5 — INITIAL SETUP
1212 & 1212P Manual - Sep 2019
pg. 28
5 — INITIAL SETUP
Before operating the vehicle, carefully complete the following initial setup procedures. If you find
a problem during the checkout, refer to the diagnostics and troubleshooting section (Section 7) for
further information.
Before starting the setup procedures, jack the vehicle drive wheels up off the ground so that they
spin freely. Doublecheck all wiring to ensure that it is consistent with the wiring guidelines presented
in Section 2. Make sure all connections are tight.
Step 1: Begin the setup procedures
a. Put the throttle in neutral, and open the forward/reverse switches.
b. Turn on the controller and plug in the programming device. The programmer should power up
with an initial display, and the status LED should light steadily. If neither happens, check for
continuity in the keyswitch circuit and controller ground.
Step 2: Throttle
Set the Throttle Type parameter (Program » Throttle » Type) to match the throttle you are using;
.
It is important to ensure that the controller output is operating over its full range. The following
tuning procedures will establish the Neutral Deadband and Throttle Max parameter values that
correspond to the absolute full range of your particular throttle mechanism.* It is advisable to include
some buffer around the absolute full range of the throttle mechanism to allow for throttle resistance
variations over time and temperature as well as variations in the tolerance of potentiometer values
between individual throttle mechanisms.
Tuning the Neutral Deadband
Starting with the Neutral Deadband set to its default value, adjust this parameter if necessary to
provide a good balance. The deadband should be wide enough for the throttle to reliably return to
neutral when released, yet without an excessive amount of travel in the “dead” zone before power is
applied.
a. If the throttle travels too far when starting out of neutral before the brake disengages, decrease
the Neutral Deadband value. If the brake sometimes doesn’t engage when the throttle is returned
to neutral, increase the Neutral Deadband value. The default setting of 10% should work for
most applications.
b. If a wigwag or unipolar throttle assembly is being used, the procedure should be repeated for
the reverse direction. The Neutral Deadband value should be set such that the throttle operates
correctly in both forward and reverse.
* If you are using a wigwag or unipolar throttle, you should center it before proceeding with the throttle tuning procedures.
Instructions for centering, using the Throttle Calibration parameter, are presented on