CANchecked VADpro VAD15 User manual

Installation Guide VAD15 for
Mazda Miata MX-5 NA/NB/NBFL
Preface
Thank you, for purchasing the VAD15 MX-5 Kit for installation in a Mazda Miata MX5 type
NA/NB/NBFL instrument cluster. The shown pictures are from a type NB. Type NA could be
slightly different but the overall steps are the same.
During development, we put high effort into fitting accuracy and quality. The MFA has been
tested and fitted by several people and will be steadily improved, so you will have no
problems during the modification of your instrument cluster.
In spite of our great care and tests it can happen that unpredictable difficulties or problems
may occur. This may occur due to many different versions of instrument panels, which cannot
be considered upfront.
If you have any feedback, criticism or change request, do not hesitate to get in contact with us
Required Tools
- Phillips screwdriver small
- Slotted screwdriver small
- Ø15mm drill
Advice
The retrofit set is a very sensitive electronic device. Please use an antistatic mat and wrist
band to avoid any damage to the device itself. Avoid pressure or touching the OLED screen.
This may lead to defects or faults in displaying your data.
VADpro does not assume any liability for this modification or any damage during modification
or during operation. This installation guide has been put together with the best of our
knowledge and belief.
Version v0.2 www.vadpro.com

Installation
Preparation
- (red) press to remove clips of the screen and frame
- remove both screen and frame from the instrument cluster
Version v0.2 www.vadpro.com

- The oil pressure gauge in the middle
at the top needs to be removed
- For that purpose, remove the three
Philips screws
- Remove oil pressure gauge
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- You need to drill a 15mm hole
into the case for the cables
- For the exact position please
have a look at the pictures
Version v0.2 www.vadpro.com

Installation
Feed the cables through the 15mm hole and position the VAD15 into the instrument cluster.
Position the bracket so it fits the mounting holes. It should look like this:
Use the original screws of the oil pressure gauge to bolt the display unit from the backside
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The screw holes are really tight so take care of the correct placement of the display. Now is
the time to have minor corrections done.
At the end you can install the frame and the glass with the original clips.
Afterwards the electrical connection can take place in the car. You cluster should like this:
Version v0.2 www.vadpro.com

Electrical connection
Power supply:
Red cable
= switched positive (12V) – use a 5A fuse (not included)
Black cable
= Ground
CAN-Bus connection:
White cable
= CAN High
Yellow cable
= CAN Low
Connect can high to the can high connection of your ECU and can low to the can low
connection. If the CAN-Bus termination needs to be activated within the display, please go to
the display menu under “settings” and activate “Can term”.
Most of the time there are no other devices in the CAN Bus available so the terminator needs
to be set.
Analogue Inputs:
Orange cable
= 5V output
black cable
= ground out
4x green cable
= analogue inputs 1-4
Encoder
To change settings/views within the display
Press = Select the particular menu item
Turn left/right= up/down in the menu or change the particular value
Micro-USB connection with update module
For direct connection to your PC/laptop for software updates.
Version v0.2 www.vadpro.com

Startup
You need to connect the power supply to start the display. In addition, you need to connect
the display to your CAN-Bus or to your analogue inputs. Both are optional. You can also run
the display with analogue inputs only.
After powering up the display, you can see the start logo and the display will change to the
last selected view. If you press the encoder, the menu will show up. Turning the knob will
select the other views or lead you to the setup (“stp”), after confirm with a second press.
First of all you should go to the Setup („stp“) => „options“ => „CAN type“ and select the
desired protocol: trijekt, AIMRev6Typ2, Megasquirt2, Ecumaster, KMS, VAG. If the
appropriate protocol is not included, please drop as an email ([email protected] ). The
CAN-Bus speed is set to 500kbps. Protocol and speed need to match to get the display
working. All other settings can be left default for now.
Behind the menu “sensors” are all sensors which have been implemented. Here you can
change all minimum and maximum values. When exceeding these limits an alarm can be
generated – either by popup or just a small yellow triangle at the top right of the screen.
“Update” is for firmware updates of the display.
“Reset“ puts all settings of the display back to default.
In the gauge on the top right you can find a tiny RED pixel. If the display receives data from
the CAN-Bus it starts flickering red/green. If no messages are received it’s steady red. This
can be due to no CAN-Bus connection, Can-Bus within your ECU has not been activated or
CAN-Bus termination (see chapter electrical connection) is wrong.
Operation
The operation of the display is done with the encoder – see chapter startup.
Analogue Inputs
Additional four 0-5V sensors can be connected to the display. The CANchecked website here:
http://www.canchecked.de/downloads has a list of tested sensors. Of course all other sensors
with 0-5V output can be connected as well.
In the “sensors” section of the display the sensor can be mapped to its real values. Please use
the datasheet of your sensor to get the 0V and 5V values to enter them into the display.
Version v0.2 www.vadpro.com

Updates
If new updates are available the customer receives them from CANchecked directly.
To update the display please use these steps::
1) Install driver: http://canchecked.de/updater/PL2303_1181.zip
Download software:
http://canchecked.de/updater/CANchecked-52mm-updater_basic.zip
2) Disconnect display from car
3) Connect display to USB port of your PC/laptop
4) Make sure a COM port is found (see screenshot)
5) Start Update software, choose the COM port and leave baud rate at 115200
6) Use the encoder to go to menu “update“ and choose it
7) Click “Start Bootloader“ on your PC/laptop => the button turns green after successful
connection – may be you need several retries.
8) “Select Hexfile“ => choose HEX Datei (received from CANchecked)
9) flash the display with “program flash“
10)“Exit Bootloader“
11)disconnect display and reconnect it – the new software has been loaded
Version v0.2 www.vadpro.com
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