[Skip_1074]

I am looking for input as to what the values I should set alerts at. I have turned several alerts on, but am not sure what values to have them set at. Right now they are just at the default values.

Basically my question is, what values should I set the alerts at so I know before something goes haywire, or I break something.

Battery Voltage (Default 6.0)
Cylinder Head Temp (Default 180)
Engine Coolant Temp (Default 225)
Knock 1 (Default 3000)
Knock 2 (Default 3000)
Mass Air Flow (Default 600)
Spark Advance (Default 0)
Transmission Fluid Temp (Default 225)
Variable CAM (Default 100)

As of right now, with around 60 miles of mixed driving (freeway, rural road and city with canned 87 Tow) my ECT runs 190-200 and my TFT runs 175-185 at least from what I noticed as those are the only parameters that I was monitoring. Those two are on my side analogs, RPM in the center (because I like the numeric readout), Gear TCL (I like seeing what actual gear I'm in) on bottom left, and Instant MPG bottom right.

[Longshot270]

I would have the battery set to 10 or 11 volts because a truck starts having a hard time starting there. You'll want to have one crank left before the battery is dead if you can help it. 6 volts doesn't help you out much, by then you wont need the device to tell you the battery is dead.

I'm not sure on the others. I know Jack has a good post somewhere on the alert temps.

[JackandJanet]

I agree totally with Longshot about the voltage, but I'd recommend 12.6V. What you're monitoring here is the output of the alternator, which, during normal driving might vary anywhere between 13.5-14.3V (I've seen extremes like these depending on my electrical load - lower Voltage under high load). If the Voltage should drop into the 12's, your alternator is NOT charging the battery anymore and you need to find out why. A no-load battery voltage of 12.7V is considered fully charged, so anything less than that is not good.

I tow a travel trailer and live in southern Arizona. We have long uphill stretches of 6-8% grade highway here and, of course, high ambient temperatures. When towing, I've learned to expect to see that effect on things. Since the ECT is not really monitored by a sensor but is inferred from the CHT, I monitor the CHT. The "fail safe" limit (where you go into limp home mode) is 258 degrees. I've set my CHT alarm at 240. (I've seen it in the 220's when towing). Normally, though, on the highway, the "normal" CHT is between 200-210. I DID set the limit for ECT at 230, but I don't monitor it. The Oil Temperature can really vary wildly. I've set my limit for that at 250, but in the newer trucks you can't monitor that value.

In normal, non-towing operation, my TFT is similar to yours, about 150-170, but towing up long hills really heats things up. I've seen it around 220 then (briefly) and my alarm is at 225.

Finally, I've set a speed alarm at 85, just to warn me I'm asking for a ticket.

I don't have any values for any of the other settings and don't have alarms set for them. I monitor TFT, Voltage, CHT, Inst MPG and Gears. My dashboard tach is good enough for me. However, when I'm towing, I'm charging three batteries and running a refrigerator. I want to know how the alternator's doing.

Hope this is helpful.

- Jack

[88Racing]

Originally Posted by Skip_1074

I am looking for input as to what the values I should set alerts at. I have turned several alerts on, but am not sure what values to have them set at. Right now they are just at the default values.

Basically my question is, what values should I set the alerts at so I know before something goes haywire, or I break something.

Battery Voltage (Default 6.0)
Cylinder Head Temp (Default 180)
Engine Coolant Temp (Default 225)
Knock 1 (Default 3000)
Knock 2 (Default 3000)
Mass Air Flow (Default 600)
Spark Advance (Default 0)
Transmission Fluid Temp (Default 225)
Variable CAM (Default 100)

As of right now, with around 60 miles of mixed driving (freeway, rural road and city with canned 87 Tow) my ECT runs 190-200 and my TFT runs 175-185 at least from what I noticed as those are the only parameters that I was monitoring. Those two are on my side analogs, RPM in the center (because I like the numeric readout), Gear TCL (I like seeing what actual gear I'm in) on bottom left, and Instant MPG bottom right.

What year truck and motor do you have,are you running stock size tires, how many miles, and do you have a tranny cooler?

Those tranny temps seem a bit more than usual.....
They are still within normal operating temps but I was just curious.....

[Skip_1074]

Originally Posted by 88Racing

What year truck and motor do you have,are you running stock size tires, how many miles, and do you have a tranny cooler?

Those tranny temps seem a bit more than usual.....
They are still within normal operating temps but I was just curious.....

I'm not sure if my signature is showing up or not now that you ask me that. It is a 2010 with 5.4L and the Max Tow package (so it is supposed to have the upgraded radiator and tranny cooler). I will hit 2050 miles tonight on stock tires.

As I said in my first post, those numbers were what I remembered, so I could have been off. I've got 75 miles to drive home tonight, so I will do my best to keep an eye on operating temps and report back in the morning.

If the temperatures that I'm seeing are high (even while still within the normal range, will they settle down some as I get more miles on the truck? Kind of like MPG tend to be better as you get to the 10k, 15k and 20k marks from what I have read.

[JackandJanet]

Skip, with such a new truck, I think whatever you see in normal driving is normal for YOUR truck. I would not worry too much about specific values. I don't anticipate problems with such a new vehicle. (Of course, I can be wrong, new trucks CAN have problems, but I would not expect any.)

- Jack