Ted, very good video as always, thanks! I also have a 6 pin adapter and was experiencing disconnects. To meet Bluefire's new version I did have to send it to Mark to be upgraded and everything works much better now. I sent it out on Saturday and it was back the next Wednesday. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for the report, that's good to know that helped. I'm still running the old firmware, so I should probably send mine in to get updated and that may help.
Thanks for the video. I have a 2000 Monaco Dynasty and I use the scan gauge D. It will only show four gauges at a time, but I have all the rest of the information that I need on my regular dash since I’ve added a pyrometer and boost gage works great for me.
Great information. If it were me I would adjust the transmission green band to 180* yellow 180-210* red for anything over that. Automatic transmissions don't do well for long with temperatures over 200. Keeping them 180 and under the transmission will last a million miles, with routine maintenance. Thanks for sharing.
I probably could adjust that range on this bus. The normal temp is around 175-185. However with the transmission retarder it will go up when the retarder is in use. I also plan to change the fluid more frequently because of that.
Nice video. I had same experience with blufire on j1939 400 isl Cummins. I have since used a scan gauge d that I like. I also purchased an autel 908 cv II that I love. That thing is way advanced and bidirectional for tests and has a graphing function. I also learned that since it is a bus connection network that I can use y-adapter to run multiple units at the same time. Just don’t do bidirectional tests driving down the road-my oem cluster did not like that-but reset after restarting the engine. I wish scan gauge d came with visual gauge screen like BlueFire and not just digital readout. You do get four parameters displayed and can toggle easily. I may try two scan gauge d s to get 8 readings at a time and continue searching for a hardwired visual reader to eliminate the Bluetooth wireless connectivity issues with blue fire. Nice video.
Thanks for the comments and good tips. I had a ScanGauge D in an F-350 with a PowerStroke 6.0 that I used to own. I liked the parameters it showed, but the lack of a graphical display was annoying. that said it was compact and fit easily. That Autel is a unit I wasn't familiar with. That looks like a fantastic unit, and also priced accordingly. Would love to try one out.
Sounds like the VMspc interface I use, although I think it's been discontinued. VMspc shows air inlet temp :) I have my set up on a 13" laptop. Works great and is snappy (win11). The price was similar.
I have been using the BlueFire system for about a year now. Setup is frustrating, but once you get it setup it works. Yes, there is lag and some of the data does not transmit. But overall I am very happy with it. I suspect the Bluetooth disconnect issue is the age of the adapter. Mine has no issues staying connected, although, I do need to dim the display because it would eat the battery, even while plugged in.
I’ve had the disconnect issues since day 1, but I also haven’t sent it in for the firmware update that’s available. I should probably do that and see if that helps.
I have essentially the same coach as you, 2001 XL2 with Millennium conversion. Been following in many of your footsteps and have a few things we have done you might be interested in. Get in touch if you ever want to compare notes and/or lessons learned. Where are you guys located / typically travel? ps - just ordered the BlueFire based on this video, thx for the guidance.
I've been considering the bluefire for a while now, but want to know what kind of information I can expect to get. My rv is a 1998 with 5.9L Cummins 24 valve. Is there a way to find out what the ECU will display without first buying the unit?
I'm curious why so many diesel rv'ers are not interested in the engine parameter exhaust temperature (EGT)? I don't think there are any engines currently used in RVs that will self limit if this temperature is exceeded...I am sure my Cummins does not. Exhaust temperature is in the Bluefire list of engine parameters available so if I do wind up using this system I will include on my display. Any comments are appreciated Kevin
Hi Kevin, I definitely agree EGT is important, although on stock computer controlled diesels it's a bit less so since the computer calibration from the factory should keep EGTs in check. That can vary quite a bit, though, as I found out when I put an EGT on my previous RV. I haven't put on on the Prevost yet, and I may at some point in the future but it's not an immediate requirement. Bluefire can only display data that the ECU knows. Your Cummins almost certainly does not have an EGT sensor, so the Bluefire won't be able to display it. However, I did a couple of videos that might interest you on installing the EGT in my previous diesel pusher and then also how I lowered the EGTs (I got them down quite a bit from when I first put the EGT gauge on): ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-UyZEdqaIkOg.htmlsi=gIPTksC-12LUKLLy ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6iA9XPyhXPc.htmlsi=5BjmP7KSoMDlbR4I
Morning Ted, Going back to the taillight conversion on the HR motorhome. I have the separate turn signal set up and have to use a taillight converter for the tow car and it never works correctly and have changed different manufactures and have bleed over to other lights when turn signal is activated. Did you modify that on the conversion or used a converter. The goal would be to eliminate that converter. Do you happen to remember the SAE number on your old lights so I can see if that conversion is compatible to my lens as I have a Safari from the looks its similar looking. Thank you...don
Hi Don. It's pretty common for those converter units to fail. I had that happen and I ended up having to replace it. They're cheap, and so it's not bad of a job to replace them. I'm not sure what the SAE numbers were on my old lenses, but if they looked the same, then it's just a Chevy square body pickup from the 1980s. They're very readily available on eBay/Amazon, I have links in that video to the ones I used.
New to RV’ing, I realize EGT can vary but engine but I would have thought it would be important to monitor but I have never seen it on a motor home. Is the EGT (even if it was added on and not oem ) relevant?
Excellent question! You're correct that most RVs don't have EGT gauge. I've only seen it on some (not many) older mechanical engines, usually higher end ones like old Prevosts. The general theory is that with "modern" computer-controlled engines, they're programmed such that high EGT shouldn't be an issue. However my experiences after adding an EGT gauge to my previous RV were that EGTs did vary significantly, and also got higher than they should be for good longevity. This then let me make a few changes that helped significantly lower my EGTs, and then also monitor them, especially in the mountains where they tend to get higher. I've got a couple of videos that I did relating to this, links below. What I didn't include was a link to my turbo upgrade on my previous RV, which also helped EGTs significantly. I don't have an EGT gauge on the Prevost yet. It probably will be something that I add, but given what I've learned previously I also have a good idea for what I can/want to do to improve things. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-UyZEdqaIkOg.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6iA9XPyhXPc.html
That’s why I added a parameter to my coach. If you have a leak in your charger cooler, you will not only lose boost and power, but drive the exhaust temperature very high.
Thank you Ted! Although I probably can't use a system like this on my bus, old school mechanical, 1980 Prevost, I still very much enjoyed your video! However, the former owner did upgrade the sound system with Bluetooth, so I can at least listen to your videos as I'm driving!!❤❤ :)
