Gs450h Project beginning stages

[RianGill]

Hi all,

I have just recently began a project using the Gs450h inverter and drivetrain to hopefully complete a full conversion of a 1997 Jag Xk8 as my 6 month work placement in University. I am at the stage where I have now just received the inverter, transmission, oil pump & controller and entire loom. Luckily we have the Gs450h so we are able to take looms and components were needed.

I have done quite a lot of research over various videos, threads and wiki pages in the last few weeks. I am using the Zombieverter VCU board and have watched countless videos from Damien to get comfortable. I am about ready to start my first spin tests but the one thing I was hoping to confirm is do I need the ISA Shunt for the first stages of bench testing? This is the only component I do not have currently and upon reading through the wiki support page I did notice a line: "Without a proper UDC measurement, the ZombieVerter will fail precharge and never go into run mode."

If I am using two supplies, one +12V and the other around 30~40V for just initial stages to ensure operation and wiring will I still need the Shunt or an equivalent way or providing a UDC value to the VCU.

Would be great to hear from someone with a bit more experience on the topic.

[tom91]

ISA Shunt for the first stages of bench testing?

Yes.

[RianGill]

And does that just have to be measured across the high voltage + and -. For these initial test at around 30V will a fully functioning precharging setup be needed? I know on the older Gs450h VCU that wasn't the case but with the Zombieverter is that needed or only a UDC value for it to read.

[tom91]

The Shunt needs to measure it.

You can always manually precharge with a resistor. Zombie wont know it has not done the precharge itself, it will skip through it if the voltages UDC and UDC2 are matching.

I do not know at what voltage the Lexus inverter will work.

[RianGill]

I have gotten the ISA Shunt since then, (although I didn't realize it doesn't come with connecters - lesson learned), and will be ready to go very soon.
One question - one the Lexus Gs450h transmission the gear selector solenoid, do you also wire this to your +12V switch which indicates to the zombie the direction, pins 54 and 53.

Currently I just have the switches sending 12V to those pins without the transmission side of the wires being connected, seems like a simple answer of yes of course because how would the transmission know, but still wanted to check

[tom91]

one the Lexus Gs450h transmission the gear selector solenoid

What are you on about? There is a gear selector switch on the GS40h. https://openinverter.org/wiki/Lexus_GS450h_Drivetrain

Check the wiki on how to wire the selector and gear solenoids and pressure switches used in the GS450h

[robertwa]

It's just a selector switch on the transmission - if you want to use the shifter mechanism as originally designed, then wire it in. If going with something different, such as F-N-R switch on dash etc, then no need. You may still want a mechanical linkage to engage and disengage the parking pawl.

As Tom mentions, the gear solenoids and pressure switches are different, and used for things like high/low. Wire those as per wiki

[RianGill]

I understand that is a normal selector, I am looking right at it lol. Just questioning the integration of the solenoid wiring with the zombie wiring, not how a gear selector works.

Unsure yet of how I would like to integrate into the dash and do unique parts with it but i'm sure it will come up soon.

[tom91]

Just questioning the integration of the solenoid wiring with the zombie wiring

Just to be clear you are on about the Gear Shifter, unlock solenoid?

this is something I have been working on implementing. There is this functionality in the testing branch now.

[RianGill]

I think I actually just confused myself upon further reading. So yes I am interested in doing some more unique setups going forward but I just now want a basic operational unit.
Instead of all the complicated stuff I was mentioning with the switches I have now realised and am guessing that you just wire "D" to pin 54 and "R" to pin 53, when one of those gears in selected that will send the signal to that pin indicating to the VCU which direction it is going, instead of not having to deal with the nonsense of multiple selectors that I was suggesting.
Does the Shifter plug send a 12V signal? or will a pull up/down resistor be needed in order to correct the signal to the VCU?

[tom91]

Follow the wiring info on the wiki. https://openinverter.org/wiki/Lexus_GS450h_Drivetrain

12V into the transmission mounted shifter position sensor/switch