UltraGauge EM plus - Compatibility and Power Settings

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Page 45/63 UltraGauge™ EM User Manual www.ultra-gauge.com
Compatibility ..
Power on Detect mode
MENU  UltraGauge Setup..  Compatibility..  Pwr on Detect Mode
For compatibility reasons, UltraGauge supports three modes to detect that the ignition is in the RUN position or that the engine
is running. Normally when UltraGauge detects the ignition-on/engine-running condition, UltraGauge exits its low power mode
and begins normal operation. Do not change this mode unless instructed by Support. Battery Drain may result!
Mode 0: This optional mode is primarily for vehicles which use the 9141 or KWP2000 protocols. Mode 0 continually

queries the ECM to determine if it is powered and active. If a response is received, UltraGauge assumes that the ignition
is on. This mode can also be used when mode 2 fails to cause UltraGauge to wake. However, mode 0 can result in
battery drain on 2000 and newer GM vehicles and vehicles which use the CAN protocol.
See the Battery Drain discussion for more detail.
 Mode 1: This mode while not the default is typically preferred. This mode actively monitors the communication bus for
activity. If found, UltraGauge will then attempt to communicate with the ECM. If the ECM responds, the ignition is
assumed to be in the RUN position. If set, Mode 1 is ignored for vehicles with 9141 and KWP2000 protocols, and mode 0
is forced. In very rare cases, certain vehicles may exhibit battery drain when mode 1 is selected. If battery drain should
occur, use mode 2. See the Battery Drain discussion for more detail.
Mode 2: (Default mode) Mode 2 can be used for all vehicles and protocols and is the most compatible. Mode 2 detects

the engine running and wakes UltraGauge. It accomplishes engine run detection by detecting elevated battery voltage
caused by an active Alternator. The Battery high voltage threshold used by mode 2 is by default set to 13.2 volts. This
voltage threshold can be adjusted via the Bat High Threshold Menu item. The weakness of mode 2 is that simply turning
the ignition to the RUN position will not wake UltraGauge. For this reason, Mode 1 is preferred. However, while in mode
2, with the ignition on, pressing UP and MENU simultaneously will cause UltraGauge to wake and enter the Menu. This is
useful for configuration changes without the need to start the vehicle.
Table 2 - Power on mode selection
Protocol Default Recommended
Mode
If on detection failure
Use:
If battery
drain
Vehicle
w/Onstar
9141 2 0 or 2 0 or 2 2 2
KWP 2000 2 0 or 2 0 or 2 2 2
J1850 VPM 2 1 0 or 2 2 2
Ford 2 1 0 or 2 2 2
CAN 2 1 2 2 2
NOTE: When UltraGauge is powered down, pressing UP will wake UltraGauge. However, if the “power off detect” mode
remains satisfied, UltraGauge will quickly reenter low power mode. Pressing UP & MENU simultaneously will enter the menu
system
NOTE: The “Power on detect” mode setting is ignored and set to mode 2 when the “Power off detect” mode is set to mode 5.
Bat High Threshold
MENU  UltraGauge Setup..  Compatibility..  Bat High Threshold
This setting is used in conjunction with “Power on Detect” mode 2. This setting is ignored for “Power on Detect” modes 0
and 1. By default the voltage threshold is set to 13.2 volts and for most vehicles, this is the best setting. However, if when
the vehicle is started, UltraGauge does not wake; decrease the threshold in 0.1 volt steps until UltraGauge wakes consistently.
If UltraGauge falsely wakes when the engine is not running, increase the threshold in 0.1 volt steps until UltraGauge no longer
falsely wakes.