I thought I would detail the capabilities of the the VMS unit.
https://www.rvupgradestore.com/Produc...nv_VMS2024.jpg Detail Info Here I just installed the unit in my M2. Unfortunately with a Magellan 7200 GPS on top of the dash, back up monitor on the dash and CB below the dash there was really no where to put it other than where the radio was. Since I don't use the radio it was no biggie for me to to yank it. I'll post some photos of the install on Monday. This weekend will be my first chance to use it, but I have had a chance to check out all of the features and it is very cool! I'll start with the drive button, hit it once you get the screen that is showing on the unit now, MPH, rolling MPG, torque & coolant temp. Hit the button again and you get another screen with different parameters showing such as horsepower, trans temp, boost, ect. and hit once more and you get a big clock in the center with parameters around it. The scan button runs through all of the parameters at a set speed, such as every 5 seconds a new screen pops up. (You adjust the scan speed to scroll faster or slower) The cool thing is that the unit has a feature that you can use to scan your motor and determine what sensors your motor can provide the unit and remove any parameters that are not used. I'll try to write down all of the parameters available on my motor this weekend, it has to be about 20 or so. Love the trip button! I don't know how many times I would have loved to have had info like gallons used. My GPS will tell me distance covered & distance to go, but the VMS will keep a history of that along with the date. Diag button which is the diagnostic button. Wish I had this for the last 6 months! I have had a pesky check engine light coming on and have had not clue what it was or how quick I needed to get it in for service. This button will show all issues the motor may encounter and keep a history (unless your mechanic erases all info like mine did!) Info button gives you a pre-flight check list which you can check off as you go through it, engine info, like serial number, total number of hours, and more, a maintenance manager which will warn you when you need to have a particular item services. Prog button is the programing button which allows you setup the unit with the info and display type that you want. Obviously the unit is not cheap, and Alan (DRFun) has found another unit called the Cantrak Unfortunately they do not detail exactly what the unit can do, it would seem (from the info I could gather) that it is basically a digital gauge display with diagnostic features. But don't know how many parameters it will display. Anyway I will post some more thoughts next week after I have had a chance to see it in action. |
Thanks for the details on the VMS, Bill! I look forward to the pictures and related "user experience" report.
You have to dig around a bit to get the specs on the CANtrak. Click on the GEM Software link on this page: https://www.cantrak-int.com/productdatasheets.html Here's brief summary of the CANtrak specs. I haven't purchased this unit but will share my thoughts if I do. DISPLAYED DATA IF RECEIVED FROM THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION ECU'S: ELECTRICAL Electrical Potential Battery Potential Switched Net Battery Current Alternator Potential Alternator Current FUEL Fuel Remaining Fuel Rate Instantaneous Fuel Economy Trip Fuel Economy Trip Fuel Trip Fuel Rate Total Fuel Used Fuel Leakage 1 Fuel Leakage 2 DISTANCE Distance Remaining Trip Distance Total Vehicle Distance PRESSURE Fuel Delivery Pressure Barometric Pressure Auxiliary Pressure 1 Boost Pressure Air Inlet Pressure Air Filter 1 Differential Pressure Injector Metering Rail 1 Pressure Injector Metering Rail 2 Pressure Coolant Pressure Engine Oil Pressure Transmission Oil Pressure Clutch Pressure Air Start Pressure Injection Control Pressure TEMPERATURE Engine Coolant Temp Engine Intercooler Temp Engine Oil Temperature 1 Transmission Oil Temperature Turbo Oil Temperature Fuel Temperature Intake Manifold 1 Temp Air Inlet Temp. Exhaust Gas Temp Auxiliary Temp 1 Engine ECU Temp Exhaust Gas Port 1 Temp Exhaust Gas Port 2 Temp Turbo 1 Compressor Inlet Temp PERCENTAGE Fuel Level Acceleration Position Throttle Position Engine Oil Level Coolant Level Estimated % Fan Speed Drivers Demand % Torque Actual Engine % Torque Torque Use at RPM SPEED Input Shaft Speed Output Shaft Speed Engine Speed Turbo 1 Speed Engine Desired Operating Speed Navigation Wheel based Vehicle Speed TIME Total Engine Hours Trip Engine Hours Service Hours MISC Torque Convertor Lock-Up Engaged Current Gear Selected Gear CANTX Disable FAULTS (SUSPECT PARAETER NUMBER) AVAILABLE WITH RELEVANT MESSAGE SUCH AS TOO HIGH/TOO LOW.) Engine coolant pressure Accelerator Pedal Position Engine Load Fuel pressure Fuel level Water in fuel Engine Oil level Engine Oil filter differential pressure Engine Oil pressure Boost Pressure Intake manifold temperature Air inlet pressure Barometric pressure Engine coolant Temperature Coolant level Transmission oil pressure Crankcase pressure Battery voltage - switched Battery voltage - actual Exhaust temperature Fuel temperature Engine oil temperature Transmission oil temperature Fuel rate Engine speed Total Engine hours Total Fuel used Auxiliary Temperature #1 Navigation Based Vehicle speed Engine speed sensor Timing Sensor ECU 8V DC Supply 5 Volt DC Supply Engine Fuel metering |
WOW!
I guess if you can live with out the preflight checklist you can save yourself about $1200. https://www.truckhome.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif |
WOW! Talk about comprehensive info-getters. Like Ed McMahon used to reply to Johnny's info-spiels; "EVERYTHING you wanna know about your truck, is in these boxes!!!" Anybody dare say, "Wrong, Diesel-breath"? I think not.....
Gary |
Hey Alan, you mentioned the unit was $400, did that include the GEM software?
Got to play around a little with the VMS last weekend and it is awesome to have all of that data available if you desire to monitor a certain aspect of the motor. Primarily I monitored HP, Torque, trans temp, coolant temp, and MPG. Love the trip info and now I can track MPG, this trip it was 8.6 I am adding some trim to the unit tonight and will take some photos of the install. |
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Are you talking about some SS trim like you did on the last one? If so it oughtta look good, as I thought it added a touch of class without being overdone. Looking forward to the pix..... Gary |
Should have clarified that, interior trim. I added a bunch more of the wood grain pieces that Freightliner left out. Really looks nice.
The unit on top of the dash is my Garmin StreetPilot 7200. Nice big screen. The VMS unit is next to the AC vent in the middle, perfect place for it. https://www.truckconversion.net/photopost...v_113_1370.jpg https://www.truckconversion.net/photopost...v_113_1366.jpg |
Looks good! A place for all, and all in place!
BTW, was the mileage improved? |
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BTW, thanks for sharing pics of your dash. What is the six-lobed knob below your backup monitor for? |
That is where I had my XM unit. I never used it, always monitor the CB.
I need to try to get that off very carefully with out ruining the dash in anyway. |
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I'll post a picture and initial impressions after I get it installed. |
Alan; Did you install the unit? If so, where did you purchase it? How was it programed for your particular truck?
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Hi TrainMan:
Yes, I installed the unit. More details are on the CANtrak web site: CANtrak GEM It simply plugs into the J1939 engine diagnostic plug under the dash and monitors the existing data on the CAN bus (Controller Area Network) -- there's no special programming for the truck per se. I purchased the unit and cable from Metro Diesel Supply. |
Thanks Alan,
Ron |
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