Re: [RE-wrenches] Firmware, Firmware, Firmaware was Outback Programming Ghost

[Chris Schaefer]

Lones,
Ok, so my question is if we save the original user settings to one SD card
and then format a separate SD card with the new firmware and install. Once
the new firmware is installed can we put the original SD card in and upload
all of our user settings. Or do we have to manually input all the settings?

Also do you have a spreadsheet of the installer settings we can download as
is found at the end of the Owners manual just in case we need to manually
put the settings back in for recording purposes?

Thanks,
Christopher

On Mon, Nov 14, 2016 at 11:53 AM, Lones Tuss <lt...@outbackpower.com> wrote:

> Hello All
>
>   The legacy Mate(2) and legacy FX inverters did require the units to be
> sent to OutBack to be updated.
>
> The Mate3 and the FXRA inverters can all be updated in the field.
>
> The newest revisions of software are available on the OutBack website.
>
> http://outbackpower.com/catalogs-collaterals/category/td-firmware-updates
>
>
>
> Down load the new firmware on an SD Card insert it into the Mate3
>
> Press the Lock Button enter 141 as the password.
>
> Select Firmware Update
>
> Then choose the device you wish to update.
>
>
>
>  When updating the inverters it is advised to put the system in Bypass as
> the inverters will shut down when an update is performed.
>
>
>
>
>
> Lones Tuss
>
> Applications Engineer
>
> OutBack Power Technologies
>
> 17825 59th Ave NE, Suite B, Arlington, WA 98223
>
> 360.618.4383 Office | 425.213.8794 Cell
>
> www.outbackpower.com
>
>
>
> *From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On
> Behalf Of *William Miller
> *Sent:* Saturday, November 12, 2016 9:17 AM
> *To:* RE-wrenches
> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Firmware, Firmware, Firmaware was Outback
> Programming Ghost
>
>
>
>  Ray:
>
>
>
> Upgrading firmware on inverters and Mates requires either a board swap for
> inverters or a trip to the factory for a standard Mate. Only the Mate3 can
> be field upgraded.
>
>
>
> Then, if you have mixed inverter firmware, there can be unintended
> consequences. For example, we upgraded a fourth inverter because of a
> failure. We were told to make it the master. When we did, the gen would
> disconnect after 20 minutes. We changed it back to a slave and problem
> resolved.
>
>
>
> In our society, the price for added features is added frustration.
>
>
>
> William
>
>
> On Nov 12, 2016, at 8:32 AM, Ray Walters <r...@solarray.com> wrote:
>
> I second uprading all firmware on all devices.  I had a recent FXR install
> that was dropping one of the inverters (and its leg) whenever the system
> tried to sell.  Latest firmware cured the issues.
> The industry is moving from us being electricians to becoming computer
> techs.  Retirement looks better each day.
>
> R.Ray Walters
>
> CTO, Solarray, Inc
>
> Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
>
> Licensed Master Electrician
>
> Solar Design Engineer
>
> 303 505-8760
>
> On 11/12/2016 6:08 AM, Wayne Irwin wrote:
>
> Very strange that all the programming is scrambled.
>
>
>
> Recently we had a FXR system which had been working fine for nearly six
> months come up with an incompatibility error with the slave inverter even
> though the firmware was the most recent and the same for both inverters.
> After several failed attempts to re-upgrade the inverter firmware, we took
> a shot at upgrading the Mate 3 firmware which did work. We then again tried
> the inverters and it worked. System is now working again (for now) and the
> programming is all still valid.
>
>
>
>
>
> Wayne Irwin,
> President
> License #CVC56695
> State Licensed Solar Contractor
> Pure Energy Solar International Inc.
> wa...@pureenergysolar.com <pureenergyso...@hotmail.com>
> http://PureEnergySolar.com
> http://SolarChargingStation.net <https://solarchargingstation.net>
> 352 377-6527 Office
> 352 336-3299 Fax
>
>
> The Sun Is Always Shining!
>
> The content of this message is Pure Energy Solar Confidential. If you are
> not the intended recipient and have received this message in error, any use
> or distribution is prohibited. Please notify me immediately by reply e-mail
> and delete this message from your computer system. Thank you.
>
>
> --
>
> *From:* RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org>
> <re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org> on behalf of William Miller
> <will...@millersolar.com> <will...@millersolar.com>
> *Sent:* Thursday, November 10, 2016 11:26 PM
> *To:* RE-wrenches
> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback Programmi

Re: [RE-wrenches] Firmware, Firmware, Firmaware was Outback Programming Ghost

[Lones Tuss]

Hello All
  The legacy Mate(2) and legacy FX inverters did require the units to be sent 
to OutBack to be updated.
The Mate3 and the FXRA inverters can all be updated in the field.
The newest revisions of software are available on the OutBack website.
http://outbackpower.com/catalogs-collaterals/category/td-firmware-updates

Down load the new firmware on an SD Card insert it into the Mate3
Press the Lock Button enter 141 as the password.
Select Firmware Update
Then choose the device you wish to update.

 When updating the inverters it is advised to put the system in Bypass as the 
inverters will shut down when an update is performed.


Lones Tuss
Applications Engineer
OutBack Power Technologies
17825 59th Ave NE, Suite B, Arlington, WA 98223
360.618.4383 Office | 425.213.8794 Cell
www.outbackpower.com<http://www.outbackpower.com/>

From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf 
Of William Miller
Sent: Saturday, November 12, 2016 9:17 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Firmware, Firmware, Firmaware was Outback 
Programming Ghost

 Ray:

Upgrading firmware on inverters and Mates requires either a board swap for 
inverters or a trip to the factory for a standard Mate. Only the Mate3 can be 
field upgraded.

Then, if you have mixed inverter firmware, there can be unintended 
consequences. For example, we upgraded a fourth inverter because of a failure. 
We were told to make it the master. When we did, the gen would disconnect after 
20 minutes. We changed it back to a slave and problem resolved.

In our society, the price for added features is added frustration.

William

On Nov 12, 2016, at 8:32 AM, Ray Walters 
<r...@solarray.com<mailto:r...@solarray.com>> wrote:
I second uprading all firmware on all devices.  I had a recent FXR install that 
was dropping one of the inverters (and its leg) whenever the system tried to 
sell.  Latest firmware cured the issues.
The industry is moving from us being electricians to becoming computer techs.  
Retirement looks better each day.


R.Ray Walters

CTO, Solarray, Inc

Nabcep Certified PV Installer,

Licensed Master Electrician

Solar Design Engineer

303 505-8760
On 11/12/2016 6:08 AM, Wayne Irwin wrote:

Very strange that all the programming is scrambled.



Recently we had a FXR system which had been working fine for nearly six months 
come up with an incompatibility error with the slave inverter even though the 
firmware was the most recent and the same for both inverters. After several 
failed attempts to re-upgrade the inverter firmware, we took a shot at 
upgrading the Mate 3 firmware which did work. We then again tried the inverters 
and it worked. System is now working again (for now) and the programming is all 
still valid.




Wayne Irwin,
President
License #CVC56695
State Licensed Solar Contractor
Pure Energy Solar International Inc.
wa...@pureenergysolar.com<mailto:pureenergyso...@hotmail.com>
http://PureEnergySolar.com
http://SolarChargingStation.net<https://solarchargingstation.net>
352 377-6527 Office
352 336-3299 Fax


The Sun Is Always Shining!

The content of this message is Pure Energy Solar Confidential. If you are not 
the intended recipient and have received this message in error, any use or 
distribution is prohibited. Please notify me immediately by reply e-mail and 
delete this message from your computer system. Thank you.


From: RE-wrenches 
<re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org><mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org>
 on behalf of William Miller 
<will...@millersolar.com><mailto:will...@millersolar.com>
Sent: Thursday, November 10, 2016 11:26 PM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback Programming Ghost

Ray:

I have no reason to believe anyone has been meddling. No one knows the 
password. It does look like some serious glitch.

William

On Nov 10, 2016, at 6:25 PM, Ray Walters 
<r...@solarray.com<mailto:r...@solarray.com>> wrote:
It almost sounds like someone got in there and tried to reprogram stuff 
themselves.  Have you installed the proper anti-Gremlin devices?


R.Ray Walters

CTO, Solarray, Inc

Nabcep Certified PV Installer,

Licensed Master Electrician

Solar Design Engineer

303 505-8760
On 11/10/2016 12:34 PM, William Miller wrote:
Colleagues:

I maintain an off-grid, 8 stack FX Outback system with 3 charge controllers.  
The system has been on line for about 6 years.  It got upgraded about 7 months 
ago with 2 Mate3s.

About a week ago the system shutdown, leaving the customer without power.  A 
maintenance worker started a generator and power was restored.  I did not hear 
about the situation for several days.

A maintenance supervisor was dispatched yesterday to work with me over the 
telephone to see if we could restart the system.  The system would only run if 
the inverter output breakers were all off.

I examined the system via Optics.  I was very surp

Re: [RE-wrenches] Firmware, Firmware, Firmaware was Outback Programming Ghost

[William Miller]

 Ray:

Upgrading firmware on inverters and Mates requires either a board swap for 
inverters or a trip to the factory for a standard Mate. Only the Mate3 can be 
field upgraded. 

Then, if you have mixed inverter firmware, there can be unintended 
consequences. For example, we upgraded a fourth inverter because of a failure. 
We were told to make it the master. When we did, the gen would disconnect after 
20 minutes. We changed it back to a slave and problem resolved. 

In our society, the price for added features is added frustration. 

William

> On Nov 12, 2016, at 8:32 AM, Ray Walters  wrote:
> 
> I second uprading all firmware on all devices.  I had a recent FXR install 
> that was dropping one of the inverters (and its leg) whenever the system 
> tried to sell.  Latest firmware cured the issues.  
> The industry is moving from us being electricians to becoming computer techs. 
>  Retirement looks better each day.
> R.Ray Walters
> CTO, Solarray, Inc
> Nabcep Certified PV Installer, 
> Licensed Master Electrician
> Solar Design Engineer
> 303 505-8760
>> On 11/12/2016 6:08 AM, Wayne Irwin wrote:
>> Very strange that all the programming is scrambled. 
>> 
>> Recently we had a FXR system which had been working fine for nearly six 
>> months come up with an incompatibility error with the slave inverter even 
>> though the firmware was the most recent and the same for both inverters. 
>> After several failed attempts to re-upgrade the inverter firmware, we took a 
>> shot at upgrading the Mate 3 firmware which did work. We then again tried 
>> the inverters and it worked. System is now working again (for now) and the 
>> programming is all still valid.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Wayne Irwin,
>> President
>> License #CVC56695 
>> State Licensed Solar Contractor
>> Pure Energy Solar International Inc. 
>> wa...@pureenergysolar.com 
>> http://PureEnergySolar.com
>> http://SolarChargingStation.net
>> 352 377-6527 Office
>> 352 336-3299 Fax
>> 
>> 
>> The Sun Is Always Shining!
>> 
>> The content of this message is Pure Energy Solar Confidential. If you are 
>> not the intended recipient and have received this message in error, any use 
>> or distribution is prohibited. Please notify me immediately by reply e-mail 
>> and delete this message from your computer   system. Thank you.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> From: RE-wrenches  on behalf of 
>> William Miller 
>> Sent: Thursday, November 10, 2016 11:26 PM
>> To: RE-wrenches
>> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback Programming Ghost
>>  
>> Ray:
>> 
>> I have no reason to believe anyone has been meddling. No one knows the 
>> password. It does look like some serious glitch. 
>> 
>> William
>> 
>> On Nov 10, 2016, at 6:25 PM, Ray Walters  wrote:
>> 
>>> It almost sounds like someone got in there and tried to reprogram stuff 
>>> themselves.  Have you installed the proper anti-Gremlin devices?
>>> R.Ray Walters
>>> CTO, Solarray, Inc
>>> Nabcep Certified PV Installer, 
>>> Licensed Master Electrician
>>> Solar Design Engineer
>>> 303 505-8760
 On 11/10/2016 12:34 PM, William Miller wrote:
 Colleagues:
 
 I maintain an off-grid, 8 stack FX Outback system with 3 charge 
 controllers.  The system has been on line for about 6 years.  It got 
 upgraded about 7 months ago with 2 Mate3s.
 
 About a week ago the system shutdown, leaving the customer without power.  
 A maintenance worker started a generator and power was restored.  I did 
 not hear about the situation for several days.
 
 A maintenance supervisor was dispatched yesterday to work with me over the 
 telephone to see if we could restart the system.  The system would only 
 run if the inverter output breakers were all off.  
 
 I examined the system via Optics.  I was very surprised to see that the 
 system programming was absolutely scrambled.  This was so much so that 
 even the stacking settings were wrong.  For example, inverter 2 was set as 
 a Master, which we all know will crash any system.  Other settings were 
 also found with very random values.
 
 This system was running prior to last Friday, so the stacking at least 
 must have been right   prior to the outage.  I am 
 completely mystified as to how this could have happened.  
 
 I am in conversation with Outback who is taking this seriously.  I have 
 not heard back from them yet but I am curious if anyone else has 
 experienced this or anything similar.  I'd like to broaden my knowledge on 
 this situation to enhance my understanding and to share any findings with 
 the group.
 
 Thank you in advance for any input.
 
 William Miller
 
 
 ___
 List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
 
 List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
 

Re: [RE-wrenches] Firmware, Firmware, Firmaware was Outback Programming Ghost

[Ray Walters]

I second uprading all firmware on all devices.  I had a recent FXR 
install that was dropping one of the inverters (and its leg) whenever 
the system tried to sell.  Latest firmware cured the issues.
The industry is moving from us being electricians to becoming computer 
techs.  Retirement looks better each day.


R.Ray Walters
CTO, Solarray, Inc
Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
Licensed Master Electrician
Solar Design Engineer
303 505-8760

On 11/12/2016 6:08 AM, Wayne Irwin wrote:


Very strange that all the programming is scrambled.


Recently we had a FXR system which had been working fine for nearly 
six months come up with an incompatibility error with the slave 
inverter even though the firmware was the most recent and the same for 
both inverters. After several failed attempts to re-upgrade the 
inverter firmware, we took a shot at upgrading the Mate 3 firmware 
which did work. We then again tried the inverters and it worked. 
System is now working again (for now) and the programming is all still 
valid.




Wayne Irwin,
President
License #CVC56695
State Licensed Solar Contractor
Pure Energy Solar International Inc.
wa...@pureenergysolar.com 
http://PureEnergySolar.com
http://SolarChargingStation.net 
352 377-6527 Office
352 336-3299 Fax


The Sun Is Always Shining!

The content of this message is Pure Energy Solar Confidential. If you 
are not the intended recipient and have received this message in 
error, any use or distribution is prohibited. Please notify me 
immediately by reply e-mail and delete this message from your computer 
system. Thank you.





*From:* RE-wrenches  on 
behalf of William Miller 

*Sent:* Thursday, November 10, 2016 11:26 PM
*To:* RE-wrenches
*Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback Programming Ghost
Ray:

I have no reason to believe anyone has been meddling. No one knows the 
password. It does look like some serious glitch.


William

On Nov 10, 2016, at 6:25 PM, Ray Walters > wrote:


It almost sounds like someone got in there and tried to reprogram 
stuff themselves.  Have you installed the proper anti-Gremlin devices?

R.Ray Walters
CTO, Solarray, Inc
Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
Licensed Master Electrician
Solar Design Engineer
303 505-8760
On 11/10/2016 12:34 PM, William Miller wrote:

Colleagues:

I maintain an off-grid, 8 stack FX Outback system with 3 charge 
controllers.  The system has been on line for about 6 years.  It got 
upgraded about 7 months ago with 2 Mate3s.


About a week ago the system shutdown, leaving the customer without 
power.  A maintenance worker started a generator and power was 
restored.  I did not hear about the situation for several days.


A maintenance supervisor was dispatched yesterday to work with me 
over the telephone to see if we could restart the system.  The 
system would only run if the inverter output breakers were all off.


I examined the system via Optics.  I was very surprised to see that 
the system programming was absolutely scrambled.  This was so much 
so that even the stacking settings were wrong.  For example, 
inverter 2 was set as a Master, which we all know will crash any 
system.  Other settings were also found with very random values.


This system was running prior to last Friday, so the stacking at 
least must have been right prior to the outage.  I am completely 
mystified as to how this could have happened.


I am in conversation with Outback who is taking this seriously.  I 
have not heard back from them yet but I am curious if anyone else 
has experienced this or anything similar.  I'd like to broaden my 
knowledge on this situation to enhance my understanding and to share 
any findings with the group.


Thank you in advance for any input.

William Miller


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Re: [RE-wrenches] Firmware, Firmware, Firmaware was Outback Programming Ghost

[Wayne Irwin]

Very strange that all the programming is scrambled.


Recently we had a FXR system which had been working fine for nearly six months 
come up with an incompatibility error with the slave inverter even though the 
firmware was the most recent and the same for both inverters. After several 
failed attempts to re-upgrade the inverter firmware, we took a shot at 
upgrading the Mate 3 firmware which did work. We then again tried the inverters 
and it worked. System is now working again (for now) and the programming is all 
still valid.



Wayne Irwin,
President
License #CVC56695
State Licensed Solar Contractor
Pure Energy Solar International Inc.
wa...@pureenergysolar.com
http://PureEnergySolar.com
http://SolarChargingStation.net
352 377-6527 Office
352 336-3299 Fax


The Sun Is Always Shining!


The content of this message is Pure Energy Solar Confidential. If you are not 
the intended recipient and have received this message in error, any use or 
distribution is prohibited. Please notify me immediately by reply e-mail and 
delete this message from your computer system. Thank you.



From: RE-wrenches  on behalf of 
William Miller 
Sent: Thursday, November 10, 2016 11:26 PM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Outback Programming Ghost

Ray:

I have no reason to believe anyone has been meddling. No one knows the 
password. It does look like some serious glitch.

William

On Nov 10, 2016, at 6:25 PM, Ray Walters 
> wrote:

It almost sounds like someone got in there and tried to reprogram stuff 
themselves.  Have you installed the proper anti-Gremlin devices?

R.Ray Walters
CTO, Solarray, Inc
Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
Licensed Master Electrician
Solar Design Engineer
303 505-8760

On 11/10/2016 12:34 PM, William Miller wrote:
Colleagues:

I maintain an off-grid, 8 stack FX Outback system with 3 charge controllers.  
The system has been on line for about 6 years.  It got upgraded about 7 months 
ago with 2 Mate3s.

About a week ago the system shutdown, leaving the customer without power.  A 
maintenance worker started a generator and power was restored.  I did not hear 
about the situation for several days.

A maintenance supervisor was dispatched yesterday to work with me over the 
telephone to see if we could restart the system.  The system would only run if 
the inverter output breakers were all off.

I examined the system via Optics.  I was very surprised to see that the system 
programming was absolutely scrambled.  This was so much so that even the 
stacking settings were wrong.  For example, inverter 2 was set as a Master, 
which we all know will crash any system.  Other settings were also found with 
very random values.

This system was running prior to last Friday, so the stacking at least must 
have been right prior to the outage.  I am completely mystified as to how this 
could have happened.

I am in conversation with Outback who is taking this seriously.  I have not 
heard back from them yet but I am curious if anyone else has experienced this 
or anything similar.  I'd like to broaden my knowledge on this situation to 
enhance my understanding and to share any findings with the group.

Thank you in advance for any input.

William Miller



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