EVC Software Update

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I've just been quoted three hours labour by a 'reputable' VP agent on the south coast to update the EVC software on my VP D6 350's. This does not include a further one hour they want to charge me to get to and from the boat. Am I right in thinking this is excessive?

 

[aquatom]

you can get it done at the same time as the annual service.

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

It's probably half an hour for the update, and then two and a half hours to figure out why it hasn't worked. (Bitter experience with evc software updates...)

Cheers
Jimmy

 

[spannerman]

I do updates every week in my job with VP, first we have to log in to Volvos server in Sweden, find you particular engine/transmission combination then search to see if there are any updates available, thïs can be simply an improved version of the software or an active campaign to 'fix' a known problem.
Then we download it into the Vodia PDA and go to the boat, there are 3 ECU's to upgrade, more if there are more helm stations. The Helm Control Unit which controls the instruments and throttle/gearshift, then the Power Control Unit which interprets the drivers commands for transmission and power trim, then there is the Engine ECU itself.
Now I know from experience that you can get all sorts of 'communication problems' or 'chassis ID conflicts' and other irritating snags when trying to load in new software which often results in phone calls to VP's technical support while you are on the boat.
Just occasionally it uploads first time and works when you turn the key!
It takes around 20-30 mins to upload the software for each module and you can't go and do something else as there are several operator prompts during the process, like turn off and on the ign key or turn off the main switch for 10 secs then on again.
So a couple of hours plus travelling is very reasonable, we have been onboard all day some times with a double installation and multiple helms.
Then when we get back to the workshop we have to connect the PDA to the server again and report back to VP that the software has been used otherwise the dealer will get billed by VP for unused software.
So no not excessive IMHO.

 

[jrudge]

Had mine done in Mallorca. Billed as quoted for 2 hours but he was there for 3.

Amazing. Boat now uses half the fuel, is twice as fast and no longer needs servicing.

I jest of course. Unless good reason ( mine was a hopeless attempt to display engine data on plotter) leave well alone and spend the money on beer.

 

[David2452]

I do wonder about software upgrades, Spannerman's post was a bit of a reality check as far as timing goes, but, shortly after buying our current I wanted to fit a VP digital display and an N2K interface to display info on plotters and after giving the serial number etc to VP dealer was told it needed an upgrade to output the info at £++ cost + expensive "Y" leads, sounds fair(ish) thought I, so duly made my own interface leads with Deutsch connectors and installed the kit ready for the VP dealer visit, more so it could be checked after upgrade than anything, guess what, it all worked instantly when I powered it up making me wonder if VP actually have accurate records of exactly what version of SW is in individual motors.

 

[oldgit]

Serious Question.

One presumes in the main all this technology is installed in order to gain advances in fuel economy.It would suggest therefore that merely not installing some less vital bits of kit and therefore saving weight would achieve the same end.ie. that third bog/granite worktop.
It would certainly appear that all this electronic wizardry is not helping the reliabilty or extending the service life of the engines in any way. !
What is so blimming difficult about adjusting those throttles my ear/feel ?

 

[David2452]

One presumes in the main all this technology is installed in order to gain advances in fuel economy.It would suggest therefore that merely not installing some less vital bits of kit and therefore saving weight would achieve the same end.ie. that third bog/granite worktop.
It would certainly appear that all this electronic wizardry is not helping the reliabilty or extending the service life of the engines in any way. !
What is so blimming difficult about adjusting those throttles my ear/feel ?

Serious answer then.
Fuel economy, emissions, smoke, smoothness, power to weight savings far above removing a bog, easier starting. Just generally nicer to use. In my case cheaper on routine service than old technology of the superseded option in our boat. Add to that the fact that it is unlikely old technology could conform to required EU emission levels and there really is not much option. Probably too soon to comment on service life but if modern car & commercial diesel motors are an indicator I do not see any real shocks on the horizon.

 

[spannerman]

making me wonder if VP actually have accurate records of exactly what version of SW is in individual motors.[/QUOTE]

Volvo know exactly what software is in the engine when it leaves the factory and the only way to change it is with the Vodia tool or by sending the ECU in to Volvo.
Thats why when we log in and tell them the engines serial No the system pulls up the version of software loaded in during production, we then have 3 choices,
1- reload existing software ( you are replacing a failed ECU.
2- load in latest version ( you get then get any improvements made to whole system)
3- Campaign ( vital modification to correct a known fault)
The fact that we have to report back to VP after an upload is their way of keeping an accurate record of what software is now loaded into that motor/transmission combination, they have a surefire way of achieving this by billing the dealer several hundred pounds for each ECU if they don't report back within 28 days, this adds up considerably on a twin engined boat with two helms, so guess what, its the first thing I do when I get back to the workshop!.

 

[David2452]

Ah, right, so the dealer simply didn't check then... or worse.

 

[Latestarter1]

Serious answer then.
Fuel economy, emissions, smoke, smoothness, power to weight savings far above removing a bog, easier starting. Just generally nicer to use. In my case cheaper on routine service than old technology of the superseded option in our boat. Add to that the fact that it is unlikely old technology could conform to required EU emission levels and there really is not much option. Probably too soon to comment on service life but if modern car & commercial diesel motors are an indicator I do not see any real shocks on the horizon.

Good to see you are not fazed by dinosaurs.

Being able to update software is far better than being stuck in a time warp.

However software updates can have little impact on fuel economy. Base calibration is certified to EPA Tier II, faar cleaner than RCD therefore compliance is merely a tick in the box.

Any motor certified to EPA cannot have the base calibration changed in a way which will effect the original certified emissions docket. Therefore fuel consumption unlikely to be effected by software updates. On the plus side as an engine population matures having electronic calibrations means that older engines can incorporate performance improvements which do not impact on the certified output as well as new features. Also glitches are are identified and corrected, all good stuff.

Just an example I encountered, customer had fitted Cummins 450 and 480C's on Kamewa (Rolls Royce) water jets. Transition was made on later boats to electronic QSC 540's which proved real positive in terms of socialbility but the QSC 540's lacked the sheer urge of the earlier mecanical engines when loaded up by the jet. Customer was at best miffed. Duty cycle was data logged and analysed and it was easy to see that engine was trying to run too clean on the transient cycle. Real easy to revisit the calibration and change the AFC (Air fuel calibration) within certified performance levels.

Download revised calibration, sea trial and wait for the smile factor, which came in buckets.

Mankind has proved a success as it has embraced progress.

 

[oldgit]

Early Adopters. Beta Testing.

"Mankind has proved a success as it has embraced progress."


Those of us at the lower end of the food wish to encourage those courageous adventurous souls who are prepared to go and roadtest at their own expense and inconvience the very latest technology available on the market.

We salute you.
Your sacifices will benefit all those who follow after ....most probably at some safe distance.

 

[[2068]]

the very latest technology available on the market.

Where would that be, then?
Volvo Penta D4/D6 was introduced in 2003 - that's 10 years ago!

 

[oldgit]

Where would that be, then?
Volvo Penta D4/D6 was introduced in 2003 - that's 10 years ago!

Does this mean its still not sorted after ten years ?


Axshully the dinosaurs were the single most sucessful lifeform on the planet to date.Surviving for around 300 million years.
Man/womankind has been scratching around for around 1 % of that.
As for modern man with all his "advances"...who knows.

 

[LionsDen]

I do updates every week in my job with VP, first we have to log in to Volvos server in Sweden, find you particular engine/transmission combination then search to see if there are any updates available, thïs can be simply an improved version of the software or an active campaign to 'fix' a known problem.
Then we download it into the Vodia PDA and go to the boat, there are 3 ECU's to upgrade, more if there are more helm stations. The Helm Control Unit which controls the instruments and throttle/gearshift, then the Power Control Unit which interprets the drivers commands for transmission and power trim, then there is the Engine ECU itself.
Now I know from experience that you can get all sorts of 'communication problems' or 'chassis ID conflicts' and other irritating snags when trying to load in new software which often results in phone calls to VP's technical support while you are on the boat.
Just occasionally it uploads first time and works when you turn the key!
It takes around 20-30 mins to upload the software for each module and you can't go and do something else as there are several operator prompts during the process, like turn off and on the ign key or turn off the main switch for 10 secs then on again.
So a couple of hours plus travelling is very reasonable, we have been onboard all day some times with a double installation and multiple helms.
Then when we get back to the workshop we have to connect the PDA to the server again and report back to VP that the software has been used otherwise the dealer will get billed by VP for unused software.
So no not excessive IMHO.

Steve - I agree with you - these works are normally undertaken at the same time as a routine service so keeps the overall cost down.

I had our boats software updated last year - 7 updates per engine undertaken - last time was updated in 2009 well worth it - engines seemed to be a lot more resonsive and both start on the button

 

[Andyroonot]

I do wonder about software upgrades, Spannerman's post was a bit of a reality check as far as timing goes, but, shortly after buying our current I wanted to fit a VP digital display and an N2K interface to display info on plotters and after giving the serial number etc to VP dealer was told it needed an upgrade to output the info at £++ cost + expensive "Y" leads, sounds fair(ish) thought I, so duly made my own interface leads with Deutsch connectors and installed the kit ready for the VP dealer visit, more so it could be checked after upgrade than anything, guess what, it all worked instantly when I powered it up making me wonder if VP actually have accurate records of exactly what version of SW is in individual motors.

Hi David-what were you trying to get displayed via the NMEA2000 interface? If you had just asked for the box to work then no updates to the engine or EVC software would be required (although it would be worth doing if updates were available as the other posters on here have pointed out)-this would have been an update only though, so no cost other than the labour for the programmer. However, if you had asked for the NMEA2000 box in order to display fuel information on the chart plotter screen then yes, you'd have needed a software upgrade (to activate the Trip Computer for your serial number in the database) followed by a software update on the EVC system to get it working-this would involve a cost for the new software feature enabled. Your post doesn't really say what it was that worked when you plugged your Y split cable in? If it was just the NMEA2000 box then that is right, and you don't need any new software for it.

 

[David2452]

Hi David-what were you trying to get displayed via the NMEA2000 interface? If you had just asked for the box to work then no updates to the engine or EVC software would be required (although it would be worth doing if updates were available as the other posters on here have pointed out)-this would have been an update only though, so no cost other than the labour for the programmer. However, if you had asked for the NMEA2000 box in order to display fuel information on the chart plotter screen then yes, you'd have needed a software upgrade (to activate the Trip Computer for your serial number in the database) followed by a software update on the EVC system to get it working-this would involve a cost for the new software feature enabled. Your post doesn't really say what it was that worked when you plugged your Y split cable in? If it was just the NMEA2000 box then that is right, and you don't need any new software for it.

No, my MPG & GPH worked, as did every peramiter from the engine, not only displayed on all three plotters but the VP 4" instrument I fitted (which clearly is talking to my N2K otherwise it could not know the distance or speed), reference the VP 4" instrument, I was told would never work with my engine as it was for an earlier version of EVC only. As far as I can tell, the VP J1939 to N2K box is playing quite nicely with my N2K kit despite being told it would not without a software upgrade, the VP 4" instrument even displays information that the D4 is not capable of putting out like speed, water temp and the like direct from my other N2K sensors.