openinverter forum

I am so excited to join this community with my son and his friend. Our project will be to install the complete iMiEV powertrain to an MG Midget and try to get it pass Belgian regulations. We will have a lot to learn, but still, we will try to contribute as good as we can.

We will post in future about (different threads):
- iMiEV (this message)
- Belgian regulation (no (!) mass up allowed)
- MG Midget conversion

For iMiEV, I plan to pick up my car (2012 Peugeot iOn) soon in France.
I think the battery lost quite some capacity from the explanation of the seller, but the vehicle should be fully functional.

The different steps we want to perform
1. Check the donor vehicle is fully functional
2. Try to understand the donor vehicle by decoupling systems we will not use in the conversion and see if it keeps working
(EPS-ECU, ASC-ECU, Steering wheel sensor, G and Yaw rate sensor,...). I fear all kind of safety protocols will require proper data from these devices.
3. OPTIONAL: Reverse engineer iMiEV protocol if somebody can guide us
4. Transfer all components to the Midget and get it running... maybe (generate dummy signals?)
5. Swap EV-ECU to ZombiVERTER (I hope)
6. Make a new battery pack (lighter and larger)

At work (ellio.be), we work with CANAlyst II and we should be able to dump all messages with our own code.
We also have access to a scope. I found the CAN layout on
http://mmc-manuals.ru/manuals/i-miev/on ... C00ENG.pdf and
http://mmc-manuals.ru/manuals/i-miev/on ... C00ENG.pdf

So my questions:
- does it make sense to register the vehicle before dismantling and measure road data for this activity?
- is there an instruction / thread how to get started? and in what form to provide this dataset?
(I guess we need to link 'actions / observations' to CAN data in this dataset)
- how long will this take to provide good data and does it need reviews in between?

Of course, nobody is waiting for another project and we will not depend on it to get started ourselves.
Hopefully, we can make the vehicle run in its original layout in the Midget, but some systems will not be connected and it may be more difficult to trigger all the CAN messages. So if there is some useful work we can do (in limited time because we want to start the mechanical work ASAP), we will be happy to do.

Regards,
Tomas

Sorry, as I didn't follow the basic rules to check carefully before posting, here are the links to what we will start with:
- https://openinverter.org/wiki/Getting_s ... th_CAN_bus
- https://openinverter.org/wiki/CAN_bus_with_Arduino_Due

I'll keep you posted of our progress (waiting for the exams to finish for our team to get really started, I'll order the stuff already)

Regards,
Tomas

Any update here? I will soon start also in the i-Miev reverse engineering.

'Our project team' just finished their exams and they are now on the project. We will keep you posted here.
I hope tomorrow to unplug different devices on CAN1 and see when the vehicle stops running.
We did not manage to get Arduino Due running today (I think compile issue in https://openinverter.org/wiki/CAN_bus_with_Arduino_Due >> GV-RET).
Tomorrow we will try with a different CAN device (CANAlystII) and Python scripts.

Thank you for the interest!

There is a problem compiling GVRET code. I tried when setting up a 2nd Due before searching the forum. Use GVRET firmware updater about half way down the page.
https://savvycan.com/
https://savvycan.com/GVRETupdate.zip

royhen99 wrote: ↑Thu Dec 19, 2024 10:25 pm There is a problem compiling GVRET code. I tried when setting up a 2nd Due before searching the forum. Use GVRET firmware updater about half way down the page.

Thank you! Worked like a charm.

We could read CAN1 properly. Then when adding CAN2 (together with CAN1), the car became a non-runner:
- XMas tree at the combimeter
- Relays switching on and off
- ELECTRIC MOTOR UNIT WARNING LAMP is now on
So for new users on i-MiEV/iOn/C-zero, be careful when connecting 2 CAN lines together.

CAN1 is taken from the OBD connector
CAN2 is taken from C-102 (pin 22/pin10)

Any ideas welcome, we keep you updated.

CAN1 and CAN2 can still be read without issues.
We also had a broken auxiliary battery (very low voltage) when having the CAN issue.
Not sure how/if this is related to the non-starting car.
 
I ordered a better OBD reader (VLinker FS Bluetooth) to work with CarScanner for resetting DTC's.
My cheap ELM327 clone is slow/ buggy /does not show all DTC's (I think).

Next step is reset error codes and try to get the car running again
(https://myimiev.com/threads/battery-cap ... tery.5115/).
I may have to recalibrate the traction battery (HobDrive can do? TBC).

Hopefully no damage to the DC-DC charger as these have a reputation to fail on pre-2016 cars.

Not sure if we will try to connect CAN1 and CAN2 simultaneously to the Arduino Due but I cannot imagine this can create

I'm not sure if it helps but this guy took the guts out of an iMIEV and put it in a BMW. He lists off all the bits you can remove without triggering alerts. https://318iev.blogspot.com/

(I'm also considering an iMIEV as a donor)

Thanks Ben! We will have a look.

Small update:
The OBD reader is not working to reset fault codes.
This morning we hooked up a (clone) DiagBox 9.xx and we could reset all error codes.
The car is running again. So for Peugeot iOn and Citroën C-Zero, it is best to have the DiagBox tool.

I think the mistake we made was to hook up the Arduino and 2 Waveshare CAN modules simultaneously on CAN1 and CAN2.
These modules also have the 120 Ohm resistor. When only hooking up one module, it is no problem.
So probably having 4/6 (?) 120 Ohm resistors on the (two) CAN lines drops the resistance too much.

I still don't understand how CAN1 and CAN2 are connected.
From the wiring diagram, there seems to be some connection.

Next step is to remove the 120 Ohm resistors on the two Waveshare CAN modules (it is easy to add it later between CANH and CANL pins) and try again reading CAN1 and CAN2 simultaneously.

We'll keep you posted!

Hey Tomas,

I am based in Australia and looking at doing the similar conversion. I have bought a 1973 mini and want to swap iMEV components for a cheap reliable classic build. Would love to collaborate.

FYI the guy who did the BMW swap also has a reddit account and has I for about the build there - https://www.reddit.com/user/318iev/

I am in the process of buying the iMEV here.

Hope you are tracking along!

Toby

Thank you for the link Toby!
We will post our progress soon.

We will post as much as we can, but we use the Peugeot iOn.
CAN messages might be a bit different (?).
We will open up for sure.

I think we will open a separate thread for
- CAD work
- CAN reverse engineering

tomasinjapan wrote: ↑Sun Dec 22, 2024 8:39 am CAN1 and CAN2 can still be read without issues.
We also had a broken auxiliary battery (very low voltage) when having the CAN issue.
Not sure how/if this is related to the non-starting car.

I had the same issue with my iMiev when the 12V battery was epmpty. Full christmas tree.

Not sure if we will try to connect CAN1 and CAN2 simultaneously to the Arduino Due but I cannot imagine this can create

For my understanding based on the diagrams CAN1 and CAN2 are the same. CAN2 ist just the leg of the harness in the back.

I think the mistake we made was to hook up the Arduino and 2 Waveshare CAN modules simultaneously on CAN1 and CAN2.
These modules also have the 120 Ohm resistor. When only hooking up one module, it is no problem.
So probably having 4/6 (?) 120 Ohm resistors on the (two) CAN lines drops the resistance too much.

When you just connect them in paralell you need to remove both 120 Ohm resistors. I will go and man in the middle attack some of the devices. In this case you need to find out where the 120 Ohm termination is and terminate the part you cut off.

Did you already identify any of the messages or find a dbc file?

Mathias started sharing dbc related information on the iMiEV forum.
To keep all information in one place, I will post the link here:
https://myimiev.com/threads/can-network ... post-52071

I hope it is of help! Please add your comments there.
We will keep updating there until we crack the code.

Hi

I've got a similar project on the go. I'll be trying to put the motor, inverter, bms, heater, dcdc, 230v and chademo chargers into a 1958 Peugeot 203.

So like you I am trying to eradicate several entire systems whilst maintaining functionality.

I believe it will be extremely complicated. Mathias has started a smiler project. I am a complete novice in arduino and canbus... Sorry!

But as we all seem to be searching for the same outcome - the benefit of the cheap integrated EV package without the non applicable systems (power steering, aircon, traction control, SRS Airbags etc) it would probably make sense for us to collaborate as much as possible.

I don't know in what form. Our mechanical requirements will differ wildly, but on the canbus front we all have the same needs. So well, I don't know, but hello, and have a think about how we can make this less painful, more rewarding, and save each other from doing the same legwork.

Regards,
Tom.

Way to kill a conversation.

I started the work:
https://github.com/Modellfan/iMIEV-DBC

Almost there to control the iMiev motor by can.

That is some amazing work.
I mean I think it is... I understand very little, but it sure looks great

We are now more active on the iMiEV forum as we will directly transfer the complete system.
I will keep posting links to the updates on the iMiEV forum here.
If you could respond on the iMiEV forum though.

@tomhanman "Way to kill a conversation." We are talking directly now , so I hope you are not offended.
My efficiency sometimes kills my social skills, sorry!

@modellfan Thank you! Mathias posted his latest update in https://myimiev.com/threads/can-network ... 788/page-2 POST #39

Latest on battery repackaging brainstorm:
https://myimiev.com/threads/mg-midget-conversion.5854/
Please feel free react there.

Regards,
Tomas
Belgium

Some CAD work updates that might be inspirational to others, again on the iMiEV forum
https://myimiev.com/threads/mg-midget-c ... post-53034

Just a teaser below.

When trying fitment, a scan can be really helpful.
We used RealityScan with great success on an ordinary smartphone.

Some interesting progress reports (I think)
https://myimiev.com/threads/mg-midget-c ... post-53340
https://myimiev.com/threads/mg-midget-c ... post-53342

Feel free to leave your comments here or on the iMiEV forum.
We'll keep putting the detail there and the links here as well.

We are still unsure if later we want to go to the ZombieVerter and some of the hacked hardware or stick with the original iMiEV hardware.
First, we will try to get it running on iMiEV hardware

Regards,
Tomas