Some work in progress on my Vectrix..

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Sun, 03/25/2012 - 12:54

DoItYourself

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http://www.youtube.com/user/EnergyFromAll

Any comment will be appreciated.. :)

Sun, 03/25/2012 - 21:34

ofx210p

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Re: Some work in progress on my Vectrix..

Interesting changes to the firmware.
A few questions
Are the modifications to the motor controller firmware/dash or charger firmware

what original versions of firmware did you start with to make the modifications to.
what systems did you modify the firmware with ?

Is that a power cable or a canbus connector you are pulling out ? it isn't very clear in the video.

Sorry for all the questions its quite impressive mods

Cheers

Chris

Mon, 03/26/2012 - 01:03

Jonathanm

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Re: Some work in progress on my Vectrix..

One comment - I have heard that this was developed in Vectrix before they went belly up - but I never knew that it was out in the open. How do you intend to share this information/software or modification?

I am for one interested in how you have acheived this.

Thanks for any info,

Jonathan

Mon, 03/26/2012 - 09:16

DoItYourself

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Re: Some work in progress on my Vectrix..

All changes are mine .. I worked hard on the last version (1008) Control Module (ICM).
The firmware is currently in Beta (not working perfectly), but I am close to stability.
The first important thing I needed was the horn .. The original was ridiculous for an intense urban traffic ..

In the third video i've removed the gloves box and inserted in the front fairing an automatic retractable cable for powering the charger (4Wire 2.5mm^2).

Thu, 03/29/2012 - 04:41

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Re: Some work in progress on my Vectrix..

really impressive. Is that firmware of the ICM compatible with MC1014b and BCthelairds? I'm really interested!

Sun, 04/01/2012 - 23:25

tt-tronix

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Re: Some work in progress on my Vectrix..

The cruise-control feature seems to be really cool - especially for saving range. Well done!

I wonder what happens if you try to use regenerative braking while the cruise-control is on. Does it brake then too?

Tido

Mon, 04/02/2012 - 01:35

DoItYourself

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Re: Some work in progress on my Vectrix..

At the moment i just freeze the Throttle data and restart reading after pressing any brake.
I'm already checking the regenerative flag sent from MC, but the regenerative brake is always a Throttle value so i must "decipher" it and if lower than a certain data.. send it to MC and disable the cruise.. (not more simple..)

In the same firmware i have removed the little beep for the horn and now it works like a normal horn.

Sat, 04/07/2012 - 14:54

CO2

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Re: Some work in progress on my Vectrix..

Very good Job!!

Sun, 04/08/2012 - 01:21

DoItYourself

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Re: Some work in progress on my Vectrix..

Thank you ;)

Thu, 04/19/2012 - 07:05

CO2

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Re: Some work in progress on my Vectrix..

Any news?

Wed, 10/03/2012 - 05:18

#10

DoItYourself

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Re: Some work in progress on my Vectrix..

Yes..
:)

cruise now can be disabled with brakes or regen
i've implemented a range for stabilizing neutral throttle position and over/under range defaults for maximum and minimum levels.
now the neutral position is fix and perfect. (the mileage range is improved)
when you are in "stop running" (switch run off) you can calibrate throttle as in original firmware.

Wed, 10/03/2012 - 12:17

#11

ofx210p

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Re: Some work in progress on my Vectrix..

I am sure you would have quite a few willing beta testers out there.

lol

So just to clarify a few things, simply because its a interesting subject and i'm really curious.

1. You said you were working on it before they went belly up, so you are an ex-vectrix employee ?
2. if that is the case do you have a software dev kit or are you simply reprogramming pic source code ?
3. is your source code assembler ?
4. and you are only reprogramming the ICM ? so essentially it is compatible with all motorcontroller versions and charger versions as i don't recall seeing any different ICM versions.

5. if this is the case will it work with the quite brilliant lairds charger code (my assumption is yes)

Obviously the last question on everyone's lips is if/when would you be likely to let this out into the open and would you be giving it to people or charging for it. (no pun intended)

I for one, am not opposed to paying someone for their hard work if its a reasonable figure.

Anyhow - thanks for reading. Hopefully you will not mind all the questions

Cheers

Chris

Wed, 10/03/2012 - 14:10

#12

CO2

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Re: Some work in progress on my Vectrix..

Very good!!!

Thu, 10/04/2012 - 03:22

#13

DoItYourself

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Re: Some work in progress on my Vectrix..

1. I'm not a Vectrix ex-employee .. I'm just a programmer and I work on microcontrollers since 1994 :)
2. I reprogrammed the source code
3. yes
4. yes, it is compatible with all Vx
5. I have the gold charger not silver , but I have seen the great work done by TheLaird and certainly works well with that.(and i have some ideas for improve the interaction with it)

I never shared my work because it was "beta" and still considered dangerous for sharing.. Now, after months of tests on the road and four new releases .. is fully functional. and still in progress with new features.

the latest version has:
- Removed the control of maximum lights current to install xenon kit without error on dashboard
- Cruise control activated from 20km/h
- Cruise control disabled with brakes and regen
- Fixed Neutral position (625) with range (610-640) only in "running mode" to allow calibration.
- Max and min levels fixed to avoid errors throttle while walking (within minimum calibration error)
- Selectable horn sound at start-up (normal or original)

Thu, 10/04/2012 - 04:10

#14

ofx210p

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Re: Some work in progress on my Vectrix..

Very impressive and thanks for taking the time to respond.

Thu, 10/04/2012 - 05:19

#15

CO2

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Re: Some work in progress on my Vectrix..

It's amazing what you can do... I'm "jaloux", like french said
Can I suggest 2 thinks in this new software?
1- select ah, when the bike is in charge
2- see voltage and ah when we ride
What do you think

Thu, 10/04/2012 - 11:07

#16

DoItYourself

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Re: Some work in progress on my Vectrix..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCQK21jVKW4

Thu, 10/04/2012 - 14:09

#17

gasmatt

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Re: Some work in progress on my Vectrix..

Really impressive stuff, DIY.
Knowing that you've tapped into the Vectrix code, & seeing your programming experience, & knowing you've got a gold Runke charger: Have you had a go at modifying the charger software (similar to theLaird's epic with the silver ESD charger) to stop it wrecking the battery? My Runke charger is happily trashing my pack & the only thing I can do is put a timer on the charger, which doesn't appear to help much- batthot & 53 degrees yesterday after 90mins charge from 3 bars starting point....
Not that I'm desperate or anything.
Matt