AC INDUCTION MOTOR CONTROLLER
MODELS 1236E / 1238E
The ‘E’ difference
A significant enhancement to the Curtis AC family, The ‘E’
models utilize a powerful dual-microprocessor logic architecture
to provide improved performance and surpass the requirements
of the latest international functional safety standards.
DESCRIPTION
Curtis Models 1236E and 1238E provide advanced control
of AC induction motors performing on-vehicle traction drive
or hydraulic pump duties. They offer vehicle developers a
highly cost-effective combination of power, performance
and functionality.
APPLICATION
Designed primarily for use on medium to large material
handling vehicles such as counterbalance or warehouse
trucks. The Model 1236E is equally suitable for industrial
utility vehicles. The larger Model 1238E is also intended for
use on all heavy-duty applications such as Tow Tractors and
Airport Ground Support Equipment (GSE).
www.curtisinstruments.com
Only Curtis AC can offer:
•• Curtis VCL™—Vehicle Control Language is an easy to
use programming language that allows vehicle developers
to write powerful logic functions and create a ‘virtual system
controller’. Curtis offers customers VCL development tools
and training. Curtis also provides a VCL service where
Curtis engineers will work with the OEM to create any
custom VCL code required.
•• Indirect Field Orientation (IFO) vector control
algorithm generates the maximum possible torque and
efficiency across the entire speed range. Advanced Curtis
IFO vector control provides superb drive ‘feel’, improved
speed regulation and increased gradeability.
•• Curtis Auto-Tune function enables quick and easy
characterization of the AC motor without having to remove
it from the vehicle. Curtis AC controllers are fully compatible
with any brand of AC motor.
•• Dual-Drive functionality is standard, allowing correct
control of applications featuring twin traction motors. This
function ensures smooth and safe operation, minimal tire
wear and correct load sharing between the traction motors
at all times.
•• Configurable CANbus connection allows communication
with other CANbus enabled devices. Models 1236E and
1238E are CANopen compatible and provide 20 VCL-
configurable CAN ‘mailboxes’, 6 more than earlier Curtis
AC controllers.
•• Integrated System Controller—More than just a motor
controller, they are also powerful system controllers. They
feature a comprehensive allocation of multi-function I/O pins
for use as analog inputs, digital inputs, contactor coil drivers
and proportional valve drivers. In addition to this local I/O,
these controllers can use VCL to map and configure the remote
I/O available on other CANbus devices, send messages to
CAN displays and thus control and monitor the entire system.
FEATURES
Increased Performance, Improved functionality
•• Higher performance form, fit and functional replacements
for earlier Curtis Model 1236 and 1238 AC controllers.
•• CE marked as a programmable safety device under
EN ISO 13849-1.
•• Models available for 350–800A output at 24–96V system
voltages. These are true 2 minute RMS ratings, not short
duration ‘boost’ ratings.
•• Enhanced 64MHz micro and additional FLASH memory
doubles the available VCL code space and provides more
than twice the VCL execution speed.
•• Six additional VCL-configurable CAN ‘mailboxes’
significantly increases CAN master capabilities.
•• Advanced Pulse Width Modulation techniques produce low
motor harmonics, low torque ripple and minimized heating
losses, resulting in high efficiency.
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MODELS 1236E / 1238E

FEATURES continued

Unmatched Flexibility •• Reverse polarity protection on battery connections.

•• Programmable for either traction or pump applications.
•• Field upgradeable software.
•• Integrated Battery state-of-charge algorithm and hour meters.
•• Fully-featured generic software and VCL for typical
Warehouse Truck applications is included.
•• Comprehensive programming options and VCL allow other
applications to be easily supported.
•• Curtis hand-held or PC Windows programming tools provide
easy programming and powerful system diagnostic tools.
•• Integrated status LED provides instant diagnostic indication.
Robust Safety and Reliability
•• Dual Microprocessor architecture cross-checks critical
circuits, logic, and software functions to ensure the highest
possible functional safety performance level is achieved.
•• Insulated metal substrate power-base provides superior heat
transfer for increased reliability.
•• Fail-Safe power component design.
•• Short circuit protection on all output drivers.
•• Thermal cutback, warning, and automatic shutdown
provide protection to motor and controller.
•• Rugged sealed housing and connectors meet IP65
environmental sealing standards for use in
harsh environments.
Meets or complies with relevant US and
International Regulations
EMC: Designed to the requirements of EN12895.
Safety: Designed to the requirements of:
EN1175-1:1998+A1:2010
EN (ISO) 13849-1
IP65 Rated per IEC 60529.
UL recognized per UL583.
Regulatory compliance of the complete vehicle system with the
controller installed is the responsibility of the vehicle OEM.

FUNCTIONAL SAFETY DATA

Safety Function PL Designated Architecture MTTFd DC

Uncommanded Powered Movement d Category 2 ≥36 yrs ≥90%

Motor Braking Torque c Category 2 ≥12 yrs ≥90%

MODEL CHART

Nominal Battery 2 Min RMS S2–60 Min

Model
Voltage (V) Current Rating (A) RMS Current Rating (A)
1236E-44XX 24–36 400 175
1236E-45XX 24–36 500 240
1236E-54XX 36–48 450 205
1236E-55XX 36–48 550 250
1236E-64XX 48–80 350 (1min) 100

1238E-46XX 24–36 650 300

1238E-48XX 24–36 800 355
1238E-56XX 36–48 650 295
1238E-64XX 48–80 450 155
1238E-65XX 48–80 550 190
1238E-66XX 48–80 650 (1 min) 195
1238E-75XX 72–96 550 175
1238E-76XX 72–96 650 200

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 MODELS 1236E / 1238E

SYSTEM ACCESSORIES

Curtis/Albright offers a full line
of UL recognized DC contactors
engineered for outstanding
performance and durability on
in-vehicle applications.
The Curtis Model 1222 is an AC induction
motor controller for ‘steer by wire’ electric
power steering systems and is the ideal
partner for the 1236E/1238E on vehicles
such as reach trucks, order pickers, stackers
and other similar industrial vehicles.
The Curtis Acuity Battery Monitoring system
is a device that mounts directly to the vehicle
battery. It measures, records and transmits
battery performance data over the vehicle’s
CAN network throughout the battery’s life.

Contact Curtis to obtain the VCL Vehicle Control Language compiler and development tools.

CONNECTOR WIRING

CAN ENC ANA

TERM L PHASE B OUT TX +5V SW1/ANA1
CAN BRK THR POT COIL
CAN H TERM H DRIVER 6 WIPER HI RETURN
ENC
PHASE BRK
CAN L SW8 A RX POT HI +12V

35 34 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24

23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13
3
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 2 1

SW7 DRIVER POT DRIVER SW16

7 LOW 3

SW6 SW4 SW2/ANA2 DRIVER 1 THR PROP

WIPER DRIVER
SW5 SW3 I/O GND DRIVER 2 DRIVER 4 KSI

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 MODELS 1236E / 1238E

DIMENSIONS mm (typical)
M8 ø 1.25, 275
6 plcs
1236E

U
Status LEDs 255

W
V
165

145

FUSE
FUSE

B+

B-
7 dia.,
4 plcs
212 10 (0.4) 2
232

85 102
80 80

19 19

1238E

M8 ø 1.25,
6 plcs

M8 ø 1.25, 275
6 plcs
U

W
V

255 Status LEDs

Status LEDs
W

FUSE

B+

B-
B-

7 dia.,
7 dia., 4 plcs
4 plcs
10 (0.4) 212 10 (0.4)
232

102
80

19
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MODELS 1236E / 1238E

TYPICAL WIRING

KSI J1-1
EM REV. J1-24 SWITCH 1/ANA 1
EMR CHECK COIL J1-13
J1-30 RETURN
(OPTIONAL) ANALOG OUT (0-10)

MAIN

E/M BRAKE

PROP. VALVE
INTERLOCK J1-9 SWITCH 3
MODE J1-10 J1-6
SWITCH 4 DRIVER 1

KEYSWITCH
DRIVER 2 J1-5
J1-11 SWITCH 5
DRIVER 3 J1-4
J1-12 J1-3
SWITCH 6 DRIVER 4
J1-2 20A
FORWARD J1-22 PV DRIVER
SWITCH 7
REVERSE J1-33 J1-19
SWITCH 8 DIGITAL OUTPUT 6
DIGITAL OUTPUT 7 J1-20
MAIN
B+

MOTOR
TEMP. INPUT J1-8
SWITCH 2/ANA 2 U

V AC MOTOR
T BATTERY
W
J1-7 I/O GROUND
+5 V J1-26 1
J1-31 2 SPEED
ENCODER PHASE A J1-32 4 ENCODER
PHASE B
I/O Gnd J1-7 3
B-
J1-15 THROTTLE
J1-23
}
POT HIGH CAN H
THROTTLE POT

J1-35 CAN PORT

J1-16 THROTTLE CAN L
WIPER J1-21
CAN TERM H Short for 120
J1-27 POT 2 J1-34 Ohm Termination
CAN TERM L
HIGH

}
J1-17 POT 2
POT 2

WIPER J1-25 4
+12V
J1-28 3
SERIAL TX SERIAL PORT
J1-18 POT LOW PORT J1-29 1 4 PIN MOLEX
RX
J1-7 2
I/O GROUND

8 840
6 DISPLAY
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WARRANTY Two year limited warranty from time of delivery.

is a trademark of Curtis Instruments, Inc. Specifications subject to change without notice ©2015 Curtis Instruments, Inc. 50265 REV C 3/15
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