[Marshall]

Steve,

I just bought a 2007 Marathon H3-45. While digging into the documentation that was given to me with the coach, I seem to remember seeing wiring diagrams. Let me look tomorrow and I’ll let you know.

[Archived]

Tks Marshall.Not just chassis ,but ccnverter wiring.

[Jim/Chris]

Yes, I know I have chassis wiring, but this packet was house wiring.

[Bill]

Marathon won’t provide any electrical or pneumatic drawings, but my 04 did have various drawings for 12/24 and 120 wire pulls and Techlink Node locations.

[Archived]

Thanks Tom. That just ended my marathon search. Would never own it if I couldn’t work on it.

[Marshall]

Working on our own coaches is going to be difficult or impossible with regards to electrical systems or electronics.

As coaches get newer the electronics on them is proprietary and nobody is going to provide the codes to allow an owner to work on the coach. That means Detroit, Volvo, Prevost, and the converter. All have proprietary software and to change engine programming, to change to a different type of headlights, or to change the TV all will require the manufacturer to do the programming change.

We can still change fluids and filters, we can chase air leaks, we can replace air bags and shocks, but if it involves electronics we have a problem.

Converters are reluctant if not refusing to provide systems information because over the years competitors were stealing ideas from each other and they just aren’t willing to provide access to the details. Servicing coaches is a revenue source so that just adds more reasons why they are not going to share.

[Art]

Steve,

Totally your call on which converter you select to go with but I thought you might appreciate some feedback. We have had our Marathon since 2012. We were not the original owner but Marathon has gone out of their way countless times to support me. Both inside their facilities and with me directly at home or on the road as well as other non-marathon service providers. I have and continue to be blown away by there customer service and they have a life-time customer with me. When I needed wire numbers or details they provided but as others have posted they aren’t going to just send you the entire build drawings of a coach.

good Luck with your search.

Bill

[AL]

Steve,

I’m a Marathon fan having owned 3 of them and their customer service is 2nd to none, regardless of age of coach. Liberty doesn’t give out those docs either, so don’t let that push you away from Marathon.

[Bill]

I can fully understand converters not wanting owners doing repairs or upgrades. Newer technology is nice and makes our lives more comfortable and safe with a cost and wouldn’t mind paying for it if it was engineered and manufactured to last.I’ve talked with many who’ve experienced less than desirable problems after short time normal use.

I happen to enjoy doing my own repairs, maintenance and upgrades unless it would compromise safety which I leave to the professionals.

In my experience our newer technology for vehicles has not proven to be reliable for longevity with a multitude of computer related issues. Done with my ranting now!!

[Marshall]

Steve,

I don’t disagree that current coaches are more complicated on the house side than they need to be. But it’s what the people buying the new ones want. it’s all the bells and whistles and electric this and air door that… But we have a 2007 coach we purchased as second owner in 2012 Put well over 100k on it with 3 kids and a dog and candidly I am surprised more stuff hasn’t broke. I am probably going to regret saying it but think about the fact that a large percentage of the creature comforts that are included in our buses where eally designed to run down the road. Things like Tvs. microwaves, dishwashers, crestrons DirectTV recievers. I’m running with my 2007 originals on all that kind of stuff as well as pumps, water heaters which I would assume could have orgins on the marine side… But from my perspective, I am well pleased on how our bus has aged. Recently we have considered upgrading but we love what we have and for now decided to keep what we have. I often think about if we ever decide to build a new one…. what would I keep what would I eliminate?

Bill

[al]

Steve, I would not let the lack of complete wiring diagrams sway you away from a Marathon. The wires are numbered and make sense. Marathon was happy to tell me where the other end of some extra pulls t the plumbing bay terminate on the other end.

I really don’t think lack of wiring diagrams will stand in your way of doing your own upgrades. It’s not like you will be re-engineering the Tech-Link system.

I’ve owned two Royales, and they did have basic house wiring schematics. I referenced them a few times, that’s it.

I strongly discourage you from limiting your search based on availability of wiring diagrams.

[Dick]

Also note, we are not talking about simple linear point to point wiring. Starting in the late 90’s Marathon switched to multiplexed wiring with programmed nodes using a CAN bus like signalling scheme. No simple fixes other than replacing cables/nodes not unlike modern cars.

[Billy]

Zmax73,

Well…..I finally got to my coach yesterday and looked for the schematics. I was incorrect and only have the Prevost wiring diagrams. I agree with the comments above…..don’t let a lack of schematics steer you away from Marathon.

[Art]

I can’t depend on someone else remotely telling me how something is wired everytime plus trying to work on their schedule. Doesn’t work for me. Marathon is off my list.

[Larry]

These comments about Marathon are so unfounded what you describe is just not true. Their support is 24/7.

Marathon is the largest converter in the world and to have a guy with a 19 year old orphan sit here and bash them is laughable.

Later

bv