Lightning Software Updates using FDRS

[rugedraw]

Familiar with most of the systems, it's been a while since I was over on PTS, little over 21 years ago lol. But yeah, whenever a vehicle hit my stall, first thing I always do, update everything. There's enough newness with this system it's worth it to me just to walk the old path again.

Should be very interesting, I just hope the old hdwr still works. EDIT: hdwr still works, but damn they went up on cost. I have to use IDS rather than FDRS and last time I bought a license it was $50 for 3 days. Now it's $150 for 2 days, greedy sob's. As they say, it is what it is. pfft

You'll need both IDS and FDRS based on the vehicles listed in your profile. However, I doubt there is much pending to update on the 2025 at this point.

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[bmwhitetx]

I have to use IDS rather than FDRS and last time I bought a license it was $50 for 3 days. Now it's $150 for 2 days, greedy sob's. As they say, it is what it is. pfft

For the Lightning, you should only need FDRS. $50 for 2 days.

 

[RLXXI]

For the Lightning, you should only need FDRS. $50 for 2 days.

For use with a patch cable like the mongoose pro etc, I have my own VCMII. It's the same diag tool dealers use and allows me to use full blown IDS instead of FDRS.

 

[bmwhitetx]

For use with a patch cable like the mongoose pro etc, I have my own VCMII. It's the same diag tool dealers use and allows me to use full blown IDS instead of FDRS.

Maybe I'm missing your point. Why pay for $150 for a 2-day license of IDS when all you need is FDRS for $50? Many folks on here have used VCM3's and the Bosch clone with FDRS and say they work great and is much faster than the Mongoose.

When the Mobile Tech came out to update my modules, he used FDRS and a VCM3.

 

[RLXXI]

Maybe I'm missing your point. Why pay for $150 for a 2-day license of IDS when all you need is FDRS for $50? Many folks on here have used VCM3's and the Bosch clone with FDRS and say they work great and is much faster than the Mongoose.

When the Mobile Tech came out to update my modules, he used FDRS and a VCM3.

Got the software installed, now it wants the license key that I can't for the life of me find a link to purchase, all the motorcraft site gives me options for is IDS and FJDS. Reminds me of some of the loops Ford had me jumping thru as a tech. Good grief. I'm thinking I may need to wipe my vcmii and reinstall FDRS clean as all I did was flash it over an existing IDS install.

 

[B177y]

Got the software installed, now it wants the license key that I can't for the life of me find a link to purchase, all the motorcraft site gives me options for is IDS and FJDS. Reminds me of some of the loops Ford had me jumping thru as a tech. Good grief. I'm thinking I may need to wipe my vcmii and reinstall FDRS clean as all I did was flash it over an existing IDS install.

FJDS = FDRS for the license. Purchase that.

 

[RLXXI]

FJDS = FDRS for the license. Purchase that.

I wasn't sure if that was the case. Thanks for confirming.

 

[Scorpio3d]

Maybe I'm missing your point. Why pay for $150 for a 2-day license of IDS when all you need is FDRS for $50? Many folks on here have used VCM3's and the Bosch clone with FDRS and say they work great and is much faster than the Mongoose.

When the Mobile Tech came out to update my modules, he used FDRS and a VCM3.

VCM 2(II) is probably a lot slower may be why they came out with the 3

 

[RLXXI]

Back in the day we always plugged a charger onto the vehicle batt for any programming as I'm aware is still the case, Is there some reason I can't plug said charger into one of the trucks many outlets to keep the 12v batt alive?

 

[RLXXI]

VCM 2(II) is probably a lot slower may be why they came out with the 3

Any newer anything is going to be faster than its predecessor as was the case when the vcmii replaced the original vcm, what happened in this instance was inconcise nomenclature on Ford's licensing website. It's all cleared up now.

 

[bmwhitetx]

Back in the day we always plugged a charger into the vehicle for any programming as I'm aware is still the case, Is there some reason I can't plug said charger into one of the trucks many outlets?

No you can't power the power supply from the truck.

For your Lightning you want want a minimum 50 amp Power Supply (not a battery charger) connected directly to the battery Positive and a nearby ground (or on the downstream side of the BMS). Many here use the Clore 100A Power Supply or the PowerMax 55/75's.

Things have changed a lot in 21 years .

 

[RLXXI]

No you can't power the power supply from the truck.

For your Lightning you want want a minimum 50 amp Power Supply (not a battery charger) connected directly to the battery Positive and a nearby ground (or on the downstream side of the BMS). Many here use the Clore 100A Power Supply or the PowerMax 55/75's.

Things have changed a lot in 21 years .

50a is insane. Only keeping the 12v battery charged for programming, not charging the HVB, I've got that on the house 30a for the dryer until they come connect the outside charger to the wall.

I figured since I can keep the trucks outlets on with the truck off, the 20a outlets would be strong enough for the little battery.

I'll figure it out. I realise I don't know jack about this new tech, what I do know is ohm's law hasn't changed since I started using it 44 years ago.

 

[bmwhitetx]

50a is insane. Only keeping the 12v battery charged for programming, not charging the HVB, I've got that on the house 30a for the dryer until they come connect the outside charger to the wall.

Well I know this thread is long but you should read it.

 

[PJnc284]

50a is insane. Only keeping the 12v battery charged for programming, not charging the HVB, I've got that on the house 30a for the dryer until they come connect the outside charger to the wall.

I figured since I can keep the trucks outlets on with the truck off, the 20a outlets would be strong enough for the little battery.

I'll figure it out.

These updates can pull 60amps+ for hours on end depending on what you're updating and the 12v battery is tiny compared to what the ICE variants are using where they can get away with one that's only 20 amps. Many of us with 22/23's have spent 6hrs+ a number of times and a couple have found out the hard way. APIM/GWM/TCU are done via usb with the truck on so the charger isn't critical for those. The IPMA is the big one that most have issues with if they're not using an adequate power supply. With yours being a 25, I still doubt there's much available though.

 

[Scorpio3d]

50a is insane. Only keeping the 12v battery charged for programming, not charging the HVB, I've got that on the house 30a for the dryer until they come connect the outside charger to the wall.

I figured since I can keep the trucks outlets on with the truck off, the 20a outlets would be strong enough for the little battery.

I'll figure it out. I realise I don't know jack about this new tech, what I do know is ohm's law hasn't changed since I started using it 44 years ago.

Well I know this thread is long but you should read it.

I promise you that you need to follow this advice! Not doing so well only cause you problems! I speak from experience!

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