Just Browsing Jayco J-HUB replacement of Drifter Panel

[ChrisFatboySydney]

Anyone found out any detail on what the J-HUB can do and any release dates?

I know it is supposed to be a tablet that lets you control the van and is new for 2017.

That's about all I can find out so far..

Chris

 

[Maximage]

This do?

 

[Dobbie]

Wow....I'm amazed and had no idea Setec was headed in this direction but it makes sense to present info in a form that people are comfortable with ....and its upgradable.

My concern would be its yet another thing to go wrong but it will take some time to be stable, like all software...but if it does the job of several different monitors, controllers ...and improves understanding of what's going on....then that's good!

But I wonder about the cost...I'm assuming it's an option, not an inclusion?

 

[ChrisFatboySydney]

This do?

Perfect - thanks so much!

Now I just have to convince Jayco to include it in my van due in March which they are currently saying NO for

 

[ChrisFatboySydney]

But I wonder about the cost...I'm assuming it's an option, not an inclusion?

$1000 at build time. So not much more than drifter.

Available as an option on expanda but heard on some models drifter no longer an option.

 

[Dobbie]

Drifter was looking tired and low tech as well....is the unit removable? I had the impression it was and guess upgrades etc would be via a pc.

I hope the kids don't see it as a toy!

I now wonder whether the one unit could be adapted to include all those other fiddly monitors like fridge temp or even a hot water "on" pump "on" And so on.

(I'm currently looking at gauges and such and it's driving me batty /ier. If there was an easy, simple and reliable way to do the lot I'd probably go for it. I look forward to more info when it hits the 2017 builds)

 

[ChrisFatboySydney]

Yes, removable.

The unit does 3 lights, water pump, hot water as well as slide out on the models with that.

So a few more features than the drifter for sure.

I also noted D.C. Input, solar regulator and a few others in the list.

 

[mfexpanda]

Found this on another site

 

[Drover]

I think I like the old style in Big Mal, individual units, one breaks simple to fix, throw it out and get a new one, mechanical switches, digital volt meter seperate charger and solar reg, that way when on the road I can fix or at least jury rig to keep thing going not like these electronic brain circuit boards, wonder how long it would take to get one replaced under warranty and god forbid if you had to replace it outside of it...

 

[ChrisFatboySydney]

I think I like the old style in Big Mal, individual units, one breaks simple to fix, throw it out and get a new one, mechanical switches, digital volt meter seperate charger and solar reg, that way when on the road I can fix or at least jury rig to keep thing going not like these electronic brain circuit boards, wonder how long it would take to get one replaced under warranty and god forbid if you had to replace it outside of it...

You are probably right that there is a lot that could go wrong and given the 12 month only warranty it does increase the risk.

My problem is I am a bit of a gadget man and can't help myself.

 

[Dobbie]

I think I like the old style in Big Mal, individual units, one breaks simple to fix, throw it out and get a new one, mechanical switches, digital volt meter seperate charger and solar reg, that way when on the road I can fix or at least jury rig to keep thing going not like these electronic brain circuit boards, wonder how long it would take to get one replaced under warranty and god forbid if you had to replace it outside of it...

I think I like the old style in Big Mal, individual units, one breaks simple to fix, throw it out and get a new one, mechanical switches, digital volt meter seperate charger and solar reg, that way when on the road I can fix or at least jury rig to keep thing going not like these electronic brain circuit boards, wonder how long it would take to get one replaced under warranty and god forbid if you had to replace it outside of it...

Agree with you now. I was thinking of something simple and central but I now think the separate ones are more suitable for us. ..... And it concerns me that something set up for a real situation with specialised technology can be seen as a kids toy. I wonder how long it'd last....with correspondingly huge replacement and upgrading costs.

and.....the technology gallop that has led to this development can be superseded in a short space of time.

It looks like the Silverline one includes the fusion radio and is custom designed....more $$$.?

I think I'll keep it simple stupid ....KIsS....and keep away from gadgets.

Good luck @ChrisFatboySydney ....it'll be interesting to hear how good they are or just another marketing gadget in a very competitive but growing market.

 

[Drover]

Oh, I know where you coming from @ChrisFatboySydney , I may be old but I do like the techo gadgets, ever since I could carry my own radio, in my pocket to the beach, it didnt have any valves or need a power station connected, it had batteries and transistors, amazing.....what we called it though means something else now..........anyway by now having had 40 odd years of gadgets I find some, while great in an office environment aren't much chop when out in the boonies, the greatest electronic device for cars is the ignition, no points all the rest is fun but also a problem laying in wait and more so in a van......I've seen the 12v wiring in new vans and you want to couple a circuit board to that ?
The stuff does look cool though.

 

[bigcol]

I find some, while great in an office environment aren't much chop when out in the boonies,

a valid reason that I use to justify to myself in having a "Base" model car - no funny electrics that can play up and cost huge $$$$ to fix

 

[Maximage]

Video of it over a year ago back when it was in development:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2vv5oX465A

 

[davemc]

wonder now android based you get in trouble with OS upgrades and the like. Also what happens if it crashes
I have no problem with the drifter although would be nice to have that info on the phone as well I know I can get units to do that now.

 

[glenntwenty]

Hi All, we have the JHub in our Basestation that we picked up in December. It was an ex demo caravan that was apparently used in part to display the new system. The only additional features over the Drifta seem to be controlling the slide out, turning off 3 sections of lights so not even the light switches will turn them on (haven't worked out why you would want to do that yet) and turning hot water on/off. You can take it off its wall mount and use it wherever as long as you are in Bluetooth range but that is probably of limited use as well. The way it displays info on the battery seems good though.

The Basestaion is our first caravan so this may be standard but I found it odd that if you turn something off on the wall switches (battery, water pump or hot water) you can't turn it back on on the JHub and vice versa. You have to remember to turn it back on wherever you turned it off. We haven't been on our first trip but playing around at home I already seem to have defaulted to just using the wall switches to turn things on/off and the JHub just to check battery and water level.

 

[Drover]

Be good to read any follow up reports on it after you have done a few runs around with it, sort the bugs out............

 

[Dobbie]

Yep. I'm interested as well in the user friendliness of the whole system.

@glennhoen did the dealer talk you into it or did it come with the van as it was sold?

I reckon it's best features would include clear read outs on water and battery....and if it tells you your hot water, pump etc are on or off.....I guess it doesn't indicate the level of the toilet cassette.....that would be useful.

The use for the slide out ....is that easy or fiddly? Just wondering if the simple switch is easier.

Are all the items controlled by the JHub still able to be used via the usual switches? Again, just wondering if there's a melt down with it, can you still get information?

Apologies for all the queries, but I'm interested in how good it will be.

 

[glenntwenty]

did the dealer talk you into it or did it come with the van as it was sold?

We didn't have a choice as it was an ex demo van, it just came with it.

I reckon it's best features would include clear read outs on water and battery....

yes, agreed and is very easy to read

and if it tells you your hot water, pump etc are on or off...

it doesn't really: it shows you if it was turned off using the JHub but if you turn it off with the wall switch the JHub still shows it as on

I guess it doesn't indicate the level of the toilet cassette...

no

The use for the slide out ....is that easy or fiddly?

Very easy but no easier than the simple switch on the wall

Are all the items controlled by the JHub still able to be used via the usual switches? Again, just wondering if there's a melt down with it, can you still get information?

I'm not sure about this, there is the tablet but also a control node and the J35 unit. There is a reset button on the control node but that is all so without the tablet you can't get any information but I assume if you press reset anything you turned off may go back to their default state (hopefully on) and you could use the normal switches. If the J35 unit dies I think everything 12v would go with it as everything seems to go in and out via this. I'm no expert though!

 

[Dobbie]

Thanks for all the answers....I'll have a look at the whole setup the next time I'm near a Jayco dealer.

As said, an interesting development.

Now enjoy the van and get out there....when possible.