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View Full Version : Adjustable Background Charging


Fenrir
08-23-2007, 09:38 PM
I require technical support. ;)

I can't get ABC to work. In Mode 1, I jog left numerous times but never get any regen even when the instantaneous mpg display shows greater than 125mpg. I jog left or right and click to switch between ABC level and ABC activation point, but the mode LED doesn't flash as it should. Perhaps my MIMA OS doesn't have ABC capability? I don't recall the version number, but I believe I'm running the first version that had the PWM LED fading on the Ammmeter (the "Night Rider" release). All other functions work fine.

ericbecky
08-23-2007, 09:40 PM
Funny, I think I may have the same problem in Mode 1.
I just figured I was not smart enough to figure it out. (Actually I still may not be!)
I just ignored that function for the time being.

Fenrir
08-24-2007, 07:48 AM
Maybe we're overlooking something, or maybe there's an error in the operating instructions. You should definitely have the latest OS. IIRC, mine is v1.5.

lightfoot
08-24-2007, 08:16 AM
Your post made me realize I need to look into increasing background charging too. My problem is that my route has lots of downhills that are perfect for glides, so a lot of the time it's in FAS. The electric demands of the steering and other stuff makes it hard to recharge the battery during the periods when the ICE is on, so a higher background charge during those periods might help.

But I'm not sure I really want to go into PIMA because I'm OK with the stock assist programming. Apparently I have to if I want to tweak the background charge level? I'd like to simply increase the background charge from say 10A to 20A, changing the curve would not be necessary.

Fenrir
08-24-2007, 09:39 AM
You could set PIMA up so it behaves very similarly to standard IMA. The difference is PIMA regen will vary based on engine load, like assist does, whereas in standard IMA mode, regen is pretty much constant. Set your mag factor to 1, and the assist setpoint to 40-50mpg on the instantaneous. Put the regen setpoint wherever you want; the closer it is to the assist setpoint, the more regen you'll get, of course. If you spend a lot of time in Mode 1, ABC is what you want (does yours work?). Alternatively you can use the joylock feature where you dial in the assist or regen level you want and center-click the joystick. It will hold that level until the MAP signal changes by I believe 10%, or you change modes. I use this sometimes, or just tap into PIMA for a while to get some regen. Most of the time, I just use standard IMA for regen, and tap into mode 1 when I want it to go away for a while (climbing a low hill). So many options!

Mike Dabrowski 2000
08-24-2007, 09:51 AM
Interesting.
I checked the code, and see that ABC was included in the first "night rider" code which was version 1.3 way back in Dec of 2005.
That is right around when Chris got his system, and in looking at the old e-mails it looks like I sent that version to you while you were installing your system.
There were a lot of fixes to the code that happened after that,including the addition of the option calibration, so it may be smart to get you a copy of the new code.
Does manual MIMA work normally?
how about PIMA?
Have you checked the Option calibration? it is possible that you have the setpoint selected for ABC jogging instead of ABC level?

I just re wrote the PIMA jog while driving instructions to make them more clear.
http://www.99mpg.com/mima/operation/
A feature that I did not explain fully is the flashing of the assist/regen leds to indicate which way you are adjusting things while in PIMA.

The jog direction that raises the regen level in PIMA is the same direction that will raise regen in ABC.
In PIMA, when you are in mid jog, the display will blank except for one led. When jogging assist higher, the rightmost assist led will light. When jogging less assist, the left most assist led will light. When jogging more regen, the left most regen led will light, and when jogging less assist, the rightmost regen led will light.

The visual feedback is not operational in ABC, as I show double the amp meter resolution when in mid jog, for fine adjustments.
The direction of jog that increases ABC regen is the same as raising the regen level in PIMA.
A test for your code version:
If you press and hold the PIMA button, (enter calibration mode)does all of the leds light up for the display brightness calibration?
Is there a white label on your processor with the code #?

Fenrir
08-24-2007, 11:02 AM
I checked the code, and see that ABC was included in the first "night rider" code which was version 1.3 way back in Dec of 2005.
That is right around when Chris got his system, and in looking at the old e-mails it looks like I sent that version to you while you were installing your system.You did. It is all coming back to me now. Memories...

I just looked at the label on the processor, and it reads "1.5.0 3/14/06". I'd been running 1.3 for a while when you sent my 2nd processor with 1.5.

Does manual MIMA work normally?
how about PIMA?
Have you checked the Option calibration? it is possible that you have the setpoint selected for ABC jogging instead of ABC level?Modes 1 and 2 work fine. The first cal option is display brightness. IIRC, the STOPASSIST option doesn't work for me; we discussed this in that other forum, and I don't recall the outcome. Very well may have been operator error. But I digress... Yes, it is entirely possible that ABC setpoint is selected instead of ABC level, but I tried swapping that with the jog-and-click, and didn't get the blinky blinky.

Very queer, indeed. I would think if I had a hardware or wiring problem that it would exhibit itself elsewhere- in PIMA at least.

Mike Dabrowski 2000
08-24-2007, 12:31 PM
You can read the state of the present options.
Get into calibration, then click mode 1 to move through the calibration steps. when you get to the first option, is it blinking or not, same for all options. My default is option 1 not blinking, the rest are blinking.
With this setup assist at stop is working, ABC is defaulting to level, full assist is allowed.

The only thing I can see that could be messing up the mode swap in ABC is that your central joystick sw is not working? this would show up as no FAS (if you have it), you would not be able to change the options, and the brightness adjust would not lock in, as well as Joylock not working.
If the stick is on a diagonal rather then straight to the side, the mode swap will not work.
E-mail your adress to me, and I will get a chip with the new code out to you.

Fenrir
08-24-2007, 01:01 PM
Joylock works, so my center switch must be fine.

Hmmm... The plot thickens... I just checked, and my options were blinking, solid, solid. That should have put me at half assist. I certainly hope I would've noticed that. Does this option change the scale of the display as well? Also, I definitely can start the engine with the joystick, even though option 1 was supposedly turned off (blinking). I just changed the options back to the defaults (solid, blinking, blinking) but I haven't driven yet to see the results.

Also, when changing the mag factor and ramp rate, the procedure is move joystick, then click to lock it in, yes? I shouldn't need to hold the joystick in while moving it on the aux axis?

I'll send my spare chip back to you, along with a check for the FAS module which I don't have yet. I'll get that out today or tomorrow.

ericbecky
08-24-2007, 02:23 PM
I'll have to spend some time this weekend looking at my system and re-rearding the operation manual. I'm sure it is simply my lack of carefully reading the documentation and not a fault with MIMA. Please don't mis-judge MIMA based on my feeble comments.

Fenrir
08-24-2007, 03:33 PM
I just hope I didn't make some error when populating the PC board. I don't see how that could be the case without causing all sorts of other problems (the only other weirdness I have is the mode 1 LED will occasionally come on when I'm in standard IMA mode- seems to be heat/humidity related). This smells like a software issue, and I bet a processor/OS swap will eliminate it. Obviously it isn't a show stopper- been like this for a year and a half. ;)

Mike Dabrowski 2000
08-25-2007, 09:24 AM
Chris, maybe you should send me the board, so I can give it a full checkout?

Fenrir
08-31-2007, 09:46 AM
My MIMA controller board is back from a visit to the Pompeo Ranch (I'm jealous). It enjoyed its stay, and happily received the latest firmware.

In its absence, I think I only reached for the nonfunctional joystick 2 or 3 times. ;) It sure was great to see that display light up and the fans kick on when I booted up to calibrate the system.

MIMA definitely provides better battery cooling. Even though my battery got less exercise in the board's absence, it was often warmer than usual.

I'm happy to report that with the exception of the FAS module which I will install this weekend, all systems are go! :Banane54:



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