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VMS System

I am sure that for those of you who have the VMS monitoring system, this is not news.  But I just had to voice how awesome the system is. I got the system from Roger on here a several weeks ago. I had made a couple of local trips, but not enough to really test the system.  Finally, I made a longer trip (1200 miles) and am in awe of how accurate and how much information it provides.  From being able to watch the Retarder temps through the Colorado mountains, to monitoring the transmission, coolant, etc. temps was fantastic. 
I know I am still learning on how to work the trip information, but just had to praise how good the system is.  Special Thanks to Roger for walking me through a couple of install questions and his support.

If you do not have this VMS system, make sure to put it on your to do list. You won't be sorry.
Mark & Bev
2001 U295 36' Slide
Cummins ISC 8.3 350HP
Build #5802
Jeep Wrangler Toad

Re: VMS System

Reply #1 –
Learning how to use the trip gauge and being able to see the screen with polarized sunglasses is my nemesis. Other than that is is just as you say great and very helpful.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: VMS System

Reply #2 –
Glad to see how much you appreciate it.  With the fuel remaining I usually get within a few gallons how much diesel I will need. 

You will like the trip feature because the gallons remaining to finish the trip saves doing it in my head.  Coming 1200 miles back from Virginia the trip feature and Waze were within a couple of miles of each other when we got home so that's pretty accurate if you enter the right miles for the trip.
Rick & Rhonda
2003 U320 4220  Build #6199
Was
91 36' GV 300 Caterpillar, 92 40' U280 300 Cummins, 97 36' U295 300 Cummins, 2002
U320 450 Cummins
(Guess we're hooked)

The selected media item is not currently available.

Re: VMS System

Reply #3 –
Checking the mpg from the engine to the VPMS matches exactly the amount of fuel needed.  Without the aquahot use.

Gen at .44 gph.  Subtracting the motor and gen hours matches what's left being the aquahot if the diesel burner was being used.

The RMPG showed me the large hp draw from the over done cooling fans.  RMPG jumped 2 mpg on flat roads for a while.  Fan finally went down in speed long enough to raise the mpg.

Great tool
"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

Re: VMS System

Reply #4 –
Mark, Glad it is working for you.  It just gets better.

Chuck, I have had some folks experience difficulty with polarized sunglasses as well. It really depends on the screen.  My iPad and Samsung tablets don't seem to have an issue with polarized glasses but the ASUS Transformers do. Try turning the screen (tablet) 90° to portrait mode.  It seems to work for most folks.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: VMS System

Reply #5 –
I can't see my screen with my sunglasses on either.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: VMS System

Reply #6 –
Roger what cable do I need to connect with a USB C port on my Samsung tablet?
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired

Re: VMS System

Reply #7 –
VMSpc does not run on android tablets or on iPads. It runs on a Windows PC, laptop or tablet. If you have an android tablet (or iPad) you can use it as a wireless remote display.  It works well. I have used Samsung 7 and 8" tablets and several different iPad versions. Doing this takes a step up in the technobabble stuff.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: VMS System

Reply #8 –
Thanks Roger. Found the software you can use to do it. Just have to set it up.
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired

Re: VMS System

Reply #9 –
I've beed using VmsPC for over 10 years, a multitude of computers and a multitude of home-grown layouts.  Here's my latest.  It is running on a Dell Venue tablet, sometimes with keyboard attached, sometimes not.  The keyboard covers the defroster vents.  I originally ran in portrait mode, but switched to landscape because the display is not readable in portrait mode with polarized sunglasses.

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: VMS System

Reply #10 –
I love mine and Roger has great customer service! My new to me coach has a silver leaf glass dash and I use Rogers unit in conjunction with it to get more info....  I had bought mine from Roger for my old coach and works great on the new one




Keith
The selected media item is not currently available.Keith & Jo
2003 U320T 4025 PBBS Designer series
Build 6203    Cummins 500hp
2000 U320 4010 WTFE / Build 5762 —Sold—
Motorcade #18070   
Pasadena, Texas
2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara-Sunset Orange pearl coat
Don't argue with a fool, people watching might not be able to tell the difference.

Re: VMS System

Reply #11 –
How do you switch portrait to landscape and vice versa?  Can't view it on a ASUS with polarized sunglasses as is.
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: VMS System

Reply #12 –
Mine is a tablet, so turning the device on it's side switches mode. The vms layout then needs to be modified to fit, tiles rearranged and resized.
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: VMS System

Reply #13 –
Quote from: AC7880 –
How do you switch portrait to landscape and vice versa?  Can't view it on a ASUS with polarized sunglasses as is.
I need the same information.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: VMS System

Reply #14 –
This might help

How to Rotate Screen in Windows 10 | Laptop Mag

It involves rotating the entire computer 90°. Does yours work as a tablet, with touch screen and with keyboard flipped behind the screen or removed?  My Dell has a removable keyboard.
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: VMS System

Reply #15 –
To follow up on the VMSpc display on a ASUS laptop using polarized sunglasses:
For normal everyday wear I use high end polarized Maui Jim sunglasses with readers built in. Basically bifocals, with distance vision uncorrected. Using these I cannot see the ASUS display at all.

I ordered 3 different pairs of non polarized sunglasses (so my wife and I both have options),  The ones I ordered  have UV protection (UVA/UVB protection for the eyes), but no polarization.  All 3 pairs allow the screen to be easily viewed.

I ordered on line from here: Sunglasses Under  | Sunglass Warehouse®  They have some information on widths so you can attempt to get a good  fit.

The most comfortable to me are these: Silver Mirror Rimless Aviator Sunglasses | Shop Aviators | Sunglass Warehouse® They feel the widest to me as to fit.  The website calls them narrow, but to me medium or wide and very comfortable.  But they are pretty dark and I do not like the mirrored effect as I wear them.  These will work for me in the brightest conditions.  $12

Medium fit width to me are these: Men's Square Browline Sporty Shape Sunglasses | Fast S&H | Sunglass Warehouse®  The website calls them wide, more average or medium to me.
 Excellent visual acuity, my wife likes these best.  They are not comfortable to me due to scar tissue I have high on my nose, and the connection to the nose pieces sits on the scar tissue.  These would be my favorite of the 3 without that issue.  $15

Narrowest fit according to website and feel, lighter tint, but excellent acuity are these: Vitality IRONMAN Triathlon Sporty Protective Sunglasses | Sunglass Warehouse®
These are the ones I will wear most often while driving the coach due to excellent acuity in light to medium sun and glare. However, look at the pictures on the website and be aware the temples are wrap around and feel tight on the back of the head around the ear area. $35

Recap: Non polarized sunglasses while driving the coach to see the VMSpc on a ASUS laptop is the way to go.




Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide
 

Re: VMS System

Reply #16 –
Try later tablets/phones or turn the device 90 degrees. I fly/navigate aircraft with a Samsung Tab S2 in portrait mode and don't have a problem. Same with the engine analyzer. My iPad does not have GPS so have not tried it but I've heard Apple has fixed that problem. Nice to have readers on the bottom with less darkening.

So, Samsung S-AMOLED uses LEDs in linear polarization and you should be able to read it in either position. Others use LCDs with circular polarization so you may not be able to read them.

Polarized sunglasses give much great contrast outside and let birds or aircraft stand out much better and faster than conventional sunglasses, especially whites. Nothing quite like watching clouds with a pair of polarlized glasses.

Pierce

Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)