Hey @Coulomb , so i decided to try update the firmware. 

I confirmed my inverter is on COM6, and this appears in the app too but I get the following error, but after I click OK it says port was opened.

Please help.

 

Edited August 13, 20206 yr by JohanDbn
Added more info

2 hours ago, JohanDbn said:

I confirmed my inverter is on COM6, and this appears in the app too but I get the following error, but after I click OK it says port was opened.

Please help.

Did you completely exit Watchpower? Is it maybe still running in the background and blocking the port?

1 minute ago, wolfandy said:

Did you completely exit Watchpower? Is it maybe still running in the background and blocking the port?

Yeah I did, closed it in the notification bar as well. Device manager showed com6 was available 

5 minutes ago, JohanDbn said:

Yeah I did, closed it in the notification bar as well. Device manager showed com6 was available 

Hmm. And after a reboot the same problem persisted?

10 minutes ago, wolfandy said:

Hmm. And after a reboot the same problem persisted?

Yeah, did a restart , same thing

10 minutes ago, JohanDbn said:

Yeah, did a restart , same thing

Weird...

Last idea from my side: Have you tried assigning another COM port to your USB to serial adapter (see here)?

If that also does not work, then I am at a loss...

2 minutes ago, wolfandy said:

Weird...

Last idea from my side: Have you tried assigning another COM port to your USB to serial adapter (see here)?

If that also does not work, then I am at a loss...

Tried that as well. Even changed the USB port I had the cable plugged into... 

All I can think of is that the USB to serial adapter isn't one that works with flash updates.

There are two readily available in South Africa that are known to work: Communica and Mecer.

1 hour ago, Coulomb said:

All I can think of is that the USB to serial adapter isn't one that works with flash updates.

There are two readily available in South Africa that are known to work: Communica and Mecer.

Is there anything specific to do on the inverter? I had it on like normal and just plugged in the cable. If this was the wrong type of rs232 it wouldn't have picked up com port on the laptop and the app, surely? 

54 minutes ago, JohanDbn said:

Is there anything specific to do on the inverter? I had it on like normal and just plugged in the cable. If this was the wrong type of rs232 it wouldn't have picked up com port on the laptop and the app, surely? 

@JohanDbn
I had the same problem with firmware upgrade. 
You can read about it HERE

Reflash the MSU (Removable display) first and if you done that, and the DSP (Main firmware) still does not want to connect, reflash MSU AGAIN. 

Use the reflash tool that comes with each. 

I will admit that in my mind I thought "dsp" was abbreviated from DISPLAY, it is not. "msu" is the display firmware. 

2 minutes ago, Plaashaas said:

@JohanDbn
I had the same problem with firmware upgrade. 
You can read about it HERE

Reflash the MSU (Removable display) first and if you done that, and the DSP (Main firmware) still does not want to connect, reflash MSU AGAIN. 

Use the reflash tool that comes with each. 

I will admit that in my mind I thought "dsp" was abbreviated from DISPLAY, it is not. "msu" is the display firmware. 

I just plugged it in while the inverter was running. Should I switch it off? I notice you mention a countdown timer? 

5 minutes ago, JohanDbn said:

I just plugged it in while the inverter was running. Should I switch it off? I notice you mention a countdown timer? 

1. Disconnect all loads
2. Disconnect AC
3. Disconnect PV
4. Switch of inverter (Button out) 
5. Disconnect Battery (Pull fuses)
6. Plug in cables
7. Get flash tool open and ready
8. Close battery fuses
9. Switch on inverter (Button in)
10 Press upgrade button on computer. (Within about *2 seconds after switching on inverter) 

*You can play with that a little, i.e. longer time

 

@JohanDbn

What Reflash tool are you using?  It looks different from the one normally supplied with King firmware (Notice the "King" in the title bar).

Furthermore when it has a serial port issue it the pop-up looks like this:

Could be a red herring, but probably worth trying the one bundled with 71.92 in the downloads section.

 

 

 

Edited August 14, 20206 yr by Calvin

@JohanDbn

I have just checked - the flashing software that you are using is not for the King it is for the Axpert MKS series

What is REALLY important is that you do not use the King flashing tool (that I referred you too) to upload the firmware that came bundled with the flashing tool you have.  That can apparently turn your inverter into an expensive brick...

8 hours ago, Calvin said:

It looks different from the one normally supplied with King firmware

Well spotted. The reflash tools are all different internally in important ways; it's vital that you use the reflash tool that comes with the other firmware update files, such as dsp.hex.

@JohanDbn,

I think you downloaded the wrong firmware.  You need to get the firmware posted by @Coulomb at https://forums.aeva.asn.au/viewtopic.php?f=64&t=5955&p=76178#p76178 - this is 71.80 with the premature float bug fixed.  It comes complete with the correct flashing tool.😀

The instructions for flashing posted by @Plaashaas are only required if you have had a problem with your flashing, and the inverter now appears bricked.  When you inverter is working fine you should be able to start the upgrade with it running.  Just note that the first thing that happens is that it switches off the output.  Do the flashing using either a laptop or a PC running off a separate ac supply.  Maybe you could even have luck using the USB OTG method.

 

It doesn't help that Axpert Kings and Axpert MKS II recent firmware have overlapping version numbers, e.g. version 71.80 could be either. These are very different firmwares!

12 hours ago, Calvin said:

@JohanDbn,

I think you downloaded the wrong firmware.  You need to get the firmware posted by @Coulomb at https://forums.aeva.asn.au/viewtopic.php?f=64&t=5955&p=76178#p76178 - this is 71.80 with the premature float bug fixed.  It comes complete with the correct flashing tool.😀

The instructions for flashing posted by @Plaashaas are only required if you have had a problem with your flashing, and the inverter now appears bricked.  When you inverter is working fine you should be able to start the upgrade with it running.  Just note that the first thing that happens is that it switches off the output.  Do the flashing using either a laptop or a PC running off a separate ac supply.  Maybe you could even have luck using the USB OTG method.

@Calvin u rock.Thanks. That sorted the issue. Is there any need to upgrade the display? 

20 minutes ago, JohanDbn said:

Is there any need to upgrade the display? 

Not to my knowledge.  You have a newer version than you need, but hopefully it is backwards compatible.  But, as in all things firmware, @Coulomb is the best person to ask...

 

@Calvin thanks.

So this is the correct one now? See attached. 

From Coulombs original post:

"You may be wondering why we called it patch-set "d" when it is our first for this model. Because of the removable display on these machines, we could not use our usual way of displaying a modified version number. But we still want to make it clear this is not factory firmware. So we have changed the most significant digit of the version number to the letter "b" to indicate both a beta version and a lead-acid/lithium-cobalt flavour. And we have changed the least significant digit to a letter "d" to indicate our first patch-set for this version. So it shows in Watchpower as
Main CPU version: 000b1.8d.
But the remote display converts these letters to digits, as per abcdefghijk → 90123456789. So it shows on the LCD as
U1
01
82
Many factory versions end in 0 or 1, so we began with "d" because it gets converted to 2."

So yes, it looks right.  Hope it sorts out your issues.

@CalvinI noticed further down on that thread saying its now obsolete. Just want @Coulombconfirmation.

Would be nice if we can get the kettle comp as well, but that's no biggie. 

6 hours ago, JohanDbn said:

I noticed further down on that thread saying its now obsolete. Just want @Coulombconfirmation.

BC1_71.80d, which displays as 01.82 on the LC Display, and as b1.8d on WatchPower (or anything displaying the QFVW command's result), is the latest lightly patched Axpert King firmware. The only significant change is the fix to the two premature float bugs.

Unfortunately, events have overtaken, and the latest Axpert King firmware I know of is now 71.92 (71.93 exists, but it not yet proven, as far as I know). The removable display firmware that goes with the main firmware has changed even more, from 02.00 to 02.49. So IF you need direct to BMS support, OR IF your need a bug fix that isn't in 71.80, then yes, 71.80d is obsolete.

So unfortunately there isn't a simple answer to "just tell me what the best version to download is".

Observation after reflash. 

So it's a grey Durban morning, and my PV input is about 80W.Not near what the house requires, and it pulls from utility correctly, but, it goes to full amps (50) charging in short bursts, not reaching my bulk charge voltage of 57.6,then goes back to discharge. I thought this would do a full charge and then only discharge,instead of these quick bursts. Not sure if that is due to my back to discharge value or any other value in my settings, which I have attached. @Coulomb @Calvin@Calvin can you guys please explain the logic of how this works to me? 

Thanks

Here's something else I noted.. Its not even close to bulk voltage, but it seems as though it has stopped absorption charging. Maybe I don't understand the charging as well as I should..?