Nightmare F55

[Sponge]

I have a spinal injury and M.S and so recently had to buy a secondhand ex-demo F55 from Manchester. The thing is an absolute animal to steer correctly. It will seemingly do just about anything except go in a straight line. It is so under powered on speed 1 it'll barely be able to turn, especially if the casters are awkwardly positioned. Then you change to speed two only to find it wants to amputate the legs from any nearby able-bods, and demolish walls, door frames etc. Even the Motability guy agreed it was near impossible to get it to go straight, and he's used far more power chairs than I'm ever likely to. It might be possessed like 'Christine' or something.
Anyone have any ideas what I can do?
Jeff

[Burgerman]

Read my programming page!

ALL powerchairs are like this, but early 2 pole F55s were worse than average.

Once programmed correctly it will go exactly where you want/expect like your car or computer mouse does.

[Sponge]

Hi John and thanks for getting back to me, phew I have just finished reading the programmer page, It took me ages to find it because I kept getting caught up on other pages of your very well informed site. I was out very late last night picking up another F55. It's the same age(2001) and a bit of a nail to be honest. I expect it'll suffer in the same way as christine. I've looked under her and I believe your right about the motors being 2 pole jobs.
Do you reprogram other peoples controllers John? If so how about a 'Stan Stevens' stage II or III tune? I'd pay whatever you wanted e.g sex with christine, her first born etc, or just cash even

[Burgerman]

Bring it/them here and I will do it in ten mins.

Or make woodies cable (dead easy) on the locked thread, and the software you need is easy to find...

[woodygb]

John ... Just incase it will help anyone ...I picked up a CHEAP 80amp Pilot+ ....from Ebay ..would it be any use setting up a controller exchange for the members that use this model?

I haven't got a joystick lead and pod ... or I'd do it myself.

edit: cheap = 99p + £4.50 p&p PENNY & GILES POWER MODULE D49879/1

[Sponge]

Hi John, I'm unfamiliar with the 'woodies cable' bit and a google search returns hits for 'Woodies Diy' and more for American cars with the fake wood paneling etc.
I'm about to take christine apart to get to the heart of the beast. I'm descent enough with an iron to make a lead up provided I can get plugs and stuff to fit. Do you have a link for the software anywhere? All I could find was this:

http://www.pgdt.com/products/programmers/mobility.html

Oh by the way I've already done the single footplate thing, I robbed it from a Shoprider chair, the old dear that was in it at the time wasn't too happy, until I explained to her that these chairs don't need footplates, and go much faster without them anyway

[woodygb]

I'm Woody,
The lead thread is here...
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2111

and

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1965&start=440

[woodygb]

John ... Just incase it will help anyone ...I picked up a CHEAP 80amp Pilot+ ....from Ebay ..would it be any use setting up a controller exchange for the members that use this model?

I haven't got a joystick lead and pod ... or I'd do it myself.

edit: cheap = 99p + £4.50 p&p PENNY & GILES POWER MODULE D49879/1

That needs an extra word or two ..

would it be any use setting up a controller exchange.. a reprogrammed one ... in exchange for their standard controller... for the members that use this model?

[Burgerman]

Could do. But its just 80 amp?

And without having the chair here its hard to program - compensation, turn rates, possible profiles etc.

[woodygb]

The number is the only thing that I have to go on..... D49879/1 ..this seems to be an 80 amp model.

Ah ..just dragged it out of it's box ..it also says 80 in a square box on the label.

[woodygb]

LIKE this...ebay pic.

[Sponge]

Hi Woody and thanks for getting back to me so quickly. The programming just takes place through the pod charging socket? I had imagined it to be on the module under the seat via some kind of magic ritual and dancing or a special plug at least. I have a 9 pin com port thingmabob on my tower (RS232 is it?). I put on it for updating the firmware on my Humax PVR, and ended up just doing it at the scheduled 'over the air time'.
All I need is the lead you linked to at 'RadioArena', chop the little plug (RJ45 is it) and replace with an XLR as per your image? The white and green are both connected to the same pin? I'm using Xp pro sp3, do I still need those drivers? Also there's no other software needed to get to the menu screenshot seen on John's programming page?
Cheers
Jeff

[woodygb]

Yup plugs into the USB port so no need for the serial port you mentioned.

Getting the specific PL2303 driver and the Windows OS to match can be a PITA ..but once that's done everything else is plug and play...via the programming software which you will need.

XP seems the most forgiving OS

[malamar]

great.....i now have for or five dealer programming entities in Pc, none working as intended, and having had erased manufacturer prior version that i was so proud off.... must stop doing all this shadows fighting before getting seriously mad or (even more) crazy. Some day i`llget hold of a pilot 1oo plus, hoping in still useful time, and startng a better driving experience,
What was at my reach up here, i tried even if sadly unlucky.
Hope you keep well and see you sometime...

[Sponge]

Erm.... "programming software"? Where might one find such a thing? Will it cost an arm and a leg? I could go as far as two legs... low mileage, good knee joints, come with two matching size ten feet and shoes thrown in for free.
Jeff

[woodygb]

Sorry to tack this onto your thread Jeff.

John....Any chance of emptying Malamars INBOX for him or setting the preferences to delete oldest mail if his box is full?

[Sponge]

I've found what claims to be a PP1b engineers level programmer on Ebay US. It's Mr Mobility, and I reckon I could fork out to buy one, then install John's best settings for general use i.e no walls need be demolished or limbs removed ones. Then put it back up on Ebay UK for what it cost to buy and bring it here plus P+P obviously.... Or I could dismantle Christine, and the dog(new one) and send them off to John in a box, with some cash for liquid refreshments and P+P obviously and a donation for John's new toys fund. I dunno what to do.
Jeff

[woodygb]

Jeff ..check your Private Messages ..top left hand of the screen..just under "Board Index".

[Burgerman]

John....Any chance of emptying Malamars INBOX for him or setting the preferences to delete oldest mail if his box is full?

Dont think its possible without logging on as him, and I cannot do that without his user/pass?? I will look.