COBRA 18R2 Wired Reprogramming Instructions The purpose of this document is to perform a wired reprogram of an 18R2 using the COBRA wired reprogrammer. Please note that this process requires only a wired reprogrammer and a standard USB flash drive. ALL STEPS MUST BE PERFORMED IN THE EXACT ORDER SPECIFIED Step 1) Environment setup Download and install the Portal software by going to http://www.cobrafiringsystems.com/release/ and clicking on Synapse Portal from the Software Versions section on the right. When installing, please note the following: When prompted with a series of options with checkboxes, make sure all are selected When prompted that the software may not pass a Windows Logo test, click Continue Anyway Once installed, no need to launch Portal immediately, this will be done later. If the Portal software automatically opens, please close the software Download the COBRA v3.0.3 Wired Update zip file from here: http://www.cobrafiringsystems.com/cobra_v3.0.3_wired_update.zip and extract the contents of the zip file to the My Documents > Portal > snappyimages directory. In Windows 7 & 8, the directory is in Libraries > Documents > Portal > snappyimages. Do not save the files into the c:\program Files\Portal\snappyImages directory. Also, make sure the extracted files are not in a separate directory. Instead, the files should display within the snappyimages directory. Install the UART driver by downloading http://www.cobrafiringsystems.com/uart_drivers.zip and running one of the following files depending on which version of Windows you are running. If your computer is running Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7, run Windows XP- Vista-7 UART Installer.exe If your computer is running Windows 8 or 8.1, run Windows 8-8.1 UART Installer.exe To determine what version of Windows your PC is running, see http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/which-operating-system
If you are running Windows 8, you must do the following after installing Windows 8-8.1 UART Installer.exe a) Open Device Manager. This can be done by pressing the windows key and typing device manager on the keyboard. Click on Device Manager. b) Right click on Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port Note: The number in Parenthesis after Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port might be different in the below picture than on your PC. c) Click on Browse my computer for driver software
d) Click Let me pick a list of device drivers on my computer e) Click on Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port Version: 3.3.17.203 (4/29/2011) and then click OK f) Your computer will install the correct drivers for the Wired Reprogrammer. After this is finished, click OK. You are now ready to update.
Step 2) Open the 18R2 by unscrewing four back screws on the 18R2 and open the back enclosure as shown in the picture below.
Step 3) Unplug the small green board from both the remote and the key switch.
Step 4) Plug the key switch back into the remote, but leave the small green board unplugged from both the key switch and the remote.
Step 5) Connect the wired reprogrammer to your computer via the USB port. Note: If any of the wires in Steps 6 through 8 do not push down all the way, this is OK. They only need to make a firm connection.
Step 6) Connect the black wire to pin 1 on the 18R2. See pictures below.
Step 7) Connect the white wire to pin 4 on the 18R2. See pictures below.
Step 8) Connect the green wire to pin 3 on the 18R2. See pictures below.
Step 9) Turn the remote on. Please make sure the wires connected to the 18R2 and wired reprogrammer are still connected and firmly in place. Step 10) Open the Synapse Portal application you installed in the environmental setup. Click Connect. Step 11) Click on the button in Node Info Tab that has a green up arrow on it.
Step 12) Click on the firmware for the unit you are upgrading, in this case it would be 18R2-3.0.3.spy. Click OK. Step 13) Wait for the below window to reach 100% and disappear. Step 14) Close the Synapse Portal application and disconnect all wires from your 18R2. At this point you can power down your 18R2, disconnect all wires from it, and reassemble it. Step 15) Insert your USB thumb drive that you previously copied the cobra.s19 file onto during the environmental setup into USB port on the side of the 18R2.
Step 16) Hold the SYNC button on the 18R2 and power on the 18R2 at the same time you are holding this button. You should see red LEDS circle around the display. You can release the SYNC button at this time. After about 15 seconds, the 18R2 will display all green LEDs and then power off. Note: If you see all red LEDs instead of circling red LEDs when first powering on the 18R2, your USB thumb drive is not compatible with the 18R2. We suggest purchasing the Sandisk brand at Wal-mart. Purchase the cheapest one available with the lowest number of GB. Remove the USB thumb drive, and restart the 18R2. Your remote should now display 3.0.3 when it reboots. Congratulations! You are done!