WAITER ECC - INSTALL
The Waiter ECC re-uses the enclosure from your existing control module. You remove the control module cover, pop out the old circuit board and install the new circuit board. All the plugs that plugged into the old circuit board will plug into the new circuit board, making the installation a snap. There are two additional plugs on the new controller circuit card, A four pin plug ( NOT USED) and a three pin plug, used for the outside air temperature sensor.
You can re-install the control module at the same location as the original, or depending on wire lengths, relocate it to a more convenient location.
In the vast majority of installations we’ve seen, the answer is YES, your original 10k temperature sensors will work just fine.. However, on older motorhomes that used a very early version of the Intellitec controller, you’ll need to upgrade your original 2.2k sensors to the 10k versions, we include these in the kit. There are two types of temperature thermistors used; a 2.2k ohm (older) and a 10k ohm (newer.)
The older 2.2k ohm thermistors tend to be mounted flush to the wall. These were used with Intellitec controllers xx-xx3xx-xxx modules. These 2.2 k thermistors are not compatible. HOWEVER, we include two new temperature sensors (10k), housings, and connector plugs. The installer will need to swap these out as part of the upgrade.
Newer style Intellitec temperature sensors use a 10k ohm thermistor. The sensor housings protrude out from the wall by about 5/8 of an inch. These were used with Intellitec controllers xx-xx5xx-xxx and xx-xx8xx-xxx modules. These sensors are very responsive and accurate, and are compatible with the Waiter ECC system.
If you have a bad sensor, we offer these for sale. 2 each, 3D printed housing, connectors, sensors and wire nuts.
The Waiter ECC is plug and play, no electrical modifications are needed. Unplug the old system, plug in the new system, and you’re ready to go.
However, we recommend installing an ON / OFF switch in the 12 volt power that feeds the control module. The parts are included in the kit, an ON / OFF switch with wires attached, a switch mount plate, and two sets of lug connectors. Adding the switch takes about 5 minutes and allows the system to be turned ON / OFF without removing the 12 volt ECC fuse.
Details for doing this are included in the INSTALLATION MANUAL.
In most installations, the new touch screen will be mounted at the same location as the original Intellitec operator panel. The mounting hole that the touchscreen fits into usually needs to be made slightly taller, about 1/8 to 1/4 inches. We recommend waiting until you receive your kit so you can do a test fit before cutting.
If you’re mounting to a regular luan wall, consider using the optional wall mount plate to add strength and security for the touchscreen installation.
If your mounting to a large black control panel surface, you may benefit from mounting the touchscreen upside down, See this article.
Many USB power supplies (powering the touch screen through its USB connector) can not produce reliable current flow to the touch screens computer. When this happens, its operation can become unreliable, rebooting, crashing, etc.
We strongly suggest powering the touchscreen using a 12 volt source that also powers the control module through a common ON/OFF switch. In the ECC-NWR system, the original yellow and brown wires (original IPX com wires) are used to send 12 volts from the control module to the touch screen
Yes, Use good quality cable, CAT 5 or CAT 6 would be OK. When you cut the cable and re-splice it, make sure to connect the wires to the correct color (Red, Yellow, and Black).
In the vast majority of systems that we ship, we include an OAT sensor with a 15 ft cable. However, on rare occasions when we run into supply difficulties, we include a 10 ft instead of the 15 ft. Either cable could be lengthen by splicing in a longer cable. If the cable is to long, roll up the excess cable and stow it out of the way, there is no need to shorten it.
Waiter ECC is designed to be a direct plug and play replacement for your existing Intellitec ECC system. Unplug the old operator panel and control module, plug in the new control board and touchscreen, and you’re ready to go. Feedback from our customers tell us it took about 20 minutes to do the basic install (swap boards, install touchscreen, unit up and running). Routing and installing the external temperature sensor took about an hour.
Although no wiring changes are required, we highly recommend installing an ON/OFF switch near the control module to make it easier to remove power or reboot the system. (switch included in kit)
The touch screen is slightly larger than the old Intellitect operator panel, so in most installations, the wall opening will need to be made approximately 1/8 – 1/4 inch taller to accommodate the new touchscreen. A mount template is included or you can use an optional Wall Mount Plate to assist in marking the new opening size. Read through the INSTALLATION MANUAL to get an idea of what needs to be done.
Two main reasons, If you need to re-boot the system, or you’re in storage with power, but don’t need to run the heat or A/C.
1) If the ON/OFF switch isn’t installed, the only way to reboot the system is to either remove the 5 amp ECC fuse from the 12 volt fuse panel, or remove / re-install the 12 volt connector on the control module. We don’t like this option because of the risk of pulling wires out of the connector, shorting out the connector, installing the connector incorrectly, etc. Its just to high risk.
2) If you place your motorhome in storage yet keep shore power (i.e. keep the batteries charged) and there’s no need to run heat or A/C, then we prefer that you shut the Waiter ECC system OFF, this reduces wear and tear on the system and the touchscreen display.
The Waiter ECC kit comes with a switch, spade lug connectors, and a guarded wall mount switch plate. If you don’t want to mount the switch on a wall, another option is to simply use a couple wire ties and secure the switch to a wire bundle or somewhere that you can get to it.
YES / NO – To gain the full functionality of the Waiter ECC, yes, you need to install it. Feedback from users tell us that its sometimes a pain to route the cable and install the sensor, but its worth it in the end.
Without the OAT temperature, the furnace and A/C systems will function normally. However the “Freeze Protection” mode will not function correctly as it monitors the OAT temperature and switches on when the temperature drops below 35 degrees F.
If you choose not to install OAT sensor, we recommend at least plug it in, coil it up, and wire tie it out of the way. This way the system sees the sensor and won’t trigger a fault.
You can prevent the OAT temperature from displaying on the screen – On the CONFIG screen, set the OAT source to “0”. Turning off the OAT display works on touchscreen version 4.4.1 and higher.
Almost every installation is unique, so its impossible to give a definitive answer. There are three factors that may help you in deciding.
- In almost every case, the existing hole in the wall needs to be made about 1/4 inch taller for the touchscreen to properly recess inside the wall. If the touch screen jams in the hole, this is not a secure installation and the Velcro tape will not hold the touchscreen. The recess hole MUST allow the touchscreen to properly recess inside the wall regardless if you use the Wall Mount Plate or not.
- In very rare installations, the depth of the hollow wall just barely provides clearance when the touchscreen is recessed. In a normal installation, the rear of the touchscreen is recessed approximately 1 1/4 inch inside the wall. Using a Wall Mount plate it will recess about 1 inch.
- In some installations, the Velcro tape adhesive has pulled away from the wall covering. In these cases, the installer has created some type of frame to mount the touchscreen to. These are the installations that the Wall Mount Plate was developed, to ensure a surface that the Velcro tape can bond to.