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Pop Up TV (or Ghost in Bedroom)

March 09, 2015, 10:36:48 am

We have a motorized pop up TV in the bedroom that is controlled by a momentary switch.  It has developed a mind of its own and pops up without input from us.  Last night it woke Donna about 3am and this has happened maybe 3 or 4 times (at various times of the day) in the last couple of days.  I do not have any documentation on the system and have checked the switch and accessible connections.  Was hoping someone might have insight to this problem or maybe some documentation that might help me to troubleshoot.  Thanks!

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Re: Pop Up TV (or Ghost in Bedroom)

Reply #1 – March 09, 2015, 11:30:11 am

Possibly a limit switch at the bottom of the travel is not being tripped or is faulty.

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Re: Pop Up TV (or Ghost in Bedroom)

Reply #2 – March 09, 2015, 04:58:10 pm

No experience in this, but it sounds like what Walter Matthau did to Jack Lemmon in Grumpy Old Men   

Larry

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Re: Pop Up TV (or Ghost in Bedroom)

Reply #3 – March 09, 2015, 05:11:39 pm

Is it coincident with being at a new-to-you destination?  In particular at night?

Just wondering if it's noise on the incoming power.  We've encountered that twice and it sent the door lock on our Splendide into fits in the middle of the night.  Splendide tech support told us we weren't the first to have the problem.

We have seen where noisy power is more problematic at night when loads are at their minimum.  Even had a problem at a house once - turned out to be a bad dimmer switch but it caused the digital alarm clock to run twice as fast at night - noise pulse on the power, found it with an oscilloscope.

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Re: Pop Up TV (or Ghost in Bedroom)

Reply #4 – March 09, 2015, 09:26:36 pm

Look for a latching relay. Probably the same relay used on the water pump and lights with toggle on toggle off operation. They go bad and act flakey sometimes.

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Re: Pop Up TV (or Ghost in Bedroom)

Reply #5 – March 09, 2015, 11:38:51 pm

Thanks to all for the replies.
Nighthawk, I have located the limit switches.  They seem to be in adjustment and operating properly.

Larry, I will have to watch Grump Old Men!

Michelle, the problem has only occurred at this campground.  So you could be on to something.  I do not have equipment to check for that and we will be leaving this campground in the morning. 

David, I do not hear or see a relay but will check further...could be solid state I suppose.  A very good suggestion. 

The TV never gets used so possibly the switch may get dirty or whatever happens to 12 volt switches, like he light fixture switches, when they are not used.  This afternoon I cycled the TV up and down several times and it has been well behaved since.  I told Donna to let me know in the morning if it wakes her...Ouch!!!  We will see what happens and I will keep you posted of any findings.  Thanks again for your responses.

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Re: Pop Up TV (or Ghost in Bedroom)

Reply #6 – March 10, 2015, 09:24:49 am

Bill - You haven't mistreated the dashboard pig lately, have you???  Just sayin'...       

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Re: Pop Up TV (or Ghost in Bedroom)

Reply #7 – March 10, 2015, 09:39:38 am

Not intentionally Mark.  In fact, gave the little guy an Armorall bath the other day.  But we made it thru the night with no disturbance so maybe a little exercise did the trick...but just in case, I've gotta go build a pig pen  .

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Re: Pop Up TV (or Ghost in Bedroom)

Reply #8 – March 20, 2015, 09:23:16 am

It appears we found the Bedroom ghost the first night we were hooked up in Palo Duro State Park.  Donna heard a beebing coming from the bedroom which turned out to be the lift on the TV.  The TV was not coming up and no response from the raise switch.  While trying to figure that out the lights started flickering (were wondering about the Bedroom Ghost theory about this time).  I quickly looked at the line monitor and ProSine control panel.  Line monitor was showing erratic voltage readings and inverter indicators were erratic also.  Quickly got to the pedestal and caught and error code on the EMS before shutting off breaker.  The EMS smelled of overheated electronics and the error code indicated an open ground.  After checking the pedestal with the volt meter, plugged the coach back in and have had no issues since.  Does not appear to have damaged any systems in the coach.
It appears there was a failure with the EMS.  I will contact Progressive Industries and return it for repair.  Thanks for all your responses.

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Re: Pop Up TV (or Ghost in Bedroom)

Reply #9 – April 15, 2015, 01:23:27 pm

UPDATE:  After returning to Rayford Crossing I contacted Progressive Industries about our EMS issues.  The man I spoke with suggested I plug it in and go thru some diagnostics, which amounted to me relaying to him what the display was doing.  Everything appeared ok with normal readings. He suggested we had bad power at the campgrounds and to go ahead and use the EMS.  We have been using it now for a couple of weeks with no problems.  I guess I'm glad it's working ok but many questions going thru my mind (I'm told lots of things go straight thru my mind ).  At one campground, the transfer switch would kick in and out.  At two others the pop up TV was erratic.  And what was the overheated electronics smell?  I will continue to use the EMS but will watch carefully.  At the last campground, all was ok with the coach plugged directly to the pedestal so I'm thinking the EMS may be (overly?) sensitive to imperfect power?  Who knows...will see what happens.  Thanks again for all the replies.
Bill

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Re: Pop Up TV (or Ghost in Bedroom)

Reply #10 – April 15, 2015, 01:55:47 pm

I was having sporadic problems with my transfer switch. On the BB site there is a discussion of the same. FT, instead of using over the counter xfer switches, bought some off the wall, good items, just not the run of the mill item. Seems that The Maverick has a voltage sense relay that is problematic. I bypassed mine and removed it, problem solved. I have a Progressive power monitor system so the relay in the xfer switch was unnecessary.

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