Are there any more specific details available yet regarding which Pytes batteries are supported? And whether bootloader updates are also possible? The situation with firmware updates for Pytes is a bit complicated—(anyone who has dealt with this before knows what I mean).
Hi @trebtrab
I do know what you mean.
I’m working on the documentation for this, but also welcome any contributions from users, even if that is specific information they want the documentation to cover.
Oh cool! Danke für die Antwort!
ich schreibe mal in Deutsch, es gibt hier da Übersetzungsfunktion 
Nja, EIGENTLICH sollte das ja Aufgabe von Pytes sein, das mal irgendwie ordentlich zu Dokumentieren, aber ich erwähne es trotzdem mal:
In meinem Kommentar geht’s es nur um die e-box 48100-R
Grundlegend wissen muss man: Es gibt Hardware-Version A, Version B und Version C.
Version C gibt es mit C8 und mit C16 Firmare. das bedeutet man kann 8 bzw. 16 Module an einem Bus ohne Hub verbinden.
C8 Versionen sind NICHT mit C16 Versionen kompatibel. Der Bootloader muss VOR der installation einer Firmware ggf. auch aktualisiert werden (je nachdem), im Zweifel kann man ansonsten die Battery bricken.
Soweit mein WISSEN, ab jetzt kommt Halbwissen und fragen:
Version B muss man immer jedes Modul einzeln updaten, Version C ab irgendeiner bestimmten Version (?) nicht mehr, da genügt es den Master zu updaten. Das hängt aber auch mit dem Bootloader zusammen. (?)
Thema mischen von Hardwareversionen:
Es gibt einen Hub, mit diesem kann man auf alle Fälle Hardwareversionen mischen. Aber auch der Hub hat eine spezielle Firmware.
Offenbar kann man die Hardware-Version B mit der Version C auch ohne den Hub “mischen”, aber nur mit einer bestimmten Firmware (welche?).
Irgendwie gibt es selbst für die Version B eine “C16” Firmware - aber heißt das dann, das man auch bis zu 16 Stück an einen Bus anschließen kann, von der Version B? Oder bedeutet das lediglich, das man eben bis zu 8 Version B mit Version C mischen kann, wenn die C-Version eben die C16 Firmware hat? Es scheint wohl auch damit zusammen zu hängen, wer der Master ist. Also es muss Wohl eine Version C der Master sein, sonst gehts mischen wohl gar nicht. s
Mit der Version A kann man wohl gar nicht mischen, allein schon weil die RJ11 statt RJ45 Buchsen für den Bus haben!?
Ob man seine Version nun bei Pytesusa.com, pytesess.com oder pytesenergy.hu herunterladen muss (denn auf allen seiten gibt es unterschiedliche Firmwarestände, teilweise sind die Zeitstempel von Versionen mit niedrigerer Build-Nr. neuer als von den höheren Nummern). Welche Software also die neuste ist, ist nicht klar. Ebenso nicht, welche denn nun die “richtige” ist, je nachdem welche Version man hat und so weiter. Von den Bootloader Versionen will ich gar nicht anfangen.
Also kurz zum Abschluss: eine Doku, die Licht in diesen extreme Chaos bringt wäre wirklich hilfreich! Aber ich betone nochmal: Das ist ja eigentlich nicht eure Aufgabe als Firma Victron!
Was ich aber eher noch in der Victron Anleitung sehe wäre eher die DC-Verkabelung:
Wenn man eine vorhandene Pytes Batterie erweitert. Sagen wir 4 Stück sind vorhanden, jeweils 2 Parallel mit kurzen kabeln und dann einem langem zur Busbar (da wiederrum Plus und Minus “über Kreuz”. Kauft man nun 4 neue dazu, sollte man diese dann einfach “daneben”, wieder genauso verdrahten?
Oder unter die vorhanden drunter “mischen”, also immer eine alte und eine neue an einem Kabel?
Solche Dinge wären auch hilfreich!
Dankeschön!
The biggest question I currently have is if Pytes batteries can be firmware updated over the CAN port or only via the (optional) Wifi connection.
The E-Box 48100R battery will probably not be supported at all, as this battery’s firmware needs to be updated per battery over the serial console port.
All other batteries either come with Wifi or can add a module (via the IoT port on the v5 series).
Yes, it happens over CAN and does not require the WiFi dongle.
The E-box is supported and FW versions for Ebox for at least the last year allow updating all Ebox batteries in a single stack to be updated from only the master battery in that stack. I just did it yesterday. However, you can’t initiate the FW update this way via a hub if you have a large battery system.
Your batteries need to be on the following firmware for this to work via VRM:
48100R: 1.5.34.C16
V5: 1.10.35.C16
So, you will need to update your existing installed base to at least these FW versions before you can start using VRM in the future. This is a nice feature that will make supporting Pytes installations much easier once you get FW updated to minimum levels.
Nice !
My 48100R stack is the B version, currently at firmware 1.3.32.
I have the latest 1.3.35.C16 firmware on file but haven’t installed it yet since I’m confused by the “C16”, since B version only supports 8 batteries in a stack as far as I know.
Seems this special version adds support for 16 batteries in a stack.
Edit: from PytesBat I can see that the E-Box 48100R version C can be updated through the Master battery but versions A and B need to be updated individually, as I posted earlier.
So I’m guessing that we are both correct?
Could be. There is a particular process to get from B firmware to C. I did that a couple of years ago and have been on C since. But even early C required battery by battery updates. We’ve been selling V series since they first arrived so my memory isn’t clear on when it all changed.
Thank you for your detailed message, and you raise valid points about documentation. Let us clarify our current position.
The E-Box 48100R versions A, B, and C8 are older generations and are no longer in production. The latest version is C16, which is currently in production.
Connecting old (A/B/C8) and new (C16) batteries in the same system is a special case. It can be done, but it is tricky – as you correctly noted. The safest approach is to contact us directly with your exact hardware revision and firmware details. We will help you step by step. Please do not attempt mixing without our guidance.
Regarding remote firmware updates: For now, versions A, B, and C8 do not support remote firmware updates. Newer batteries (including C16) do support remote firmware updates through Victron VRM. We have tested this feature and are currently preparing a user guide for our customers.
Hi, 48100R B version can’t be updated with C16 firmware, please don’t proceed with it.
Yes, latest version of batteries (C16) can support this function.
Yes, correct
Thank you for correcting my error. I now remember that my Ebox batteries were originally shipped with C8 firmware (NOT B) and there was a process to migrate to C16 firmware. That was two plus years ago.
yes C8 can be updated to C16 firmware.
Answering my own question as a conclusion:
Supported Models: Pytes e-Box 48100-C16 (only those that shipped with the C16 firmware) and all V-Series batteries.
There are 3 hardware versions for the E-Box 48100R:
- A: max 8 batteries in a stack, no remote firmware upgrade, no longer manufactured
- B: max 8 batteries in a stack, no remote firmware upgrade, no longer manufactured
Possibly there’s a special firmware to support 16 batteries in a version B stack, but this would need to be confirmed by @PytesEnergy - C: max 16 batteries in a stack, remote firmware upgrade possible, current manufactured version
Firmware can be flashed to C16 (16 batteries in a stack, requires all batteries in the stack to be hardware version C) or C8 (8 batteries in a stack) for backwards compatibility with existing hardware version A or B batteries.
Alternative way to mix hardware version A or B with C is by using a Hub.
you are right.
A, B, C8 version all these batteries can only do 8 batteries in stack. In order to connect more than 8 we recommend using a hub. some special firmware for older versions to support 16 batteries.
Hello.
Can I upload a firmware 1.10.33.C16 ? (I found it here https://www.pytesusa.com/Download-Center/)
I’m on 1.10.27 (v27.1)
Pytes V5, 2 batteries in parallel.
I helped Victron doing the first tests of updating via VRM and the last FW version I have for the V5 is 10.33.
Now you are saying that it needs to be 10.35 and above for this feature.
The last version you can find to download on pytesusa.com is 10.33.
On pytesenergy.hu you find an even older FW (10.22).
On pytesess.com you can’t find any FW downloads and this “Upgrade my System” site is empty.
Also no FW downloads on pyteseu.com and pytes.au.
I like Pytes batteries but you really need to improve the way to distribute FW files (and other software), it’s hard to find on your different websites.
Why do you have 6 different websites all with different design and content?
Hi @M_Lange
Sorry for the inconvenience. You can either provide us with your email or reach out to Pytes ESS Support directly, and we will share the 10.35 firmware version with you. Regarding the availability of firmware files, we will hold an internal discussion on how to improve this process.
You may email Pytes Technical Support at any time, and we will provide the relevant firmware versions. For the latest firmware, we recommend contacting us directly