right kit you will need to know what your control panel must switch, monitor, and measure, which will require some detailed knowledge of what the EMS installation switched, monitored, and measured and, to an extent, how. Please understand that I'm not trying to put you off, and that what I say above is in the absence of any knowledge of your DIY capabilities. Just that if unfamiliar with the technical aspects of motorhome electrical installations, it would be easy to select an apparently suitable kit of bits on-line, only to discover, once installation is commenced that various components are unsuitable for installation in your van, that components that are suitable for your van aren't available from that manufacturer, and that other manufacturers components are incompatible for the kit you have. Derek mentions a CBE kit, and I have had very satisfactory service from their equipment in two vans,. However, CBE currently 5 differing kits, all of which do similar things, but are not identical in specification. So, you may need some technical assistance/guidance in getting to the right kit for your van. If you're not already familiar, there is quite a lot to absorb, so all I'm trying to say is proceed with great caution. It is all doable, but it will be likely to take time, and involve some degree of swearing! 😄 Just don't rush in! Good luck whatever you decide, and do ask whatever questions you need answering. There are some very knowledgeable people on this forum - so take advantage of their knowledge. It's what it's for! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenhoe58 Posted August 20, 2023 Author Share Posted August 20, 2023 Hi there, some very interesting reading from your good selves, firstly many thanks for taking the time to answer, and secondly we have been away this weekend and low and behold all working first time……. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenhoe58 Posted Thursday at 00:24 Author Share Posted Thursday at 00:24 The control panel issue is now fixed, by a company in glasgow, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted Thursday at 07:30 Share Posted Thursday at 07:30 Many thanks for the update and it's good to know that the control-panel issue has now been successfully resolved. If you could provide contact details of the Glasgow-based company that fixed the panel, it might be helpful if someone else has problems with these vintage systems in future.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenhoe58 Posted Thursday at 08:23 Author Share Posted Thursday at 08:23 The motorhome repair centre blairtunnock road glasgow 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted Thursday at 08:35 Share Posted Thursday at 08:35 Thanks - well worth knowing. https://www.motorhomecentrescotland.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onecal Posted Friday at 09:44 Share Posted Friday at 09:44 Hi Delighted to see you got it repaired and are happy with your result Did they replace and clean up the corroded wires to the card of the control panel. Looks like a common issue Thanks for the update Regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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