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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Old Hippie on November 22, 2016, 11:13:25 am

Title: VMSpc Question
Post by: Old Hippie on November 22, 2016, 11:13:25 am
The last digit on my tachometer readout constantly changes from one number to the next.  This jumping around catches my attention and kinda bugs me. Is there a way to change the tach update time so it will read a constant number on that last digit while driving? It is only the last digit that does that.
Title: Re: VMSpc Question
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on November 22, 2016, 01:23:02 pm
I have sent your question on to Silverleaf.  My guess is that there is not a way to reduce sampling or update speeds. 

+- 5 rpms out of 1400 is less than 0.36% variation.  Probably typical rpm variation for normal road, wind and grade variations.
Title: Re: VMSpc Question
Post by: Bill Willett on November 22, 2016, 01:58:52 pm
I have sent your question on to Silverleaf.  My guess is that there is not a way to reduce sampling or update speeds. 

+- 5 rpms out of 1400 is less than 0.36% variation.  Probably typical rpm variation for normal road, wind and grade variations.
Roger, I think he is talking about the hours read out.
Title: Re: VMSpc Question
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on November 22, 2016, 06:37:36 pm
The tachometer shows engine RPMs. 
Title: Re: VMSpc Question
Post by: Bill Willett on November 22, 2016, 07:35:11 pm
The tach in my u270 show's rpm and the engine hours.
Title: Re: VMSpc Question
Post by: red tractor on November 22, 2016, 07:45:44 pm
I think he is talking about the rpm gauge on the silverleaf vmspc
Title: Re: VMSpc Question
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on November 22, 2016, 08:18:02 pm
VMSpc has a digital tachometer and a separate gauge for total engine hours as well as a gauge for total lifetime fuel used.  You can make the tachometer gauge show a horizontal bar graph representing RPMs as well. There are unlimited variations on what you can display and how it looks.

Art from Silverleaf says

"Well, while its not broken--I can certainly understand the eye-catchyness.  There is some smoothing coded in (C++) which is not addressable after-compilation.  I'll ask Josh if that's something that could have a dialog-bog-checkbox or dial in order to detune or dampen just a bit more. It'd maybe see the light of day in a future build...maybe.
Will let you know.  Otherwise, yes, quite normal."

A new version of the VMSpc software is due to be released in early 2017.  It should fix the odd behaviors we have seen in some functions in the earlier 4.xx releases.  None of these are affecting any of the primary gauges but there are some odd behaviors in trip odometers and the calculated HP and torque values. 
Title: Re: VMSpc Question
Post by: Old Hippie on November 23, 2016, 09:52:55 am
That answers the question. Roger, I did not think about contacting Art...so thanks for doing that. I only drive using VMSpc (poor man's glass dash) as I don't like or trust the 2002 gauges. Now, if the VMSpc could monitor and read out the air pressure in the tanks......
thanks all......
Title: Re: VMSpc Question
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on November 23, 2016, 10:20:45 am
Quoting no longer works on iPads with iOS 10x

"Now, if the VMSpc could monitor and read out the air pressure in the tanks......"

Believe me I have asked.  When your electronic air pressure gauges fail replace them with mechnical ones, much better since they show the pressure all the time even if the coach is off. Then you need to figure out how to make the dinging stop, a switch in the dinger line works but then your turn signals don't ding so a couple of diodes and all is well.

Art tells me that the air pressure gauges are not part of the engine or transmission data feeds so VMSpc doesn't have anything to report.  You can get a Pressure Pro interface to VMSpc but then you need a special receiver, an antenna that mounts under the coach near the rear bulkhead and lots of money.  So why not a second device to send data to the VMSpc with air tank pressure data? They do it on the $6K glass dash.  It is possible but since brakes and air pressure are DOT things and the VMSpc is not permanent and subject to user modification putting the air pressure gauges on there does not meet DOT minimum requirements.

I would like this to do much more. Inside and outside temps. Turn signal indicators. And more but all of that is controlled by the interfaces and software to which I don't have access.  It does so much now that anything else would be fluff.  I am like you, I can't even drive out of the barn without turning it on.

Roger
Title: Re: VMSpc Question
Post by: TulsaTrent on November 23, 2016, 11:04:36 am
You can get a Pressure Pro interface to VMSpc but then you need a special reciever, an antenna that mounts under the coach near the rear bulkhead and lots of money.
Roger,
 
I thought (from earlier messages) that all we needed was an additional data cable. If I already have a Pressure Pro system installed, What do I have to add to let it work with VMSpc?
 
Thanks,
 
Trent
Title: Re: VMSpc Question
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on November 23, 2016, 11:29:16 am
The Pressure Pro Cable is a Y cable. One end goes to the JIB. The Y ends go to the data port and the a Pressure Pro Gateway

From Silverleaf ... "If you already have PressurePro sensors, all you need is the Receiver (Gateway)  ($295.00), power cable ($20 to $30.00), and antenna. Two antenna choices are available. Smaller coaches with centrally located receivers can use the 6" antenna ($15.00). Larger coaches usually require the 35' cabled antenna ($50.00), which allows more flexibility in the location.

If you do not already have PressurePro sensors, they are available from SilverLeaf Electronics for $50.00 apiece. Some coaches may require a Echo Signal Repeater ($93.00, incl. cable), especially for long trailers and tows."

The six inch antenna hangs down from the bottom of the coach somewhere behing the rear bulkhead in line of sight with all six or eight wheels.

So your existing sensors work but there are several other parts (and about $500) you need to make it work.  And then in order to see tire pressures the VMSpc needs to be on.  I have a TST tpms that is on all the time.  I want to know if I have slow leak before the morning I need to leave to go somewhere.