7ISSUE DATE:
SERVICE BULLETIN SUBJECT:
VINs or MODELS AFFECTED:
COMPLETE BY:
SERVICE BULLETIN #:

7/9/2020
800 Volt HVAC Inverter Software Update
Service Specified Buses
Next Service Opportunity
SB-20-92

NOTICE! It is expected that this process may require up to 1 hour per bus. Please
schedule appropriately to minimize vehicle downtime.

HVAC INVERTER SOFTWARE UPDATE
Description

The reason for this software update is to improve the performance of the HVAC system during hot
weather operations. The Vehicle Controller will also be upgraded to support the improved HVAC
Software.
•
•

Vehicle Controller
HVAC Inverter

Headquarters: 1815 Rollins Road, Burlingame, CA 94010
East Coast Manufacturing: 1 Whitlee Court, Greenville, SC 29607
West Coast Manufacturing: 383 Cheryl Lane, City of Industry, CA 91789

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Summary of Software Changes

There are two controllers that will be updated. Below are the high level updates. More detailed
information is available in the individual controllers release notes.
•

Vehicle Controller
• Change hard coded power electronics coolant pump max temperature limit to a
calibratable parameter.
• Added HVIL 10hz low pass filter on the analog signal to remove the high frequency
noise that is tripping HVIL. Added a learned DC offset to use based on a 2.5 second
moving average window, to base protections on.
• Graham White cutout pressure set to 130 psi
• When requested from the Body or Manual Charging, set interlocks only when parking
brake is not set.
• Added cableCheck response contains CableCheckFailed as condition to set SPN
520879 FMI 31 'Pantograph Failed to Connect' fault.
• Added auto-detect for Heron based on additional coolant sensor availability.
• SPN 8234 FMI 0 will not be set when Battery Coolant Temperature is Invalid.
• Battery Heater FMI 0 will not trip when FMI 3 is active.
• Update flow status determination to be based off the pump speed Cals.

•

HVAC Inverter
• HVAC Lenze VFD AC switching frequency is changed from 8 kHZ to 2KHZ, this
dramatically increases the max allowable current and thus power the compressor can
pull.
• The Vehicle controller is updated for 15KW inverters to reduce compressor speed when
power exceeds the set limit where an over current can occur (even with 2KHZ switching
frequency), Speed is reduced temporarily and is increased incrementally continually to
test if the exceedingly high current draw is lower.
• The HVAC Inverter CAN ID is changed from 246 to 245 for buses with 15KW VFDs
getting this software change. This allows the Vehicle controller to properly set vehicle
speed controls for 15 and 30 KW VFDs (which would have no limitation).

Headquarters: 1815 Rollins Road, Burlingame, CA 94010
East Coast Manufacturing: 1 Whitlee Court, Greenville, SC 29607
West Coast Manufacturing: 383 Cheryl Lane, City of Industry, CA 91789

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Tools/Programs Required

Tools Required:
• Laptop Computer
• Nexiq USB-Link 2
• USB-Serial Adapter
• K-Line Communications Adapter
• Proterra Diagnostic Port DB9 Breakout Cable (Octopus)
Programs Required:
• Proterra Diagnostics Tool
• Parametereditor3

Software Files Required / Preparation

IMPORTANT! NEVER access the software from the USB memory device, ALWAYS copy the
software files to your computer hard drive and access the software from this location. Secure the
bus with the Vehicle Master Disconnect in the rear ON.

Component

Part Number

Version

Vehicle Controller

054750

4.2.0

HVAC Inverter

054619

Rev_C

It is recommended that you copy the entire “service bulletin files” folder to your local machine in order
to more effectively keep track of the software versions you are deploying:
\\bus.local\files\Engineering\Service Bulletins\Service Bulletin Files for SC-20-92\

Service Bulletin Execution
1.
2.
3.
4.

Update the Vehicle Controller Software using the process in Appendix A
Update the HVAC Inverter Software using the process in Appendix B
Verify software versions using the Proterra Service Tool
Update each work order in Service Max when complete

Headquarters: 1815 Rollins Road, Burlingame, CA 94010
East Coast Manufacturing: 1 Whitlee Court, Greenville, SC 29607
West Coast Manufacturing: 383 Cheryl Lane, City of Industry, CA 91789

3|Page

Appendix A

VEHICLE SOFTWARE UPDATE PROCEDURE

Description

This document contains the necessary information to update the Proterra Vehicle Integration
Controller. This controller provides the electrical integration of ancillary systems on 800V models. It
owns the vehicle operational state control, startup and shutdown, steering, pneumatics, thermal
management, and brake interlock controls.

Tools/Programs Required
Tools Required:
• Laptop Computer
• Nexiq USB-Link 2

Programs Required:
• Proterra Diagnostics Tool

Software Files Required / Preparation

It is recommended that you download any files local to your machine. To program the vehicle
controller, you will need a *.hex data file. This file will contain memory address and data information
that will be written to the controller in order to update the user code space. This will not update the
boot loader or other firmware files.
IMPORTANT! NEVER access the software from the USB memory device, ALWAYS copy the
software files to your computer hard drive and access the software from this location.

Headquarters: 1815 Rollins Road, Burlingame, CA 94010
East Coast Manufacturing: 1 Whitlee Court, Greenville, SC 29607
West Coast Manufacturing: 383 Cheryl Lane, City of Industry, CA 91789

4|Page

Preparing the Vehicle to be Programmed

When programming a vehicle, it is critical that the low voltage batteries remain connected throughout
the process. Ensure that the LV batteries are fully charged before starting the process. If they are
low, you can use the vehicle to recharge them buy turning on high voltage or you can place the bus
on a low voltage charger for the duration of the process.

Connecting to the Vehicle

1. Power up and login to the Proterra-Supplied laptop or a comparable PC that has the Proterra
Diagnostics Tool software installed with a valid license.
2. Turn ON the 12/24V rear Vehicle Master Disconnect located at the curbside rear charge port
access panel.
Vehicle Master
Disconnect

3. Connect the Nexiq USB Link2 device to the laptop and to the OBDII Diagnostic Port located in
the Street-Side wheel well box.

4. Press and hold the Street-Side Wheel Well WORK LIGHT switch until the work lights turn on.
5. On the laptop, double-click on the Proterra Diagnostics Tool software icon to start the software.

Headquarters: 1815 Rollins Road, Burlingame, CA 94010
East Coast Manufacturing: 1 Whitlee Court, Greenville, SC 29607
West Coast Manufacturing: 383 Cheryl Lane, City of Industry, CA 91789

5|Page

6. When the program opens, read and click OK for the high voltage safety prompt.
7. On the Home tab, select the appropriate device from the drop down and click “Connect”.

8. Once the diagnostic tool has connected to the vehicle, you will have a VIN number and
connection status displayed on the home screen, and tabs available to navigate. If you don’t
see the Home Screen, double check that the low voltage batteries are connected and that the
Nexiq tool is plugged in.
Note: 800V Proterra vehicles are equipped with an automatic battery disconnect that will
protect the low voltage batteries from a deep discharge.

Headquarters: 1815 Rollins Road, Burlingame, CA 94010
East Coast Manufacturing: 1 Whitlee Court, Greenville, SC 29607
West Coast Manufacturing: 383 Cheryl Lane, City of Industry, CA 91789

6|Page

Update Using the Proterra Diagnostic Tool

1. Click on the “Overhead Charging” button on the left side of the screen.
Note: If the bus that you are working on is not capable of Overhead Charging, skip to step 3
below.

Click “Overhead
Charging”

2. Record the value displayed in the “Vehicle Tag” data field. This will be re-entered into the
controller after the software update.

Record Vehicle Tag

Headquarters: 1815 Rollins Road, Burlingame, CA 94010
East Coast Manufacturing: 1 Whitlee Court, Greenville, SC 29607
West Coast Manufacturing: 383 Cheryl Lane, City of Industry, CA 91789

7|Page

3. Navigate to the CONFIGURATION tab in the left menu.

Click
CONFIGURATION

4. Select the option for Vehicle Controller “START FLASH”.
NOTICE: The “INITIAL FLASH” button is only for offline programing of the Vehicle Controller
with an Offline Programming Kit.

Beside Vehicle Controller,
Click START FLASH

5. In the pop-up window, select the software flash file to load the controller.

Select the file and
Click Open

Headquarters: 1815 Rollins Road, Burlingame, CA 94010
East Coast Manufacturing: 1 Whitlee Court, Greenville, SC 29607
West Coast Manufacturing: 383 Cheryl Lane, City of Industry, CA 91789

8|Page

6. The Programming window will come up and may take a few minutes to complete.

7. After completing the software update, Turn OFF the Work Light switch inside the street side
wheel well box.

8. Click on the “Overhead Charging” button on the left side of the screen.
Note: If the bus that you are working on is not capable of Overhead Charging, skip to step 10
below.

Click “Overhead
Charging”

Headquarters: 1815 Rollins Road, Burlingame, CA 94010
East Coast Manufacturing: 1 Whitlee Court, Greenville, SC 29607
West Coast Manufacturing: 383 Cheryl Lane, City of Industry, CA 91789

9|Page

9. The following screen will appear. Enter the “Vehicle Tag” that you recorded previously into the
field circled in red below. Click the Button under the field. This will populate the “Vehicle Tag”
into the field above and into the controller.

Click “Button”

10. Turn OFF the 12/24V rear Vehicle Master Disconnect located behind the vehicle curbside rear
charge port access panel, wait 10 seconds, and then turn back to ON.
Vehicle Master
Disconnect

11. Verify that the vehicle turns on with no faults and that it is capable of charging.

Headquarters: 1815 Rollins Road, Burlingame, CA 94010
East Coast Manufacturing: 1 Whitlee Court, Greenville, SC 29607
West Coast Manufacturing: 383 Cheryl Lane, City of Industry, CA 91789

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Appendix B
HVAC INVERTER SOFTWARE UPDATE PROCEDURE
Description

This document contains the necessary information to update the Proterra HVAC Inverter. The Inverter
supplies AC current to operate the HVAC System.

Tools/Programs Required

Tools Required:
• Laptop Computer with Mobile Starter Software installed
• PCAN Dongle
• Octopus Cable
Programs Required:
• Mobile Starter Software including Commissioning and Diagnostic Panels

Software Files Required / Preparation

It is recommended that you download any files local to your machine. To program the HVAC Inverter,
you will need the *.SDTE file and *.hex file in the “Service Bulletin” folder that you downloaded earlier.
These files contain the update for the HVAC Inverter.
IMPORTANT! NEVER access the software from the USB memory device, ALWAYS copy the
software files to your computer hard drive and access the software from this location.

Headquarters: 1815 Rollins Road, Burlingame, CA 94010
East Coast Manufacturing: 1 Whitlee Court, Greenville, SC 29607
West Coast Manufacturing: 383 Cheryl Lane, City of Industry, CA 91789

11 | P a g e

Preparing the Vehicle to be Programmed

When programming a vehicle, it is critical that the low voltage batteries remain connected throughout
the process. Ensure that the LV batteries are fully charged before starting the process. If they are
low, you can use the vehicle to recharge them buy turning on high voltage or you can place the bus
on a low voltage charger for the duration of the process.

Connecting to the Vehicle
1. Turn the Driver’s Master Switch to the ACC position.

2. Turn the Hazzard Switch on.

3. Power up and login to the Proterra-Supplied laptop or a comparable PC that has the Mobile
Starter software installed.
4. Open the Mobile Starter software by double clicking its icon.

Headquarters: 1815 Rollins Road, Burlingame, CA 94010
East Coast Manufacturing: 1 Whitlee Court, Greenville, SC 29607
West Coast Manufacturing: 383 Cheryl Lane, City of Industry, CA 91789

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5. The following screen is displayed.

6. Click on “File” in the menu and then click “Open”. Navigate to the location where the files were
saved earlier and open the HVAC Folder.

Headquarters: 1815 Rollins Road, Burlingame, CA 94010
East Coast Manufacturing: 1 Whitlee Court, Greenville, SC 29607
West Coast Manufacturing: 383 Cheryl Lane, City of Industry, CA 91789

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7. Double click on the MOBILE_DCU15_PSU_RR_revC.SDTE file to open it.

8. Under the Diagnostic Panel run the Event Memory Public CAN task. Verify that the Device
CAN address is 246.

Headquarters: 1815 Rollins Road, Burlingame, CA 94010
East Coast Manufacturing: 1 Whitlee Court, Greenville, SC 29607
West Coast Manufacturing: 383 Cheryl Lane, City of Industry, CA 91789

14 | P a g e

9. Click the “Show DTC” button. Make a screenshot of this screen and email it to
[email protected].
10. Click the “Delete all DTC” button.
11. Run the Commissioning Firmware Download Public CAN panel.

12. Click the “Firmware/Dataset” button.
13. Navigate to the location where the service campaign files were stored.
14. Double click on the 054619_HVAC_Lenze15kW_RR_RevC.dat to open it.
15. Click the “Start Download” button.
16. The panel will display “download successful finished” when the process is complete.
17. Power the bus off using the Master Switch. Leave the switch off for at least 10 seconds. Turn
the Master Switch on.

Headquarters: 1815 Rollins Road, Burlingame, CA 94010
East Coast Manufacturing: 1 Whitlee Court, Greenville, SC 29607
West Coast Manufacturing: 383 Cheryl Lane, City of Industry, CA 91789

15 | P a g e

18. Turn off the Hazzard Switch.
19. Return the bus to service after the software update process is complete.

Headquarters: 1815 Rollins Road, Burlingame, CA 94010
East Coast Manufacturing: 1 Whitlee Court, Greenville, SC 29607
West Coast Manufacturing: 383 Cheryl Lane, City of Industry, CA 91789

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