Firmware Revision 1791 Solar

[Mario]

Well here it is Beta testers and Aficionados,
This is the latest Firmware to be tested if all seems to work then this will be the next Release code.
Note. this firmware will force the unit to do a factory reset if it doesn't prompt a Factory reset manually Reset the unit. New variables that need to be initialized.

Whats New:
-Bug Fixes Major and Minor
-Added New Communication protocol, Twin Mode, Sync mode and PC(Pc needs the protocol to be published, Still working on auto data streaming support)
-Added more Load Modes LVD alarm
-Added Aux port LVD signal High and Low
-Improved power Output on low light conditions
-Saves previously unsaved variables

Manual is also getting a Major revision and undefined parameters explained, look for new Manual out in the Next Coming weeks.
Please Upload code and Please, Please report back with any changes to be made or problems Found

Ok, now moving on to Wind and Clipper code

Mario Rodriguez

[Westbranch]

Hi Mario, just looked at the list of KID  FW and also looked at the Classic listing. 

I think there is a bit of a loop on /in the links shown for the CLassic, if one trieds to enter the "PLACE HOLDER"  it has 3 links  showing:  http://www.midnitesolar.com/firmwareIndex.php  and http://www.midnitesolar.com/firmware.php?firmwareProduct_ID=1 

the first  will take you back to the MN list of all FW  http://www.midnitesolar.com/firmwareIndex.php

However the second takes one back to the page with PLACE HOLDER on it http://www.midnitesolar.com/firmware.php?firmwareProduct_ID=1 rather than to a LIST Oof FW...??

PS and what does the 'PLACE HOLDER' FW do?  http://www.midnitesolar.com/na

'cause this is what one gets:



We are sorry you did not find the page or file you were looking for.

It may have been removed or moved to a new location!


thanks...

[dgd]

Mario,
The KID firmware features are looking pretty good.
The feature I am waiting for is the various data that can be made available via the USB port. I seem to remember you mentioned a query and reply method to extract data items such as battery voltage, input voltage etc.. Are you still progressing with this?
This would allow the KID to provide data to a web server 

dgd

[Mario]

West Branch, I will have the guy in charge of the Website take a look at that and resolve.

DGD, the data query reply is there now but what it is missing is the protocol to be documented and published, I believe thats the plan, But it will not be through the USB port, you have to use the RS232 Master jack and then you can get a USB to RS232 adapter to connect to your computer and then you can write a program for the PC or if you are really good you can get a Serial over Bluetooth and you can create an App to Query the data. But there is no power on the Master or Slave Jack so you will need to provide that for the Bluetooth adapter if you want to go that route.

Anyways, many possibilities but I have to get working on the documentation to make it available.

Mario

[ClassicCrazy]

Is the RS232 Master Jack the jack that is labeled Stacking Port in the manual ?  ( above the battery sensor jack)

That sounds like a challenge to dgd to get some data squeezed out of there before the documentation arrives !

Larry 

[dgd]

DGD, the data query reply is there now but what it is missing is the protocol to be documented and published, I believe thats the plan, But it will not be through the USB port, you have to use the RS232 Master jack and then you can get a USB to RS232 adapter to connect to your computer and then you can write a program for the PC or if you are really good you can get a Serial over Bluetooth and you can create an App to Query the data. But there is no power on the Master or Slave Jack so you will need to provide that for the Bluetooth adapter if you want to go that route.

Excellent, rs232 is better for me as my Arduino DUE web server does rs232. All I will need to do is make a simple API
OK, I will (im)patiently wait on the documentation for this and in meantime get a nice KID web page designed 

dgd

[xsnrg]

Another request that Mario worked on but did not mention, the temperatures now display in the automatic data scroll.

I have been waiting for the data for quite some time as well.  My plan is a little different than dgd's.  I am planning on polling the data with my Beaglebone, wrapping it with SNMP and then am able to query it and graph it with Cacti.  Cacti uses rrd to do the data store, so you can drill into any data from the past year.   I have an rj-12 cable on order, and cannot wait to play.

Will probably upgrade my firmware tonight to the latest if anyone wants to see the new firmware before trying, I will add the link to my signature.

Mario, can you share the pinout for the port?

Jim

[Westbranch]

and in meantime get a nice KID web page designed 

Based on Calvin, of Calvin and Hobbes?  see last frame...

http://assets.amuniversal.com/61224fa0a5370132cc37005056a9545d

[xsnrg]

v 1791 loaded and ready for action.  I noticed the temperature shows up in the automatic scroll, which is great, but in the manual scroll from the buttons, it does not show, you have to go into the settings temps menu to see them manually.  I am okay with this, but thought I would point it out.

Thanks Mario!

Jim

[mike90045]

....Note. this firmware will force the unit to do a factory reset if it doesn't prompt a Factory reset manually Reset the unit. New variables that need to be initialized.....

Is this for Classic or Kid (or both?)

Will storing the settings via the Local App, be able to restore them, or is this update too different to reload the old settings ?

[xsnrg]

Is this for Classic or Kid (or both?)

Will storing the settings via the Local App, be able to restore them, or is this update too different to reload the old settings ?

This is for the KID, so no Local App as the KID doesn't have any built in ethernet capabilities.  Jot down your settings before flashing if you don't remember them all.

[Halfcrazy]

Hi Mario, just looked at the list of KID  FW and also looked at the Classic listing. 

I think there is a bit of a loop on /in the links shown for the CLassic, if one trieds to enter the "PLACE HOLDER"  it has 3 links  showing:  http://www.midnitesolar.com/firmwareIndex.php  and http://www.midnitesolar.com/firmware.php?firmwareProduct_ID=1 

the first  will take you back to the MN list of all FW  http://www.midnitesolar.com/firmwareIndex.php

However the second takes one back to the page with PLACE HOLDER on it http://www.midnitesolar.com/firmware.php?firmwareProduct_ID=1 rather than to a LIST Oof FW...??

PS and what does the 'PLACE HOLDER' FW do?  http://www.midnitesolar.com/na

'cause this is what one gets:



We are sorry you did not find the page or file you were looking for.

It may have been removed or moved to a new location!


thanks...

I kept the place holder there so it is easier to add a Beta version when I need to sorry for the confusion and I have removed it so as not to cause any issues

[Kent3]

Hi, I have down loaded new version # 1791 and did a factory reset. However I don't see any different in the status screens. Everything looks like the previous software ver. 1742. Is there something I need to turn on? When the Kid boots up it displays ver, 1791.
Kent
Edit: maybe I got ahead of myself, I now see the CPU and FET temps. I now remember where I read that they only show up in auto scroll and not in the manual scroll. My mistake.

[xsnrg]

If you turn auto-scroll on, which is the default I believe, then when the screens start changing automatically, you will see the temperature screen.  It will have CPU temp, FET tmp, and if you have the MNBTS, you will see battery temp as well.  This screen was not in the previous firmware versions, and was only accessible manually by going to the temperature menu.  Other areas mentioned by Mario include the changes to the communications menu where follow me wording is changed along with the ability to now select "PC".  This is serial data that will be available.  There are some other changes as well, and some behind the scenes bug fixes such as the one I was having where low light conditions were not finding the maximum power point correctly.  I have not checked the latest firmware, but the battery temp modification percentage should also be saved between restarts as well now.

If you are not seeing the obvious menu changes and scrolling data, I would recommend re-flashing the KID, and make sure it does a factory reset (prompting you for the initial setup parameters of your battery).

Jim

[Bunkie314]

I am getting a bad firmware message on both of my kids when plugged in a windows 8.1 machine.  Power cycles will not get them out of the firmware update stating bad firmware.  What up? Same machine I've always used to update them. Did Gates send out some incompatible updates?

How do I get them back online?

Update: It was idiot operator (me that is  ) error. Midnite tech support is outstanding!