3 Methods to Fix Lippert Remote Control Not Working

Maintaining a recreational vehicle is hard work. That’s one of the first things you must understand when you’re thinking of investing in one.

After all, you’re dealing with a machine that consists of multiple mechanical parts and a complex network of electronics. And because most of these electronics are interconnected, a slight malfunction can debilitate your rig.

So, your decision to purchase an RV should come with the willingness to learn basic fixes. The same goes for owning any vehicle, although when you own an RV, you deal with more than just engine or transmission problems.

Think of it as owning a fifth-generation home, meaning you’re maintaining a home and a vehicle at the same time. It takes above-average technical knowledge and skills to manage that.

But an RV does make traveling quicker and safer, and that’s what matters. Only when you begin to see how much comfort and freedom you’ve gained from owning one will you realize it’s worth the cost.

You can finally put those annoying tents to rest and have a laidback outdoor experience. You also don’t have to worry whenever you hear strange noises in the woods at night. You can sleep peacefully inside your steel-plated quarter.

Slide-outs, awnings, leveling jacks, and other amenities

An RV is designed to look and function like a real house. That’s why it has all the standard amenities of a home, including a fully functioning HVAC system, a bathroom, a kitchen, and a bedroom.

But these aren’t the only remarkable features of an RV. Late models also come with slide-out rooms, awnings, and leveling jacks, which all play a critical role in the overall user experience.

The slide-out rooms add more floor space to your RV, making it look and feel like a real house. The awnings provide an exterior cover, which is handy when you have a barbecue or if you need shade over the windows to keep UV rays out.

On the other hand, the levelling jacks keep your RV horizontal even if it’s parked on a slope.

Benefits of having a Lippert remote control

Like any other installation with electronics, each of these mechanisms comes with a control panel. For example, the slide-outs typically operate through a switch with two functions: in (retract) and out (extend).

The same goes for the awning. The leveling jacks, however, have a larger control panel because it has several configurations.

These installations can be operated individually through a switch or remote control. If you prefer a remote control, you need to have a receiver with multiple relays connected to the control systems. This way, you can use a single remote control on most of the RV’s mechanisms.

Most Lippert receiver boards only have five to eight outputs, representing the number of control systems linked to the remote control.

You can still use the existing control boards individually, but for convenience, you can sync all of them into a single receiver board.

The remote also comes with a one-touch auto-leveling option, and the package includes a power adapter to connect to any outlet in your RV.

Where to get a Lippert remote control

Lipper remote controls usually go with receiver boards. In fact, it’s the receiver board that you must purchase to get a remote control. Also, depending on where you bought the receiver, you may or may not get a remote control.

For instance, if you purchase through the factory and they direct your order to the supplier nearest you, which does not offer remote controls, you may not get a remote control.

But if you buy an aftermarket version of the receiver, particularly for the ground control 3.0 system, there’s a good chance you’ll get one because these items are sold in pairs.

Lippert Remote Control Not Working

A Lippert remote control may seem like a typical device, but it has intricate electronics that can easily get damaged with impact. The most recent version also has a touchscreen input, so it works much like a smartphone, except the interface is a bit old-fashioned.

Like any other electronic device, the Lippert remote control will act up from time to time or when mishandled. When it does, you will only get the devices in your RV to work if you use the individual control boards.

The good news is most Lippert remote control malfunctions can be fixed. Below are some troubleshooting tips

1. Dead battery

Like most smartphones, the Lippert remote control has a built-in battery. So, when the battery runs out of juice, it’s almost impossible to take it out.

And there’s no available battery you can purchase from Lippert. So the worst thing that could happen is you need to buy a new remote, which now costs about $250.

If you’re still deciding whether to give up your remote or spend that much on a new remote, there’s another option you can try, but it requires a few technical skills.

All you need to do is to open the back of the remote to remove the battery. But before taking out the battery, make sure to note where the battery wires are connected.

The wiring on the battery is the same as that inside most USB cables, which consists of red and black wires that only require 5V of electricity.

Find a USB cable, cut the tip of the wire to expose the red and black cables, and then connect them to the sections of the electronic board where the old battery wires were connected.

Then, connect the USB to a power adapter to course electricity into the remote. That should reactivate the remote.

The only problem with this fix is you won’t be able to put back the remote’s casing you removed earlier. You’ll have to be creative in covering the back of the remote to protect the new wiring.

2. Unstable operation

Have you ever switched on the leveling system, but the landing legs won’t operate? There are several explanations for this, and not, it’s not always a broken remote control.

It’s doubtful, but are you trying to operate the leveling system outside the RV? That’s fine as long as you do it near the vehicle.

As it turns out, your remote control’s sensors only work within a 20-foot radius from the receiver board. Also, its strength diminishes as you go farther from the receiver, so if you’re around 10 ft. away, you’ll notice a slight delay in the leveling system’s response.

Operating near other radio frequency devices, such as a mobile phone, automobile key fob, or another remote control, may also interfere with reception.

It’s also possible that the 12V DC that powers the motor is running low and must be recharged first. Finally, of course, the remote’s battery may be the one partially changed.

3. Broken LCD

If you tried recharging the remote or replacing the battery, but there’s no output, the LCD screen is probably broken. Unfortunately, this is challenging to fix. Depending on the damage, you may need a new LCD or a new remote.

Replacing a broken LCD screen is more complicated than replacing a battery, as there are more connections to restore. Sometimes, you need to solder some wires and electronic pieces to get the remote to work.

And LCDs for this kind of device can be pricey. You may find replacing the entire remote more practical.

A Few Reminders

With more flexibility and control options, you might be tempted to run multiple mechanisms simultaneously. You must never do this. Remember that most of these features get their power from a single source.

If you use them simultaneously, some of the fuses in the receiver board might blow up.

The same holds true with motor-reversing components. When you use the remote control, you’ll notice all redundant switches for motor-reversing parts aren’t working. This temporary non-function lasts from 8 to 10 seconds.

Be careful where you put your Lippert remote control. Don’t leave it on your work table where it can accidentally fall off. Instead, treat it like your smartphone. After all, it has almost similar features. The remote might even be more delicate.

If your Lipper remote control problem persists, you have two options—buy a new one or call in someone for help. The former is more practical. And if you hire an expert, they’d probably advise you to replace the remote.