Firefly control panel - How to use it

[@k2wo1]

Outstanding video Gard. Your orientation videos should be mandatory for all new Beyond owners! Thanks much. George in FL.

[@CampingCoastie]

Thank you. I remember when I bought our first RV and was given the orientation tour. I was so excited that I forgot a lot of what we were told. I had to figure out how to do things on our first trip, I searched for online videos other owners made. I was so glad to find them and this is my way of paying back.

[@judithbittner198]

Learned something new again! Didn’t know the arrows meant you could dim the lights! Thanks a million!

[@CampingCoastie]

You are welcome! There are so many little things to learn, it can be a bit overwhelming, but in the end, pretty simple.

[@MJim-ko3hd]

Very informative video, Gard. It is so helpful to be viewing these panels (Firefly and Truma) and gaining familiarity with them before our Beyond gets delivered and the dealer conducts our orientation training. Very much appreciate how you continually help us Newbies. mj

[@CampingCoastie]

Glad to help!

[@MissCyrsSpot]

Thanks! I learned a couple of things I didn’t know!

[@CampingCoastie]

Great, glad to help.

[@travelbug6155]

Thanks again for another informative video. We are learning so much from your videos. We really appreciate all your effort and time.

[@CampingCoastie]

Glad to help!

[@roundstone2020]

Great job..

[@CampingCoastie]

Thank you.

[@bevn362]

How long will it before the Firefly system becomes outdated? Like an iPhone or iPad only lasts so many years & then becomes outdated and the software isn’t capable of being Updated. Also, how do you know what model devices iPhone/iPad it is compatible with to connect via Bluetooth? Very thorough presentation...another helpful teaching video. We have been checking the 2021 Beyond and now that comes with 2 chassis batteries-we are curious if the Firefly will display 2 battery symbols for chassis. Thanks again for taking your time (& Debs) to share all this information.

[@CampingCoastie]

I have no idea how long before it get to be obsolete, but I know a guy that uses a computer with Windows 3.1. Of course it doesn't do much, just what it did back in 1995. Not sure about the chassis battery, I would guess it would show just the voltage across the positive and negative terminals.

[@bevn362]

Camping Coastie Thank you

[@bevn362]

We did not see anymore about the 2 chassis battery…we think it was a mistake or just misspoke.

[@TT-ro7eg]

Thanks for vid Coastie! Do you know if the Firefly system allows you to adjust input amperage if you are using a 30amp plugged into regular home plug (20-15amp) with adaptor while mooch docking? Also, any negatives so far with the ProAir a/c?

[@CampingCoastie]

You are welcome. As for adjusting the input, I can do that on my Xantrex panel. Here is a video for it.

[@CampingCoastie]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pneqgqp8j8uBgJI

[@CampingCoastie]

I do have the Li3, not sure how to adjust it, if even possible, on the AGM coach. So far, we have been happy with the ProAir, I just wish it cooled the coach a little faster.

[@josnowcruises6854]

My learning continues, thank you! Do you use the app as much as you thought you would? I guess with a 30 ft range it’s usefulness is limited. Maybe if your phone is near the bed and you don’t want to get up to turn something on I suppose. A question about Spike- do you ever leave him inside the rv while you go eat or visit a museum? And do you have any problems with people who don’t know he is ok? I watched another rv video and they suggested leaving a note in the window that your pet is in a climate controlled situation and to put your phone number on it in case they are concerned. Do you feel the need to do this? Thanks again Gard.

[@CampingCoastie]

I don't use the Mira app, I have read mixed reviews, some love it and some say it is not good. I decided to skip it for now. As for Spike, we try to take him in to as many places as possible with us. He is very well behaved most of the time and he is allowed in places. If we want to go in a place where we can't take him we leave him in the van. I put up handwritten notes in the front door windows sayin the AC is on and remotely monitored. I am going to get some cut vinyl stickers made to say that soon.

[@KevinTumlinson]

Are you having any issues with the tank sensors not working? Ours has been buggy since we got it, but it had started working for a while. Then Firefly did an update (I think) and now we get no reading on our black tank and fresh water tank. Just curious if you’ve had the same issue.

[@CampingCoastie]

Mine work great about 95% of the time. Sometimes when I fill my freshwater tank until it overflows the tank reads empty until I get to 80%. Sometimes the black and gray read wrong, but not often. My propane gauge use to always read full but it was because of a bad sensor on the tank. It was taken care of by Coachmen.

[@kimcraige]

Hi Camping Coastie! I just bought a Coachmen Beyond (love it) and I noticed that sometime in the middle of the night the firefly panel turns off even if I’m connected to shore power. Am I supposed to tap the “use” battery button to “wake up” the system? This doesn’t seem right...any ideas?

[@CampingCoastie]

That sounds like a problem with the BG160 or related solenoid. You should have it looked at. I just had both of mine replaced at the plant when I was there.

[@kimcraige]

@@CampingCoastie thank you...I don’t know what a BG160 solenoid is, but I’m about to find out :)

[@CampingCoastie]

Battery Guard 160, it protects the battery from going to low on the voltage. It drops the battery to protect it.

[@kimcraige]

@@CampingCoastie ah, thank you!!

[@mweber2000]

There doesn’t appear to be any status display of the battery ie: energy used, energy left in the battery, charge status, etc

[@CampingCoastie]

On the Coachmen Li3 battery models is a State Of Charge meter that has all that information. Here is a video about it. Coachmen Beyond Li3 - State of Charge Meter kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKebhHWAnc6Fnc0

[@mweber2000]

@@CampingCoastie but if you don’t have the LI3?

[@gardsnyder5657]

@@mweber2000 what year and model do you have?

[@mweber2000]

@@gardsnyder5657 I don’t have any yet. Researching Nova without LI3. For such big ticket item not to have more sophisticated SOC status other than battery voltage level is odd

[@gardsnyder5657]

@@mweber2000 I agree, knowing that state of charge is really helpful. With lithium batteries you have to have one because the voltage stays flat and then drops very fast as the battery is drained. With flooded lead acid and AGM batteries the resting voltage gives you a pretty good view of the state of charge. If I were to have another RV that did not have a SOC meter I would add one. I added one to my new camper.

[@edeovino2219]

I'm going to delete Coachman's online manual and replace with a link to your KZbin channel...

[@CampingCoastie]

Thanks, but they have some good stuff there.