Pride Air 2 controller problem

[wes4dbt]

I have a Pride Air 2, it has a VR2 controller.

Out of nowhere the controller stopped working. The power lights are dim and nothing happens when I press the power button. Wont turn on or off, no chair functions. I haven't been able to find any information on this problem. All the errors are usually blinking light and mine are just dim. The running lights still work but that is a separate switch.

My swon will be coming over later and I was hoping to get some suggestions on what to check/try.

Thanks, Wes

[martin007]

Can you turn off (reset) the module?

[wes4dbt]

I pressed the circuit breaker but no change. Is that what your talking about?

I might not have been able to press it hard enough, had a hard time reaching it and have limited use of hands.

Thanks for the reply.

[martin007]

Can you turn the joystick off and on?

[wes4dbt]

No.

The controller isn't functioning at all. Just the power light are on but very dim.

[Burgerman]

Battery dead flat?

[wes4dbt]

Running lights work fine. Haven't checked the batteries yet but they have been fine, never running low.

[Burgerman]

Running lights will work great on dead batteries. When did you last charge it?

[wes4dbt]

It's on the charger twice a day and all night, always.

[Burgerman]

Does it actually charge?
Connect it and watch. Is it going through the correct sequence?

[wes4dbt]

I thought I'd have my son unplug/replug the controller and see if that helps. If not, I'll have him check the batteries. They are almost three years old but well taken care of. If I remember right, you go from the negative on one battery to the positive on the other, right?? What would be the minimum voltage I would need for the chair to operate?

[martin007]

almost three years old but well taken care of. If I remember right, you go from the negative on one battery to the positive on the other, right??

The batteries are plugged in series.

[wes4dbt]

almost three years old but well taken care of. If I remember right, you go from the negative on one battery to the positive on the other, right??

The batteries are plugged in series.

I'm not sure if your saying I'm right or wrong. I think that's how you test batteries connected in series but I could be wrong.

I just connected the another charger to to chair, in absorbtion it's only pulling 2.2amps. Usually they'll pull @ 5amps after a mile or two of use, they don't seem low.

[Burgerman]

Fully charged around 13V each.
Discharged near flat around 11.5v. Each.

[wes4dbt]

Fully charged around 13V each.
Discharged near flat around 11.5v. Each.

Thanks good information

[Burgerman]

Then maybe you have a defective bus cable, joystick, power module, or its locked and off or something.

[wes4dbt]

It doesn't show the signs of being locked. No scrolling speed indicator or beeping.

The batteries are already down to only taking 1.2 amps. Still just dim power lights showing.

I had a problem about a month ago with one of female plug receptors moving out of position and wasn't able to plug the charger in. Got it back aligned and its been fine. Might have finally broken. That's just a guess. Hate to buy a new controller and find out that's not the problem.

[wes4dbt]

Without any special equipment (besides a multimeter) is there any way to find out if it's the joystick/controller?

[Burgerman]

With your multimeter check that theres 25 to 26 volts at the charge socket.
If so then its either a bus cable or faulty joystick or controller.

So I would just grab a different joystick and plug that in see what happens... To find out. But I have quie sensibly got spares and extra chairs etc. Exactly for these reasons.

[wes4dbt]

Just thought I'd update this thread.

Took a chance and bought a new controller. It solved the problem, I'm a happy camper. lol

[Burgerman]

Do you mean power module?
How do you program it? No OEM access? Or do you? I ask because in order to set correct motor compensation, or even to make it steer properly you must!

[wes4dbt]

Do you mean power module?
How do you program it? No OEM access? Or do you? I ask because in order to set correct motor compensation, or even to make it steer properly you must!

No, I mean the joystick/controller. I haven't installed it completely yet. Just plugged it in and the chair functions were working. I hope the joystick doesn't need programming. I'll find out.

[Burgerman]

If it has 2 parts, power module and joystick, then the power module is where all the programming lives on PG stuff.

[wes4dbt]

If it has 2 parts, power module and joystick, then the power module is where all the programming lives on PG stuff.

I don't know what "PG Stuff" means. According to Pride, they call the joystick the controller and the power module is a separate unit that is bolted to the frame and has lots of thing plugged into it.

[Burgerman]

PG is a company that makes all these controllers. Its in the UK called Penny and Giles. Also called Curtiss Wright here

VR2 https://www.cw-industrial.com/en-gb/med ... controller
R-NET https://www.cw-industrial.com/en-gb/med ... ility/rnet
And more

The VSI, Pilot Plus, VR2, new VR2, R-net, etc inc the one you have. And scooter and industrial stuff for cranes, golf carts, floor sweeping machines etc.

Wheelchair companies like to pretend that they make the stuff they sell and brand them with their own names and sometimes moulded housings etc.
For e.g Curtis Instruments in the US make all prides newer control systems. That they call Q-logic 2 or 3 etc. Its really all just made for them. They also use PG stuff like yours. See above.

[wes4dbt]

Ok, now it makes sense.

btw - I hope your still using DynoPower Dynamometer Systems @ burgerman@wheelchairdriver.com. I sent some support.

[Burgerman]

Yes. Thanks! Will go towards hosting!

[wes4dbt]

Yes. Thanks! Will go towards hosting!

Your choice but a couple of pints sound better. You do a lot of work here.

[Burgerman]

I try. Sometimes get frustrated.