Issues with Electric Beds

[Yorkshirefreckles]

Hi All -

I hope I'm posting in the right place. I'm just about to complete purchase on a Rapid 600FF MH which has an electric drop down bed. Does anyone have a van with a Project 2000 drop down electric bed? Have you had issues with it? On demonstration at the dealers, the bed wouldn't go down properly. They blamed insufficient battery. On the second viewing, the bed still wouldn't go down properly so they promised to investigate once I'd put my deposit down.

I'm now Googling about this bed and it looks like there are common problems with it not going up and down properly. The solutions look very complicated and as I'm MRS Techno, not Techno himself, I don't think I'll be able to cope if the bed goes wrong.

Any advice from seasoned MHers?

 

[Spriddler]

Hi and welcome.
Some dealers (i.e. salesmen) will promise the earth but their 'Workshop' may not be as quick to deal with issues.
I'm not familiar with the bed but if I was happy with the rest I'd either......
Get a receipt for my deposit confirming in writing that it would be refunded in full if the bed wasn't fixed to my satisfaction
or, depending upon how far away the dealer was located from me........
Not leave a deposit but would return to check it when fixed.
Presumably they are giving some form of warranty as the issue may reoccur soon after purchase.
(It doesn't reflect particularly well on their 'preparation for sale').

 

[Yorkshirefreckles]

Thank you. They have confirmed that they will refund my deposit if they can't fix the bed. However, I'm worried by what I've seen on Google that they might not be familiar enough with the bed itself to know or understand what the problem is. Therefore that they might not fix it properly! It's a big worry for me but I very much appreciate your advice.

 

[Spriddler]

Understood.
With luck you may have comments from those who are familiar with the fault and mechanism so that at least you would have some knowledge of the fix for any future failure.
In general the fault with electric beds seems to be a need over time for adjustment of the runners or rack, the guide wheels or the up and down 'Stop' trigger switch.
The weight of a fully made-up bed (which it currently isn't) can also give problems although the web info says it can lift 60kg.

 

[nicholsong]

Why oh why do they keep electrifying things on MHs which worked fine when manual and put more loads on a 12v system? Just more things to go wrong.

I suppose an electric mechanism is lighter than a counter-balancing one. The old 3.5t problem.

I have just thought of a solution to solve the 3.5t problem for manufacturers: ban the driving of Motor Caravans on a B licence, then everybody would need a C1. Simples.

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[Spriddler]

it looks like there are common problems with it not going up and down properly. The solutions look very complicated

Why oh why do they keep electrifying things on MHs which worked fine when manual and put more loads on a 12v system? Just more things to go wrong.

My thoughts too, after looking at a couple of YouTube vids on installation, adjustment and fixing faults.
The manufacturers are evidently aware of its unreliability as they provide an 'emergency' hand crank. I'm surprised that they don't supply an emergency LILO and pump.
I'd also put the frequently troublesome electrically operated hab steps and waste tank dump valves in the 'Gizmo' category.

 

[Mother Ship]

I can only talk of similar electric bed on Pilote models and on owners forum there is always someone stating electric bed not working, either not able to lower or once used not able to return. The answers people have given are to check a fuse & in fact to change fuse to higher amps so doesn’t trip it and to carry an electric drill to operate the motor manually to wind up or down. So maybe would be good idea to ask dealer to show you where motor is for bed as well as where/which is fuse for bed if you go ahead with purchase then it should not be worry if it gets stuck in future. Sue

 

[Terry]

Hi Jacq's the bed should have a manual override If the dealer is saying the battery is flat I would want a new battery as chances are it may be goosed.
Have you thought about a different van with a bed made up manually? Just ask on here if you're unsure of anything. We were at Camper UK on Wednesday and there was a Burster with a drop down bed, similar to the Rapido layout

 

[buzz1]

We have two electric drop down beds
in our burstner , 2019
Yes we have had troubles in the past, when we first got motorhome in June last year.
the rear bed can be manually lowered with a tool supplied. If you need to raise or lower manually if there’s a problem . We did have a couple of times it wouldn’t go up. This was solved by turning key off and resetting control panel by turning off then on after short time.
But the front drop down bed is pain if it fails to go up as you can’t drive van as it over tops seats /steering wheel, and there no tool to raise or lower bed.
We had to phone dealer to advise us , it turned out that you had to remove (pull ) two metal pins ) shows you in habitations manual how to do this. so we could lifted bed up , but was no way of holding bed up on it own , luckily I had rope on van so managed to tie bed up to young actual frame
then we was able to drive to our dealer who managed to sort within a hour or so credit to (Chelston ).
Bed had some greasing done on struts and was put down to electrical short , since then we have toured Scotland + 3 months around eu with no problems since. I think lack of use doesn’t help.
And This actually happened to us when we slept over the night in lay-by ready for travelling next day to catch euro tunnel then had the bed fault . It put us in a panic to say the least

 

[Spriddler]

We have two electric drop down beds
in our burstner , 2019
Yes we have had troubles in the past, when we first got motorhome in June last year.
the rear bed can be manually lowered with a tool supplied. If you need to raise or lower manually if there’s a problem . We did have a couple of times it wouldn’t go up. This was solved by turning key off and resetting control panel by turning off then on after short time.
But the front drop down bed is pain if it fails to go up as you can’t drive van as it over tops seats /steering wheel, and there no tool to raise or lower bed.
We had to phone dealer to advise us , it turned out that you had to remove (pull ) two metal pins ) shows you in habitations manual how to do this. so we could lifted bed up , but was no way of holding bed up on it own , luckily I had rope on van so managed to tie bed up to young actual frame
then we was able to drive to our dealer who managed to sort within a hour or so credit to (Chelston ).
Bed had some greasing done on struts and was put down to electrical short , since then we have toured Scotland + 3 months around eu with no problems since. I think lack of use doesn’t help.
And This actually happened to us when we slept over the night in lay-by ready for travelling next day to catch euro tunnel then had the bed fault . It put us in a panic to say the least

I had problem once with my fixed bed............The zip on my sleeping bag jammed.

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[Spidey]

I had this electric bed in our first van. Dealer didn’t know what to do ended up contacting the bed manufacturer in Italy.

Here are the instructions I got :

Enter in programming mode after having switched on the panel. To enter the programming mode, hold the hidden button (between the button UP and DOWN) and the button UP for 7 seconds. The green LED light with the symbol of the key switches on. If it doesn’t, repeat the operation.
Put underneath the bed some supports able to hold the bed in the lowest position.
Press the button UP; the bed descends. Let it rest on the supports and keep pushing until the bed starts raising again. Bring the bed up to its higher position and let it press the electric contact (limit switch).
Let the bed descend and start programming the positions (depending on the model of the bed can be 3 or 4 points). Let the bed descend to the first position, press the hidden button plus the button DOWN. The LED on the arrows will switch off and on again. Repeat with this procedure for the next 2-3 points and the system will automatically quit the programming mode.

 

[the1andonly]

I have had a Rapido 604ff for 5 years with a a project 2000 bed. (model after 600). We have had issues with the bed but due to Low voltage or confusing the PLC. It is important to (not over fill the bed) bring the bed upto the top each time its used and to switch off. (so there are no counting errors and it knows where home is. (a small lego brick can be a useful calibration device if homing is not correct) I have also seen a problem with a bed when the routing of the cable was preventing smooth movement. It will normally always go up from a stopped position (unless at top) if it is really confused pressing down may bring it up . There are instructions on how to get to a setup/ reprogram mode . i use these to just get it up. The manual mechanism uses a 5mm alen key. If used do an electrical home as soon as feasible.

 

[rod_vw]

I am having a Project 2000 electric bed fitted in my new LWB MAN TGE so I've no idea of any problems yet however I purchased it from Camper Interiors of Stockport who seem to be the main importer of these beds into the UK. It may be worthwhile speaking to them Yorkshirefreckles about your problems.

 

[Yorkshirefreckles]

I had this electric bed in our first van. Dealer didn’t know what to do ended up contacting the bed manufacturer in Italy.

Here are the instructions I got :

Enter in programming mode after having switched on the panel. To enter the programming mode, hold the hidden button (between the button UP and DOWN) and the button UP for 7 seconds. The green LED light with the symbol of the key switches on. If it doesn’t, repeat the operation.
Put underneath the bed some supports able to hold the bed in the lowest position.
Press the button UP; the bed descends. Let it rest on the supports and keep pushing until the bed starts raising again. Bring the bed up to its higher position and let it press the electric contact (limit switch).
Let the bed descend and start programming the positions (depending on the model of the bed can be 3 or 4 points). Let the bed descend to the first position, press the hidden button plus the button DOWN. The LED on the arrows will switch off and on again. Repeat with this procedure for the next 2-3 points and the system will automatically quit the programming mode.

This is really useful information - thank you for posting. I'll keep it handy in case I need it!

 

[Yorkshirefreckles]

I am having a Project 2000 electric bed fitted in my new LWB MAN TGE so I've no idea of any problems yet however I purchased it from Camper Interiors of Stockport who seem to be the main importer of these beds into the UK. It may be worthwhile speaking to them Yorkshirefreckles about your problems.

Thanks for this - again very useful information which I'll keep handy in case!

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[PP Bear]

Now I’m worried for you. As you say, you’re not technical at all and if this bed fails to go up, then you’ll be stuck. Are you sure this is the right van for you, as even if they do manage to do a repair, I think it’s just a matter of time before it fails again.

Also sending hugs

 

[Yorkshirefreckles]

Now I’m worried for you. As you say, you’re not technical at all and if this bed fails to go up, then you’ll be stuck. Are you sure this is the right van for you, as even if they do manage to do a repair, I think it’s just a matter of time before it fails again.

Also sending hugs

There is a manual winder if all else fails. And I can make a bed with the lounge seats if I have to. I'm ok following a sequence of button presses to reset things but that's as technical as I get! I do love the van and I'm buying an extended warranty separately for peace of mind so hopefully, now, I've got this covered. But thank you for your concern

 

[RobPullen]

Hi Yorkshirefreckles, we have a Project 2000 electric dropdown bed (2017 Rollertem). We have had this MH and bed for a little over two years and used the bed daily when we are away (around 18 weeks so far around uk and Europe). We have had some problems with it refusing to move for a moment or two, usually not starting or stopping part of the way through its journey. This is usually fixed by lifting the edge of the bed slightly which re-triggers the motor - as if there is a loose connection. As yet, we have not had to manually crank the bed back top or down. We didn't have a crank handle provided, but have found a suitable Allen/Hex key (size 5 I think without checking) and have an attachment for our battery operated electric drill which I carry in the garage, just in case we need to wind it manually (it take a bit of turning).
There are a number of different models of the Project 2000 beds and slightly different control panels for them, some with hidden buttons some without some with keys, some without - ours doesn't have either of those so getting into setup / programming mode is not easy.
Some models seem to have more problems than others. Resetting the switch by moving all the way up and down is important and not overloading the bed too, but we can keep our duvet and pillows on the bed with no problem.
The battery issue they have reported doesn't seem to be the issue you have, as it tends to not move at all if the battery has insufficient power and lights dim at the same time, etc, but I could be worn about that.
We have decided to continue with ours until such a time as we end up not being able to do anything with it and then will get it replaced for changed to something else, l if we still have this MH by then
If it was me, I would want to see it working fully before agreeing to buy it though.

 

[Yorkshirefreckles]

Thank you for this reply. You're right about seeing it working first. I've been assured it is fixed, so I've also asked exactly what they've done to fix it and whether any parts they have added will have a 12 month warranty. But I tend to be with you on the "suck it & see" idea - i want the van because it meets my needs. I think I'm prepared to accept a fully fixed and working bed and see how that goes rather than reject the van because of a potential issue. I started the thread just because I have no experience of electric beds and I've had some very useful feedback so the posts have not been wasted. At the end of the day, I have to do what I think will work for me and I've had lots of support and information from a variety of people which have helped me to come to my conclusions.

However, if you see someone in a Rapido 600FF screaming at her bed and kicking it, in a field somewhere, it may be me realising I made the wrong decision!

 

[RobPullen]

Thank you for this reply. You're right about seeing it working first. I've been assured it is fixed, so I've also asked exactly what they've done to fix it and whether any parts they have added will have a 12 month warranty. But I tend to be with you on the "suck it & see" idea - i want the van because it meets my needs. I think I'm prepared to accept a fully fixed and working bed and see how that goes rather than reject the van because of a potential issue. I started the thread just because I have no experience of electric beds and I've had some very useful feedback so the posts have not been wasted. At the end of the day, I have to do what I think will work for me and I've had lots of support and information from a variety of people which have helped me to come to my conclusions.

However, if you see someone in a Rapido 600FF screaming at her bed and kicking it, in a field somewhere, it may be me realising I made the wrong decision!

Don’t worry, I’ll be in the Rollerteam next to you swearing as I wind mine back up manually!

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[Terry]

Hi Jacs I am sure Andy had a few battery drills so it may be worth getting into his toolbox and finding an Allen key and cutting the end off so it fits into the drill to carry around “just in case”better finding it now before you need it

 

[Yorkshirefreckles]

Hi Jacs I am sure Andy had a few battery drills so it may be worth getting into his toolbox and finding an Allen key and cutting the end off so it fits into the drill to carry around “just in case”better finding it now before you need it

Indeed I will! I've been sorting through his tools and such like so I have an idea what I'm looking for. He has a number of things which look suitable

 

[Pablo19]

I has one on my last MH, a Benimar. I only had a problem on one night when it blew a couple of fuses but that was probably due to me raising the bed too far by mistake. Other than that no trouble at all but I know there were issues from others in the Benimar group on Facebook. Most people with issues got the controls changed to a simple rocker up/down switch and this seemed to cure the issue. The little tool provided would have been next to useless to manually raise or drop. Also, in my experience it's effectively gravity lowering it so a low battery wouldn't have been an issue but raising in the morning after a night off grid would sometimes need the engine to be running to raise the bed.

 

[Yorkshirefreckles]

I has one on my last MH, a Benimar. I only had a problem on one night when it blew a couple of fuses but that was probably due to me raising the bed too far by mistake. Other than that no trouble at all but I know there were issues from others in the Benimar group on Facebook. Most people with issues got the controls changed to a simple rocker up/down switch and this seemed to cure the issue. The little tool provided would have been next to useless to manually raise or drop. Also, in my experience it's effectively gravity lowering it so a low battery wouldn't have been an issue but raising in the morning after a night off grid would sometimes need the engine to be running to raise the bed.

Thank you. All worth bearing in mind

 

[the1andonly]

Here is a compilation of "stuff" i got over the years and info i recently added to the resources area.

Project 2000 Bed Instructions

Using and reprogramming a system 2000 electric bed

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Reset
On the control panel to the right of the lights, there is a small hole which is a reset. Press a pencil point firmly into that reset hole. Then, in between the up and down buttons, feel for a little raised bit. Press the raised bit and the up button at the same time and count to 7. Release and then press the up button only and hopefully the bed will work. If not, try and press the raised bit and the the down button together after the reset instead of the up button

Reset2
On our control panel, just to the right of the up button, there are two lights and a small hole. The lights have, one a triangle with an exclamation mark, next a spanner, and finally the hole has test written by it. Lower the bed a few centimetres down from the upper position and then stick a cocktail stick in the hole. The two lights next to the test hole will then light up briefly. Reset done. If the head end does not lower when you rise the bed in the morning then take the bed up as high as it will go without the head end touching the roof. Next do a reset, as described, then lower the bed until it stops at the normal point that head should have lowered, wait a second or two, then press the up button. The head should now lower and thereafter you can raise the bed to the normal day position.



Program
Enter in programming mode after having switched on the panel.

To enter the programming mode, hold the hidden button (between the button UP and DOWN) and the button UP for 7 seconds.

The green LED light with the symbol of the spanner switches on.

If it doesn’t, repeat the operation.

Put underneath the bed some supports able to hold the bed in the lowest position.

Press the button UP; the bed descends. Let it rest on the supports and keep pushing until the bed starts raising again.

Bring the bed up to its higher position and let it press the electric contact (limit switch).

Let the bed descend and start programming the positions (depending on the model of the bed can be 3 or 4 points).

Let the bed descend to the first position, press the hidden button plus the button DOWN.

The LED on the arrows will switch off and on again.

Repeat with this procedure for the next 2-3 points and the system will automatically quit the programming mode.

If you don't have a manual winding handle then as suggested 5mm allen key may fit.

3rd option from youtube rapido 600ff
key on
red green led both flash
middle button plus up hold 2 seconds release up
middle button plus up hold 2 seconds release up
middle button plus down hold 2 seconds release down
middle button plus down hold 2 seconds release down
middle button plus up hold 2 seconds release up
red flashing green led on
key off on try up and down

job done

If you don't have a manual winding handle then as suggested above a 5mm allen key may fit.

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[Yorkshirefreckles]

Here is a compilation of "stuff" i got over the years and info i recently added to the resources area.

Project 2000 Bed Instructions

Using and reprogramming a system 2000 electric bed

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Reset
On the control panel to the right of the lights, there is a small hole which is a reset. Press a pencil point firmly into that reset hole. Then, in between the up and down buttons, feel for a little raised bit. Press the raised bit and the up button at the same time and count to 7. Release and then press the up button only and hopefully the bed will work. If not, try and press the raised bit and the the down button together after the reset instead of the up button

Reset2
On our control panel, just to the right of the up button, there are two lights and a small hole. The lights have, one a triangle with an exclamation mark, next a spanner, and finally the hole has test written by it. Lower the bed a few centimetres down from the upper position and then stick a cocktail stick in the hole. The two lights next to the test hole will then light up briefly. Reset done. If the head end does not lower when you rise the bed in the morning then take the bed up as high as it will go without the head end touching the roof. Next do a reset, as described, then lower the bed until it stops at the normal point that head should have lowered, wait a second or two, then press the up button. The head should now lower and thereafter you can raise the bed to the normal day position.



Program
Enter in programming mode after having switched on the panel.

To enter the programming mode, hold the hidden button (between the button UP and DOWN) and the button UP for 7 seconds.

The green LED light with the symbol of the spanner switches on.

If it doesn’t, repeat the operation.

Put underneath the bed some supports able to hold the bed in the lowest position.

Press the button UP; the bed descends. Let it rest on the supports and keep pushing until the bed starts raising again.

Bring the bed up to its higher position and let it press the electric contact (limit switch).

Let the bed descend and start programming the positions (depending on the model of the bed can be 3 or 4 points).

Let the bed descend to the first position, press the hidden button plus the button DOWN.

The LED on the arrows will switch off and on again.

Repeat with this procedure for the next 2-3 points and the system will automatically quit the programming mode.

If you don't have a manual winding handle then as suggested 5mm allen key may fit.

3rd option from youtube rapido 600ff
key on
red green led both flash
middle button plus up hold 2 seconds release up
middle button plus up hold 2 seconds release up
middle button plus down hold 2 seconds release down
middle button plus down hold 2 seconds release down
middle button plus up hold 2 seconds release up
red flashing green led on
key off on try up and down

job done

If you don't have a manual winding handle then as suggested above a 5mm allen key may fit.

Ooh! A lot of information there. Thank you very much. I'll save this post somewhere easily accessible! And I really appreciate your effort in posting all this info into the thread

 

[the1andonly]

Don't accept dealers assertion it is a 4 berth. you need to see the actual layout of cusions as i thinks additional bits are required on the 600. this model was sold in 2,3,4 berth configurations. Check twice what it is.

 

[Deadloss]

We’ve got a Benimar with a Project 2000 bed. Yes, we’ve had some problems with it and I can confirm the manual method is next to useless - I lost a lot of skin off my knuckles because access was so tight. Not wanting the bed experience to spoil an otherwise excellent motorhome, we had the bed re-wired to miss out the electronics and sensors that seem to cause all the issues. We now have a simple rocker switch connected directly to the motor. The bed goes up or down for as long as you hold the rocker button. Yes, there’s no automatic stop when it gets to the top, so you have to pay attention, but a small price to pay for the peace of mind of knowing that the bed will work reliably.

 

[Old Gibber]

The Project 2000 beds were so unreliable that Benimar stopped using them in 2019, and replaced it with a simple up/down switch. - sorry not a great deal of help to the OP!

The newer ones rely on microswitches which are much more reliable, though the fuse will blow if there is too high a load on the bed when raising it (i.e. leaving something on the bed so it jams up against the ceiling.) Not a good idea to put a bigger fuse in as it is then likely to blow the motor. Another problem is that dealers never tell customers to raise the bed up a couple of centimetres when the bed reaches the down stop, as the straps holding the bed stretch slightly when the bed is used and can then jam the bottom microswitch.

 

[Steve and Denise]

Ooh! A lot of information there. Thank you very much. I'll save this post somewhere easily accessible! And I really appreciate your effort in posting all this info into the thread

For what it’s worth Jacs I would walk on by I have now had a look about on the net plenty of problems out there that you can well do without