Who uses VMSpc or any other SilverLeaf product?

Topic: Who uses VMSpc or any other SilverLeaf product? (Read 2050 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Who uses VMSpc or any other SilverLeaf product?

Reply #25 – December 05, 2010, 10:48:25 pm

Quote from: Don Hay – December 05, 2010, 09:04:39 pm

....................WHY does our mechanical 8.3 (instead of an ECM) produce "less wear and tear on the starter"?

Don,
ECM controlled starts require specific sensor-fed parameters to be met before the auto stop solenoid (or equivalent) is shifted and the engine is fed fuel. When all of the sensors function properly and all the start permissive parameters are met, this translates to many more starting seconds of current drain on the chassis batteries, heat buildup in the starter motor and a longer recovery time afterward by the alternator, as compared with the mechanical engine almost instant start.

Not a big deal on one start, but over the years it adds up to more "wear and tear".
Of course the counterview includes the entirely valid points that the ECM provides additional measures of engine protection as well as satisfying the legislated mandates for a "Greener" engine.
But I have seen these additional ECM measures also cause a lot of down time and additional expense as the techs struggle to determine and correct malfunctions.

The single time that my 8.3 mechanical failed to start was when the Auto Stop Solenoid failed. and I knew right were to look when it happened (at least in general....lift pump, fuel filter, auto stop solenoid). Since the Auto Stop Solenoid audibly and physically clicked, but the shaft didn't move, the problem was easy to see and understand.

As a counterpoint, I once watched a Foretravel sales and service center crank and crank and crank an M11, over several hours and until the chassis batteries had to be jumped, as they tried to get a fault to show on the ECM readout when it wouldn't start. I'm sure that starter forfeited one of it's nine lives that day. The problem turned out to be a sensor failure that also didn't show up on the ECM readouts.

As I said, "6 to one and a half dozen to the other" in terms of advantages/disadvantages.
Neal

Re: Who uses VMSpc or any other SilverLeaf product?

Reply #26 – December 05, 2010, 11:07:54 pm

Neal,

Thanks for the explanation.

Re: Who uses VMSpc or any other SilverLeaf product?

Reply #27 – December 06, 2010, 12:36:52 am

Wow - with the 325 hp model you aren't supposed to tweak that one. I'm surprised they sold him the package!

Re: Who uses VMSpc or any other SilverLeaf product?

Reply #28 – December 06, 2010, 01:10:38 am

Neal, SO correct, the mechanical setup is so easy to trouble shoot as you mentioned. When the stop solenoid pulls to the start position, it makes plenty of noise.
Part Number for the Fuel Solenoid #3906398.
One of the major issues we have found with the 8.3 Cummins is the Delco MT-37 starter, several starters have hung engaged and burnt up batteries, cables and starter, this has happened to both 12 and 24 Volt models. The only good news was the new one is (Not rebuilt) $425.00 .
I have no idea what starter is used on the Foretravel 8.3 engines, hope no one has had this issue, Would think it would be a major fire concern on a RV.
We deal with emergency generators and the fire hazard is not much of a concern.

Re: Who uses VMSpc or any other SilverLeaf product?

Reply #29 – December 06, 2010, 05:24:27 am

I can attest to the fact of a sensor stopping the show. It would not fire the fuel and I wore down my batteries. I finally hit it with ether and it fired up threw a code and I got home and off the barrier island that was going to flood. My old 8.3 was electronic and had grid heaters so that would not work but the M 11 has ether plumbed inline and I bought more to spray in. Started me right up fuel opened and I shut down in the garage when I got home. I have issues like that I go to cumins not FT as they figure it out faster. I have replaced the startedpr on every one of my three coaches. It seems as though they last only five to seven years. I put in a stronger one and an extra battery cable and it starts like a champ.

Re: Who uses VMSpc or any other SilverLeaf product?

Reply #30 – December 06, 2010, 10:23:25 am

I did just that. I bought a Compaq (HP) Presario. It was $600 or so in 2004. A friend gave me Delorme Street Atlas whatever version and I ran the two side by side. I still have that old pc and it's working fine with Windows 7. Still have trouble using a pc, Mac spoils us.

Re: Who uses VMSpc or any other SilverLeaf product?

Reply #31 – December 06, 2010, 11:31:43 am

I've used VMSpc on an elderly but good Thinkpad notebook. I have one column of data on each side of the screen with MS Streets and Trips in the middle. I love it. While the notebook is old, and has relatively meager resources (disk, memory, etc.) by modern standards, it works great. Being dedicated to this task and always off line the old OS and lack of anti-virus is no problem.

Re: Who uses VMSpc or any other SilverLeaf product?

Reply #32 – December 06, 2010, 11:56:26 am

Dave,

I was not aware that the Stinger was possibly not appropriate for the C8.3 325. I would guess that FOT installed it. That's where the previous owner had most of his work done. The coach has around 71K on it, and I expect the Stinger was an early addition. We have put about 8K on the coach with good experiences so far.

We have driven in the mountains and I check the pyrometer if we are pulling hard. We have approached 1300F a couple of times. Backing off the accelerator just a touch has brought the temperature below 1250F. I put a red line on the face of the gauge around 1250-1300 to help spouse and me have a reference with a glance.

Re: Who uses VMSpc or any other SilverLeaf product?

Reply #33 – December 06, 2010, 12:22:00 pm

"I've used VMSpc on an elderly but good Thinkpad notebook. I have one column of data on each side of the screen with MS Streets and Trips in the middle. I love it. While the notebook is old, and has relatively meager resources (disk, memory, etc.) by modern standards, it works great. Being dedicated to this task and always off line the old OS and lack of anti-virus is no problem."

Agree - I use the same hardware - and works great - love your idea of putting the GPS up in the middle -...course I already have a dedicated unit......duh....

Re: Who uses VMSpc or any other SilverLeaf product?

Reply #34 – December 09, 2010, 12:06:44 pm

George, I use VMSpc on my 1999 U320 with the M11 Cummins. I get more accurate, I think, readings with the digital than with the analog dash gauges. I don't get any transmission readouts, however. I don't think this was included in the 1999s. My laptop sits right on the dash and I don't think I could get along as well without it.
Richard Anderson
1999 U320, 40'

Re: Who uses VMSpc or any other SilverLeaf product?

Reply #35 – December 09, 2010, 07:59:16 pm

Quote

George, I use VMSpc on my 1999 U320 with the M11 Cummins. I get more accurate, I think, readings with the digital than with the analog dash gauges. I don't get any transmission readouts, however. I don't think this was included in the 1999s. My laptop sits right on the dash and I don't think I could get along as well without it.
Richard Anderson
1999 U320, 40'

Richard,
I can get transmission temperature, and transmission gear selected and attained (e.g. 6/5) on my '99 M11 using VMSpc.

Bob

Re: Who uses VMSpc or any other SilverLeaf product?

Reply #36 – January 03, 2011, 10:33:26 pm

Bump...

We are thinking of buying the VMSpc JIB and cable in the next few weeks. Are most folks buying directly from Silverleaf? Has anyone purchased from rvupgrades.com? The latter seems to have a pretty good price Silverleaf VMS PC Complete Engine Monitoring on Your Laptop

Thanks,

Michelle

Re: Who uses VMSpc or any other SilverLeaf product?

Reply #37 – January 03, 2011, 10:44:06 pm

Quote from: Steve & Michelle – January 03, 2011, 10:33:26 pm

Bump...

We are thinking of buying the VMSpc JIB and cable in the next few weeks. Are most folks buying directly from Silverleaf? Has anyone purchased from rvupgrades.com? The latter seems to have a pretty good price Silverleaf VMS PC Complete Engine Monitoring on Your Laptop
Thanks,
Michelle

I bought mine in 2003 from Camping World I think. $395
$306 is a great price.

Re: Who uses VMSpc or any other SilverLeaf product?

Reply #38 – January 03, 2011, 11:00:07 pm

I had the incorrect impression that this product was sold only via SilverLeaf. That apparently is not the case. So go for the best price. You will love having all of this information in one place. I just discovered that SilverLeaf keeps a history of every trip we take. Miles Time Fuel Speed MPG. Cool

Re: Who uses VMSpc or any other SilverLeaf product?

Reply #39 – January 03, 2011, 11:10:00 pm

Quote from: George Stoltz – January 03, 2011, 11:00:07 pm

You will love having all of this information in one place.

It's all part of a larger project Steve is working on (aka still researching), called "ForePuter"

It involves a mini computer, a replacement in-dash display/CD player/radio head, and who knows what else. His version of the VMS-440...

Quote from: Barry Beam – January 03, 2011, 10:44:06 pm

I bought mine in 2003 from Camping World I think. $395
$306 is a great price.

Searching the archives shows Brad Slaughter bought from RVUpgrades... And it's the 9 pin connector version we want for our 2003, according to a response from Barry to Bill Brown (love the search function!)

The $306 is a great price IF it's the USB version of the JIB, not the "classic" serial version (which is $229 as a fully-warrantied refurb from Silverleaf directly). Looks like a phone call tomorrow is in order.

Michelle

Re: Who uses VMSpc or any other SilverLeaf product?

Reply #40 – January 04, 2011, 12:29:40 am

Quote from: George Stoltz – January 03, 2011, 11:00:07 pm

I just discovered that SilverLeaf keeps a history of every trip we take. Miles Time Fuel Speed MPG. Cool

George,
You can edit the file after each stop and insert notes about each stop, fuel, campground etc.
You can keep notes for your blog at each stop

Re: Who uses VMSpc or any other SilverLeaf product?

Reply #41 – January 04, 2011, 02:24:10 am

Actually, the Cummins ECU maintains that data. Silverleaf just lets you get to it...

Re: Who uses VMSpc or any other SilverLeaf product?

Reply #42 – January 04, 2011, 02:24:27 pm

Quote from: Steve & Michelle – January 03, 2011, 11:10:00 pm

The $306 is a great price IF it's the USB version of the JIB, not the "classic" serial version (which is $229 as a fully-warrantied refurb from Silverleaf directly). Looks like a phone call tomorrow is in order.

If anyone is interested, if ordering the VMSpc from rvupgrades.com (for $306 plus shipping, came to $317.52 for us) it's actually shipped directly from Silverleaf, so I just put in the order notes that we needed the USB version and that it was for an '03 FT U320 with ISM-450. That should take care (hopefully) of any questions at the fulfillment end.

-M

Re: Who uses VMSpc or any other SilverLeaf product?

Reply #43 – January 05, 2011, 08:45:54 am

When I got mine I had an issue reading the trans data. They adjusted the bit rate down a bit and all worked fine. I have another issue though it is seeing two sets of data now. Oh well, more to figure out.

Re: Who uses VMSpc or any other SilverLeaf product?

Reply #44 – January 05, 2011, 11:00:25 am

For the DD 6V92 series;
I have one installed and it works good. Does not give a lot of info that later engines give, but all the 6V uses. No transmission data because of HT746 not being "electronic".
I called Silverleaf, and got a so so reply. I don't think they wanted to sell me one period. because of the output plug on the 6V92 that Foretravel/Allison l used.
I contacted Jim Sheppard @ RV Safety Systems. He located a compatible connector, had Silverleaf install it.
It was all up hill from there. Glad I have it because it retains trip data and I have most of my inspection and maintenance records on it. (did you know that was available )

Re: Who uses VMSpc or any other SilverLeaf product?

Reply #45 – January 05, 2011, 03:43:21 pm

George, I have had VMSpc for over a year and feel it is important. Just use my lap top on the dash. I use a separate small inverter to power the lap top.
Richard Anderson
1999 U320 40'

Re: Who uses VMSpc or any other SilverLeaf product?

Reply #46 – January 05, 2011, 03:54:01 pm

Quote

I have had VMSpc for over a year and feel it is important. Just use my lap top on the dash. I use a separate small inverter to power the lap top.

In case you haven't found it yet, there is an electrical outlet near the floor beside the drivers seat that has power with the house inverter on. I can reach it with my laptop power cord, so there is one less thing (an inverter) on my dash.

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