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Topic: BlueFire Engine/Trans Data Adapter | REF: Bluefire monitoring for Ipad (Read 889 times) previous topic - next topic

BlueFire Engine/Trans Data Adapter | REF: Bluefire monitoring for Ipad

Santa was kind enough to drop the BlueFire Data Adapter into my stocking this year although I'm not sure a piece of coal would have been just as good.  Strange that I got anything in the stocking since we don't have a fireplace in the rig to hang stockings.  That said, after climbing the steep learning curve I was able to design a dash (see pictures).  The gauges look ok, but on the drive from El Paso to California I found myself looking at the numbers more than the gauges themselves.  The adapter is showing me new stuff — retarder temp, intake air temp, engine load, engine torque, driver torque, turbo pressure, trans current gear and selected gear, fuel inst econ, avg econ.  However, I'm not getting any readings for retard load, engine exhaust temp, fan speed, air tank pressures, coolant pressure, fuel level, brake pressure, and coolant level.  Why is important that I know the torque values?  The one item I looking forward to knowing was the exhaust temps and it's not there. The Driver Info Center displays some of these readings, i.e., fuel level percentage, air tank pressures, fuel mile per gallon on trips.  Another thing, the adapter blue tooth connection dropped several times, but was better than I had expected.  My take — the adapter is not quite ready for primetime. 
David & Sherry Kendrick
"Gizmo" The Doggy Lama
USAF(Ret) 1971-75; 1979-95 (20 yrs)
2003 U320 F03 [6179] 38PBDS (3/2016)
2016 Chev Silverado Z71 LTZ
Motorcade 17738
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New Horizons 5W 25' RKS (1/2004 - 3/2016)
2003 Chev Silverado 2500HD Duramax
Tent (5-person) White Stag (1972 - 2003)

Re: BlueFire Engine/Trans Data Adapter | REF: Bluefire monitoring for Ipad

Reply #1 –
The engine ecm does not provide those values. They are all chassis related.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: BlueFire Engine/Trans Data Adapter | REF: Bluefire monitoring for Ipad

Reply #2 –
David I too have the Bluefire and plan to by a setup from Roger (silver leaf) once they support apple ipads. You are getting more than I am. I would of liked gear position, have the spot but no info. I do like the fuel used and fuel remaining DTE and it is real close to my coach. I can't get fuel economy Active but is available on the fuel reset page. Too much time setting up for me. I wouldn't recommend or repurchase. Egt would be nice but not supported. All trails lead back to Roger IMO. Fortunately I'm not out any cash out of pocket for it. Perfect attendance bonus money being gone for the last nine months. Crazy world we live in. One plus side it did record a weird trouble fault that put the coach in limp mode and I was able to reset code with it. All I got for now but not forever.
Scott

Re: BlueFire Engine/Trans Data Adapter | REF: Bluefire monitoring for Ipad

Reply #3 –
Scott, if you are waiting for VMSpc to run on an iPad, don't. There are no plans, never have been to get it to run on an iPad or and other apple or android devices either.  If you want to use your iPad as a display that is easy. But you still have to run VMSpc on a windows computer.  I have small fanless, all solid state pcs that can use the iPad or any android tablet as a display or any HDMI monitor as a display.  It is a bit more complicated than just using a dedicated PC for this task, you need a wifi router.  And it is more expensive.  The dedicated PC is more reliable too.

If it takes more than a fraction of a second glance at a screen to know that all critical systems are good to go then you're compromising safety.

Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: BlueFire Engine/Trans Data Adapter | REF: Bluefire monitoring for Ipad

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 –
Scott, if you are waiting for VMSpc to run on an iPad, don't. There are no plans, never have been to get it to run on an iPad or and other apple or android devices either.  If you want to use your iPad as a display that is easy. But you still have to run VMSpc on a windows computer.  I have small fanless, all solid state pcs that can use the iPad or any android tablet as a display or any HDMI monitor as a display.  It is a bit more complicated than just using a dedicated PC for this task, you need a wifi router.  And it is more expensive.  The dedicated PC is more reliable too.

If it takes more than a fraction of a second glance at a screen to know that all critical systems are good to go then you're compromising safety.


Okay I'll start saving funds towards a compleat stand alone dedicated system. After the Art project for my brother is finished I can get back to the regular Foretravel Distractions I enjoy.
Scott

Re: BlueFire Engine/Trans Data Adapter | REF: Bluefire monitoring for Ipad

Reply #5 –
Vmspc and Bluefire both report the exact same data from your ecm. For example our transmissions typically only report current gear or selected gear, not both. If your ecm isn't reporting it to Bluefire, you won't have it on vmspc either.  With the exception of a few calculated fields that may be different,  like estimated torque that vmspc does provide. But it's only an estimate, based on other data. Both calculate estimated fuel remaining very well.  I've had very good luck with the bluefire and will be selling my vmspc if I ever get around to uninstalling it.

Re: BlueFire Engine/Trans Data Adapter | REF: Bluefire monitoring for Ipad

Reply #6 –
The only problem I have with BlueFire is the waste of real estate on the screen with the analogue gauges. Better to mix the two types with user defined limits. Here is something like what I would like to see with BlueFire. No need for all the cylinders but you can get the idea. The last photo shows the size and actual operation.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)