EG4-6000XP firmware update - DO NOT DO IT RANT

[EPicTony]

After reading several posts where EG4 firmware updates cause stupid problems there is no way in hell am I going to update firmware on my 3 EG4-6000xp's. They are running flawlessly with firmware 190-D0E. I'm normally a new firmware junky and can't wait to get my new firmware fix. With EG4 I'm now firmly in the camp of "if it ain't broke don't fix it".
There would have to be a miracle firmware update like double free power for me to update now. End of rant.

 

[rogerheflin]

Generally if you don't see any problem and/or need any new features I would not be updating firmware, even if the firmware fixes something you might use there is always the (small, but non-zero) chance of the firmware update bricking the device (typically the eeprom won't take the new writes after erase, and you are dead in the water if there is not a backup eeprom).

I updated my 18kpv because I have have seen a lot of weird behavior and my hope is that "optimize this or that" with this or that being pretty much every feature in the 18kpv (in the most recent firmware) means fixed a bunch of stuff that we don't want to document as having been broken to start with.

 

[Zwy]

Last night about dark I heard the SCC alarm. I wasn't worried, it was the famous or infamous F01 code.

The EG4 firmware update would fix it, I'm too busy to concern myself with it.

This SCC was sent in late August as a replacement for the connector Magic Smoke incident that has now happened twice. My guess is SS bought a couple of container loads and have yet to sell all of them so none of the new units have the latest firmware.

My MPP inverters ran perfect when powered up, I'd never install a firmware update as it isn't needed.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[J.H.]

So now thst y’all have scared the hell out of me to update my system , when should you update it ,if not when the update is released. ?

I have updated my computers for 30 years when it said an update was now available…
( windows 98 and up) ….Dozens
Updated all my iPods - I phones - I pads …when released…Dozens .

I have stripped and reformatted devices thst were acting strange

I agree with y’all to leave somthing thst works alone , but at some point it seems ya have to update to keep up with stuff that comes out…I think…

My multi+ and the system is working totally fine. No problems of any kind ….Haven't even hooked up a MK3 unit to check about updates in almost 2 years….

Now I’m becoming scared to even check on it as it may say I need to.

I don’t because y’all are making me fearful thst once I do , stuff may not work as well..
I don’t want any new problems.

Fear of updates is a new concept to me …

So , when do you do it..?
How do you know when to do it.?

Can it be reversed if things stop working good ?

I just want peace in life…!

J

 

[ChrisG]

Running version 190D66. What’s in the new firmware and what evidence shows there an issue?

 

[ricardocello]

My multi+ and the system is working totally fine. No problems of any kind ….Haven't even hooked up a MK3 unit to check about updates in almost 2 years….

Victron's direct advice is, if you don't have any problems, leave it alone.

You can read the release notes if you are on the Professional site (free to join).
If you see something in there that makes you say, "Oh, that's why XX does not work, maybe I should upgrade", then it's your call.

Remember, updating Multiplus firmware wipes the settings! You need to save and restore them using Victron Connect manually.

 

[J.H.]

Victron's direct advice is, if you don't have any problems, leave it alone.

You can read the release notes if you are on the Professional site (free to join).
If you see something in there that makes you say, "Oh, that's why XX does not work, maybe I should upgrade", then it's your call.

Remember, updating Multiplus firmware wipes the settings! You need to save and restore them using Victron Connect manually.

Now that’s a good answer… thank you…
Also I was not aware it swept the setting previously made… …hell, I have no idea what settings I put in 2 1/2 years ago…
Some of it is easy and other parts not so much ….I could go back and research it and figure it out agsin but I would rather not….

I have no idea what I could to improve what the stuff has been doing… I will let it be.

Thx. J.

 

[Zapper77]

After reading several posts where EG4 firmware updates cause stupid problems there is no way in hell am I going to update firmware on my 3 EG4-6000xp's. They are running flawlessly with firmware 190-D0E. I'm normally a new firmware junky and can't wait to get my new firmware fix. With EG4 I'm now firmly in the camp of "if it ain't broke don't fix it".
There would have to be a miracle firmware update like double free power for me to update now. End of rant.

What update?

 

[EPicTony]

^^^ Not so much the 6000 but the 12000 and 18000 seem to have more firmware bugs, especially the 18000 where you can't roll back to a previous version. Still staying in the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" camp.

 

[Zwy]

So now thst y’all have scared the hell out of me to update my system , when should you update it ,if not when the update is released. ?

I have updated my computers for 30 years when it said an update was now available…
( windows 98 and up) ….Dozens
Updated all my iPods - I phones - I pads …when released…Dozens .

I have stripped and reformatted devices thst were acting strange

I agree with y’all to leave somthing thst works alone , but at some point it seems ya have to update to keep up with stuff that comes out…I think…

My multi+ and the system is working totally fine. No problems of any kind ….Haven't even hooked up a MK3 unit to check about updates in almost 2 years….

Now I’m becoming scared to even check on it as it may say I need to.

I don’t because y’all are making me fearful thst once I do , stuff may not work as well..
I don’t want any new problems.

Fear of updates is a new concept to me …

So , when do you do it..?
How do you know when to do it.?

Can it be reversed if things stop working good ?

I just want peace in life…!

J

The automotive industry for years had updates for software/firmware in various modules. The updates were commonly referred to reprogramming or a reflashing. Some shops out there would scan every vehicle that came thru the door and "sell" the reprogramming. They did this as a source of revenue to justify the needed equipment but also pay for the subscription access to the OE programming files.

Stories always were shared on industry forums about unintended consequences of reprogramming a module when it wasn't needed. Customers would complain the mileage dropped, vehicle was sluggish, accessories didn't operate the same and just many other complaints after a reprogramming occurred. Many times there might be a file for a vehicle that operated mainly at high altitude for example and the reflash was performed on a vehicle that operated mainly at sea level or vice versa. The result was mpg reduction. Another was recalibration of hvac actuators that occurred every 10 or 15 key cycles. The hvac control doors would be forced against stops at each end of travel to determine the position. The problem was the doors were plastic and would break the doors or pivot shafts or strip the shafts. The updated firmware would lengthen recalibration to 20 or 30 key cycles. This effectively doubled the length of time so the vehicle would be out of factory warranty before the failure occurred thus saving the OE money but not the consumer.

Every firmware/software update should have release notes on what the firmware addresses. The updates to MS were to patch vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers. Take the recent Deye inverter bricking, if the back door wasn't in the firmware originally, it could have been added later in a firmware update.

When to update firmware? When it is to address a specific issue or enhance operation. I've never been in the camp of updating firmware for the sake of it was released so I must install it. It is only for a specific issue or to enhance operation would I do it.

 

[Madcodger]

We've all been conditioned to update, update, update by computer manufacturers, often for security reasons. PV equipment is different, and updates are much less critical. If the manufacturer discovers a bug (including a security hole) it's a good idea to follow their advice. And if you really need a new feature, then have at it with an update, but understand it might create problems. Otherwise, just leave the system alone. The latest may not be the greatest.

 

[Brucey]

Victron's direct advice is, if you don't have any problems, leave it alone.

You can read the release notes if you are on the Professional site (free to join).
If you see something in there that makes you say, "Oh, that's why XX does not work, maybe I should upgrade", then it's your call.

Remember, updating Multiplus firmware wipes the settings! You need to save and restore them using Victron Connect manually.

What's crazy is the eg4 warranty at least for their batteries now requires firmware update currency. Added in recent months I think.

 

[Zwy]

The latest may not be the greatest.

 

[Brucey]

^^^ Not so much the 6000 but the 12000 and 18000 seem to have more firmware bugs, especially the 18000 where you can't roll back to a previous version. Still staying in the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" camp.

Wonder if they'll keep working on the 18kpv now that flexboss 21 is the new hotness.

 

[timselectric]

I have never updated anything in my system. It's never been connected to the internet, either. I chose products that would do what I want, right out of the box, reliably.

 

[Quattrohead]

^^^ Not so much the 6000 but the 12000 and 18000 seem to have more firmware bugs, especially the 18000 where you can't roll back to a previous version. Still staying in the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" camp.

This is a one-time update to increase the amount of memory available, it won't happen again.

 

[Quattrohead]

Wonder if they'll keep working on the 18kpv now that flexboss 21 is the new hotness.

The flex boss is a very slightly uprated 18K PV, apart from that they are identical inside and use the same firmware.

 

[ChrisG]

Can someone tell me what 6000xp firmware we’re talking about here? I’m still running the one from August where smart loads were introduced.

 

[handinpalm]

I agree with your philosophy. We always had a saying in the Defense Electronics industry "If it ain't broke, don't break it".

 

[Offgrid Jungle]

The 6000XP firmware is fine. I brought three systems online last month. The 12000XP and the 18kpv firmware may not have "guardrails" to prevent the user from entering incompatible settings. However, I will say that I have seen issues here related to off brand batteries and NEUTRAL BOND mistakes by installers. IMHO, the inverters should have never been offered with a bond "feature". Make your bond in the panel where it belongs. Rant off.

 

[Brucey]

The flex boss is a very slightly uprated 18K PV, apart from that they are identical inside and use the same firmware.

If it has double the LRA startup capability I would say it's more than a slightly uprated 18kpv. There must be something more than a firmware tweak to pull that off.

 

[Quattrohead]

Well yes of course, the hardware has been upgraded but I do believe everything is backwards and forwards compatible.
Back in my British slot machine days, JPM had released the MPS1 system on a board that was 18 in square, they then upgraded it to the MPS2 where the board is half the size but 100% compatible. And this was pre-surface mount days.

 

[Trav’s tinkering]

Does anyone here know whether you can save the firmware version that my 6000XP is running on, to reinstall if for any reason I don’t like the new version?

 

[EPicTony]

Does anyone here know whether you can save the firmware version that my 6000XP is running on, to reinstall if for any reason I don’t like the new version?

As a user no way. Thru tech support they can down grade or upgrade (at least on the 6000xp).