Love my new Blue Fire VMS. Bruce Bean turned me onto the idea.The old silverleaf box with Dos looking screen, was pretty tired. It worked, was just getting hard to read.
I love Apple stuff (well it's kind of a love/hate relationship). Blue Fire has a ISO version (the green one). I bought a Ipad 10.2 8th gen brand new at best Buy. $329.00. Lucked out, found a used Blue Fire IOS on Ebay for 1/2 the new price of $190.00. $100.00 delivered. Guy sold his MoHo. Even at $190.00, it's cheap. I had to buy a 6 pin to 9 pin adapter, that was $30.00. A guy can make one also, or change the harness end on the FT. It's only 4 wires.
Super easy to set up and build a dash. They have dash's you can download from other people, or you can send your's to someone.Was a little more complicated, because I had to set the Ipad up 1st. Pretty cool though, the Ipad cloned itself to my phone. Unfortunately, I couldn't use my new Macbook air. Not supported yet. The app is free to download. It's in demo mode, till you hook it to your Blue Fire adapter. So you can see everything before you buy.
Bob Dale was helpful a bit, we both have 97's with Cat 3126's.
See my custom dash below.Ignore the junk at the top, this is a screen shot off my Ipad. You can make some pretty involved dash's, but this is all I watch. I know, no oil pressure. Caterpillar doesn't put that in the harness. When I asked them why, the said 'If it ain't got oil pressure, it ain't gonna run". And, "we don't want operators looking at the oil pressure". Probably because the run scary low even new.
Chris
Click here:
BlueFire LLC (https://bluefire-llc.com/store)
And here:
Amazon.com: BlueFire 9-Pin J1939/J1708 Bluetooth Data Adapter for Heavy Duty... (https://www.amazon.com/BlueFire-Bluetooth-Adapter-Motorhomes-Supports/dp/B00V1QBNFI/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=BlueFire+9-Pin+Data+Adapter+J1939%2FJ1708+Bluetooth+for+Apple+IOS+%2F+Android+Apps&qid=1628558662&sr=8-1)
This is the Android version, a little less money
Chris I to have the Bluefire. I thought the setup was a pain. Once I copied someone else's then change to my liking was tolerable. The one thing I wish it had is the transmission gear actual and selected. It in the bluefire but not active on my coach. There was some talk recently about the square 12 pin data connector presenting more information . Haven't looked into a adapter but hopeful. The mini iPad seems perfect and being able to run maps on another page is nice.
Scott
Gear range and gear attained is available on the 2001 U320. If you are not getting it then it the BlueFire device or the coach.
The 12 pin rectangular plug on a very few 2002 and 2003 (4 so far that I know of) is a 4 wire plug. It is in addition to the round 9 pin plugs (7 wires). I haven't gotten an answer from FT why the rectangular plipug is there but it might be some fault in the wiring for the round plug. I will see a coach in September with both and try to see what is different.
Our coach has both also Roger.
Scott
I can understand that about the gear selector.I'm usually shifting manually, so I'm looking at the shift pad anyway. Doesn't matter what gear I'm in, it's the RPM's I'm most concerned with.
As mentioned, the less info the better for me. Same with my right side camera, trying to drive in LA traffic, and looking at the right side camera monitor, is too much for me. Maybe it's just my feeble old brain! What's on my dash, is all I looked at with my old silverleaf,all on one single screen, so I'm happy it's more legible now.
I didn't find setup that difficult. Everything is simple and menu driven.I too took someone else's dash download, and tweaked it to my liking.Kinda fun.
I still got your wheel, sold it 4 times now. Can't believe an Alco could be so hard to sell.LOL
Chrs
Latest dash with Blue Fire. Had an issue (my fault) got it back in 2 days with complete flash and software upgrade. Cost me $30.00 with shipping.
I just love this thing on my IPad 10.2. This is all the info I want at a glance. May add some more later. I really didn't care about Boost pressure, but fun. I really just want access to any engine codes. Have used that in the past.Would love retarder temp, but not in the harness on our 3126 Cat. Same with oil pressure.
Best part is, Mark is constantly upgrading stuff, and you can share dash's with others, or upload yours for the library.
Bob Dale and I been chit chatting back and forth. He also bought the in-motion Winegard.
Chris
Do you only use your iPad for the blue fire?
Our version will work with either. It will NOT work on our Apple Macbook Air. It's a couple of bucks more. Been changing to Apple stuff, it's love hate, mostly love. Got a nice new ipad at of this deal.
You can access the web page with Apple computer, just can't download the app:
BlueFire LLC. FAQ (https://bluefire-llc.com/website/frequently-asked-questions)
I down loaded it on my apple 7 phone to check it out for free. Then bought an Ipad at best Buy for $329.00 new
All in $440.00 including Ipad. Found BF used on Ebay for $100.00 delievered. Guy sold his moho
Chris
Apple/Android
Amazon.com: BlueFire Adapter for Heavy Duty Trucks, Yachts, Motorhomes, and... (https://www.amazon.com/BlueFire-Bluetooth-Adapter-Motorhomes-Supports/dp/B00V1QH8X4/ref=sr_1_3?crid=229XJV01R4F0V&dchild=1&keywords=bluefire+for+motorhomes&qid=1630370803&sprefix=blue+fire+for+motorhomes%2Caps%2C255&sr=8-3)
Android only:
Amazon.com: BlueFire Adapter for Heavy Duty Trucks, Yachts, Motorhomes, and... (https://www.amazon.com/BlueFire-Bluetooth-Adapter-Motorhomes-Supports/dp/B00V1QBNFI/ref=sr_1_2?crid=229XJV01R4F0V&dchild=1&keywords=bluefire+for+motorhomes&qid=1630370752&sprefix=blue+fire+for+motorhomes%2Caps%2C255&sr=8-2)
Not to hijack, but I use a BAFX OBDII Bluetooth reader to interface with my Android phone on both my '07 FJ Cruiser and my '99RAV4(toad). Amazon.com: Bafx Products - For Android Only - Wireless Bluetooth Obd2... (https://www.amazon.com/BAFX-Products-Wireless-Bluetooth-Diagnostic/dp/B005NLQAHS)
I have not set it up on the '95 U240 yet(low priority) but as I have Android 10 Stereo's in the rig and the RAV it may be doable. I use "Car Scanner" as the app, but I think there are several available that do more. At some point I will get some screenshots and post them.
I just hope it will work on the U240's Bus :) It IS Android only but I like it for monitoring things that are not normally on the dash and for clearing codes to verify they are real!
just my 2ยข
So here is my latest dash, probably the last mod, I love this one. I would trade boost pressure for oil pressure, but it's not in the harness, Cat didn't put it in there. Engine won't run without it, so no worries.
600 mile round trip to the coast and back, rarely looked at the factory dash, this tell me everything I want to klnow.Love it, and got an awesome Ipad out of the deal, that I use for other stuff.
Blue Fire is doing constant software upgrades, adding new stuff all the time. Really impressed with them.
Picture of my LED dash, and custom lighted smart wheel. Wish my incedesent worked, may tackle it some time.
Chris