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Marathon Techlink Computer
My Techlink Computer went Tango Uniform and I had to send it to Marathon for repairs. These Small PC’s have an internal battery for CMOS and they’re only good for about 3 – 4 years per Marathon. They replaced the battery and then reprogrammed the computer, turned it around in 2 days and the cost was just over 200.00, great service from Marathon. These Small PC’s can be purchased for around 900.00 if you need a new one and here is the link: Small PC
There is also a Network Adapter hooked to mine, but I think later vintage coaches don’t have that Adapter. My original computer was what Marathon referred to as Scan Do, but mine was upgraded to the Small PC somewhere in it’s history. So depending on year, you may not have one of the Small PC’s. Also location varies, mine is located in the overhead above the dash, others are under the bed in the rear. Once you plug it all back in it takes time for all the Techlink functions to work, in my case it took just over 3 hours.
I also lost all Techlink functions to the 3 TV’s, worked on the dash monitor fine and found my problem with the video display was with the Modulator back in the bedroom. I just replaced that in Nov 2014 and now it has a bad channel, but it’s under warranty with Linear Products.
I just wanted to share all this with the Marathon owners who will be dealing with a Techlink problem sooner or later.
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5 Replies
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I had the same problem the spring of 2012 so my first computer lasted 9 years. I replaced the unit locally after consulting with Marathon, then hooked my coach up to a phone line and they programmed the new CPU from Oregon. I was pretty impressed.
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Is this CPU set-up unique to Marathon or do all Converters use a CPU to run the house systems?
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Thanks Tom. I sent mine to Marathon today via FedEx. I hope my outcome is the same as yours.
Larry
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Each converter had their own way of controlling various systems. It depends on the age of the coach, the converter and if during the life of the coach it had modifications.
What is happening now is scaring the hell out of me. We are seeing sophisticated control systems already out of date with unavailable or unsupported components which forces an owner to use something else not in the original build.
My concern is the life cycle of electronic items is now so short a ten year old coach may already have an operating system changed. Similar issues apply to the chassis, but thankfully the life spans are greater. DDEC I which was on the first coaches in 1987 is not supported and owners have to upgrade to later model DDEC vesrions. But an almost 30 year lifespan may not be unreasonable. That is not the case with some isolated controls ranging from early model slide controls to generator operating controls.
As a coach gets greater features the probability of keeping up with the maintenance as relates to controls and components is going to get much more difficult.The same thing applies to later model coaches that make greater use of electronics even if they were “basic” models.
And the problems are not always related to obsolete components or systems. Later model Prevost coaches that have multiplx systems cannot even have simple changes such as the addition of improved headlights without having reprogramming done, just like newer model coaches cannot have newer TV’s installed without reprogramming.
Buyers have to be aware that every coach that might be on their radar is going to have to be serviced, and if they want to avoid what has the potential to be an expensive future problem they may have to back away from newer coaches or more complex coaches and settle on older models with less electronics and operating systems.
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My Small PC is toast, Marathon advised me today. New one $705, programing $ 600. Seems high for programing but ok price for PC. They say it will take six hours at $100 per hour. Electrical spike fried it beyond repair.
I will pick up new one Monday afternoon here in Florida at Marathon’s service centre.
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