SMT1500 firmware update

[Anonymous user]

Hey guys,

Just double checking I'm not being a muppet, and if I am, how to alieviate that!

I've just got a second hand SMT1500 UPS, and I'm looking to upgrade to the latest firmware (especially if I can get modbus).

UPS model: Smart-UPS 1500

UPS Part number: SMT1500I

UPS Serial Number: AS1119123502

UPS Firmware 1: UPS 07.1

UPS Firmware 2: MCU 05.0

UPS Firmware 3: UBL 7.20

UPS Firmware 4: MBL 05.0

I'm just curious, is this already at the latest firmware, or am I able to upgrade to v9.4?

Only reason I'm looking to upgrade the firmware, is that I don't seem to be getting certain stats via USB like line voltage, frequency etc:

APC      : 001,027,0670
DATE     : 2019-02-11 14:39:56 +0000
HOSTNAME : localhost.localdomain
VERSION  : 3.14.14 (31 May 2016) redhat
UPSNAME  : HDAUPS
CABLE    : USB Cable
DRIVER   : USB UPS Driver
UPSMODE  : Stand Alone
STARTTIME: 2019-02-11 13:13:11 +0000
MODEL    : Smart-UPS 1500
STATUS   : ONLINE
BCHARGE  : 100.0 Percent
TIMELEFT : 65.0 Minutes
MBATTCHG : 5 Percent
MINTIMEL : 3 Minutes
MAXTIME  : 0 Seconds
ALARMDEL : 30 Seconds
BATTV    : 27.4 Volts
NUMXFERS : 0
TONBATT  : 0 Seconds
CUMONBATT: 0 Seconds
XOFFBATT : N/A
STATFLAG : 0x05000008
MANDATE  : 2011-05-08
SERIALNO : AS1119123502
NOMBATTV : 24.0 Volts
FIRMWARE : UPS 07.1 / ID=17
END APC  : 2019-02-11 14:40:02 +0000

Thanks in advance!

[BillP]

Hi Alex - 

That's a pretty early unit (2011) and unfortunately UPS 7.1 was the latest version that was supported. You would require a unit with 8.0 or later to upgrade to the most recent rev (9.4). Those units include Modbus support.

You can find firmware upgrade information here:

https://www.apc.com/us/en/faqs/content/?id=FA281865

Thanks,

Liam

[Anonymous user]

Ahhah! Gotcha!

If that's the case, is it normal that via USB, the UPS isn't reporting info such as in/out voltage and load on Linux?

Thanks!

[BillP]

That's a good question. We have never formally supported USB on Linux and communication was definitely enhanced on later SMT1500's (after ModBus support was rolled out). Perhaps one of my more communications savvy counterparts will chime in with some specifics...

If you haven't already, definitely check out this app note:

https://www.apc.com/salestools/MPAO-9E5RB5/MPAO-9E5RB5_R1_EN.pdf

Liam

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Unfortunately, it's normal to get less information from the early Microlink UPSes like the model you have, when using the generic USB HID UPS protocol and third party monitoring software. As was mentioned, you've already got the latest firmware for your particular UPS.

Microlink is (unfortunately) a closed protocol and I'm not aware of any reverse engineering efforts. On a later revision UPS with newer firmware, you could enable the Modbus protocol and be able to see far more comprehensive information.