Our own Alta software/firmware team -- Join in

[Speedkills]

I am going to order a dealer toolkit which I think has the laptop and connector as part of it.

 

[Silent But Dirty]

I am going to order a dealer toolkit which I think has the laptop and connector as part of it.

In the parts list I posted the "dealer toolkit" has an msrp of $3300. I think you might be looking for
7702416-00 TOOL, LAPTOP, DEALER

 

[Mark911]

I've got Matlab and Simulink already, just need to get some CAN interface hardware from Vector and I can start "sniffing around".

 

[Judaslefourbe]

I don't think you will be able to order a laptop since I am the one programing them and I am not at work.
Worth a try though.

 

[snydes]

I don't think you will be able to order a laptop since I am the one programing them and I am not at work.
Worth a try though.

So at what point can we start going to you for all our DIY diagnostic needs....

 

[bluefxstc]

I think the key issue is what software can we use, or develop, to both analyze, modify, or update the Altas without access to Alta's server. From my understanding, to replace the screen, and probably other parts, you need the Alta computer and connection to the Alta server. If Alta is no more, then what is the value of the Alta software? Can we use it without the Alta server? If not, what can we use to get around the lack of the Alta server.

I love this bike. It would suck to have it permanently disabled because of a part I couldn't properly match up to the bike.

 

[datadog]

If there are no new firmware updates and the laptop had downloaded the most recent version, that version is present on the laptop without connection to the cloud. If you replace a display or an ACM or a DCCP, etc., the laptop will communicate with the CAN bus and install proper firmware without any need to connect with the Alta server.

 

[bluefxstc]

If there are no new firmware updates and the laptop had downloaded the most recent version, that version is present on the laptop without connection to the cloud. If you replace a display or an ACM or a DCCP, etc., the laptop will communicate with the CAN bus and install proper firmware without any need to connect with the Alta server.

Awesome, thanks.

 

[Silent But Dirty]

If there are no new firmware updates and the laptop had downloaded the most recent version, that version is present on the laptop without connection to the cloud. If you replace a display or an ACM or a DCCP, etc., the laptop will communicate with the CAN bus and install proper firmware without any need to connect with the Alta server.

This means that, in theory at least, one could reverse engineer and source all the components required to make our own dashes from scratch. Good news.

 

[Philip]

It is not okay yet to start hacking the software/firmware -- it is still illegal -- but I wonder what can we start doing to fix the batteries and broken displays? Fixing the broken parts is all legal now, since Alta is unable to do anything about it.

Fixing the battery is a mechanical challenge. I am sure @snydes already has a list of possible wire re-attaching methods.

Does anyone know who from (former) Alta employees to contact who would help with the display?

If you are reading this and can help fix a broken display -- please come out. PM or email me at admin at altaownersforum.com if you want to remain anonymous.

 

[snydes]

I agree, hacking firmware isn't necessary aside from the whole legality issue. Repairing these bikes falls into the motor vehicle owners right to repair act and we NEED to be able to do at least that.

Before I tear this battery apart I need to first verify the problem, which requires that Alta laptop. My dealer doesn't want anything to do with my situation as they didn't even get paid for the firmware update they just did on the bike, so I'm on my own.

 

[Silent But Dirty]

It is not okay yet to start hacking the software/firmware -- it is still illegal -- but I wonder what can we start doing to fix the batteries and broken displays? Fixing the broken parts is all legal now, since Alta is unable to do anything about it.

Fixing the battery is a mechanical challenge. I am sure @snydes already has a list of possible wire re-attaching methods.

Does anyone know who from (former) Alta employees to contact who would help with the display?

If you are reading this and can help fix a broken display -- please come out. PM or email me at admin at altaownersforum.com if you want to remain anonymous.

There are various companies that will reverse engineer and re manufacturer PCBs so we could at least look into what it might cost to have that done.

 

[Philip]

There are various companies that will reverse engineer and re manufacturer PCBs so we could at least look into what it might cost to have that done.

Please post the list who you'd call.

 

[Philip]

Before I tear this battery apart I need to first verify the problem, which requires that Alta laptop.

Are you sure about the need for a laptop? I thought you'd just take the battery apart, like @Mark911 did, and see a loose wire.

 

[privateer703]

I've reached out to a Peter at isensortech.com His info was given to me from e-teknet.com as the guy they use to reverse engineer PCB's. As soon as I hear from him I'll post it.

 

[snydes]

Are you sure about the need for a laptop? I thought you'd just take the battery apart, like @Mark911 did, and see a loose wire.

I’ve been told there would be some confirming data in the diagnostics. I don’t know exactly what the diagnostics will show, but I’d like to be 100% sure before I tear in. If it were completely inoperable and I was wanting to use it I would just go for it.

Additionally I believe the laptop would have to be used to clear the code once repaired, although I might be wrong about that.

 

[datadog]

Once again, please realize that 350v can kill you. Please leave battery disassembly to an experienced technician. And also realize that the repair for what causes code 36 is not going to be easily accomplished properly (i.e. a lasting repair) in most garages. If not properly done code 36 will just reappear. And yes, the laptop would be needed to clear the code.

 

[Scooter584]

Damn!! Can't they just tell us what's going on over there in SF! I'm on the verge of selling my new favorite bike and going back to the gas hog! Such a great thing....if we can't work on them or get parts or have the programmers help us,
it's a time bomb

 

[Silent But Dirty]

Damn!! Can't they just tell us what's going on over there in SF! I'm on the verge of selling my new favorite bike and going back to the gas hog! Such a great thing....if we can't work on them or get parts or have the programmers help us,
it's a time bomb

I operate under the belief that we will have the help we need eventually. Whether it comes from Alta directly, or some of the people who were there, remains to be seen.

For those who are not operational right now, this really sucks and I get it. My biggest fear right now is crashing and damaging something irreparably. It's a risk I'm willing to take, because I don't ever want to look back and regret selling a bike I can no longer buy, even though it's well supported by the community.

 

[Philip]

My biggest fear right now is crashing and damaging something irreparably. It's a risk I'm willing to take, because I don't ever want to look back and regret selling a bike I can no longer buy, even though it's well supported by the community.

A quick fix for that is to buy one more Alta bike!