Setting up HomeGrid Firmware and Tools (Version 2.0)

Setting up HomeGrid Firmware and Tools (Version 2.0)

Use this guide to install the necessary drivers (USBCAN, RS485, RS232, etc.)  for monitoring and troubleshooting of HomeGrid battery systems. 

Prerequisites: 

1. Windows computer (Mac OS currently not supported)
2. Internet Connection for downloading ‘HomeGrid Firmware & Tools’ (Approximately 480MB)

DOWNLOADING AND EXTRACTING HOMEGRID FIRMWARE & TOOLS 

Visit HomeGrid’s Website at www.homegridenergy.com; select ‘Resources’ and select ‘Downloads’ on the drop-down menu. (Figure 1)

Figure 1

Under ‘Support Center’ and select ‘HomeGrid Firmware & Tools’ to download. (Figure 2)

Figure 2

Once the download has been completed, navigate to the downloaded folder. In most cases by default, downloads are saved in the ‘Downloads’ folder on your computer as shown below. (Figure 3)

Figure 3

Right-click on the downloaded folder and select ‘Extract All’. (Figure 4)

Note: It is important to ensure the downloaded folder has been extracted before continuing. Issues could arise from improper setup. It is recommended that you change the location of where you extract your files.  We recommend that you extract it to your desktop for ease of access.Figure 4

Set the destination for extraction by selecting ‘Browse’ (Figure 5)Figure 5

Select ‘Desktop’ as the destination and then select ‘Select Folder’. (Figure 6)Figure 6

Verify the selected location (Desktop recommended) and then press ‘Extract’ to confirm. (Figure 7)Figure 7

Allow extraction to complete. (Figure 8)Figure 8

After extraction is complete, you’ll notice the ‘HomeGrid Firmware Tools’ folder has been created.  (Figure 9)Figure 9

Open the created folder and the subsequent folders until you see 3 folders – ‘EMS Tools - Software for Configuring Battery System, Latest Firmware, Upgrade Tools’. (Figure 10)Figure 10

INSTALLING ENVIRONMENT FOR HG SUPPORT TOOLS – (PART 1) 

Start by opening the ‘EMS Tools - Software for Configuring Battery System’ folder.  (Figure 11)Figure 11

Notice two folders, ‘Environment for HG Support Tools’ appears to be ‘zipped’. (Figure 12)Figure 12

Extract the contents of this folder onto your Desktop by right-clicking and selecting ‘Extract All’. (Figure 13) Figure 13

Set the destination for extraction by selecting ‘Browse’ (Figure 14)Figure 14

Select ‘Desktop’ as the destination and then select ‘Select Folder’. (Figure 15)Figure 15

Verify the selected location (Desktop recommended) and then press ‘Extract’ to confirm. (Figure 16)Figure 16

Allow extraction to complete. (Figure 17)Figure 17

After extraction is complete, you’ll notice the ‘Environment for HG Support Tools’ folder has been created at the destination you designated. (Figure 18)Figure 18

Open the ‘Environment for HG Support Tools’ folder then open the ‘LVRTE2018SP1_f4Patchstd’ folder. (Figure 19)Figure 19

Open the ‘setup’ application file. (Figure 20) Figure 20

Select ‘Next>>’ to proceed. (Figure 21)Figure 21

Accept the default ‘Destination Directory’ and select ‘Next>>’ to continue. (Figure 22)Figure 22

Accept default ‘Features’ to install by selecting ‘Next>>’ (Figure 23)Figure 23

Deselect the checkmark when you see the screen below as it is not necessary for this setup.  Press ‘Next>>’ to proceed. Note: If checkmark is left selected, wait until the ‘Next>>’ becomes available again to continue. (Figure 24).Figure 24

Select ‘I accept the License Agreement’ and select ‘Next>>’ to continue. (Figure 25)Figure 25

Select ‘Disable Windows fast startup to prevent problems with installing or removing hardware’ and select ‘Next>>’ to continue. (Figure 26)Figure 26

Select ‘Next>>’ to start the installation. (Figure 27)Figure 27

Allow the installation to finish. (Figure 28)Figure 28

Select ‘Next>>’ once the installation has been completed. (Figure 29)Figure 29

Note: Before selecting ‘Restart’, save any unsaved work on your computer first.

Select ‘Restart’ as shown below to proceed to the next step of installation. (Figure 30)Figure 30

EXTRACTING AND INSTALLING ENVIRONMENT FOR HG SUPPORT TOOLS – (PART 3) 

After restarting, navigate back to the ‘Environment for HG Support Tools’ folder on your desktop (Figure 31)  Figure 31

Select and open the ‘NIVISA1800runtime’ folder. (Figure 32)Figure 32

Select and run the ‘setup’ application. (Figure 33)Figure 33

Upon opening the ‘setup’ application, you will see a dialog box like the one below.  Select ‘Next>>’ to continue. (Figure 34)Figure 34

Accept the default destination for the directory by selecting ‘Next>>’. (Figure 35)Figure 35

Accept default features being installed by selecting ‘Next>>’. (Figure 36)Figure 36

Deselect the checkmark when you see the prompt below as it is not necessary for this setup.  Press ‘Next>>’ to continue. (Note: If the checkmark is left selected, wait until the ‘Next>>’ becomes available again to continue. (Figure 37)Figure 37

Select ‘I accept the above 2 License Agreement(s)’ and select ‘Next>>’ to proceed. Select ‘Next>>’. (Figure 38)Figure 38

Accept the default selection for ‘Always trust software from National Instruments Corporation’ and select ‘Next>>’. (Figure 39)Figure 39

Select ‘Next>>’ to begin installation (Figure 40) Figure 40

Allow for installation to complete. (Figure 41)Figure 41

After installation is complete, select ‘Finish’ to close the window. (Figure 42)Figure 42

Note: Before selecting ‘Restart’, save any work on your computer first. Select ‘Restart’ (Figure 43)Figure 43

INSTALLING DRIVERS – RS232 (PART 1) 

After restarting, open the folder located on your desktop called ‘HomeGrid Firmware Tools’. (Figure 44)Figure 44

Locate and open the ‘Upgrade Tools’ folder. (Figure 45) Figure 45

Open the ‘Drivers’ folder. (Figure 46)Figure 46

Open the ‘RS232 DRIVERS’ folder. (Figure 47)Figure 47

Select and open the ‘CDM21226_Setup.exe’ application file to begin the ‘RS232’ driver install.  (Figure 48)Figure 48

Upon opening the application file, a dialog box should appear. Select ‘Extract’ to continue. (Figure 49)Figure 49

After extracting, select ‘Next>’ to continue. (Figure 50)Figure 50

Select ‘I accept this agreement’ and select ‘Next>’. (Figure 51)Figure 51

Upon completion, select ‘Finish’. No restart is necessary. (Figure 52)Figure 52

INSTALLING DRIVERS – RS485 (PART 2) 

Select and open the ‘Upgrade Tools’ folder in the ‘Homegrid Firmware Tools’ folder. (Figure 53)Figure 53

Select and open the ‘Drivers’ folder. (Figure 54)Figure 54

Select and open the ‘RS485 DRIVERS’ folder. (Figure 55)Figure 55

Select and open the ‘CH34x_Install_Windows_v3_4.EXE’ application file. (Figure 56)Figure 56

Select ‘INSTALL’ to begin. (Figure 57)Figure 57

Press ‘OK’ when installation is complete. No restart is necessary. (Figure 58)Figure 58

INSTALLING DRIVERS – USBCAN DRIVER 1 (PART 3) 

Locate and open the ‘Upgrade Tools’ folder in the ‘Homegrid Firmware Tools’. (Figure 59)Figure 59

Select and open the ‘Drivers’ folder. (Figure 60)Figure 60

Select and open the ‘USBCAN DRIVERS’ folder. (Figure 61)Figure 61

Select and open ‘DRIVER 1’. (Figure 62)Figure 62

Select ‘More Info’ to override the prompt. (Figure 63)Figure 63

Select ‘Run anyway’ to continue. (Figure 64)Figure 64

Select ‘Next>’ to continue with the setup. (Figure 65)Figure 65

Accept the default installation location and select ‘Install’ to continue. (Figure 66)Figure 66

Select ‘Finish’ when installation is complete.   No restart is necessary. (Figure 67)Figure 67

INSTALLING DRIVERS – USBCAN DRIVER 2 (PART 4) 

Locate and open the ‘Upgrade Tools’ folder in the ‘Homegrid Firmware Tools’ folder to set up. (Figure 68)Figure 68

Select and open the ‘Drivers’ folder. (Figure 69)Figure 69

Select and open the ‘USBCAN DRIVERS’ folder. (Figure 70)Figure 70

Select and open ‘DRIVER 2’. (Figure 71)Figure 71

Select ‘Next>’ to continue. (Figure 72)Figure 72

Accept the default installation location and select ‘Install’ to continue. (Figure 73)Figure 73

Allow the installation to finish. (Figure 74)Figure 74

Select ‘? (Y)’ to continue. (Figure 75)Figure 75

Uncheck ‘Run CANTest 2.27’ and select ‘Finish’. No restart is necessary. (Figure 76)

Figure 76

Setup of ‘HomeGrid Firmware and Tools’ Complete. Contact HomeGrid Support for further assistance.