My F55S joystick

[SteveO]

Hi everyone, just a couple of questions if that's ok. I tried connecting a couple of batteries to my F55S to see if the electrics were ok! All the lights work but no movement and the power lights was blinking. So I traced it back to the pod. I've added photos and hopefully you can see them ok? First, there seems to be a yellow wire loose so I was wondering where it should be attached also where the cable attaches to the pod seems to have something missing or broken off so that it doesn't stay in the hole. Inside there is some kind of pot with a blue and a red wire attached which seems to be place over a small hole which you can see on the underside, just wondering what it is? Last thing now, the control module had 80 stamped on the bottom, I presume this means it's 80ah and I remember seeing that it can be changed to 100ah through software. If so does anyone know how to do it?
Thanks

[SteveO]

Extra pics

[SteveO]

Last pic.

[Burgerman]

Yellow wire goes to the top connection on the charge connection.

You cant change an 80 to a 100A unit.

The thing you don't know is a horn

>>> So I traced it back to the pod.

How did you do that?

[SteveO]

Cheers John, I thought it might be that terminal as it's the only one with solder already on it but best to check! When I said "traced it back" I went simple first, I just checked that everything I could see was firmly connected. I noticed that where the cable connects into the pod, it was loose so I opened up the pod and found the yellow wire was disconnected and also that where the larger red and black leads join the plug that connects to the lead going to the module is completely loose, I was wondering if something has broken off it?

[SteveO]

Oh, I also thought I'd read on here that the only differences between the modules might be firmware but maybe that's not correct?
Cheers for the info

[Burgerman]

Well its quite possible. But we cant get that.

[Burgerman]

Check inhibits, and freewheel release lever microswitch.

[SteveO]

Check inhibits, and freewheel release lever microswitch.

Don't know what the inhibits are and the freewheel release lever microswitch is the lever down between the front and rear wheels on the right hand side? As you know, I'm new to this, in fact I'm new to wheelchairs, only been in one for 18 months so I'm learning as I go along. I'm ok mechanically, i started my working life as a heavy goods vehicle mechanic but electronics I have to go slowly. I also lose concentration and train of thought so I take my time at everything. I do like to challenge myself though and prefer to fix something if it can be fixed. I was looking at making a one piece hub to take new wheels and ended up connecting batteries and finding this electrical problem. I'm going to read through some old posts and see what problems others have.

[Burgerman]

When turned on how many lights flash?

http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/powerch ... -codes.htm

[SteveO]

When turned on how many lights flash?

http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/powerch ... -codes.htm

Can't remember now to be honest, I just thought best to switch of and investigate but I'll try again and check. Any thoughts on the loose connector? It's the greyish looking plug on the left.

[steves1977uk]

Isn't that the female socket for the Pilot+ Communication cable that plugs the pod into the Power Module?

Also I've tried upgrading a 80a PM to 100a by modifying the PRG file in a hex editor, didn't work as you get a CRC checksum error when trying to upload it to the PM.

Steve

[Burgerman]

That is the bit the cable plugs into...

[SteveO]

Yeah that's correct, it's the female end that the cable fits into. It's just loose though, I thought maybe it shouldn't be loose and was broken. That's what I'm asking really, should it be loose or is there a gator or something missing. Seems a bit rinky dink if not?

[Burgerman]

No they are not loose. Something wrong. But that shouldnt stop it connecting.

[woodygb]

The socket should be retained like this.

[SteveO]

Yes, the connection (power wise) seems like it's working it just needs to held in place like in the last picture. I don't suppose anyone knows where I can get hold of a retainer for it? Maybe Maplins?

[SteveO]

http://us.essentracomponents.com/shop/e ... p110230-44

Was thinking something like this?

[SteveO]

Just thought I'd update anyone that's interested, I called into my local wheelchair centre today on the off chance and asked if the took part ex's in and what they did with them. Anyway the upshot is that they have a really good condition pod for my F55s and let me have it, how cool was that?

[Burgerman]

Pretty good. I got a complete 2 year old chair that way.

And bought this today...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141780097435

The thing I wanted was the CABLE! Those are around £130 or £90 alone depending on source. But I got a pod too. That will replace the tatty and ruined one I have here:

http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/pdf-files/hose.jpg Yes its a huge hole, and the on off button is made from masking tape...

And that still works even after this:
http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/pdf-files/hose.mov

And yes theres a great big hole in it, and the on off bit is split... I did drill a hole in the bottom to let water out about 5 years ago. Thios chair lives outside uncovered as a very tatty spare!

[SteveO]

Bargains can still be had if you only ask or just be patient on eBay. I was going to order these but don't need to now, might be worth it though just to have a spare. http://support.pgdt.com/Special-Pages/S ... -Cart.aspx

[Burgerman]

No work...

[SteveO]

No work...

Don't know why! It just showed the price for a new gator that's all. They didn't have one specifically for the pilot+ but they did for the VR2 and the VSI, the are the same and was about £4.20

[steves1977uk]

That's because the cookies which holds the info about the items are stored locally on your computer, so anybody else who click on that link will just see an empty shopping basket

Steve

[Burgerman]

The rubber gaiter is only one bit thats died. The joystick itself has lost its "zero" and I have to hold in back stick to make it stop or the brake to come on...
And the sticker in the top that forms the buttons are worn and actually gone. And the casing has extra holes, and is bashed to death...

I would like to find a place for the stickers / buttons on top.

[SteveO]

The rubber gaiter is only one bit thats died. The joystick itself has lost its "zero" and I have to hold in back stick to make it stop or the brake to come on...
And the sticker in the top that forms the buttons are worn and actually gone. And the casing has extra holes, and is bashed to death...

I would like to find a place for the stickers / buttons on top.

Cw industries will do that all for you so the parts are obviously available, maybe if you called them you could talk them into letting you buy the bits. The guy at my wheelchair shop told me they could send mine away for refurb (£120) so that option isn't worth it but as I say, you could talk to them.

[Burgerman]

I can buy new ones for 125 direct from PG Drives!

[SteveO]

There are lots of companies that do graphic overlays but I've no idea of the costs involved. Try this link if it works http://www.fasciagraphics.co.uk/ or copy and paste into your browser, this is one of many of the companies that do it.

[SteveO]

When turned on how many lights flash?

http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/powerch ... -codes.htm

Hey John, I've just connected my cheap batteries from my snail chair to the f55 and I got 9 flashing lights. I won't be able to do anything today now as its knackered me out but the list you posted said something to do parking brake/solenoid unit! What do I need to look for? I think it's the unit attached under the frame on my right side as I'm sat in the chair, the box with a lever on it? Thanks for your advice and honesty in the past re my grandma chair, I could of spent money for no return otherwise.

[SteveO]

When turned on how many lights flash?

http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/powerch ... -codes.htm

Hey John, I've just connected my cheap batteries from my snail chair to the f55 and I got 9 flashing lights. I won't be able to do anything today now as its knackered me out but the list you posted said something to do parking brake/solenoid unit! What do I need to look for? I think it's the unit attached under the frame on my right side as I'm sat in the chair, the box with a lever on it? Thanks for your advice and honesty in the past re my grandma chair, I could of spent money for no return otherwise.