Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: craneman on December 12, 2015, 04:36:53 pm
Title: VMSPC
Post by: craneman on December 12, 2015, 04:36:53 pm
Still new and reading as much as I can by using the search feature. I was reading about people reading their vmspc and wondering if it can be retrofitted to my 1999? Nothing in the search shows installations of one.
Title: Re: VSMPC
Post by: Pamela & Mike on December 12, 2015, 05:05:42 pm
No retrofit needed as the VMSPC is plug and play. The coach has the diagnostic plug in place now that you need to hook to. The hard thing is figuring out how you like your screen set up for viewing and what info is important to you. Go to Silverleaf's site and download the software and play with it prior to getting the system. SilverLeaf Electronics, Inc. | Knowledge is Horsepower (http://www.silverleafelectronics.com/)
Pamela & Mike
Title: Re: VSMPC
Post by: Carol Savournin on December 12, 2015, 05:08:22 pm
Our first vmspc was on our '95. All you need is the correct wiring harness to plug into your coach.
Title: Re: VSMPC
Post by: Michelle on December 12, 2015, 05:17:42 pm
Still new and reading as much as I can by using the search feature. I was reading about people reading their vsmpc and wondering if it can be retrofitted to my 1999? Nothing in the search shows installations of one.
There are a couple of folks who have mounted their display device more permanently, but as folks have said VMSpc doesn't require retrofit (other Silverleaf devices do - like VMS-440, Glass Dash, etc.).
I did note a typo in the "spelling" of it in your topic title and post though, be sure you're searching for vmspc not vsmpc
Title: Re: VSMPC
Post by: craneman on December 12, 2015, 05:20:28 pm
will redo search and call silverleaf on Monday about getting the correct harness. Thanks for the replies
Title: Re: VMSPC
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on December 12, 2015, 05:25:39 pm
Craneman, VMSpc is widely used and appreciated. You can and will gets lots of ideas how to set it up. It can be as simple as a laptop sitting on the dash or something more integrated. Shop around for the hardware. We got ours at RVUpgrades.com.
Title: Re: VMSPC
Post by: Michelle on December 12, 2015, 05:31:28 pm
Shop around for the hardware. We got ours at RVUpgrades.com.
As did we Silver Leaf Engine Monitors (http://www.rvupgradestore.com/Silver-Leaf-Monitors-s/150.htm) (and it drop-shipped directly from Silverleaf)
Pretty sure a 1999 would have the 9 pin.
Title: Re: VMSPC
Post by: FormerU320Family on December 12, 2015, 06:49:48 pm
As Roger said, it can be as simple as a laptop on the dash. Our VMSpc set-up, with Garmin in foreground. BTW, we have changed the display on the laptop. This was a very preliminary Silverleaf layout we devised. But several Forum members were good about sending their configuration files, and we are now using one provided by another Forum member.
The connections are completely plug-and-play. As long as you have the nine-pin under the dash that Cummins would use to read the engine codes (ours is left of the steering wheel), you should be able to set the system up in minutes. Configuring your screen layout for the data you want to see will take longer, but it's more a matter of having fun and experimenting, than frustrating labor.
Title: Re: VMSPC
Post by: craneman on December 12, 2015, 07:13:50 pm
now that answers the question about the plug under the dash with 9 pins. It is next to some device named Remco. I know of their driveline disconnects but what would have a switch and a red and green light on it under the dash next to this plug on the coach I still have to find out. Thanks again for all the info it is sure saving me time on this project.
Title: Re: VMSPC
Post by: Gerry Vicha on December 13, 2015, 07:33:06 pm
On the subject of VMSpc, Has anyone successfully transferred there custom screen from one computer to another? or did you have to reconstruct it on the new computer. If it was successfully transferred, how did you do that? Thanks ???
Title: Re: VMSPC
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on December 13, 2015, 07:57:11 pm
Yes, I have done it several times. I have several different screens that I can use. The latest version of VMSpc uses a different format for saving the screen so between the versions 3 and 4 the VMSpc screens need to be rebuilt, not hard just take some time.
You need to get the .scr file from one computer and any pictures, backgrounds or other files used by the screen and move them from one computer to the other. .scr files need to get renamed as most virus and email programs will try to block them. One copied to the new computer you may need to relink the wall paper (background) file and then save the file on the new pc. Every time I make a change I save it as a new file name, something like coachScreen20151213.scr so that I can go back if I want to.
It works, might take a bit of fussing around.
Title: Re: VMSPC
Post by: FormerU320Family on December 13, 2015, 08:26:24 pm
Ditto, Roger's post. It is just a matter of getting the .scr file from another user and then selecting that file as your configuration. We've had less problems re: virus or email spam blocking — but maybe that was just beginner's luck. Happy to share the one we are using if you PM us with your email address. Would love see others, because I'm not sure ours it the "ultimate."
You will find, possibly, as people share screen files with you that they have fields not defined for your engine. The screen we are using has a transmission retarder temperature field we have not yet been able to get to work. Either our M11 and Allison don't provide that data, or we haven't found the correct setting yet.
Trust Roger! This is just extra info. ;-)
Title: Re: VMSPC
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on December 13, 2015, 09:12:02 pm
Here is my current version of the VMSpc screen. It is designed to fit on my 7" dash mounted Samsung tablet connected using wifi to our dedicated coach PC, Windows 7 Pro, 64 bit. My focus was to have key stuff close together with red/yellow/green indicators. At a glance, all green, good to go. Gear, tach, turbo and temps at closely linked. Recent mpg is typical.
Yes,the engine hours are correct, hrs since major engine rebuild. Miles are correct. Trip mph are there for goofy. Total fuel is incorrect as well, something that I am working with Silverleaf to resolve.
I'll share it if you send an email address.
Title: Re: VMSPC
Post by: Carol & Scott on December 13, 2015, 09:56:44 pm
This one works for me.
The "?" marks show Target Gear and Actual Gear.
The big "0" is speed.
Title: Re: VMSPC
Post by: toyman on December 13, 2015, 10:14:19 pm
Are the files usable on various engines, or are the model specific?
Title: Re: VMSPC
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on December 13, 2015, 10:34:38 pm
Good question but the engine file selection it a separate step in the setup process. The engine files relate calibration factors to data channels. As I understand it talking to Art at Silverleaf, the data bus is a standard across engines and transmissions for common functions (miles, hours, coolant temp, boost pressure etc.) There may be some specific channels reserved for things that are not on all configurations such as retarder temp. When you load an engine file you get the the calibration factors that relate what the data signal are to what you see on the screen. One engine might use 1.5 x the signal to get the rpms for example. On another engine, the signal might be something different for the same rpm and the calibration factor might be 1.635. There are 255 possible data channels. I am not sure if all of them are used.
So as I understand it the same screen which has gauges embedded in it should work on different engines when you load the appropriate engine file.
But then I might have it wrong but I think that is pretty close.
Title: Re: VMSPC
Post by: FormerU320Family on December 14, 2015, 04:30:54 pm
That's my understanding from talking to Art Renda, too. The proper engine must be selected for the coach during initial set-up, but then we are free to exchange .scr files and everything will work fine.
By the way, Roger, thanks for the tip included in your earlier post about .scr files looking like something that should be blocked by email servers. I encountered that problem sending a configuration file. Just renamed the file VMSpc.txt, rather than VMSpc.scr, and it went fine. The recipient knows to rename the file, of course.
Title: Re: VMSPC
Post by: craneman on December 14, 2015, 06:02:54 pm
Here is my current version of the VMSpc screen. It is designed to fit on my 7" dash mounted Samsung tablet connected using wifi to our dedicated coach PC, Windows 7 Pro, 64 bit. My focus was to have key stuff close together with red/yellow/green indicators. At a glance, all green, good to go. Gear, tach, turbo and temps at closely linked. Recent mpg is typical.
Yes,the engine hours are correct, hrs since major engine rebuild. Miles are correct. Trip mph are there for goofy. Total fuel is incorrect as well, something that I am working with Silverleaf to resolve.
I'll share it if you send an email address. I just ordered the kit from RV Upgrades and would like to take you up on the scr. file I will be buying a tablet as my notebook is too large to put on the dash. Thanks, Chuck mrcraneman@sbcglobal.net
Title: Re: VMSPC
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on December 14, 2015, 07:17:12 pm
Hi Chuck, Happy to share my files. Any tablet will do. Higher resolutions are better, easier to see. I have a 7" Samsung android tablet. An iPad mini would work as well. Bigger tablets work too but you have to find a sturdy mount that will hold the heavier tablet in place with out bouncing all over. My Samsung batteries last only a couple hours before it needs to be plugged in. My bigger iPad lasts much longer.
You will have to need a Windows computer (of almost any type) to run the VMSpc software. You need to connect the pc to the tablet using wifi. This can be done with a mifi device that you might use for your cellular access to the internet. You can use almost any wireless router to create a network through which the pc and the tablet will connect. You can also create an adhoc network between the pc and the tablet directly. You can probably use a a phone as a personal hotspot as well. There are several ways to do this. It depends on what else you might want to do. Many have printers, more than one laptop, more phones, more tablets all wanting to be connected to each other and to the internet.
You may need to get a longer USB cable that goes from the VMSpc connection to the coach data bus to your pc or a cable extension. You may not know what you need until you get the VMSpc Kit and see how it will all fit.
Let me know when it comes. I will lend a hand if you need it.
Roger
Title: Re: VMSPC
Post by: craneman on December 14, 2015, 08:24:14 pm
When I get it I will let you know if there is anything I need help with. I was wondering if Bluetooth could be used between the laptop and tablet.
Title: Re: VMSPC
Post by: jcus on December 14, 2015, 08:36:17 pm
When I get it I will let you know if there is anything I need help with. I was wondering if Bluetooth could be used between the laptop and tablet.
The other way to go, is to buy a 7 or 8 inch windows 8 tablet that has a usb port, several out there for less than $150. With a flexible tablet mount, you can place it right in front of your gauges while still being able to see the air gauges, [The only important ones you cannot display on you vmspc display]. Vmspc will run on the full version of windows 8. Been running one for a year, nice being able to glance down and see all the info you need in one place.
Title: Re: VMSPC
Post by: craneman on December 14, 2015, 08:45:01 pm
The other way to go, is to buy a 7 or 8 inch windows 8 tablet that has a usb port, several out there for less than $150. With a flexible tablet mount, you can place it right in front of your gauges while still being able to see the air gauges, [The only important ones you cannot display on you vmspc display]. Vmspc will run on the full version of windows 8. Been running one for a year, nice being able to glance down and see all the info you need in one place. [/quote I didn't think a tablet had enough computing power to work. I will look into that possibility.
Title: Re: VMSPC
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on December 14, 2015, 09:20:16 pm
VMSpc doesn't need much computing power to do what it does. Some of the Win 8.1 tablets look like they would work.
This one looks interesting with 2GB ram. Users report HDMI output is goofy
Our 7" Samsung was about $130 at costco and is plenty capable to be used as a tablet on its own.
There are many ways to set this up, look at the different ways to get it done any the equipment you want and need in the coach. At $200 this Win 8 tablet option is worth looking at. If you want to do something else later you don't have much into it.
Our 7" tablet is mounted above the radio on a tablet mount. The middle of the tablet is about even with the top edge of the dash. I like it here because I don't have to look far to see what I want to see.
Title: Re: VMSPC
Post by: craneman on December 14, 2015, 09:26:52 pm
Our 7" Samsung was about $130 at costco and is plenty capable to be used as a tablet on its own.
There are many ways to set this up, look at the different ways to get it done any the equipment you want and need in the coach. At $200 this Win 8 tablet option is worth looking at. If you want to do something else later you don't have much into it.
Our 7" tablet is mounted above the radio on a tablet mount. The middle of the tablet is about even with the top edge of the dash. I like it here because I don't have to look far to see what I want to see.
My concern would be I am Win 7 savvy and The laptop I bought from Costco with Win 8.1 sits in a closet waiting for me to take Microsoft up the free Win 10 I am not a computer geek and if you were to send me your file I am not sure I could make Win 8 work. If a laptop has the computing power to work I might just get a good used tablet with windows 7
Title: Re: VMSPC
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on December 14, 2015, 10:13:03 pm
There are several apps out there for Win 8 than make it look like Windows 7. Classic Shell - Start menu and other Windows enhancements (http://www.classicshell.net)
I have an ASUS micro pc (about the size of a DVD case) that is 64 bit, Win 7, HDMI, USB3, USB2, wifi and other connections that came with a witeless mouse and keyboard. My VMSpc connects to it with ththe USB cable. The tablet connects to it using wifi and is a remote Win 7 display. The tablet can be used for other tablet things. The pc plays full HD movies on the big screen TV using the HDMI cable.
Like I said there are many ways to do this. Mostly budget driven.
Title: Re: VMSPC
Post by: TulsaTrent on December 14, 2015, 10:51:28 pm
That's my understanding from talking to Art Renda, too. The proper engine must be selected for the coach during initial set-up, but then we are free to exchange .scr files and everything will work fine.
Art's a member here on the forum as well (although he doesn't post much) - Silverleaf and VMSpc (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=23800.0)