2018 Classic

[Happy-rver]

Just came from JC. A technician from Firefly was there and made repairs to our Classic and 2 others that were there with the same problems as we were having. All is well now, I think they have it figured out now.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

This is about the right amount of time for them to have a reasonably stable fix. Glad you got yours.

Bob

[cgunning]

Do you know what the actual fix was? We also have a firefly bug to deal with and are waiting to hear from JC or the firefly vendor.

In the meantime we have to we have to adjust the Alde system temperature before we turn on radiant heat on the firefly panel. Changing the temp after radiant heat is turned on causes the Alde system to shut down.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

I'd bet at least a six pack that the fix is a firmware update on the Firefly. It may also involve a firmware update on the Alde. They seem to be doing these updates by swapping boards rather than shooting code. That's probably a more reliable way to do it. It's not the low cost approach ....

Bob

[mikeinca]

Glad your problem is resolved. Our 30' Classic is supposed to come off the line this month on the 14th. I'm hopeful these Firefly issues are being addressed in production on the latest models.

[ajwbarnard]

What were your problems that the Firefly fix resolved? We are winterized and may not be able to get our trailer out until April, but wonder if I should be making appointments now. How much time did it take?

[Happy-rver]

Originally Posted by ajwbarnard

What were your problems that the Firefly fix resolved? We are winterized and may not be able to get our trailer out until April, but wonder if I should be making appointments now. How much time did it take?

They told me that it was “an easy fix” and it did not take long. It sounded to me like it had something to do with the pins or plug that make up the connector at the back of the panel. I was so pleased to have everything working I did not pay much attention to the explanation. They also plugged a lap top in and did some kind of a system update.
It seems to have cured problems with the front air conditioner, the heating system and the hot water. I have been checking the Alde panel when ever I use shower boost or any other change I make on Alde part of the Firefly panel and all is good.
If you own a 2018 Classic you should look into a service appointment, if you have one on order you can be sure it will not be leaving JC with the problem.

[Airhead2018]

I did the Firefly update myself and it fixed all but one issue and that is the propane tank level. Does yours work?

[Happy-rver]

Originally Posted by Airhead2018

I did the Firefly update myself and it fixed all but one issue and that is the propane tank level. Does yours work?

Two weeks before we were scheduled to go to JC our dealer sent 2 of his technicians to our site (1 1/2 hours from his shop) to replace our panel. The propane level gauges started working immediately they both gave a reading of one tank and ignored the other on the old panel. There was still two major problems. Changing the temp setting on the Alde part of the Firefly panel turned the main Alde panel off. With two weeks to play with it I found that this problem was not constant, sometimes it worked sometimes it did not. The second problem was with the front A/C. If the temp difference was more than 6 degrees the unit would come on, run about 2 1/2 minuets than the fan would stop and the compressor would keep going. If there was only 4 degrees difference it was fine.
What ever they found at JC fixed both problems and a week out everything works fine. I was told they would be sending out a notice to all dealers about the fix.

[ajwbarnard]

Originally Posted by Happy-rver

Two weeks before we were scheduled to go to JC our dealer sent 2 of his technicians to our site (1 1/2 hours from his shop) to replace our panel. The propane level gauges started working immediately they both gave a reading of one tank and ignored the other on the old panel. There was still two major problems. Changing the temp setting on the Alde part of the Firefly panel turned the main Alde panel off. With two weeks to play with it I found that this problem was not constant, sometimes it worked sometimes it did not. The second problem was with the front A/C. If the temp difference was more than 6 degrees the unit would come on, run about 2 1/2 minuets than the fan would stop and the compressor would keep going. If there was only 4 degrees difference it was fine.
What ever they found at JC fixed both problems and a week out everything works fine. I was told they would be sending out a notice to all dealers about the fix.

I certainly hope AS doesn't require us to make all the effort to get the fix. It should come through to all 2018 owners...This is what you should do and this is who you need to talk to to get it done.

[Airhead2018]

Originally Posted by Airhead2018

I did the Firefly update myself and it fixed all but one issue and that is the propane tank level. Does yours work?

Correction! Firefly does not talk correctly to Alde in heat mode. I am told there may be a connector pinned incorrectly going to the Firefly panel. Back to the dealer this time.

[kendrick.l.j]

Wanted make sure that the 2018 Classic owners are keeping up with the posts regarding the Alde system, Firefly updates. Apparently there is a pin install that will need to be done in addition to software upgrades. This is posted in the Much Ado Alde thread as well as the 2018 Hot Water / Heater thread.
This time of year seems to be when the 2017 Classic issues started, probably because there were more units on the road by now. It might be useful if the 2018 owners consolidated information into one thread in order to share information regarding Alde updates and issues. I do think it would be helpful for the ‘18 folks to read through the Much Ado Alde thread to throughly understand how the system works. Just my $0.02.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Is there any data on which pin goes where on this "re-pin required" service bulletin? Moving pins around on most pin headers is not a big deal. If you can swap out the board, you probably can handle moving the pins. (hint: there's a tiny little tab you push down with something really small and the pin slides out .... takes way longer to describe it than to do it ).

Bob

[Airhead2018]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

Is there any data on which pin goes where on this "re-pin required" service bulletin? Moving pins around on most pin headers is not a big deal. If you can swap out the board, you probably can handle moving the pins. (hint: there's a tiny little tab you push down with something really small and the pin slides out .... takes way longer to describe it than to do it ).

Bob

That would be excellent to get that info, maybe I'll call Airstream (JC) today and see what they say. Its possible this could be done but I think you might need to re-program again and in this case would need to take back to dealer. We will see!

[Airhead2018]

Here is the correct pin out at the G6 panel for the Firefly

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by Airhead2018

Here is the correct pin out at the G6 panel for the Firefly
Attachment 299515

Hi

So if you follow their procedure, you would need a replacement connector. That's a dirt cheap part compared to the panel you just swapped out.

Bob

[Airhead2018]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

So if you follow their procedure, you would need a replacement connector. That's a dirt cheap part compared to the panel you just swapped out.

Bob

Not necessarily Uncle Bob. I reused the same connector but was careful when I took it apart. Just remember to trim the wires back individually before crimping them in place.

[Hibby]

Do we know at what point JC caught this and started updating those trailers that were still coming off of the line?

[Happy-rver]

Originally Posted by Hibby

Do we know at what point JC caught this and started updating those trailers that were still coming off of the line?

Nov 2/17

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by Happy-rver

Nov 2/17

Hi

Since the "update" came out (that highlighted the problem) before the full fix went into production, it's a good bet that dealers will be experienced at this *long* before the "correct" trailers start showing up ....

Bob