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Replacing Power Control Box for Thomas Payne Seismic Recliners and Sofas  

Question:

I have two Thomas Payne seismic Recliners in my 2017 Grand Design Solitude 310 GK. One of them stopped working after bringing the recliner to an upright position. IE: the lights went out on the cup holder controller and could not be used. I first swapped the two power converters that plug into 110 V AC power and the problem did not move. The green indicator lights on both power converters remained on. Next, I replaced the cup holder/controller. That did not fix the problem either. The only other point of failure that I can think of is the Power Control Box that is screwed to the underside of the recliner. In your web site this is Item No. LC36FR priced at $178.85. The product photo in your web site looks identical to the part in my recliner with one exception. The replacement part has a wire bundle connector several inches from the Control Box and mine does not. The fact that you offer this part for sale implies that this part is known to fail. It had appeared initially that the recliner is bolted to the slide but I determined that the recliner is simply very heavy and sits on a number of rubber or plastic feet that are bolted to the frame of the recliner. I have limited space to work in and I am in my 80’s so moving the recliner is difficult at best not impossible. I have removed the Control Box without moving the recliner. I did slide a wood block under the rear of the frame to allow a bit more work space. This leads me to the problem that I request your help with. I am hoping to install the replacement part without turning the recliner over. This means that I need to try to use the existing wiring with the new Control Box. To do that I would need to cut the wire bundle and then reconnect the wires coming out of the Control Box to the existing wires in the chair. probably with crimp connectors or very small solderless connectors There appear to be 5 color-coded two wire strands coming out of the Control Box A total of 10 wires in the wire bundle. Two of the color coded two wire strands in the replacement part are unique colors and are the same colors as the ones in my existing installation. The other three strands on both the replacement part and on my existing part are red and black or possibly very dark brown and are all the same. My question is this. Since these red/black wire strands appear to be all the same not uniquely color coded, does it matter which of them coming out of the Control Box connect to the various leads in the recliner that are of the same colors? Also, I note that the end connectors on each of the red/black wire strands appear to be the same so there was no attempt by the designer to “force” individual unique connections at various locations in the chair. As such, even if I were to turn the chair over and install the new wiring how would one know which red/black lead goes where other than perhaps the length of the wires? If I have not made myself clear in any way please tell me what I need to clarify. If you can help me with this it will be very much appreciated and possibly a life saver. Thank you for any assistance you can provide.

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Expert Reply:

I think you are overthinking this one Robert. On the Power Control Box for Thomas Payne Seismic Recliners and Sofas # LC36FR there is a main connector coming out of the control box that can be disconnected about 6" outside of the box. I have included an image of this for you below.

expert reply by:
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Bud M
Power Control Box for Thomas Payne Seismic Recliners and Sofas # LC36FR
Power Control Box for Thomas Payne Seismic Recliners and Sofas # LC36FR
(click to enlarge)

Robert C.

3/26/2024

Bud, Thank you for your immediate reply. I probably used too many words and did not explain my situation very well. For reasons that I tried to explain but probably did not do a great job of, I need to use the existing wiring in the chair to connect to the replacement Control Box. There is no wire bundle connector near the existing Control Box. I think I agreed with you in my original message, ”The replacement part has a wire bundle connector several inches from the Control Box but the existing wiring does not.” It would be terrific if I could use that connector that comes with the replacement part but my existing wire bundle and Control Box has no such connector. (I can send a photo if you don’t believe this.) Thus, to use my existing wiring in the chair there is nothing for the Control Box end to connect to. As such, I am asking the question in my original message. I can understand why you might feel that I am “overthinking” the problem but I really don’t think so. I tried to explain why I need to use the existing wiring but unless I use the replacement wiring instead of the existing wiring I cannot see how to make the connection without cutting wire. Thus, as noted in my initial message my question is: “Since these red/black wire strands appear to be all the same and not uniquely color coded, does it matter which of them coming out of the Control Box connect to the various leads in the recliner that are of the same colors? Also, I note that the end connectors on each of the red/black wire strands appear to be the same so there was no attempt by the designer to “force” individual unique connections at various locations in the chair. As such, even if I were to turn the chair over and install the new wiring (which I can’t) how would one know which red/black lead goes where other than perhaps the length of the wires? If I am still not being clear I would be pleased to set a convenient time to talk via phone. Thank you again for your very rapid response. I really am hoping that you can help me.

Etrailer Expert

Bud M.

3/28/2024

@RobertC Sorry for the confusion. I would strongly be against trying to wire the connectors in the way you are wanting. While there are several different red wires they do use some different connectors on the ends to connect to different functions. You would have to know exactly what each connector goes to be able to cut the wires the way you are wanting. I do believe your best option is going to be to have someone help you get the recliner out and replace the entire assembly, this way if it should go out in the future you will also have the single connector that will allow you to replace it more easily and not have to completely remove the sofa again or take the time to rewire the controller again.

Robert C.

3/28/2024

@BudM Thank you for thinking about it. I appreciate your comments. I guess I'll go ahead and order the part even if I have yet to figure out how to get it installed.

Robert C.

3/28/2024

Just to confirm, I have swapped the two power converters and thus determined that the problem is not in the power converter and I replaced the cup holder which did not fix the problem either. I am assuming that the problem must be in the Power Control Box. Are there any other known points of failure in the system?
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