6 — INITIAL SETUP & COMMISSIONING
pg. 111
Curtis Model 1351 – December 2018
PARAMETER SETTINGS – METHOD OVERVIEW
It is the user’s preference what parameters to set first. It is recommended to set the hardware related
parameters first, starting with the CAN communication parameters. Finish by setting the software-
based parameters. For example,
CAN
menu parameters
System Controller
menu parameters
Inputs
menu parameters
Outputs
menu parameters
Step 1: CAN parameters
Determine if the system will use either or both CAN ports. Do not assign the same CAN Node ID
to the two ports. Refer to the CAN menu (
). The Node ID setup/assignment is via the Curtis
Software Suite
TM
: Launchpad,
add a device.
Step 2: System Controller parameters
Power menu. Set the system battery voltage, the minimum, maximum, and brownout trip levels to
match the application (
BDI menu. If using Lead-acid batteries, setup the Battery Discharge Indicator (BDI) parameters. For
optimum accuracy of the battery state of charge (SOC) calculations, use the battery type’s charged
and discharged specifications for setting the full and empty volts/cell parameters. Use the battery
pack’s kWh ratings and the vehicle’s duty cycle to pre-calculate the discharge time parameter. Barring
this information, experimenting with the operational vehicle in its normal usage is suggested to then
finalize the BDI parameters. Refer to the BDI parameters and BDI explanation in Chapter 3 (
Note, if not using lead-acid batteries, leaving the BDI parameters at their default settings is
recommended. Simply ignore the BDI output monitor variable,
BDI Reading
in the VCL program.
For non-lead-acid batteries, including Lithium-Ion battery packs, use the battery pack or cell
manufacturer’s approved Battery Management System (BMS) for determining the SOC. The BMS
aspect will almost always be via the CANbus.
External Supplies menu. Based upon the application, the 5 and 12-volt supplies can be enabled or
left turned off. To help setup these parameters when powering external devices, this menu includes
the monitor variables for voltage and current (
). Note, the combined load current between the
+
5V and
+
12V outputs cannot exceed 300 mA (i.e., the
external power supplies
are not designed to
power high wattage loads, only devices such as encoders, potentiometers, and RTD).
Temperature menu. If the application requires a minimum or maximum 1351 module temperature
limit that is different from the
−
20°C to 100°C default limits, make the adjustments to these parameters
(
).
Step 3: Input parameters
The Inputs menu contains seven sub menus, each of which pertains specifically to the user’s application.
If a particular input does not apply or will not be used, either leave the settings at their default value, or
disable them (i.e., select “none” based upon the parameter). The active settings and pin-connection of
common I/O always takes persistence. Use the application’s wiring diagram (
created as recommended
)
to setup the switch inputs, and whether or not any of the analog inputs will utilize the virtual switch
feature. When using the virtual switch feature, be sure to set the corresponding analog input’s high
and low threshold settings. Immediate feedback of the virtual switch status (monitor variable
VSW
