GM originally designed the inductive Mange Charge systems now
called LPI (Large Paddle Inductive) and later lisensed MC to Toyota
(TAL) who refined the systems to SPI (Small Paddle Inductive)
specifications.
called LPI (Large Paddle Inductive) and later lisensed MC to Toyota
(TAL) who refined the systems to SPI (Small Paddle Inductive)
specifications.
| A brief review of early and later MC systems is outlined below. We have included various base unit versions, PC programing capabilities and the rarely understood or considered car-side electronics. |
Magne Charge - LPI & SPI (Inductive Chargers)
This picture
represents the original
GM LPI (Large Paddle
Inductive) receiver
(car-side) components
and wiring harness
represents the original
GM LPI (Large Paddle
Inductive) receiver
(car-side) components
and wiring harness
Conversion unit
Controller unit
Paddle receiver unit
Shunt
These are GM "Gen
1" LPI (Large Paddle
Inductive) chargers.
What was referred
to as the pedestal
mount on the left, the
wall mount on the
right, and the 120vac
opportunity charger
below. This
represents the
original family of LPI
Magne Charge units.
It should also be
noted that an earlier
version of the LPI
pedestal charger
existed, which,
although its
appearance was the
same as the later
pedistal mounted
unit pictured here, it
carried a "thin
paddle" design and
was used in
pre-1995 Magne
Charge equiped
vehicles.
The thin paddle
diamentions are
.383" x 5.49" and
0.61" thick x 5.42"
wide in the later,
more widely
distributed LPI
versions.
1" LPI (Large Paddle
Inductive) chargers.
What was referred
to as the pedestal
mount on the left, the
wall mount on the
right, and the 120vac
opportunity charger
below. This
represents the
original family of LPI
Magne Charge units.
It should also be
noted that an earlier
version of the LPI
pedestal charger
existed, which,
although its
appearance was the
same as the later
pedistal mounted
unit pictured here, it
carried a "thin
paddle" design and
was used in
pre-1995 Magne
Charge equiped
vehicles.
The thin paddle
diamentions are
.383" x 5.49" and
0.61" thick x 5.42"
wide in the later,
more widely
distributed LPI
versions.
This is a GM "Gen 2"
unit, the second and
last generation of the
GM product run. The
Gen 2 was ultimately
manufactured in two
configurations, 1) the
Gen 2 which is a LPI
and, 2) the Gen 2+
[Gen 2 plus] which is a
SPI [Small Paddle
Inductive] unit. Either
unit could be mounted
either by pedestal or
wall mount.
unit, the second and
last generation of the
GM product run. The
Gen 2 was ultimately
manufactured in two
configurations, 1) the
Gen 2 which is a LPI
and, 2) the Gen 2+
[Gen 2 plus] which is a
SPI [Small Paddle
Inductive] unit. Either
unit could be mounted
either by pedestal or
wall mount.
This is an example of
the last and final
configuration of the
Mange Charge units.
This is a TAL unit
manufactured by
Toyota under license
to GM. These units
could also be either
wall or pedestal
mounted and originally
came in LPI
configuration, and
later in the SPI format.
The TAL SPI unit was
the last Magne Charge
unit manufactured.
the last and final
configuration of the
Mange Charge units.
This is a TAL unit
manufactured by
Toyota under license
to GM. These units
could also be either
wall or pedestal
mounted and originally
came in LPI
configuration, and
later in the SPI format.
The TAL SPI unit was
the last Magne Charge
unit manufactured.
The following images
represent the various
user controlled charge
programing
capabilities of the GM
Magne Charge units.
Programing is
embedded in the
car-side controller unit
(pictured below) and
can only be modified
via a WIN98 or earlier
PC with EV.00.e
software. An external
MAX232 serial
adapter and
appropriate DB & DE9
cabling is also
required.
Interestingly, GM
setup the units to only
accept
reprogramming when
the paddle is inserted
and the unit is
operating.
Reprogramming then
takes affect after the
paddle is removed and
reinserted.
Consequently, if you
are reprogramming an
old unit from a
completely different
configuration, it may
be difficult to keep
your unit running long
enough to accept the
new configuration
before shutting down.
I recently
reprogrammed a unit
from a minimum pack
voltage of 400vdc to a
pack that had a
maximum of only
250vdc; and with the
parameters mentioned
above it was a tricky
operation.
represent the various
user controlled charge
programing
capabilities of the GM
Magne Charge units.
Programing is
embedded in the
car-side controller unit
(pictured below) and
can only be modified
via a WIN98 or earlier
PC with EV.00.e
software. An external
MAX232 serial
adapter and
appropriate DB & DE9
cabling is also
required.
Interestingly, GM
setup the units to only
accept
reprogramming when
the paddle is inserted
and the unit is
operating.
Reprogramming then
takes affect after the
paddle is removed and
reinserted.
Consequently, if you
are reprogramming an
old unit from a
completely different
configuration, it may
be difficult to keep
your unit running long
enough to accept the
new configuration
before shutting down.
I recently
reprogrammed a unit
from a minimum pack
voltage of 400vdc to a
pack that had a
maximum of only
250vdc; and with the
parameters mentioned
above it was a tricky
operation.
Toyota data about the
coversion from LPI to
SPI specifications
coversion from LPI to
SPI specifications
The GM Gen 1 wall
mounted unit
mounted unit