Thermostat 3 button single zone E-1 Error

[plutz3]

I just purchased a used 2011 ultra lite and I didn't run all the systems before I bought it. Yes i know, but in my defense, the trailer was well taken care of etc and this is my very first TT ever. Anyways, the inlaws got it at their place and hooked it up to shore power and started the heater and they said that it came on. I wasn't there to verify. They could barely read the thermostat and I couldn't either. I did a reset by removing the battery connections and shore power and unplugged the plugs from the control box under the ac vent in the ceiling. I waited 20 minutes and plugged it all back in. That is when the thermostat was more visible and I could see the E 1 error code flashing and the famous lost communication. I have read elsewhere and other 2 possible solutions were a bad thermostat and one site not on keystones said that the battery was dying and could cause that. I called the guy back and had a conversation with him and he said that the last time he used it, it was working. I then remembered him saying something about hooking 2 generators in tandem to operate the A/C when he went to a VT game. I am not beginning to suspect he might have done something to the control board. Does any of this sound right? or any suggestions on what else to check? Any help is appreciated.

[JRTJH]

Take the inside overhead cover off your air conditioner and look at the wiring bundle. There's an orange wire that connects to the thermostat that should be connected with a wire nut in that bundle (inside the overhead unit). Make sure that wire is connected securely and it may well "fix your thermostat".... Good Luck !!!

[plutz3]

These are the two pictures that I took last night. I will check the orange wire along with some other suggestions such as the battery and checking the convertor to make sure. I will cross my fingers.

[plutz3]

I fixed the issue and in turn learned alot. I am going to post this to help those like myself as the E-1 error seems to be an all encompassing problem across the board.

First lesson I learned is that always pay attention to what people say. When they tell you that they hooked 2 generators in tandem to power the air conditioner....well pay attention to that. Apparently you need a UPS / Line conditioner for campers as well. Very sensitive electrical equipment as illustrated by the problems with shore power, proper amperage etc.

I spent about 2 hours talking with the people at Gloucester RV and they have been life savers. I applied the same diagnosis principal to when my hot tub controller went on the fritz.

First, do a cold restart. That means disconnect the shore power and the battery and do a restart. This should fix minor power fluctuations. If this does not reset the system and your still getting the E-1 error code, then grab a multimeter.

Open the air conditioner vent and look for the control box. It will be grey and screwed to the bottom. The tech said to diagnose it is very simple. The thermostat will generally not be bad, but in my case he fried that dang thing too as indicated by the burnt display lol. On the thermostat you will see three screws. 12 v- a common wire and a 12 v+. Test to see if you have voltage there. If you do, it will be good. the common wire is the communication. Note the color of the common wire. Go to the box and find that color and what it connects to. Test the continuity of that wire. If you have a beep then that wire is good and you have signal. Check the connection and try the system. If it still does not work, you are further isolating it.

Next There are two wires a red and a white. Kinda look like speaker blade plugs. That is your furnace control. Pull those wires off and check with your multimeter. You should have 12 volts. If you do then take a paper clip and put in the clips. Your furnace should come on. If it does not, then you know what is wrong.

Next there is another plug that has white wires and runs up into the blades of your air conditioner. that is a freeze sensor. That also has caused E-1 errors but probably not the culprit, but check the continuity and if so, you are good to go.

Next is kinda dangerous so you need to be careful. You need to check to see if you have 110 going to the box. You will need to unscrew the cover of the box and you will see the black and white wires and where you can test the power. (Disclaimer i am not an electrician do that at your own risk and peril)
If you have power then you culprit is more than likely the control box.

Talking with the guys at Gloucester RV saved me mountains of time and with the new control box, I was up in running in seconds. I hope this helps.

[Tbos]

Glad the repair went well.

[plutz3]

You are not the only one. I am leaving for christmas and it would have been hard with no heat and a/c