How to establish connection between PL8 & laptop ?

[jchen]

Hi Guys,

Silly as it may seem, I'm unable to make a connection between the two.
Download the CCS & Usb driver. Open CCS program, power up PL8
connect USB but nothing happens. All I see is open Com 3. Is there an led on the driver board that lights up ?

Thanks

[nightflyr]

When connected, there is a red LED to show that the FUIM3 board is connected and functional.

After you downloaded the USB driver did you install it?

[jchen]

Ooops I didnt Nightfyr coz after downloading the driver software
my lap top went into a searching mode & i thought it was done.


Thanks

[jchen]

Hi Nightflyr,

Driver installed but when connected the USD driver on flash once.
Is it suppose to light up all the time ? Also when in CCS prog,
it indicate open Com 3 but am unable enter after selection.
Where did I go wrong ? Help pls, tq

[nightflyr]

You may need to restart your computer, mine starts up as auto when I engage the program then I switch to com 3 and the FUIM3 turns on

[jchen]

thank you. will try again

[Gregor99]

Be sure the connection to the charger is not reversed. There is a wiring key on the top of the charger about the 3 pin port. You can also use the FUIM3 test tool to verify that the PC can communicate with the FUIM3

http://www.revolectrix.com/applicati...ster/setup.exe

[yhchoong]

You finally got your PL8

Btw in the CCS you can hover your mouse over any of the menus and there will be a small explanation bubble which appears. Useful when you want to explore deep into the advance parameters which the PL8 offers.

[jchen]

Hey Gregor99,

Thanks for the link got it working via Tester

[jchen]

Hi YL,

Yes got the PL8 using a single supply to test & it can only
go to max 16amps. Looks like 24V is the way to go. So how
have you been keeping ? BTW the PL8 is really good, much
better than my Hyperions.

[yhchoong]

Exam time for me, so hobby is on hold for now. Yea you definitely need 24V or higher for full PL8 performance, I never even bothered trying mine with just 12V

Well, enjoy your new charger! The MPA board goes really well with it too if you haven't gotten it already (I bought the full package with FUIM3, PL8 and MPA board from John Grzan).

[jchen]

I actually bought the para adaptor board coz I only charge two
batts at one go but discovered that it can only take 6s so no
choice but going to the MPA

[madeye]

Originally Posted by Gregor99

Be sure the connection to the charger is not reversed. There is a wiring key on the top of the charger about the 3 pin port. You can also use the FUIM3 test tool to verify that the PC can communicate with the FUIM3

http://www.revolectrix.com/applicati...ster/setup.exe

How exactly does this tester needs to be run? With FUIM3 connected to USB and not to PL, the light is off, the test fails. With PL connected, it also fails. However, CCS sees this module just fine.

Out of curiosity, what's the reason a symmetrical connector that could be inserted wrong way is used?

Seems to be the rule in RC world these days (just witnessed the same on ESC and four of four servos), wonder why.

[Gregor99]

Originally Posted by madeye

How exactly does this tester needs to be run? With FUIM3 connected to USB and not to PL, the light is off, the test fails. With PL connected, it also fails. However, CCS sees this module just fine..

It needs to be plugged into the USB port and the charger or a 5v supply. Not sure what is going on with your scenario. If the CCS is able to connect to the charger, I wouldn't worry about. Perhaps you have the FUIM2, or you are using the FUIM2 tester with a FUIM3.

[hemp]

Originally Posted by madeye

Out of curiosity, what's the reason a symmetrical connector that could be inserted wrong way is used?

I'm not sure why that connector was chosen, but it's harmless to plug in reversed - I've done it many times .. If it doesn't work I just flip it over. That connection is optically isolated from the charger which is why the adapter has to be powered from the USB port.

[sl4ppy]

Necroing a thread here. I have tried for several hours on 3 different machines and cannot get the software to connect. :/

It's connected (correctly) to one of the ports on my PL8x2 and the other side to the USB port. The charger is powered up. I hear Windows see the USB device and make it's "badonk" sound.

The Control Software never says anything other than "No Data from Powerlab 8v2". The red LED does illuminate.

When I run the tester tool, i get the following:

Starting FUIM3 Echo Test.
Opening port COM3
Port COM3 is open.

PLEASE VERIFY THAT THE LED IS NOW ON

Testing 9600bps... OK
Testing 19200bps... FAILED
Closing COM3

******* FAILED *******

I have tried Win 7, Win 8, and Win 8.1 machines. I have tried USB 1.0, 2.0, & 3.0 ports on all 3 of those.. Nothing works. I have tried rebooting after the USB driver installs. I have tried installing the drivers with elevated privileges. I have tried reversing the servo connector to the opposite of the diagram on the case. Nothing works.

The circuit board on the device says FUIM3 in the traces, so I'm fairly certain I'm using the correct testing software.

At a bit of a loss...

[Gregor99]

You might want to try a different USB cable. Also just to help your troubleshooting, the FUIM must be connected to the charger when running the test. I know you mentioned that it is connected already. But want you to be aware.

[sl4ppy]

Originally Posted by Gregor99

You might want to try a different USB cable. Also just to help your troubleshooting, the FUIM must be connected to the charger when running the test. I know you mentioned that it is connected already. But want you to be aware.

I've tried 4 different USB cables including several that work fine on my various FBL units.. :/

Yes, the FUIM3 is connected to my charger as well with the charger powered up.

Not passing the testing cycles beyond 9600 baud tells me something more technical is amiss. I even tried the latest drivers from ftdichip (which are quite a bit newer than what Revolectrix offers) but to no avail.

http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/D2XX.htm

[Gregor99]

Originally Posted by sl4ppy

Not passing the testing cycles beyond 9600 baud tells me something more technical is amiss.

Give Revolectrix in Maryland a call tomorrow. They'll help you get it sorted out.