Updating Stack’d Series with Skybox (HG-SB01) (August 2023/Vers 1.11)

This guide is intended for updating HomeGrid’s Stack’d Series using a Skybox (model HG SB01) interface. The information and procedures provided in this guide may not be applicable to previous or future firmware releases. This guide will cover the following:

1. Updating Skybox (HG-SB01) interface to v2.92

2. Updating EMS to v1098 (Gen 3 only)

3. Updating BMS Controller to v4007 (Gen 2 & 3)

4. Updating Battery Modules:

• Gen 2 to V2056
• Gen 3 to V3044 

CHECKLIST: (Do not proceed with updating until all the following have been completed first)

1. Check the firmware.

• Check the firmware on a stack and repeat for any stacks connected in parallel to identify any outdated firmware.

1. On Gen 3 BMS Controller (has Wi-Fi antenna port on unit)

2. Set the ‘INVERT SET’ dipswitches temporarily to (OFF|ON|OFF|OFF|OFF|OFF) and watch the firmware versions (VER S.) to appear on the controller; once identified, change the ‘INVERT SET’ back to its previous setting (BMS does not require power cycling).

2. On a Gen 2 BMS Controller (does not have Wi-Fi antenna port on unit, uses an external Skybox).

1. Power cycle the controller using the ‘Power’ button and watch for the firmware version to appear on startup. (If missed, power-cycle again if necessary)

2. Only controller firmware can be identified (ex. 30159)

2. If applicable, ISOLATE each stack to reidentify itself as a ‘standalone’ stack (For parallel battery configurations only, Gen 2 & 3).

• Turn off the BMS controller.

• Disconnect any linking cables between stacks (i.e., Link A to Link B)

• Reconfigure ‘Invert Set’ dipswitches on each stack controller to ‘Parallel Detection’ mode. 1. (OFF|ON|ON|ON|ON|ON)

• Reconfigure ‘Address Set’ dipswitches on each stack controller to ‘100000’ 1. (ON|OFF|OFF|OFF|OFF|OFF)

• Reconfigure ‘Imped Set’ dipswitches on each stack controller to ‘000001’ 1. (OFF|OFF|OFF|OFF|OFF|ON)

• Power on the controller back ON with the new dipswitch settings listed above

1. The stack will start-up and should display a code ‘62’ near the top and a ‘1’ indicating it has reidentified itself as a ‘standalone’ stack. Please allow a few minutes for the stack to configure itself and reflect ‘1’ as its new value.

• The stack is now ‘isolated’ or in ‘standalone’ mode.

• Change ‘INVERT SET’ back to the previous setting and restart the BMS.

1. For MASTER controllers operating in a closed loop, this most likely is a setting for a specific inverter (i.e., Sol-Ark ON|OFF|ON|ON|OFF|OFF). 2. For SLAVE controllers, this is ON|OFF|OFF|OFF|OFF|OFF.

2. Switch off the battery breaker at the inverter(s) (required).

3. Ensure there are NO ERRORS displayed on BMS Display (Clear before starting update)

• If necessary, power-cycle the battery module to clear errors. (i.e., battery module with an ‘error 20’).

4. Contact HomeGrid Support directly at 725-373-5350 (Weekdays 6 am-4 pm PST) if you have any questions or require further assistance.

CAUTION: DO NOT interrupt or interact with the battery system or the Skybox interface (unless indicated) while an update is in progress; you could potentially ‘brick’ a unit of the system, requiring additional tools and delaying full operability of a system. Please contact HomeGrid Support if you are uncertain or require assistance with an update. 

Note: If you have received a Skybox directly from HomeGrid Support recently, it most likely already has the latest firmware uploaded, however, if you are unsure or have had one for a while before this publication; please follow this guide for instructions on how to update your Skybox with the latest firmware; otherwise go to STEP 8 to proceed with updating a system if your Skybox already has the latest firmware.

 The latest firmware is available at www.homegridenergy.com/downloads, or via email by contacting HomeGrid Support.

Under ‘Support Center’, select ‘Latest Firmware’. 

Note: A Windows computer is required for all HomeGrid-related software and file management of firmware files. (Mac OS systems currently not supported) 

After downloading the ‘Latest Firmware’ folder, extract the contents and locate the necessary firmware using the folder.

hierarchy provided below:

1. Latest_Firmware-7.13.23

2. Stack’d Series

1. EMS_V2_firmware_3001_1.1_V1.098-Lithion.bin

2. FS-48-100-15-V2.056.bin

3. FS-48-100-15-V3.044.bin

4. SkyBox_Ems_firmware_3000_2.1_V2.092.bin

5. V3-Mate-V40007-15S_2001_3.0-Lithion.bin Note: The steps listed below SHOULD be followed to ensure proper set-up and installation.

Note: The steps listed below SHOULD be followed to ensure proper set-up and installation. 

SECTION 1: UPDATING FIRMWARE ON AN EXISTING CONNECTED SKYBOX OR A SKYBOX WITH UNKNOWN/OUTDATED FIRMWARE (STEPS 1-6) 

STEP 1: DOWNLOAD AND COPY FIRMWARE TO USB DRIVE (FORMATTED FAT32).

Copy and paste ONLY the firmware files into a BLANK USB thumb drive. Do not copy and paste any folder(s) containing the firmware or other unrelated files as this will not work. Only the firmware files (.bin) need to be copied. 

STEP 2: CONNECT POWER TO THE SKYBOX INTERFACE. Connect power to the Skybox interface using the ‘Hall Current’ port on the BMS Controller with the included power cable in your Skybox kit.

• If a Skybox is already connected to an existing system, then DISCONNECT the two data COM cables (RS232 & COM) to isolate the Skybox. Only leave the power cable (green connectors on each end) connected. 

Note: You may need to remove the cover on the ‘Hall Current’ port if inaccessible. 

STEP 3: CLEAR THE SKYBOX INTERFACE. Clear the Skybox interface of any outdated or unknown preloaded firmware, by pressing and holding the black button labeled ‘Button’, until you hear a beep, then release.

 STEP 4: INSERT USB DRIVE. Insert the USB thumb drive containing firmware from STEP 1. 

Note: It will typically take a few minutes upon inserting the USB for this uploading process to complete; Do not interrupt; wait until the blue light indicator on the Skybox interface has stopped blinking for at least 30 seconds.

STEP 5: VERIFY FIRMWARE UPLOADED TO SKYBOX INTERFACE. Remove the USB thumb drive and reinsert it. 

Note: Listen for 2 beeps from the Skybox interface and a solid blue light after reinserting; this indication confirms the firmware on the Skybox interface matches the firmware detected on the USB thumb drive. 

STEP 6: REMOVE THE USB DRIVE. 

STEP 7: REMOVE POWER TO SKYBOX INTERFACE. Temporarily disconnect power to the Skybox interface by detaching the power cable from the Skybox to the BMS. 

SECTION 2: START HERE IF THE SKYBOX ALREADY HAS UPDATED FIRMWARE (PREINSTALLED OR FROM ABOVE STEPS) OR PROCEEDING WITH UPDATING ANOTHER STACK IN A PARALLEL SYSTEM SETUP (STEPS 8-12) 

STEP 8: CONNECT THE SKYBOX COM CABLES Connect the 2 communication cables between the Skybox interface and the BMS Controller. 

Note: The required cables in this step are specifically labeled on each end to ensure proper connection and operation; double-check these connections before proceeding further.

1. The cable with the end labeled ‘CBOX RS232’ connects to the ‘RS232’ port of the Skybox Interface.

1. The opposite end of the cable labeled ‘MATE Master RS232’ connects to the ‘DBG RS232’ port of the BMS Controller.

1. The cable with the end labeled ‘CBOX CAN\RS485’ connects to the ‘CAN\RS485’ port of the Skybox interface.

1. The opposite end of the cable labeled ‘MATE Master-COM’ connects to the ‘DBG COM’ port on the BMS Controller. 

STEP 9: CLEAR ANY ERRORS. Double-check that there are NO ERRORS showing on the BMS Controller and that all batteries are detected and not blinking, before attempting any update. 

STEP 10: START THE UPDATE BY CONNECTING POWER TO SKYBOX INTERFACE. Start the firmware update by connecting the power cable to the Skybox interface via the ‘Hall Current’ port on BMS Controller (Upon powering on the Skybox interface, the Skybox should beep and flash blue indicating the update has started.

• If the update has not started, go back to STEP 7 and verify the cables are connected to the correct ports. Making corrections to the connections between the Skybox and BMS is not recommended and could potentially cause issues. Please follow STEP 7 if you suspect your connections may be incorrect. 

For Gen 2 Systems:

Once power has been connected to the Skybox interface, allow the entire update process to complete. 

Note: You may briefly see ‘Error 25’ during the update, this is normal and should clear on its own. 

Note: If the side panels for the battery modules are removed, watch for a flashing green light near the switch on the battery module itself; this should indicate the battery is currently being updated. It takes approximately 2-3 minutes for each battery module to update. Once a system update is fully complete you should notice the display on the BMS showing SOC and SOH information as before. The blue light on the Skybox should also have stopped blinking and disappeared.

Note: You may notice numerical values increasing on the controller. This indicates progress for each unit being updated. 

Note: You may notice a code starting with number ‘8’. This number is followed by another digit that indicates which battery module is being updated (ex, 81 is battery module #1, 82 is battery module #2)

 For Gen 3 systems (2 Part Update): EMS and Controller 

Once power has been connected to the Skybox interface, the Skybox will begin updating the display component (EMS firmware) of the controller.

Note: Allow a couple of minutes for the display to update. SOC and SOH information will reappear after the display is updated; however, the system update is not complete, see note below.

Note: The next step is required to continue updating the rest of the system (BMS Controller, Battery Modules).

Note: Wait at least a minute before pressing (Do not hold) the black button labeled ‘Button’ on the Skybox interface to resume updating the rest of the system. 

Note: Throughout the updating process, you may notice the BMS Controller alternates between a ‘0’ value and normal operating information such as SOC and SOH. This is normal during an update and may continue this behavior throughout the update. Please allow time for the update to be fully complete (blue light on Skybox OFF), If unsure, contact HomeGrid Support. 

STEP 11: CHECK FIRMWARE HAS BEEN UPDATED. Check that the system has successfully installed the firmware (Refer to the procedure in the ‘CHECKLIST: BEFORE YOU BEGIN’ section at the top for instructions on how to check the installed firmware).

STEP 12: DISCONNECT SKYBOX INTERFACE (For Gen 3 BMS Only) Disconnect power and communication cables between the Skybox interface and the BMS Controller. Repeat SECTION 2, STEP 8, to update any additional stacks connected in parallel.

SECTION 3: RESTORING THE SYSTEM TO NORMAL OPERATING CONFIGURATION (STEPS 13-17) STEP 13: REESTABLISH COMS BETWEEN STACKS (For parallel configuration only).

Reconnect all linking cables previously disconnected between stacks (i.e., Link A to Link B) 

Note: After an update, it is necessary to reestablish parallel communication within a system by enabling ‘Parallel Detection’ on the MASTER controller.

1. Turn OFF all BMS controllers and set ‘INVERT SET’ on the MASTER controller to OFF|ON|ON|ON|ON|ON.

1. ALL connected SLAVE BMS units will have the same ‘INVERT SET’ settings (ON|OFF|OFF|OFF|OFF|OFF).

2. Set ‘Address Set’ dipswitches on SLAVE stacks to the previous setting.

1. SLAVE stack #1 (#2 UP, #1,3,4,5,6 DWN)

2. SLAVE stack #2 (#1,2 UP, #3,4,5,6 DWN)

3. SLAVE stack #3 (#3 UP, #1,2,4,5,6 DWN)

4. SLAVE stack #4 (#1,3 UP, #2,4,5,6 DWN)

5. SLAVE stack #5 (#2,3 UP, #1,4,5,6 DWN)

6. SLAVE stack #6 (#1,2,3 UP, #4,5,6 DWN)

7. SLAVE stack #7 (#4 UP, #1,2,3,5,6 DWN)

8. See Stack’d Series reference guide for additional settings.

1. Available at https://www.homegridenergy.com/downloads

3. Start by powering the last SLAVE controller first, then wait 10 seconds before proceeding with turning on the next SLAVE or MASTER controller (MASTER BMS is always last to be turned on).

4. Verify on the MASTER controller that it displays a code ‘61’ and the correct number of total stacks it detected including itself (Ex. ‘61 & 5’ for a 5-stack system). 

STEP 14: RESTORE DIPSWITCH SETTINGS. 

Restore all dipswitch settings and ensure they are correct for their configuration.

1. Restore ‘INVERT SET’ dipswitches to the previous setting.

1. For single stack systems and designated MASTER controllers, this setting corresponds to the inverter being used (i.e., Sol-Ark #1,3,4 UP, #2,5,6 DWN).

2. For ALL SLAVE stacks (#1 UP, #2-6 DWN)

2. For ALL BMS units MUST have the ‘IMPED SET’ to OFF|OFF|OFF|OFF|OFF|ON

STEP 15: VERIFY NO ERRORS AFTER THE UPDATE. 

Verify that no errors are present, and all batteries are detected and not blinking on BMS Controller. 

STEP 16: REATTACH SIDE PANEL(S). 

STEP 17: RESTORE POWER VIA THE BATTERY BREAKER ON THE INVERTER. 

Note: After an update, you may notice some battery indicators blinking (~1 second) on the controller. This may happen with systems that were not at 100% SOC at the time of update. It will be necessary to allow the system to balance out once power is restored via to the battery system. Once balanced, the battery icon should stop blinking. The time it takes to balance out will vary but typically no more than 10 minutes. If this persists, contact HomeGrid Support for guidance. 

The update is complete. 

Contact HomeGrid Support directly at 725-373-5350 (Weekdays 6 am-4 pm PST) if you have any questions or require further assistance.