Uploading the latest EmonTxV3CM Firmware to an EmonTx using a emonPi/emonBase

[TrystanLea]

With the latest stable release of Emoncms core v10.2.4 its now possible to upload the latest EmonTxV3CM firmware to an EmonTx straight from an emonPi/emonBase via the Update Firmware tool on the Emoncms Admin page.

1. Connect the EmonTx to the emonPi using a USB to UART cable:

2. Navigate to Admin > Updates > UPDATE FIRMWARE ONLY, select the second item in the drop down menu for the serial port, it should be ttyUSB0. Select EmonTxV3CM from the firmware drop down menu. Click ‘Upload Firmware’:

3. You should now see the firmware upload progress in the Update Log window.

[borpin (Brian Orpin)]

I think this is a great addition. However, I think it needs to be broken out of the ‘Full Update’ as there is a distinct possibility of using it incorrectly.

I’d also suggest the ability to select a custom hex or one of the different sketches (e.g. 3Ph).

[TrystanLea]

As a first step I was thinking it could be extended to cover a wider range of firmwares, E.g discreet EmonTX, 3ph, emonPiCM, EmonTH etc. I agree that it could be broken out.

[Robert.Wall]

@TrystanLea

[ the ability to select a custom hex for the] 3ph

The 3-phase sketch has so many possible permutations - about 3.5 million on the #defines alone - that it’s not practical to publish a pre-compiled version.

[boydo (Richard Boyd)]

Thanks @TrystanLea very useful tool. Can I ask what is probably a stupid question. If I updated my EmonTX with this tool, do I need to do anything to the optional wifi module in order to get it to work? I just get a constant flashing light on the ESP8266 board.

[borpin (Brian Orpin)]

@borpin

I think this is a great addition. However, I think it needs to be broken out of the ‘Full Update’ as there is a distinct possibility of using it incorrectly.

I want to repeat this @TrystanLea - a recent thread seems to imply the wrong firmware was updated.

I think this is a very dangerous tool to be included in the full update unless there is something to confirm the base device.

Resurrecting an old emonbase and emontx problems

Okay, It’s been a long time here and I had this old setup I used about 5ish years ago that I’m trying to get working again. At the moment I have no inputs. I have: emonTX v3 Raspberry pi 2 with RFM12B v2.5.3 Initially I accidentally installed the 30oct18 image and updated which I think stuffed up the RFM with 69 sketch. I did something I found on the forums which I think flashed it back but I don’t know how to check. This is where I’m at with no inputs still: emonTx red flashing light ever…

[TrystanLea]

@borpin

I think this is a very dangerous tool to be included in the full update unless there is something to confirm the base device.

The default is for no firmware to be updated when doing a full update, so it should be safe.

You have to manually select a firmware first before running full update for the firmware to be updated.

[TrystanLea]

@boydo

do I need to do anything to the optional wifi module in order to get it to work? I just get a constant flashing light on the ESP8266 board.

Shouldn’t need to do anything. A mostly on, constant flashing light on the ESP board indicates that it is trying to connect to a WiFi network. If you click the boot button it should go back into access point mode I think and you can reconfigure…

[borpin (Brian Orpin)]

@TrystanLea

You have to manually select a firmware first before running full update for the firmware to be updated.

Does the update log, log the firmware update parameters used?

I still feel it is a high risk option that should be split out and not hidden under ‘update all’.

[TrystanLea]

@borpin

Does the update log, log the firmware update parameters used?

The log will print the type of firmware being uploaded e.g: https://github.com/openenergymonitor/EmonScripts/blob/master/update/rfm69pi.sh#L5

@borpin

I still feel it is a high risk option that should be split out and not hidden under ‘update all’.

You are probably right. Reworking that whole update section has been on the todo list for a while.

[borpin (Brian Orpin)]

@TrystanLea

The log will print the type of firmware being uploaded

But what about other types of firmware? Could the parameters passed to the update script, be included in the log to ease future debugging?

[Robert.Wall]

@boydo

Can I ask what is probably a stupid question. If I updated my EmonTX with this tool, do I need to do anything to the optional wifi module in order to get it to work?

It depends on what you updated your emonTx from. The3-phase sketch must communicate at 9600 baud or slower. That might mean the ESP8266 needs its speed changing to match. It’s all in the documentation.

[TrystanLea]

@borpin

But what about other types of firmware? Could the parameters passed to the update script, be included in the log to ease future debugging?

Yes sure, that would be good to add.

[boydo (Richard Boyd)]

Yes, just reset the ESP8266 board and reconnected cheers