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CAN bus troubleshooting on a 2011 Emerald/Outlaw
I have just purchased a 2011 Prevost Outlaw. Are there any other Outlaw owners out there that I can connect with?
Specifically, this coach is wired via a CAN bus system. It includes the lift actuator for the front video screen and that lift is currently inoperative. I’m at a loss as to how to troubleshoot. I’ve called the good people at Emerald, asking if they are able to remotely connect to the on-board CAN bus network and have not heard back. I’ll keep pestering them. In the meantime, are there any CAN bus trouble shooting experts out there that you can refer? Any good YouTube primers? I know nothing about this wiring scheme, but I’m not afraid of it either. I’m technically astute and can learn. But I need resources! Any suggestions appreciated!
Craig Ingalls
Outlaw/Emerald coach #1089. 2008 Prevost, 2011 conversion. See the Andrew Steele videos about The Outlaw”. That’s our new coach.
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4 Replies
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You should keep trying Outlaw in Stephenville Texas. They should be answering their phones they are not an Orphan Coach company. As far as CAN bus systems…you need the wiring diagrams. This I can tell you ….when you press a button on a CAN system ……that sends a signal to a module (environmental controller) which in turn tells some equipment (motor, light, etc) to perform. The environmental controller will have a power and a ground and signal wires. These are complex systems and each environmental controller has a specific address in the system. CAN systems are in a loop typically closed.
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Thanks for the response. I’ll definitely continue to be in contact with Emerald.
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Depending on where you end up in the country, you could also take it to Liberty Coach. I would probably start at the actuator and work my way back to the CAN device that controls it, tracing power. Trying to “sniff” the messages coming out of your remote/switch is going to be time consuming and I imagine would require something like Vector CANalyzer. The problem might not even be related to the CAN communication. I’m not familiar with your system, but perhaps the CAN device that receives the message and sends out power (or signal to a motor driver) will have some indicator lights for the various ouputs that could help you narrow down the issue. There may also be limit switches or an encoder in the actuator that have failed, preventing movement.
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Generally there is no need to debug at the CAN bus message level unless you are looking for software bugs. Most CAN bus module problems are power/ground or internal to the module (e.g. driver burn out).
Here is what I would do. Find the module that operates your lift. Verify power and ground to it. Use a test light or low-Z meter to eliminate phantom voltages. Check output (likely a wire to open/close a solenoid). See if you have output at the module, then check at solenoid.
If you have power/ground at module but no output, check for CAN bus signal. First, measure resistance of CAN bus hi/low transmission lines. Should be 60 Ohms plugged in, 120 Ohms disconnected on one side. If that is ok, you’ll need to hook up a scope (you can get them for around $100+). With the scope, look at CAN bus signal wave forms. You should see packets with voltages ranging from 2-4 Volts. If the voltages are incorrect or the packages show distortion, one of the modules on the CAN bus has a bad driver (signal output stage) and needs to be replaced.
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