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VIP Smart Wheel Controller, Where? Did you change?

December 01, 2017, 06:36:53 am

Where do you think the VIP Smart Wheel Controller is on my U295 1997 build 5040, and would you know what number it would be a SM203 or SM206 IPX Master Wiper Controller? 

I have a BK series wheel and want to go to the PC series and am not sure it will work with the SM203 or SM206 and I'm pretty sure VIP will ask what controller I have.  I checked previous posts and could not find mention of changing the controller.  If you updated to the 215 or 217 wheel did you have to change the controller?

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Re: VIP Smart Wheel Controller, Where? Did you change?

Reply #1 – December 01, 2017, 08:50:21 am

Our coach, a 99' U270, came with a BK series VIP Smartwheel and it was paired with an SM203 controller which was located on a pull up plywood panel under the lift up cup holder section in the center portion of the dash. Of course you have to first raise the hinged domed section that covers the gauge panel before you can raise the part where the cup holders are. There are several relays and the Javelina computer, as well as a lot of wires on this same board, so care must be used to pull it all the way up. You may even need to cut a couple of zip ties to have enough slack. I replaced the SM203 with an SM206. The SM206 is just a modified SM203 that adds a connector for a variable resistor to ad an adjustable delay function. I haven't added the variable resistor yet, so I can't say how well that works. I replaced our old BK series wheel with a PC217 and it worked fine with the SM203, and works fine with the SM206, except that without the variable resistor installed you lose the delay function and get just a single swipe when you press that button.
Don

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Re: VIP Smart Wheel Controller, Where? Did you change?

Reply #2 – December 01, 2017, 12:17:27 pm

I switched from the BK to the PC steering wheel and highly recommend the easy swap.

Much better button grouping, coated buttons for less wear of the functions embossing, more comfortable spoke angle and leather covered spokes for less hand cramping during longer drives.

Works with the existing controller.  No lighting as that would require a multi thousand dollar steering column switch.

Requires specific bolts for a steering wheel puller and making sure it mounted on the splines correctly for straight ahead.

On my first one the buttons did not match what they actually did and vip exchanged it, 

One of my favorite swaps especially for a quarter of a coach buck

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Re: VIP Smart Wheel Controller, Where? Did you change?

Reply #3 – December 01, 2017, 02:19:41 pm

Thank you Bob and Don.

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