Recent Posts

1

General Discussion / Re: Question, what exactly does engine % load mean?

« Last post by Dave Atherton on January 27, 2022, 06:15:19 AM »

Gentlemen, aftermarket equipment problems. I’m not a fan of using aftermarket add on equipment,
location connection point within Caterpillar ET diagnostic engine test port of which I have expressed
My thoughts several times. If everything is working fine there is no problem reading deeper in above
post possible aftermarket code reader is giving out incorrect data. Yes we have experienced before
engine ECM failure for this reason and again the data port was not meant to be used for attachments>

Reading on and the percent of engine power is programmed into the engine ECM as Eric stated come
from several factors. One thing certain information is not available for these aftermarket attachments.
Several of the beaver member have had Caterpillar ET readout engine ECM data and printout. Looking
at the printout you will note several entries in percentage of which will answer the first question, in
most cases percent of load depending on which engine we are talking about will fall into area 34 to 46
Percent. Same time fuel milage will run between 6 and 9 mpg, the engine throttle position sensor is
set between 3 to 5 percent of which all motorhomes will be 3 percent,  the reason for setting of 3 percent is engine low idle at 700 rpms, high idle on throttle position sensor is 95 percent. This should
give you some idea correct values using OEM diagnostic equipment. Sometimes From a technician
stand point information that is incorrect can lead a person into a rabbit hole looking at what is correct.
The answer is the builder of the engine has the correct technical information. Dave Atherton Retired Cat
Mechanic

2

General Discussion / Re: Question, what exactly does engine % load mean?

« Last post by Jimmy Garcia on January 27, 2022, 02:10:35 AM »

Jimmy,

I don’t think replacing the Bridge module would fix the problem...and replacement Bridge could be hard to find, I’ve seen them on eBay and some of the salvage yard sites and they are rather expensive.

If there actually is a bug it’s likely in the Aladdin control module (VCM). It also could be that our coaches have the wrong version of the VCM.

Of the engine parameters that I’ve compared, all others match between the Aladdin and VMSpc.

-Scott

Scott,
Thanks for that.  Looks like there be no updates to the code and will have to live with simple math.  Thanks again.

3

Technical Support / Re: Puck Light Trim

« Last post by Bryan Beamon on January 26, 2022, 09:55:53 PM »

Allen, the photo below shows the manufacturer as Liteco. You might try to see if they still make this style of light fixtures in order to replace the broken black retainer ring. I think your idea of a little silicon would work also

4

Technical Support / Re: Research into options for 2007 Beaver Patriot Tail Lights

« Last post by George Harwell on January 26, 2022, 09:33:29 PM »

Ditto Keith’s remarks. Been using White Diamond for years on the headlights and taillights and they look almost new. I too have removed the tail lights to clean the interior. If your lights are not damaged they can be polished to a fine condition of your choice. My 03 Monterey tail lights look new with touch up twice a year. If your lights haven’t been polished before it will take some time but don’t get discouraged, with enough elbow grease they will shine like new and you can spend the $850 on cold refreshments. Got White Diamond from Amazon.

5

General Discussion / Re: Question, what exactly does engine % load mean?

« Last post by Scott Shearer on January 26, 2022, 04:37:45 PM »

Jimmy,

I don’t think replacing the Bridge module would fix the problem...and replacement Bridge could be hard to find, I’ve seen them on eBay and some of the salvage yard sites and they are rather expensive.

If there actually is a bug it’s likely in the Aladdin control module (VCM). It also could be that our coaches have the wrong version of the VCM.

Of the engine parameters that I’ve compared, all others match between the Aladdin and VMSpc.

-Scott

6

General Discussion / Re: Question, what exactly does engine % load mean?

« Last post by Jimmy Garcia on January 26, 2022, 09:05:43 AM »

Jimmy,

The Percent Load on our Aladdin also pegs at 49%. At first, I thought that this might be a sign that the Aladdin system was failing, but I think it is actually a bug.

A couple years ago I started using the Silverleaf VMSpc system to report engine data and it appears to correctly report engine load, I see 100% load while the Aladdin system is pegged at 49%. In fact, the Aladdin reading is usually about ½ that of the VMSpc reading.

Don’t know for sure, but this bug may have been introduced in 2006 when Monaco started using J1939 protocol to report engine data. The Aladdin control module (VCM) only knows J1587 protocol and doesn’t understand J1939, so a protocol translator (J1939 Bridge) was incorporated into the system. On your coach, I believe that the J1939 Bridge is located in the front run box.

In 2007ish, Monaco started using the Medallion instrument cluster that reads native J1939.

-Scott

Good day Scott.
So is that Bridge a plug and play fix to have accurate engine data?  Thanks again.

7

General Discussion / Re: Question, what exactly does engine % load mean?

« Last post by Jimmy Garcia on January 26, 2022, 09:01:56 AM »

Thanks everyone.  You all are a great resource.  I dont seem to suffer for power.  On the flat the coach will get up over 65 if I am not paying attention.  On hills well I can pass semis.  I am guessing the bug theory may be likely.  The engine runs good.  Had full diagnostics and oil analysis everything checked good.  I just found it strange.  I think I will have to just double the value for now.  Thanks so much.

8

General Discussion / Re: Question, what exactly does engine % load mean?

« Last post by Scott Shearer on January 25, 2022, 07:13:08 PM »

Jimmy,

The Percent Load on our Aladdin also pegs at 49%. At first, I thought that this might be a sign that the Aladdin system was failing, but I think it is actually a bug.

A couple years ago I started using the Silverleaf VMSpc system to report engine data and it appears to correctly report engine load, I see 100% load while the Aladdin system is pegged at 49%. In fact, the Aladdin reading is usually about ½ that of the VMSpc reading.

Don’t know for sure, but this bug may have been introduced in 2006 when Monaco started using J1939 protocol to report engine data. The Aladdin control module (VCM) only knows J1587 protocol and doesn’t understand J1939, so a protocol translator (J1939 Bridge) was incorporated into the system. On your coach, I believe that the J1939 Bridge is located in the front run box.

In 2007ish, Monaco started using the Medallion instrument cluster that reads native J1939.

-Scott

9

Technical Support / Re: Webasto system maintenance related information

« Last post by Eric Maclean on January 25, 2022, 04:16:42 PM »

John
You are right about the differences in coaches .
I am again your coach has three or four heat exchangers which are usually floor mounted spread out around the coach the most common exchanger used was the cozy brand I've included a link to let you see what they look like.

https://heatmyrv.com/product/cozy-3-heat-exchanger-exe-103-0ex/

I don't think they ever had internal thermal switches though
The zone control was usually accomplished by a wall mounted thermostat which also ran the roof mounted A/C unit if so there is usually a switch on the thermostat to switch between A/C and heat if you have two A/C units it is likely you have two heat zones

Hope this helps
Eric.

10

General Discussion / Re: Question, what exactly does engine % load mean?

« Last post by Steve Huber Co-Admin on January 25, 2022, 02:53:14 PM »

Jimmy,
Climbing a grade with a 400 hp C9 you should be seeing over 49%. My guess is that the Alladin is the culprit based on your info as to engine performance.
Steve