Aladdin Connector 2
Pricilla Igoe
2003 Signature. Suddenly, when I turn on the power to the Aladdin and push the joystick up, the red light on the joystick lights, but no Aladdin data shows on the Panasonic screen. However, the screen displays radio stations, etc. just fine. Bedroom monitor shows nothing either. Looking at the individual modules on the top of the bay, none are lit. I dug the control unit and video unit from in the dash, and both test for 12 volt power, and all plugs are seated. The only fuses I've found, both inline in the dash and in the front run bay, are all good. I do have one purple wire that is unplugged, or never was plugged in. Maybe snooze with a similar setup can take a picture to show me where the wire goes. Thanks in advance.
We had a similar problem with our 03 Sig. It turned out that the video signal at the Panasonic unit had failed. As a signal test we plugged the Aladdin cable into a portable TV and after proving the issue we bought a cable end adapter and moved the signal to the Sony backup monitor which has multiple inputs. Now we only have to switch inputs on the monitor screen when I need to view the Aladdin info. Even if this isn't the solution for you it would still be a work around until you find some other method you prefer. We found the adapter online. We later removed the Panasonic and replaced it with a newer unit which accepts blue tooth, USB, etc. Good luck.
Sorry for the delay, Bruce. When you say your radio worked, do you mean the audio, or were you able to see stations and other stuff? I can see the stations on my Aladdin screen, so I know the video part of the Aladdin does work, just doesn't show the Aladdin screens. There is a small group of wires to the back of the monitor, and then a single wire, which I thought might be a ground. Where does the Aladdin video signal come in, the bundle or the single wire? Thanks.
I had a display showing the radio stations, etc. but no external signal from the Aladdin input. The Aladdin signal, as I recall was plugged into the black box shown at the top of this discussion as one of the RCA jack inputs. Since there was no audio it would have been a video in or aux. in connection. This box was part of the Panasonic unit with the 2 plug in connectors on the left tying into the Panasonic display head. This box was needed because the head unit didn't have enough room for all the jacks you see. I removed this box with the head unit when I replaced it with a new stereo since it was only dead weight by then.
Thanks for the help, Bruce. Maybe part of my problem is that I have this purple plug here that is not connected to anything; you wouldn't have any pictures or recollections of where it might go, do you? I can't tell from any wiring diagrams I have. it's not a good picture because it doesn't show the other wire. I don't know what should be plugged where on this box. Any ideas?
Looking at the RCA labels, the unplugged purple is coming from Audio 2 out and thus shouldn't be affecting video. The other purple is Video 1 out and the yellow is Video 2 out. Have you selected the correct video channel? Where are those cables going? I have a different setup but had a problem once with my touch screen monitor after somebody dusted it off and in the process accidentally switched the video selections with the wiping motion.
UPDATE: problem solved (sort of). Although I haven't found where the purple cable attaches, I did solve the problem of no data showing up on my display. Once I saw all the little boxes on the top of the bay were receiving power and sending data, I realized the problem had to be just with video. Turns out the purple RCA cable in the picture above was connected to the Panasonic control box using a connector to another RCA cable. I decided I needed only one cable, so eliminated the connector and other cable, and suddenly I had the Aladdin video back. Just to make sure, while the Aladdin data was showing on the screen, I went back to the original setup with two RCA cables and a connector, and the display was gone again. So now I'm good. Thanks for all the suggestions and comments. I will be looking to upgrade from the Panasonic monitor / radio, but until I do, at least I have the Aladdin info back. Here's the culprit:
Kevin with your phone if you go into settings/connected devices/+ pair new device you should be able to see the Bluefire bluetooth device ID and pair with it one level below the Bluefire software. Your phone will then stay connected until you move out of range. I would be surprised if it is less than 20-30 ft. Does not see 1708 or 1939 protocol at that level.
Wouldn't you know it I can't get my phone to hook up to the adaptor now. Didn't have much time to mess with it today. I'm more interested in getting he I Pad to stay hooded up. Any way to check this on a I pad?
Here is what I shared with Gary. I'll take some more pics at the coach over the next week and write up exactly what all I did. In short I made the connection to the J1939 bus in the console left of the driver (where the transmissions shifter, etc. is located)
Scotty...Thanks for the write up, links and pics! Excellent job out of you for coming up with this idea! I'm going to look into doing this as well. Didn't have much time to to mess with it today but I really like the idea of faster and hopefully more data. My original thinking was to just add a longer cord to the adaptor and place the adaptor right next to the iPad. When I do that my signal strength goes from fair to excellent so I'm hoping that will keep it from dropping. Now thinking I'll convert it to the J1939 plug and try to get it closer to the iPad. I'll also check my setting that you mentioned to see if these help.
I've been trying to find a replacement for the Aladdin also. Mine bit the dust when our Camelot was hit by lightning a few years back. I'd just like something simpler than having a laptop, or a iPad, etc. The nice thing about the Aladdin was, all you did just press one button and it powers up and does its thing. No log in, no wait for the device to boot up, and then load an app to get things going.
I contacted them and asked if they were considering this style for Diesel Trucks & Motorhomes. Their answer was not at the present time. I mentioned there's a lot of motorhome owners and I'm sure Truckers that would be very interested. The agent I spoke to said they would pass my suggestion to their marketing and engineering divisions. Maybe if more of us called them it might help. That is, If anyone else is interested.
I have an Aladdin Jr AND a Bluefire. I love the configurability of the Bluefire It's a little work, but you can set it up to monitor what you want, and can customize how it's displayed. Note that you will need some type devices (iPad or Android tablet) to view the Bluefire info on.
@Scotty Hutto I have the Aladdin Jr as well and am considering adding Bluefire for my 2006 Windsor. Thank you for the great write up and information. I have glanced through the App document but didn't see if the BlueFire App displays data as a trend line. Or does it only display in real time? I did see where you can download data into an excel sheet which is nice. Any insight on these capabilities using the Bluefire App? Thank you.
BlueFire does have logging capabilities, and the app gives you a choice of downloading the file or emailing it. Apparently its a CSV spreadsheet that allows you to manipulate it. I wish I could tell you more, but I haven't used any of those capabilities... yet! but you've piqued my interest, so logging will be turned on from now on...
Not having much luck with Silverleaf people. Got their download from Richard. Done. Called 4 times, twice promised email solutions and product requirement list. 8 days later, still waiting. Assume what?
Here is a picture of the wiring under the console. At the bottom left you'll see the cable with 3 pin Deutsch (triangular) connectors labeled "ALADDIN" (circled in white). That is where I put the "Y" adapter. The other cable goes to the Transmission Control Module (TCM). Since I had the Aladdin J1939 connector, I felt that was less "risky". I didn't really want to mess with my transmission.
I used pins A through G. Pins H and J are not used. A & B are self explanatory. C, D, and E come from the "Y" cable where I tapped off the Aladdin port (pay attention to the orientation - the wires are NOT labeled.) F & G come from the existing J1708 cable.
Here is the tool that came with the new port to pull pins from the old port and insert into the new port. Note that the J1708 pins are larger than the J1939 pins, so the pins are cut off and replaced with the pins that come with the port. If I was going to do it again, I'd spend a little more and get a nicer Deutsch pin tool.
I recently bought the BlueFire adapter to gain access to engine data after having an issue with an intermittent coolant temperature guage. I'm going to re-do my dash panel and guages with the addition of a Samsung Galaxy Tablet for real time engine monitoring. I have a six pin port next to my steering column that has active data, a six pin port in the driver side fuse compartment without active data, a nine pin port in the engine bay below the access cover (tied to the dipstick sleeve) that has active data, and a three pin CAN-bus in the mass of wiring shoved into the area beneath the panel to the left of the driver seat. I have not checked the three pin connector for data because I wouldn't know how to try.
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