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Topic: Silverleaf miles left split from: Silverleaf VMSpc PID (Read 660 times) previous topic - next topic

Silverleaf miles left split from: Silverleaf VMSpc PID

Speaking of VMSPC, I want to improve the accuracy of the mileage indicator. It appears to be wildly optimistic. I say appears to be, because I haven't kept a diligent record of the actual measured usage yet... :o Last time we filled up however, the low fuel light was on and the gauge was bouncing around ⅛th of a tank. I know it was pretty well topped off at the last fill because I checked with a flashlight. Anyway, VMSPC was still saying that we had over 400 miles to go and I hadn't even told it that I added 5 gallons north of the border to use up the last of our Canadian cash before crossing the border. Anyway, it took 116.8 gallons which means about 31 gallons before filling. I have looked at the gauge editor for the trip meter, but there doesn't seem to be a multiplier or other adjustment to make. With 26 gallons (31minus the 5 I added) gallons left, I would have had a max of 260 miles left even if I was able to use every last drop (which I have ZERO interest in trying!). Am I missing something?
Don
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Silverleaf miles left split from: Silverleaf VMSpc PID

Reply #1 –
Did you set the total number of gallons full. I know my silverleaf sometimes puts in the wrong number for total gallons and I can go a million miles when I look.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Silverleaf miles left split from: Silverleaf VMSpc PID

Reply #2 –
I did tell VMSPC the tank size (148 gallons in our case). The thing is, since the ECM knows how many gallons have been injected or used for combustion and not just how many has been pumped (I assume that that is how it is supposed to work), then it makes sense to me that the engine computer would know how many miles are left in the tank based on the mileage calculation using the recent MPG figure. The only setting which appears reveling is the use instantaneous MPG option for miles until empty. I have tried both, but it didn't seem to make much, if any difference.
Don
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Silverleaf miles left split from: Silverleaf VMSpc PID

Reply #3 –
Diesel generator taking some fuel?  VMSpc doesn't know about that fuel usage.  I set my VMSpc to reset to 150 gallons when I double-click it after filling up my 178 gallon tank.  I don't want to get anywhere near discovering whether I have a "low fuel" light.
The selected media item is not currently available.Brad & Christine Slaughter
Was:  1990 U280 36'
Was:  2002 U270 36' (With a bathroom door) Build #5981
Is:  2021 Leisure Travel Van Wonder 24RL
2015 Jeep JKU, 2003 S10 QC 4x4 or 2017 C-Max
Lake Havasu City, AZ (or Gillette, WY)

Re: Silverleaf miles left split from: Silverleaf VMSpc PID

Reply #4 –
Pardon me for barging in Acouticart...
Christine speaks rightly. Or, was that Brad? ;-)

If you're in pet-saver mode--it has been pretty warm--the generator will dip significantly from your tank to keep it cool.
There isn't (yet) an option to sum this dynamically within the PC program or other tracking units.


cheers

Art Renda
Documentation Central
Silverleaf Electronics, Albany, Oregon
(888) 741-0259
Knowledge is Horsepower

Re: Silverleaf miles left split from: Silverleaf VMSpc PID

Reply #5 –
My VMSpc is very accurite on fuel used, Miles to empty and mpg, within .2 gal on repeated 100-120 gal fill ups. I do the refills Exactly the same every time. Lean over max, fill all that an go in.  with over 35,000 miles experience, have grown to trust it.
tank holds 194 gal,I set the VMSpc at 180 on fill.
These numbers work as long as the Aqua Hot and Genset are not used.

Re: Silverleaf miles left split from: Silverleaf VMSpc PID

Reply #6 –
No more than 30 minutes gen run time on that tank... But feel free to barge in!
Don
Quote from: honico –
Pardon me for barging in Acouticart...
Christine speaks rightly. Or, was that Brad? ;-)

If you're in pet-saver mode--it has been pretty warm--the generator will dip significantly from your tank to keep it cool.
There isn't (yet) an option to sum this dynamically within the PC program or other tracking units.


cheers

Art Renda
Documentation Central
Silverleaf Electronics, Albany, Oregon
(888) 741-0259
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Silverleaf miles left split from: Silverleaf VMSpc PID

Reply #7 –
The only other answer I could think of is an ugly one...that fuel leaked between the tank and the motor.
The selected media item is not currently available.Brad & Christine Slaughter
Was:  1990 U280 36'
Was:  2002 U270 36' (With a bathroom door) Build #5981
Is:  2021 Leisure Travel Van Wonder 24RL
2015 Jeep JKU, 2003 S10 QC 4x4 or 2017 C-Max
Lake Havasu City, AZ (or Gillette, WY)

Re: Silverleaf miles left split from: Silverleaf VMSpc PID

Reply #8 –
I would be more than shocked were that to be the case Brad... the reason being that FOT replaced our ALL of our fuel lines.
Don
Quote from: Brad & Christine Slaughter –
The only other answer I could think of is an ugly one...that fuel leaked between the tank and the motor.
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Silverleaf miles left split from: Silverleaf VMSpc PID

Reply #9 –
I rely on the driver information center. If I have been driving on fairly level roads and pull in for fuel, it is right on the money. If it reports my 180 gallon tank as half full, it takes within a couple of gallons of 90 to fill it up, it appears to be fed by the float in the tank, as is the fuel gauge. If I stop on a side slope with less than a quarter tank, both read nearly zero, and it takes a good 15 minutes of normal driving to bring them back to reality.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: Silverleaf miles left split from: Silverleaf VMSpc PID

Reply #10 –
I know I do not fill mine the same way each time but I am within about 5 gallons each time on silver leaf if I do not use the genny.  If I do I know to add half a gallon an hour for use and I come within my five gallons difference front he silver leaf. I fill till I can see the fuel lapping at the entry but I do not tilt the coach so the pad might not be level side to side or front to back usually.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Silverleaf miles left split from: Silverleaf VMSpc PID

Reply #11 –
All the glowing reports about the VMSpc "tank minder" accuracy has me puzzled. Apparently it is working well for most without any special tweaking. From poking around VMSpc today, I can see that there is a lot of unmined depth in the program. It almost has an unfinished feel to it like development just sort of stopped with plans of filling things in left hanging. In general, it is a very useful, even vital once get used to it, adjunct to managing the coach mechanicals intelligently. The goodies are all really present in the electronic engine and transmission controls, just accessed in a useable format by the VMSpc software. I wonder why there doesn't seem to be any competing products for it. A little competition could really improve the breed here. Be that as it may, it would be great if there was a place or board on the forum for VMSpc tips and tricks as it relates to our Foretravel coaches... searching through threads is of course possible, but some organizing of this useful information would be great! Maybe it already exists somewhere and I am just missing it...
Don
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Silverleaf miles left split from: Silverleaf VMSpc PID

Reply #12 –
Indeed the Silverleaf VMSpc does provide a large area for tweaking for those that enjoy.  For my setup, I will keep enjoying it as is, works great for all the areas that I am monitoring.
Maybe I was just lucky during the initial setup, picking all the correct choices ?
Either way, will not touch it.
Amen

Re: Silverleaf miles left split from: Silverleaf VMSpc PID

Reply #13 –
Considering how the software is free but only works with their proprietary non-refundable hardware... Wouldn't it be great if they were to go open source and release the software for the public to tweak.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: Silverleaf miles left split from: Silverleaf VMSpc PID

Reply #14 –
I think everyone has different things they want to focus on.  I only recently added Retarder Temperature to my VMSpc, but am thinking about taking it off.  I didn't like watching that rapid climb.  It worried me.  I suspect that after the rapid climb, it would probably climb very slowly after a point...but I didn't like the distraction of that gauge.  I know the Allison will control itself if it gets too hot.  So I don't think there is a perfect set of gauges to display.
The selected media item is not currently available.Brad & Christine Slaughter
Was:  1990 U280 36'
Was:  2002 U270 36' (With a bathroom door) Build #5981
Is:  2021 Leisure Travel Van Wonder 24RL
2015 Jeep JKU, 2003 S10 QC 4x4 or 2017 C-Max
Lake Havasu City, AZ (or Gillette, WY)
 

Re: Silverleaf miles left split from: Silverleaf VMSpc PID

Reply #15 –
Quote from: Brad & Christine Slaughter –
I think everyone has different things they want to focus on.  I only recently added Retarder Temperature to my VMSpc, but am thinking about taking it off.  I didn't like watching that rapid climb.  It worried me.  I suspect that after the rapid climb, it would probably climb very slowly after a point...but I didn't like the distraction of that gauge.  I know the Allison will control itself if it gets too hot.  So I don't think there is a perfect set of gauges to display.

Bingo.  Only worse than not having the gauge is to have it.  And have a paranoid rv'er own it.
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4