CAT com III

[simonsrplant]

Question:
Who has got into one of these ?
More so, is the hardware (466-6258) compatible with the com II adaptor or do I need to buy the complete com adaptor group?
Kinda reluctant to shell out a bunch of cash but times keep changing I guess...

 

[Cmark]

I've had CA3 for a couple of years now. 4666258 is now superseded by the latest part number 5385051 which gets you the entire group.

I think you're asking will the CA3 be compatible with the older CA2 ET? My answer is I'm not sure. Every time I upgrade my comm adapter, I get the latest version of ET and usually upgrade to a new laptop as well.

I suppose you need to ask yourself if you're dealing a lot with newer engines which are using J1939 and CDL. If you are then, IMO, you're better keeping ahead of the curve if you can.

 

[simonsrplant]

I have ET 2020B (only because my 2017 expired) and have been using my old com 2
Only the other day I wanted to hook up to a 336F which had the later style adapter port.
At this point I'd say I don't do a ton of newer gear but as you say... Being ahead of the curve...
I'll price one out.

 

[Cmark]

ET 2020B should be compatible with CA3. You may have to go into settings and, apart from selecting CA3, make sure that the dual data link check box is selected.
Does your CA2 have its own USB plug or are you using an RS232 to USB adapter? If it's the latter, you may have to fanny about with some drivers when you plug in the CA3 for he first time.

 

[Welder Dave]

It seems so much more complicated with all the new electronics that instead of learning mechanics you need to learn computers. Almost like the electronics end needs to be a separate trade to heavy duty mechanic.

 

[Birken Vogt]

It seems so much more complicated with all the new electronics that instead of learning mechanics you need to learn computers. Almost like the electronics end needs to be a separate trade to heavy duty mechanic.

If you want to be effective these days you have to be very good at both ends and need to also be able to demand the rate you are worth for doing so.

 

[Welder Dave]

Being a customer needing repairs sucks because the costs get passed on to you.

 

[Queenslander]

Every time I upgrade my comm adapter, I get the latest version of ET and usually upgrade to a new laptop as well.

What happens to your old gear when you upgrade, Cmark?
Sounds like something I could use.

 

[Coaldust]

The advantage of the III is much faster ECM programming. If you are not doing much of that, the II is still a good option.

 

[Cmark]

The advantage of the III is much faster ECM programming. If you are not doing much of that, the II is still a good option.

Unless you work for a dealer, flashing ECMs will normally be a rare event in your life. CA3 was introduced because newer emissions controlled engines use multiple data links to communicate between the various modules. The ECM then communicates this data to ET via a J1939 data link which CA2 can't handle.

 

[Cmark]

What happens to your old gear when you upgrade, Cmark?
Sounds like something I could use.

I've actually got some old comm adapters lying fallow in the shed. If anyone is interested, let me know here and I might put some up in the For Sale section.

 

[Birken Vogt]

I am starting to try and gain some understanding of how these things work and how to bypass the manufacturers on some of this as much as possible.

J1939 and similar are serial communication links in the vehicle and the comm adapter somehow translates them to USB which makes its way into the computer and the software does something with it.

I am wondering specifically how unique or universal the mfrs have made these things. Is there any info on what is going on behind the curtain? Is the comm adapter translating bus data to USB in a non-standard or encrypted way somehow or is there a way to get one or two adapters and use them across a wide range of OEM stuff?

I found these on ebay, looks like there is some crossover commonality. Lacking from all this is Deere, they must be using something different.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Grandview-...Kit-Heavy-Duty-Truck-J1939-J1708/284028385853
https://www.ebay.com/itm/DrewLinQ-H...-J1708-Adapter-Tool-Drewtech-Kit/173981811961

I would like to roll my own software/hardware kit for some of these as much as possible. But I find information severely lacking on the internet.

 

[N140MM]

Hey, I can try and fill you in on the little I know, and it gets a bit confusing.-
We have a mixed fleet - Mostly Cat, with a few Cummins truck engines and some Volvo articulated trucks.
I use a laptop with Cat ET, Cummins Insite, and Volvo Tech Tool.
As far as cables and hardware go, I use a Cat Comm Adapter 3, and a VOCOM II.

Cat ET talks to Cat machines thru the Cat CA3, as well as truck engines.
Volvo Tech tool talks to Volvo machines via the VOCOM II, as well as truck engines.
Cummins Insite talks to Cummins engines via an Cummins Inline adapter, or any RP1210A-compliant adapter, which the Vocom and the Cat CA 3 are.

For some reason, Cummins Insite won't connect at full speed (J1939) with the CA3 on our 2007 truck, or at all on our 2008 truck, but works OK with our 2018 truck. I did get a cable to go from the VOCOM II to the truck connector, and Cummins Insite works as it should. It might be a config issue.

 

[Coaldust]

Birken Vogt,

RP1210A is the magic. There is a ton of Information available on it. The TMC created it to work with Microsoft products to communicate with Bosch J1939. But, for all practical purposes, who cares.

IMO, the Noregon JPRO DLA+ 2.0 is probably the best comm adapter available, at the moment. I believe Noregon manufacturers the Cummins Inline adapter and a few others. The DLA+ 2.0 is fast and just seem to get as glitchy as the inexpensive clones available. Noregon customer service is decent and the DLA+ 2.0 works on every ORM software package that I’ve ever tried. YMMV.

 

[Birken Vogt]

Looking at all these adapters, Deere always seems to be missing from the list.

Does Deere do something different to force you to buy their hardware?

 

[N140MM]

I am under the impression it's not available to the general public. I might be wrong.

 

[Tyler d4c]

All I can say when I got my vintage lap top and com2 adaptor off ebay then got 2019 et off ebay and managed to get it working I was one happy camper. But now one guys stuff I take care of got a newer machine and I'm behind again. To be honest I should have ponied up and bought a com3 and a new laptop.

 

[colesmoke09]

Deere service advisor is available for a pretty penny. Although dealers can be difficult to perches from.