Can't copy the updated firmware files onto SD card

[pioneerMan]

The only difference from the demonstration video for this process is that I use a Mac instead of a PC. My Mac can easily read the contents of the SD card. But when I try to copy the files associated with the newest firmware, I am unable to drag/drop them into place in the Finder. My mouse pointer turns into a forbidden icon. I'm sure I'm not the only Mac user here. The tiny switch on the SD card doesn't appear to be in the "lock" position.

How can I get this to work?

Thank you.

[raysun]

What is the capacity of the SD card?

Can the Mac format the card FAT32?

Example for PC:
https://youtu.be/mCW4re9nPqY

I've never used a Mac so can't say if this is useful but:
https://support.mygeeni.com/hc/en-us/ar ... in-Mac-OS-

[pioneerMan]

It's a 16GB card with plenty of space, as only 11MB are being used. It also shows that its already using the FAT32 format.

[raysun]

It's a 16GB card with plenty of space, as only 11MB are being used. It also shows that its already using the FAT32 format.


disk.jpg

Yes, I sort of expected both of those things to be the case, however, the Mac having problems writing to the card sounds like - a Mac problem. Sometimes that sort of issue is resolved by reformatting the media using the machine that will do the writing.

Like I mentioned, I've never touched a Mac so don't know for sure what might work for it.

[provo]

Yes, the card should be reformatted using the Disk Utility as described in raysun's second link above. You might even have to do it twice, and you may have to try a different SD card. You may also have to use the "bootloader" method once the data seems to have been copied correctly to the card.

The process can be a real pain, but I've always been able to upgrade firmware this way, eventually. My only computers are a mid-2014 MacBook Pro and an iPhone 11. The iPhone only pretends to be a phone, it's actually a computer, faster than my Mac :-)

[pioneerMan]

Okay I'm back on this topic again. After working with Apple technical support I found out the reason why I couldn't save the new firmware files onto my SD disk that came with the Mate. It was due to having a little card reader device that was broken. Once I inserted the SD disk right into the SD slot on the back of my iMac the problem was solved.

But the overall issue, unfortunately, is not solved. Once I copied the files over onto the card I then tried to update the Mate. But here is what I get on the screen:

Thank you in advance for any useful suggestions.

[raysun]

Double check that the files are written to the SD cards file system in the arrangement specified by Outback and that all the files are there.

I don't know anything about Macs but assume they have some internal method to assure they haven't written the files as corrupted binaries, so assuming that's true, and the file layout is per Outback specs, you might try the "Bootloader" method of loading the code.

•Insert the SD card into the Mate SD card slot.
•Power down the Mate by unplugging it from the Hub or Inverter.
•Press and hold the UP key on the Mate, and power up the Mate by plugging it back in.
•Continue pressing the UP key until a message appears saying the firmware is loading. At that point release the UP key.

[sbrownian]

The card has been formatted as FAT32, right?

[pioneerMan]

Yes, the card was using the FAT format. So even though that error was on the screen, I decided to just try the Update button anyway and it worked in the end. I had to manually reboot the Mate, but this is what it shows now:

Although the Mate3s is definitely an upgrade from the old version I had, I'm still not a big fan of its user interface. It feels clunky and some menus/screens are not intuitive. Just say'n.

[raysun]

Yes, the card was using the FAT format. So even though that error was on the screen, I decided to just try the Update button anyway and it worked in the end. I had to manually reboot the Mate, but this is what it shows now:


upgraded.jpeg


Although the Mate3s is definitely an upgrade from the old version I had, I'm still not a big fan of its user interface. It feels clunky and some menus/screens are not intuitive. Just say'n.

The Mate UI comes from the industrial process control old-school, someone who's used to the Apple Rainbows and Unicorn farts style of interface is going to find the Mate clunky, no doubt.

Glad you could get the firmware updated.

[Sparkey]

This is why I prefer to use the Optics interface via a web interface screen and click away with my mouse then stand at the controller shuffling thru menus.. There are a few things that require direct input and can't be done remotely like firmware updates but for the most part the Optics interface is way better..

[raysun]

This post was specifically about Mate firmware update, so Optics is not relevant.

[KelleyB]

I am trying to do my first firmware update. We've had our Outback Solar Grid tied system for 10 years now. My honey died and now I am in charge and an slowly learning. It is HUGE undertaking. Should have come with a Course.
So the sd card says it doesn't have enough space for the entire update and I need more space. Should I...delete the contents of the sd card that came with my system? or...start with a new sd card? Not sure if the updates piggy back on the original info which came on the sd card or if it manually deletes it and installs the new firmward update. Thanks in advance for any info shared. Kelley

[raysun]

So the sd card says it doesn't have enough space for the entire update and I need more space. Should I...delete the contents of the sd card that came with my system? or...start with a new sd card? Not sure if the updates piggy back on the original info which came on the sd card or if it manually deletes it and installs the new firmward update. Thanks in advance for any info shared.

The Mate firmware updates can be written onto the original SD card.

If the SD card has been in the Mate's SD card slot the whole time, then it will have accumulated log files written by the Mate. Those files may or may not be of any interest to you. (In over 6 years of operation, I've looked at the logs a handful of times. Others faithfully download and accumulate them.)

Outback's FAQ has one reformatting the SD card (the "nuclear option" for creating space), and copying the new firmware files to it.
https://enersysservice.force.com/Outbac ... s-firmware

[Mike Curran]

I have never used the log files on the Mate SD card, and I've had various versions of the Mate controller since 2007. My advice is to reformat the card and reuse it for the firmware update.