Nectarsun Software Updater

Nectarsun software updater tool for the distributors of the Nectarsun to help maintain up-to-date software on shipped devices.

Currently this application only runs on Windows.

The 'st-link.exe' tool was developed by ST Microelectronics, all rights belong to them. It can be downloaded for free from their website www.st.com.

Detailed information on Nectarsun firmware updates and releases at https://nectarsun.github.io

If you need help using this tool, contact us at support@nectarsun.com

Tools needed

To update your Nectarsun, first of all, you will need these tools:

• The latest Nectarsun Updater version.
• An ST-link programmer. We're using the top half of an ST Nucleo board as our programmer: https://bit.ly/2KuabNp
• A USB-to-Serial converter. We're using the one in the link, but any generic USB-to-Serial converter will work: https://ebay.to/2IS7Ypg
• Female to female jumper wires. E.g.: https://bit.ly/2lSrAkc
• 2 x mini USB cables to connect the ST-link programmer and the USB-to-Serial converter to your PC

Getting started

1. Download the latest version of our Nectarsun Updater Package from the "Releases" page: https://github.com/NectarSun/nectarsun-update-package/releases/latest.
2. Run the 'st-link-utility-installer.exe'. It will install the ST-Link Utility software on your PC and the necessary ST-link drivers.

DISCLAIMER! We are using the ST-Link-CLI.exe and the ST-Link Utility tools to erase/write the ST processor flash memory. It is included in our update package with the name 'st-link.exe' and 'st-link-utility-installer.exe'. We have not created it, all rights belong to STMicroelectronics Group. Additionally, you can download these tools for free from www.st.com.

3. Install the FTDI drivers from the drivers folder. If you're using a different USB-to-Serial converter, you will have to find and install the required drivers yourself. Go to the Control Panel > Devices and Printers and check that your drivers installed properly, and both devices show up.
4. Run the ns-updater.bat script. If you get a warning from Windows about an unrecognized app, select More info > Run anyway. The next time you run this application Windows won't throw this warning again.
5. Remove the top cover of the Nectarsun by undoing the two screws:

6. Connect the programmer to one of the programming ports on the Nectarsun (check the section below for detailed instructions), and follow the instructions on the updater script.

We recommend updating all three boards, as the latest software update has many improvements, especially if your Nectarsun runs software version v1.06 or below. More information about the latest features and improvements that were added to the Nectarsun's software, please go to https://nectarsun.github.io.

Updating

ESP board

1. Plug the USB-to-Serial converter to your PC.
2. Connect the USB-to-Serial converter to the ESP programming port (J17 port) on the Nectarsun using the jumper wires and the diagrams below. Make sure that the the selector on the USB-to-Serial converter is set to 3.3V!! Connect the GPIO-0 pin on the J17 port to ground (e.g. GND pin on the J11 port).

USB-to-Serial converter pinout:

ESP pinout (J17 port):

Connection diagram:

USB-to-serial         ESP(Nectarsun)
************************************
GND   -------------------------- GND
TX    --------------------------  RX
RX    --------------------------  TX
GPIO0 -------------------------- GND

Other pins are not used.

VERY IMPORTANT! The TX pin connects to RX and the RX pin connects to TX.

Please note that the GPIO-0 pin on J17 port connects to the GND pin on the J11 port (or it can be any other GND pin on the board).

3. When you've connected the USB-to-Serial converter to the ESP, turn on the Nectarsun.
4. In the update script, go to Configure programmers > ESP programmer select the COM port that the ESP programmer is connected to.
5. Then go to Update software > ESP. The script will then start the update.
6. When it's done programming, you can turn off the Nectarsun, and disconnect the USB-to-Serial converter from the Nectarsun.

Your Nectarsun's ESP module is up to date.

Main board

1. Cut off the top half of the Nucleo board (if you haven't done so yet). Make sure that the jumper connectors are removed.
2. Connect the programmer to your PC with the USB cable.

If your PC can't see the ST programmer, try installing the ST-Link drivers from the 'drivers' folder

3. Connect the programmer to the Main board programming port (J11 port) on the Nectarsun using the jumper wires and the reference diagrams below:

Main board connector pinout (J11 port):

ST-link programmer pinout:

4. When you've connected the programmer to the Nectarsun, turn on the Nectarsun.
5. In the update script, go to Configure programmers > Main board programmer and select the drive that the ST-link programmer shows up as.
6. Then, go to Update software > Main board. The script will start updating the main board.
7. When it's done programming, you can turn off the Nectarsun and disconnect the programmer from the Nectarsun.

Your Nectarsun's Main board is up to date.

Power board

1. Cut off the top half of the Nucleo board (if you haven't done so yet). Make sure that the jumper connectors are removed.
2. Remove the bottom cover of the Nectarsun by removing the four screws in the corners. This will expose the radiator and the Power board programming port (J4) on the bottom.
3. Connect the programmer to your PC with the USB cable.

If your PC can't see the ST programmer, try installing the ST-Link drivers from the 'drivers' folder

4. Connect the programmer to the Power board programming port (J4 port) on the Nectarsun using the jumper wires and the reference diagrams below:

Power board connector pinout (J4 port):

ST-link programmer pinout:

5. When you've connected the programmer to the Nectarsun, turn on the Nectarsun.
6. In the update script, go to Configure programmers > Power board programmer and select the drive that the ST-link programmer shows up as.
7. Then, go to Update software > Power board. The script will start updating the power board.
8. When it's done programming, you can turn off the Nectarsun and disconnect the programmer from the Nectarsun.
9. You can now put the back cover in place.

Your Nectarsun's Power board is up to date.

Calibration

After updating all the boards and turning on the Nectarsun, you might see the ERROR 232 message on the screen. This simply means that the Nectarsun needs calibrating.

More solutions to common problems in our FAQ Knowledge base.

To calibrate the Nectarsun follow these steps:

1. While on the ERROR 232 or the Select Language screen press and hold the up and down arrows for a few seconds. You will enter the engineering menu.

Enter the engineering menu:

2. Short the DC+ and the DC- inputs:

3. Using the arrows navigate to the Calibrate screen and select Yes.
4. After a moment you will be returned to the main Debug screen where you should see the calibration values on the second line of the screen.
5. You can now turn off the Nectarsun, or go to Settings > Reset > Yes to boot the Nectarsun in normal mode again.
6. That's it, you can now connect the DC power from your PV panels, plug the boiler power cable into the Nectarsun and start heating water using the power of the Sun!

Problems with the updater

If you encounter the 'mfc100.dll is missing' error, please install the ST-Link Utility from the 'drivers' folder by running the 'st-link-utility-installer.exe'. It is created by ST Microelectronics, and can be downloaded for free from www.st.com.

Other languages

• If you would like to contribute and translate this page or the update tool to your language, please contact us at support@nectarsun.com and send us the translated README.md file, or create a pull-request on this project.
• If you would like to have the Nectarsun menu translated in your language, contact us to arrange the translation.

Feedback & Information

• More information at http://www.nectarsun.com
• Latest software release notes at https://nectarsun.github.io
• Our FAQ Knowledge base at https://nectarsun.freshdesk.com/support/home
• Request a new feature on GitHub.
• File a bug in GitHub Issues.
• Email us at support@nectarsun.com with other feedback, or fill in our support form at http://www.nectarsun.com/support.html

Contacts

• Nectarsun support: support@nectarsun.com
• Nectarsun sales: sales@nectarsun.com

License

ST, BRAM, ZEROPOWER, SNAPHAT, TAGRAM, TIMEKEEPER, W.A.R.P, NOMADIK, Krypto, SmartJ, SmoothDrive, Mozart, PowerMESH, Max247 BiPORT, TIMEKEEPER, TAGRAM, ISOWATT218, ISOWATT220, LightFlash, TO-220FP, ISOTOP, VIPower, OPTIMWATT, Occam, PowerSO-10, PowerSO-20, HEPTAWATT, MULTIWATT, PENTAWATT, Max220, I-Max220, Max247, Tone Pulse, SNUBBERLESS, SnoopTAG, WORD DIALER, CONTINUOUS ARRAY, BCD,CAPHAT, POLYUSE, ST6, ST9 and ST18 are registered trademarks of companies belonging to the STMicroelectronics Group.

We are using the ST-Link-CLI.exe and the ST-Link Utility tools to erase/write the ST processor flash memory. It is included in our update package with the name 'st-link.exe' and 'st-link-utility-installer.exe'. We have not created it, all rights belong to the STMicroelectronics Group. Additionally, you can download these tools for free from www.st.com.

Copyright © Nectarsun. All rights reserved. Licensed under the Apache 2.0 License.