Lexus GS450H VCU Support Thread

[xp677]

The oil is required for cooling - the water cooling is just via an oil/water heat exchanger, oil flow is required to cool the unit.

Have a look at the teardown technical documents, you can see that the oil passages pass between the front and mid housings, these would need to be addressed.

The mechanical oil pump is mounted to the power split device, this could be reused for cooling.

The surface that you are left with is not flat. The easiest solution is to cut the face of the front section down and re use it. Gut the power split device and remove MG1.



You won't save much weight. Weights are listed in the doc.

https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/947393

There shouldn't be any issues with the inverter code and lack of MG1, just remove the relevant lines of code.

[sfk]

I'm pretty sure the bearings depend on oil circulated by at least 1 of the oil pumps operating. In addition to cooling and actuation of the final output planetary clutch packs.

Interesting idea though. Could reduce a lot of bulk and eliminate the diameter of the bell housing. But you might want to look at the version of this gearbox in the Lexus IS instead. It's similar except doesn't have the 2stage final output. It's called the L210 (as opposed to the L110 in the GS)

[Jack Bauer]

Let's keep this on topic please folks. There is a thread for general discussion on the GS450h parts.

[RE3Rotor]

Interesting idea though. Could reduce a lot of bulk and eliminate the diameter of the bell housing. But you might want to look at the version of this gearbox in the Lexus IS instead. It's similar except doesn't have the 2stage final output. It's called the L210 (as opposed to the L110 in the GS)

Too bad they don't have the IS300h in North America.

[Dan--T]

Hello, I'm Looking to build a GS450H based EV using your VCU board.

I've found a 4th Generation 2012-2018 GS450H (Second Generation 450H) quite cheap, does the VCU board work with the later generation GS450H?

Has anybody tried to use the later generation as a base for EV conversion yet?

Thanks
Dan

[sfk]

From what I understand the 2012 model is a facelift version of the previous generation and mechanically largely the same, but that doesn't mean they didn't change to a new communication protocol or something...

[Dan--T]

2012 is a full model change, totally different car but with same/similar powertrain.

It's the change from MK3 GS S190 to MK4 GS L10

Thanks Dan

[steveknox]

I have updated the drawing after some remarks and updates found in the software.

Can you add this wiring diagram to the GS450H wiki? I don't think Damien has seen it listening to comments in his latest video.

Yes ofcourse!

Please find the latest version 2.4

Also the Download link to Visio file:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/e42971nsftjav ... .vsdx?dl=0

I'm wiring up my board with this. Thanks for producing it!
I have 1 question:
The park/neutral position switch diagram appears to have an inconsistency. The numbers & symbols on the picture do not match those on the connection diagram: For example, the pic says:
- B+ == 8
while the connection diagram says:
- B+ == 7

Is this an error or have I missed something?

Steve

[xp677]

Hello, I'm Looking to build a GS450H based EV using your VCU board.

I've found a 4th Generation 2012-2018 GS450H (Second Generation 450H) quite cheap, does the VCU board work with the later generation GS450H?

Has anybody tried to use the later generation as a base for EV conversion yet?

Thanks
Dan

Toyota use the same protocol on many of their hybrid inverters, so the hardware is likely compatible. The issue is the actual data which it expects, Toyota will certainly have changed it for the newer model.

You'd need access to a working 2012+ GS450h to read the serial data under various driving conditions and work backwards from there.

I'm wiring up my board with this. Thanks for producing it!
I have 1 question:
The park/neutral position switch diagram appears to have an inconsistency. The numbers & symbols on the picture do not match those on the connection diagram: For example, the pic says:
- B+ == 8
while the connection diagram says:
- B+ == 7

Is this an error or have I missed something?

Steve

Go with the Toyota diagrams (light blue boxes with colourful wires). B+ is 7, white wire. I don't know what "pic" you're referring to. The attachment you quoted includes a snip of the Toyota diagram.

The diagrams in the Wiki are all verified correct, as well: https://openinverter.org/wiki/File:Shift_position.png

[steveknox]

Thanks for the clarification. I was inclined to go with the wiring diagram, but got thrown off by the image of the connector front view.

I don't know what "pic" you're referring to. The attachment you quoted includes a snip of the Toyota diagram.

The diagrams in the Wiki are all verified correct, as well: https://openinverter.org/wiki/File:Shift_position.png

The 'pic' I'm referring to is the 'Connector Front View':
Using the `B+` example, the pin is numbered 8, but the wiring diagram says `B+` is 7. I've checked the plug itself, and the numbers in the 'pic' match, so I'm guessing the labels are not correct?

[xp677]

I wouldn't trust that picture, I'd trust the Toyota diagrams and their wire colours.

This is a simple switch, the truth table is posted as part of the Toyota diagrams (which is always nice), so it's easy to verify.

[Jack Bauer]

Well, collected my bits from the toyota dealer this morning. Bad news. Plug does not fit the gs450h inverter. Good news : its fits the Prius Gen 3

[Eflyers]

That's what I was afraid of. Again, if someone with a GS450H wiring harness could hunt for the tiny PN(s) on the plug, it might be available like the Gen 3 one Damian just received. Also, sometimes in the service/ part manuals drawings and PNs of the different plug types are listed. I found PNs and successfully ordered plugs for a Gen 4 inverter in service information that Damian posted in the Gen 4 thread some time ago.
Also, the PN for the smaller resolver/temperature plug that mates next to the plug Damian just received is G9266-47010.

[xp677]

Also, the PN for the smaller resolver/temperature plug that mates next to the plug Damian just received is G9266-47010.

Don't forget, the Camry inverters have this second connector for the resolvers and a perhaps a smaller data connector, while the GS inverters have it all-in-one.

So I guess that means we may need to find the part numbers for two connectors!

[arturk]

Did anyone have success with regen?
I have tried adjusting values of htm_data 63, 64 in the code:

Code: Select all

htm_data[63] = (-5000) & 0xFF; // regen ability of battery
htm_data[64] = ((-5000) >> 8);

but no trace of regen.

[xp677]

May be an issue with the signing of the variable you're sending vs what the inverter expects.

Might be worth looking through the logs from my original communication thread and see what the GS put in there.

[arturk]

May be an issue with the signing of the variable you're sending vs what the inverter expects.

Might be worth looking through the logs from my original communication thread and see what the GS put in there.

I did try negative and positive values between 0 and +/- 27500 and honestly I did not see any difference.
I will try to look through the logs, this is good suggestion.

[xp677]

What I mean is, it might be to do with how the GS inverter expects to receive negative numbers vs how sending a signed integer works in C.

Probably not though, since RPM also goes negative and that comes out just fine.

Just a thought!

[masdj2001]

Hi I'm new to the forum and I'm currently in posession of a transmission and inverter from a Lexus LS600HL.
I'm thinking of purchasing a gs450h VCU for my conversion.
Has anyone tried the VCU With the LS600HL inverter yet?

[xp677]

This was discussed a page or two ago. Nobody has tried it, hardware should work, software probably won't.

The current VCU hardware would be a good place to start if you wanted to develop new code for this inverter.

[TFirenza]

I'm in need of a bit of clarification being new to arduino, I'm installing the latest gs450h software _v7 from Damien though Arduino. I have installed the libraries listed and Arduino Due board drivers (image attached) but when I compile its missing /twi.h am I missing this? (Atmel CMSIS driver) https://github.com/arduino/ArduinoModule-CMSIS-Atmel



EDIT

I think I'm there now, added the esp8266 board with board manager https://arduino.esp8266.com/stable/pack ... index.json
set the board arduino due native USB and port to COM1

[Bassmobile]

Hi I'm new to the forum and I'm currently in posession of a transmission and inverter from a Lexus LS600HL.
I'm thinking of purchasing a gs450h VCU for my conversion.
Has anyone tried the VCU With the LS600HL inverter yet?

This is off-topic for this thread.
Please start a new thread to discuss this topic.

[steveknox]

Hi,
Apologies if this has been asked before but I'm having trouble getting my oil pump to work.

I've got my motor spinning with an rx-8 pedal, using VCU version 7, but the oil pump does not come to life when I apply the 12v.

The pump controller is receiving 12v (big blue wire) and the pwm (black wire), but the pump doesn't do anything. No noise or any indication that it is powering up. Has anyone else seen this?

The only thing I can think of is that the controller needs a connection to ground, but I dont know where the ground needs to be connected. Have I missed something obvious?

If i've missed any vital info, just let me know.

[Jack Bauer]

Of course it needs a ground:) connect to the case of the pump controller.

[steveknox]

Well I feel like a dummy. That worked a treat. Thanks!