Power Commander Installation

Dragonslayer · 03-14-2007, 5:19 AM

Okay, Maybe I am just feeling challenged this week when it comes to mechanical things but....

Today I tried to make sure that the Power Commander that I purchased with my exhaust had the correct map in it and do not know how to verify. I went to the Power Commander web site and checked the tutorials only to find that the screen that it shows for installing a map on the unit itself does not come up when I open the software that I installed.

The other problem is that when looking at the instructions on the installation it shows TWO plugs under the tank and I was only able to locate the one plug.

Not to mention that I was having great difficulty unplugging it

so I just buttoned the bike back up and rode on to work.

Any help with this installation or pointers would greatly be appreciatted.

Warchild · 03-14-2007, 9:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragonslayer

Okay, Maybe I am just feeling challenged this week when it comes to mechanical things but....

Today I tried to make sure that the Power Commander that I purchased with my exhaust had the correct map in it and do not know how to verify. I went to the Power Commander web site and checked the tutorials only to find that the screen that it shows for installing a map on the unit itself does not come up when I open the software that I installed.

ASSuming you are using a laptop so you can work directly on the bike out in the garage....

I would download the latest Power Commander software again and reinstall it on your laptop. And ensure that your USB connections both on the laptop and the PC-III are good and snug.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragonslayer

The other problem is that when looking at the instructions on the installation it shows TWO plugs under the tank and I was only able to locate the one plug.

Not to mention that I was having great difficulty unplugging it

so I just buttoned the bike back up and rode on to work.

There is only one (fairly large) plug you are working with, located on the far left of the Fuel Rail. When you disconnect this plug, now you have the "two" plugs that are shown in the install directions.

What you do now is take the two identical plugs that come with the PC-IIIusb (at the end of that loooooong wire harness) and plug *them* into the stock connectors that you just unhooked. IIRC, these should be Murphy-proof... I think.

The last step is to connect that small ground wire on the PC-III harness directly to the negative terminal of your battery. Do NOT make the mistake of connecting it to just any old frame ground.... it needs to go directly to the battery negative post; trust me on this.

jcrich · 03-14-2007, 1:07 PM

I got one on EBay for the track bike recently, the install is exactly as Dale described. There is only one connector that when unhooked , the PC can plug into. Ground wire to (-) terminal on battery, done. I have the 9 volt battery power adapter, so do not need to have it in the bike to load maps.

Dragonslayer · 03-14-2007, 2:33 PM

I also Have the 9volt power suuply and was working at my computer in the basement.

I guess I should have been clearer in that my Power Commander has two plugs in its harness. Is it safe to say that this is due to a more universal harness that can be used on more bikes than one. Or is something different about mine. I guess I will have to get the tank up higher to get better access to the plug itself under the tank.

I have the software for my setup on my computer but is there a way to verify that the correct map is loaded into the Power Commander and again like I said myscreen does not look like the one shown on the power commander site.

Dragonslayer · 03-14-2007, 2:44 PM

initial connection

Above is the link to the tutorial that I was speaking of on the Power Commander site.I have not seen this screen with my software.

Below is the only screen that I have seen when messing with tye unit trying to make sure that Louie installed the software like he said he would before shipping.

advanced

Dragonslayer · 03-14-2007, 3:12 PM

Okay,
After closer inspection I understand the plugs on the Power Commander. Being that one is male and the other Female that part is pretty simple. When I connect a power source to my unit and hook the USB cable to it and my puter everything looks good except when I try to upload the map into the unit. It says that it cannot find the Power Commander and it does not matter whether I try to select a port or if I use the auto feature.

HELP Please... Thanks inadvance for putting up with my dumb questions.

haWHYnXX · 03-14-2007, 3:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragonslayer

Okay,
When I connect a power source to my unit and hook the USB cable to it and my puter everything looks good except when I try to upload the map into the unit. It says that it cannot find the Power Commander and it does not matter whether I try to select a port or if I use the auto feature.

As Warchild did, I'm going to assume you are using a laptop.
When I did mine, I just connected everything up and powered the bike w/o starting it - I didn't use the 9v battery deal. Why don't you try that? Maybe something with the remote power is screwing things up. Also, I'm not sure, but if you you the remote power, does it light up the PC?? Just a thought.

Dragonslayer · 03-15-2007, 3:36 AM

Well,
Again after taking a brake and a little help from this GREAT boar, I have figured out what the problem has been for me.

1st) After Warchilds explanation of theplugs i looked at thePower Commander closer and realized that one of the plugs is a Male and the other Female. Then it dawned on me how stupid my question was. I assume I am correct in that one plug for each harness that will be open once I seperate the stock wiring harness if that makes sense. Hence you end up with what looks like two connections like in the instructions that came with the Power Commander.

2nd) After spending a little more time on the PC web site I realized that I had downloaded the wrong software off the CD that came with my PC. I had the software for the PC III instead of the sodtware for the PC III USB installed. Once I got the correct software on my computer and a good power source I was able to verify the map that was on the unit. I then installed the correct map for my system.

Call it anal, but I know how when you do group deals some communications can fall through the cracks. I know that I was told that the correct softwware would be installed before delivery, but I just wanted to make sure. Either way I am very pleased with the group buys that Dale has set up for us these past few months and want to say thanks to all the vendors that have contributed to making these deals possible.

jcrich · 03-15-2007, 10:10 AM

Good to hear you got it straightened out. As with anything "Trust, but verify". On a positive note, you now know how to load maps, so not a total loss.