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Help with data problems on new Radical

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Ben Jacobs
(@cirrusdriver)
Estimable Member
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 77
Topic starter  

A couple of my friends and I took deliveries of new SR3 XX’s. We have certainly had our share of teething problems but the worst is AIM data and steering wheel issues that our local dealer or Radical cannot solve. We are getting no GPS speed or lap times on the display(SW4 wheel). 

The system is configured as follows from the factory…GPS module connects into the Smarty Cam and then the smarty cam connects to the PDM(power distribution module) which sends the display signal to the wheel. 

The camera has a very strong GPS signal and show the marching ant(red dot) on the track overlay on downloaded videos. It does not seem to be a hardware problem. I’ve deleted and re-loaded the track on the smarty cam and the pdm. All firmware is up to date. 

I ran with Radical Cup at Road America and both factory techs couldn’t figure it out. The lap timer was working briefly until they updated the track in the PDM.

If anybody has any other suggestions I would love to hear it.

 


   
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DavidF
(@davidf)
Honorable Member
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 354
 

I may have a similar problem, but if not exactly the same, it is worth mentioning here anyway so others know.

I have two SR3 XXs from 2021 with the SW4 steering wheels, Aim GPS09, SmartyCam HD 2.2, and AiM Shift Light Module (GPS/SC/SLM).  On the earlier XX (March 2021 chassis 1351), everything works as it should, but on the later XX (November 2021 chassis 1372), I have never been able to get the video or Aim data working.  According to Aim, there is a known problem and incompatibility with the SC, GPS, and in particular that SLM.  I spoke with Aim last week, and they said to send them the GPS and SLM, and that they would update firmware (FW) or something.

So, since I have two XXs, I decided to swap the working GPS and SLM into 1372.  

(FYI, this turned out to be not such an easy task because on 1372, the GPS cable was zip-tied in about 9 places, out of reach between the right side pod and chassis.  So I had to remove the side pod to reach all of the zip ties.  Sigh.  On 1351, I pulled the GPS cable through the chassis without an issue -- it was thoughtfully secured only on the inside (accessible) of the chassis on both ends.)

Back to the swap.  When I put the working SLM and GPS into 1372, they now did not work either.  The SLM blinked red and SC displayed NO GPS.  So I swapped in the older SC, and now everything works on 1372.  Why?  I mentioned all of this to AiM, and they said they have several notes from the field, and that they will try to get everything working together.  I have noted that if I remove the SLM, then the GPS and SC work.  Also of note, are differences in SC FW.  The older SC has FW 01.04.36, and the newer 01.04.52.

In summary, it sounds like they are aware of some of these issues, but I do not know whether they will be able to fix it.  I ended up sending SC+GPS+SLM to them last week.  

There may be some Radical owners here who have a solution or similar problems, but I suggest that you call AiM if you have not already.  If you are using the SLM like me, then try disconnecting it to see if that solves your GPS problem.  That seems to be what works for me although as mentioned everything works with the SC that has an old version of the FW.

Posted by: @cirrusdriver

I ran with Radical Cup at Road America and both factory techs couldn’t figure it out.

Same.  Richard told me that there were quite a few problems with GPS at Rd America, and he suggested to send my SLM to AiM (either California or Virginia in USA).  

I hope that AiM can fix the problem with updates to their FW; I will report back when I have an update from AiM.

Bottom line -- if you don't have GPS, you have no AiM data and no video.  If you don't have the SLM, you can at least use your steering wheel shift lights if you can see them.  I can see mine OK because I sit very low -- I can just see over the dash which I think is ideal.  If you are tall, then you have a problem and you need the SLM.


   
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DavidF
(@davidf)
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Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 354
 
Posted by: @cirrusdriver

The lap timer was working briefly until they updated the track in the PDM.

?  Do you mean updated the track in the SmartyCam?

I just reread your problem, and it sounds different than mine although it seems that the SC could be a source for several problems.  What version is your firmware?

AiM told me that Radical wires the SC and GPS differently than they do, so it may take a bit of work between Radical and Aim to solve these problems.


   
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Ben Jacobs
(@cirrusdriver)
Estimable Member
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 77
Topic starter  

David,

My car has the updated steering column that is raised. I originally ordered the shift light but they stopped including it with new builds. The shift light does work properly on the wheel display and is fairly easy to see.

My video and overlay works correctly except it shows one 25 minute lap, not individual laps and times. The steering wheel does not show any lap times. I’m sure it’s an AIM software or firmware issue. I called AIM in Virginia and California and they said they wouldn’t touch or diagnose Radical systems because AIM UK and Radical designed the layout and have some of the access locked. They won’t help me. Quite frankly it’s exhausting that Radical or AIM don’t care to fix a brand new product we joke a lot in the paddock about asking if guys that bought new GT4 cars have a working speedometer or LapTimer. 

Richard and Nathan tried hard to fix peoples problems but were pulled in many directions at Road America. The factory support was underwhelming compared to other factory one-make series.


   
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Dan Millsaps
(@raider89)
Reputable Member
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 196
 

Interesting, my early SR3XX #1319 chassis has always worked well with regard to AIM.  All seems functioning and interacting with steering wheel properly the best I can tell.


   
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John Parsons
(@parsonsj)
Prominent Member
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 626
 

How is your GPS module connected? In mine, AiM had me connect the GPS08/09 to the camera base module, rather than to the CAN expansion module. Is that what Radical does that's different?


   
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Clark Darrah
(@clark-darrah)
Trusted Member
Joined: 2 years ago
Posts: 48
 

@cirrusdriver and @davidf have you checked the configuration in Race Studio?

I had to get a GS-Dash for my car so I could see gearing, shift lights, etc.  When I called Aim US, they were not much help and basically said Radical and Aim UK do their own thing.  WISKO did the install but had to work with Nathan from Radical to get it configured.  After the install, the shift lights still weren't working but I discovered the RPM's weren't configured correctly for my engine (SR10).

You need the Radical Web Update Key for Race Studio to be able to unlock the configurable options on your laptop.


   
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DavidF
(@davidf)
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Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 354
 
Posted by: @parsonsj

How is your GPS module connected? In mine, AiM had me connect the GPS08/09 to the camera base module, rather than to the CAN expansion module. Is that what Radical does that's different?

Mine is the same on both cars.

 

@clark-darrah Thanks.  That sounds like something to try.  


   
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Ben Jacobs
(@cirrusdriver)
Estimable Member
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 77
Topic starter  

@davidf 

 

Hey guys, great news. After a couple of months of trying different stuff I was able to get everything working. I read some threads on the smarty cam that mentioned the first time you update the firmware it has to be done using the SD card, not the USB connection. 

I updated the smarty cam firmware using this method and then went back and updated it using the USB connection and race studio 3 software. I then updated the PDM and SW4 firmware. My PDM finally showed GPS readings in the live measures tab. The GPS was working but the speed wasn’t accurate and laptimer still didn’t work. I kept changing the PDM and SW4 channels back and forth between KPH and MPH. Oddly enough what made it read accurate is KPH set in the PDM channels and MPH in the SW4. Wow speed is working correctly(verified by iPhone gps app)…onto the lap timer…..

 

I deleted all tracks from all the devices and loaded only road America onto the camera. I then played around with loading Road America on the PDM and the SW4. The winning combination is to only have the track in the camera and the PDM, not the SW4. 

Hope this helps others and I’m happy to send my working config to people if needed.


   
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Ben Jacobs
(@cirrusdriver)
Estimable Member
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 77
Topic starter  

@davidf 

 

Hey guys, great news. After a couple of months of trying different stuff I was able to get everything working. I read some threads on the smarty cam that mentioned the first time you update the firmware it has to be done using the SD card, not the USB connection. 

I updated the smarty cam firmware using this method and then went back and updated it using the USB connection and race studio 3 software. I then updated the PDM and SW4 firmware. My PDM finally showed GPS readings in the live measures tab. The GPS was working but the speed wasn’t accurate and laptimer still didn’t work. I kept changing the PDM and SW4 channels back and forth between KPH and MPH. Oddly enough what made it read accurate is KPH set in the PDM channels and MPH in the SW4. Wow speed is working correctly(verified by iPhone gps app)…onto the lap timer…..

 

I deleted all tracks from all the devices and loaded only road America onto the camera. I then played around with loading Road America on the PDM and the SW4. The winning combination is to only have the track in the camera and the PDM, not the SW4. 

Hope this helps others and I’m happy to send my working config to people if needed.


   
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CharleyH
(@charleyhradicalsportscarregistry-com)
Famed Member Admin
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 1822
 

@cirrusdriver, I’m glad to hear that you figured it out.


   
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DavidF
(@davidf)
Honorable Member
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 354
 

@cirrusdriver Good information and good thread. Aim stuff can be tricky but great to have Aim's, Radical's, and this forum's support.

 

Update on my issue.  My newer SC/GPS09/SLM went to Aim this week.  They got the SLM working and confirmed the SC is working.  Unsure what the SLM needed but Radical technician (Richard) at Road America Radical Cup said that it is a common problem and to send it to Aim.  The GPS however needs repair and has been shipped to Italy.  Fortunately I have a spare car and I am using the older firmware SC/GPS09/SLM this week.  


   
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m roj
(@rojid)
Reputable Member
Joined: 2 years ago
Posts: 146
 
Posted by: @cirrusdriver

A couple of my friends and I took deliveries of new SR3 XX’s. We have certainly had our share of teething problems but the worst is AIM data and steering wheel issues that our local dealer or Radical cannot solve. We are getting no GPS speed or lap times on the display(SW4 wheel). 

The system is configured as follows from the factory…GPS module connects into the Smarty Cam and then the smarty cam connects to the PDM(power distribution module) which sends the display signal to the wheel. 

The camera has a very strong GPS signal and show the marching ant(red dot) on the track overlay on downloaded videos. It does not seem to be a hardware problem. I’ve deleted and re-loaded the track on the smarty cam and the pdm. All firmware is up to date. 

I ran with Radical Cup at Road America and both factory techs couldn’t figure it out. The lap timer was working briefly until they updated the track in the PDM.

If anybody has any other suggestions I would love to hear it.

 

Interesting thread this, glad to see i'm not the only one with fiddly annoying Aim XX issues. 
It does seem to be a really tempremental system. 

Mine is configured a bit different to what has been described above, in that it matches the config that AiM themselves suggest in the PDM Manual - everything is routed through a hub expansion module, the GPS, Smartycam and Shiftlights plug into that, which in turn connects to the PDM. 

The loom coming out of the PDM has the bundle which the steering wheel then connects to. 

I'm surprised that your  system is configured differently with the GPS module connecting to the Smartycam instead.... especially given that mine was the development car which 'gave birth' to your new XX's! Luckily i've had 0 issues with GPS/smartycam/data collecting - its the one aspect of the car which has worked very well, and i've been loading in circuits and utilising all the different sensors in RS3 to configure various pages on the PDM display. 

The shift light module has been a PITA, and after it was sent back from Italy, it worked a few times in the garage and then randomly stopped working entirely, and has been sent back to Italy again.

The SW4 wheel has also now given me issues, after successfully connecting to it, i dared to attempt to change the display pages and transmitted a new config to it, only to find in the process of connecting to it, it somehow reset all the buttons functionality, so i can no longer scroll through the pages with the rotary knobs. It remains fixed on page 1. Luckily neutral/paddle shift buttons still work. 

The whole system seems very prone to glitches with firmware/software updates/ or even using a newer version of RS3 to update when an older version should have been used etc..... its a total minefield. 

 


   
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Trailbrake
(@trailbrake)
Trusted Member
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 44
 

I'm just seeing this thread. The Radical and AiM integration are a difficult issue. To start defining things, it's important to know the players - AiM Sportline makes the hardware and is in Milan, Italy. AiM Sports is in the US (Roanoke and Lake Elsinore) and is the US importer and servicer. Radical makes the cars in the UK. AiMShop is the UK AiM importer and dealer. I'm just a US dealer (www.trailbrake.com).

AiMShop worked with Radical to put the AiM products in the Radical. They did the configurations and LOCKED everyone else out from working on them. This created a situation where Radical will say you have to talk to AiM and AiM says you have to talk to Radical. The guys in the US don't have the password to work on the dashes, so they are really limited in what they can do to help you out.

The problem with locking the dashes the way they did, is you can end up with FW and SW problems between your computer, the devices, and the devices to the devices. This is what you are seeing in the problems folks here are having.  AiM in the US can help with the hardware if there is a problem, but they can't update the configs or FW issues as things will break. 


   
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