Veratron VL FLEX 52 INDUSTRIAL User manual

B001026
VL FLEX 52 SERIES
VL FLEX 52
INDUSTRIAL
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
rev. AA
DE
EN
IT
FR
ES
PT

CONTENT
B001026
CONTENT
Introduction
3
Safety Instructions
4
Montage
6
Connections
9
Configuration
11
Display Layout
18
Technical Data
20
Accessories
22

INTRODUCTION
B001026
INTRODUCTION
PACKAGING CONTENT
1x VL Flex 52 Industrial
B00086001
1x 8-pole cable
A2C59512947
1x 52 mm Mounting Spinlock
A2C5205947101
1x Safety instructions
B000100
THE ALL-IN-ONE INSTRUMENT
The VL Flex device can easily be configured to be the
instrument you need - thanks to its sun-readable 1.44” TFT
display embedded into a standard 52 mm instrument housing.
The supported analog inputs allow you to directly read from the
sensors. In addition, the J1939 and the LIN 2.0 interfaces makes
it possible for the VL Flex to read from the digital networks as
well.
The simple but effective graphic design can be set up in a single
or dual layout, presenting the data in a clear and intuitive form,
while the colored bar graph and the alarm display allow you to
visually understand your data.
CONTACTLESS CONFIGURATION (patent pending)
Thanks to the contactless configuration you can setup your all-
in-one instrument with a simple tap!
Launch the companion App and define your settings through
the user-friendly interface, then simply hold your mobile device
in proximity of the VL Flex device to transfer the configuration.
Thanks to the embedded passive antenna the configuration can
be done powerless.

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
B001026
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING
•No smoking! No open fire or heat sources!
•The product was developed, manufactured and inspected
according to the basic safety requirements of EC Guidelines
and state-of-the-art technology.
•The instrument is designed for use in grounded vehicles and
machines as well as in pleasure boats, including non-
classified commercial shipping.
•Use our product only as intended. Use of the product for
reasons other than its intended use may lead to personal
injury, property damage or environmental damage. Before
installation, check the vehicle documentation for vehicle
type and any possible special features!
•Use the assembly plan to learn the location of the
fuel/hydraulic/compressed air and electrical lines!
•Note possible modifications to the vehicle, which must be
considered during installation!
•To prevent personal injury, property damage or
environmental damage, basic knowledge of motor
vehicle/shipbuilding electronics and mechanics is required.
•Make sure that the engine cannot start unintentionally
during installation!
•Modifications or manipulations to veratron products can
affect safety. Consequently, you may not modify or
manipulate the product!
•When removing/installing seats, covers, etc., ensure that
lines are not damaged, and plug-in connections are not
loosened!
•Note all data from other installed instruments with volatile
electronic memories.
SAFETY DURING INSTALLATION
•During installation, ensure that the product’s components
do not affect or limit vehicle functions. Avoid damaging
these components!
•Only install undamaged parts in a vehicle!
•During installation, ensure that the product does not impair
the field of vision and that it cannot impact the driver’s or
passenger’s head!
•A specialized technician should install the product. If you
install the product yourself, wear appropriate work
clothing. Do not wear loose clothing, as it may get caught in
moving parts. Protect long hair with a hair net.
•When working on the on-board electronics, do not wear
metallic or conductive jewelry such as necklaces, bracelets,
rings, etc.
•If work on a running engine is required, exercise extreme
caution. Wear only appropriate work clothing as you are at
risk of personal injury, resulting from being crushed or
burned.
•Before beginning, disconnect the negative terminal on the
battery, otherwise you risk a short circuit. If the vehicle is
supplied by auxiliary batteries, you must also disconnect
the negative terminals on these batteries! Short circuits can
cause fires, battery explosions and damages to other
electronic systems. Please note that when you disconnect
the battery, all volatile electronic memories lose their input
values and must be reprogrammed.
•If working on gasoline boat motors, let the motor
compartment fan run before beginning work.
•Pay attention to how lines and cable harnesses are laid so
that you do not drill or saw through them!
•Do not install the product in the mechanical and electrical
airbag area!
•Do not drill holes or ports in load-bearing or stabilizing stays
or tie bars!
•When working underneath the vehicle, secure it according
to the specifications from the vehicle manufacturer.
•Note the necessary clearance behind the drill hole or port
at the installation location. Required mounting depth: 65
mm.
•Drill small ports; enlarge and complete them, if necessary,
using taper milling tools, saber saws, keyhole saws or files.
Deburr edges. Follow the safety instructions of the tool
manufacturer.
•Use only insulated tools if work is necessary on live parts.

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
B001026
•Use only the multimeter or diode test lamps provided, to
measure voltages and currents in the vehicle/machine or
boat. Use of conventional test lamps can cause damage to
control units or other electronic systems.
•The electrical indicator outputs and cables connected to
them must be protected from direct contact and damage.
The cables in use must have enough insulation and electric
strength and the contact points must be safe from touch.
•Use appropriate measures to also protect the electrically
conductive parts on the connected consumer from direct
contact. Laying metallic, uninsulated cables and contacts is
prohibited.
SAFETY AFTER INSTALLATION
•Connect the ground cable tightly to the negative terminal of
the battery.
•Reenter/reprogram the volatile electronic memory values.
•Check all functions.
•Use only clean water to clean the components. Note the
Ingress Protection (IP) ratings (IEC 60529)
ELECTRICAL CONNECTION
•Note cable cross-sectional area!
•Reducing the cable cross-sectional area leads to higher
current density, which can cause the cable cross-sectional
area in question to heat up!
•When installing electrical cables, use the provided cable
ducts and harnesses; however, do not run cables parallel to
ignition cables or to cables that lead to large electricity
consumers.
•Fasten cables with cable ties or adhesive tape. Do not run
cables over moving parts. Do not attach cables to the
steering column!
•Ensure that cables are not subject to tensile, compressive or
shearing forces.
•If cables are run through drill holes, protect them using
rubber sleeves or the like.
•Use only one cable stripper to strip the cable. Adjust the
stripper so that stranded wires are not damaged or
separated.
•Use only a soft soldering process or commercially available
crimp connector to solder new cable connections!
•Make crimp connections with cable crimping pliers only.
Follow the safety instructions of the tool manufacturer.
•Insulate exposed stranded wires to prevent short circuits.
•Caution: Risk of short circuit if junctions are faulty or cables
are damaged.
•Short circuits in the vehicle network can cause fires, battery
explosions and damages to other electronic systems.
Consequently, all power supply cable connections must be
provided with weldable connectors and be sufficiently
insulated.
•Ensure ground connections are sound.
•Faulty connections can cause short circuits. Only connect
cables according to the electrical wiring diagram.
•If operating the instrument on power supply units, note
that the power supply unit must be stabilized and it must
comply with the following standard: DIN EN 61000, Parts 6-
1 to 6-4.

INSTALLATION
B001026
INSTALLATION
WARNING
Before beginning, disconnect the negative terminal on the battery, otherwise you risk a short circuit.
If the vehicle is supplied by auxiliary batteries, you must also disconnect the negative terminals on these batteries! Short circuits can
cause fires, battery explosions and damages to other electronic systems. Please note that when you disconnect the battery, all volatile
electronic memories lose their input values and must be reprogrammed.
BEFORE THE ASSEMBLY
1. Before beginning, turn off the ignition and remove
the ignition key. If necessary, remove the main
circuit switch
2. Disconnect the negative terminal on the battery.
Make sure the battery cannot unintentionally
restart.

INSTALLATION
B001026
INSTALLATION WITH SPINNLOCK
Conventional assembly. (Instrument is put into the drill hole from the front).
The panel width may be within a range of 0.5 to 20 mm. The drill hole must have a diameter of 53 mm [B].
WARNING
•Do not drill holes or ports in load-bearing or stabilizing stays or tie bars!
•Note the necessary clearance behind the drill hole or port at the installation location. Required mounting depth: 65 mm.
•Drill small ports; enlarge and complete them, if necessary, using taper milling tools, saber saws, keyhole saws or files. Deburr
edges. Follow the safety instructions of the tool manufacturer.
1. Different bezels may be installed as alternatives to the
supplied front ring. In this case, gently remove the bezel
using a screwdriver [A] and install the new bezel on the
instrument and press it on until it is flush with the
instrument glass.
Note: the bezel cannot be used after removal since it can be
damaged.
IMPORTANT: if installing a chrome bezel, make sure to
configure the device BEFORE installing it, as the metallic
particles contained in the chrome material might affect the
NFC performance!
2. Create a circular hole in the panel considering the device
dimensions. [B]
3. Remove the spinlock and insert the device from the front.
[C]
4. Adjust the spinlock ad shown in picture [D] according to the
panel thickness
5. Carefully screw in the spinlock by hand at least two turns.
6. Insert the connector.
A
B
C
D

INSTALLATION
B001026
FLUSH MOUNTING
The recommended panel thickness is 1.5 to 3 mm. The drill hole must have a diameter of 48.1 mm. [A]
Ensure that the installation location is level and has no sharp edges.
WARNING
•Do not drill holes or ports in load-bearing or stabilizing stays or tie bars!
•Note the necessary clearance behind the drill hole or port at the installation location. Required mounting depth: 65 mm.
•Drill small ports; enlarge and complete them, if necessary, using taper milling tools, saber saws, keyhole saws or files. Deburr
edges. Follow the safety instructions of the tool manufacturer.
1. Create a circular hole in the panel considering the device
dimensions. [A]
2. Remove the spinlock.
3. Gently remove the bezel using a screwdriver. [B]
Note: the bezel cannot be used after removal since
damaged.
4. Place the flush mount seal A2C53215640 (not included) on
the instrument glass.
5. Put the instrument into the drill hole from the back [C].
6. Adjust the instrument so that the gauge is level and fasten
it to the stud bolts on the rear side of the panel, using the
flush mount fixing bracket A2C59510864 (not included) [D].
7. Insert the connector
A
B
C
D

CONNECTIONS
B001026
CONNECTIONS
PINOUT
Pin No.
Wire Colour
Description
1
Red
KL. 15 –Ignition Plus 12 / 24 V
2
Black
KL. 31 –GND
3
Black / Blue
Frequency input
4
Brown
Resistive input
5
Green
Intelligent Battery Sensor (LIN bus 2.0)
6
Blue / Red
Illumination Day/Night
7
Yellow / Black
SAE J1939 CAN bus High
8
Yellow / Red
SAE J1939 CAN bus Low
VL Flex 52 rear view
Tyco / Hirschmann 8-pole MQS plug
J1939 Connection
Designations in the wiring diagram:
15 –KL. 15 –Ignition Plus 12/24 V
31 –KL. 31 –GND
F1 –3A Fuse (not included)
S1 –Illumination switch Day/Night (not
included)
H –CAN-Bus J1939 HIGH
L –CAN-Bus J1939 LOW

CONNECTIONS
B001026
SAE J1939 is a CAN bus (Data connection) that is often
used in motors or machines. It gets applied to connect all
the different electrical components (sensors, displays, …)
without the need of many different wires.
It’s important, that there is a so-called terminating
resistor connecting the ends of the two wires in the
physical build up. Those resistors values normally lay
somewhere around 120 Ohms
FREQUENCY INPUT
Designations in the wiring diagram:
15 –KL. 15 –Ignition plus 12/24 V
31 –KL. 31 –GND
F1 –3A Fuse (not included)
S1 –Illumination switch Day/Night (not
included)
RESISTIVE INPUT
Designations in the wiring diagram:
15 –KL. 15 –Ignition plus 12/24 V
31 –KL. 31 –GND
F1 –3A Fuse (not included)
S1 –Illumination switch Day/Night (not
included)
Frequency
signal
Sensor ground
Resistive
sensor signal
Sensor ground

CONFIGURATION
B001026
CONFIGURATION
VL FLEX CONFIGURATOR APP
In order to configurate the VL Flex 52 Industrial, one must set a
couple of parameters, such as display layout, the selected
sensor and its calibration or the alarm threshold.
This is possible via the smartphone app “VL Flex Industrial”,
which can be downloaded free of charge from the according
stores.
A simple but detailed explanation of the configuration
procedure can also be found on the app as an in-app-
instruction.
Thanks to the passive embedded NFC receiver, the VL Flex 52
can be configured, as described below, without the need of a
power supply.
VL FLEX INDUSTRIAL
CONFIGURATOR
The VL Flex industrial App is
available for both iOS and Android
devices.
The setup of the VL Flex device is an intuitive three-step
process.
Please remember that you must READ from the device before
being able to manipulate and download the configuration to
the instrument.
1. READ
2. CONFIGURE
3. WRITE

CONFIGURATIONS
B001026
SYSTEM CONFIGURATION
1. READ THE VL FLEX CONFIGURATION
Launch the “VL Flex Industrial App” and read the
actual configuration of the device by “tapping* the
smartphone onto the front lens.
The READ operation is mandatory before the WRITE
operation is allowed.
After the readout, the App will be set with the
current VL Flex configuration.
NOTE: The antenna position on the smartphone
depends on the model.
Please refer to the smartphone manufacturer manual.
2. SELECT A DISPLAY LAYOUT
Use the section “Layout” in order to choose whether
you want to display a single or two values on the
device.
The preview picture at the top of the app display will
update according to that.
If you choose the dual layout the app expands the
settings, so that both fields can be configured.
3. SELECT THE DATA TYPE
Use the field “Gauge Type” in the section “Data
Selection” to define, which Information should be
visible on the VL Flex display.
The chosen parameters J1939 SPN will be displayed in
the field “SPN” if the parameter has one. If the value
of this parameter is received through the analog
input and not through the J1939 interface, this
information isn’t significant.
If the dual layout is selected, you can choose the data
which should be displayed on the upper and which on
the lower part of the display.

CONFIGURATIONS
B001026
Note: You can find the complete list of supported
datatypes in the table “Supported Configurations” in
this document.
4. SELECT UNIT AND INSTANCE
Define the unit for the displayed data if there is more
than one available. (See table “Supported
Configurations”)
Set the instance for the displayed data (e.g. motor
number or tank number) so they are displayed on the
VL Flex correctly.
Note: The defined instance will also be used by the VL
Flex if data is received on the J1939 CAN bus.
5. SET SCALATION FOR THE BAR GRAPH
To make the bar graph suitable for the expected
range of the values, you can now define the biggest
value, that should still be displayable on the graph.
This step isn’t applicable for all the data types. The
bar graph of the fuel level, for example, has always a
range of 0-100% and can’t be set in a different way. In
this case the field “Bar Graph” doesn’t show up on
the app display.

CONFIGURATIONS
B001026
6. CONFIGURE AN ALARM
For many data types, an alarm can be added. (see
table “Supported Configurations”)
The alarm can be activated or deactivated with the
switch in the according part of the section.
As soon as the alarm is set as active, you can define at
which point it should be triggered in the field next to
the switch. The unit of the value set into this field is
the same which has been set in the previous field.
Note: The direction of the alarm threshold (whether
the alarm gets triggered if the value rises over the
border or sinks below it) is predefined (See table
“Supported Configurations”).
7. CALIBRATE THE SENSOR
The VL Flex assumes the data is received from the
J1939 as a default. This means the analog inputs are
normally disabled.
If there is an actual sensor connected to one of the
gauges analog inputs (frequency, resistive or IBS-
input), it can be calibrated in the register “Input”
after activating the input with the switches on the
right side.
Note: Depending on the chosen data type, you can
either activate the resistive input, the frequency input,
the IBS-Input or for some values even no sensor input
at all. (See table “Supported Configurations”)
If there are two data types selected for the dual
layout, which can be measured over the same type of
analog input, then you have to choose here, which of
the two values is connected to the input and which
value is received over J1939. (There is always just one
analog input of a kind.)

CONFIGURATIONS
B001026
8. SET ILLUMINATION BRIGHTNESS AND CLOCK
The last few configurations can be found in the
register “settings”.
In this section you can set the display brightness for
the day- and night mode by moving the sliders.
Here you can also manage the clock setting.
Note: The clock can only receive the time for the clock
over the J1939 interface (and only if there is some
kind of clock connected to your network). There is no
way, the VL Flex can internally maintain the time.
9. WRITE THE CONFIGURATIONS ONTO THE VL FLEX
After you finished choosing your settings, you can
load the configurations onto the VL Flex device.
Hit the button “APPLY” in the upper right corner and
touch the front lens of the gauge one more time with
the backside of your smartphone.

CONFIGURATIONS
B001026
SUPPORTED CONFIGURATIONS *
Gauge Type
Unit
Symbol
Resistive
input
Frequency
input
Calibration
Alarm
available
J1939
SPN
Engine Speed
rpm
-
✔
Pulses per revolution
Yes
(above)
190
Wheel Based Speed
kmh
mph
SPEED
-
✔
Pulses per unit
No
84
Net Battery Current
A
-
-
-
No
115
Electrical Potential
V
-
-
-
No
168
Battery SOC
%
SOC
-
-
-
Yes
(below)
-
Battery SOH
%
SOH
-
-
-
Yes
(below)
-
Battery
Temperature
°C
°F
BATT.
TEMP
-
-
-
Yes
(above)
-
Battery Autonomy
h
days
BATT. AUT
-
-
-
Yes
(below)
-
Engine Hours
h
-
✔
Internally calculated
No
247
Clock
-
-
-
-
No
964
Catalyst Tank Level
%
DEF /
BLUE
-
-
-
Yes
(below)
1761
Percent Load
%
LOAD
-
-
-
Yes
(above)
92
Exhaust Gas
Temperature
°C
°F
-
-
-
Yes
(above)
173

CONFIGURATIONS
B001026
Gauge Type
Unit
Symbol
Resistive
input
Frequency
input
Calibration
Alarm
available
J1939
SPN
Fuel Level
%
✔
-
0 –90 Ω
3 –180 Ω
240 –33 Ω
90 –4 Ω
105 –4 Ω
Yes
(below)
96
Engine Coolant
Temperature
°C
°F
✔
-
291 –22 Ω(120 °C)
322 –19 Ω(150 °C)
Yes
(above)
110
Coolant Pressure
bar
PSI
✔
-
10 –184 Ω(2 bar)
10 –184 Ω(5 bar)
Yes
(below)
109
Boost Pressure
bar
PSI
✔
-
10 –184 Ω(2 bar)
10 –184 Ω(5 bar)
Yes
(above)
102
Oil Pressure
bar
PSI
✔
-
10 –184 Ω(5 bar)
10 –184 Ω(10 bar)
Yes
(below)
100
Oil Temperature
°C
°F
✔
-
322 –19 Ω(150 °C)
Yes
(above)
175
Engine Oil Level
%
-
-
-
Yes
(below)
98
Gear Oil Pressure
bar
PSI
✔
-
10 –184 Ω(10 bar)
10 –184 Ω(25 bar)
10 –211 Ω(30 bar)
Yes
(below)
127
Transmission Oil
Level
%
-
-
-
Yes
(below)
124
Gear Oil
Temperature
°C
°F
✔
-
322 –19 Ω(150 °C)
Yes
(above)
177
Air Temperature
°C
°F
EXT TEMP
-
-
-
Yes
(below)
171
Total Fuel
l
gal
(US/UK)
TOTAL
FUEL
-
-
-
No
250
Fuel Rate
l/h
gal/h
(US)
gal/h
(UK)
-
-
-
No
183

CONFIGURATIONS
B001026
Gauge Type
Unit
Symbol
Resistive
input
Frequency
input
Calibration
Alarm
available
J1939
SPN
Instantaneous Fuel
Economy
l/100km
mpg (US)
mpg (UK)
mpl (UK)
FUEL
ECON.
-
-
-
No
184
Odometer
km
mi
ODO
-
-
-
No
245
Brake Pressure
bar
PSI
-
-
10 –184 Ω(10 bar)
No
117
The values of the data types, that can neither be received over the resistive input nor over the frequency input, need to be transmitted
on a digital way. This means on the J1939 CAN bus or for the battery values the LIN 2.0 bus.
* Supported configurations can be updated at any time. Make sure to always use the latest version of the app.

DISPLAY LAYOUT
B001026
DISPLAY LAYOUT
NORMAL OPERATION
Single layout
A.
Symbol
Indicates, which data type is displayed right now.
For the data types, which support this function, there is
also the instance indicated here.
B.
Unit
Shows the unit of the currently displayed data.
For some data types it’s possible to change the unit in the
settings. (See table “Supported Configurations”)
C.
Measured value
This shows the numeric value of the dedicated measured
data. If there aren’t any values received for this data type
or they are out of range, the display will show “---“.
Coloured Graphic
The coloured graphic in the background is a bar diagram
that puts the measured value in perspective. This function
isn’t supported for all data types.
The white lines on the left side show the scalation.
Dual layout
A.
Symbol
Indicates, which data type is displayed right now.
For the data types, which support this function, there is
also the instance indicated here.
B.
Unit
Shows the unit of the currently displayed data.
For some data types it’s possible to change the unit in the
settings. (See table “Supported Configurations”)
C.
Measured Value
This shows the numeric value of the dedicated measured
data. If there aren’t any data received for this data type or
the values are out of range, the display will show “---“.
The bar graph can’t be displayed in the dual layout for any
value.
A
B
C
B
C
A

DISPLAY LAYOUT
B001026
ALARM DISPLAY
Single-data layout
When an alarm occurs the bar-graph turns red
and a red alarm symbol is displayed in the top
part of the display between the data symbol and
the unit.
The display returns to normal operation mode
once the alarm is not detected anymore.
Dual data layout
When an alarm occurs on any of the two
displayed data, the numeric digits of the
affected data become red.
In the example above, the data at the bottom
of the screen (Exhaust Gas Temperature) has
an alarm active.
The display returns to normal operation
mode once the alarm is not detected
anymore.