On a motorhome journey fraught with all the usual suspects – tow car, outdoor heat, steep hills and the need to reach a destination before nightfall, you will find a strong ally in the Aladdin™ System. Built by Monaco Coach Corporation for exclusive use in Monaco Coach Corporation products, the Aladdin is a computerized monitoring system that helps you to keep a close eye on engine and trip statistics.

Design and construction of the Aladdin System is handled at Monaco’s Plant 66 in Bend, Oregon. “We build the wiring harness and control board,” said Wes Murphy, plant manager. “[We also] work closely with the Monaco Service Centers to provide technical support for repairs.”

The pioneers of technology would be proud of this particular creation. Sensor inputs inside the Aladdin system collect data and send that information along to a module board. At the module board, data is combined and then sent to a controller, which in turn converts the information to a video signal. The result is accessed through the back up (rear view) monitor or television screen. However, Murphy added, any video device can be used. “We have one customer who installed the Aladdin screen on the co-pilot side.”

Another way to understand Aladdin is to think of the system as a computer designed to read motorhome information. Not every facet of motorhome information, but some of the highlights such as: compass heading, engine and transmission temperatures as well as up to the minute data that can help you keep an eye on the oil pressure and coolant temperature while climbing those long hills on a hot summer day.

Engine history and certain maintenance requirements can also be accessed through the Aladdin system. A built-in alarm setting can be used to program information as detailed as oil change intervals, or as simple as setting the clock to wake you up at a particular time of day.

“Alarm settings for preventative maintenance are designated as PM1, PM2 and so forth,” Murphy stated. “So be sure and make note of your programming instructions.” He also added that programming the system to ‘ignition off’ will tell Aladdin to refrain from sounding alarms while the motorhome is driving down the road.

Interior house power must be on to operate the Aladdin and a red LED located on the joystick panel is installed to indicate the system is ready. The proper way to set Aladdin in motion varies by model, but generally it requires simply moving the joystick or shuttle to the right, or one other common method requires pressing the ‘Menu’ button on the monitor to display the system. A reset switch is installed to re-boot the system in the event the system fails to activate. Location of the reset switch depends on floorplan, but can generally be located in the cockpit overhead. “If the switch is designed with an on/off setting, always leave the switch at on except to temporarily reset the system,” Murphy said.

Operation of Aladdin is controlled through the joystick. Use the arrows to scroll through the information and press the SEL button to select a particular screen. You may notice Aladdin reads differently from the dash gauges.

According to Murphy, this is because the information is gathered from different places. “Some dash gauges read from the wires, Aladdin reads from the data bus.” Which is more accurate? His advice is to use gauges in monitoring a trend, and refer to Aladdin for the specifics.

One exception to this rule is with the holding tank sensors. Because the sensor was changed without notice Murphy said, “We’ve had to go back [to the manufacturer] and request some revisions.” For this reason his advice is to reference tank levels as indicated on the monitor panel in the hallway or at the service bay for accurate readings.

The Aladdin trip meter takes the guesswork out of how much farther the journey will take. A trip meter screen is designed to record travel information for up to ten different trips, the complete journey as well as individual legs of each journey. You can also monitor fuel performance through this feature, in miles per gallon as well as total amount used. Distance traveled thus far and miles remaining are two other popular features. One common misconception about the trip meter concerns the function of the trip meter’s ‘Duration’ display. “Duration is not a clock,” Murphy said. “Duration records engine running time to use in calculating gallons per hour.”

Fuel performance information is also accessed through the engine screen. Fuel used to run the generator and the Aqua Hot system is not calculated through Aladdin. If the fuel screen fails to register any information, reset the ignition key.

Aladdin always is routed by default to the back up camera when the transmission is placed in reverse. See-Vision, the triple camera system designed to provide enhanced exterior views is also wired to the Aladdin System, “like a video combiner,” Murphy explained. Motorhomes equipped with See-Vision will route Aladdin by default to the side camera when a specific turn signal is engaged, and to the back up camera when emergency hazard lights are turned on.

To turn off the system, select either ‘Power Down Aladdin’ or turn off the ignition. Aladdin will go into automatic sleep mode in ten seconds. This power down state will not drain the house batteries, and enables the system to remain on for alarm activation.

Some services issues may be easy to diagnose. A reading of ‘x’ on all screens usually indicates that the controller has lost communication with the data bus. Lost video generally means a loose connection at the splitter, usually in the front overhead. However, computers are capable of all sorts of glitches and this may mean repairs performed through the actual software. “We strive to keep service centers up to speed,” Murphy said. “But there’s always room for a problem we haven’t run into yet.” His best advice is to contact ED&A through Monaco Coach Corporation Technical Support, “so we can work to quickly get the system back up and running.”

A single day in the life of RV travel can bring all sorts of navigational surprises. Having the Aladdin on board will provide an element of relief accompanied by the knowledge that a customized computer system is keeping an eye out for your RV’s best interests.