Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: George Stoltz on June 05, 2011, 09:16:24 pm

Title: First problem with MCD cockpit shades
Post by: George Stoltz on June 05, 2011, 09:16:24 pm
We have encountered our first problem with MCD shades.  The cockpit shades are acting up.  First the Night Shade would not move downward, but would go up.  Now nothing is working.  But there is power to the motor as the Night Shade will continue to turn  upward.

I will follow MCD's trouble shooting steps tomorrow, but was wondering if anyone else has had this problem.
Title: Re: First problem with MCD cockpit shades
Post by: Michelle on June 05, 2011, 09:27:43 pm
We have encountered our first problem with MCD shades.  The cockpit shades are acting up.  First the Night Shade would not move downward, but would go up.  Now nothing is working.  But there is power to the motor as the Night Shade will continue to turn  upward.

George,

Haven't had the problem, but it sounds like the limit switches "lost" their settings and might need to be "retrained".  If it's that, it will be an easy fix if you know how to go into "program" mode.

Ping back if you don't have that info - Steve may remember the procedure without needing the installation manual (like I do)

Michelle
Title: Re: First problem with MCD cockpit shades
Post by: George Stoltz on June 06, 2011, 07:58:55 am
Michelle,
The procedure is described in their "manual". Will I be able to short the motor by accessing the leads to the switch or will I hae to dismantle everything to get to the motor? I'm plowing a new field here.

Thanks,
George
Title: Re: First problem with MCD cockpit shades
Post by: Michelle on June 06, 2011, 09:27:00 am

The procedure is described in their "manual". Will I be able to short the motor by accessing the leads to the switch or will I have to dismantle everything to get to the motor? I'm plowing a new field here.


George,

Depending on how they did your install, they may have left the white "plunger" like things at the end of the wires that make it easy to do the shorting.  You could always call them and ask.  Do you have access to the wiring?

Michelle
Title: Re: First problem with MCD cockpit shades
Post by: George Stoltz on June 06, 2011, 01:18:28 pm
michelle,
i did find the plunger and am waiting for a callback from them.

thanks again for your help
Title: Re: First problem with MCD cockpit shades
Post by: Michelle on June 06, 2011, 02:47:52 pm

i did find the plunger and am waiting for a callback from them.

George,

The "retraining" instructions should be the same as what's in the public section on their website; I don't think those have changed.

Owner's Manual - Public (http://mcdinnovations.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=213&Itemid=146)

First manual.  Start on page 8.  Note that you have to set all 4 limits and do so in a certain sequence; you can't just do the ones for "ignition off".  And if you "double clutch" and let go of the up or down button, you have to finish up then start over (BTDT been there done that ;) )

Michelle
Title: Re: First problem with MCD cockpit shades
Post by: George Stoltz on June 06, 2011, 06:42:44 pm
Well.....we found the problem.  One of the wires fell out of the plunger.  I am waiting for MCD to call back about this issue.  If anyone doubts that our coaches don't take a lot of punishment driving on Interstate Highways, I can tell you that they do.  Up until this morning we have never seen this plunger (actually there are two) so the only way the wire could have come out is by vibration.  I'd take a photo but it is not readily accessible.

For those not familiar with MCD, the motorized shades have "learning wires" that are activated for programming by pushing a small plunger at the end of a pair of wires for the day shade and another pair and a plunger for the night shade. 

Oh boy!