VMSPC replacement option

[redbaron73]

I have been working on a way to replace the vmsPC software with a much more modern interface. Even though I can now run it on my android head unit (see picture), and do so split screen or full screen, this application is still poorly maintained and poorly written.

The basic interface is a serial port that you can query and get the data back, allowing full control. The data specs are all fully documented, it is just very time consuming to rewrite it all.

There must be a better way, and luckily I found it.

BlueFire makes a plug in for both the j1939 500k and the older j1939 as well as j1708. This replaces the silverleaf Jib with a bluetooth connection.

The dongle is available on amazon, here: https://amzn.to/2RzrXBB


The software runs on anything: android, iOS, or windows 10.

They fully publish the api, and the application software is open source. https://bluefire-llc.com

You can download the app for free and see that it is much better than vmsPC out of the box, and supports many features. I have mine on the way. I will post an update once I have it installed and running.

Sadly, I have already run the usb cable from the Jib to driver cabinet. The swear jar is full and I won't get those 7 hours of life back. Maybe I will find a need for a printer at my feet in the future, because nothing else needs usb-a these days!!!

[wishalls]

Following

[CaptainGizmo]

Whoa...this sounds almost too good to be true. I don’t understand all the technical terms and interfaces you mention, but I AM a tech-nut.

This sounds like all you have to do is plug a Bluetooth dongle into the RV’s port (is that empty?) and then run their app on a iPad and BAM...you’ve got a full-featured display of your engine/trip data?

[redbaron73]

Originally Posted by CaptainGizmo

Whoa...this sounds almost too good to be true. I don’t understand all the technical terms and interfaces you mention, but I AM a tech-nut.

This sounds like all you have to do is plug a Bluetooth dongle into the RV’s port (is that empty?) and then run their app on a iPad and BAM...you’ve got a full-featured display of your engine/trip data?

You got it!!

I think you need to hang around me so that you can translate my nerd speak more often!

[LabRat]

Cool find. Just downloaded the app to my iPhone, looks very interesting. Can't wait to read about how it works for you.

[turbopilot]

Originally Posted by CaptainGizmo

and then run their app on a iPad and BAM...you’ve got a full-featured display of your engine/trip data?

Not clear that is true. Can't find documentation about what data elements are available for display on the FreightLiner chassis.

Here is the list of SilverLeaf displayed parameters:

SilverLeaf Engine Parameters


INJ PRSR kPSI
INST MPG mpg
INTAKE degF
LOAD pct
ODOMETER miles
OIL PRESS psi
REAL MPG mpg
RECENT MPG mpg
RETARDER pct
SPEED mph
TACHOMETER rpms
TORQUE ftlb
TORQUE PCT pct
TRANS IN rpms
TRANS OUT rpms
TRANS TEMP degF
TURBO psi
TURBO RPMS rpms
VOLTAGE V dc
ACCEL POS pct
AMB TEMP degF
BAROMETER inHg
COOLANT degF
COOL LEVEL pct
CRANKCASE psi
CRUISE mph
DEF LEVEL pct
DEF TEMP defF
DPF INTAKE degF
DPF OUTLET degF
ECU TEMP degF
EGR TEMP degF
EXHAUST 1 degF
FAN SPEED pct
FAN STATE off/on
FUEL LEVEL pct
FUEL RATE mph
FUELMETER gals
HORSEPOWER hp
HOURMETER hrs
IDLE FUEL gals
IDLE HOURS hrs

[NealC]

Will I be able to steer your coach remotely?

[redbaron73]

Originally Posted by turbopilot

Not clear that is true. Can't find documentation about what data elements are available for display on the FreightLiner chassis.

Here is the list of SilverLeaf displayed parameters:

SilverLeaf Engine Parameters


INJ PRSRkPSI
INST MPGmpg
INTAKEdegF
LOADpct
ODOMETERmiles
OIL PRESSpsi
REAL MPGmpg
RECENT MPGmpg
RETARDERpct
SPEEDmph
TACHOMETERrpms
TORQUEftlb
TORQUEPCTpct
TRANS INrpms
TRANS OUTrpms
TRANS TEMPdegF
TURBOpsi
TURBO RPMSrpms
VOLTAGEV dc
ACCEL POSpct
AMB TEMPdegF
BAROMETERinHg
COOLANTdegF
COOL LEVELpct
CRANKCASEpsi
CRUISEmph
DEF LEVELpct
DEF TEMPdefF
DPF INTAKEdegF
DPF OUTLETdegF
ECU TEMPdegF
EGR TEMPdegF
EXHAUST 1degF
FAN SPEEDpct
FAN STATEoff/on
FUEL LEVELpct
FUEL RATEmph
FUELMETERgals
HORSEPOWER hp
HOURMETERhrs
IDLE FUELgals
IDLE HOURShrs

Download the app, it has a demo mode and is free. You can add all the same elements. It truly is a replacement.

As a bonus, the app is open source and can be easily enhanced.

[hayward3411]

Following

[redbaron73]

There are many codes on the bus, and even vmspc doesn't support all codes.

With both vmspc and bluefire you can manually define a guage data source. This means anything can be attached to a guage.

The bluefire supports round gauges as well as text. The vmspc support for round gauges has been a long time coming, and is still buggy.

Here is how you add custom data to the bluefire. We can even share dashboards and guage settings via the import/export feature!

[CaptainGizmo]

Originally Posted by redbaron73

You got it!!

I think you need to hang around me so that you can translate my nerd speak more often!

Although people already run away when my buddies and I break out the geek-speak! LOL

I really want to know more about the data port on the DS. If it's no more than an OBDII port, then this is a GREAT solution!

[CaptainGizmo]

So, help me out a bit more, RedBaron...

I only know the word "SilverLeaf" as the electronics interface that's available on 'OTHER' coaches, aka NOT the Dutch Star.

Correct?

So, did you purchase and install the SilverLeaf system which I'm guessing, plugs into the Allison trans?

I was kinda hoping that system was already in place. Booo, if not.

[Dynasty_09]

That might be a good replacement for my scangauge…

Following!

[redbaron73]

Originally Posted by CaptainGizmo

So, help me out a bit more, RedBaron...

I only know the word "SilverLeaf" as the electronics interface that's available on 'OTHER' coaches, aka NOT the Dutch Star.

Correct?

So, did you purchase and install the SilverLeaf system which I'm guessing, plugs into the Allison trans?

I was kinda hoping that system was already in place. Booo, if not.

The 2019 does have many silverleaf components installed from the factory, including an rv-c bus. The dsdp does not have a full silverleaf control, like the higher line coaches do. I am unclear what all the rv-c does in the dsdp.

The vmspc jib is a separate product that interfaces into the j1939 bus (think odb II in a normal vehicle) which is the chassis CAN network interface.

The vmspc jib converts J1939 CAN data to a usb serial port, and is used by the vmspc windows software.

It is the windows software that displays all of the gauge data from the J1939.

The software for vmspc is very buggy, and very finicky. It is common for people to have a dedicated tablet running windows 10 just for this software.

I have been on a mission to replace this software with something that would be better quality and not take up extra dash space.

I was able to get the software to be usable from my android device, but it doesn't remove the need for a windows pc and doesn't fix the clunky nature of the software.

Now with the discovery of this new software and tool, I can finally realize my goal.

The hardware ( https://amzn.to/2RzrXBB ) plugs into the port at the foot well of the driver side and uses bluetooth to transmit the CAN data.

For less than $200, it is the cheapest way to display this data.