VMS monitoring system?

[Letsgoagain]

Good morning,
Our motorhome doesn't have a onboard computer for monitoring engine and transmission conditions. I have noticed through reading some of the posts in other forums that there is a unit called VMS that sounds just what I'm looking for. Does anyone here have this system and did you install it yourself and how do you like it? Any opinions you have on it and a place to find more informtion about it would be great.
Thank You

[Letsgoagain]

Good morning,
Our motorhome doesn't have a onboard computer for monitoring engine and transmission conditions. I have noticed through reading some of the posts in other forums that there is a unit called VMS that sounds just what I'm looking for. Does anyone here have this system and did you install it yourself and how do you like it? Any opinions you have on it and a place to find more informtion about it would be great.
Thank You

[dreamer]

Letsgoagain,

I have the VMSpc. It uses an interface via USB port to my laptop for motor and transmission data plus alot more. I think it was worth the money.

You can get more info here. Good luck.

dreamer.

[ronboc]

Hi letsgoagain -

(FYI, That's supposed to be "Two Thumbs Up" for the VMSpc)

I too didn't get the integrated Aladdin monitoring-system in my coach, and was bummed about it for awhile. Then I found the SilverLeaf VMSpc monitoring system interface and software. Everything I ever wanted and more. If the engine or tranny is sending out a parameter, the VMSpc can display it.

Another cool thing is you can customize it to show different parameters in different colors, types & sizes of readouts. I've had a blast just making this number light-blue and that one bigger and in red, and so on.

It's extremely versatile (once you get over the initial learning-hump) and, I dare-say, is more acurate than the dashboard gauges themselves. For instance, my temp-gauge quickly goes right at the top of the gauge, but the VMSpc (and a Cummins printout) tell me it's really at spec at about 180F.

I agree with Dreamer, very useful and money wellspent - especially if you like playing with gadgets

Oh, and the guys at SilverLeaf are very very patient with dumb questions... trust me.

Thanks!
Ron

[chasfm11]

I don't have a Monaco product but I just couldn't let this thread go by without adding my support for VMSpc.

I had a problem where flipping on the exhaust brake would immediately shutdown my engine. Of the hundreds of times that I have used the EB in 2.5 years, this problem only happened 6 times. But let me tell you what a thrill it is doing 50mph into a wall of brake lights on an expressway, flipping on the exhaust brake, loosing the engine and the power steering immediately and then trying to figure out what I was going to do.

How is VMSpc related? I had it running at the time of this faiure and it captured the fault codes (check engine light came on.) With that information and the help of a member of this forum, I was able to find Freightliner engineering change to deal with my situation (EB solenoid feedback into the ECM), put a $37 diode into the chassis harness and fix the problem. Without VMSpc, there is no telling how much money I would have spent letting the professionals replace parts and try to fix the problem. As far as I'm concerned, I paid for the package with that problem. I just took my package and plugged it into a friend's similar coach. He had an intermittent fault code, too, and we were able to capture it and allow him to finish a long trip that he was on. He'll be able to hone in on his problem and resolve it himself.

All of this is on top of the normal gauge monitoring. I really bought VMSpc to give me an easy way to look at turbo boost and monitor the health of my turbo. I've found the rolling MPG to also be useful in helping me to modify my driving habits for a more fuel efficient process. The tank monitoring is also great, based on the herky jerky response of the fuel gauge.

I'm just sorry that it took me so long to decide to buy it. It was a great investment.

Charlie

[Letsgoagain]

Hello all.
Thanks you guys for your replies. I love gadgets but it sounds to me that this is one that really is a very useful tool. I really like the ability to monitor temps especially because I don't have a tranny temp guage. Don't know why but HR decided not to put a guage in for that.
I think I'll go the route with the VMSpc version because of cost and I like the idea of using the laptop as the display. This should be a easy sell to the Mrs. because of the usefulness of it. Heck I think I just gave her an idea for a Christmas present.
Thanks again for your opinions and information.
Letsgoagain

[chasfm11]

Another thought: If you don't have a GPS already and you want a combined solution, consider running Street Atlas on the same laptop as VMSpc. It works fine (though you MUST follow the sequence of turning things on and plugging them in)

We run both and it works great. Our laptop is one of those 15" displays so with a little customization, VMSpc runs with SA side by side.

Another point: You can download VMSpc now. You are actually paying for the cables to hook it into your coach when you do buy it. The software is available, along the the user manual, from the SilverLeaf website.

[Richard and Babs and a Bob Tail Cat]

We replaced our MAG ID with the VMS II and are pleased with it. You can get laptop software or a stand alone system. We saved $100 by buying ours at RVupgradesstore.com over buying from Silverleaf direct.

[IronRick]

Hi All,

I don't have the VMX software yet, Heck I don't even have my coach yet but should within the next few months and I will be buying this setup however I will be running it on a Apple/Intel computer.

The software can be downloaded free from Silverleaf at http://www.silverleafelectronics.com/ as well as manuals.

There is also a link to a coach owners site which shows the integration of VMS as well as Gps Mapping software. It is located at http://www.silverleafelectronics.com/?q=node/31

Hope this helps.

Rick

[BIGRED1]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by chasfm11:
(though you MUST follow the sequence of turning things on and plugging them in)[QUOTE]

Can you plz share the proper sequence for this? I have both and haven't tried to run them both yet.

TIA!

[Letsgoagain]

Just wanted to say thanks for all the replies about the VMSpc. Its ordered and on the way, should be here Mon. or Tues. I still need to download the software onto the laptop and then set it up. Anybody have any helpful hints or things to look out for when I set up the unit, software and display? Can't wait for the first trip with it, won't have to wait long though. Off to Gatlinburg in two week.
Letsgoagain

[ronboc]

Glad you ordered it, won't be sorry.

I set mine up as a split-screen, with the VMS on the left 1/3 and the Map on the right 2/3. Also saw some other displays with the VMS along the top and a map below it. I think the SilverLeap website had some 'suggestions' as to how to configure your view, too.

I also played around with the colors, and set the important ones in yellow or red and the general-info ones in light blue and light green. I'm sure there's more to tweak in it, I just haven't had the time yet.

I'd post my display, but haven't a clue on how to capture the display to paste it here. Just have fun with yours!

[Jim&MaryJo]

Excuse my "some other brand; (SOB)" intrusion, bit I've been researching all VMSpc posts for ideas.

Got mine a month ago and really like it. Appreciate the ideas in this thread; thank you.

One tip is if you intend to use a USB port, get the serial/USB adaptor from Silverleaf. I wasted money on a cheaper unit, then bought a more expensive brand that worked (it must come with driver software, either packaged or downloadable and must be compatible).

I tried Microsoft Streets & Trips/06 ("MST" with the GPS sensor) and thought it was a great mapping product, but the navigation functionality was far les useful than my Garmin GPS.

I bought MST/07, which has a better receiver and a new "Nav Screen" and spoken directions. I thought it worked much better than 06 and the new Nav Screen is easier to use, but still not as good as a dedicated GPS and the sound volume is low and hard to hear. Still, not bad.

I also decided to get a new Fujitsu 9" LifeBook "tablet" laptop, which is very compact, has a swiveling display and a wireless HiFi card (for e-mail, banking, etc.).

Best of all, I can fold the laptop into a tablet and modfied a Ram Mount cradle that allows secure mounting of the display to the left of my dash. Expecting the final Ram Mount pieces today to complete the install.

Here's a pic of the laptop. If anyone's interested in the final mount effort, I'll post with the Ram Mount components.

[chasfm11]

Jim, there is a solution to your weak sound problem. I bought an FM wireless transmitter at Radio Shack (called an I-ROCK) for less than $30. I plug it into the headphone jack on the laptop and it transmits the output to the in-dash stereo.

En route, we play CDs and enjoy the music. When it looks like the turn is getting close (we keep the Next Turn display active on our Street Atlas), switching the CD player from CD to radio and have the FM wireless transmitter output frequence pre-tuned allows us to listen to the intructions. Since Street Atlas also responds to voice commands, I use a simple lapel mike to talk to it. This allows Street Altas to repeat any information that we might not understand initially.

I tried the top/bottom arrangement for VMS and the GPS program that your picture shows. I settled on a 1/3-2/3 side by side display. Since our chassis has more limited information than most, I was able to get all of the VMS gauges that I needed into the 1/3. It works fine.