Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Discussions => Topic started by: kb0zke on November 06, 2018, 07:27:56 pm
Title: First use of VSMpc
Post by: kb0zke on November 06, 2018, 07:27:56 pm
Last month I bought a VSMpc from Roger, and yesterday and today I was able to play with it.
Pro: LOTS of information available. Not every item is available on every engine/transmission combination, but Roger sets up an initial panel that is likely to cover what you will want/need. Yesterday I saw 256 mpg a couple of times (yes, 256 mpg) on the instant fuel use gauge. Today I was almost 300. Fun to see, but it didn't last more than a few seconds.
Con: Having to deal with Windows on an older laptop. I had to call Roger for some setup help, which he gladly provided. I suspect that any of our three children or their spouses could have had it up and running without calling Roger, but I'm not as smart as they are, nor am I that patient.
Since transmission information is not available on my coach I replaced those gauges with others. One of those was fuel temperature. It was interesting to watch it today, as it started as slightly above ambient temperature, then went up to nearly 120 when we got fuel (ambient was about 70 at that point), then dropped with the addition of almost 50 gallons of diesel. I'm going to see what other gauges I can add tonight and see which are supported for my coach. One more day of travel before we stay put for a few days.
Title: Re: First use of VSMpc
Post by: gracerace on November 06, 2018, 07:58:33 pm
Last month I bought a VSMpc from Roger, and yesterday and today I was able to play with it.
Pro: LOTS of information available. Not every item is available on every engine/transmission combination, but Roger sets up an initial panel that is likely to cover what you will want/need. Yesterday I saw 256 mpg a couple of times (yes, 256 mpg) on the instant fuel use gauge. Today I was almost 300. Fun to see, but it didn't last more than a few seconds.
Con: Having to deal with Windows on an older laptop. I had to call Roger for some setup help, which he gladly provided. I suspect that any of our three children or their spouses could have had it up and running without calling Roger, but I'm not as smart as they are, nor am I that patient.
Since transmission information is not available on my coach I replaced those gauges with others. One of those was fuel temperature. It was interesting to watch it today, as it started as slightly above ambient temperature, then went up to nearly 120 when we got fuel (ambient was about 70 at that point), then dropped with the addition of almost 50 gallons of diesel. I'm going to see what other gauges I can add tonight and see which are supported for my coach. One more day of travel before we stay put for a few days.
Whats wild is, there is no oil pressure on Cats. Called Silverleaf and they verified there is no oil pressure in engine harness. When I ask the Cat hot line, they said don't worry about it, if the oil pressure goes away, the engine will shut down.
My retired buddy that worked on Cats said, lots of equipment with Cat engines has no oil gauge at all. Don't want the operator looking at it.
I have our silverleaf main screen set on MPH, trans temp,and RPM's...All related to retarder
Chris
Title: Re: First use of VSMpc
Post by: Mark D on November 06, 2018, 08:01:30 pm
The VMspc gives me a lot of peace of mind on mine. I have a bad ground or something and the gauges go off a bit with the headlights on. I forever thought I was overheating and had low oil pressure until vmspc showed me nothing changes ever. 36psi oil pressure, 178-182 temp. Always. (Well at cruising, the oil pressure comes down at idle).
Title: Re: First use of VSMpc
Post by: wolfe10 on November 06, 2018, 09:22:40 pm
Whats wild is, there is no oil pressure on Cats. Called Silverleaf and they verified there is no oil pressure in engine harness. When I ask the Cat hot line, they said don't worry about it, if the oil pressure goes away, the engine will shut down.
Chris
All very true. Oil pressure is used to generate the high PSI needed to inject the fuel. No high pressure, no fuel, no run.
HEUI (Hydraulically actuated Electronic Unit Injection (HEUI) fuel systems utilize highly pressurized engine oil to drive plungers pressurizing fuel for injection.)!
Title: Re: First use of VSMpc
Post by: Carol & Scott on November 06, 2018, 11:41:46 pm
Sounds like Brett's lesson #137.
Thanks Brett.
Title: Re: First use of VSMpc
Post by: Doyle3131 on December 09, 2018, 07:29:28 pm
What info is available, if any, for Cat 3116? (1995 U240). Still wrestling with dash temp sometimes rising & would like to get a reliable reading somehow. Thanks for any thoughts. Doyle
Title: Re: First use of VSMpc
Post by: AC7880 on December 09, 2018, 07:39:02 pm
I have a bad ground or something and the gauges go off a bit with the headlights on.
When that occurred on my previous coach, a failing constant duty solonoid was the cause. Replacing the solonoid solved the problem (and probably prevented a soon to happen failure/stranding).
I believe you have 2 under the front dash.
Title: Re: First use of VSMpc
Post by: Hans&Marjet on December 09, 2018, 08:03:52 pm
What info is available, if any, for Cat 3116? (1995 U240). Still wrestling with dash temp sometimes rising & would like to get a reliable reading somehow. Thanks for any thoughts. Doyle
Doyle...when does the temp rise. You mentioned "sometimes.?
Title: Re: First use of VSMpc
Post by: Mark D on December 18, 2018, 06:12:57 pm
When that occurred on my previous coach, a failing constant duty solonoid was the cause. Replacing the solonoid solved the problem (and probably prevented a soon to happen failure/stranding).
I believe you have 2 under the front dash.
Thanks I'll replace them as preventative maintenance I think and keep the existing ones as spares.
Title: Re: First use of VSMpc
Post by: wolfe10 on December 18, 2018, 06:21:49 pm
What info is available, if any, for Cat 3116? (1995 U240). Still wrestling with dash temp sometimes rising & would like to get a reliable reading somehow. Thanks for any thoughts. Doyle
The Caterpillar 3116 is a mechanical engine (I certainly hope- the last few were the "experiment into electronic control"), so you will not get VSMpc from it.
Please post a LOT more information on both WHEN the temperature rises (what conditions) and what cooling system maintenance you have done.
Title: Re: First use of VSMpc
Post by: kb0zke on December 18, 2018, 06:51:03 pm
Probably ought to start a new thread on this issue so that others with the CAT 3116 engine can chime in. Since that is a mechanical engine, other owners may not read this thread.
Title: Re: First use of VSMpc
Post by: Ktytravel on December 20, 2018, 06:05:44 pm
Love reading these posts. I have 3208-t and wondered about the headlight issue with mine. My FT is in storage but I will check out the solenoids just like someone else said, for maintenance. I purchased the contact cleaner suggested too. I definitely would check out the Inverter/transfer switch ATS? since my last troubleshooting issue, the generator is not giving its unique sound after warming up and the batteries are not charging with the generator running. Just feeling thankful for all of you and the great amount of knowledge ... Happy Holidays to all of you.
Title: Re: First use of VSMpc
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on December 20, 2018, 09:42:56 pm
What info is available, if any, for Cat 3116? (1995 U240). Still wrestling with dash temp sometimes rising & would like to get a reliable reading somehow. Thanks for any thoughts. Doyle
I saw this earlier and had to go look it up to be sure. The Cat 3116 is not listed as an engine type choice in VMSpc. Pretty good chance (like 100%) you will get nothing. Cats 3126, 3176, 3406, C-7, C-9, C-10, C-12, C-13 and C-15 in various horsepowers are listed. Roger