HomeGrid - Stack’d Series Skybox Update Guide

Model: Skybox HG SB01 Interface
Note: This guide may not apply to previous or future firmware releases.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Pre-Update Checklist
2. Firmware Update
3. Post-Update Checklist

Pre-Update Checklist

Note: Do not proceed with the update until all the following steps have been completed:

1. Isolate the BMS from the Inverters

• Do not turn off the BMS. Instead, isolate the battery from the inverter by turning off the battery breakers on the inverter.
  
  Important: This prevents power from flowing in or out of the BMS, ensuring the update can start without issues.
  
  

2. Remove Side Panels

• Remove the right side panel(s) on the BMS units to access ports and dip switches.

3. Check the Firmware Versions

Note: Refer to the Generation Guide to determine your system's generation.

For Generation 3 BMS Controller:

1. Set the ‘INV SET’ dipswitches temporarily to: ( ON | OFF | ON | ON | ON | ON )
   
   
2. Watch the firmware versions (VER S.) on the controller. Anything older than the following needs to be updated:
   • BMS Board: 100 - 02009
   • Display Board: 101 - 01098
   • BMS Main Control Board 102 - 04007
   • Battery Module:
     • Gen 3: 03044
     • Gen 2: 02056    
       
       
       
3. Reset the ‘INV SET’ dipswitches to their original position. No power cycling required.
   
   

For Generation 2 BMS Controller (no Wi-Fi antenna port, external Skybox):

1. Power cycle the BMS and watch for the firmware version during startup.
   • The BMS will go through a sequence of 4 different versions upon startup, with the 4th screen being the Important Firmware Version.
     
     
     
2. Only the controller firmware (The most recent version being 40007) will be identified.
   
   

4. Isolate Stacks if in Parallel

• The update cannot start if the BMS is in parallel. Isolate each stack as a standalone unit before proceeding.
  
  Guide for removing/adding systems from parallel
   

5. Clear Any Errors on the BMS Display

• Ensure there are no errors displayed on the BMS (e.g., ‘Error 20’).
• If errors are present, follow the guide below to power-cycle the battery modules:
  
  

Guide for Power Cycling:

1. Press the power button OFF, located on the BMS (near the LCD display).
2. Starting with the top module, turn OFF each battery module from top to bottom.
3. Wait 30 seconds.
4. Starting with the bottom module, turn ON each battery module from bottom to top.
5. Press the power button ON, located on the BMS (near the LCD display).
   
   

Important: If any errors remain after completing the power cycle sequence, please contact HomeGrid Support at +1 725-373-5350 or support@lithionbattery.com for further assistance.

6. Confirm Dip Switch Configuration

• The ‘INV Set’ needs to be in operational mode:
  
   
• Ensure ‘ADDR Set’ is ( ON | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF ) for each standalone stack.
  • An ‘Error 19’ means the stack wasn't taken out of parallel.
    
    
• ‘IMPD Set’ should be ( OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | ON ) on all stacks.

7. Ensure Skybox Is Updated with Most Recent Firmware

Important: If you are unsure whether or not your Skybox contains the most recent firmware, please follow the Skybox Updating Guide. This will ensure that the Skybox is loaded with the most up-to-date firmware before it is used to update the BMS.

Firmware Update

Warning: Do not interact with the battery system or Skybox interface during the update, unless instructed. Doing so could "brick" a system, requiring additional tools and further support.

Step 1: Connect Communication Cables

1. Connect the communication cables between the Skybox interface and BMS Controller:
   • C-BOX-RS232 → Skybox ‘RS232’ port
   • MATE-Master-RS232 → BMS Controller ‘DBG RS232’ port
   • C-BOX-CAN\RS485 → Skybox ‘CAN\RS485’ port
   • MATE-Master-COM → BMS Controller ‘DBG COM’ port

Step 2: Double Check Prerequisites

• Ensure NO ERRORS are showing on the BMS Controller.
• Verify that the battery cannot receive/send power via the inverter.
• Verify ‘IMPD Set’ is at: ( OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | ON )
  
  

Step 3: Start the Firmware Update

1. Connect the power cable to the Skybox interface via the ‘Auxiliary Power’ port on the BMS Controller (Labeled as 'Hall Current' on older generation BMS Controllers)

   • The Skybox should beep and flash blue, indicating the update has started.
     
     
     Note: If the update has not started please go back to Step 1 to verify the cables are properly connected. Please allow up to 5 minutes for an update to begin as it can take longer to start, depending on the firmware that the BMS is currently on.
     
     

Step 4: Monitoring the Update

For Generation 2 Systems:

1. Once the update begins, a flashing blue light on the Skybox indicates the process is underway. Allow 2-3 minutes per device (BMS and each module) for the update to complete.
   
   
2. During the update, you will briefly see an 'Error 25' displayed. This is normal and signifies the BMS firmware is being updated. It should clear on its own after a few minutes.
   
   Note: If the 'Error 25' doesn’t clear within ~5+ minutes, please reach out to HomeGrid Support.
   
   
   
3. When the system moves onto updating the battery modules, the BMS display will show progress in percentages from 0% to 100% for each module being updated.
   
   
4. The screen will also show codes beginning with the number '8' followed by a digit, indicating which battery module is being updated (e.g., ‘81’ for battery module 1, ‘82’ for module 2, etc.).
   
   Note: The screenshot below shows what the display screen should look like during the module update portion of a Generation 2 Skybox update. The '81' at the top of the display indicates that Module 1 is currently being updated. The number in the center represents the progress percentage of the update, ranging from 0 to 100%. In this example, the update is at 42%. 
   
   
   
   

For Generation 3 Systems (2-Part Update: EMS & Controller):

1. Once power is connected to the Skybox interface, the system will first update the EMS firmware (~2-3 minutes).
   
   
2. A flashing blue light on the Skybox and zeros appearing on the BMS display (instead of the usual SOC, SOH values) will indicate the update is happening.
   
   
   
3. When the display returns to normal and the blue light on the Skybox stop blinking, wait at least 1 minute to ensure this portion of the update is complete.
   
   
4. Press and release (do not hold) the black ‘Button’ on the Skybox interface to resume updating the rest of the system. The blue light will blink again, and the display will return to zeros.
   
   
5. The update will now continue through the rest of the system, taking 2-3 minutes per device.
   
   

Note: Allow 2-3 minutes after the update completes for the system to return to normal operation. Once the blue light stops blinking, the update is complete.

Post-Update Checklist

1. Confirm Successful Firmware Update

• Verify the installed firmware using the process described in the checklist section.
  
  

2. After the Update

For Generation 2 Systems:

• The Skybox can be used to connect the BMS to the monitoring portal. If you would like to do this, please reach out to HomeGrid support for assistance.
  
  

For Generation 3 Systems:

• Disconnect the power and communication cables between the Skybox interface and the BMS Controller.
  
  

3. Restore System to Normal Operation:

1. Return the system to parallel operation if applicable.
   Refer to the Parallel System Guide.
   
   
2. Ensure proper dip switch settings:
   • For the Master BMS:
     • ‘INV Set’: Match the inverter or open-loop settings.
       
       
       
     • ‘ADDR Set’: ( ON | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF )
     • ‘IMPD Set’: ( OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF | ON )
       
       
   • For Follower BMS Units:
     • Reference the Paralleling Guide for the proper DIP Switch configuration for follower BMS units.
       
       
3. Verify No Errors are present on the display and that all batteries are detected.
   
   
4. Reattach the side panel(s) and restore power via 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 to the battery system. Once balanced, the battery icon(s) should stop blinking. If this persists, contact HomeGrid Support for guidance. 

For assistance, contact HomeGrid Support at +1 725-373-5350 (Weekdays 6 AM - 4 PM PST) or email support@lithionbattery.com.