PINNED - Info on PROGRAMMING PGDT and others

[Guessrow]

Does the Radio Arena cable work with VR2 controls?

[woodygb]

I just can not get the comms to go active?? tired all comms ports but no Acitve?

As I recall you are trying on a VSI ? ..
If so... I have one report ...from the same person ..of the lead not working on a VSI but working on a Pilot+ ...I have NO reports of any success with any of the Penny and Giles controllers apart from the Pilot+.

[woodygb]

Putting an 1N4148 Diode into the TX line may help those with non functioning KPG type cables connect and get an ACTIVE Comms on the PILOT+.
The above has today worked for me on a previously non working cheap Ebay bought cable.

1N4148 KPG.jpg (92.98 KiB) Viewed 13848 times

I've also ordererd for testing a 5v FTDI cable ...
if it's succesful for me ..then I'll pass it around to various members for further evaluation on the Pilot+,VSI and VR2.

[ex-Gooserider]

It seems possible to me that the FTDI chip may be a part of the "magic sauce" that makes the difference between the items that work and the ones that don't... The FTDI parts are reported by at least some folks in the Linux world to be more reliable at doing the USB-Serial conversion. I also seem to recall some discussion in the past by folks attempting to use the OEM P&G serial port cable with a USB-Serial converter, and that the converters with FTDI chips in them were reportedly much more reliable than the other brands of chips used in the converters.

ex-Gooserider

[woodygb]

Lead has arrived and with the addition of the 1N4148 Diode works for me on an OLD PILOT.

Just need to pass it around for testing.

Lead is USB to Serial TTL Converter cable

TTL-232R-5V

NOTE MORE TESTING IS NEEDED

[Guessrow]

UPDATE: COMMS ACTIVE!!!

Thank you sooooo much Woody! The diode mod worked. Here's what I got:

Vista Computer, KPG 4 Cable with diode as described, Com8, FTDI Driver- 2.8.28.0. I was so excited when I saw 'Comms Active' (VR2 joystick and power control module).

I do have a Radio Arena cord on order as well. With any luck, I will have a second operational cable ready to use in a week or so.

Thanks again. This really made my week!!!

good luck -jim

[woodygb]

Brilliant!
I've posted the lead I made to B.M...
Hopefully ...(and I now see no reason why not after your report) ...he will also have success.

FTDI Driver- 2.8.28.0.

...Isn't that a Prolific PL2303 Driver... 2.0.28 ?

[Jason12]

I will go maplins and buy a diode...

[Burgerman]

Where does this diode go? And why does my lead work without one?

Is it the forward volt drop (making it closer to 3.3v in which case 2 in series may be better) or the "non return" signal that is making the difference?

[Burgerman]

Hopefully ...(and I now see no reason why not after your report) ...he will also have success.

To be fair I had success before the diode! Is the type of diode critical? (1N4148 Diode) I wouldnt expect so.

So cant see how this will not work!

After this we should unsticky this complete thread (I think) as its complex and confuses people. And let woody UK post all the details clearly once for everyone interested to follow. And I will make it sticky instead.

And post the software on a file sharing site somewhere with a link.

[woodygb]

It's the "non return" signal as you've called it...it's stops any unwanted chatter in the wrong direction on the TX line.

The pic a couple of posts up shows the diode ( 1N4148 Signal diode ) position in the TX line ..banded end ( Red + ) away from the XLR connector.

The Radio Arena lead appears to have a built in equiv ....you could add one in the TX line and see if it has any adverse effect.

They're pence each in bulk... or 42p from Maplin.

[woodygb]

Good idea on removing/re doing this thread...once a bit more feedback is received.

With a bit of luck Jason will report success with the diode mod .

Jason ..IF you do get Coms active ...can you give a complete spec of the lead or leads that you get success with.

[Burgerman]

Woody posted cable. This is the FTD1 cable with diode.

I unpacked and plugged into chair, and USB port. Windows 7 64bit said it couldnt find a driver on windows updats. So I went to DEVICE MANAGER and clicked PROPERTIES, UPDATE DRIVER, and windows automatically downloaded a driver and stuck it on COM 10. The software only goes to 8, so I changed it to an unused poert - COM 7.

Restart PG Drives software, change to COM 7 inside this software and COMMS ACTIVE - working great.

I will post it back woody.

[Jason12]

Woody posted cable. This is the FTD1 cable with diode.

I unpacked and plugged into chair, and USB port. Windows 7 64bit said it couldnt find a driver on windows updats. So I went to DEVICE MANAGER and clicked PROPERTIES, UPDATE DRIVER, and windows automatically downloaded a driver and stuck it on COM 10. The software only goes to 8, so I changed it to an unused poert - COM 7.

Restart PG Drives software, change to COM 7 inside this software and COMMS ACTIVE - working great.

I will post it back woody.

Any chance you can post that cable to me? Then I can try it on my VSI..then I will post back to woody.

[Burgerman]

Well its already been posted back! Literally 5 minutes after I tested it. My carer took it and posted it as she left.

[woodygb]

P.M. me your addy Jason...I'll repost it to you.

[woodygb]

REFERENCE ONLY:-
F.T.D.I
Future Technology Devices International Ltd ...
http://www.ftdichip.com/Products/Cables ... Serial.htm

I'll probably be recommending one of the above leads... if testing continues to be positive ...as they're globally available and the drivers seem to install without much hassle.

[woodygb]

3 leads posted to you Jason.
1 FTDI with 1N4148 diode
1 ICOM with 1N4148 diode
1 STD ICOM

[Jason12]

3 leads posted to you Jason.
1 FTDI with 1N4148 diode
1 ICOM with 1N4148 diode
1 STD ICOM

Ok cheers will report back once tested.

[woodygb]

I have now successfully connected to PGDT's scooter controllers with a homebrew lead... I'll update with instructions to make this scooter lead and the wheelchair lead once I'm confident that it'll work for others.

I can get Comms active on a SOLO controller in my possession BUT the MOBILITY software isn't compatible with the INDUSTRIAL range thus I can't read the parameters.

So ...I'm now searching for Access | Trio+ | I-Drive | Solo | P.C. based software INDUSTRIAL....

Anyone able to help?

Cheers Woody

[woodygb]

If anyone wishes to try out the homebrew scooter lead contact me and I can post.

[Jason12]

Tried all your leads Woody but still no active comms?? I can get all your leads working on my laptop with updated drivers but will not communicate with the VSI controller..?

Cheers

[woodygb]

Oh well ...without a VSI to test with I can't really suggest any alternatives.

[woodygb]

I'm assuming that the PGDT Software didn't complain at all ..."port not found" etc...and you had the controller/wheelchair turned on ?

[Jason12]

I'm assuming that the PGDT Software didn't complain at all ..."port not found" etc...and you had the controller/wheelchair turned on ?

Yes all the above, maybe I could send you the VSI controller to test your end?

[woodygb]

You can if you wish but I'd need the stick and controller.

[Jason12]

Oh well ...without a VSI to test with I can't really suggest any alternatives.

Will you be able to test if I send just the VSI controller? I have one on my wife's shoprider Vienna chair i think it's uses just one 12 volt battery.

[Jason12]

You can if you wish but I'd need the stick and controller.

There is only a controller with stick not separate units..? This is where the controller plugs in..

[woodygb]

My bad VSI .... V Super Integrated ...all in one.

[Mark]

Shoprider Vienna uses two 12 volt batteries, but they are both in the single battery box. It is a 24 volt system, as are all VSI controllers as far as I know. They are rated at 50 amp, and I also have one on my lightweight hacked-about cheap Chinese power chair, as well as the VSIs on both my Vienna and Pride Go-Chair. (All reprogrammed of course). I actually like the controls on the VSI better than the pilot plus because they have a "speed-down" button in addition to the "speed-up" button.