Road Relay Monitoring System

[lthrnk]

Does anybody use this monitoring system in their coaches? I have looked at the system and it would seem to be a very helpful tool, but at around $600.00 it might be questionable. Any feedback appreciated.

Mike

[lthrnk]

Does anybody use this monitoring system in their coaches? I have looked at the system and it would seem to be a very helpful tool, but at around $600.00 it might be questionable. Any feedback appreciated.

Mike

[SargeW]

Mike, I don't use the Road Relay system, but myself and several other members use a system called VMSpc, by a company named Silverleaf. They make a variety of different styles of monitoring systems. The pc version is just what it sounds like. A monitor system that runs on a pc in your coach. I run it in my Meridian and love it. It can be had for quite a bit less than the system you are talking about. Give them a look.

Sarge

[FleetMan]

The Road Relay System we used on our Cummins powered Class 8 tractors was far more than a monitoring system. It allowed setting performance parameters, tracking systems uses and things the average RVer would not normally need. As Sarge suggested, there may be less expensive options available to use for monitoring and system/component diagnosis.

[SargeW]

Mike, here is the system that I was refering to. I put in a 7" monitor to display the readout instead of using the wifes laptop that she runs GPS software on. The photo has a bit of glare due to the flash, but you get the idea.

[lthrnk]

Sarge,

Great idea to run the small monitor. Where did you get it and what is it? I spoke to a tech at Silverleaf and I have a couple of things going on with my system. My laptop is on Vista so needs a few adjustments with their system. My tranny is a 5 speed and they don't support that so no tranny info on the system. Great install with the smaller monitor. Does it require a 110 power source?

Thanks for the replies and info. Mike

[SargeW]

Hi Mike,

I got the monitor on line at a site named Logic Supply.com They had a variety of monitors in various sizes to choose from. The monitor is 12v powered so it's easy to install. If you do a search on IRV2 for VMS you will find a thread with pics about the install and hook up. It was about a year ago that I had put it in. The system has been great, and the Silver Leaf tech guys are very responsive to inquiry.

There are tweaks that Vista requires that they can walk you through. Thats why I have been determined to stay with XP as long as I can.

Let me know if you need any help with the install or hook up with another monitor.

Sarge

[Ed S]

Sarge,
Does your VMS run into your wifes laptop but displayed on the smaller monitor??

Sorry, I do not know much about this kind of stuff.

Thanks

Ed

[SargeW]

Yeah it does Ed. The laptop runs both programs easily. The GPS software takes the laptop screen and gives the wife full control of all of its functions. The VMSpc software runs in the background and displays on my 7" monitor. The only requirement is that we start the
GPS software first because it likes a certian port all the time. I start the VMSpc software second and it grabs whatever port is available.

The VMSpc software updates in realtime about every second, so all of your info is current. I love it to keep up on what that big diesel is doing 32' behind me. I will tell you though, it has made me a more conservative driver. When you can see the MPG esttimate on the screen, it really makes you back off and put the cruise control on!!

Sarge

[Ed S]

Thank you Sarge for the info. I now have the VMSpc on my wish list along with a whole bunch of other stuff.

Ed

[Sixpack98]

Sarge,
I have the same monitor as you do. Can you use the touchscreen to control VMSpc. I really like the ability to customize the screen. I have the Monaco Aladdin system but it is screen based and some of the items are minor (to me) and it would be nice to display just what I need and graph trends. Nice package. Would push a lot of us over if they integrated Tire SafeGuard which both of us have.

mark

[SargeW]

Hi Mark, I asked Silverleaf about using the touch screen when I first hooked up the monitor. They said that their program is not set up to use touch controls at this time, and that no plans to do so were on the horizon.

And, you actually reminded me that I posted a question on their web site in the VMSpc forum about the VMSpc software being able to display the TireSafe guard program. I just remembered that I had not gotten a reply. I think I will go check on it now.....

Sarge