Smart Jr.

[DaveHess]

Could somebody put in simple plain english how the PoD function works and any experience they had in using it. The one page sheet I got with mine leaves a lot to be desired.



I keep reading where the Performance setting is the best mileage setting but my over MPG went down about 1. 2 MPG.



How do I figure out the best PoD in Performance to tow and get mileage. P. S. I usually tow in the Tow setting.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Hmm. . I just hooked mine up an hour ago and you're dashing my fantasy of better towing mileage.

I have the same questions though ~ maybe if we max out the timing? Is that even safe?

 

[steved]

Basically, the POD function makes whatever setting you currently in adjustable. If your in the 100HP setting, you can set it from 100% (100HP) to 0% (stock) from what I understand.

I never actually used it... I just set it and drive it.

I want to remember someone making the statement that the 100HP setting at 70% was the best for mileage?

 

[DaveHess]

So, by setting (hypothetically) the PoD to 70%, doesn't that defeat the purpose of even loading the performance setting? In other words do we actually ever see the 100HP gain if we're back pedaling the PoD? At what point do we see the benefit of 100HP at 70% PoD. What is the benefit of using the PoD function, dialing back the setting in performance as oppossed to loading the Tow setting with everything at default. This is where I don't understand the PoD function.



My instruction sheet makes it sound so easy and simple, especially if you have an EGT gauge and boost gauge, to set your PoD for your given truck. But the sheet tells you nothing of what to look for??? I don't get it.



PrairieDog: I tried the "full timing" setting (not sure of the proper nomenclature) and I got a lot of the "marbles in the mason jar" sound. I didn't like it and reset the timing to default. Also, to give you the parameters of my mileage check. I drove 250. 7 miles and consumed 16. 4 gallons of fuel for a hand calculated 15. 28 MPG. That same trip in Tow setting netted me mid 16's at 75 MPH. BTW, I am pulling a '05 Jayco Eagle 29BHS TT. Love the trailer!!!



Truth be told, I have been running around for the last two years in Tow (SW2) with all settings at default. I saw a drastic change in pulling and EGT with the Smarty Jr. against my old set-up of a VanAaken C3. 1. The VanAaken would let the EGT go to the ceiling whereas the Smarty Jr will let the EGT "tap" 1250 and then roll back to 1150 (for example) when towing my TT up a grade. The whole time the truck is pulling like a bad dog.



The short of it is this; the PoD function bothers the hell out of me because it is there and I don't understand it.

 

[steved]

Its an on-the-fly thing... you can be "cruising around" at 70%, then want to play and simply scroll up to 100% sitting at a red light. Sort of like the premise behind other manufacturers with selectable "on-the-fly" power settings.



My whole problem with it is the fact that A) I can do the same thing with my foot, and B) why would I want the entire SmartyJR unit sitting out in the open (it looks clunky, and it states right in the manual it has environmental parameters that most truck cabs exceed).

 

[JJPage]

The POD was "born" because of people who wanted change on the fly, so to speak. They did not want to stop for 5 minutes and reload a lower or higher SW#, as a result of all the whining, Marco brought the "POD" to life.



You have to leave the Smarty connected to your OBDII port to use this function. I very rarely change levels once I find the tune my truck likes best, which is usually closer to "kill" than not. To me the POD is useless, my truck averages the same mileage no matter what SW, or for that matter, no Smarty or fuel box at all.



Just being honest here, the only affect on mileage that I have witnessed, and it was a negative affect, was the Arson III kit, I dropped a solid 1. 5 mpg. I have made numerous trips between Spokane and Helena the last 4 years(too many to count), the TST, EZ, Smarty, Stock, all produced 18 to 19 mpg traveling 70/75 both directions, never have I made 20mpg. When I stuck the Arson kit on... 16/16. 5 mpg.



Sorry, got a bit off track, the POD... . IMO set at the highest level and forget the feature is available.



steved beat me to it, what he says.

 

[steved]

You hit it home better than I did!

I never saw "better" mileage from the Smarty, but I saw more "consistent" mileage. Before the JR, I could occasionally see 21mpg. After JR, I saw 21mpg pretty consistently. And don't get me wrong, I drive like "an old man" according to my wife, so that plays a big part in my mileage!

 

[Prairie Dog]

So if we're on the 70HP level and the POD is set to 50%, does that mean we're seeing 35HP? At that same setting, if the POD is at 100%, we're getting 70HP rite?

 

[JJPage]

At 100% you are seeing increased hp as advertised in each SW#. I would be surprised if it really drops hp according to a set %, in other words, 100hp SW @ 90% = 90HP, 80%=80HP. I believe it(POD%) definitely curbs hp in each SW# but am doubtful it's that accurate, I could be wrong...



In theory, you got it right!

 

[Prairie Dog]

Thanks JJ ~ That would explain why it doesn't seem to make much, if any, more HP at 3K RPM's.
Actually, now that I re-read the instructions, I see they make that pretty clear.

 

[DaveHess]

Steved and JJPage: Now I get it! Thanks guys. I can't imagine driving around with that thing hooked up.



Prairiedog: I don't know about you but I feel like a dunce right now.



Have any of you guys ever towed a travel trailer in Performance as opposed to the Tow?

 

[AH64ID]

Here is my take on it. This is based on what I have seen it do to the truck by watching the gauges as well as TPS and LOAD.

The easiest way for me to describe it is that it changes the TPS signal. Normally the TPS (APPS) has 100 positions, 0-99. With PoD on 99 all 99 are worth 1 as ECM input. Say you put the PoD on 50, then each TPS number would be worth half as much throttle. So WOT with PoD 50 would be the same as 50% throttle with PoD 99, and so on for each PoD number.

PoD effects total power output, not just added power. So put PoD on 10 and try to drive the truck, it won't hardly get out of its own way. PoD 30 is as low as I have ever gone for any amount of time, and thats all on dirt roads but it really feels weird having to be almost floored to go up any hill, PoD 50 is about as low as comfortable on SW1 or SW2, I don't use SW3 much so no clue there.

I have never seen a mileage change from using PoD, and don't feel PoD should ever be on anything but 99 for towing. I have noticed with PoD around 50 the engine wont obtain all the rpms available even WOT in 3rd or 4th gear if there is enough load.

Power output is not proportional, PoD 50 doesn't mean 50% of the power. With the PoD between 80 and 99 I don't ever really feel much different as far as power but can see it in the boost/EGT gauge. But also consider that 75% to 99% throttle seems to have the smallest effect per change in the entire throttle range. I do like PoD 75 for city driving as the truck isn't as touch with throttle input.

That's my take on it, and the LOAD/Boost/EGT's all seem to back it up. I can go from PoD 99 and a TPS 75 run to PoD 75, WOT run in 5th gear and they are nearly identical in boost/EGT/LOAD/etc.

 

[JJPage]

Power output is not proportional, PoD 50 doesn't mean 50% of the power

Thanks AH, that's what I was trying to say, you simply said it :-laf .

 

[AH64ID]

When PoD first came out it was believed to be proportional, but thats no longer the case. It hasn't been said by MADS what it does, but I am 95% confident in my speculation on reprogramming the TPS/APPS signal.

 

[MChrist]

Steve, if you think the Jr looks "clunky", you haven't seen the Sr!!!

It looks like one of those TV remotes for "near blind" people!!:-laf:-laf:-laf

Jr is slick in comparison, but Sr. works oh-so-well.

 

[steved]

Steve, if you think the Jr looks "clunky", you haven't seen the Sr!!!

It looks like one of those TV remotes for "near blind" people!!:-laf:-laf:-laf

Jr is slick in comparison, but Sr. works oh-so-well.

Its just one of those things... other programmers get by with an unobtrusive switch, Smarty owners get the entire programmer!



I don't have the extra space to dedicate to the control unit, even if I felt the need to use it. And as I said, the environmental "conditions" that you're supposed to store the Smarty in are easily exceeded anywhere in the US, at one extreme or the other (although I haven't seen a problem exceeding those limits... ). Not to mention the screaming "STEAL ME!" factor.

 

[DaveHess]

AH64ID: Thank you for a simply put technical answer. That is what I was looking for and you put my mind at ease on the 99% Tow. I know each truck is a little different but mine seems to really like Tow. As a side note, my FASS 95/95 is working as advertised with your filter recommendations (Baldwin/Donaldson). It may be all in my head but my fuel pressure gauge used to fluctuate by about 3 PSI with the FASS filters on board. Now I get 0 fluctuation and no drop in pressure. Don't know why but I am a contented FASS guy now.



Thank you to all of your inputs and responses. I appreciate the patience level of those way smarter than I when it comes to these things!