Engine Diagnostics

Topic: Engine Diagnostics (Read 2653 times) previous topic - next topic

Engine Diagnostics

July 30, 2013, 08:07:29 pm

I would like to order the Silerleaf VMSPC product but I do not know what which one to get, 6 or 9 pin. I am not where my MH is housed or I would go look.
6 pin or 9 pin??
Also, do any of you know if it will run on Chrome or Linux? or does have to be one of the fine MS products.
thanks,
OH
2002 U320 3610

Re: Engine Diagnostics

Reply #1 – July 30, 2013, 08:23:34 pm

Ours is 9-pin.

Best price I've found is here (and it's drop-shipped from Silverleaf), $306.25

Silverleaf VMSPC Engine Monitoring on Your Laptop

We run ours on an MS OS. Isn't Chrome the browser, not the OS? Not sure if it works on Linux or not.

From VMSpc | SilverLeaf Electronics, Inc.

System Requirements

-Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP, Vista, 7, or 8. Windows 95 users require a special version.
-Pentium 120 or better CPU
-16 mb RAM, Hard Drive
-RS-232 Serial Port or USB Port

Re: Engine Diagnostics

Reply #2 – July 30, 2013, 08:24:37 pm

I asked Silverleaf about Chrome and they said no. Linux would require a conversion program simulating MS and reliability was not guaranteed.

Re: Engine Diagnostics

Reply #3 – July 30, 2013, 09:28:52 pm

It is a 9 pin in my 2001 U320. I am using an Asus EeeBox EB1033-B001E Nettop PC. From Amazon or Tiger Direct. About $375. Not much bigger than a DVD case. Draws 25-35 watts. Mine is in the cabinet above the driver on the side. Easy to run wiring for VMSpc. I use a wifi connected iPad or Samsung tablet for a display (or the front TV when not driving using the HDMI connection). It includes a wireless kbd and mouse and a great array of USB3 and USB2 connections as well as HDMI. A very good graphics card. Lots of RAM and big enough drive. I also have a Toshiba 1 TB USB3 external drive (~$85) and a Samsung external DVD drive (~$40). I am very pleased with speed and performance. Window 7 Pro 64 bit version OS.

VMSpc works flawlessly. As well as weather, maps, navigation, email, web browser of your choice all at the same time. Itunes and movies on your hard drive or on disc work great. I transfer dash cam video to the PC for viewing on the big screen and for editing. Same with pictures from cameras and iPhone. iPhone pictures can be transfered to your PC directly using wifi rather than using bandwidth to send them to the cloud and back.

These are frequently used as Media PCs for recording TV from cable, satellite or antenna and come with mounts to attach directly to the back of your TV or to a wall (back side of the cabinet).

Some hype...

Allow yourself to experience redefined computing greatness and entertainment with the use of the Asus EeeBox EB1033-B001E Nettop PC. This nettop PC guarantees strong performance using its Intel Atom D2700 Dual-Core processor running at 2.13GHz. It also runs several applications quickly with the help of 2GB of DDR3 memory. The Asus EeeBox EB1033-B001E Nettop PC has a 320GB hard drive to store lots of digital files. It also owns the remarkable graphics performance of the NVIDIA GeForce 610M equipped with 512MB video memory. Connect peripherals to this Nettop PC with 4x USB 2.0 and 2x USB 3.0 ports, and use an HDMI port to connect with a high-definition display. 802.11n Wireless LAN connects you to your home network and lets you surf the web at fast speeds. Choose this Asus EeeBox EB1033-B001E Nettop PC and go beyond the limits today.

Intel Atom D2700 Dual Core processor; runs at 2.13GHz as it runs smoothly on your system
2GB of DDR3 memory; delivers amazingly fast multitasking
320GB hard drive; lets you save lots of files with ease
NVIDIA GeForce 610M; powerful GPU to accompany you hurdling demanding applications requiring graphics power
802.11n Wireless LAN; connect to the web with fast networking speeds

.....

Might not be the right fit for everyone butbas a dedicated Pc for your coach at a really good price for what you get,this is a good solution. Higher performance is available at higher cost but this one is pretty good for the price.

And as always PCs keep changing. I know there are other models available and probably a newer version of this one if not now, soon.

Check it out.

Roger

Re: Engine Diagnostics

Reply #4 – July 31, 2013, 09:13:50 am

Roger, so you have the Silverleaf hooked to your Asus and you can use it at the same time for other computing applications? I assume you can go from one application to the other as they are all running? Thanks, I am just trying to wrap my head around all of the possibilities for the VMSPC.
Old Hippie

Re: Engine Diagnostics

Reply #5 – July 31, 2013, 09:47:45 am

Quote from: Old Hippie – July 31, 2013, 09:13:50 am

Roger, so you have the Silverleaf hooked to your Asus and you can use it at the same time for other computing applications? I assume you can go from one application to the other as they are all running?

Not Roger, but yes. We have an in-dash Netbox and touchscreen monitor that runs our VMSpc, plus we have radio, GPS software, MP3 player, and a few other things we can switch back and forth to http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=media;sa=album;in=255

Re: Engine Diagnostics

Reply #6 – July 31, 2013, 11:39:31 am

Michelle

Awesome setup.

jack

Re: Engine Diagnostics

Reply #7 – July 31, 2013, 11:47:19 am

Gosh Michelle, your set up is exactly what I want to do. Would it be possible to get a basic wiring diagram of your design? and a component list?
thanks,
OH

Re: Engine Diagnostics

Reply #8 – July 31, 2013, 12:00:40 pm

Mike O'Leary has a used one for sale in the Classified. May be able to save a few bucks.

Rich

Re: Engine Diagnostics

Reply #9 – July 31, 2013, 01:13:27 pm

OMG - Michelle - You guys are truly super heroes. Would love to do the same in ours. Do you have a DB and where is it mounted?

Re: Engine Diagnostics

Reply #10 – July 31, 2013, 07:50:53 pm

I looked at Michelle's setup. It is very nice and inspiring. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Basically my setup does the same thing just not quite as builtin but I use the PC for a lot more. Having an HDMI output right into my 39" Vizio HDTV is pretty spectacular. the Asus PC supports full HDTV output. Everything you can run in Windows runs in this set up. Just click on the icons in the task bar (your finger or the wireless mouse works fine) to switch to another prohgram. The 7" Samsung tablet is a good size for keeping an eye on VMSpc. It is simply a display for Windows 7 when you use the Splashtop app. The iPad can be used the same way using the AirDisplay app. It is a bigger screen. The connection between the pc and the tablets is done through your wifi network.

Works nice for me.

I attached a couple pictures including a sign on the front of my barn. The Old Hippie should appreciate it.

Roger

Re: Engine Diagnostics

Reply #11 – July 31, 2013, 08:18:21 pm

What year of motorhomes did the VMSpc become available in? I assume that the engine must be electronic and not mechanical...

Larry

Re: Engine Diagnostics

Reply #12 – July 31, 2013, 08:47:37 pm

Roger, we loved the picture and really had a laugh. I even had to re-tell a couple of my 60's stories.
Anyway, I really like your set up also. I even have a Galaxy tab that is not being used. I was worried the the VMSPC would not work with Android, but hey, if there is and app, why not.
What is the mount you are using?
So, onward through the fog..
OH

Re: Engine Diagnostics

Reply #13 – July 31, 2013, 10:04:59 pm

OTTF

Re: Engine Diagnostics

Reply #14 – July 31, 2013, 10:50:04 pm

Well we old hippies need to stick together. I used the following dash mount. It sticks to the surface of the dash right above the radio. It comes with adjustable grippers so that it will fit a tablet even with a case on it. There is enough adjustment so that either the Samsung 7" tablet or a full sized iPad will fit. Mine came from England in only a week or so.

Amazon.com: Multi-Surface Dash / Window / Desk Suction Mount for Samsung Galaxy

VMSpc runs on the Windows pc. There are apps for the android tablets (splashtop) or for the iPad (airdisplay). There are downloadable pc versions from each app manufacturer. You start the pc and VMSpc and then start splashtop on the pc as well. Once the tablet is running, you start the splashtop app. The pc and the tablet connect and the pc display shows up on the tablet. You need a wifi network in your coach. Any wireless router will do this. I have a Verizon MiFi device so that I can connect to the internet as well. The PC to tablet connection does not need the internet just the wifi network.

The Samsung tablet needs to be plugged in to a 12v source. It just doesn't have the battery to last for a whole day of driving. I set the PC to not shut the display off after a while or go into sleep mode when there is no user activity. There isn't any, VMSpc runs and the tablet shows the display.

I just didn't want a laptop or a netbook sitting on the dash. I originally was going to do something like Michelle did but the in-dash display and PC buried in the dash while really cool didn't leave me much early flexibility. I got my Samsung 7" tablet at Costco for only $115.00. The Asus PC was about $350. I may still add a color monitor in the dash when I replace the rear view camera. I think the tablet probably has a higher resolution display.

The VMSpc cable runs up behind the driver's side forward window shade trim and up through thr bottom of the cabinet above and back to the pc. I use a $20 Bestek surge protector with 6 110v outlets and 2 USB connectors for phones (5W) and 2 USB connectors for iPads (10W). I am going to add a small 12v cooling fan in the cabinet.

Hope this helps. Please ask questions if you need more answers.

Roger

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Re: Engine Diagnostics

Reply #15 – August 04, 2013, 11:36:15 pm

We took the leap.

Purchased the Silverleaf connecting hardware from rvupgrades, a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 and a Belkin N300 Wi-Fi Dual Band Range Extender from Best Buy. Installed VNC Viewer (downloaded for free) on the Lonovo G570 Laptop and purchased it from the Play Store for the Samsung Tab ($9.95). Also downloaded and installed the Silverleaf program on the laptop. My smart and computer savy DW, life partner and A** saver did her magic and everything is working so far. I will use a Dash mount for the tab (not purchased yet)and plug it into one of the 12v outlets using a 12v inverter, plug the laptop into the outlet by the driver's seat and the hardware into the laptop that will ride on the couch behind the driver's seat.

I think what we have accomplished with the help of a "Geek" from Best Buy and my A** saving DW is to run VMSpc on my laptop and through the VNC Viewer and Belkin (we created our own local network) and view the Mirrored image on the Samsung Tab which should show the VMC data displayed on my pc. At least I think that is what we did. Cost - a little less than $600.00 for everything.

Will wait for the hardware to get here and plug it all in. As much as I wanted to get rear camera, Javelina, RM 7720 and the VMSpc together

Will also post a pic of the dash when all done.

Re: Engine Diagnostics

Reply #16 – August 05, 2013, 08:45:37 am

Scott and Carol, you will like the VMSpc, I'm sure. Be sure you set your laptop to not sleep after a while and try to minimize the number of things that popup telling you to update this or that. I also allowed the pC to boot up without a logon. I have sat there for a while trying to get the tablet and pc to connect and then remembered to turn on the router for the wireless connection.

Experiment with the VMSpc layout and guages. It is entirely customizable. You can save several different layouts and use any one you want or switch between them depending on what you want to watch. The fuel usage is quite accurate. A fill up is usually within a few gallons of what it says. The difference is generator use and AquaHot.

Roger

Re: Engine Diagnostics

Reply #17 – August 05, 2013, 11:35:10 am

Thanks Roger- Having been on this forum for a little while, I had read about the VMS tool in various threads and soon realized that it would be a nice addition for my Ol' Girl. I did not get to see it or appreciate it until we met fellow forum members Dave and Nancy recently in Albuquerque. Dave has done wonderful electrical stuff with his coach and has been instrumental in helping me to make informed choices. So for me it is a challenge deciding what are the most important enhancements/upgrades without going overboard (easy for me - going overboard). I am starting to read the manual and will not be bashful when I find a question about the VMS system that I can't find the answer to or don't understand what's written.

Love this forum.

Re: Engine Diagnostics

Reply #18 – August 05, 2013, 11:51:18 am

When you first set up VMSpc, you can create a "simple gauge" for "Total Miles" and then compare the reading with your odometer. You can then use the VMSedit program to adjust the mileage calculation factor (multiplier) to whatever is needed to make the two mileages close to each other if they are off (tire wear, etc). I currently have my multiplier set to 1.00674 and that keeps the two readings very close together.

Re: Engine Diagnostics

Reply #19 – August 05, 2013, 06:11:48 pm

My odometer and VMSpc miles are off by about +400 VMSpc miles out of 54,000, almost the same difference factor as yours. But which one is more correct? I wonder why they would be different? What drives the dash display? I don't think it is a mechanical odometer. Souldn't they be the sme?

7 or 8 miles difference per thousand. This changes your MPG out in the 0.05 MPG range.

Roger

Re: Engine Diagnostics

Reply #20 – August 05, 2013, 06:36:13 pm

Quote from: Home2fromHastings – August 05, 2013, 06:11:48 pm

My odometer and VMSpc miles are off by about +400 VMSpc miles out of 54,000, almost the same difference factor as yours. But which one is more correct? I wonder why they would be different? What drives the dash display? I don't think it is a mechanical odometer. Souldn't they be the sme?

7 or 8 miles difference per thousand. This changes your MPG out in the 0.05 MPG range.

Roger

Well, I couldn't tell you which is the "correct-est" mileage. I think they could/should be the same, but they aren't...so the Cummins ECU must not be feeding the odometer directly...and we know it IS feeding the VMSpc directly. I haven't tested the mileage on the road to determine which is actually closest to the true mileage. The VMSpc folks have a forum and maybe that question has been asked and answered there. I'm sure that's where I learned how to do the multiplier adjustment.

Re: Engine Diagnostics

Reply #21 – August 05, 2013, 06:58:44 pm

So is mine. I think it is the testing they do at the factory making up the difference. They run the engine from time to time and it must add up.

Re: Engine Diagnostics

Reply #22 – August 05, 2013, 07:29:57 pm

My GPS and VMSpc are on total agreement on MPH and close enough on mileage. I pay closer attention to the MPH than the mileage.

Re: Engine Diagnostics

Reply #23 – August 05, 2013, 09:30:25 pm

Dave, we are talking miles since new.

Re: Engine Diagnostics

Reply #24 – August 05, 2013, 10:53:17 pm

My Garmin and VMSpc agree closely on MPH. They are usually a little bit higher than the speedometer. Makes me think that the VMSpc miles since new might be more accurate or at least the one to believe. I will check out the VMSpc forum for some more insight.

Roger

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