-
VMSpc saved the day
I have been running VMSpc on a small 10″ laptop for the last 6 years. It provides real-time DDEC parameter read outs, allows you to set up alarms and keeps track of max values during a run. I typically don’t pay much attention to the display unless an alarm goes off.
Last weekend, I started up the coach, checked the belts after air pressure was up and went on my way. Twenty minutes later, on a two lane mountain road my temperature alarm goes off (207 deg). I have never seen temperatures above 202 degrees before. Not good. I did just change the coolant – maybe an airlock. I get off the road as quickly as I can and check the engine. The fan is not turning. Then I see the ribbed belt laying next to the pulley. When I checked the belts I only looked the the three belts going to the fan gear but not the belt going from the fan gear to the hub. This was the first time that belt was thrown during start-up. Released air pressure, put belt back on hub and we were good to go.
I’m normally pretty good about scanning my analog gauges but this time I was focused on the twisty two lane highway. Sometimes it is good to have a backup.
-
10 Replies
-
What is the VMSpc? I replaced the check valve and regulator for belt tensioner and now my belts never get loose, before i start each day on trips I check the oil and look at sight glass on antifreeze and belts are always tight, 1 less thing to do.
-
-
Great product, I use it on mine
-
Did you buy the material from them for now advertised price of 3950?
Website says free download and trial of software.
3950 seems a high price for a harness and usb cable.
Please detail what you did and for connecting to system.
-
Check out BlueFire.com. I have used both…prefer Bluefire, primarily because it is a more flexible platform, supporting Apple iPad, pc windows machines, as well as android machines. Also utilizes Bluetooth; vmsPC was, for me (older coach w/6 pin diagnostic port), limited to wired application only. Lastly, BlueFire is substantially less cost (neighborhood of around $190 if memory serves) than the vmsPC hardware. There can be a considerable learning curve for both programs, depending on how computer savvy you happen to be.
The key for both systems, as far as I am concerned, is that they both give you the ability to see what data your DDEC is seeing and working with.
-
The hardware is over priced; I think that is how they get $ for their “free” software
-
Take a look at Scangauge, about 150 bucks, I’ve been using it for a couple years. I didn’t buy new, Buddy sold it to me and I paid over retail, but he was getting some upgrades at ETLC and was short on cash.
-
You can get the VMSpc hardware for around $320 on the web. Agree, still not cheap but it is a local OR company. Would be nice to have them stick around.
The newer Bluefire product looks interesting at about half the cost.
I think key for these diagnostic readers to be useful is that you can set acoustic alarms and log maximum or minimum values. You don’t want yet another gauge to watch like a hawk. There are enough distractions already.
-
I’m anti complexity and gadgetry as most know. For the life of me I am having a hard time coming up with information I need that is not already available on a gauge or warning light?
Before I get picked on however, understand that if I suspect something needs my attention or if I am questioning a gauge, I will hook up my DDEC V reader that I bought off ebay and I will know more than I ever wanted to know about what is going on with my engine (or transmission or ABS brakes).
When my original charge air cooler decided to leak I plugged in the reader and was able to not only see all other engine data points beside true boost pressure, I could see all the codes being generated in real time, in English.
We drove from Maine to Knoxville with the reader hooked up so I could ensure there were no other problems created by the failing CAC. But I definitely do not want to have the tons of data available to me all the time because it is a major distraction.
-
The BlueFire link is bluefire-llc.com
Log in to reply.