Just built V3 board and testing using a 9V battery on bench without any connections to TPS etc. Using a USB to serial adapter I am able to connect using hyperterminal. However, when I tried configurator software I seem to get a port connection (when changed to correct port I nolonger have a 'cannot connect to port' error message in status window at bottom of configurator) but get time out error so unable to load a map etc. I have opened one of Matt Dearden's files and seem to be able to flash to megajolt (once manage to get chip icon illuminted and pressed) but unable to reload back if shutdown software and restart. To ensure I have the correct firmware I have managed to flash the latest version successfully (all went well in dos prompt window) but again still get timeout error in bottom status window when connected to configurator software. As a final test I used the megajolt lt junior tuner software from Alexander Chukhlebov which works ok as able to flash to and retrive config from megajolt (confirming flash of Matts config).
Is it because I'm not install in car with TPS etc connected or could it be because I'm only using a 9V battery? Or, could it be somethig to do with USB/serial adapted? If so, why work in other circumstances? Seems strange works with everything other than Configurator software?
Help please?
Thanks
DavidR
timing out connection error
Moderators: JeffC, rdoherty, stieg, brentp
Hi David, Some questions in
Hi David,
Some questions in an attempt to narrow down the source of the problem:
Which configurator did you download (what version does it say in the title bar), and which firmware did you flash on your controller?
Did you try a different computer, with a regular COM port, or perhaps a different USB adapter?
Some questions in an attempt to narrow down the source of the problem:
Which configurator did you download (what version does it say in the title bar), and which firmware did you flash on your controller?
Did you try a different computer, with a regular COM port, or perhaps a different USB adapter?
Ahh!!! You like my rock
Ahh!!! You like my rock solid tuner too? Its a little out dated, but its ok, new version is just around the corner!
Nah, if you were able to flash, and store/retrive config, then USB-2-Serial is not a cluprit... Most likely its a wrong configurator you using for the firmware. But it could also be configurator's internal communications algorithms.
Nah, if you were able to flash, and store/retrive config, then USB-2-Serial is not a cluprit... Most likely its a wrong configurator you using for the firmware. But it could also be configurator's internal communications algorithms.
Some details
Gentlemen,
Many, many thanks for the quick reply. Brent, I originally tried V3.0.0 and V3.1.0 beta 1 with the original firmware you supplied blown onto the chip when I purchased from you last November. I then upgraded firmware to the 3.1.0 beta 1 version and again tried both. I then loaded one of Matt's files and tried to blow to megajolt. Didn't work with (I think) V3.0.0 but did get the chip icon with V3.1.0 and blew this to board. Had a timed out error message on both (even when I did get icon) and could only confirm it had been blown to board by using Alex's software. Unfortunately, working away from home until the weekend so can't fully confirm which version of the software was able to get icon on. I did try on a different computer but unfortunately was still using the same USB to serial cable. Need to try and use such a cable as my laptop only has a USB port and although could test (as I have been) on home PC, would want to use laptop in garage etc. I'm a little stumped as it works with hyperterminal and Alex's software but not your tuning software.
I did note that I used 0.1uF capacitors but have kept comms down to 4800 data rates so shouldn't be a problem? As I say, stage it did work with all the other software.
Do you think I need to try a serial cable or different USB to serial cable? Trying not to waste money on cables I don't need.
Many thanks for eveything so far. Parts arrived quickly over here to England and web site very very helpfull in construction. Would recommend to anyone building kit cars here in UK!
David
Many, many thanks for the quick reply. Brent, I originally tried V3.0.0 and V3.1.0 beta 1 with the original firmware you supplied blown onto the chip when I purchased from you last November. I then upgraded firmware to the 3.1.0 beta 1 version and again tried both. I then loaded one of Matt's files and tried to blow to megajolt. Didn't work with (I think) V3.0.0 but did get the chip icon with V3.1.0 and blew this to board. Had a timed out error message on both (even when I did get icon) and could only confirm it had been blown to board by using Alex's software. Unfortunately, working away from home until the weekend so can't fully confirm which version of the software was able to get icon on. I did try on a different computer but unfortunately was still using the same USB to serial cable. Need to try and use such a cable as my laptop only has a USB port and although could test (as I have been) on home PC, would want to use laptop in garage etc. I'm a little stumped as it works with hyperterminal and Alex's software but not your tuning software.
I did note that I used 0.1uF capacitors but have kept comms down to 4800 data rates so shouldn't be a problem? As I say, stage it did work with all the other software.
Do you think I need to try a serial cable or different USB to serial cable? Trying not to waste money on cables I don't need.
Many thanks for eveything so far. Parts arrived quickly over here to England and web site very very helpfull in construction. Would recommend to anyone building kit cars here in UK!
David
Hi David,
Hi David,
The MJLJ uses 4800 baud so, based on observations, it would still work under all conditions- even if you mis-matched the MAX232 with the 0.1uF capacitors.
The problem with the capacitors mismatched with the MAX232 has only shown up with burning the new firmware since the hc08 programming software operates at 9600 baud.
let us know when you have a chance to test it on your home PC- your findings will be useful for debugging.
Also, what brand USB->serial adapter are you using?
Thanks,
Brent
The MJLJ uses 4800 baud so, based on observations, it would still work under all conditions- even if you mis-matched the MAX232 with the 0.1uF capacitors.
The problem with the capacitors mismatched with the MAX232 has only shown up with burning the new firmware since the hc08 programming software operates at 9600 baud.
let us know when you have a chance to test it on your home PC- your findings will be useful for debugging.
Also, what brand USB->serial adapter are you using?
Thanks,
Brent
Hi Brent
Brent,
The burning with the hc08 went smoothly with no problems so don't think it could be that. The USB to serial adapter was a cheap offering off ebay here in the UK and therefore I do have my doubts about it but strange it worked with all the other software on not the tuning software. When I get home at the weekend I will double check the firmware and software versions and try blowing the V3.0.0 and use that. If I have no sucess will also source a different cable and even a new 9V battery to ensure all voltages are good. At least it seems that I'm not doing anything silly or obviously wrong!
Thanks for the help, I'll let you know how I get on.
David
The burning with the hc08 went smoothly with no problems so don't think it could be that. The USB to serial adapter was a cheap offering off ebay here in the UK and therefore I do have my doubts about it but strange it worked with all the other software on not the tuning software. When I get home at the weekend I will double check the firmware and software versions and try blowing the V3.0.0 and use that. If I have no sucess will also source a different cable and even a new 9V battery to ensure all voltages are good. At least it seems that I'm not doing anything silly or obviously wrong!
Thanks for the help, I'll let you know how I get on.
David
SUCESS
Hi Brent,
Bought myself a new, more expensive USB to serial converted, and it worked first time with latest release of software and firmwhat! Therefore advice to anyone looking at using USB to Serial converters would be you get what you pay for - spend £20 on a decent one rather than £5 as it may not work!
Problem over - just need to get it into the car!
As an aside, do you have any pointers to articles (perhaps on the web) or books that give some theory on ignition timing setup? I'd like to use the dual map function and have one for economy and one for fun!
Thanks
David
Bought myself a new, more expensive USB to serial converted, and it worked first time with latest release of software and firmwhat! Therefore advice to anyone looking at using USB to Serial converters would be you get what you pay for - spend £20 on a decent one rather than £5 as it may not work!
Problem over - just need to get it into the car!
As an aside, do you have any pointers to articles (perhaps on the web) or books that give some theory on ignition timing setup? I'd like to use the dual map function and have one for economy and one for fun!
Thanks
David
Thank you for the update,
Thank you for the update, and glad you got it working.
However, it still troubles me that you had problems with the 'cheap' adapter. I would still like to understand what the problem was!
You will find some good books on tuning your engine - search amazon for 'engine tuning' to see a good listing.
"Forced Induction Performance Tuning" is one I recommend. Some of the principals therein will apply to normally aspirated engines as well.
Thanks,
Brent
However, it still troubles me that you had problems with the 'cheap' adapter. I would still like to understand what the problem was!
You will find some good books on tuning your engine - search amazon for 'engine tuning' to see a good listing.
"Forced Induction Performance Tuning" is one I recommend. Some of the principals therein will apply to normally aspirated engines as well.
Thanks,
Brent
Hi Brent. I have plenty of
Hi Brent. I have plenty of experience making communications API work over a cheap USB-2-serial. Last year I spend quite some time making my serlcomm.dll and mjctrl.dll working properly. Currently those libraries are so well rounded that they are guaranteed to work, as long as adapter is properly installed of course, but I have ways to check for that too.
Ill be happy to help you figure out how to make your API work with all USB-2-serial adapters.
Ill be happy to help you figure out how to make your API work with all USB-2-serial adapters.