USER

MANUAL

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VC-15W

The VC-15W alternator tester is a handheld, very useful and

easy to use device, used by car garages, diagnostic stations,

authorised service stations and rebuilders.

The VC-15W allows you to diagnose an alternator that is

communicating with the ECU of the car, even when it’s still

mounted or to be used in combination with

all conventional test benches. These “modern” alternators

can’t be diagnosed by using a regular voltage meter.

The ECU communication systems are found on cars starting

from 2002 and up, and are known as LIN (Local Interconnect

Network) and BSS(Bit Synchronous Single-wire) systems, and

even earlier as Ford or GM’s PWM(Pulse Width Modulation)

systems.

Handheld Tester

ENGLISH VERSION 2020

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Safety Warning

Electrical devices should be installed and operated in such a way that all applicable safety requirements are met. It is your responsibility as an installer to ensure that you identify the relevant safety standards and comply with them. Failure to do so may result in damage to equipment and personal injury. In particular, you should study the contents of this guide carefully before installing or operating the equipment.

People who start using this product should review carefully this instruction manual, or have had a training from a qualified person.

The use of electrical equipment is entirely at your own risk and Motoplat® is under no circumstances re-sponsible for any incidental, consequential or special damages of any kind whatsoever, including but not limited to lost profits arising from or in any way connected with the use of the automated test equipment or this manual.

The tester should be connected to a properly grounded outlet.If the power cable is damaged, you must have it be replaced by the supplier or by another qualified person in order to avoid dangerous situations.

Since this tester only operates in conjunction with other test equipment, you should also be aware of the installation, operation and safety requirements of the other equipment.

- Motoplat® -

Environment

The tester should be installed in a weather protected area where heat, humidity or any other climate situation can not damage the tester. The tester should be installed on a level surface that is clear of debris and obstructions.

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1 General Information 1.0 General information about the Motoplat VC-15W alternator tester 4

2 Installation 2.0 Installation of the Motoplat VC-15W alternator tester 5 2.1 Connect alternator to the Motoplat VC-15W alternator tester 6

3 Instructions 3.0 Plug descriptions 7 3.1 Button descriptions 8

4 Systems 4.0 COM LIN 9 4.1 COM BSS 10 4.2 Voltage Meter 11 4.3 PWM (Ford/Landrover) 12 4.4 PWM (GM) 13 4.5 C 14 4.6 PD Drive 15 4.7 RLO (Toyota) 16 4.8 A. DFM Negative 17 B. DFM Positive 18

Index

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Section 1 – General information

1.0 General information about Motoplat VC-15W alternator tester:

The Motoplat VC-15W tester is an addition to your current test equipment, that allows you to check and test the alternators that are fitted on the latest cars, such as: BMW, Mercedes Benz, Volkswagen, Audi and more. These alternators are controlled by:

COM (LIN / Start-Stop) PSA / Mercedes Benz / Chrysler / Volks Wagen / BMW / Audi / Skoda /Seat / Honda / Toyota / Porsche / Renault / Fiat / Volvo / Ford / Landrover

COM (BSS 1,2,3) BMW / Rolls Royce / Renault / Mini / Audi / Volks Wagen / Mercedes Benz (old types)

PWM Ford Group / Mazda / Landrover / GM / ScaniaPD Drive MazdaRLO Toyota (sense)C Hyundai / Kia / Nissan (from 2005) / HondaDFM (Positive / Negative) Mercedes Benz / Volkswagen / Audi / PSA / Honda

/ Toyota

The VC-15W alternator tester only takes a few seconds to automatically identify the type of regulator used on the alternator that needs to be tested (LIN/BSS). There is even the possibility to identify the type of regulator without the alternator itself (+B, 0v socket).

While the tester is checking the PWM and PD, the monitor will also display information about the DFM signal.

Initial setting of the VC-15W voltage is 14.5V, but it can be changed by pressing the buttons ‘15.5V’, ‘13.5V’, ‘12.5V’ or the ‘OFF’ button. This duplicates the actual situation in the car during charging.

The DFM signal is displayed in percentage (%), which allows you to evaluate the performance during charg-ing at a specific moment.

An additional function of the VC-15W alternator tester is a Voltage Meter.

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2.0 Installation of Motoplat VC-15W alternator tester:

The Motoplat VC-15W is an addition and is only working in combination with other test equipment or the car electronics. That is why it is necessary to connect the VC-15W by using the cables +B and GND.

• Attach the red +B cable to the 12V socket of your current tester or the car battery.• Attach the black GND cable to the Ground of your current tester or the car battery.

(Note: The VC-15W needs to be connected to the same power source as the alternator!)

Section 2 – Installation

+B

GND

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2.1 Connect alternator to Motoplat VC-15W tester:

To test an alternator, you should first connect the alternator to your current tester the usual way. (Please consult the instruction manual of your current tester).

When you want to test the alternator when it is still mounted to the car, you only disconnect the plug cable of the car.

After this is done, you can start to connect the alternator to the VC-15W tester.When the tester is connected, it will turn on automatically

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Section 3 – Instructions

3.0 Plug descriptions:

COM Communication with the alternator (BSS or LIN)DFM- Measurement input signal DFM (Pos./Neg.)DFM+ Measurement input signal DFM (Pos./Neg.)Pdrive Alternator control output (PD type regulator)PWM Pulse Width ModulationC “C” control outputRLO “RLO” output alternator control (Toyota)Vmeter Voltage measure input (max 20V)

+ actual voltage COM regulator

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3.1 Button descriptions

OFF Voltage set point button12,5V Voltage set point button13,5V Voltage set point button15,5V Voltage set point buttonMODE Manual selection button of functions =>

0. COM 1. Vmeter 2. PWM (Ford / Landrover)3. PWM (Opel / GM)4. C 5. PD DRIVE (Mazda)6. RLO (Toyota)

7. A. DFM Negative B. DFM Positive

RESET Processor restart (if tester freezes) or identifica-tion of LIN/BSS regulators

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Section 4 – Systems

4.0 COM LIN

Mode Tester automatically begins to identify the alternator control system1. System COM LIN2. Connection COM3. Field duty cycle Increase load as high as possible with your current tester4. Voltage output Pass when it’s close to the set voltage5. Voltage set-point Voltage can be changed by pressing buttons 12,5V / 13,5V / 15,5V / OFF6. Pass/Error message (During Charging)

Pass = No message / If you can change VSPError = Mechanical / Electrical / Temperature

7. ID Code C

2.

1.3.4.

5.

6.7.

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4.1 COM BSS

Mode Tester automatically begins to identify the alternator control system1. System COM BSS2. Connection COM 3. Field duty cycle Increase load as high as possible with your current tester4. Voltage output Pass when it’s close to the set voltage5. Voltage set-point Voltage can be changed by pressing buttons 12,5V / 13,5V / 15,5V / OFF6. Pass/Error message (During Charging)

Pass = No message / If you can change VSPError = Mechanical / Electrical / Temperature

7. ID Code Regulator identification code

2.

1.3.4.

5.

6.7.

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4.2 Voltage meter

Mode Press 1 time on the Mode button1. System Vmeter2. Connection Vmeter / GND (GND is not required)3. Field duty cycle Non applicable4. Voltage output Only voltage output is displayed (Max. 20 Volts!!!)5. Voltage set-point Non applicable6. Pass/Error message (During Charging)

Non applicable

* Software version:If you want to check which software version is running on the VC-15W, please put the tester on the Vmeter mode and press the buttons “13,5V” + “15,5V” simultaneously.

2.

1.

4.

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4.3 PWM (Ford / Landrover)

Mode Press 2 times on the Mode button1. System PWM (Ford / Landrover)2. Connection PWM / DFM+3. Field duty cycle Increase load as high as possible with your current tester4. Voltage output Pass when it’s close to the set voltage5. Voltage set-point Voltage can be changed by pressing buttons 12,5V / 13,5V / 15,5V / OFF6. Pass/Error message (During Charging)

Pass = DFM OK / If you can change VSPFail = No control of regulator

2.

1.3.4.

5.

6. 7.

2.

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4.4 PWM (GM)

Mode Press 3 times on the Mode button1. System PWM (GM) (Opel)2. Connection PWM / DFM+3. Field duty cycle Increase load as high as possible with your current tester4. Voltage output Pass when it’s close to the set voltage5. Voltage set-point Voltage can be changed by pressing buttons 12,5V / 13,5V / 15,5V / OFF6. Pass/Error message (During Charging)

Pass = DFM OK / If you can change VSPFail = No control of regulator

2.

1.3.4.

5.

6. 7.

2.

8.

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4.5 C (Hyundai)

Mode Press 4 times on the Mode button1. System C (Kia, Hyundai)2. Connection C3. Field duty cycle Non applicable4. Voltage output Pass when it’s close to the set voltage5. Voltage set-point Voltage can be changed by pressing buttons 12,5V / 13,5V / 15,5V / OFF6. Pass/Error message (During Charging)

Pass = If you can change VSP / Fail = No control of regulator

1.

4.

5.

2.

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4.6 PD Drive

Mode Press 5 times on the Mode button1. System PD DRIVE (Mazda)2. Connection PDrive 3. Field duty cycle Increase load as high as possible with your current tester4. Voltage output Pass when it’s close to the set voltage5. Voltage set-point Voltage can be changed by pressing buttons 12,5V / 13,5V / 15,5V / OFF6. Pass/Error message (During Charging)

Pass = If you can change VSP / Error = Phase Error / VSP doesn’t change

1.

4.

5.

2.

3.6.

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4.7 RLO

Mode Press 6 times on the Mode button1. System RLO (Toyota sense terminal)2. Connection RLO3. Field duty cycle Non applicable4. Voltage output Pass when it’s close to the set voltage5. Voltage set-point Voltage can be changed by pressing buttons 12,5V / 13,5V / OFF6. Pass/Error message (During Charging)

Pass = If you can change VSP / Fail = No control of regulator / VSP doesn’t change

1.

4.

5.

2.

6.

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4.8.A DFM (Negative)

Mode Press 7 times on the Mode button1. System DFM Negative (from 99% to 0%)2. Connection DFM-3. Field duty cycle Increase load as high as possible with your current tester4. Voltage output Standard5. Voltage set-point Non applicable6. Pass/Error message (During Charging)

Pass = Duty cycle will change depending on loadFail = Duty cycle will not change depending on load

* An example of an oscilloscope diagram can be found on page 21

1.

4.

5.2.

3.6.7.

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4.8.B DFM (Positive)

Mode Press 7 times on the Mode button + OFF for Positive1. System DFM Positive (from 0% to 99%)2. Connection DFM+3. Field duty cycle Increase load as high as possible with your current tester4. Voltage output Standard5. Voltage set-point Non applicable6. Pass/Error message (During Charging)

Pass = Duty cycle will change depending on loadFail = Duty cycle will not change depending on load

* An example of an oscilloscope diagram can be found on page 21

1.

4.

5.

2.

3.6.7.

www.motoplat.nl

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1244NV ‘s-Graveland, The Netherlands

+ 31 (0)35 656 3180

info@motoplat.nl

www.motoplat.nl

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