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Topic: New SilverLeaf VMSpc questions (Read 1023 times) previous topic - next topic

New SilverLeaf VMSpc questions

First trip with new VMSpc I noticed to inputs are not woking.
1. It never picked up or reported miles traveled, so the Trip data only shows how much fuel was used and the time traveled. Without miles traveled it can't calculate MPG.
2. The transmission input for gear selected and actual gear showed ? marks for about 50 miles, then 6 as gear selected for 30 miles and then showed 5 as actual gear after that and never changed like when stopped and starting.
Any ideas?
This unit uses a USB connection to the laptop. Also the big round connector has 6 pins on the SilverLeaf and 7 pins on the MH.
Thanks.
Dick, '03 U320 40' Tag, 2 slides, Coach #6075
Full Timers
2009 Honda CR-V

Re: New SilverLeaf VMSpc questions

Reply #1 –
Just got off the phone with Mark at SilverLeaf. He had me take the lid off the box and move two jumpers, try it, put them back, move another jumper, and cut the cable for two of the black and white wires that go into the box. That seems to have solved my problems.
I am curious if anyone has created any new 'gauges' for the Foretravel; like maybe for the retarder status.
Dick, '03 U320 40' Tag, 2 slides, Coach #6075
Full Timers
2009 Honda CR-V

Re: New SilverLeaf VMSpc questions

Reply #2 –
Hi Dick,
You did the best thing in talking to Mark at SilverLeaf. As to a gauge for the retarder and this is just a guess on my part, I don't think their software has a provision for the retarder, but I'd love to be wrong. The VMSpc is a very valuable tool. I bought it thinking ti would be a fun toy, but it is so much more.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: New SilverLeaf VMSpc questions

Reply #3 –
My VMS 240 does tell me retarder temp. Don't know if the laptop software does this.

Quote
You did the best thing in talking to Mark at SilverLeaf. As to a gauge for the retarder and this is just a guess on my part, I don't think their software has a provision for the retarder, but I'd love to be wrong. The VMSpc is a very valuable tool. I bought it thinking ti would be a fun toy, but it is so much more.


best, paul
1999 U320 40' 1200 watts on roof. 12cf AC/DC Cold plate fridge/freezer. VMS 240 CL Honda Element

Re: New SilverLeaf VMSpc questions

Reply #4 –
Hi Dick,

I have exactly the same symptoms (no total miles, and no transmission gears displayed) and had talked a while back to Mark at Silverleaf, who said that maybe the ECU wasn't sending those PIDS, and if so, nothing he could do, so do you remember what jumpers he had you change to make it work?   
(It's been on my list to look up the J1587 and J1939 protocol specs and get out the scope and debug things, but since we're retired, I've really been too busy :)).)
Dave and Nancy
1999/2013 U270 36' Xtreme
Motorcade # 16774
2013 Subaru Outback
KD0NIM

Re: New SilverLeaf VMSpc questions

Reply #5 –
The older HD3060 and 4060 trans won't speak to Silverleaf. The newer World 3000 and 4000 will.
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: New SilverLeaf VMSpc questions

Reply #6 –
Dave, I am surprised that Mark did not solve your problem. In my case, with the key ON, when I clicked on the Advanced menu tab > Communications > clicked on Advanced USB JIB Properties it showed data communications with both J1708 & J1939. I think these were conflicting and I think the 1939 protocol is newer and not supported by my older MH.
Also, when I did Advanced > PID Sniffer it was not showing 162 & 163 (transmission range selected and attained) nor 244 & 245 (distance information).
My engine & transmission are probably 2002 in this 2003 coach.
If your situation is the same and you feel brave, here's what I did. Disconnect VMSpc from coach and computer. Remove the top of the black box (4 screws). Holding it with the connectors toward you, there is a single blue jumper above center and a bit to the left of center. This jumper is only on one pin, move it to cover both pins (in my case moving it a tiny bit to the left jumpered the two pins). Still holding the black box with the connectors toward you, look at the multi-conductor plug. The bottom row of conductors from bottom right to bottom left should be red, empty, black, white, black and finally white (I may have the blk & wht pairs reversed so it could be wht, blk, wht, blk). The white and black pair at the end on the left are the ones I cut. They are in a shielded cable and I cut it about 6" to 8" back so there would be enough to splice it back if necessary (and it will probably be necessary if I ever get a newer MH). This stopped all coms on J1939 and now those missing PIDs show up when I run the sniffer. Also, the gear selection and distance fields are correctly populated. I am still getting errors on the J1708 coms and I don't know if that will cause any problems. Guess I'll find out the next time we move.
I wish I had taken photos and I still could if you need them. I'm just lazy about removing that dash panel.  ;D
Let me know how it goes if you try this or if you have any questions.
Dick, '03 U320 40' Tag, 2 slides, Coach #6075
Full Timers
2009 Honda CR-V
 

Re: New SilverLeaf VMSpc questions

Reply #7 –
Dick,

Thanks!  I'll try it in the next several days and post the results.  We're stationary for the next 3 months in Roswell NM, so static or short-duration trips may be the only tests for a while.

When we were in at Cummins Bakersfield, I had them update to the latest ECU software, but didn't affect the VMSpc issues at all, except that the displayed MPG became more pessimistic (and maybe more realistic.)

I did notice total fuel consumption and mileage/hours figures flipping around on the last leg of our trip here.  At one point I had several million engine hours registering (!), so I'm guessing there's timing or connection problems somewhere.  Performance is fine, and not at all typical of an engine with several million hours on it...
Dave and Nancy
1999/2013 U270 36' Xtreme
Motorcade # 16774
2013 Subaru Outback
KD0NIM