PowerTalk use guide
PowerTalk is a pc application that enables communication with products equipped with an esense controller. Esense controllers are generally used to provide intuitive drive support to a broad range of heavy mobile care products. PowerTalk is also a service tool that gives users an overview of system settings, sensor and parameter values, product usage history, firmware versions etc.
On this page is explained what you need to know to get started with PowerTalk, like how to connect a product, how to get around the user interface and how to use the features and functions that PowerTalk provides.
Click here for information on available PowerTalk license keys.
Connection
Connect you product with a (mini) USB cable to your pc. Make sure your product is switched on and start PowerTalk.
The following start-up screen will open:
This field gives information about the registered user of PowerTalk and the applicable User Level. Functionality of PowerTalk 2 depends on your User Level and the esense system configuration. The highest level described in this manual is L3. If a setting is only available in level 3 or 4 this will be indicated by [L3] or [L4].
This field gives information about the USB connection status (left) and the WIFI connection status (right).
By pressing this button you connect your product to PowerTalk
Click the “connect” button to connect your product to PowerTalk.*
NOTE: When connecting a product to PowerTalk for the first time, you will be prompted to fill in a new system name. The information that PowerTalk collects during a session will be stored on the local hard disk of the connected pc under this name. When a product is connected the second time the pop-up box will not show again.
* If connection fails, follow the steps described under “Procedures > Troubleshooting” below.
Interface
Here you find an overview of the PowerTalk interface: hover over the numbers for a description of the various elements.
Menu: pull-down menus for different operations (click on the green button below for a detailed description)
Shortcuts to the most used menu items
PowerTalk tabs (find a detailed description under “PowerTalk screens” below)
User level: displays your user level
Connection statuses (from left to right): – USB connection to your product – Internet connection – PowerTalk status (a green icon means PowerTalk displays information from the connected system) NOTE: When your product is connected to PowerTalk and an internet connection is available, a status report will automatically be sent to Indes
Service ID and Product serial number of the product connected: these are unique numbers for each system
NOTE: When your product is connected to PowerTalk and an internet connection is available, a status report will automatically be sent to Indes.
PowerTalk screens
The information and functionality within PowerTalk is categorized in tabs:*
* The screens displayed in this guide are examples; content may differ for different product types.
The “Overview” tab gives a global summary of information from the connected product. The information displayed here is not adjustable.
This field gives information about your system.
This field gives all hardware and software information on the controller, actuators, Drive360, hand control and battery pack.
This field gives information about the availability of new software versions. Click the “!” icon to install a new software version on the system. WARNING: it is not possible to go back to previous software versions once the installation has been started. Never disconnect your product during an update session; this will result in an unusable system. Please make sure that the internet connection is stable and your pc has enough power.
This field gives information about the force sensors in your product.
This field gives information about the battery pack and the maximum battery capacity of the connected product.
This field gives date and time from the connected product internal clock. NOTE: the clock will automatically be synchronized if it deviates for more than 1 minute.
This field shows when the next periodic check needs to be executed.
The “Activity” tab gives graphical information about the activity history of the various system elements. In this case charge cycles and drive time (example below).
In this example the bar graph shows the drive time (vertical axis) and the months (horizontal axis). Here you see that the connected esense 360 system was actively used for 58 minutes in November 2018 and that is was not used at all in December 2018.
In the example this field shows the total drive time over the entire system lifetime.
When pointing over the bar with the cursor, detailed information is displayed.
The “Usage” tab gives information about the system usage, related to the expected life-time.
This field lists the system usage counters. For the system connected in this example: steer time, drive time, system active time, number of charge cycles and number of relais switches.
The bar graph shows the actual usage and the usage related to the expected lifetime.
When pointing over the bar with the cursor, detailed information is displayed.
The “Values” tab gives information about the parameter values stored in your esense system and batterypack. This information can be used to analyse the status of the system and the battery.
Categorized list of system values parameters.
This column shows the current parameter values of the connected product. In this example the status of the parameter “emergency switch” has the value “0”.
This column explains how to interpret the parameter values. In this example the value “0” of the emergency switch parameter means that it currently has the status “released”.
Under the “Settings” tab you find system parameters that can be adjusted*. The default factory setting is the most common settings profile that suits most users, but several settings can be personalized for users with special needs or wishes.
* For a more detailed explanation on how to change, save and load settings see “Procedures” below.
Categorized list of system settings parameters (“arrow up = sub menu opened / arrow down = sub menu closed).
This column contains the fields in which the the desired settings for each system parameter can be entered.
This column explains for each parameter what valid entries are. In this example the parameter “Sensor S1” can be disabled by changing the setting to “0” and the “Multiply factor” setting can be changed to any value within the range of 3-30.
Use the “undo changes” button to undo all changes just made to the settings (NOTE: this only works if the changes have not yet been written to the connected system ).
Use the “write” button to write the changed settings to the connected product (NOTE: the number behind “write” indicates the number of changes that will be made).
Use the “save settings” button to save the settings profile you just made: select the settings you want to save in the list and select the desired location.
Use the “load settings” button to load a previously saved settings profile (NOTE: all changed fields are highlighted green). Then use the “write” button to write the settings to the connected product.
Under the “Counters” tab relevant built in counters for the system and battery of your product can be viewed (and some can be reset).
Categorized list of built-in system counters.
This column shows the current parameter values of the connected product. In this example the status of the parameter “emergency switch” has the value “0”.
This column explains how to interpret the parameter values. In this example the value “0” of the emergency switch parameter means that it currently has the status “released”.
Under the “Log” tab you find the log file created by the firmware of the connected product in which all important events that happened when using the product are stored. This log file is very useful for service repairs and solving problems of users. It can store approximately 1500 lines of data*.
*When more events happen the oldest line is erased.
This column displays the line number: a newly added event will be stored at the top of the list. The numbers are meant to be used for communication purposes.
This column displays the date and time an event was stored. Events are stored immediately after they happened. The date and time information enables you to keep track on when and how often certain events occur: this helps to analyze events, especially in case of problems or questions from end-users.
This column displays the unique code for each specific type of event. From this code more detailed information can be extracted.
This column displays the description of each event: a unique number for a pre-defined type of event, followed by a description.
Procedures
Change settings *
Depending on your User Level it is possible to adjust settings for your product in PowerTalk. To do so, follow these steps:
- Make sure your product is connected to PowerTalk (LIVE icon is green)
- Go to the tab “Settings” and unfold the sub menus
- Choose which values you want to change and fill in the desired values (NOTE: the value must be within the set range)
- Click the “Write” button to write the new settings to the connected product
Unchanged system parameter
Changed system parameter.
Invalid system parameter entered.
“Undo changes” button active: use to undo all changes just made.
“Write button” inactive due to invalid entry.
Save settings *
It is possible to save a set of (custom) settings for your product. To do so, follow these steps:
- Click the “Save settings” button; a dialog box will open.
- Check the boxes of settings you want to save (NOTE: make sure all the values you want to save are selected; unchecked values will not be included in the saved profile).
- Press “Save” and select a location.
Check the boxes of the settings you want to save in this list.
Use the “save” button to save the selected settings on you pc.
Load settings *
It is possible to load a (previously saved) set of (custom) settings for your product. To do so, follow these steps:
- Click the “Load settings” button.
- Select and open the desired file (NOTE: all values changed by loading the file are highlighted green).
- Click the “Write” button to write the settings to the connected product.
Select the desired .ptset-file.
Use the “open” button to load the file in PowerTalk.
Troubleshooting
Failing PowerTalk connection
When the PowerTalk connection to a product fails, follow these steps:
- Close PowerTalk
- Remove the USB cable from the product or pc
- Restart the product
- Reconnect the USB cable
- Restart PowerTalk
- Check if the USB and Live icons are green; if not, press the connect button (in the shortcut menu)
If the steps described above do not work, the failed connection can be related to the COM port number that is used. PowerTalk only accepts COM port numbers from 1 to 9. Follow the instructions here to change the COM port number on the PC.
NOTE: The COM port numbers will increase every time a new product is connected, so it is advised to start with number 1.
