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v5.32
Last updated on

Firmware Management

Firmware updates are essential to ensure that your Charge Controller remains secure, stable, and up to date with the latest features. This guide outlines all available methods for updating the firmware on Bender Charge Controllers.

Depending on your system setup and level of access, there are several ways to install updates:

  • Automatically via an OCPP-compliant Backend
  • Locally via USB stick
  • Through the device’s user interface
  • Remotely via SSH using OPKG

Each method is explained in detail, including prerequisites, safety instructions, and step-by-step procedures—allowing you to confidently apply the update in the way that fits your setup best.

1. Prerequisites​

You need a current firmware version in the form of a '.deb' file, which, as an Bender customer, you receive through your SVN access at https://office.elinc.de/svn/ebee/XChange/Releases/. You can also obtain the required version through a service ticket.

danger
  • Do not interrupt the update process under any circumstances, as an incomplete update will render the controller unusable and must be sent in
  • No downgrades are possible

2. Updating via the Backend​

Usually, Firmware updates occur automatically with Backend connection. If this is not the case for you, provide the '.deb' file of the current firmware version to your Backend operator and contact them for assistance. For more information read here.

3. Updating via the USB-Stick​

USB stick config

You need an empty USB stick formatted with the Windows FAT32 file system

This method enables a local firmware update without backend or network access. The controller reads the update file directly from a USB stick and installs it automatically.

Ensure the USB stick is correctly formatted and contains the required files. The following steps describe the exact procedure.

  1. Log in to the Config UI using the Operator Login Credentials
  2. Under SYSTEM > USB security USB Firmware Update On
  3. Save the firmware update installation file in ".deb" format in the root directory of the USB stick (alongside the password file, if not present create a .txt file that holds the manufacturer password and name it "USB_PASSWORD") under the name "sw_update.deb"
  4. Insert the USB stick into the Charge Controller and wait until the update is completed. The entire process may take up to 15 minutes. You can monitor the update status based on the three LED lights of the controller

After a successful update, the controller will automatically restart. If no further actions are prompted by the stick, then the process is complete. The controller will indicate this by having the green "READY" LED blink rapidly. You can then remove the USB stick.

attention

If two charging points are connected with a USB cable (as in the case of an ebee dual charging station) and you insert the USB stick into the gateway controller, the update will be automatically applied to both charging points. If you wish to avoid this, you can save an empty file on your USB stick with the name "FW_UPDATE_LOCAL". This file should also not have a file extension.

3.1. USB Stick Features​

To automatically configure the controller using a USB flash drive, the USB Config Update function under SYSTEM > USB Security must be enabled in the Operator Menu.

The simplest method is to extract log files from a properly configured Charge Controller using the user interface or SSH. These settings will appear as individual files in the persistency folder.

  1. To change them, you edit the files in the persistency folder with a text editor. A list of all the parameters and their setting range, you can find under DOCUMENTATION > OCPP Keys on the user interface.
  1. Save all modified parameters or files in a newly created folder named sw_config in the root directory of the USB stick.
info

Only parameters that do not correspond to the controller's basic settings are saved.
Do not edit the second line. The versioning code must remain unchanged.

  1. Delete all other files and folders on the stick except the password file.
  1. When you plug the stick into the controller to be configured, the controller will automatically adopt all the parameters from the sw_config folder and overwrite the old settings. After rebooting the controller, you can remove the stick.
caution

Do not transfer the following configuration files, as they are specific to each Charge Controller. Ignoring this will lead to configuration errors and disruption of service.

  • ActuatorType_vehicleif
  • ChargePointUUID_ocpp
  • CurrentMonth_dl
  • DataConsumptionLastMonth_dl
  • DataConsumption_dl
  • HeartBeatInterval_ocpp
  • MeterSerial_meter
  • SIMCardPinNumber_modem
  • SchukoNumberContactorCycles_vehicleif
  • SysTime_mon
  • Type2NumberContactorCycles_vehicleif
  • AdcCpCalibrationCfg_vehicleif
  • ebee.sql
  • all .csv files

3.2. Copy configurations from one Charge Controller to another​

1. Format a USB stick in FAT32 formatting

  1. Plug in the USB stick into the computer
  2. Right-click on the USB drive and select format
  3. Select FAT32 as file system and format the USB stick

2. Create password file

  1. Create a text file in the root folder and name it: “USB_PASSWORD”
  2. Use a text editor to enter the manufacturer/operator password in the file. Save it.
  3. Remove the “.txt” ending of the file

3. Create config files

  1. Create a text file in the root folder and name it: “FIELD_ENGINEER”
  2. Remove the “.txt” ending of the file

4. Plug the USB Stick into the Charge Controller

  1. Plug the USB Stick into the USB port of the Charge Controller
  2. The Controller will start flashing all three LEDs
  3. Wait 2 minutes until the “Ready LED” flashes once a second

5. Unplug the USB stick

  1. Unplug the USB stick and put it into the USB port of the computer
  2. Now you can find the folder "persistency" on the USB stick

6. Prepare configuration files to copy the configuration the additional Charge Controllers

  1. Persistency files contain the current configuration
  2. Rename the "persistency" folder to “sw_config” folder
  3. Only keep the “sw_config” folder and USB password file on the USB stick
Make sure that the following files are NOT in the "sw_config" folder
  • ActuatorType_vehicleif
  • ChargePointUUID_ocpp
  • CurrentMonth_dl
  • DataConsumptionLastMonth_dl
  • DataConsumption_dl
  • HeartBeatInterval_ocpp
  • MeterSerial_meter
  • SIMCardPinNumber_modem
  • SchukoNumberContactorCycles_vehicleif
  • SysTime_mon
  • Type2NumberContactorCycles_vehicleif
  • AdcCpCalibrationCfg_vehicleif
  • ebee.sql
  • .csv files

7. Copy configuration on additional Charge Controllers

  1. Insert the USB stick into the USB port of a Charge Controller
  2. Within a few seconds the configuration will be copied to the Charge Controller

4. OPKG Update​

OPKG (Open Package Management) is a lightweight package manager used on embedded Linux systems to install, update, and remove software packages. On Bender Charge Controllers that support it, OPKG allows you to perform firmware updates manually via SSH.

This method is intended for advanced users with direct access to the controller’s file system and requires basic familiarity with command-line tools like WinSCP and PuTTY. The following instructions describe how to transfer and install a firmware update using OPKG.

requirements
  • a device with OPKG as the package manager
  • SSH access to the device
  • WinSCP and PuTTY (if needed)
  • Network connection to the device

4.1. Upload the File to the Charge Controller​

There are two ways to transfer the update file to the controller:

4.1.1. Using WinSCP​

  1. Open WinSCP
  2. Select the SCP Protocol
  3. Enter the following connection details:
    • Server Address: 192.168.123.123
    • Port Number: 22
    • Username: charge or root
    • Password: Manufacturer Password (default: orange_zone)
  4. Click Login
  5. Once Connected,drag&drop the update file into the /home/charge/ directory

4.1.2. Using SCP (Command Line_Without SCP)​

If you prefer not to use WinSCP, you can transfer the file using scp via the command line.

Use the scp update.deb charge@192.168.123.123:/home/charge/ command to copy the update.deb in to the /home/charge/ directory.

4.2. Execute Update via SSH (PuTTY)​

  1. Open PuTTY
  2. Enter the devices Host Name (or IP Address)
  3. Ensure the Port is set tp 22 and the connection type is SSH
  4. Click Open to establish the connection
  5. Log ins as user charge (enter the password and press Enter, it will not be displayed, which is normal)
  6. Use the command ls. All available files are now displayed, including the update file.
  7. Use the command opkg install update.deb to start the installation process.
tip

You can also rename the file in advance to choose a simpler name.

4.3. Deleting the firmware​

After the update is completed, the update file needs to be deleted from the Charge Controller.

  1. Access the Controller through WinSCP
  2. Delete the file from the /home/charge/ directory
caution

30 minutes after completing the update, the Charge Controller will automatically start a reboot.

5. Interface firmwareupdate​

  1. Log in to the Config UI using the Operator Login Credentials
  2. Under SYSTEM > Firmware Update seletct Select file (.deb)
  3. Choose the .deb file you want to install
  4. Click Open
  5. Click Install

To perform the update, you first need to access the controller's configuration interface. Under the SYSTEM > Firmware Update, you will find the Select file (.deb) button. Click on this button and select the installation file of the new firmware in the pop-up window. It must have the file extension ".deb". Confirm the selection by clicking Open. Once the selection is made, you can initiate the update by clicking Install.