The VMS 240 CL is our best selling model for good reason. It's compact, but boasts a brilliant, very readable display that makes using it a joy. VMS 240 users report that it quickly becomes the only dash instrument they watch!

This page will give you just a small taste of the many features the VMS 240 provides.

Here is all your key information in one simple screen. In Top-Center we place the transmission status. Icons indicate whether your cruise control is active, the transmission is in economy code, and your torque converter is active. Not shown is another icon which lights to indicate transmission trouble.

The screen also provides three gauges. You can easily configure the VMS to display your personal favorites – from a list including your most important temperatures, performance indicators, fuel economy measurements, and more. For a list of gauges and their explanation, click here.

The Scan Screen gives you access to all the many gauges features on the VMS 240. When in Scan mode, the VMS cycles through your favorite gauges, showing the ones you want to see, skipping the ones you don't. You control the speed, and you can stop it at any time. By using the selector knob you can dial in any particular gauge, watch it, and resume scanning with the press of a button.

You can choose a metric readout for any gauge, and you can also choose to display a "histogram" which shows how the gauge value is fluctuating over time. This is particularly important for temperature readings – knowing the absolute temperature is only half the story. It is just as important to know whether the temperature is stable – and only the VMS can show you the history of the reading at a glance.

Like any good odometer, the VMS will show you how far you've traveled. But it's also the most accurate fuel meter you can get, so finally you can really monitor your fuel economy as you drive. As well as elapsed driving time, average speed – all instantly calculated at your fingertip.

VMS users particularly enjoy the daily drive planning tool. You simply dial in how far you want to drive – or the distance to your destination – and the VMS automatically counts down the miles. Furthermore, it calculates your estimated time of arrival and the fuel required to get there – and updates the calculations as you drive, based on your actual average speed and fuel economy. Use it to plan your fuel stops, make reservations at your campground, and simply to plan your driving day.

The VMS also keeps a second trip odometer and a trip archive that can hold over 4000 past trips. All the trip features are extremely easy to use. Simply press "TRIP" to bring up the screen, "CLEAR" to clear the old trip and start a new one. It could not possibly be any easier.

Professional mechanics rely on their "scan tool" to identify problems with your engine. We've put a professional-quality scan tool right into the VMS. When the "Check Engine" light comes on in your dash, the VMS automatically scans the problem. And not only does it report the trouble codes that the mechanics use, but it provides a plain language explanation of the problem. It even records the problem in permanent memory, so you can catch intermittent problems and show your mechanic a history of your engine's malfunctions.

There are a lot more features available on the VMS 240 CL. There is an elegant Maintenance Tracking system, already pre-programmed with the maintenance recommendations for most popular RV chassis. RV "pilots" appreciate the Pre-Drive Checklist. The Cruise Monitor feature displays your Cruise Control Set Speed any time you set or adjust your cruise control – which makes it easy to get your cruise set just right.

The VMS 240 CL is easily configurable to operate just the way you want it – your choice of colors schemes, gauges, scanning speed, default screens, and more.

The VMS 120 LC offers an outstanding price/performance ratio, and provides all the key features of its larger VMS cousins in a more compact form. The VMS 120 LC has all the electronic sophistication of the larger VMS models, but reduces the cost and size by using a smaller graphic LCD screen.

These actual screen shots give a taste of the capabilities of the VMS 120.

Transmission and Cruise Status

Frustrated by the Allison Shifter hiding the gear status from you? The VMS 120 monitors the transmission and provides an easy readout of the Gear Selected and the Gear Attained*. Icons show the status of the Transmission Mode and the Cruise Control. And the VMS monitors the Cruise Control inputs and automatically displays the Cruise Set Speed whenever you adjust the cruise control. Once you've enjoyed these handy features you'll wonder how you ever did without.

* Requires Allison World™ transmission, WTEC v.8 electronics. This includes all six-speeds since 1998.

Scan Screen

The Scan Screen gives you access to all the many gauges features on the VMS 120 EL. When in Scan mode, the VMS cycles through your favorite gauges, showing the ones you want to see, skipping the ones you don't. You control the speed, and you can stop it at any time. By using the selector knob you can dial in any particular gauge, watch it, and resume scanning with the press of a button.

You can choose a metric readout for any gauge, and you can also choose to display a "histogram" which shows how the gauge value is fluctuating over time. This is particularly important for temperature readings – knowing the absolute temperature is only half the story. It is just as important to know whether the temperature is stable – and only the VMS can show you the history of the reading at a glance. For a list of gauges and their explanation, click here.

Trip Screens

Like any good odometer, the VMS will show you how far you've traveled. But it's also the most accurate fuel meter you can get, so finally you can really monitor your fuel economy as you drive. As well as elapsed driving time, average speed – all instantly calculated at your fingertip.

VMS users particularly enjoy the daily drive planning tool. You simply dial in how far you want to drive – or the distance to your destination – and the VMS automatically counts down the miles. Furthermore, it calculates your estimated time of arrival and the fuel required to get there – and updates the calculations as you drive, based on your actual average speed and fuel economy. Use it to plan your fuel stops, make reservations at your campground, and simply to plan your driving day.

The VMS also keeps a second trip odometer and a trip archive that can hold over 4000 past trips. All the trip features are extremely easy to use. Simply press "TRIP" to bring up the screen, "CLEAR" to clear the old trip and start a new one. It could not possibly be any easier.

Other Features

The VMS 120 LC also features the same professional-quality diagnostic scanning capabilities as the larger VMS models. And like the larger units, it displays the codes and the interpretation, and also keeps a record for you to show your mechanic.

There are a lot more features available on the VMS 120 LC. Maintenance Tracking, Pre-Drive Checklist, Clock and Calendar. If you have a Caterpillar 3126 engine, it gives you access to the Theft Deterrent system, which foils thieves by locking your engine tight. (It also qualifies you for a discount from most insurance companies.) And it is easily configurable to operate just the way you want it – your choice of gauges, scanning speed, default screens, and more.

Here are other files you might find useful.

Over the years we've put out a few newsletters. Popular in all our newsletters are the tips of using your VMS to get the most from your engine.

The ultimate gauge cluster has arrived. SilverLeaf’s VMS 640 CL provides a full "digital dash" that expands the benefits of SilverLeaf’s VMS technology to the greatest degree possible. Every analog gauge and indicator light is replaced by precise, accurate, and stylish digital images in this complete cluster replacement.

Country Coach, Foretravel, and Newell all offer the VMS 640 CL on their coaches. The product is also available as an aftermarket addition for almost any recent model diesel pusher. Each version is unique, programmed to the specifications of the coach builder.

The VMS 640 CL uses a state-of-the-art display for outstanding daylight readability. It also uses special optics to eliminate glare, so the sun’s reflection does not cause the "white-out" that makes almost any ordinary plastic surface unreadable. The color scheme, or palette, automatically changes with the headlights, along with the backlight brightness. During the day a hot, bright palette gives vivid contrast, while at night cool colors pamper the eyes.

The design takes full advantage of the digital technology. In addition to the conventional icons that populate an ordinary dash, this unit provides a "message center" that explicitly states what all the warnings mean. It includes warnings such as "low fuel" that come in gradations. The fuel icon and "low fuel" message will change from yellow to red as the tank empties, and temperature messages and icons will do the same as temperatures rise.

The product also folds in all of the features of the smaller VMS displays, such as trip information, diagnostics, and support for the many SilverLeaf accessories. One remarkable feature that was first introduced on the VMS 440 CL is the video capabilities. The unit provides a video window for the rear camera (or possibly other purposes). While driving the video window is just large enough to show the tow car and monitor the surrounding lanes. While in reverse the window expands to the full screen for a detailed view of the area behind the coach. The unit also provides choices in how the screen is laid out and the style of the gauges. Each RV manufacturer has their own gauge designs and layouts to choose from. These include purely digital gauges, along with showy analog gauges and various hybrids. Different layouts emphasize certain gauges, and a driver may change his selection according to the type of driving he anticipates each day.

Knowledgable RVers may realize that other companies have produced "digital dashes" before SilverLeaf. The concept of a "glass dash" is common in aviation, and RV builders have tried to emulate their airborne brethren. All of these attempts have been based on PC technology, and have been hobbled by poor displays, unreliable hardware, and software challenges. SilverLeaf is fortunate in starting with a display technology that has only recently become available and which solves all the readability issues brilliantly. But our biggest advantage over our predecessors is our experience with automotive electronics. The VMS 640 CL uses the same solid-state electronics as our wellproven VMS 440 CL, and is designed for the automotive 12 VDC environment. Most importantly - it does not do Windows! SilverLeaf is responsible for every line of code - it comes on instantly, and is immune to the bugs that bedevil PC systems.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating - or in this case, the driving. The feedback from our customers to date has been tremendously positive. Everyone seems to appreciate having precise, readable gauges that can be trusted, along with all the driver tools and other benefits. And no one seems to mind having to show it off to everyone else in the RV park. Bragging rights do come with a price!

Now you can use your PC computer to monitor your engine - with the VMSpc. VMSpc is an intelligent data translator that links your serial port to the engine diagnostic connector on your rig. Together with the special software, it allows you to read performance and diagnostic information right on your laptop computer. You get complete diagnostics, trip information, and a great graphing system that lets you display up to five parameters at once. You can even store the engine data to a file and load it into a spreadsheet.

But wait! There's more! VMSpc let's you program audible alarms based on any engine parameter. For example, you can set it to play any WAV file (grap a microphone and record your own!) when your road speed reaches a certain point. Have it played once, once a minute, or continuously.

And you can create a "Tank Minder", which provides a miles-to-empty calculation based on your tank size and fuel economy. VMSpc lets you enter correction factors to compensate for a poorly calibrated engine. You can even program gauges to read in metric, if you desire.

Professional engineers use VMSpc to test their vehicle designs. Now you can use the same tools to test your coach.

Feel free to download the VMSpc software - it's free. In fact, SilverLeaf Electronics is committed to provide the VMSpc software and all updates absolutely free on our web site. We welcome your input, and encourage you to tell us what you'd like to see in future versions of VMSpc.

System Requirements

-Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP, or Vista. Windows 95 users require a special version.
-Pentium 120 or better CPU
-16 mb RAM, Hard Drive
-RS-232 Serial Port

VMSpc JIB and 6-pin cable

VMSpc Download

Take your pick of the many in-dash VMS products we offer. All of our products provide the same incredible engine monitoring features - the many digital gauges, engine diagnostics, trip odometers, and much more. The essential difference between each model is simply the size and type of display.

The VMS 240 CL is our best selling product - and with good reason. Compact enough to fit in most dashes, but large enough to support a bold, brilliant color display. Imagine being able to read all your most important gauges in inch-high letters!

The VMS 440 CL is the perfect display for the most demanding drivers. Not only does it have over twice the display space as the VMS 240, the VMS 440 also has astonishing digital video capabilities. It replaces your rear camera monitor, displaying the video in a modest window in normal driving, and zooming full-screen automatically when in reverse or at the press of a button. A perfect way to deal with a crowded dash.

The VMS 120 LC is the low-cost way to get a VMS in your dash. It has all the features of it's bigger brethren - all the digital gauges, trip odometers, engine diagnostics, and more. But it puts it in a smaller package and a simple, monochrome display. Ideal when either cost or space is the primary consideration.

Looking to get better fuel economy? Get up the hill a bit faster? Avoid breakdowns? Or just understand how your diesel engine really wants to be treated? Then you are in the right place.

We build the best diesel engine instrumentation in the world. And you can use our monitors to accomplish all of the above - and a lot more. Once you've experienced driving with SilverLeaf, you'll wonder how you ever got along without it.