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Howard Leap · 07-24-2007, 08:26 AM

OK....

2007 Holiday Rambler 40' PDQ with 400 ISL Cummins Engine (~ 4500 miles)

This is a picture of my instrument cluster during normal operating conditions driving at highway speeds. This is where my gauges read and stay after a normal warmup period. My concern is with the Oil Pressure and Water Temperature gauges. I have called Monaco Tech Support about this and they seemed rather unconcerned but I must admit it bugs the heck out of me every time I look at them. The Tech at Monaco asked if that's where they normally reside and I told him that yes, under normal operating conditions, they stay right there. He said that they were OK and if I had any engine problems with Low Oil Pressure or High Water Temperature the onboard computer would shut the engine down. I asked if there was anyway to reset the gauges and what would the normal readings be. He said the problem was that the same gauge package is used on many Monaco Motorhomes with different engines and that they read differently on every engine based on type of engine, sensors used, etc. The 4500 miles that I have driven are mostly on flat terrain except for one trip to the Texas Hill Country.

Is there anyway to tweak these gauges (short of bending the needles

)? I have been thinking of getting a Silverleaf system just for the peace of mind. OR am I getting stressed out over nothing?

Howard Leap · 07-24-2007, 08:26 AM

OK....

2007 Holiday Rambler 40' PDQ with 400 ISL Cummins Engine (~ 4500 miles)

This is a picture of my instrument cluster during normal operating conditions driving at highway speeds. This is where my gauges read and stay after a normal warmup period. My concern is with the Oil Pressure and Water Temperature gauges. I have called Monaco Tech Support about this and they seemed rather unconcerned but I must admit it bugs the heck out of me every time I look at them. The Tech at Monaco asked if that's where they normally reside and I told him that yes, under normal operating conditions, they stay right there. He said that they were OK and if I had any engine problems with Low Oil Pressure or High Water Temperature the onboard computer would shut the engine down. I asked if there was anyway to reset the gauges and what would the normal readings be. He said the problem was that the same gauge package is used on many Monaco Motorhomes with different engines and that they read differently on every engine based on type of engine, sensors used, etc. The 4500 miles that I have driven are mostly on flat terrain except for one trip to the Texas Hill Country.

Is there anyway to tweak these gauges (short of bending the needles

)? I have been thinking of getting a Silverleaf system just for the peace of mind. OR am I getting stressed out over nothing?

Flyer · 07-24-2007, 08:47 AM

Howard
This is the way my gauges read. The tech is right about the computer electronics protecting your engine. The gauges bug me, too, but I have the Silverleaf VSPc program where I can see exactly what the numbers are. I can't see those guages the way I sit in the drivers seat and have the steering wheel adjusted anyway. Hope this helps.

PS I have the twin of your dog, a border collie named Lucky. Short movie.
http://movies.island-escape.com/lucky.wmv

WayneLee · 07-24-2007, 09:27 AM

Howard: Now, I don't feel bad about mine. Same year, same model, same engine, and my gauges read the exact same as yours. Except my fuel gauge reads more!

nutensteve · 07-24-2007, 03:24 PM

Add me to the guages read low list. I was worried also until I monitored pressures and temps from my Aladdin system. My oil pressure reads between 55 & 58 @ hwy speeds, that sounds about right. Temps seem to be normal also ranging from 180's on the flat to around 198 on grades. It is a shame that the dash guages aren't more accurate

ronboc · 07-24-2007, 03:44 PM

Yup, just about what I see - except my ABS and ATC lites are usually on (...nope, they're off now... ahhh, they're on ... now off... on ...off ...).

Anyways, I had the same concerns, heard the same responses, had the same fix-it thoughts, and finally gave up like everyone else when I saw the VMSpc gave more-reasonable readings than the dash-gauges.

Also heard the same from Cummins about the engine-monitor being smarter than the gauge-makers and got it in writing, so if they're not concerned about temps/pressures then I ain't either! (til warranty runs out, that is).

I did dig around behind the dash awhile back to see if there was a way to offset the gauge-readings, but it looks like they're just 'dumb' readouts with no adjustment. I'd guess you'd have to change sensors to get a change in the reading. Also thought about building simple amplifier or resistor circuits to tweak the input to the gauges, but decided I was too lazy.

You mentioned the possibility of a Silverleaf/VMSpc, I'd heartily recommend it. Great value (and peace-of-mind) for the money.

Howard Leap · 07-24-2007, 05:17 PM

I feel much better now !

I wish I had posted this earlier. I was worried about this all the way to Florida and back. I thought for sure that any second my Oil Pressure would drop to zero and I would burn up the engine.

Surely Monaco gets call about this all the time, especially from new owners. You would think they would resolve the problem and save themselves and their customers the aggrivation.

Now I can concentrate on bigger issues like what to do with that %#$* Magnadyne DVD player that doesn't work worth a darn!

P.S. Flyer....We have had a lifetime of Border Collies (38 years+) . I can't tell you how much joy they bring into our life. I do believe they keep us young, They are so smart you have to keep one step ahead of them. A laugh a minute.

MonacoMama · 07-24-2007, 05:41 PM

Hey Howard...
How were you able to drive 55 MPH AND take that picture? Are you one of those people who steer with their knees!??

Robin_M · 07-24-2007, 07:24 PM

Mama,

That would be pretty hard to do, not to mention unsafe. My guess is that Casper was doing the driving while Howard stood behind and snapped the picture.

MonacoMama · 07-24-2007, 07:56 PM

Rob... Smart @$$ !!! Good One!!!

digNbubbs · 07-24-2007, 08:06 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by nutensteve:
Add me to the guages read low list. I was worried also until I monitored pressures and temps from my Aladdin system. My oil pressure reads between 55 & 58 @ hwy speeds, that sounds about right. Temps seem to be normal also ranging from 180's on the flat to around 198 on grades. It is a shame that the dash guages aren't more accurate </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I learned to do the same - monitor the Aladdin system periodically, and a bit more when climbing hills (if the Sierras and Rockies can be called "hills"

). The only thing that concerns me with doing it that way is that I know the digital speedometer is off by a bit, so a guy has to wonder what else on that display is also not accurate. Hopefully it is just the speed

--kev

Howard Leap · 07-25-2007, 05:01 AM

Well for those of you with inquiring minds... Yes, Casper was driving. Andy is the passenger.

And, of course, after a long drive they need to get the appropriate amount of rest.

Sixpack98 · 07-25-2007, 06:52 AM

My guages read very close to the picture. I added a second monitor for the rear view and keep the Aladdin screen up to track the environmentals which I think are very accurate. I don't think Monaco put much engineering or reengineering effort into the accuracy of the analog guages and the techs yawn when I bring up the subject. It would be nice to be able to do a quick scan of the guages. It's much easier to catch trends with an analog guage

digNbubbs · 07-25-2007, 08:24 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Sixpack98:
My guages read very close to the picture. I added a second monitor for the rear view and keep the Aladdin screen up to track the environmentals which I think are very accurate.... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Where did you mount the aux monitor? I have been thinking of doing the same, as I have a spare 7" monitor.

--kev