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Retard temps using silverleaf

As reported on the "what did you do to your coach today" post I now have a silverleaf installed.  My question is: what is retard temp and how high is too high?  I had the coach out yesterday and when using the retard temps went up to 180ish and transmission temp just stays right around 185. After retard is not used temp drops quickly to 94 or so. Thanks, David
David & Lou Ann Bouchard
Summer: Mount Vernon, Ohio
Winter: RiverBend Motorcoach Resort  LaBelle, Florida
2003 U320 38' Build #6174 "Willie"
2013 Cadillac SRX Toad
MC #17151 FMCA #F431393

Re: Retard temps using silverleaf

Reply #1 –
 Not sure on retard low temp but I know mine shows sometimes in the 200s if used heavy at times and I know Allison say around 300 for Tranny is tops so would assume that the retard can get up to close that.
I am sure George Hatfield would know. Me, although I am a retard still do not know my limits!!!
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Retard temps using silverleaf

Reply #2 –
David... there have been numerous threads on retard temp.  You can find more info on where the retarder temp sensor is located and why it reads different from the transmission from those posts...especially those from Gary Omel.
high transmission sump temperature?

We have a 2003 U295 so our setup is similar to yours.  Typically the retard temp runs about the same as the transmission temp when the retarder is not in use.  In fact all three (engine, trans and retard) will be within a degree or two when driving down the highway without the retarder in use.  When you use the retarder, its temp will increase almost instantly to 200 degrees or more.  If you are not careful it will hit 300 degrees very quickly on a long hill if you have not controlled your speed at the start of the decent.  I try to keep mine below 260 and I do this by slowing down and shifting down to increase RPM and cooling.  It does take some active management.  Knowing what I do now about retarder temps, I would not want to drive without Silverleaf!

I think there is something wrong with your readings.  You should never get a retarder temp of "95". The lowest it will get will be the same as your transmission since they share the same fluid when the retarder is not in use.  I suspect that the multiplier is not set correctly.  The value should be about twice of what you report.  Silverleaf should be able to help you get that set correctly.

Would like to know more about your screen setup. Is this from Silverleaf?
The selected media item is not currently available.
George Hatfield

  Never ever use World Line Motors of Nacogdoches for service!

Re: Retard temps using silverleaf

Reply #3 –
Quote from: George Hatfield –
Would like to know more about your screen setup. Is this from Silverleaf?

George, it's a VMS 440 CL (self-contained unit), not VMSPC

Quote from: Retired Navy Chief –
Got the Silverleaf VMS 440 CL mounted on the dash.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Retard temps using silverleaf

Reply #4 –
 I thought that all the temps should be almost same as mine are and forgot to mention what George said too.
I feel too that something is wrong with youe set up.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Retard temps using silverleaf

Reply #5 –
I will check it when I return home from a long week at a state park and post it.  David
David & Lou Ann Bouchard
Summer: Mount Vernon, Ohio
Winter: RiverBend Motorcoach Resort  LaBelle, Florida
2003 U320 38' Build #6174 "Willie"
2013 Cadillac SRX Toad
MC #17151 FMCA #F431393

Re: Retard temps using silverleaf

Reply #6 –
As mentioned before I am posting my latest results.  It is only 20 miles or so but there are some good hills, if the retard is not used your speed will gain quickly.  With the transmission temp hovering around 180 or so, outside temp was 85 and retard not activated at all retard temp red 98.  Upon descending hills using retard it quickly climbed to 169 and when released it dropped quickly to 114 and staked there until used again.  Previous posts mentioned the temps should be the same.  If that is the case then why is retard temp monitored?  I don't know just asking.  I will be at the FMCA GlamaRama this month and I heard a silverleaf tech is going to be there.  Any new ideas?  Thanks, David
David & Lou Ann Bouchard
Summer: Mount Vernon, Ohio
Winter: RiverBend Motorcoach Resort  LaBelle, Florida
2003 U320 38' Build #6174 "Willie"
2013 Cadillac SRX Toad
MC #17151 FMCA #F431393

Re: Retard temps using silverleaf

Reply #7 –
I have my retarder temp on the VMSpc, but a degree is a degree.  If your transmission is around 180 (normal), your retarder will be 180 until you use it.  It is the same fluid you are measuring, just from 2 different locations.  It will take your transmission some time to rise as the fluid circulates, both getting cooled and warming the fluid that was in the transmission.  My retarder goes up to 230-240 on moderate uses, and on serious uses, climbs fairly quickly to 260-270 degrees.  I am mindful to keep it below 300 degrees, altho I do have Transynd.    169 must not have the correct multiplier set...and I suspect more like 338 (2 x 169), as it sounds like your retarder temp when not in use, is about 1/2 what the fluid temp really is.   
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: Retard temps using silverleaf

Reply #8 –
 Brad has it about right. The reason we use retard temps is because that temp' rises a lot faster than the engine one when in use and has a sorta limit to let it get too. I have never seen it get to 270 even on hills like the Grapevine which I climb around 45+ mph all the way. I use Amsoil Torque Drive and it  runs a lot cooler than the Transynd stuff that used to be in it.
I too know that your multiplier is wrong David.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.