Lightning Software Updates using FDRS

[bmwhitetx]

I'll note it doesn't look like this one has aligator clips, but those won't cost $200 which is the next step up for the next Powermax or even more for the Clore. I would never have another need than for applying updates to the truck, so truly looking to keep that expense reasonable.

It would be nice to get both of these for less than the cost of the Mongoose alone.

Congrats on the purchase. I bought MickeyAO's Mongoose a couple of weeks ago but had been looking at that Topdon.

I made my own supply out of a 1200W HP Server power supply (because I can ), works great. I would think the PowerMax is good. As for noise, I wonder if that's still there when connected in parallel to our battery. I'd have to see the YT video before dismissing it.

I bought these 3-foot 8-gauge cables and just connect them directly to the battery with 6mm nuts. No alligator clips to mess with. If you do this, you need to connect to the negative lug on the BMS module and not the actual battery. I did buy just plain alligator clips that can attach to the cables for when I work on my son's Mach-E.

There can be quite a bit of voltage drop on the DC side at 75 amps, so I kept those cables short so I could use #8 instead of #4 for example. There are online calculators that will tell you the voltage drop for various cable lengths.

To answer your 1st question, the power supply will provide whatever amps are needed. On the Mach-E, it provided 28 amps and on my Lightning close to 70. The 12V battery SOC will also vary this. I wired in a cheap DC volt ammeter. so I could monitor the power supply's output voltage and amps supplied.

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[shelnian]

Anyone have any feedback on @Pioneer74 's post about https://a.co/d/1IMY4ck ?

I bought the Topdon on the Spring sale and finding a power supply under $200 would be a great find too. I just don't know the features to truly look at. Will they fluctuate to demand of the truck, do they have enough controls on them for the power we need?

I'll note it doesn't look like this one has aligator clips, but those won't cost $200 which is the next step up for the next Powermax or even more for the Clore. I would never have another need than for applying updates to the truck, so truly looking to keep that expense reasonable.

It would be nice to get both of these for less than the cost of the Mongoose alone.

I use this power supply for updates to both my MME and Lightning with no issues. Under heavy load the output voltage drops so I monitor and adjust voltage during the programming process. I use a DMM to double check the output voltage instead of just relying on the power supply meter. Little more work, but gives me something to do.

 

[Mike G]

I thought I should let folks know that two days ago my Ford account that I use to login to FDRS was suspended.

Today I got an explanation of why:

"Running VINS outside of your country will cause your account to be suspended. Going forward, you should not do this. We have re-enabled your account with a password reset. If we see the same activity, it will be suspended again."

So I'm still okay with doing VIN lookups, but I must now restrict myself to only looking up VINs that are US based. So if you're based in Canada I'd ask that you find somebody there who can provide that ability going forward.

This is the second time my account has been suspended...but it's the first time I was provided an explanation as to why (the first time it was my Ford owner/Fordpass account that I was using with FDRS as well, and it just got turned back on after a week). So I set up a separate account to use with FDRS...and this time I got an explanation and a warning.

Just so you know....

 

[Mike G]

I thought I should let folks know that two days ago my Ford account that I use to login to FDRS was suspended.

Today I got an explanation of why:

"Running VINS outside of your country will cause your account to be suspended. Going forward, you should not do this. We have re-enabled your account with a password reset. If we see the same activity, it will be suspended again."

So I'm still okay with doing VIN lookups, but I must now restrict myself to only looking up VINs that are US based. So if you're based in Canada I'd ask that you find somebody there who can provide that ability going forward.

This is the second time my account has been suspended...but it's the first time I was provided an explanation as to why (the first time it was my Ford owner/Fordpass account that I was using with FDRS as well, and it just got turned back on after a week). So I set up a separate account to use with FDRS...and this time I got an explanation and a warning.

Just so you know....

As a followup...after not looking up anything for the last two days, (because I was busy elsewhere) I checked my own two VINs this morning, as well as one of our forum members, who also resides here in the US.

Shortly after doing that, I got another email saying my account was again suspended.

I have submitted a ticket asking why this happened..again. This time.

Meanwhile, there is a new version of FDRS that came out yesterday that is a major update, so don't forget you have to tick the box to "Delete User Data" when major revisions come out because of the likelihood of the FDRS HTML code changes on the displayed pages inside the program. Here's the link to download 44.4.2

 

[bmwhitetx]

Shortly after doing that, I got another email saying my account was again suspended.

Here are the Terms and Conditions from my account page. The main clause is:
"YOU may install and use this Product only for Your internal use on Your premises for the direct
repair of a vehicle and for no other purpose."

The PDF was created/last modified in 2017.

 

[Scorpio3d]

Here are the Terms and Conditions from my account page. The main clause is:
"YOU may install and use this Product only for Your internal use on Your premises for the direct
repair of a vehicle and for no other purpose."

The PDF was created/last modified in 2017.

You actually read a EULA…

 

[bmwhitetx]

You actually read a EULA…

When you purchase FDRS it states to read the Terms and Conditions. On their website once you create an account there is a hyperlink labeled Terms and Conditions. That PDF is what pops up. It’s the only thing I could find. I wondered why the doc is called a EULA also.

 

[majorgearhead]

I've had good luck with the Powermax PMBC-75. Spent about 10 hours running it Saturday. Granted I've only had it for 6 months so can't comment on longevity but it seems to get good reviews.

I run a PMBC-100 which holds up to the most arduous flash sessions without a major battery dip. I have had no trouble with their power supplies other than stickers coming off. They just work well.

 

[tnugentfl]

https://a.co/d/gf4Pc89

This works well also

 

[rugedraw]

As a followup...after not looking up anything for the last two days, (because I was busy elsewhere) I checked my own two VINs this morning, as well as one of our forum members, who also resides here in the US.

Shortly after doing that, I got another email saying my account was again suspended.

I have submitted a ticket asking why this happened..again. This time.

Meanwhile, there is a new version of FDRS that came out yesterday that is a major update, so don't forget you have to tick the box to "Delete User Data" when major revisions come out because of the likelihood of the FDRS HTML code changes on the displayed pages inside the program. Here's the link to download 44.4.2

Guess we'll have to lean on PTS until they f*ck that up, too.

On a lighter note:

It's about damn time.

 

[shelnian]

Here are the Terms and Conditions from my account page. The main clause is:
"YOU may install and use this Product only for Your internal use on Your premises for the direct
repair of a vehicle and for no other purpose."

The PDF was created/last modified in 2017.

So Ford FDRS is bumping your computer IP location against that being reported by your vehicle and suspending your account if they aren't close?
I know my internet IP location doesn't match my house location because I use Verizon Home Internet, but it's usually within 100 miles. Hopefully this isn't a problem.

 

[B177y]

So Ford FDRS is bumping your computer IP location against that being reported by your vehicle and suspending your account if they aren't close?
I know my internet IP location doesn't match my house location because I use Verizon Home Internet, but it's usually within 100 miles. Hopefully this isn't a problem.

I doubt Ford is that sophisticated. My guess is they just see a whole bunch of different vins coming from a single login.

 

[bmwhitetx]

I doubt Ford is that sophisticated. My guess is they just see a whole bunch of different vins coming from a single login.

Agree. But still an independent shop would be pinging multiple vins. I wonder if it’s because the vin interrogation is being done by typing in the vin (e.g., remote diagnostic) and not a direct connect via the OBD port. The EULA mentions “direct repair”.

Hopefully this is just a Ford glitch and it goes back the way it was.

 

[TaxmanHog]

I may be cloudy about this, but when I originally signed up for https://www.motorcraftservice.com/ we had options for personal use or commercial use?

Poking around the site, I see there is a provision for "Sponsors" would this be a way to identify MoCo, dealership and private commercial mechanics to have unfettered access for business needs only, ie. paying customers?

https://www.motorcraftservice.com/User/UserUpdateSponsor

 

[rugedraw]

People in other countries where Ford is not supported use FDRS by going through a VPN to trick FDRS into thinking they are in the US. This works for x amount of time before their account gets suspended. So they have some measures in place to detect this.

It is also easy enough to code FDRS into raising a red flag on their side if a VIN from another country is ran through FDRS using a US based account. Or, as @B177y mentioned, an above-average amount of VINs are ran through a single FDRS account.

What I don't understand is: Wtf do they care? They can see everything that is done. FDRS records every single key-stroke. The truth is, we can't use FDRS for anything that would constitute a nefarious activity or to experiment with software on our vehicles. That's what FORScan is for, which IMO, is infinitely superior to FDRS in function. FDRS is easy in the sense that it does everything for you, but let's be honest: It is slow, unstable and very demanding of a computer's resources.

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