Dimmer with Compass Connect

[FlyStar]

I would like to add a dimmer to the main cabin lights. My Compass Connect controller is located in the front storage. A wireless remote controlled dimmer on the output of the Compass connect would do the trick. But. All the wireless remote dimmers that I can find work on the negative (ground) side of the circuit. My questions are:

Does anyone know of a wireless remote dimmer that works on the positive side of the circuit?

Or

Does anyone know if a separate negative wire is wired back from the overhead lights all the way to the Compass Connect controller? I suspect they are wired to chassis ground somewhere else and the negative wire is not available. Hence the need for a positive side dimmer control.

Thanks. 2021 312BHTS

[DarnDave]

FlyStar , I am in the middle of a slow motion project adding dimmers to our unit. There are several posts on here discussing this; try searching "dimmer" in the search box. I think what is most important is the type of dimmer. The consensus is that a PWM dimmer is what is needed for the led bulbs. I just took the two lights nearest my kitchen sink away from the compss connect and the rest of the ceiling lights. I installed a flush mount PWM touch dimmer, and fed power to it from a nearby non compass connect light switch. This dimmer has a power and ground lead both in and out of it. What I found is that all of the lighting in this area was sharing a ground connection--both compass connect controlled and not. Just on a hunch, I tied both ground leads (in and out of the dimmer) together, and connected them into the existing ground bundle. Everything worked as it should. I'm sorry but I don't know how to post a link to the dimmer into this forum. I found it on amazon, and noticed that rec pro has a version of it. It is about the same size as your existing wall mounted light switches, has a touch button in the center of it with an led, and is labeled "dimmer".

Next up, is to retry a different brand wireless dimmer that would not work on the ceiling circuit. I just took two "mousetrap" (dammit watch your fingers!!) bulbs out of the circuit that were rated at about 0.4 amps each. Even tho I was originally well under the rating of the dimmer, it would not work. I still think I got a bad unit (for the third time), so if that doesn't work I am going to try a different brand. Will post pics and progress of that as I go. Others on here have made it work so it must be possible. Good luck

[FlyStar]

I have had a big success today installing a remote controlled wireless dimmer on my Compass Connect controller main cabin lights.

[Country Campers]

I have had a big success today installing a remote controlled wireless dimmer on my Compass Connect controller main cabin lights.

Please read the Forum Rules, Rule #15 to be exact.

Brian, Moderator

[gbkims]

Please read the Forum Rules, Rule #15 to be exact.

Brian, Moderator

Brian,

Where are the forum rules? It's been awhile since I read them.

Thanks,
Gene

[Cate&Rob]

Brian,

Where are the forum rules? It's been awhile since I read them.

Thanks,
Gene

Hi Gene,
See https://gdrvowners.com/forum/main-forum/60-forum-rules
Rob

[gbkims]

Hi Gene,
See https://gdrvowners.com/forum/main-forum/60-forum-rules
Rob

Thanks Rob,

I was poking around there, just didn't look hard enough: Forums > Technical Forum > Welcome to GDRV's Forum! > Newcomers and Site Information > Announcements and Site Feedback

[FlyStar]

Sorry for not knowing the rules and trying to link to the “other forum”. I just wanted to share my learnings and never thought of the idea that the forums were “competitive” somehow. My bad.

Dimmers on lights controlled by Compass Connect can’t be wired in the command center. They must be wired downstream of the Compass Connect. Since this unit is in my basement storage area, I tried out a remote controlled dimmer which worked out great. Most dimmers need access to both the hot and ground wire which was my worry. However, both hot and ground are wired to the Compass Connect making the job super easy. And, I mounted the remote control unit in the command center using Velcro, so I can pull it off and keep it handy anywhere in the camper.

On my 2021 Reflextion 312 BHTS, three lighting circuits are wired to the Compass Connect. A 4 pin connector at the bottom right corner of the unit, labeled “latching output” is where the 3 hot wires go to the leds. The ground wire is easy to find since each circuit is wired back to this area with a 2 conductor cable, hot and ground.

[Dennis66]

I want to do the same is the wiring below labled to what is what? I want to add dimmers to my awning lights and coffee bar

[howson]

Sorry for not knowing the rules and trying to link to the “other forum”. I just wanted to share my learnings and never thought of the idea that the forums were “competitive” somehow. My bad.

No competition implied. Not linking to the other forum was at their request which we've chosen to respect to keep things civil.

There's plenty of good folks on the "other" forum. The difference is this forum is technical in nature (no "best campsite recipes" channel) and this forum is wholly owned by GD. GD is obviously a for-profit entity, but everything else here is owners-helping-owners. No one's making money or has an ax to grind (that we know of, anyway).

if I understand the business model, the owners of the "other" forum are making money off of individuals that participate and run their forum. Not implying that's wrong--it's just different by it's very construct. As long as everyone's aware it's all good.