openinverter forum

G’day people, I’m new to this world of ev conversions, and I’m trying to power up a leaf harness out of the car using stock components only. No resolve vcu etc. I stripped some of the wires I thought I didn’t need off the body harness yesterday, including the handbrake wiring. Now when I power it on it freaks out and says “apply park brake when parked”. It never cared when it was hooked up in the car, but now it beeps and goes nuts. I there any way to make it happy without a vcu?
It also says key not detected now, but if I hold the key right up to the ign switch it turns on and starts screaming.

Any help would be much appreciated. Sorry if it’s been asked before, I couldn’t find it.

Thanks, Wilson

Undo all the wiring modifications you did.

connect all removed components back up.

Keep in mind the chassis is used as an earth return, so makes sure all the earthing points are connected to 12V negative.

Thanks for the reply. The problem is I cut out the wires that went to the handbrake system. Like completely got rid of them. Not just cut off one connector.
I guess I’m cooked now, I’ll have to get a zombieverter or something. Have manga people done it without a vcu? It won’t properly recognise the key anymore, and won’t recognise high voltage from the battery. I should have been more careful.

There are people who have used whole leafs, but you need quite alot and be careful what you remove.

You are now stuck if you cannot undo what you did.

Only options now would be a Resolve EV or Zombieverter VCU.

Yeah ok, kinda what I’m thinking now. I’m building a car for a mate, and she’s cool with buying a vcu. It’s a 2012, so 1st gen. Do resolve make one for 1st gens? I’ve been watching a lot of Damien’s stuff, and the zombie seems good. I don’t really know much at all though.

Hi, there are alternatives to Resolve EV or Zombieverter.
Look at Ripletech's controller; https://shop.rippletech.co.nz/#/shop
or
the controller from Active Automation ReinCARnated VCM V5; https://www.activeautomation.co.nz/aal- ... ted-vcm-v5
both from NZ and for Gen1 and Gen2 stacks.

or the Citini Electric EVS Vehicle Control Unit; https://citini.com/product/evs-vehicle-control-unit/
Not sure if it also supports Gen1

So, plenty of choice

Ok, thanks for letting me know, wasn’t aware of any of those options. The REV looks good, but more expensive than the zombie. I’ll do more research on the zombie verter I think, looks like the best option. It’ll run all the leaf stuff won’t it? Including charging and regen etc.
Cheers

Zombieverter: https://openinverter.org/wiki/ZombieVerter_VCU

Leaf stack and zombie:
https://openinverter.org/wiki/Leaf_stac ... ombiverter

That should cover everything you need to know

WilsonDriver wrote: ↑Wed Apr 09, 2025 10:05 am It’s a 2012, so 1st gen. Do resolve make one for 1st gens?

No. Resolve-EV starts from 2014. There’s detail on this on their website.

Thanks for the help. I’m going to try and build a board now,and have uploaded all the files to pcbway. They are saying they want the inner layer copper thickness and can’t find it? I didn’t know it was a 4 layer board, but looks like it is. Anyone know where to find that number, or one that’ll work? Cheers, obviously fairly green to this kind of info.

My advise, if you are not comfortable with electronics and programming, buy a preprogrammed Zombie with Wifi board from Damien.
https://www.evbmw.com/index.php/evbmw-w ... zombie-vcu

Otherwise you will need to be willing to learn alot as you go.

I’m very keen to learn, and I’ve done a lot of mechanical work over the years, and a fair bit of soldering. Just analogue stuff rather than digital. I’ll stop bothering you guys and just keep reading, I know most info is already out there. Thanks for your input.