Update:
Here's a quick review of the updated unit (the EM version released August 2011):
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-...d-ii-gauge-diagnostic-tool-4.html#post6915637
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are a couple of threads on this, but nothing really organized or detailed to the 80 series, so thought I'd put some stuff down.
Original threads:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/408002-cheap-scangauge-ii-alternative.html
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/407933-alternative-scanguage-ii.html
Ordering/Shipping
I ordered my UltraGauge (from their website: http://www.ultra-gauge.com/) as part of a special they had for $48.95. There was a $9 mail in rebate that I didn't bother worth. The current deal is $59.95 after the $9 mail in rebate.
E-mail communication was fantastic. I received a payment confirmation (as I paid via PayPal), order confirmation, welcome e-mail. I received a ship confirmation when the product was shipped the next business day, via Priority Mail.
Shipping cost was a reasonable $7.26.
Product and Accessories
In addition to the gauge itself, you also receive a windshield mount and some velcro strips. The windshield mount is very high quality. It attaches easily and well to the windshield, and keeps the UltraGauge in place.
There is also a lock ring included for the mount that you are not supposed to use, unless you find that the UltraGauge is moving around too much (pivoting on the ball). I do not have a problem with the UltraGauge moving on it's own, but sometimes it will move too easily if bumped or attempting to adjust it.
The UltraGauge supports up to 74 gauges (more on that later). Some of the neat features it has is a built in temperature sensor, and a light sensor (to automatically adjust the backlighting).
Supported Gauges
On my '96 LX450, there are 33 gauges that are found when the UltraGauge did it's initial scanning. There has been one report of it working on an 80 with a build date of 01/1995, which also had 33 gauges. The UltraGauge only supports OBD-II vehicles.
The supported gauges are:
The user manual has detailed information on each of these, quite good documentation.
http://ultra-gauge.com/ultragauge/support/ultragauge_user_manual.pdf
In addition, there are two permanent gauges. One is the heartbeat gauge (heart shaped icon that "beats"). As long as that's beating, the UltraGauge is still getting data from the ECU. The other is the open/closed loop indicator, which is found in the upper right hand corner of the gauge display.
Selected/Displayed Gauges
The UltraGauge allows you to display up to 6 gauges per page, with three pages available. Selecting which gauges go where is somewhat cumbersome, I was not really thrilled with it.
The pages are setup with a letter for each slot. It looks something like:
The down side to this design/setup is that you can only use a particular gauge on one page. There are several gauges that I would like to show up on different pages.
The setup I am currently using is:
This categorizes the current running info onto one screen nicely, and all the MPG info all together. I haven't decided what to show on the third page yet.
Alarms
In addition to turning Alarms off or on (visual and audible alert), you can se the alarm siren frequency. The frequency range is from 3,000 to 5,000 Hz.
5k will be out of the range for people who have hearing loss, even if it's mild. 3k will be too low for anyone except those who are limo quiet. I found that I had trouble hearing the alarm regardless of setting, and have read reports of folks with mild hearing loss not being able to hear the default frequency.
Regardless of what you choose, the alarm volume is probably going to be too quiet. I could barely hear it when moving at speed, and it could easily be missed. Fortunately the gauge repeats alarms fairly frequently, until the issue is corrected or you select to ignore the alarm.
UltraGauge also can trigger an alarm for a trouble code (CEL). There is also a setting for a pending trouble code alarm. From what I have seen, the pending alarm does not work with our ECU. I do not believe that the UltraGauge recognizes when our ECU flags something as potentially being a problem (two trip logic).
You can set a min and a max alert for any monitor. By default the only alarms that are enabled are:
I dropped the Coolant Temp to 210*, as that's below the AC cutoff which (IIRC) is about 226*, so should give me plenty of advance warning that something is wrong. Intake Temp I dropped to 175*.
The fuel level I set to 2. We already know that the empty light comes on with 5 gallons remaining, so this is just a backup to that. Distance to empty I bumped up to 25 miles.
Does anyone have any suggestions for other alarms we can set?
Mounting Locations
The windshield mount allows for many different mounting options. I initially tried the standard lower drivers side corner mount....
(image borrowed from dgerst)
The problem with this location is heat. On a 100* ambient day, when I went out to start my truck to go home for the day, the UltraGauge reported a temp of 180*!
(It was about 140* in the cab, so that temperature was probably accurate since the gauge was sitting in the sun.)
My current mounting solution that I'm playing with is here:
Normally I use the sun visor to hold the cable out of my way. If I keep it here, I'll put the cable between the gasket and the windshield, fits nicely there.
Some nice things about this is that it keeps the gauge out of the way. It doesn't block your vision (as mounting it lower on the windshield can). It keeps it out of the heat (since I moved it here I haven't had a high temp warning). The cable is plenty long enough, that's not an issue. It does not block the visors where I have it.
The down side is that it's somewhat of a pain to view the gauge. Even though you're used to looking in the rear view mirror (you are, right?), it's just a little bit further than you're used to, and you have to spend longer looking at it than you do the rear view mirror.
So far I'm happy with the location, but I intend to try a few other ones. Suggestions on alternate mounting locations are welcome.
Other mounting locations:
Calibration
Here is a list of calibration numbers. The calibration will be based on gear ratio, tire size, etc. Calibration may very slightly depending on how far the tires are worn, PSI, etc.
Gearing: Stock
Tire Size: 315/75r16
MPG: 1.1
Distance: 1.15
Gearing: Stock
Tire Size: 285/75r16
MPG:
Distance: 1.054
Thanks 2 E L O!
Gearing: Stock
Tire Size: 37x12.5x16.5
MPG:
Distance: 1.215
Here's a quick review of the updated unit (the EM version released August 2011):
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-...d-ii-gauge-diagnostic-tool-4.html#post6915637
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are a couple of threads on this, but nothing really organized or detailed to the 80 series, so thought I'd put some stuff down.
Original threads:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/408002-cheap-scangauge-ii-alternative.html
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/407933-alternative-scanguage-ii.html
Ordering/Shipping
I ordered my UltraGauge (from their website: http://www.ultra-gauge.com/) as part of a special they had for $48.95. There was a $9 mail in rebate that I didn't bother worth. The current deal is $59.95 after the $9 mail in rebate.
E-mail communication was fantastic. I received a payment confirmation (as I paid via PayPal), order confirmation, welcome e-mail. I received a ship confirmation when the product was shipped the next business day, via Priority Mail.
Shipping cost was a reasonable $7.26.
Product and Accessories
In addition to the gauge itself, you also receive a windshield mount and some velcro strips. The windshield mount is very high quality. It attaches easily and well to the windshield, and keeps the UltraGauge in place.
There is also a lock ring included for the mount that you are not supposed to use, unless you find that the UltraGauge is moving around too much (pivoting on the ball). I do not have a problem with the UltraGauge moving on it's own, but sometimes it will move too easily if bumped or attempting to adjust it.
The UltraGauge supports up to 74 gauges (more on that later). Some of the neat features it has is a built in temperature sensor, and a light sensor (to automatically adjust the backlighting).
Supported Gauges
On my '96 LX450, there are 33 gauges that are found when the UltraGauge did it's initial scanning. There has been one report of it working on an 80 with a build date of 01/1995, which also had 33 gauges. The UltraGauge only supports OBD-II vehicles.
The supported gauges are:
- % Engine Load
- Coolant Temp (*F)
- Short fuel trim bank 1
- Long fuel trim bank 1
- RPM
- MPH
- Timing Advance
- Intake Air Temp (*F)
- Mass Airflow 1 (g/s)
- Throttle Position %
- Bank1 O2 1 Voltage
- Bank1 O2 2 Voltage
- Mass Air Flow 2 (g/s)
- Instantaneous MPG
- Average MPH (general)
- Average MPH (general)
- Average Gallons/Hr (general)
- Run Time (general)
- Distance (general)
- Fuel Used (general)
- Fuel Instant Gallons/Hour
- Fuel Level (gallons)
- Distance to Empty
- Time to Empty
- Average MPH (trip)
- Average MPG (trip)
- Fuel Used (trip)
- Average Gallons/Hour (trip)
- Run Time (trip)
- Distance (trip)
- Distance (Oil)
- Distance (Service)
- UltraGauge Temperate (*F)
The user manual has detailed information on each of these, quite good documentation.
http://ultra-gauge.com/ultragauge/support/ultragauge_user_manual.pdf
In addition, there are two permanent gauges. One is the heartbeat gauge (heart shaped icon that "beats"). As long as that's beating, the UltraGauge is still getting data from the ECU. The other is the open/closed loop indicator, which is found in the upper right hand corner of the gauge display.
Selected/Displayed Gauges
The UltraGauge allows you to display up to 6 gauges per page, with three pages available. Selecting which gauges go where is somewhat cumbersome, I was not really thrilled with it.
The pages are setup with a letter for each slot. It looks something like:
Code:
A B
C D
E F
G H
I J
K L
M N
O P
Q R
The down side to this design/setup is that you can only use a particular gauge on one page. There are several gauges that I would like to show up on different pages.
The setup I am currently using is:
Code:
O - % Engine Load
R - Coolant Temp
N - RPM
M - MPH
Q - Timing Advance
P - Intake Air Temp
G - Instantaneous MPG
H - Average MPG
L - Ave Gals/Hr
J - Fuel Inst Gals/Hour
K - Distance to Empty
I - Time to Empty
This categorizes the current running info onto one screen nicely, and all the MPG info all together. I haven't decided what to show on the third page yet.
Alarms
In addition to turning Alarms off or on (visual and audible alert), you can se the alarm siren frequency. The frequency range is from 3,000 to 5,000 Hz.
5k will be out of the range for people who have hearing loss, even if it's mild. 3k will be too low for anyone except those who are limo quiet. I found that I had trouble hearing the alarm regardless of setting, and have read reports of folks with mild hearing loss not being able to hear the default frequency.
Regardless of what you choose, the alarm volume is probably going to be too quiet. I could barely hear it when moving at speed, and it could easily be missed. Fortunately the gauge repeats alarms fairly frequently, until the issue is corrected or you select to ignore the alarm.
UltraGauge also can trigger an alarm for a trouble code (CEL). There is also a setting for a pending trouble code alarm. From what I have seen, the pending alarm does not work with our ECU. I do not believe that the UltraGauge recognizes when our ECU flags something as potentially being a problem (two trip logic).
You can set a min and a max alert for any monitor. By default the only alarms that are enabled are:
Obviously some of these settings would be rather bad for our trucks. I can't imagine hitting 250* coolant temp!Engine Coolant Temperature (*F)
Max: 250
Intake Air Temperature (*F):
Max: 210
RPM
Max: 4000
MPH
Max: 90
Oil Change Distance (miles)
Max: 3,000
Service Distance (miles)
Max: 30,000
UltraGauge Internal Temperature (*F)
Max: 145
Fuel Level
Min: 0.5
Distance to Empty (miles)
Min: 5
I dropped the Coolant Temp to 210*, as that's below the AC cutoff which (IIRC) is about 226*, so should give me plenty of advance warning that something is wrong. Intake Temp I dropped to 175*.
The fuel level I set to 2. We already know that the empty light comes on with 5 gallons remaining, so this is just a backup to that. Distance to empty I bumped up to 25 miles.
Does anyone have any suggestions for other alarms we can set?
Mounting Locations
The windshield mount allows for many different mounting options. I initially tried the standard lower drivers side corner mount....
(image borrowed from dgerst)
The problem with this location is heat. On a 100* ambient day, when I went out to start my truck to go home for the day, the UltraGauge reported a temp of 180*!
(It was about 140* in the cab, so that temperature was probably accurate since the gauge was sitting in the sun.)
My current mounting solution that I'm playing with is here:
Normally I use the sun visor to hold the cable out of my way. If I keep it here, I'll put the cable between the gasket and the windshield, fits nicely there.
Some nice things about this is that it keeps the gauge out of the way. It doesn't block your vision (as mounting it lower on the windshield can). It keeps it out of the heat (since I moved it here I haven't had a high temp warning). The cable is plenty long enough, that's not an issue. It does not block the visors where I have it.
The down side is that it's somewhat of a pain to view the gauge. Even though you're used to looking in the rear view mirror (you are, right?), it's just a little bit further than you're used to, and you have to spend longer looking at it than you do the rear view mirror.
So far I'm happy with the location, but I intend to try a few other ones. Suggestions on alternate mounting locations are welcome.
Other mounting locations:
Calibration
Here is a list of calibration numbers. The calibration will be based on gear ratio, tire size, etc. Calibration may very slightly depending on how far the tires are worn, PSI, etc.
Gearing: Stock
Tire Size: 315/75r16
MPG: 1.1
Distance: 1.15
Gearing: Stock
Tire Size: 285/75r16
MPG:
Distance: 1.054
Thanks 2 E L O!
Gearing: Stock
Tire Size: 37x12.5x16.5
MPG:
Distance: 1.215
Last edited: