Charger for ISTA-P programming

[fmorelli]

So BMW recommends the Deutronic DBL 1600 for programming. Not exactly a cheap device, or easily available.

Anyone have advise on alternatives. I believe ISTA-P likes to see real voltage lol ... looking for coding E and F series.

Thanks,

Filippo

 

[NoQuarter]

For really long coding sessions, like flashing the idrive, etc, I just hook up the jumper cables.

Last time I had a $60,000 petro BMW engine driven power supply for about 2 hours

 

[fmorelli]

Thanks, Jim. I'm hoping for a more durable solution.

I am surprised at the lack of posts this thread has. @doublespaces could this be because folks are not watching the main page for new posts?

I cannot believe, given the kinds of folks here, that pretty much no one here is thinking about this, researched, solved, etc. I found a few threads on other forums, but they are spotty with DIY solutions. People have done it but exactly how is unclear. Maybe my next step here is to start providing some links for fodder?

Filippo

 

[Mr Rage]

I use a 20a smart battery charger and conditioner I bought off eBay and it’s worked flawlessly however I can’t tell you what it keep the battery voltage at. I haven’t used ISTA-P, does this draw more power from the battery that WinKFP or NCS Expert?

 

[doublespaces]

It's a chicken/egg ordeal trying to build forums. Requires lots if effort and time, neither of which are available.

 

[fmorelli]

ISTA-P wants to see 70A. No worries @doublespaces - just didn't know if you had opinion.

There are tidbit posts where people have built stuff. Off-the-shelf solutions vary in cost. But expect to pay $1k++. I believe this can be a relatively straightforward DIY build. Am chasing down a few common parts and discussing with a few people behind the scenes. Maybe can get a couple built and get a proper DIY thread knocked out here so that folks can solve this with $200 instead of jumper cables or a $1,000 Deutronic or Schumacher setup.

Filippo

 

[Seb335i]

Deutronic DBL 1600 what else ?

 

[derekgates]

Thanks, Jim. I'm hoping for a more durable solution.

I am surprised at the lack of posts this thread has. @doublespaces could this be because folks are not watching the main page for new posts?

I cannot believe, given the kinds of folks here, that pretty much no one here is thinking about this, researched, solved, etc. I found a few threads on other forums, but they are spotty with DIY solutions. People have done it but exactly how is unclear. Maybe my next step here is to start providing some links for fodder?

Filippo

I am always in the "New Posts" button to see activity on the forum but not sure how prominent it is for new folks.

(This is why I keep popping up in the Z4 forum, my bad)

ISTA-P wants to see 70A. No worries @doublespaces - just didn't know if you had opinion.

There are tidbit posts where people have built stuff. Off-the-shelf solutions vary in cost. But expect to pay $1k++. I believe this can be a relatively straightforward DIY build. Am chasing down a few common parts and discussing with a few people behind the scenes. Maybe can get a couple built and get a proper DIY thread knocked out here so that folks can solve this with $200 instead of jumper cables or a $1,000 Deutronic or Schumacher setup.

Filippo

70A!!!! HOLY CRAP

 

[fmorelli]

Deutronic DBL 1600 what else ?

So cruel.

Filippo

 

[martymil]

We use this and never ever has it failed us and has a power supply option that can crank out 50 amps continually.

https://www.automegastore.com.au/pr...MIlKWMmPmi6QIVUyUrCh2FAw46EAQYASABEgJbF_D_BwE

 

[Snertz]

There's a bunch of DIYs floating around using server PSUs, output is nice and clean since they're designed for computers.

The one I'm building uses a DPS-700EB, they can be found for less than $20 shipped on eBay, total build runs less than $40. They're rated for 58A but have been tested up to 65A before over current protection kicks in, you could always stack two in parallel too.

Basic details to get it to output 14v here: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=18908291&postcount=844

Instead of an external pot you could use a 1k resistor instead then fine tune voltage using the internal pot shown below, clockwise decreases voltage. I believe either way works.


More reading here for converting other PSUs : https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?1292514-How-to-convert-Server-Power-Supplies

 

[NoQuarter]

What voltages are needed for programming?

 

[fmorelli]

As @Seb335i told me, Deutronic DBL 1600 is what is BMW approved. I think hitting those voltage/amperage specs would be good. And that should cover the BMW chassis line-up for ISTA+

Filippo

 

[aus335iguy]

ANy update gents ?

 

[carabuser]

ANy update gents ?

The DIY power supply is great. I did the same as posted above by butchering a Dell server PSU. £30 all in and it works perfectly. There's a good thread on bummerboost about it.

The benefit of a mass market component like a server PSU is that it's a very high spec and reliable, I'd expect it to exceed the capabilities of the units inside those Schuacher PSUs when it comes to voltage stability and lifespan. Because of the lack of demand for second hand PSUs in the tech industry they can be had for pennies.

 

[aus335iguy]

Ive read the bummmerboost thread and I actually started by buying the one power supply in Australia that they mentioned.
By the time it arrived it was round thanks to the shithouse packaging. Im still looking but the reason I needed was to flash my CIC and I don't need to anynmore

Im still interested in the thread though because I like seeing people do good, neat work

 

[NoQuarter]

Great progress by @fmorelli so far. Ill let him post some notes and pics on current status.

The intent here has been to do a quality build and not just a cheap/hacky good enough build. Something that looks good, durable, etc.

Waiting on parts and trying different things , hand fabricating electrical connections, etc consumed a lot of time. Getting reliable components that work at 13Amps AC and 80Amps DC was harder than expected - can't just grab whatever pops.up on ebay.

 

[fmorelli]

Yeah sorry for not posting much here lately. We're pretty far along and @NoQuarter and I have spent a lot of time tag teaming this over Whatsapp.

I'm momentarily on hold as we are just wrapping up all the custom parts for the Öhlins TTX, F30 hubs, big brakes. It's been a six month development slog. Car comes apart this Thursday and we hope to have the suspension and brakes built and aligned by end of the following week.

We've kept a bunch of stuff up-to-date. The parts list is still floating; we'll nail that down. The technical drawings are pretty up-to-date:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1F0y1OLSA1M9yEcg7tNg9Xhr5tnbkePGK_rAXeco4Pgw/edit?usp=sharing

Here are a few photos. I have a ton between Jim and I but it will need a sift through once we have it working.

Filippo

 

[nsjames]

I was using a little stanley battery charger and it's worked well, but you have to mind your loads.

I just ordered a delta 700w power supply.

 

[fmorelli]

Regular battery charger doesn't seem to hang from anything I've experienced. I'm wrapping up the connectors for @NoQuarter and I's reprogramming chargers. Hope to wrap this thread up in a few weeks with the rest of the details.

Filippo