3 hours ago, TomasCrespo said:

How do you know that file is 20.59? It only says version 1.0.0

Version 1.0.0 is the default, the uploader didn't supply a version number. I got 20.59 by reverse engineering the hex file. 

3 hours ago, TomasCrespo said:

How safe is updating firmware in this inverters? Could I brick it?

I can't be certain, I'd say there is about a 1% chance of the update not working fully for your machine.

3 hours ago, TomasCrespo said:

Could I revert back to my previous version (backup first or download from anywhere)?

Most unfortunately, no.

3 hours ago, TomasCrespo said:

I think I read something about VM III with mppt dip or freeze, and I don't have this problem, so I'm scared about the firmware update could give that problem. 😂 

I suppose that's possible. Perhaps study those posts and check firmware versions, asking for them if not provided. It would actually be quite valuable to know if it is firmware version related, so if you do this, please post the results.

Thanks for your reply. 

No way of backing up the actual firmware? 

4 hours ago, TomasCrespo said:

No way of backing up the actual firmware? 

There is, but you need a password and some slightly unusual hardware. I actually extracted a firmware from a very early machine, before they started using passwords.

I have the hardware here, and I actually have a clue as to what the password might be, but it's a very long shot. Also, I don't have a VM III machine here.

So: not practical, unfortunately.

41 minutes ago, Coulomb said:

There is, but you need a password and some slightly unusual hardware. I actually extracted a firmware from a very early machine, before they started using passwords.

I have the hardware here, and I actually have a clue as to what the password might be, but it's a very long shot. Also, I don't have a VM III machine here.

So: not practical, unfortunately.

Anyway, I am interested in the process. I want to know the hardware and the process. Is there any info in web or could you make it public? 

I understand it is a difficult process, and I likely won't do it, but I am curious. 

By the way, I am an IT profesional and I have worked with electronic circuits other times. 

 

Thanks

On 2019/09/20 at 8:30 PM, TomasCrespo said:

I understand it is a difficult process, and I likely won't do it, but I am curious. 

Ok, you asked for it 🙂

The main Digital Signal Processor is a TI TMS320 series processor; there are more expensive ones with more RAM and flash, and less expensive ones for the Value Models (VM series). This processor lives on a daughter board in most models (some of the cheapest ones might not have the daughter board). Near the processor is a 14-pin connector for the JTAG interface. The JTAG interface has a USB port, and suitable software on a PC can perform JTAG functions, such as setting a breakpoint, reading or writing the contents of registers, RAM, or flash memory, and so on.

This is mostly intended for debugging, but you can do all sorts of things with it. TI provide a development environment, called Code Composer Studio. It has a code editor, compiler, debugger, all the usual stuff needed for developing code. This program is actually free, if you use the simplest JTAG interface (one that is XDS100 compatible). That's all I need. TI make a development board that has a JTAG interface built in; it costs around US$100. This can be converted into a JTAG interface suitable for talking to the Voltronic Power inverters (basically you add a short 14-pin cable and cut one track). You could also purchase a ready-made JTAG interface, but these typically cost a lot more than US$100. [ Edit: Lately there are many cheaper alternatives from Ebay / Ali Express etc. ]

One of the many things that Code Composer Studio can do is to copy an area of memory to a binary file; that's how you can extract the firmware. But of course, after the first few models, they turned on security. It means that you need to supply a 128-bit "password" before you can access protected memory, and that includes the flash code where the firmware resides. If you don't supply the password, all protected memory reads as zeroes.

So as well as the password, you'd need a JTAG interface, either modified from a TI development board, or a commercial one. You'd also need to download and install Code Composer Studio (it's about a one hour install), get to know how to use it (it has some user interface wrinkles), and plug the JTAG interface between a Windows computer and a suitable inverter. Be careful not to cause a breakpoint at a bad time (hardware could be damaged). It probably helps to know at least a little C2000 assembly language; it takes a bit of getting used to. Extra points for a vague familiarity with the C2000 hardware (e.g. how the GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) works, EPWM (Extended Pulse Width Modulation) module, etc. Then to actually flash program the original code back into the inverter, you may need to convert the saved binary file to a suitable hex file. I vaguely recall having to swap every second byte to get this to work.

Scared yet? 👻

Edited April 9, 20242 yr by Coulomb

Wow! Great explication Coulomb, thanks!

Not scared, I've done similar things with some machines, but in any case... too work! And even if I would have the JTAG... I dont have the password.

For the moment, I will try that the seller give me a firmware update (I think he won't do it). As second option, I will flash the firmware you linked (20.59) and then test if my bad readings of pv input are corrected. It will be great if anybody had tested that firmware upgrade file first 😂

Lot of thanks

Edited September 20, 20196 yr by TomasCrespo

i have same issue in VM2 model that pv power has more than putput but it used max power from main supply, so plz give me a firmware for vm2 model.

12 hours ago, ali hassan zaidi said:

i have same issue in VM2 model that pv power has more than putput but it used max power from main supply, so plz give me a firmware for vm2 model.

The only firmware for Axpert VM IIs that I'm aware of is the one on this forum, version 20.44. It's from June 2018, so I doubt that it would fix your problem. Try your supplier.

i have had same problem i bought this itiem from an online store, but when i called to my solar inverter team they resolved my matter, u can check the link if u want help

I had also the same problem i just recently buy this item from online store and then when i call my solar inverter team they resolved my matter with in a day and there customer support is very excellent, u can check the link if u want help.
Thanks

Hi! But I have a different problem here. My ups overcharges the battery even if it is stetted correctly, and need to be replaced every year. And I have stetted the ups at SUB but it charges battery also in night and convert my all load into WAPDA even if my battery is full. Now I have installed four tubular battery, but still the ups over charges at night which cause increase in electricity bills. Should I replace this ups or should I change more setting of this ups......or is there any factory fault in my ups?