Ford Ranger Inverter board Support Thread

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riii
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Re: Ford Ranger Inverter board Support Thread

Post by riii »

We applied 300V at 10A and still have the same behavior of the truck opening the main relay when the brake pedal is depressed after ignition is and the gear selector is in drive. We are now going to try updating the firmware on the Joromy board.
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Re: Ford Ranger Inverter board Support Thread

Post by riii »

Joromy, which version of firmware are you using in your truck currently and where can I find it? -Thanks
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Re: Ford Ranger Inverter board Support Thread

Post by joromy »

riii wrote: Sat Feb 15, 2020 9:38 pm - "dout_prec" and "dout_dcsw" always seem to show 0 even though the contactors are being controlled correctly.

Additionally the motor oil pump doesn't seem to be running. As I understand, the oil pump relay is controlled by the same signal that controls the main contactor, which is working. Is there a harness or other modification we need to make for the oil pump to run?
The contactors showing 0, but you get it to RUN mode is strange.
The oil pump should start, no modification needed.

Remember the original contactors in the Ranger should not be driven directly (12V) You need to use the control board for economizer function.
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Re: Ford Ranger Inverter board Support Thread

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riii wrote: Sat Feb 15, 2020 10:00 pm Joromy, which version of firmware are you using in your truck currently and where can I find it? -Thanks
I use 4.12. Se attached file.
This was made with PWM speed output for Ford Ranger, but I think this is kept in newer versions to.

It may be better to use newer, but my test truck is currently grounded by missing EU inspection date......

Use the bin file, if you use the web interface.

https://openinverter.org/wiki/Downloads
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Re: Ford Ranger Inverter board Support Thread

Post by joromy »

riii wrote: Sat Feb 15, 2020 9:44 pm We applied 300V at 10A and still have the same behavior of the truck opening the main relay when the brake pedal is depressed after ignition is and the gear selector is in drive. We are now going to try updating the firmware on the Joromy board.
Have done some reading on the Tesla inverter, there is much more info there.
And the overcurrent issue is frequently discussed.
Lower the Fslipmin, and increase in small steps.
Don't know how low, but you should not get overcurrent if its very low, but no motor spinning either.
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Re: Ford Ranger Inverter board Support Thread

Post by joromy »

Bobby
Can you post a plot of the il1 and il2 at 1000 samples and 1000 display limit

And have you calibrated/set the potmin/potmax, it could be a little different from truck to truck?
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Re: Ford Ranger Inverter board Support Thread

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Thanks. Looks like we already have the same version. We tried uploading the latest version 4.73 (sine.hex) using the browser interface from wifi module, file upload. We get confirmation that upload is complete but when we refresh the browser and power cycle the truck the browser interface still says we are on version 4.12 and none of the parameters have changed. How do we know if the firmware actually updates?
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Re: Ford Ranger Inverter board Support Thread

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riii wrote: Sat Feb 15, 2020 10:54 pm Thanks. Looks like we already have the same version.
Don't bother with the version for now, it should spin the motor anyway.
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Re: Ford Ranger Inverter board Support Thread

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Firmware version 4.71 sine.bin was able to update via wifi web interface. Test parameters from the attached sheet were entered into the configurations though there were a few parameter options on the latest firmware version that were not listed on the sheet.

We conducted the test mentioned in a previous post in which the brake pedal was depressed after the ignition is on and the gear is in drive. The main contactor opened again even after the firmware update and parameters updated.

The oscilloscope in the photo captured a spike at the moment of the brake depression that may the source of the over current error. We were measuring one of the comparator circuits. I will update tmrw which circuit exactly we were measuring.

We also noticed similar spikes while switching the gear selector. It's possible the comparator circuit is picking up some noise that is causing it to send a possible erroneous signal which may seem like a current surge and opens the main contactors.
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Re: Ford Ranger Inverter board Support Thread

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riii wrote: Sun Feb 16, 2020 8:09 am It's possible the comparator circuit is picking up some noise that is causing it to send a possible erroneous signal which may seem like a current surge and opens the main contactors.
There is a bug in the board version that you have, that may be relevant. The chassis ground in to the board has one function, and that is to give ground to the gnd shield in the current sensor signal wire. You could solder a wire with ground lug to this screw hole in the board.
I have not done this in my truck or others, but it would not harm....

Chassis gnd is located here:
ch_gnd.jpg

BUT more important!! if you don't have the braided ground strip that should go from inverter casing to truck chassis, you have no chassis ground at all, that is not good for emi noise
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Re: Ford Ranger Inverter board Support Thread

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Bobby.

Did you read the current or run a plot on the web interface, when you did the wrap wire around current sensor test.

If you could repeat this test, and simulate pos and neg current of 0 to 400A with wrap wire around current sensor.
And with the car in "RUN" mode and not let go off brake, best is to disable creep mode (disable idle speed/creep set idlespeed to -100), then you don't need to press the brake.

And run a slow plot in the web interface, with log on spot value: din_ocur, il1 and il2.

Then you can see exactly at what current level the overcurrent error appears.

If it trips at the wrong current level, there is some hw error in the comperator resistor divider...... Or some EMI noise....
Maybe some more aggressive filtering would be needed, to depress "false " (noise) current spikes.
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Re: Ford Ranger Inverter board Support Thread

Post by allenwrench »

Hi Johannas,
We have taken the truck out of creep mode and we simulated 100 A, negative and positive and we're seeing the same voltages you had listed. Can't go much higher because our test wires are pretty small. I will clean the conformal coating off screw hole and attach chassis ground there. We have the braided ground attached but it is on the bottom half of the clamshell lid so maybe I will attach to both sides when I reinstall board as well. When we were running this test last night we didn't have a plot going, haven't seen that work yet but we were watching voltages on ila/b and current high/low and everything checked out. Din-Ocur would error out at current spike.
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Re: Ford Ranger Inverter board Support Thread

Post by allenwrench »

Also today we will set -100 in idle speed and try without brake.
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Re: Ford Ranger Inverter board Support Thread

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allenwrench wrote: Sun Feb 16, 2020 4:22 pm We have taken the truck out of creep mode and we simulated 100 A, negative and positive and we're seeing the same voltages you had listed. Can't go much higher because our test wires are pretty small.
Did you have it in RUN mode, and did the overcurrent appear when you did simulation between -100A and 100A?
If it did, at what current did it it trip overcurrent?

If you can simulate going from -400A to 400A (or lower) and not getting an overcurrent, then this is a noise/current spike problem. And some extra filtering may be needed. (hardware or software filtering)
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Re: Ford Ranger Inverter board Support Thread

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Hi, allenwrench.
Maybe a little premature, but just wanted to give you this info, before you start to remove more chips..... :)

The IAA module has many important functions, that will work even if the BCM is removed!

Controlling:
High voltage AUX relay and feedback.
DC/DC and temperature sense of 12V battery.
Air condition and cabin heat.
Vacuum pump.
Coolant pump, coolant temperature sense and radiator fan.
The list go on.........

All this will work if the IAA is enabled AFTER precharge of high viltage AUX circuits.

If you want to use original wires (recommended) you have to do some mods to the IAA circuit board.

(right click and "open/save link" to get big picture)
IAA_module_label_1.jpg
Cut trace 26, red textbox. Solder diode and wire between pin 26 and pin 97 (run/start).
Then connect your BMS precharge output to your precharge circuit.
Connect the BMS pos contactor output to the IAA "new" pin 26, which now is IAA enable.
You must also cut the wire from ignition (run/start) at the IAA connector pin 97, so you don't get IAA enabled from ignition (before precharge) but from BMS.

The new IAA enable, will also be used while charging, with modified original charger or other charger.

Have a look at my setup with the Simp BMS, maybe some of it have similar functions as your BMS.

Ranger_setup_new_8 - Schematic.pdf
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=187#p1870
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Re: Ford Ranger Inverter board Support Thread

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The instrument cluster gauges and lamps, can be controlled this way: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=433
Maybe not on your list yet, but i'm far ahead of you... ;)
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Re: Ford Ranger Inverter board Support Thread

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Don't forget this mod, if not you will burn your HV AUX relay after a while, because the IAA close the AUX to fast, before the BMS has precharged the AUX circuits.

IAA cut pin9 7 295 (LB/PK) wire, run/start.
And run new wire from the BMS to the IAA pin 97.
IAA_cut_pin97_295-LB-PK_2.jpg
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Re: Ford Ranger Inverter board Support Thread

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joromy wrote: Tue Sep 24, 2019 7:13 am This is the config I use for testing the motor in "free wheel" mode.
If you have it on the bench you may have to lower the Boost setting, so it don't jump.

Remember that inverter PWM polarity must be neg. on the Ranger inverter!!!!
"Actual" is the column that' is relevant for Ranger!

It's a very good idea to use a powersupply with first test, at about 50-100V and low amp (<10A), the you avoid blowing something up :(
Don't run the motor/inveter very long (30sec max) if the water cooling is off, and follow the inverter temp closely!

Try to understand what the different parameters mean, I know it could be difficult if you haven't worked with motors of this kind. But you will benefit from it in the long run.
It's much easier to "play" with the settings when you have free wheels, then on the road.
Joromy, are the parameter settings you included in this post (in the "actual" column I assume) the same as what you have your truck tuned to currently for actual normal road driving? I'm having trouble tuning my truck to accelerate up to 104-112 KPH which is necessary for freeway driving here in California. It's most difficult if there is a slight grade or hill. The truck is similarly sluggish going up steep hills from a full stop, so sluggish that I cannot trust being able to get up a hill in my neighborhood without rolling through a stop sign. It would be great to see what your truck is currently tuned to so I can get a better nominal settings for my truck. Thanks, and I hope you staying safe 8-) .
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Re: Ford Ranger Inverter board Support Thread

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I don't have my truck on the road yet, I need to have it inspected by the vehicle department, part of EU regulations...

I recommend to follow the tuning guide:
https://openinverter.org/wiki/Parameters#Tuning_Guide

Do you still have trouble with overcurrent? Try increase the deadtime to 160 (about 3us)

Edit:
I know Damien have had great success with the same motor, you could try the "hv_perfect1.txt"
This setup is practically the same as the Ranger openinverter (HW ver2)
Not sure about his gear ratio, so that should be considered.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=44&p=3014#p3011

Also in the wiki
https://openinverter.org/wiki/Configura ... ns_1PV5135
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Re: Ford Ranger Inverter board Support Thread

Post by arber333 »

I recommend you look at this thread also. Its a rev2 board, but there are some issues with firmware revision and oclimit in there. in the end he apparently solved it by separating encoder power supply and IGBT driver supply from logic power. Not full separation, only the source.
I recommend you go and extend the dead time. Every dedicated inverter i experimented with has dead time higher than 2us. I would recommend you use 180 setting for around 3us. There is no real difference in performance unless you use really low inductance motor.
viewtopic.php?f=11&t=690&start=50
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Re: Ford Ranger Inverter board Support Thread

Post by joromy »

arber333

This should be the voltages out from current sensor, and in to uC.
The sensor is original Ford (or Siemens/Ballard) give 0.5 to 4.5V -400 to 400A.

Amp: Out: In to uC:
500A 4,96V 3,37V
400A 4,46V 3,03V
300A 3,96V 2,69V
200A 3,46V 2,35V
100A 2,97V 2,02V
0A 2,48V 1,68V
-100A 1,98V 1,34V
-200A 1,49V 1,01V
-300A 0,99V 0,67V
-400A 0,50V 0,34V
-500A *0,47V *0,32V
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Re: Ford Ranger Inverter board Support Thread

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arber333 wrote: Tue Apr 21, 2020 1:18 pm I recommend you look at this thread also. Its a rev2 board, but there are some issues with firmware revision and oclimit in there. in the end he apparently solved it by separating encoder power supply and IGBT driver supply from logic power.
I don't think the powersupply is any issue, the driver board has the original Siemens powersupply.
So the only draw on the "rev2" powersupply is the uC and the motor encoder.
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Re: Ford Ranger Inverter board Support Thread

Post by arber333 »

joromy wrote: Tue Apr 21, 2020 9:15 pm I don't think the powersupply is any issue, the driver board has the original Siemens powersupply.
So the only draw on the "rev2" powersupply is the uC and the motor encoder.
Can you separately supply encoder from different power supply with higher voltage. I assume it is open collector output? That should eliminate encoder brown out.

What is your dead time setting? I would set it at 180 for initial testing. Later you can optimize it...
Then you need to go and test boost vs ampmin parameters. I figured less tan optimal boost is quite connected with a good start. Also amp min determines how much throttle (effort) you need to give motor to move. Boost here acts as a pull out mechanism to counter rotor resistance. If you have too low boost you will need lot of amps to start, but after some rpm there will be too much amps and motor will be jumpy. If you see that you need to increase boost and lower ampmin a bit. Allways in steps.
Then if you find out your motor is overheating (or has too much consumption) when driving on level road you have too much ampmin and you need to lower it.
But when you do that you need to verify your takeoff performance because both parameters matter.
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Re: Ford Ranger Inverter board Support Thread

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arber333 wrote: Tue Apr 21, 2020 9:52 pm Can you separately supply encoder from different power supply with higher voltage. I assume it is open collector output? That should eliminate encoder brown out.
Not sure if I understand what you mean by encoder brown out?
But I run the encoder on same voltage as the original Siemens brain (ECU) board did, that is 5V
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Re: Ford Ranger Inverter board Support Thread

Post by arber333 »

joromy wrote: Tue Apr 21, 2020 10:30 pm Not sure if I understand what you mean by encoder brown out?
But I run the encoder on same voltage as the original Siemens brain (ECU) board did, that is 5V
Well some encoders need 5V minimum voltage up to 28Vdc. And if you have 4.95V instead of 5V....
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