K-AN8K-BOXK-TCGetting started

K-Series: connecting and powering modules

Updated

Get power and CAN to a K-Series module the right way, whether it sits on a REBEL, beside a REXGEN, on the bench or in a chain of modules.

This five-part series takes a K-TC, K-BOX or K-AN8 from the box to its first log. You connect and power it, cable it, install K-CAL, view live data, then log it with a REBEL and DIALOG.

How a module takes power

Every K-Series module takes its supply through its 9-way D-Sub CAN connectors. The supply is on pin 9 and power ground on pin 5. The same connectors carry CAN-H (pin 7), CAN-L (pin 2) and CAN signal ground (pin 3). The layout follows CiA 303-1 for CAN and power on a D-Sub. Older manuals cite CiA 102.

Supply range on pin 9, by module
Module Supply range Pinout
K-TC 4.5 to 31 V DC K-TC pinouts
K-BOX 6 to 36 V DC K-BOX pinouts
K-AN8 6 to 36 V DC K-AN8 pinouts

There are four ways to power a module. Each has a section in this guide.

Who powers a K-Series module K-SERIES · POWER Who powers a K-Series module From a REBELSupplyREBELAUX/CAN1ModuleLogger on a vehicle or bench supply; Aux Power On in DIALOG switches the supply on AUX/CAN1.Beside a REXGENSupplyREXGENCANModuleOwn supplypin 9 and pin 5A REXGEN has no auxiliary power output, so the module takes its own supply.On the benchBench supplypin 9 and pin 5ModuleAny supply inside the module's range; this is also how you set a module up at the desk.From USB alonePCUSBLoggerModuleNo powerA logger running from USB alone never powers a module.Daisy chainSupplyREBELAUX/CAN1Module 1INF4305.0Module 2Supplyown supplyOnly the first module takes power from the logger; supply every extra module separately.SupplyCANNot a power sourceK-Series module: K-TC, K-BOX or K-AN8The double line is a lead that carries both CAN and a supply. Supply ranges on pin 9: K-TC 4.5 to 31 V, K-BOX and K-AN8 6 to 36 V.
A REBEL powers the module through its AUX/CAN1 lead. Beside a REXGEN and on the bench, the module has an external supply, as does every extra module in a chain.

From a REBEL

This is the most common setup. The REBEL multi-connect cable (INF4204.1) has an AUX/CAN1 lead that plugs into the module's CAN in connector. It carries the REBEL's CAN 1 (MS) bus, so the REBEL records what the module sends. It also carries the switched auxiliary power output of the REBEL on pin 9, which powers the module.

The REBEL multi-connect cable: a 25-way D-Sub at the logger end fanning out to five 9-way D-Sub leads labelled Dig/An, Aux/CAN1, CAN2/LIN0, CAN0/PWR and CAN3/LIN1
The Aux/CAN1 lead, with the yellow label, goes to the module.
INF4204.1 AUX/CAN1 lead, 9-way D-sub D-SUB 9 · FEMALE INF4204.1 AUX/CAN1 lead, 9-way D-sub Front view of the female connector on the multi-connect cable. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 5Power GND 4NC 3GND 1NC 2CAN1-L 9Switched supply 8NC 6NC 7CAN1-H Power Ground CAN bus pins Linked pins are a differential pair NC: not connected
  1. Power the REBEL. Run it from the vehicle or a bench supply. USB alone cannot power the module.
  2. Connect the module. Plug the AUX/CAN1 lead into the module's CAN in connector.
  3. Enable auxiliary power. In DIALOG, tick Aux Power On in the configuration and send it to the REBEL. See K-Series: logging module data with REBEL and DIALOG.

For the full multi-connect pinout, see REBEL breakout cables: INF4203 and INF4204.1 multi-connect pinouts.

Beside a REXGEN

Connect the module's CAN in connector to a CAN channel of the REXGEN. Power the module separately, with an external supply on pin 9 and pin 5. A REXGEN has no auxiliary power output to run a module.

REXDESK has no auxiliary power setting. To decode the module's data in REXDESK, load its DBC file there. See REXDESK: record CAN, CAN FD and LIN.

On the bench

A module runs on its own from any supply in its range on pin 9 and pin 5. This is also how you set one up at the desk. K-CAL connects through a CAN interface or, for a K-TC, through its own USB port. See K-CAL: installing the software and CAN interface drivers.

For a K-TC there is a bench kit: a Kvaser Leaf interface and a Kvaser T-CANnector, which power and configure the module before it goes near a vehicle.

Plug a 120 Ω terminator (INF4310) into the CAN out connector of the last module on the bus. See K-Series link cables, termination and terminals.

From USB

A logger running from USB alone never powers a module. Power the logger from the vehicle or a bench supply, or give the module an external supply.

Daisy-chain several modules

Link modules from the CAN out connector of one to the CAN in connector of the next with the K-Series link cable, INF4305.0. The chain shares one CAN bus, so give each module its own CAN IDs. Auto assign ID in K-CAL does this for you.

In the link cable, pin 3 is signal ground and pin 5 is power ground.

INF4305.0 link cable, DB9 plug to DB9 socket INF4305.0 · LINK CABLE INF4305.0 link cable, DB9 plug to DB9 socket A · plug (male), screwsB · socket (female), screwsDB9DB9Shield, shell to shellCAN-L22CAN-H77Signal ground33Power ground55Supply99Supply breakoutpower for the next module where the supply enters, and whether pins 9 and 5 pass throughmates with a CAN out socketconnectors/k-tc-can-outconnectors/k-box-k-an8-can-femalemates with a CAN in plugconnectors/k-tc-can-inconnectors/k-box-k-an8-can-maleSupply path: pin 9 and the breakoutPin, number insidePins 1, 4, 6 and 8 are not connected. Older drawings label pin 3 power ground and show the supply wires only at the socket end; the pinout tables give pin 3 as signal ground. Both points carry until engineering confirms the cable.
The INF4305.0 link cable, 9-way D-Sub male to 9-way D-Sub female.

Next: K-Series link cables, termination and terminals.

Products in this guide

K-AN8

Analogue to CAN converter

View K-AN8 Ask an engineer

K-BOX

Multi-sensor data acquisition

View K-BOX Ask an engineer

K-TC

Thermocouple data logger

View K-TC Ask an engineer

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