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Smart Console Guide

Smart Console Guide

Flexi ACe Control Panel - User Manual

1. How It Looks

1.1 The Display

A bright 3.2" TFT LCD display is the core of the console. Every time it turns on it will display first the Zapi logo and then the HOME SCREEN. Majority of menus has a simple colour palette with white text on black background. Display brightness can be adjusted. By itself the display is very fast. While showing information on screen a certain level of latency is always present. This latency is due to the console-controller communication speed and it is not related to the display speed.

⚠️ Important: When the display is turned on for the first time, it is strongly suggested to verify that no fixed or burnt pixels are present inside the viewing area. End-of-line tests in Zapi have been developed to intercept all display defects before shipping.

1.2 The Keyboard

The keyboard is used to navigate in the different menu. It features some keys with special functions and a green LED. Different button functions are shown below.

UP and DOWN keys

In most cases a menu is a list of items: these items are ordered in rows. Selected item is highlighted in light blue. Up and down keys are used to move the selection up and down: in other words, they are used to "scroll".

LEFT and RIGHT keys

Normally used to increase and decrease the value associated with the selected item inside a menu.

OK and ESC keys

OK key is used either to confirm actions or to enter a submenu. ESC is used either to cancel an action or to exit a menu.

F1, F2, F3 keys

These buttons have a contextual use. The display will say which F button can be used and its function.

GREEN LED

When the console is powered on and running the green LED is on. Green LED can blink in certain cases which will be described better in following sections.

2. Connecting To The Flexi ACe Control Panel

Smart Console can connect to Zapi controllers inside a CAN line. Operation is very similar to the CAN CONSOLE software for PC: any controller will be able to communicate with Smart Console if it can communicate with that PC tool. Operating via CAN is much different from serial communication:

  • Connecting cable is different
  • Parameters cannot be modified unless a password is used
  • Smart Console connects physically to a CAN line and not to a controller. The console can be connected in any point of the CAN wires: once connected it sees all modules and messages in the CAN line
  • CANBUS is more flexible and it allows special operations which are impossible with serial communication

HOME SCREEN

After showing the Zapi logo, the HOME SCREEN will be shown on the display.

ℹ️ Notice: CAN connection can be achieved in two ways:

  • CAN CONSOLE menu: choose this method if the CAN node number is known
  • AUTOSCAN CAN menu: use this method to scan the CAN line and to receive a list of present nodes

Connection Steps

  1. Ensure the truck is powered UP
  2. Using the Up and Down buttons on the console, highlight the line AUTO SCAN CAN
  3. Press OK
  4. Choose the type of protocol and baud rate:
    • Zapi Standard protocol: mainly found in applications where all nodes are Zapi products
    • Zapi CANOPEN protocol: more common when CAN nodes are both Zapi products and third-party ones
  5. Press OK to start scanning (can last up to 5 seconds)
  6. After scan is complete, select the desired node from the list and press OK to connect

CAN Node Numbers

Node Controller
2.0 ACE3 Traction Inverter Master uC
2.1 ACE3 Traction Inverter Slave uC
5.0 ACE2 Hydraulic Lift Inverter
6.0 AC0 Hydraulic Steer Inverter

⚠️ Note: If connection fails, a "NO COMMUNICATION" warning will be shown. Press ESC key and look for what is preventing the connection. When the protocol is set to "Standard" it is possible that a node takes more than 5 seconds to show its presence. If some node is missing try to press F1 to refresh the list.

MAIN MENU

If connection is successful, the display will show controller information:

  • First line displays the controller firmware
  • Second line shows controller voltage, controller current and hour meter
  • Last line shows the current alarm code, if present

Press OK to access the MAIN MENU. MAIN MENU contains the complete list of menus available in the controller. All menus are visible - there are no "hidden" menus.

3. How To Modify Parameters (Generic)

  1. From MAIN MENU, enter the desired menu (for example the PARAMETER CHANGE menu)
  2. With UP and DOWN keys, scroll the list to highlight the parameter you want to modify
  3. Press LEFT or RIGHT keys to decrease or increase the parameter value
  4. Keep LEFT/RIGHT button pressed to continuously repeat the value modification ("auto-repeat" function)
  5. Press ESC to exit the menu at any time

If parameters have been modified, the console will prompt you to confirm or discard changes. This procedure is valid for every menu which contains parameters and options like SET OPTIONS, ADJUSTMENT, HARDWARE SETTING, etc.

4. Programming The Traction Footpedal (VACC)

📋 Procedure: Connect to Node 2.0(ACE3 Traction Inverter)

  1. Connect to Node 2.0 using the connection procedure in Section 2
  2. Once connected, press OK to enter the Main Menu
  3. Using UP and DOWN buttons, highlight the sub-menu PROGRAM VACC
  4. Press OK to enter it
  5. When OK is pressed, PROGRAM VACC procedure starts. Console will invite you to:
    • Select the enable switch, if any
    • Select the direction switch (either forward or backward)
    • Depress the pedal to its maximum excursion
  6. Displayed values vary accordingly to operator inputs
  7. When ESC is pressed, console asks if programmed values must be saved or discarded
  8. To save press OK, to discard press ESC

5. Programming The Hydraulic Lift Potentiometer

📋 Procedure: Connect to Node 5.0(ACE2 Hydraulic Lift Inverter)

⚠️ SAFETY WARNING: Before starting the procedure, ensure that the machine is in a safe working area, and ensure that the seat switch is OFF so that the motor does not run during the procedure.

  1. Connect to Node 5.0 using the connection procedure in Section 2
  2. Once connected, press OK to enter the Main Menu
  3. Using UP and DOWN buttons, highlight the sub-menu ADJUSTMENTS
  4. Press OK to enter it

Setting MIN LIFT VALUE

  1. Using UP and DOWN buttons, select MIN LIFT VALUE
  2. Once highlighted, press OK to start acquisition (you should see the value change)
  3. The value shown is the voltage with the lever at rest
  4. Pull the lever until the voltage rises to 1.3V
  5. While maintaining the lever position, press ESC to store the value

Setting MAX LIFT VALUE

  1. Move to the next parameter: MAX LIFT VALUE
  2. Once highlighted, press OK to start acquisition (you should see the value change)
  3. Push the lift lever to full lift position
  4. While maintaining the lever position, press ESC to store the value
  5. It should read approximately 1.94V

Setting MAX LOWER VALUE

  1. Using UP and DOWN buttons, select MAX LOWER VALUE
  2. Once highlighted, press OK to start acquisition (you should see the value change)
  3. Push the lift lever to full lower position
  4. While maintaining the lever position, press ESC to store the value
  5. It should read approximately 0.21V

Saving Changes

  1. Once all values are correctly programmed, press ESC to exit the menu
  2. You may be asked to confirm - Press YES to store the changes
  3. Cycle the KEY switch and test the function of the Lift and Lower

✅ Expected Values Summary:

  • MIN LIFT VALUE:~1.3V (lever pulled to raise voltage)
  • MAX LIFT VALUE:~1.94V (full lift position)
  • MAX LOWER VALUE:~0.21V (full lower position)

Smart Console Guide - Flexi Narrow Aisle Ltd

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