RV Towing and Smarty Jr.

[MrFixit]

Marco, did you see my question a few posts back about the honking horn and backing up w/ Beta 4?



Ramon

 

[AH64ID]

Thanks for your feedback guys!



We're going to publish this " Smoke test 4" software on our website. I want to keep it still in the testing status since I think we still need more feedback.

Yet, your reports sound almost all promising.



Thanks,



Marco

Thanks Marco... With the exception of my Dad's smoke under heavy acceleration I haven't heard of any other issues. . He is going to clean his air filter and see if that helps.

 

[Marco]

With the exception of my Dad's smoke under heavy acceleration I haven't heard of any other issues. .

AH,
see that's the reason for which I said "reports sound almost all promising".
There's always a truck that acts different from the others. What we need to do is understand if it's SW or HW related.

BTW, the test/beta 4 software is no published on our website. If anyone want's to give it a try...

MrFixit,
the honking horn is a confusing thing. Let me start with saying that this "feature" does not reside in the ECM. Thus Smarty does not deal with it.
On my '06 truck, the honking horn works some days others not. That's without changing anything in the truck! I'm not able to provide an answer (yet) why it would work only when the weather changes... or when the sun shines? maybe when it rains??? ...

There must be a bug in DC's software that enables / diables the horn honk when certain conditions are met. I have yet to find the root to these conditions.

Makes sense?

Marco

 

[Bob4x4]

The back up alarm,works off the ccn and the tipm,so far no one has complained to me about them not working,Ramon give me a call if you have any questions



Bob

 

[AH64ID]

AH,

see that's the reason for which I said "reports sound almost all promising".

There's always a truck that acts different from the others. What we need to do is understand if it's SW or HW related.

Yep, even thou his filter minder hasn't moved I am trying to talk him into cleaning his air filter, I think that may be the culprit.



I am going camping again this weekend and should be doing more towing on paved roads and will report back. The dirt road slow speed smoke is non existent, well I can't see it over the dust like I could before. There is no evidence on my bumper or trailer...



Thanks Marco.



Are you here in the states yet? My dad is just North of Bob in Redmond/Duvall, I don't know what his schedule is but if your interested I could talk to him.

 

[MrFixit]

Yes thanks Marco... I guess it was just a fluke when it did not work after I loaded the original SW and Beta 2. I don't drive the truck that much so its hard to test it on a regular basis. The time I get to check it the most is when I am parking or backing up under my 5th wheel and have to get things lined up and I get in and out to check things.



Anyway. . thanks for the support Marco. I just wanted to make sure there was not a bug before you published the SW. The Smarties are very cool devices. It's is amazing how much of a dog the truck is w/o the Jr. loaded.



Bob. . I may call you anyway



Ramon aka MrFixit

 

[Marco]

Are you here in the states yet?

No, WAAAAHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! :{:{
Why do you ask that question? You're supposed to be kind with me, not rub it in!

Seriously, the trip is planned, but we have a couple of HUGH projects for Smarty going on that require my attention here. Then within a couple months we'll move into the new shop, then , then ,then... .

The trip get's pushed back further and further... . Yet, with all the Samuel's Bob owes me in the mean time it's better I hurry up and get over there. :-laf

Marco

 

[AH64ID]

No, WAAAAHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! :{:{

Why do you ask that question? You're supposed to be kind with me, not rub it in!



Seriously, the trip is planned, but we have a couple of HUGH projects for Smarty going on that require my attention here. Then within a couple months we'll move into the new shop, then , then ,then... .



The trip get's pushed back further and further... . Yet, with all the Samuel's Bob owes me in the mean time it's better I hurry up and get over there. :-laf



Marco

Too bad... I bet the Sound would be great for sailing about now.

 

[Wal_mart]

Put beta-4 on, lost instant response, good if trying to back up on gravel or sand, smoke same as stock, took up hill seems to pull about same as with original sjr code. Have to agree fuel is culprit. Too early for economy run results.

 

[BenMorgan]

I too put beta4 on yesterday. I didn't notice any decline in power from the original, but I haven't towed yet. There was a significant drop in smoke levels. It smoked less than stock.

 

[AH64ID]

I too put beta4 on yesterday. I didn't notice any decline in power from the original, but I haven't towed yet. There was a significant drop in smoke levels. It smoked less than stock.

I agree seems no different to me either.



I like it... doing some more towing this weekend... it seems to smoke less when towing that putzing around due to more boost.

 

[Marco]

Thanksfor sharing your findings!

Keep 'em coming!

Marco

 

[AH64ID]

More towing this weekend on Beta #4, about 365 miles, from 3K feet to 6K feet, temps were mid-upper 90's and 80's. Towing a 18' TT weighing it at 5K and about 1K in the truck. (probably about ~14000 GCW) What I noticed. .

Smoke: Still very low, more in the lower rpm range as the temp increased, but still very very minimal. I would have been a train with the std software. I saw no more than a puff with this setup, VERY happy.

EGT's: I saw the far side of 1200*, only once or twice. The EGT's only go above 1100 in the 1400-1700 RPM range, where power is good but boost maxes around 18psi. Which is warmer than the std tune, but the timing is retarded and its not warm enough to even think about. Above 1800 rpms the EGT's are hard to get to climb.

Power: I really like this tune, lots of power.

Boost: in cruise control never went above 29psi, even at high load on a hot day at elevation... very happy with that.

5th gear, 55-60 mph, 2200 rpms, load from 40-85%, boost 10-29psi, IAT 118*-125*, hill went from 2650' to 4250' in about 5. 5 miles, some flat, baby down grade, and some STEEP spots. . EGT never went above 1050*

One quick passing WOT run, 50-75 mph in 5th gear... just a little smoke that cleared very quick, EGT got to 1150* then came down, and boost was above 30 but didn't notice, too quick. I was on a 1-2% down grade, but if flat moved out.

 

[smitty3500]

All I can say is WOW!! I will post a review later when not so busy here at work! Smarty Jr!