Leaf DC-DC Not Working with Zombiverter Topic is solved
Leaf DC-DC Not Working with Zombiverter
Hello,
I am using a Zombiverter with a Leaf drivetrain. I have provided both 12V and switched 12V power to the PDM and Inverter and other connections as explained by Damienm, but the DC-DC converter is not charging the car's 12V battery as expected. When I start the car, it moves, but the PDM is not sending voltage to the 12V battery. What could be the problem? Below are my params
I am using a Zombiverter with a Leaf drivetrain. I have provided both 12V and switched 12V power to the PDM and Inverter and other connections as explained by Damienm, but the DC-DC converter is not charging the car's 12V battery as expected. When I start the car, it moves, but the PDM is not sending voltage to the 12V battery. What could be the problem? Below are my params
- Attachments
-
- params (4).json
- (2.13 KiB) Downloaded 55 times
- tom91
- Posts: 2293
- Joined: Fri Mar 01, 2019 9:15 pm
- Location: Bristol
- Has thanked: 199 times
- Been thanked: 524 times
Re: Leaf DCDC Failed With Zombiverter
Please provide pictures of your installation.
What version of Zombie firmware.
Also it is NOT failed, it just is not working... Please use accurate thread titles.
What version of Zombie firmware.
Also it is NOT failed, it just is not working... Please use accurate thread titles.
-
- Posts: 3554
- Joined: Mon Dec 24, 2018 1:37 pm
- Location: Slovenia
- Has thanked: 131 times
- Been thanked: 330 times
- Contact:
Re: Leaf DC-DC Not Working with Zombiverter
See here for start protocol...maiks wrote: ↑Wed Dec 18, 2024 2:42 pm Hello,
I am using a Zombiverter with a Leaf drivetrain. I have provided both 12V and switched 12V power to the PDM and Inverter and other connections as explained by Damienm, but the DC-DC converter is not charging the car's 12V battery as expected. When I start the car, it moves, but the PDM is not sending voltage to the 12V battery. What could be the problem? Below are my params
viewtopic.php?t=1532
This should get you at least 14V. See if you have your pins connected correctly.
- Bratitude
- Posts: 965
- Joined: Thu Jan 02, 2020 7:35 pm
- Location: Canada
- Has thanked: 154 times
- Been thanked: 334 times
- Contact:
Re: Leaf DC-DC Not Working with Zombiverter
This is for the gen1, said user has a pdm.
Is the pdm case grounded to the 12v battery?
This is key
https://bratindustries.net/ leaf motor couplers, adapter plates, custom drive train components
- J0hannes
- Posts: 109
- Joined: Sat Nov 11, 2023 10:29 am
- Location: Finland
- Has thanked: 13 times
- Been thanked: 111 times
Re: Leaf DC-DC Not Working with Zombiverter
Got the same question in mind

These highlighted connect DIRECTLY to 12V battery
- Jack Bauer
- Posts: 3638
- Joined: Wed Dec 12, 2018 5:24 pm
- Location: Ireland
- Has thanked: 9 times
- Been thanked: 272 times
- Contact:
Re: Leaf DC-DC Not Working with Zombiverter
V2.20A
Headlights, heater blower and rear window heater on.
Headlights, heater blower and rear window heater on.
I'm going to need a hacksaw
Re: Leaf DC-DC Not Working with Zombiverter
yes I connected it like that.
I have spent the entire day trying to fix it but still it has not worked, i opened the pdm top cover to confirm if 12v is reaching
Here are my connection details
Connection Details:
CAN Bus Connections:
PDM and Inverter VCU can connection:
Green wire (CAN H) → VCU CAN Ext 2 H
Blue wire (CAN L) → VCU CAN Ext 2 L
ISA Shunt CAN connection to VCU:
CAN H→VCU CAN Ext 2 H
CAN L→ VCU CAN Ext 2 L
ISA Shunt to VCU:
Power Supply Connections:
Permanent +12V:
Red wire from leaf harness → Connected to permanent +12V
Dark Green wire from leaf harness → Connected to permanent +12V
Switched +12V:
Purple wire from leaf harness → Connected to switched +12V
Light Green wire from leaf harness → Connected to switched +12V
EV Relay Connections (4-pin relay):
Pin 1 → Connected to permanent +12V
Pin 2 → Connected to permanent +12V
Pin 3 → Connected to VCU's Inverter Power LS switch (for control)
Pin 4 → Provides switched +12V
Re: Leaf DC-DC Not Working with Zombiverter
yes l provided 12V and grounded pdm case to the 12v battery
- tom91
- Posts: 2293
- Joined: Fri Mar 01, 2019 9:15 pm
- Location: Bristol
- Has thanked: 199 times
- Been thanked: 524 times
Re: Leaf DC-DC Not Working with Zombiverter
So to CAN2, why is your chargercan and invertercan set to '0' better known as CAN 1 ?!?!?!?!?!?!?
Also no idea on wire colours so cannot help you there.
Re: Leaf DC-DC Not Working with Zombiverter
I connected the PDM and inverter CAN to the VCU CAN EXT 1, and the ISA shunt to CAN EXT 2, as shown in this diagram: https://openinverter.org/wiki/File:Zomb ... iring1.png
I then updated the VCU web interface to reflect these changes (InverterCan to CAN1, ChargerCan to CAN1, and ShuntCan to CAN2). However, this update resulted in a failure with the error "UdcBelowUdcSw" and the operation mode remained in PRECHARGE. When I switched ShuntCan to CAN1, the vcu successfully transitioned to RUN mode, but there is still no 14V output from the DC-DC converter.
- Bratitude
- Posts: 965
- Joined: Thu Jan 02, 2020 7:35 pm
- Location: Canada
- Has thanked: 154 times
- Been thanked: 334 times
- Contact:
Re: Leaf DC-DC Not Working with Zombiverter
when you say the purple is on switched 12v, is that powered by a relay that is controlled via zombie?maiks wrote: ↑Fri Dec 20, 2024 3:32 pm I connected the PDM and inverter CAN to the VCU CAN EXT 1, and the ISA shunt to CAN EXT 2, as shown in this diagram: https://openinverter.org/wiki/File:Zomb ... iring1.png
I then updated the VCU web interface to reflect these changes (InverterCan to CAN1, ChargerCan to CAN1, and ShuntCan to CAN2). However, this update resulted in a failure with the error "UdcBelowUdcSw" and the operation mode remained in PRECHARGE. When I switched ShuntCan to CAN1, the vcu successfully transitioned to RUN mode, but there is still no 14V output from the DC-DC converter.
Also have you connected the zombie to the correct canbus off the pdm? you may have them swapped or H/L swaped

https://bratindustries.net/ leaf motor couplers, adapter plates, custom drive train components
Re: Leaf DC-DC Not Working with Zombiverter
Yes its powered by relay that is controlled via zombie. Does the pdm and inverter run different can wires or both use the same? Am using leaf gen 2 drivetrain (2015)
Re: Leaf DC-DC Not Working with Zombiverter
After carefully reviewing Damien's videos on the Leaf drivetrain, I realized that the wiring for Gen 2 and Gen 3 Leaf drivetrains differs. For instance, in this video link the stack shown is for Gen 3, and Damien mentions that both the inverter and PDM require permanent 12V and switched 12V power. However, in another video link where he uses a Gen 2, he specifies that the PDM requires 12V, and the inverter needs switched 12V.
I have a Gen 2, and I mistakenly wired it according to the Gen 3 configuration, which could be the source of the problem. Could you kindly provide a pinout or wiring diagram for the Nissan Leaf Gen 2?
I have a Gen 2, and I mistakenly wired it according to the Gen 3 configuration, which could be the source of the problem. Could you kindly provide a pinout or wiring diagram for the Nissan Leaf Gen 2?
- J0hannes
- Posts: 109
- Joined: Sat Nov 11, 2023 10:29 am
- Location: Finland
- Has thanked: 13 times
- Been thanked: 111 times
Re: Leaf DC-DC Not Working with Zombiverter
You can’t 100% trust just colors as they have changed between year models and there are a limited number of colors, so multiple wires can be of same color. Also engine harness is super fun as some colors change in the looms between the E8/F1 engine loom connection.
You really need to check correct wiring from connector pinout.
Do you have the engine harness connector in your wiring loom? You could use the pinout for it to find all the needed connections.
If yes, you could use the Leaf main engine loom E8 doc kindly shared by Active automation in their Google https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jQd ... d1CFSV_lEo
If you have a cut loom, I’d trace the connections by measuring continuity from the PDM and inverter terminals to the flying lead end and then mark the corresponding wire with label. Just don’t push anything in the female terminals to avoid damage and continuity problems in the future. A really good source for information (for hopefully obvious reasons) is the Leaf SM. EVC, TMS and powersupply, ground and circuit elements are probably three most useful manuals to look at. They have also details on diagnostics and signal types and voltage levels which are useful if you need to determine that things work like they shoud.
- Bratitude
- Posts: 965
- Joined: Thu Jan 02, 2020 7:35 pm
- Location: Canada
- Has thanked: 154 times
- Been thanked: 334 times
- Contact:
Re: Leaf DC-DC Not Working with Zombiverter
in the latest zombie release, the inverter is now powerd via switched 12v also, that is not a source of your problem.
as j0hannes said, you need to wire according to the connectors, NOT the wire colors. re wire and start again.
as j0hannes said, you need to wire according to the connectors, NOT the wire colors. re wire and start again.
https://bratindustries.net/ leaf motor couplers, adapter plates, custom drive train components
Re: Leaf DC-DC Not Working with Zombiverter
Thank you, J0hannes.J0hannes wrote: ↑Sat Dec 21, 2024 10:03 am You can’t 100% trust just colors as they have changed between year models and there are a limited number of colors, so multiple wires can be of same color. Also engine harness is super fun as some colors change in the looms between the E8/F1 engine loom connection.
You really need to check correct wiring from connector pinout.
Do you have the engine harness connector in your wiring loom? You could use the pinout for it to find all the needed connections.
If yes, you could use the Leaf main engine loom E8 doc kindly shared by Active automation in their Google https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jQd ... d1CFSV_lEo
If you have a cut loom, I’d trace the connections by measuring continuity from the PDM and inverter terminals to the flying lead end and then mark the corresponding wire with label. Just don’t push anything in the female terminals to avoid damage and continuity problems in the future.
IMG_1196.jpeg
A really good source for information (for hopefully obvious reasons) is the Leaf SM. EVC, TMS and powersupply, ground and circuit elements are probably three most useful manuals to look at. They have also details on diagnostics and signal types and voltage levels which are useful if you need to determine that things work like they shoud.
I have carefully checked the F18 connectors, and my connections appear to be correct. The pinout is as follows:
Pin 18: 12V permanent
Pin 16: Switched 12V
Pin 11: CAN Low
Pin 27: CAN High
Pins 29 and 30: cp and pp
I have rewired everything according to the diagram here: https://openinverter.org/wiki/images/5/ ... iring1.png. The inverter is working, but the DC-DC converter is still unresponsive.
Additionally, I've noticed that when I change the interface on the VCU from "Unused" to "Chademo," the contactors switch on, and the operation mode changes to "Charge," with the charging type set to "AC."
A couple of questions:
What gauge wire should be used for the negative 12V connection from the 12V battery to the PDM?
How can I verify if the PDM is receiving power?
- Bratitude
- Posts: 965
- Joined: Thu Jan 02, 2020 7:35 pm
- Location: Canada
- Has thanked: 154 times
- Been thanked: 334 times
- Contact:
Re: Leaf DC-DC Not Working with Zombiverter
Are the internal lv connections in the pdm properly connected? I’ve had issues in the pass which the connectors not being fully seated.
https://bratindustries.net/ leaf motor couplers, adapter plates, custom drive train components
Re: Leaf DC-DC Not Working with Zombiverter
Am going to first change the negative cable from the 12v battery to pdm to bigger cable and incase this fails am going to check the internal lv connections
- J0hannes
- Posts: 109
- Joined: Sat Nov 11, 2023 10:29 am
- Location: Finland
- Has thanked: 13 times
- Been thanked: 111 times
Re: Leaf DC-DC Not Working with Zombiverter
If you match the negative battery cable with same gauge as the positive battery cable.
I think the OEM wire is 35mm2, so choose that or a size thicker.
PDM function is maybe somewhat tricky to determine without looking at CAN messages.
There aren't that many clues to look at, but the PDM will tell it in the CAN messages if it is upset

Re: Leaf DC-DC Not Working with Zombiverter
I have managed to make it work. Thank you all for your knowledge and guidanceJ0hannes wrote: ↑Mon Dec 23, 2024 10:33 am If you match the negative battery cable with same gauge as the positive battery cable.
I think the OEM wire is 35mm2, so choose that or a size thicker.
PDM function is maybe somewhat tricky to determine without looking at CAN messages.
There aren't that many clues to look at, but the PDM will tell it in the CAN messages if it is upset![]()
DC-DC Solution: Upon reviewing the CAN messages, I discovered that the PDM wasn't receiving any signals. Upon opening the unit, I identified that low voltage was not reaching the PDM via connectors F18/F23. To resolve this, I implemented a bypass, and the system started functioning correctly.
AC Charging Solution: I connected the PDM's permanent 12V (pin 18 on the F18/F23 connector) to the permanent 12V supply. Then, I routed the PDM's switched 12V (pin 16 on the F18/F23 connector) to the EV relay( controlled by the VCU switched 12V). Additionally, I established the CP and PP connections.
- Bratitude
- Posts: 965
- Joined: Thu Jan 02, 2020 7:35 pm
- Location: Canada
- Has thanked: 154 times
- Been thanked: 334 times
- Contact:
Re: Leaf DC-DC Not Working with Zombiverter
maiks wrote: ↑Fri Dec 27, 2024 4:34 am
DC-DC Solution: Upon reviewing the CAN messages, I discovered that the PDM wasn't receiving any signals. Upon opening the unit, I identified that low voltage was not reaching the PDM via connectors F18/F23. To resolve this, I implemented a bypass, and the system started functioning correctly.
A
Can you provide ore details and photos
Is the connector pinout wrong?
was there a damaged connector?
https://bratindustries.net/ leaf motor couplers, adapter plates, custom drive train components
Re: Leaf DC-DC Not Working with Zombiverter
Yes my f18 connector was damaged.
The pinout is correct and l followed it to trace wires inside the pdm, cut them and made a bypass .