Silverleaf Glass Dash

Topic: Silverleaf Glass Dash (Read 2822 times) previous topic - next topic - Topic derived from 2001 Cummins oil pres...

Re: Silverleaf Glass Dash

Reply #25 – September 22, 2015, 08:24:49 pm

Ours is a 1995 and so I don't fully understand your gauge situation. Wouldn't it be possible for you to replace your bad gauge with one directly wired to the appropriate sender on the engine?

Re: Silverleaf Glass Dash

Reply #26 – September 22, 2015, 08:28:07 pm

Unlike Brad, I don't think there will be a "next coach"

I do like his brother Dave. I keep tweaking this one.

I have to look at that Dashboard for hours at a time. Seems like five grand to make me feel good isn't too bad a deal. Especially if it keeps me from dropping an extra 150 thousand to upgrade to a newer coach!

your mileage may vary.

Re: Silverleaf Glass Dash

Reply #27 – September 22, 2015, 08:31:08 pm

I am with you on this Tim.

Re: Silverleaf Glass Dash

Reply #28 – September 22, 2015, 08:35:21 pm

After I got our VMS 240 CL on the dash right in front of me I never paid much attention to the gauges.

See the last photo on this page:

http://lazydazers.com/index.cfm?fa=ShowItem&ID=3539

best, paul

Re: Silverleaf Glass Dash

Reply #29 – September 22, 2015, 08:51:16 pm

My coach has a built in dedicated PC and a secure internal network connecting the hardware half of the VMSpc wirelessly to a tablet as a monitor (as well as a printer, a fax machine and copier and 1Tb attached storage.) I too expect this to be my last coach but the next owner will get way more capability than when I bought it. I expect that even with any failed gauges this will only enhance value to the next owner as will most of the upgrades we have done. In the mean time they are all ours to enjoy and derive benefit.

Re: Silverleaf Glass Dash

Reply #30 – September 22, 2015, 10:25:41 pm

DJ,
Yes I could do that and there were extra wires installed at build, but that is not the only gauge failure that I have so before I lose any more I am looking at getting away from the SW system completely.
Brian.

Re: Silverleaf Glass Dash

Reply #31 – September 23, 2015, 06:25:00 am

My next gauge that goes out means a glass dash goes in.

Re: Silverleaf Glass Dash

Reply #32 – September 23, 2015, 07:07:51 am

Quote from: speedbird1 – September 22, 2015, 10:25:41 pm

DJ,
Yes I could do that and there were extra wires installed at build, but that is not the only gauge failure that I have so before I lose any more I am looking at getting away from the SW system completely.

I realize that I am somewhat old fashioned, but I tend to look at things from a different perspective. If I had a proprietary system that had failed and was no longer supported I would be somewhat reluctant to replace it with yet another proprietary system that may or may not be supported in the years ahead. Besides, I really appreciate the value of individual gauges that can be individually replaced if needed, and (being somewhat old fashioned) I tend to prefer the look of a traditional panel with individual gauges.

Re: Silverleaf Glass Dash

Reply #33 – September 23, 2015, 08:58:59 am

David, I have wonderd about what the gray/blue boxes actually do. Since both of my air pressure gauges failed at the same time there was little chance that both of the transducers or both sets of wires or both gauges or any combination failed at the same time. So it has to be the box. Transducers usually are variable resistance devices. You put a constant voltage (that may be what the colored boxes do) to the transducer and it returns something between zero and the max voltage. That voltage or something proportional causes the gauge to move.

The boxes probably supply a regulated voltage, maybe adjust the return signal to sent to the physical gauge and monitor for low signals to turn on the annunciator. With the air pressure gauges disconnected it caused the annunciator to ding for two days before I found the noise maker and disconnected to.

It would be nice to make the keep the gauges functioning. FT couldn't tell me what the box did in any detail and said replacements were unavailable. Search on the internet turned up nothing. Finding a replacement box would likely just delay another failure.

My tablet display is centered on the top edge of the dash and the radio. It is quite a bit higher than the actual dash. It is very much more readable. I have all of the critical stuff clustered together with idiot lights. A quick glance and I can see that I am good to go.

While it might look pretty neat, having something where the dash gauges are now for me would be harder to keep an eye on than my tablet is now. But it would be interesting to try.

Yes, the engine hours are correct and the total fuel is not. The is particular version of VMSpc and the ISM11 are a bit goofy for that reading. Art from Silverleaf has suggested a fix that I am implementing. 70,000 miles, a milestone.

Re: Silverleaf Glass Dash

Reply #34 – September 23, 2015, 09:05:49 am

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 – September 23, 2015, 08:58:59 am

It would be nice to make the keep the gauges functioning. FT couldn't tell me what the box did in any detail and said replacements were unavailable. Search on the internet turned up nothing. Finding a replacement box would likely just delay another failure.

My tablet display is centered on the top edge of the dash and the radio. It is quite a bit higher than the actual dash. It is very much more readable. I have all of the critical stuff clustered together with idiot lights. A quick glance and I can see that I am good to go.

To me the "best of both worlds" is to have individual gauges connected directly to their sending units and a separate VMSpc display providing additional information. If I had a model with the failing "box" that's the approach I would take.

Re: Silverleaf Glass Dash

Reply #35 – September 23, 2015, 09:33:07 am

I love my Silverleaf. It is easier to read then the dash gauges.

Re: Silverleaf Glass Dash

Reply #36 – September 23, 2015, 11:44:21 am

My poor mans version of the Silverleaf Glass Dash. Can't go without it.

Re: Silverleaf Glass Dash

Reply #37 – September 23, 2015, 01:09:01 pm

Old Hippie,
That is a neat way of mounting the tablet and I may have to have a rethink of changing to the complete glass set-up??
What sort of tablet is that and how is it attached??
And of course what did the complete set up cost, and time taken to do it, if you don't mind sharing.
Brian.

Re: Silverleaf Glass Dash

Reply #38 – September 23, 2015, 02:08:25 pm

Brian,

Here is my post from two years ago.
VMSpc

My ASUS PC has HDMI output USB2 and USB3 ports. That exact model is no longer available but newer ones are as well as other brands. I like Intel's NUC micro computers too. Not much more $ for a really high performer. Although the ASUS is plenty capable and works well for movies on the big screen.

ASUS was about $370 including more RAM. Samsung tablet was $115. VMSpc hardware was about $275 as I recall. Tablet mount was about $35. All in for about $800. My 7" tablet is working well. It seems like a good size for me, easy to see without being in the way. I like not having to look off the road very much to check it.

Re: Silverleaf Glass Dash

Reply #39 – September 24, 2015, 09:36:34 am

Roger,

Was just curious, according to your screen shot, you have been doing 1034.7 mph. What tires are you using when the coach actually touches the ground?

Like the setup, will be looking at it for our rig this winter probably.

Larry

Re: Silverleaf Glass Dash

Reply #40 – September 24, 2015, 10:12:37 am

This baby really files. Talk about blowing by other drivers.

Two things are going on here. When my engine was rebuilt Cummins put in a new ECM. That set everything back to zero.

In VMSpc I had to put in offsets for the total total fuel used and the total miles to keep things consistant. Nothing changed in the ECM. I left the total hours alone. So (miles since the rebuild + the offset ) / actual hours gives me thousands of miles per hour.

I use one trip for since day one, the othe one for trip segments, That one shows a reasonable avg MPH.

The other thing is that last winter (before engine rebuild) my total fuel started jumping all over. When I start VMPpc up it reads correctly. Then it gets erratic. That goofs up everything that depends on fuel use. Worst for me was fuel remaining and miles till empty.

I have been working with Art Renda at Silverleaf on this. He said that the version 3.1 build 3 had some fixes in it to adjust for ISL engines fuel use reading thepat were very slow and this fix caused other engins like mine to become erratic or hyperactive readinf ful use. The ECM reads it fine and keeps track of it correctly.

So ths fix is to go back to version 2.5 build 10c. I have both installed now and am testing the prior one.

The latest version is 4 something. If you switch you have to rebuild your displays.

v2.5b10c available here:
http://silverleafelectronics.com/sites/silverleafelectronics.com/files/Distribution_Disk_VMSpc_v2.5b10c.zip

NOTE: During the instqll process, when it prompts you its about to install into c:\VMSPC --append that to c:\VMSpc_2.5

Re: Silverleaf Glass Dash

Reply #41 – October 24, 2015, 09:16:38 pm

We just returned from our trip to Silverleaf in Albany, OR, where were were fitted with a complete new glass panel in place of the failing Stewart Warner system. It took Dale Kempner 6hrs to do the complete job including tire pressure monitors.
I took a shot of the panel on the way home today, attached.
The guys at Silverleaf are extemly knowledgable regarding the various coach diesel engines and the computer programs that they operate with. Far beyond my pay grade!!
Should you ever go and visit them your "Bitching Betty" GPS will tell you to turn one building too soon. Go as far as 25th Street, Silverleaf is on the corner hidden in the bushes, turn Right and go behind the buliding which is not too impressive, but the service we got was excellent.
Brian.

Re: Silverleaf Glass Dash

Reply #42 – October 25, 2015, 06:54:12 am

See the need to rethink the glass dash thing.

Re: Silverleaf Glass Dash

Reply #43 – October 25, 2015, 06:55:50 am

That is a great setup.

Re: Silverleaf Glass Dash

Reply #44 – October 25, 2015, 11:32:55 am

John,

Not to stir the pot any, but that is the same dash as yours!

(and Dave's)

Trent

Re: Silverleaf Glass Dash

Reply #45 – October 25, 2015, 12:58:45 pm

Respecting your privacy, when you get a moment, hopefully you'd feel OK with sharing the approx. cost of this conversion to the forum?

Re: Silverleaf Glass Dash

Reply #46 – October 25, 2015, 01:25:59 pm

OH NO.. That is one great setup. And we are going right past Silverleaf this summer.. Toys are important.. We have a silverleaf on a computer, but going too have to talk Carol into a new set up..

Thanks..

Re: Silverleaf Glass Dash

Reply #47 – October 25, 2015, 02:49:13 pm

john, maybe we can get a better price if we both go at the same time for our "glass dash" upgrade. :-)

Hmmm Wonder about a windows tablet (big) using silver leaf and covering up the analog gauges, keeping idiot lights and such in view below? Would be REAL cheap. My video upgrade covers the whole from the Javelina green screen just right, looks good, and didn't mess with or lose the luminescent panel. Maybe similar with windows tablet at around $900?

I need the glass dash...... OK, want....strongly

Looks great and congratulations! My understanding is they will come to you and install as well, not sure re any price delta for valet service

Re: Silverleaf Glass Dash

Reply #48 – October 25, 2015, 02:50:51 pm

Great upgrade!
I wonder how they are reading Air Pressure on this one?

Re: Silverleaf Glass Dash

Reply #49 – October 25, 2015, 03:29:55 pm

Tim,

The glass dash may not be as simple for our 2000 model Foretravels. I talked to someone at Foretravel earlier this year to inquire about adding the glass dash to mine. (I called them because they are listed as an authorized Silverleaf dealer, IIRC.)

Again, IIRC, FT had only added glass dash to one FT at the time, and it was a much newer model. Their estimate was about $6000, IF IT COULD BE DONE.

Part of the problem stems from our luminescent panels. On the 2001 model pictured, they have a single arch over the center section. On ours, we have a much longer arch, over three luminescent panels. It is cutting into the luminescent panels that causes the problem. Not knowing much about them, it seems like it *should* be possible to cut out the center section -- they already have several cutouts for the gauges -- but I do not know. It is also *possible* that some of the later models have more data available than the 2000's but I am not sure.

The price tag plus inability to determine if it was even feasible, led me to drop the subject.

Now that I have seen how great the completed product looks on Brian's Foretravel, I will revisit the possibility. It would look cool if we could keep the blue (lit) lines around all three panels with the glass dash in the center. Might even keep the idiot lights, as someone suggested. (Something has to be done about that annunciator as part of the project; just too much noise for a turn signal!)

But first, I will look harder into VMSpc on a tablet/notebook, similar to Roger's. That would leave me at least five coach bucks to spend on other fun (or needed) things.

Hope I have given you (and others) more to consider for this project.

Trent

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