Yahoo Message Number: 17682 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/17682)
Kary,
My Inspire #51008 has also experienced high transmission temperatures. I have taken it to the dealer on several occasions and had them take computer readings. No surprise to me when they reported 15 - 20 degrees difference between the port readings and the dash gage. Dealer pressured CC to replace the gage and sending unit located on the transmission. That was done several months past and helped but did not entirely solve the problem. CC tells me that 235 degree transmission temperature is not a problem. I have also been told that the sensor is located at the high fluid temperature point on the transmission. My CC data indicates that the transmission running temperature should be 195 degrees. Don't know who to beleive.
My question is about the silverleaf VMSpc program and how your computer is connected to the coach on-board computer? Also would like to know cost of the software?
Thanks,
Jon
Yahoo Message Number: 17684 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/17684)
Jon, the Silverleaf VMSpc software is free and available on the website. The $395 is for the conversion box and cables that interface to the personal computer so you can use the software. I downloaded the software and played with the guages that were available, the layouts that are possible, and the data logging capability (I read about) before buying. I found this to be a very useful tool from many perspectives particularly the data logging. You can continuously log any or all data points on a specified interval to a comma delimited flat file. This can be imported into Microsft Excel and analyzed via graphs to see trends or other relationships between data points. This is valuable when an issue arises and is hard to repeat later at the repair shop.
Regarding how to connect VMSpc, there is a 6 pin barrel connector under the the dash on the drivers left foot side that is tucked away.
All you need to do is connect the provided connector to it, that to the black box provided, and then connect the provided serial connector to you personal computer. Do some small configuration of the com ports for the serial port and you are in business. The documentation is pretty good for getting started and configuring.
Any other questions let me know.
Kary
05 Inspire #51499
Yahoo Message Number: 17685 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/17685)
I forgot to mention, tomorrow I am heading out on a trip to go car racing and will be towing about 7000 lbs into the high desert where the temperatures will be around 100 degrees plus or minus a few degrees. I will be running the silver leaf VMSpc in data logging mode as I did last weekend where those temperatures were in the middle 90's without a trailer in tow. Should be interesting to see how the engine and transmission temperatures are for the trip. I will report back when I look at the data next week.
Kary
05 Inspire
#51499
reported
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Yahoo Message Number: 17690 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/17690)
Kary,
Thanks for the information. I will try to locate the connector this weekend. I am very interested in the results of data from your trip this weekend.
Thanks,
Jon
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Yahoo Message Number: 17713 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/17713)
Found a wireless connection here at the race track but I will provide a basic update on the trip out here with more to follow when we return home.
The transmission and engine coolant temperature did pretty well. I was towing about 7000# with my weight distributing hitch set up recommended by CCI to solve my problems of tongue weight and it worked well so far. The Silverleaf VMSpc did well also. I have not charted the data put did look at the highs during the trip as it is easy to see the temps as I am driving. It ran at right around 200 high of 206 (hills in short bursts) with the engine coolant, and 201 with the transmission temps when cruising. The temperatures went up for both when we were trapped in traffic on two occassions. The first drove the engine/tranny temps to a high of 210 and 221. This delay was about 10 minutes roughly. Once we proceeded from the deadlock the temps came back to the cruising temps within about 3 miles. The second deadlock on the freeway was longer, about 40 minutes. This drove the engine/tranny temps to 215 and 238. Once we began driving again they came back to the cruising temps but it took much longer as the outside temperature was between 98 and 102. The other delay of traffic the temperature outside was about 82. Exiting the freeway at our destination after the high temps were at 201 and 212 for the engine and tranny respectively. Not bad considering the load, temperature outside, and delays sitting in traffic in the heat.
I will post some graphs of the trip out and back when I return home to provide other details.
I will say, I really like the VMSpc a lot! It does a great job and allows you to configure it anyway you like for whatever you want to see. Trouble shooting issues and zeroing in on issue is easy.
More later when we return home.
Kary & Carolyn
05 Inspire
#51499
Yahoo Message Number: 17714 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/17714)
Just a thought...I find that the temperature on my Cummins drops drastically when I can slow and idle in traffic. I'm attributing it to the correct setting on engine fan. If you are experiencing high temperatures at idle and stop and starts, you may have incorrect fan settings. I may be way off track but I'm assuming that the cooling system on your coach is more effective with higher rpm's and a higher volume of coolant going through the system. If so, your fan should bring the temperatures down on idle and stop and start if set correctly.
Larry
Intrigue
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