XBB Dongle + Powerunit - complete installation guide

XBB Dongle and Powerunit is an innovative reader and relay connected to the OBD port for controlling additional lights, with which additional lights can be installed very easily even in new cars. In new cars, the problem is usually that the excitation current cannot be tapped from the car's own socket in the traditional way, but the lights are controlled via the can bus. More information and the product itself can be found here: XBB Dongle & Powerunit

Content:

1. Things to consider before installation
2. Installation guide
3. Problems + solutions - Dongle (OBD reader)
4. Problems + solutions - Powerunit (Relay connected to wiring harness)
5. Problems + Solutions - Synchronization of Dongle and Powerunit
6. Problems + solutions - Other problems

ATTENTION THE FOLLOWING THINGS BEFORE INSTALLATION

Compatibility

Before installing additional lights, always make sure that the XBB is compatible with your car. If you are unsure, you can check compatibility here: XBB Compatibility . You can also make sure by testing the functionality of the XBB Dongle in your car.

Modification/construction of wiring harness

NOTE! Purelux wiring kits have the ground and current wires already facing the right way, so you don't need to make any changes to the connection.

Build the relay harness before connecting the XBB - Dongle. Also check the places where you can attach the wires and the relay. If you use a ready-made wiring harness, check that the ground and power wires are facing the right way. In some ready-made wiring harnesses, these wires are the wrong way around in relation to the XBB - Powerunit. You can check the correct places of the wires with the help of the diagram on top of the Powerunit and this wiring diagram:

Maximum load

The relay enables direct installation of lights with a maximum power of 180W. More efficient lights can be installed by adding one extra relay to the connection. Instructions for connecting additional lights over 180W can be found here https://www.valostore.fi/fi/tuote/xbb_dongle_asennus_yli_180w . 

NOTE! Purelux's selection includes a ready-made relay wiring kit with one extra relay and a place made for the XBB - Powerunit. The wiring harness is available with DT-2 and DTP connectors. You can find the products here: Purelux DualRelay relay cable set with DTp-2 connector and Purelux DualRelay relay cable set with DT-2 connector

Powerunit placement

It is important to place the Powerunit on the same side of the car as where the Dongle (i.e. the OBD port) is located. This way, for example, the motor does not interfere with the signal between the Dongle and the Powerunit.

INSTALLATION GUIDE

Step 1

Download the XBB Configurator app from your app store. Open the application and create a new user for yourself.

•  Apple Appstore: XBB Configurator
• Google Play: XBB Configurator

Step 2

Locate the OBD port on your vehicle. Note that the location may be hidden or difficult to find. You can check the location of the gate in your vehicle's user manual or online. The place is usually in the footwell of the driver's seat.

Step 3

Check that the OBD port is clean and in good condition. Insert the XBB dongle right side up firmly into the vehicle's OBD port.

Step 4

Turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone. Open the XBB Configurator application and press the button “Search for XBB device”. In this case, the application will search for the XBB Dongle you just installed. When the Dongle appears on the screen, click on the icon to continue the installation.

Step 5

Next, a recipe is selected in the application, which will be programmed for the XBB - Dongle. Press the "Choose recipe" button. Choose your car make and model from the list that opens. If you are not sure of your own car model, you can check it, for example, at a brand store. 

NOTE ! If the XBB - Dongle already has a programmed recipe, it must be deleted before choosing a new one. The dongle may also have a factory test recipe left on it, which will be deleted in the same way as any other recipe. You can delete a finished recipe from the gear-shaped settings button in the upper right corner of the application.

Step 6

Wait for the recipe to download to the Dongle. After downloading, a list of all vehicle channels that the XBB - Dongle can read from your car using the OBD port appears.

Step 7

Test the functions that are important to you. The most important is the “HIGHBEAM” function, which means the car's additional lights. "HIGHBEAM" should read "ON" and be green when you use the car's own high beams on. 

Step 8

Next, connect the XBB Dongle and the Powerunit together. Click on "XBB Powerunit" in the lower right corner of the application. An empty view opens for you, with a + - button in the lower right corner. Click here to search and add your XBB Dongle. Wait for the XBB Powerunit to appear on the screen.

Step 9

Next, click on the "Settings" section of the Powerunit on the screen. Now you can choose the right power output port for your additional light. Two boxes should open in your view, meaning different exits. Output 1 is for your additional light. Make sure the Output 1 box says “HIGHBEAM”. If this is not the case, open the menu at Output 1 and select "HIGHBEAM". Also make sure you have also selected “Follow the signal”. You can check this on the bottom of the box. Remember to save your selection in the upper right corner. 

Step 10

Now you have installed the recipe on your Dongle and selected the right output port for your additional light from Powerunit. Now it's time to test the functionality of your connections using your car's auxiliary lights. NOTE! Make sure in the app that the “SYSTEM_ACTIVE” signal shows red two minutes after locking your car. If this is not the case, there is a risk of the battery draining.

Problems related to the installation of the OBD Dongle

1. The OBD Port is not found

Solution : In most vehicles, the OBD-II port is located under the steering wheel, but in some cars it may be hidden behind the hatch or hard to reach. You can check the location of the door in the vehicle's owner's manual or look for model-specific instructions online.

2. The OBD Dongle does not fit

Solution: The OBD port may be damaged or dirty, causing the dongle to not fit into the port. You can clean the port carefully and try connecting again. However, do not force the dongle as it may damage both the dongle and the port.

3. OBD - Dongle does not connect or keeps disconnecting

Solution: The connection problem may be caused by signal interference, a software error, or the fact that the OBD dongle has not been properly paired with the smartphone. Check that the smartphone's Bluetooth connection is on and the XBB application is updated. Check if the Dongle now appears in the application and pair again. If the problem persists, unplug the dongle for a while and plug it in again. Restarting the phone may also help. 

4. The OBD Dongle does not work and does not read data correctly

Solution: Not all vehicle models are compatible with the OBD dongle. Especially newer and older cars may cause problems with compatibility. Compatibility can be checked from the model-specific list on the Xbb website.

5. I can't find the XBB - Dongle device in my application

Solution: If you have been connected with the XBB Dongle on the phone before, but more than 10 minutes have passed since you closed the application, the XBB Dongle will no longer be visible on the phone. To reconnect the XBB Dongle, you need to pull it out of the OBD port and put it back in. If you want it to always show up on your phone, you need to click on the main menu in the top left corner and then select pair with the phone. Also, make sure you have location settings enabled on your smartphone.

6. I have uploaded the recipe to the XBB Dongle, but the “HIGHBEAM” channel status does not change to green

Solution: Try disconnecting and reconnecting the XBB Dongle first. You can try deleting the current recipe and testing a different recipe for the same car model. You can also try the recipes of different car models of the same car group. For example, Audi, Volkswagen, Skoda and Seat work well together because they come from the same place.

Problems related to the installation of the PowerUnit (the relay itself).

1. I can't find XBB - Powerunit in my app

Solution: Check that you have connected the power and ground wires to the Powerunit correctly. Usually, in ready-made wiring harnesses, they may be the wrong way around in relation to the Powerunit. If the XBB Powerunit has worked before, make sure you have updated the software. After that, delete the current recipe and try uploading it again. It is also possible that the Powerunit is damaged if it is installed in such a way that it can swing in the engine room while driving.

2. Powerunit does not receive power after installation or does not work properly.

Solution: The lack of power and the dongle not working are usually caused by a bad connection to the battery or a poor ground contact. The problem is corrected by checking that the connections of the power and grounding cables are tight and clean and do not contain oxidation.

3. Powerunit goes into short circuit

Solution: Cables may be routed incorrectly, which could lead to short circuit or damage. The cables and the Powerunit must be in places where there are no hot engine or moving parts that could damage the connection. 

4. Powerunit does not recognize the vehicle's battery correctly and works incorrectly

Solution: Check the condition of the battery and that the power unit is properly connected to the battery. If the battery is old or defective, it can cause problems in the operation of the Powerunit.

Problems Related to the Synchronization of OBD-Dongle and PowerUnit

1. The connection between OBD Dongle and Powerunit does not work

Solution: The connection problem may be due to the devices not being synchronized correctly or one of the devices being faulty. In this case, check the faults and descriptions related to these devices. Synchronization can be done again by disconnecting the OBD dongle and connecting it again. You can check the connection through the XBB application.

2. The XBB application displays incorrect information or does not communicate with devices

Solution: Check that the app is updated or try downloading again for possible software errors. Also check your smartphone's connection settings.

3. XBB Dongle and Powerunit are installed correctly but not playing

Solution: First double-check all connections to make sure they are clean and tight. Check the grounding point in particular. If they are OK, check in the application that the Powerunit is connected to the XBB Dongle. In the lower right corner of the application, you can find the XBB Powerunit section, where you can search for the XBB Powerunit again and connect it. Also check that you have selected the correct output port for your additional light in the XBB Powerunit settings.

General and System-specific Problems

1. XBB dongle or Powerunit is faulty

Solution: If the devices do not work properly after installation and troubleshooting, try the OBD dongle in another vehicle, if possible. If it doesn't work there either, contact the manufacturer's technical support or the seller, because then the device itself is faulty

2. The fuse blows

Solution: Make sure the installation is done correctly or the power consumption does not exceed the maximum allowed. A short circuit or excessive current consumption can cause the fuse to blow. A short circuit can be caused by e.g. Insufficient grounding or touching wires. So check that the connections are made correctly and that the connections are tight. 

3. After installation, warning lights will light up on the vehicle's dashboard

Solution: Restart the vehicle and check if the warning lights go away. If the problem persists, check the connections and installation of the devices.

4. I suspect that the XBB - Dongle will drain the car battery?

Solution:  This can happen if the chosen recipe is not compatible with your car. The battery can also be discharged if the car has a BMS sensor and additional power consumers are connected directly to the battery terminals. To avoid this problem, connect additional devices after the BMS sensor, preferably to the car's fuses and a proper ground.

5. My auxiliary lights turn off automatically after 10 seconds

Solution: This is because you have overloaded XBB - Powerunit. The total load of your additional lights therefore exceeds the maximum allowed by the Powerunit. Output 1 can handle a maximum load of 180 W. With additional lights over 180 watts, you have to install an additional relay for the lights to work.

6. I notice a slight delay in my additional lights coming on?

Solution: In some car models, there may be a slight delay of approx. 30-80 ms in activation and deactivation, which is due to the fact that the XBB Powerunit does not activate the outputs until the car's own lights are activated/deactivated. Some LED lights can also have a "built-in" delay of approx. 100-150 ms.

7. My lights don't work after car maintenance?

Solution: Several car manufacturers update their software all the time. It is usual that authorized repair shops may also update your car's software, which results in XBB - Dongle not working. You can try at this point to delete the previous recipe and update it to the latest recipe.

8. After the firmware update, my lights don't work?

Solution: After updating the software, you need to select the recipe again and add the XBB Powerunit again. All settings are reset during the update.