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Silverleaf with 2001 U270

December 23, 2019, 11:55:36 am

Greetings everyone.

I am considering adding the use of the VMSpc to my 2001 U270.  The gauge package seems to be suffering as most from this era.  The fuel gauge is not working, etc.  In lieu of trying to work on the dash, it seems this may be a better option.

Should I expect that it is able to report on/monitor  the transmission in addition to the engine?  Air system also?

If yes, is this accomplished with the single connection made to the engine computer connector.

I thought I would ask just in case I am missing something in my understanding.

Thank you for your help.

-FT

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Re: Silverleaf with 2001 U270

Reply #1 – December 23, 2019, 12:05:52 pm

Our dash fuel gauge stopped working and it was due to a faulty sensor in the tank.  Easy to replace.  I posted on it. 

We have Silverleaf on our 2000 U295.  It measures fuel consumption and then calculates the fuel remaining in the tank.  I have found it to be fairly accurate.  See the attached.

One of the big advantages of Silverleaf is that it allows one to monitor the retarder temp since it can be much higher than the dash gauge for the transmission termp.  It does not monitor the air system.

George

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Re: Silverleaf with 2001 U270

Reply #2 – December 23, 2019, 12:18:16 pm

My VMSpc does not monitor the air system, but it does monitor engine and transmission.

Roger on this site sells and services the software/hardware and can help you get set up.

VMSpc Kits for 2020

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Re: Silverleaf with 2001 U270

Reply #3 – December 23, 2019, 12:28:04 pm

Thank you George and Steve.

I appreciate your responses.

Safe Travels
-FT

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Re: Silverleaf with 2001 U270

Reply #4 – December 23, 2019, 01:12:00 pm

I think I am right, that the amount of things it monitors is dependent on the year, engine, and  transmission in your coach.
Please correct me if I am wrong.

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Re: Silverleaf with 2001 U270

Reply #5 – December 23, 2019, 04:37:26 pm

Roger (see above) is an excellent source for turn-key VMSpc setups (just in time for Christmas) 

As a side note, I suspect that my VMSpc reads slightly higher than actual fuel consumption.  I have never been able to completely replace the fuel it says we have used on all the fillups this trip.  Usually off by a couple of percent.

Rich

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Re: Silverleaf with 2001 U270

Reply #6 – December 23, 2019, 05:58:25 pm

I have used my VMSPC for years- great source of information about engine and transmission.  I also use it as speedometer as I can have the number bigger than on the dash ( old eyes you know).  Air pressure is not shown on mine but ask Roger, maybe there is a way to monitor it on the new VMSPC                   

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Re: Silverleaf with 2001 U270

Reply #7 – December 23, 2019, 06:59:09 pm

Thanks a lot Ron, Rich, Ted and Karen.

I am going to pick one up.  I do appreciate the advice everyone has. Like my profile says, "Newbie"!!

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Re: Silverleaf with 2001 U270

Reply #8 – December 23, 2019, 07:25:31 pm

You have to have tire monitors to be able to get pressures on the VSMpc. I think roger mentioned a new version coming out that would work with tire monitors.

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Re: Silverleaf with 2001 U270

Reply #9 – December 23, 2019, 10:59:10 pm

FT RoadTrip,

Send me an email, I can help you figure out what will work best for you.

The next release of VMSpc (now well over a year since they said it was coming) will integrate TST Tire Pressure hardware into the displays.  It sounds like a good idea but there are a couple downsides. 

Your PC needs to be on and VMSpc running for you to monitor tire pressure when you are not travelling.  With a stand alone TST Pressure Monitor it can be on all of the time.  Better to discover a slow leak before the morning you need to leave. 

The tire and pressure display uses up a fair amount of room.  On a 10" display that could be 20% or more of the total space.  A lot of room. 

I suggest a separate stand-alone monitor.  It has more functionality and will be less expensive than the hardware needed to integrate it into VMSpc.  They used to use Pressure Pro.  It was complicated to install and the hardware and sensors we well over $1,000.

VMSpc reports what the systems on your coach indicate.  It does not calculate or measure fuel consumption.  It reports what your engine computer says it has used.  A gallon or two in a hundred gallon fill up is pretty close. Mileage will almost always not be the same as your dash odometer says. Tires, inflation and lots of other mechanical things involved there.  Speed is rarely the same either (close).  I trust what VMSpc reports.

Roger
Click on the link below to
Send an email to Roger

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Re: Silverleaf with 2001 U270

Reply #10 – December 24, 2019, 11:22:37 am

Another thing to remember is that the Silverleaf will not take into account any fuel used by the aqua hot or the generator. This can skew the numbers slightly. If you run on the top half of the tank as I try to, no problem. I like the ability to have more accurate readings than what the analog display gives on the dash.

Larry

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