COMMAND Settings - Valve Calibration
Finding The Calibration Menu
Access the COMMAND valve calibration page by going to: More > COMMAND Settings > Valve Cals.
Calibration Interface
The calibration interface is used to calibrate the valve outputs such that:
- The minimum output causes the valve to open and an extremely slow movement of the implement can be seen.
- The maximum output engages the hydraulics at maximum speed, but not so fast that there are risks of mechanical damage.
The interface is shown in the screenshot below for the Height function. Each of the up and down direction have their own separate minimum and maximum calibration values.
Once calibrated and performing automatic control, the COMMAND ECU will activate the outputs in the range from minimum to maximum to ensure movement over the whole signal range.
Interface Overview
The Up & Down Sections
The upper area next to the "Up" arrow shows the the min and max calibration values used when moving the implement upward.
The area next to the "Down" arrow shows the min. and max. calibration values used when moving the implement downward.
Calibration Progress Icons
The 
icon indicates that a value has not been calibrated yet. All minimum and maximum values for all active functions must be calibrated before performing automatic control.
The 
icon indicates that a value has been calibrated. Once all min/max values display this icon, the function has been successfully calibrated
Min. Threshold
By default, the minimum threshold for each direction of each function is 0%. This parameter determines the lowest signal output that the ECU will send to the valve if the height error is greater than X centimeters.
Max. Threshold
By default, the minimum threshold for each direction of each function is 100%. This threshold can be used to reduce the maximum output of the ECU down from 100% (i.e. 100% valve flow), which would have a similar effect to reducing the hydraulic flow output of the hydraulic valve using tractor controls; however, this will generally only affect automatic control speeds, or manual control speeds if an Analog or CANBUS joystick is being used with COMMAND.
For proportional solenoids, the max. % is used to ensure the commanded output signal is no greater than 1800 mA, otherwise overcurrent protection may be triggered by the ECU when extending or retracting at 100%.
Swap Extend / Retract
Used to reverse the direction of the function in a similar way to swapping hydraulic hoses around at the back of the tractor.
Calibration Test Buttons
The "+", "-" and "TEST" buttons are used during the calibration process to incrementally increase or reduce a given threshold, which can then be tested using the process in the next section.
The COMMAND ECU will not request movement of the implement unless the user has pressed one of the test buttons and is holding the engage button.
General Calibration Process
Press the "TEST" button corresponding to the function to be calibrated. A new dialog will open displaying instructing to press the physical "ENGAGE" button to test the hydraulic movement. The function being calibrated and the current valve command value will be displayed.
Ensure the implement is clear of all personnel and objects before pressing the Test button!
Proportional Solenoid Calibration Process
Testing Calibration Values
Press the "TEST" button corresponding to the function to be calibrated. A new dialog will open displaying instructions to press the physical "ENGAGE" button to test the hydraulic movement. The function being calibrated and the current valve command value in milliamps (mA) will be displayed.
Ensure the implement is clear of all personnel and objects before pressing the Test button!
Min. Threshold
By default the minimum threshold will be 0%. Increase the min. value by a small amount e.g. 5% and then perform a testing as mentioned above and observe the commanded output milliamps increasing.
The goal is to set Min. % to a value that just barely causes the hydraulic valve to open for a very slow gradual movement. This is sometimes referred to as the valve's "cracking point". We recommended increasing in increments of 5% until gradual movement is seen, then reduce by 1% at a time to find the threshold.
Max. Threshold
Adjust Max. % downward from 100 until the commanded output is roughly 1800mA to provide some padding for changes in solenoid temperature and environmental factors. Continue to reduce this value further if you would like to slow maximum speed of the implement, but keep in mind this will slow down how fast the blade can reach the design height.
