AC INDUCTION MOTOR CONTROLLER
MODEL 1234
D ES C R I P T I O N
Advanced motor drive software provides smooth control over
full speed and torque in all modes, including full regenerative
braking, zero speed, and torque control. Specialized I/O and
software features allow economical and effective control of
electromagnetic brakes and hydraulic systems.
A P P L I C AT I O N
The Curtis 1234 Motor Speed Controller is designed for use in
all types of electric vehicles including material handling, industrial,
Golf, and light-on-road. Generic software and VCL code is
included for control of powered pallet jacks. Other applications
can be easily supported with alternate VCL programming.
www.curtisinstruments.com
Features
Advanced Design and Functionality
• Major performance, operational and system advancements
over DC.
• High frequency, silent operation from 0-300 Hz.
• 24V – 48V battery systems, 200-350 A RMS 2 minute current
ratings.
• Powerful operating system allows parallel processing
of vehicle control tasks, motor control tasks, and user
configurable programmable logic.
• Advanced Pulse Width Modulation technology provides
efficient use of battery voltage, low motor harmonics, low
torque ripple, and minimized switching losses.
• In vehicle motor characterization allows easy tuning of the
controller to any AC motor.
• Built-in battery state-of-charge algorithms and hour meter.
• Field-Programmable.
Superb Drive Control
• Field-oriented vector control, in conjunction with Curtis tuned
algorithms, provide peak torque and optimal efficiency across
the entire operating range.
• Extremely wide torque/speed range, including full
regeneration capability.
• Internal closed-loop speed and torque control modes allow for
optimized performance – without an additional control box.
• Power limiting maps allow you to tune the maximum
performance envelope in both “driving and braking” to your
specific application through the use of OEM programmable
parameters.
• The Torque Control Mode offers unique features and
provides seamless transitions and positive response under all
conditions.
MODEL 1234

F e a t u r e s continued

Unmatched Flexibility Robust Safety and Reliability

• Special features and I/O for electro-magnetic brake and
hydraulic valve control allow for economical control of the
entire system.
• MultiModeTM allows user selectable vehicle operating
profiles.
• The unique Curtis Vehicle Control Language (VCL) makes
system design easier than ever for OEMs. Benefit from
the many decades of Curtis experience in the EV industry
by using the provided library of pre-defined functions, or
quickly and simply write your own proprietary functions and
algorithms to differentiate your systems from your competition.
• VCL empowers the controller to monitor and manage the
entire vehicle system without additional hardware to save cost
and design time.
• Apply a wide range of I/O wherever you need them, for
maximum distributed system control.
• CAN bus connection allows communication with other CAN
bus enabled system components. Protocol meets CANopen
standards, or is customizable through VCL.
• Insulated Metal Substrate (IMS) power base provides superior
heat transfer for increased reliability.
• Fail-Safe power component design.
• Redundant hardware watchdog timers.
• Reverse polarity protection on battery connections.
• 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.
• Full power operation over -40 ªC to 85 ªC Heatsink
temperature range.
Meets or complies with relevant US and
International Regulations
The Curtis Model 1234 AC Motor Speed Controller is
designed to meet:

• The same controller model can be used for either pump or EN 50081-1-2
traction applications. EN 61000-6-2
EN 12895
• Easily programmable through the Curtis 1311 handheld
EN 1175
programmer and 1314 PC Programming Station.
IP65 Rated per IEC 529

M O D E L C H ART
2 Min RMS 2 Min RMS
Model Battery Voltage Current Rating Power Rating
(V) (A) (kVA)
1234AF-227X 24 200 5.7
1234AF-237X 24 350 9.7
1234AF-527X 36-38 275 15.5

S Y STE M A C C ESS O R I ES

The Curtis Model 840 LCD Multifunction display contains 8 The Curtis Model 1311 Handheld Programmer is ideal for setting
large, easy to read characters to provide display of battery parameters and performing diagnostic functions.
discharge (BDI), hour meter and error messages. Built-in back-
light is also available.

Contact Curtis to obtain the VCL Vehicle Control Language compiler and development tools.
MODEL 1234

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

DIMENSIONS mm

M6 THREAD
5 PLACES

155
140.4

7 DIA
4 PLACES
7.3 200.6 5.5
211.6

74.7
68.3

8
MODEL 1234

Typic a l wi r ing

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

PUMP CONT
MAIN

E/M BRAKE

LOAD HOLD VALVE

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

KEYSWITCH
SWITCH 4
DRIVER 2 J1-5
LIFT J1-11 SWITCH 5 J1-4
DRIVER 3
LOWER J1-12 J1-3
SWITCH 6 DRIVER 4
J1-2 20A
FORWARD J1-22 PV DRIVER
SWITCH 7
J1-19
DIGITAL DRIVER 6
REVERSE J1-33 SWITCH 8 J1-20
DIGITAL DRIVER 7
PICK J1-14
SWITCH 16 MAIN
B+

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

V AC MOTOR
T BATTERY
W 24 - 48V
J1-7 I/O GROUND
+5 V J1-26 1
PHASE A J1-31 2 SPEED
ENCODER J1-32 4 ENCODER
PHASE B
I/O Gnd J1-7 3
B-
J1-15 THROTTLE
J1-23
THROTTLE POT

POT HIGH CAN H

} CAN PORT
CAN L J1-35
J1-16 THROTTLE
WIPER J1-21
CAN TERM H Short for 120
J1-27 HYDRAULIC J1-34 Ohm Termination
CAN TERM L
POT HIGH
HYDRAULIC

J1-17 HYDRAULIC
POT

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
5

W ARRA N T Y Two year limited warranty from time of delivery.

is a trademark of Curtis Instruments, Inc. Specifications subject to change without notice ©2008 Curtis Instruments, Inc. 50140 REV D 10/08