Truck Conversion & Toterhome Community - View Single Post - VMS 240 CL Diesel Engine Monitoring System

Warpath · 05-19-2006, 07:50 AM

I thought I would detail the capabilities of the the VMS unit.

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.

05-19-2006, 07:50 AM	#1
Warpath Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: N.E. Ohio Posts: 768	I thought I would detail the capabilities of the the VMS unit. 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. __________________ 2012 Showhauler 28'6" Motorhome on a Columbia w/ 450 Mercedes.