Curtis controller reprogramming 101

mizlplix

Greetings:

After reading and taking part in the HUGE curtis reprogramming thread, I wanted to give a short tutorial of what works (that will not get lost).

Curtis molex plugs that go to their "spyglass" instrument carry information over a simple four wire serial connection. (12Vdc-GRD-Transmit-Receive)

You do not want to ever use the 12vdc wire for anything external.(leave it unhooked)
The ground always needs connected to your DB9 serial ground wire.
The TX (transmit) needs hooked to your RX (receive)
The RX (receive) needs hooked to your TX (transmit)

I simply cut the end off of an old serial extender cable, you need the computer end plug. I bared the wires and twist/soldered them to the appropriate wires mentioned above. It makes a permanent vehicle mounted programming cable.

Any USB to Serial adapter WILL work. The Curtis software only recognises COM 1 and COM 2. Your computer COM 1 is always used for something, you can not use it.

Plug the USB to Serial adapter into your USB port and go into the control panel/device manager and under PORTS, you can reset the USB port that is listed as having the adapter hooked to it to COM 2. SAVE the change. exit.

You do NOT need a TTL converter or an opto-isolator, BUT do NOT ever hook up your computer with the cart battery charger powered up and running!!!!!!

I always hook up my cables, turn on the vehicle to power up the controller and ignition circuits before I boot my computer.

Boot the computer, then open the curtis software. Go into the options menu and set the port setting to COM 2.

In the Upper left corner is an icon to communicate with a device. Click on it. In 3-5 seconds a device number code will appear in the Device/System window. Click on it to high light it.

A row of five icons at the top/middle will light up. They all do a different thing.You can select any one you want.

The first one lists the controller information. The third one will put you in "real time" monitoring mode. The last one is the error history. The second one is the parameter editor, the one you want.

That ends the basic tutorial.

If there is sufficient interest, I will go into use of the parameter editor.

Miz

BGW

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navara20030

I am yet to have a success using this method. I have the latest software, using windows 7, tried the com ports using my usb/serial cable and still no response.

I have only tried this on a Club Car Precedent controller

I'll try it again now that all the information is in 1 place! Wait for my report

mizlplix

IN Windows 7:

Start button

Control panel

Device manager

Ports

Com port 1

General tab

Advanced button

Set to Com 2

OK, and exit all windows.

Open software and see what it is set at.

Set at com 2 also.

Reboot.

Should work if you have the drivers for your USB to Serial adapter installed correctly.

Miz

navara20030

I gave up, can't get the software to talk to the controller... never mind

Gonkulor

Booooo. You gave up!

mizlplix

If you are using win 7, I just found a Win 7 lap top to borrow and work out the probs with it.

Hang in there. Help is comming.

miz

al471990

what program is this that you are running and how can i get it? thanks

mizlplix

For the past year, there has been a group of people studying AC propulsion systems. They all eventually noticed the huge gap in the AC motor offerings.

The present AC50 and soon to be AC75 are the top of the "lower" cost systems out there for DIY people.

Among this study group, are engineers, scientist types and some talented machinist /fabricators, as well as people like me (I'm more like a swiss army knife).

They have decided to work out the methodology and materials required to do a DIY motor customization. Their findings, so far, are really simple and cheap. We include controller optimization programming also.



We have started a new forum dedicated to sharing this information to the DIY crowd. www.ivanbennett.com/forum/




So, anyone really interested in making their own AC propulsion motor is encouraged to view, ask questions and contribute to the discussion.

The forum is only 2 days old at this date, so please be patient, contribute and help us grow.

TYVM, Miz

kgsc

Miz, just as a thought with the Win 7 problem, I had the same deal with Vista in that the machine could see the USB adapter but could not connect to the controller, Alltrax in my case. I ended up searching for a USB driver for the chipset the adapter used. Found a newer one than what came with the adapter and viola, it worked after.

mizlplix

You are right on. Welcome to the wonderful world of Windows....HeH

Miz