FORScan forum

Ecmbuster wrote: Tue Jan 03, 2023 11:15 pm @spender2611

"Off topic?"

"go back to school?"

"get some social skills?"

"give simple and short answers?"

Let's see if "Flashing Modules - External charger setup" is off topic!

You and the readers just got an education and when it comes to the advancement and theory of current technology, you should be grateful.
It's obvious you do not like being corrected.

Then again, those resulting statements were expected as you have the need to make it pubic and about yourself, in an "attempt" to scrutinize "FACT BASED" information.

KrstGor wrote: Fri Jan 06, 2023 10:32 am To anyone looking forward to update firmware, I have a simple two-word message:

FORGET FORSCAN

The reason I’m saying this is less to do with software itself and more to do with hardware.

Understand this: there is a reason why a professional grade J2534 pass-thru adapter costs north of $1,500. So, while Forscan potentially can get the right files to perform the module fw flash, the cheap OBD adapters like OBDLink or vLinker were not designed for long programing sessions that can take 8+ hours for certain hardware. These tools are great choice for a “split of a second operation” to turn on your “bambi mode” or “Scandinavian lights” or your auto door-lock and similar… and that’s about it.

To update fw, you need professional tools. That is, you need professional tools if you want to avoid the risk of bricking your module(s).

And so, if you are prepared to invest that kind of money to buy professional tools, then obtaining a 3-day license to use Ford’s own FJDS/FDRS becomes peanuts, as the biggest expense is the J2534 and the Power Supply (not a charger!). Digression here: for programming, you need stable (fix) voltage and fluctuating amperage. That’s what PS does. The charger does the exact opposite: fixed amperage and changing voltage, which is the biggest risk factor to brick the module.

To program a Ford vehicle, you’ll need a device that outputs at least 25Amps, so smth. like C-TEK PRO25S is what you’re looking for at a bare minimum. A better/safer option would be a device that outputs 50Amps. The Noco Genius 50Pro does that. It’s an $800 device. On top of that the cheapest J2534 that’ll do for Ford would be the Mongoose Plus, another $500+ or so. If you’re in Europe, add customs, VAT and shipping costs on top of these devices, so it’s nearly €2,000.

Now, assume you gonna go ahead and program the vehicle. Ideally, you want to be indoors (imagine it starts raining while you’re doing a 12h session). Not everyone has an indoors facility to work on their car. So, you need to be at least some place that has some sot of cover in case the elements turn against you. You need to make sure you have a stable AC current. You will need to hook up your laptop, your newly purchased PS to an AC current socket, without running the risk of power outage (it’s rare, but it can happen). Last, but not least you need a super-stable fast, broad-band internet connection (I'd avoid wi-fi at all costs), meaning you also need to be able to draw a RJ45 ethernet cable (preferably Cat 6) and plug it into your laptop.

Bottom-line: updating fw is not for the faint of heart. It’s the most advanced work you can do on a car, it requires a considerable investment in tools and equipment you’re not likely to use ever again, unless you do this for a living. Obviously, that’s hardly unlikely, as in that case you wouldn’t be asking these Qs here.

Just my humble $0.02c. Good luck.

Jonhy7 wrote: Fri Jan 06, 2023 3:03 pm

KrstGor wrote: Fri Jan 06, 2023 10:32 am To anyone looking forward to update firmware, I have a simple two-word message:

FORGET FORSCAN

The reason I’m saying this is less to do with software itself and more to do with hardware.

Understand this: there is a reason why a professional grade J2534 pass-thru adapter costs north of $1,500. So, while Forscan potentially can get the right files to perform the module fw flash, the cheap OBD adapters like OBDLink or vLinker were not designed for long programing sessions that can take 8+ hours for certain hardware. These tools are great choice for a “split of a second operation” to turn on your “bambi mode” or “Scandinavian lights” or your auto door-lock and similar… and that’s about it.

To update fw, you need professional tools. That is, you need professional tools if you want to avoid the risk of bricking your module(s).

And so, if you are prepared to invest that kind of money to buy professional tools, then obtaining a 3-day license to use Ford’s own FJDS/FDRS becomes peanuts, as the biggest expense is the J2534 and the Power Supply (not a charger!). Digression here: for programming, you need stable (fix) voltage and fluctuating amperage. That’s what PS does. The charger does the exact opposite: fixed amperage and changing voltage, which is the biggest risk factor to brick the module.

To program a Ford vehicle, you’ll need a device that outputs at least 25Amps, so smth. like C-TEK PRO25S is what you’re looking for at a bare minimum. A better/safer option would be a device that outputs 50Amps. The Noco Genius 50Pro does that. It’s an $800 device. On top of that the cheapest J2534 that’ll do for Ford would be the Mongoose Plus, another $500+ or so. If you’re in Europe, add customs, VAT and shipping costs on top of these devices, so it’s nearly €2,000.

Now, assume you gonna go ahead and program the vehicle. Ideally, you want to be indoors (imagine it starts raining while you’re doing a 12h session). Not everyone has an indoors facility to work on their car. So, you need to be at least some place that has some sot of cover in case the elements turn against you. You need to make sure you have a stable AC current. You will need to hook up your laptop, your newly purchased PS to an AC current socket, without running the risk of power outage (it’s rare, but it can happen). Last, but not least you need a super-stable fast, broad-band internet connection (I'd avoid wi-fi at all costs), meaning you also need to be able to draw a RJ45 ethernet cable (preferably Cat 6) and plug it into your laptop.

Bottom-line: updating fw is not for the faint of heart. It’s the most advanced work you can do on a car, it requires a considerable investment in tools and equipment you’re not likely to use ever again, unless you do this for a living. Obviously, that’s hardly unlikely, as in that case you wouldn’t be asking these Qs here.

Just my humble $0.02c. Good luck.