If you have not noticed from the pictures I have stripped all the wiring from my Eagle, this was done for a couple of reasons.
The primary reason was a post I had read on a bulletin board indicating Eagle main wiring harness from the factory have a large splice under the center isle, I found this to be a fact. Every wire in the harness is butt spliced together with crimp on butt connectors, a few having pulled apart and others showing bare copper wire.
The second reason is that you will come across an area on your bus that needs metal repair, some caused by the wiring harness itself laying on the tubes for many years. As you try to work around the harness you will sooner or later damage it. Pull it out, look it over good and you will find wire that was exposed to heat, sun light and or oil will have stiff and brittle insulation, salvage what you can. Additionally, over the years many technicians have serviced a 30 year old bus, some good some not. I found places were sheet metal screws had been driven into the wire harness narrowly missing cutting though the insulation, it's simply a matter of time until a short occurs.
I will admit this seems like a big job but I also believe it's an opportunity to improve your bus electrical systems capabilities far beyond any application you could dream up by using the latest technologies.
Networked Micro Controllers
Although CAN products are a proven technology, other options also look promising like Micro PLC's.
After some research the Splat OEM36 and PC-IO, Triangle PLC,s do not have a low enough temperature operating range, they are only rated down to 0 degrees C or 32 degrees F.
For this application I need -40 degrees C to +70 degrees C and I found them at
Only one hitch, Dynamic C programming, well nobody said it would be easy.
Here are some of the capabilities and advantages of using programmable controllers
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Intermittent wiper control customized to your own specification
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Turn signal and hazard control using just two relays and six or seven lines of code, forget all the flashers, diodes and complicated wiring schematics.
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Security system that is fully customizable to your needs with time stamped events based on real time date clock. Security camera sequencing time or event triggered and remote paging on alarm.
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Complete coach monitoring and warning system including engine protection safety shutdown, fully customizable
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Waste and potable water tank monitoring, pump control with distributed on off control.
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HVAC controls with timed on off control, staged control of air conditioning or heat systems, time delay restart for AC compressors to prevent burn out from power failure or rapid thermostat changes, completely customizable.
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All of the applications listed can be incorporated into one system or each one can be made stand alone with hardware costs per controller between $75.00 to $400.00 depending on I/O count and the need for networking capabilities.
Some of the drawbacks to networked control systems is the initial cost of the controller hardware and software. This type of control would also tax your batteries when boondocking and is probably not good for this use.
If you know your bus electrical system is in good shape and want to maintain a simple electrical system then the original wiring harness will be your best choice. If you need to replace your wiring, you have to take into account all the systems that could be incorporated into one networked control system eliminating the need to purchase and install multiple systems.
