Computer for Silverleaf VmsPC?

Busted Knuckle · November 25, 2009, 08:00:01 AM

Quote from: rv_safetyman
BK, recall that I have you on the ignore list because of your snide comments about Sonnie dragging me to Quartzsite
Jim

I merely was trying to offer assistance! (Honest! Shoot I like Detroits too, at least I hope I do! (5) 60 Series, (2) 8V92 DDEC's, & (1) 6V92 MUI)

Quote from: rv_safetyman
Also recall that Santa only brings presents to the kids on the nice list
Jim

I been really, really good I promise just ask Sonnie & Don! (not Cody, or my Sister they are jealous of me!

)

BK

belfert · November 25, 2009, 08:38:05 AM

My plan right now is to get a netbook and external monitor to run this on. There is an online deal Friday morning where I hope to get a netbook cheap. If not, they aren't that expensive.

Yes, one can use a cheap old ued laptop, but they are bigger and one could get stuck with a lemon.

belfert · November 27, 2009, 08:54:32 AM

I was able to get really good deal on a Netbook through a Black Friday sale at Newegg. $190 total including shipping. This has the larger 6 cell battery, but I will be using the AC adapter most of the time anyhow. Now, any deals on the Silverleaf VMSpc?

Busted Knuckle · November 27, 2009, 09:35:41 AM

Quote from: belfert on November 27, 2009, 08:54:32 AM
I was able to get really good deal on a Netbook through a Black Friday sale at Newegg. $190 total including shipping. This has the larger 6 cell battery, but I will be using the AC adapter most of the time anyhow. Now, any deals on the Silverleaf VMSpc?

Call Jim and see if he's having a Black Friday ~~Blow out~~ opps Sale (since blow out and bus should not be used in the same sentence!

)

BK

belfert · November 28, 2009, 03:58:53 PM

I am a little upset with myself. I was looking Friday morning for a 15" LCD monitor on Craigslist to display my future VMSpc on.

Later in the day Friday I had to help with cleaning out old electronics at work again. I realized I had thrown a working 15" LCD monitor in the recyling dumpster earlier in the week. I pulled it out, but it was wrecked with a large scratch. I could have had a free monitor!

John316 · November 28, 2009, 04:33:47 PM

Jim,

How does the Silverleaf connect to the engine computer? Is it the diagnostic plug up front? Does it come with the connectors?

Thanks...You might have another sale...soon

God bless,

John

Sean · November 28, 2009, 04:37:42 PM

Quote from: belfert on November 27, 2009, 08:54:32 AM
I was able to get really good deal on a Netbook through a Black Friday sale at Newegg. ...

If your plan is to mount a whole netbook (or any other general-purpose computer, complete with keyboard or mouse) near the driver area, make sure you either stay out of California, or have the machine disconnected and out of reach of the driver and co-pilot when you enter the state...

For anyone who has just a screen mounted in the driver area, with the controls elsewhere, I strongly recommend maximizing the VMS window (or filling the whole display with a split screen of VMS and your favorite map display, as Jim does), then "hiding" the Windows task bar so that it is not obvious the display is connected to a general purpose computer.

Outside of "authorized emergency vehicles" including law enforcement and fire apparatus, it is illegal to have a computer display anywhere in view of the driver or accessible either to the driver or front seat passengers anywhere in the state. I suspect this may be true in a handful of other jurisdictions as well, but I am only positive about CA.

There is no exemption for mapping or engine management applications, unless they are on a dedicated device like a GPS or engine monitor (and not merely a window on a general-purpose computer).

FWIW.

-Sean
http://OurOdyssey.BlogSpot.com

belfert · November 28, 2009, 05:50:42 PM

I'm planning to put the netbook on a sliding tray that goes into the dash so the Netbook is out of sight. The only time it should have to come out is to power on or power off. The display will be on an external monitor of some sort.

No plans to ever go to California unless I someday move out west. Just too far to drive from Minnesota for the kind of trips I do.

belfert · November 28, 2009, 05:57:37 PM

Quote from: John316 on November 28, 2009, 04:33:47 PM
How does the Silverleaf connect to the engine computer? Is it the diagnostic plug up front? Does it come with the connectors?

Yes, it connects to the diagnostics plug. The software is "free" (Not really). You are paying for the little box that interfaces between the diagnostics port and the PC.

A new version of VMSpc just came out this fall that uses USB to connect to the computer. The original version was serial port based. Silverleaf is selling recertified versions of the old serial based units with warranty, but the trick is they have to have people who trade in old units for the new ones. I decided to just do the USB based one for full price since who knows if the recertified ones would ever be available.

rv_safetyman · November 28, 2009, 07:38:44 PM

John, Brian gave you a good answer. I have not found a motorhome that did not have a data port in front. However, the Freighliner chassis folks really go out of their way to hide them

. I believe that all buses with electronic engines have the data port in front with somewhat easy access, so that engine problems could be observed with a ProLink while the bus was driven.

If you have a DDEC III or later engine, it will have a round plug with either a 6 pin or 9 pin configuration. I will need to know which you have (most probably it will be a 6 pin). If you have a DDEC II it will have a rectangular 12 pin connector and you will need to make an adapter (not hard). If you have a World transmission, the SilverLeaf will give you some information (temp and gear selected/attained) if it is prior to 2002. If it is later than 2002 I have a workaround that I think will get you the same data.

Jim

John316 · November 28, 2009, 09:19:03 PM

Thanks for the info, Brian.

Jim,

I figured it hooked into that port. Only problem is, I gotta troubleshoot our port, that is up front, because it doesn't work. That shouldn't be too hard though. I just need a little free time, which comes in precious little around here

. Say, maybe you have some, you could send me

We have the Allison B500 tranny (around the late 90's, but I would have to double check). We also have the round plug, but I will have to check how many pins.

What is the best way to order, through your website?

God bless,

John

rv_safetyman · November 29, 2009, 08:35:39 PM

Hi John, I am in the process of moving my website to a new host and had to take the e-store down for a while. Also, I did not have a way in the e-store to do discounts. Give me a call three zero three 478 3501 and we can get your order going when you are ready.

To troubleshoot the data port, you will need to check four wires. The power connections are at "C" (positive) and "E" (negative). Some ports have power wires that are hot all the time and some are on the ignition switch. The two data wires are on terminals "A" and "B". With the ignition on (ECM powered on) you should have about 3-5 volts from "A" to "E" and about .3 to .5 volts from "B" to "E". Those voltages are ball park. You will probably see the voltages fluctuate a bit when you are taking the readings - this is normal.

Jim

belfert · November 30, 2009, 05:50:19 AM

Jim, I'll have to call you in couple months when I am ready to order the VMSpc. I spent all my money for the moment.