Puma 40 with Gyro Module

[inglegrump]

I have a 9 month old RWD Puma 40 which I have had a number of issues with, the worst of them is that drives like a jelly on speed. I suspect from what I have read here that the greatest part of this will be programming. I have deduced that where it is supposed to be a built to order RWD 6.2 MPH Outdoor/Indoor Class 3 chair it actually was built as a FWD 4 MPH Indoor/Outdoor Class 2 chair I discovered this from the manufactures label under the chassis (The conversion from FWD to RWD is actually quite easy on the Puma 40). Because the Gyro function is only an option on the FWD version and I now understand why this is but I am wondering 2 things. How much difference is there likely to be in the programming between FWD and RWD and how the Gyro control, which is actually set on 3 profiles, is likely to affect the control on RWD ? I unfortunately made the mistake of buying this chair from the wrong dealer and I realise now that their 'engineer' has less knowledge than I do, armed with his 'Dealer' programming device.

[Burgerman]

The gyro isnt needed or helpful on rear drive as its naturally a stable self correcting layout. So in programming it best to disable it.

That alone wont cure the problem, as theres a number of options in the OEM programming tool that relates to front drive programming that try to help with steer stability on an unstable front drive layout. These need turning off too. And the main reason it wont steer properly, is:
turn acceleration
min turn acceleration
turn deceleration
minimum turn deceleration

These 4 will all be set to 25 to 45 as they are on every chair. They all need setting to 95 to 100 to remove all the steering delay, and make it go where and when you tell it. And then have turn rate/turn speed set to whatever you want.

[rover220]

What control system is on the chair?

[inglegrump]

Thanks BM. I am assuming that they changed the the 4 mph motors and the controller. I believe they use the 80A controller for 4 mph/the 100A controller and the 120A controller for 8mph. This is all P&G R-Net. I cant get to the controller to see for myself nor can I read the labels on the motors. They use 4 pole for all 3 speeds. They would have also had to have changed the wheels. It all seems a lot of work instead of building the chair as specified.When I asked before about enabling the OBP but it seems they're not allowed ! I'm wondering if the dealer hand held device can actually do it ? Even though it has an active Gyro it's virtually impossible to drive in a straight line in reverse. They have had my chair for 3 weeks now and lent me a 4mph Spectra XTR2. It certainly drives much better than my Puma, but the downside is that it is longer and at 4mph I think I got overtaken by a snail and it has the most uncomfortable seat in the world.

[ICEUK]

Grump, are you in the uk? If so where, a few of us have the oem programmer.

[inglegrump]

ICEUK. I'm in Bournemouth. Once I get my chair back and I'll see what they have/will do. From what I have learnt on here, I'm pretty sure the programming still be crap. It would be really good to be able to programme it properly.

[steves1977uk]

I can do R-Net reprogramming if anytime you're in the Norfolk area in East Anglia inglegrump.

Steve

[terry2]

I have a RWD Puma 40 as well. Gyro control is not worth it(thought the Gyro only worked on mid\forward drive chairs).

You should of got a DWIZ adaptor with your chair. If so you can program it yourself with a cable made by a member here called woody.

[inglegrump]

I can do R-Net reprogramming if anytime you're in the Norfolk area in East Anglia inglegrump.

Steve

As I don't have any transport of my own I fear I'm not going to make it to Norfolk any time soon but I really appreciate your kind offer Steve

Nigel

[inglegrump]

I have a RWD Puma 40 as well. Gyro control is not worth it(thought the Gyro only worked on mid\forward drive chairs).

You should of got a DWIZ adaptor with your chair. If so you can program it yourself with a cable made by a member here called woody.

Terry. I didn't pay for the Gyro function on my chair. I'm now certain it was built as a FWD chair. I realise the Gyro control is useless on a RWD chair so will have it disconnected.
I'm not sure what the DWIZ adaptor is but I didn't get one with my chair.

Nigel

[Burgerman]

Its a module. Unplug, ebay!

[steves1977uk]

I can do R-Net reprogramming if anytime you're in the Norfolk area in East Anglia inglegrump.

Steve

As I don't have any transport of my own I fear I'm not going to make it to Norfolk any time soon but I really appreciate your kind offer Steve

Nigel

You're very welcome! I always like to help out when possible. The DWIZ adaptor Terry mentioned isn't for a R-Net control system, so wouldn't be any use to you.

Steve

[inglegrump]

I finally got my Puma 40 back from my dealer a couple of days ago after they has supposedly sorted out some caster shimmy and handling problems. Apparently there were none. After reading a post from BM I realised that I'd been thinking completely wrong about the casters. I got their guy to reset the seat module back as far as it will go and then set the
C G back as far as that will go, all to get as much weight off the casters as possible. No caster shimmy and much more comfortable ride. Next was to get the Gyro module disabled which currently was enabled on 3 or 4 profiles. A bit of a snag here. It seems the 'Dealer' programmer can't do that and apparently you need the PC programmer ! OK, have you got one ? ...eerr No. You can't just disconnect the Gyro module or you get a screenful of 'Gyro Fault' message. So, as the chair is still under warranty I emailed Sunrise Medical and explained my problem. They suggested I contact my dealer. I replied explaining things a little simpler. They gave me the name of another dealer' in my area' (actually 27miles away). I phoned them..Yes they have a Dealer programmer but not the OEM one. I email Sunrise again...they suggest I contact a dealer. I had also asked about the history of my chair because I think it was originally a FWD chair. They did tell me that it had been made with '10kmH Batteries' . I did ask if that was the same as 10kmH petrol. I have temporally given up but I will lay into them. I think 'Fit for Purpose' is the next approach.

[Burgerman]

That is EXACTLY the sort of comedy I would have expected. Always the same.

[rover220]

What's your location?

[Burgerman]

When I asked before about enabling the OBP but it seems they're not allowed ! I'm wondering if the dealer hand held device can actually do it ?

I admire your optimism! They cant program it PROPERLY or enable OBP




rover220 can.

[inglegrump]

BM. Once you realise how unhelpful Sunrise are by answering every question with Contact Your Dealer is does make you wonder why they have 'Customer Support Associates'

Rover. I'm located in Bournemouth.

[Burgerman]

Their customer isn't you, its the dealer. The dealer hasn't usually a clue, and is mostly dealing on tap turner oners or stuff for old people, stair lifts etc. Or scooters. If they have an "engineer" its usually the delivery driver and his tool kit consists of an old screwdriver they found and a pair of pliers. And a good line in excuses and things like: "make sure you run it dead flat before charging". Programming? Gyros?

Why do you think they take it away to work on it. You can fully disassemble every component, and reassemble on the kitchen floor in 2 hours.

[inglegrump]

Ah, you mean I shouldn't run the batteries dead flat.... I must try and find the charger

[Burgerman]

Their customer isn't you, its the dealer.

To elaborate. you wouldn't call ford or VW if you have an issue with your car. You call the DEALERship. Ford or VW are not equipped to deal with end users. They assemble cars in a factory. If you called them you wold get passed to customer support who would refer you to a dealer...

[inglegrump]

I will disagree with you there BM. In 2008 I bought a new Volvo V70 that after about 800 miles came up with a red triangle and it went into safe mode. From the fault code my dealer replaced a fuel pressure sensor and all was OK until about 400 miles later it happened again. Same fault code, some other part replaced as well and all was good for another 1200 miles when the same thing again. Back to my dealer. I then phoned Volvo Customer Services, explained the problem to an obviously technical person. They then obviously spoke to my dealer and Volvo phoned later to arrange the collection of my car. Loan car arrived, mine went back. 4 days later Volvo guy phoned me, they'd found the problem and my car came back. I had an email from Volvo explaining what they'd found, with photo's and it was a tiny crack in a fuel sensor tapped hole. Following morning a very large bunch of flowers arrived for my wife from Volvo. I drove that car for another 200,000 mile trouble free. Now that was Customer Service. If you but a Dyson and have a problem you phone Dyson Customer Service, not where you bought it and they send someone to fix it