smt1000rmi2uc and modbus protocol

[Anonymous user]

Hello, I have recently acquired a SMT1000RMI2UC (smartconnect) with the following specs:

UPS Name: SMT1000RMI2UC
Firmware: v 03.5
Model Name: Smart-UPS 1000
Model SKU: SMT1000RMI2UC
Serial no.: AS1822160080
Product ID: 28-29-86-0C-88-CC

I would like to manage it through the APCUPSD software and MODBUS protocol however I cannot get it to work with the MODBUS options (plugged with USB cable). Does this UPS support modbus at all?

Notes:

1/ I have enabled the MODBUS option on the front LCD panel

2/ Firmware version is 03.5 and PowerChute tells me it is the latest version

Thank you

[Anonymous user]

Yes, your UPS supports the MODBUS protocol (the option to enable it would not be present if it did not).

From the release notes, it looks as though you'll need apcupsd version 3.14.13 or later for MODBUS over USB support. That would be where I would start, especially if you are using a version of apcupsd packaged by your operating system's vendor.

[Anonymous user]

Thank you William.

See below the ouput from the "apcaccess status" command, I am running revision 3.14.14 of apcupsd on Debian8.
Most info I found (with difficulty) online says SMT-type UPS should be upgraded to firmware v9.x or above in order to support MODBUS but my UPS is new and firmware is v03.5 with apparently no option to upgrade. I am confused.

apcaccess status
APC      : 001,027,0670
DATE     : 2019-01-07 20:05:08 +0000
HOSTNAME : raspberrypi
VERSION  : 3.14.14 (31 May 2016) debian
UPSNAME  : raspberrypi
CABLE    : USB Cable
DRIVER   : USB UPS Driver
UPSMODE  : Stand Alone
STARTTIME: 2019-01-07 20:05:06 +0000
MODEL    : Smart-UPS_1000
STATUS   : ONLINE
BCHARGE  : 100.0 Percent
TIMELEFT : 159.2 Minutes
MBATTCHG : 5 Percent
MINTIMEL : 3 Minutes
MAXTIME  : 0 Seconds
ALARMDEL : 30 Seconds
BATTV    : 26.6 Volts
NUMXFERS : 0
TONBATT  : 0 Seconds
CUMONBATT: 0 Seconds
XOFFBATT : N/A
STATFLAG : 0x05000008
MANDATE  : 2018-05-28
SERIALNO : AS1822160080
NOMBATTV : 24.0 Volts
FIRMWARE : UPS 03.5 / ID=1015
END APC  : 2019-01-07 20:05:13 +0000

[Anonymous user]

Different revisions of the Smart-UPS SMT models have different firmware versions, depending upon their hardware ID and product family. What you're seeing is normal.

It appears that you're using the standard USB UPS driver right now with apcupsd. (However, it looks like you are getting more information than a Microlink UPS such as yours would provide to the generic USB UPS driver, making me wonder if data isn't being exchanged over MODBUS anyway.) What happens if you specify the MODBUS driver type in apcupsd.conf?

[Anonymous user]

Thank you William,

Well, not sure what I did this time but it is now (almost) working. After enabling the MODBUS option from the LCD panel and setting the apcupsd.conf file for MODBUS operation, I disconnected the USB cable from the port and reconnected it, maybe that helped.

Anyways, see below what output I am getting now. It is much more verbose BUT I am getting a connection lost message followed by a connection restored message every second. Not sure what is happening.

Broadcast message from root@raspberrypi (somewhere) (Mon Jan  7 21:42:19 2019):
Communications restored with UPS APC UPS
Warning communications lost with UPS APC UPS


APC      : 001,038,0883
DATE     : 2019-01-07 21:37:19 +0000
HOSTNAME : raspberrypi
VERSION  : 3.14.14 (31 May 2016) debian
UPSNAME  : APC UPS
CABLE    : USB Cable
DRIVER   : MODBUS UPS Driver
UPSMODE  : Stand Alone
STARTTIME: 2019-01-07 21:37:14 +0000
STATUS   : COMMLOST
LINEV    : 225.6 Volts
LOADPCT  : 13.6 Percent
LOADAPNT : 16.0 Percent
BCHARGE  : 99.0 Percent
TIMELEFT : 159.0 Minutes
MBATTCHG : 5 Percent
MINTIMEL : 3 Minutes
MAXTIME  : 0 Seconds
OUTPUTV  : 225.6 Volts
DWAKE    : 0 Seconds
DSHUTD   : 0 Seconds
ITEMP    : 27.0 C
BATTV    : 27.2 Volts
LINEFREQ : 50.0 Hz
OUTCURNT : 0.69 Amps
NUMXFERS : 0
TONBATT  : 0 Seconds
CUMONBATT: 0 Seconds
XOFFBATT : N/A
SELFTEST : OK
STATFLAG : 0x05000108
MANDATE  : 2018-05-28
SERIALNO : AS1822160080
BATTDATE : 2018-08-17
NOMOUTV  : 230 Volts
NOMPOWER : 700 Watts
NOMAPNT  : 1000 VA
FIRMWARE : UPS 03.5 / 00.5
END APC  : 2019-01-07 21:42:35 +0000

[Anonymous user]

Well that must have been a fluke. Somehow I am now getting an eratic MODBUS communication between the UPS and apcupsd with varying values. APCTEST command returns the following. I will setup a fresh install Debian and start from scratch...

root@raspberrypi:~# apctest


2019-01-07 22:02:20 apctest 3.14.14 (31 May 2016) debian
Checking configuration ...
sharenet.type = Network & ShareUPS Disabled
cable.type = USB Cable
mode.type = MODBUS UPS Driver
Setting up the port ...
0.010 apcupsd: ModbusUsbComm.cpp:258 WaitIdle: interrupt_read failed: Success
0.557 apcupsd: ModbusUsbComm.cpp:142 ModbusRx: TIMEOUT
0.731 apcupsd: ModbusComm.cpp:201 SendAndWait: Wrong size (exp=7, rx=21)
0.955 apcupsd: ModbusComm.cpp:201 SendAndWait: Wrong size (exp=21, rx=7)
1.066 apcupsd: ModbusComm.cpp:201 SendAndWait: Wrong size (exp=9, rx=21)
1.178 apcupsd: ModbusComm.cpp:201 SendAndWait: Wrong size (exp=7, rx=9)
1.851 apcupsd: ModbusComm.cpp:201 SendAndWait: Wrong size (exp=9, rx=7)
2.018 apcupsd: ModbusComm.cpp:201 SendAndWait: Wrong size (exp=7, rx=9)
2.565 apcupsd: ModbusUsbComm.cpp:142 ModbusRx: TIMEOUT
2.796 apcupsd: ModbusComm.cpp:201 SendAndWait: Wrong size (exp=9, rx=7)
2.916 apcupsd: ModbusComm.cpp:201 SendAndWait: Wrong size (exp=7, rx=9)
Doing prep_device() ...
3.363 apcupsd: ModbusComm.cpp:201 SendAndWait: Wrong size (exp=21, rx=7)
3.531 apcupsd: ModbusComm.cpp:201 SendAndWait: Wrong size (exp=7, rx=21)
3.756 apcupsd: ModbusComm.cpp:201 SendAndWait: Wrong size (exp=21, rx=7)
3.868 apcupsd: ModbusComm.cpp:201 SendAndWait: Wrong size (exp=9, rx=21)
3.980 apcupsd: ModbusComm.cpp:201 SendAndWait: Wrong size (exp=7, rx=9)
4.019 apcupsd: ModbusUsbComm.cpp:269 WaitIdle: Out of sync
4.019 apcupsd: ModbusUsbComm.cpp:270 Dumping 64 bytes @ 0x7ec04504
4.019 apcupsd: ModbusUsbComm.cpp:270 00000000  89 01 03 02 02 bc 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  ................
4.019 apcupsd: ModbusUsbComm.cpp:270 00000010  00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  ................
4.020 apcupsd: ModbusUsbComm.cpp:270 00000020  00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  ................
4.020 apcupsd: ModbusUsbComm.cpp:270 00000030  00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  ................
4.566 apcupsd: ModbusUsbComm.cpp:142 ModbusRx: TIMEOUT

You are using a MODBUS cable type, so I'm entering MODBUS test mode
Hello, this is the apcupsd Cable Test program.
This part of apctest is for testing MODBUS UPSes.

Getting UPS capabilities...4.852 apcupsd: ModbusComm.cpp:201 SendAndWait: Wrong size (exp=37, rx=7)
4.964 apcupsd: ModbusComm.cpp:201 SendAndWait: Wrong size (exp=21, rx=37)
5.131 apcupsd: ModbusComm.cpp:201 SendAndWait: Wrong size (exp=7, rx=21)
5.355 apcupsd: ModbusComm.cpp:201 SendAndWait: Wrong size (exp=21, rx=7)
5.467 apcupsd: ModbusComm.cpp:201 SendAndWait: Wrong size (exp=9, rx=21)
5.579 apcupsd: ModbusComm.cpp:201 SendAndWait: Wrong size (exp=7, rx=9)
6.572 apcupsd: ModbusUsbComm.cpp:142 ModbusRx: TIMEOUT
6.796 apcupsd: ModbusComm.cpp:201 SendAndWait: Wrong size (exp=9, rx=7)
6.964 apcupsd: ModbusComm.cpp:201 SendAndWait: Wrong size (exp=7, rx=9)
7.043 apcupsd: ModbusUsbComm.cpp:269 WaitIdle: Out of sync
7.043 apcupsd: ModbusUsbComm.cpp:270 Dumping 64 bytes @ 0x7ec045bc
7.043 apcupsd: ModbusUsbComm.cpp:270 00000000  89 01 03 02 00 08 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  ................
7.043 apcupsd: ModbusUsbComm.cpp:270 00000010  00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  ................
7.043 apcupsd: ModbusUsbComm.cpp:270 00000020  00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  ................
7.043 apcupsd: ModbusUsbComm.cpp:270 00000030  00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  ................
7.589 apcupsd: ModbusUsbComm.cpp:142 ModbusRx: TIMEOUT
7.756 apcupsd: ModbusComm.cpp:201 SendAndWait: Wrong size (exp=9, rx=7)
7.868 apcupsd: ModbusComm.cpp:201 SendAndWait: Wrong size (exp=7, rx=9)
8.059 apcupsd: ModbusUsbComm.cpp:269 WaitIdle: Out of sync
8.059 apcupsd: ModbusUsbComm.cpp:270 Dumping 64 bytes @ 0x7ec045bc
8.059 apcupsd: ModbusUsbComm.cpp:270 00000000  89 01 03 02 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  ................
8.059 apcupsd: ModbusUsbComm.cpp:270 00000010  00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  ................
8.059 apcupsd: ModbusUsbComm.cpp:270 00000020  00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  ................
8.059 apcupsd: ModbusUsbComm.cpp:270 00000030  00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  ................
8.604 apcupsd: ModbusUsbComm.cpp:142 ModbusRx: TIMEOUT
SUCCESS

[Anonymous user]

I would have a few other suggestions: try another USB port or cable, and make sure your Raspberry Pi's power supply is sufficient to support the load and working properly.

Worst case, you can also try "braindeading" the UPS. This involves safely powering down any attached load, shutting off the UPS from the front panel, unplugging it from the wall, and disconnecting the batteries. With the batteries disconnected, depress the power button on the UPS. It will probably react briefly, which is pretty normal.

After doing that, reconnect the batteries, restore power to the UPS and reconnect the load to be protected.

[Anonymous user]

Thank you William,

I will try the braindeading procedure first because I need to order the USB cable as it is specific (male-male type B).

As for the Rpi it should be fine because the power supply is the original from Raspberry and the communication works fine with the default USB com mode. Only the MODBUS com mode is problematic. Anyways, will trey this as well, I have nothing else to try! 😞

Cheers

Loic

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

So I tried the following in various orders:

• replaced the RPi power supply (by a power bank)
• "braindeaded" the UPS
• fresh install of Debian on RPi

And no improvement much to my frustration.

Basic USB mode (modbus diabled) is rock-solid every time, contrary to the modbus which gives erratic values with intermittent messages about lost/recovered connections every seconds

The last thing I will test is to change the USB cable. I have ordered one and will report back the results

Thank you

Loic

[Anonymous user]

Hi @Anonymous user 

I’m facing the same issue after enabling the Modbus protocol. 

In the terminal, I’m seeing  messages like bellow

Broadcast message from root@sensor (somewhere) (Mon Nov  1 12:00:21 2021)

                                                                               

Communications restored with UPS c1500                                 

                                                                               

                                                                               

Broadcast message from root@sensor (somewhere) (Mon Nov  1 12:00:22 2021)

                                                                               

Warning communications lost with UPS c1500

Did you find the solution to this problem ?

[peterpavlik_apc]

Hello, I have the same problem with my (second piece, first has problem to enter green-mode) of APC SMT750i smart UPS via USB cable to apcupsd@RPi with Raspbian Stretch.

I have recently upgraded UPS firmware from to ver. 9.6 and having a problem exactly like yours.

Today I tried downgrade the UPS firmware back to ver. 9.4, done UPS braindead & coldstart procedures, loaded factory defaults via display menu and still the same behaviour:

Apcupsd daemon 3.14.14 re-connects to UPS and sending messages to console every second until I stop the service.

Every second I receive following emails with the many details about my UPS connection Lost and Restored.

OMV Communication with UPS APCUPS lost

APC : 001,039,0899
DATE : 2021-11-21 22:24:34 +0100
HOSTNAME : OMV
VERSION : 3.14.14 (31 May 2016) debian
UPSNAME : APCUPS
CABLE : USB Cable
DRIVER : MODBUS UPS Driver
UPSMODE : Stand Alone
STARTTIME: 2021-11-21 22:24:28 +0100
MODEL : Smart-UPS 750
STATUS : COMMLOST
LINEV : 244.8 Volts
LOADPCT : 31.2 Percent
LOADAPNT : 27.3 Percent
BCHARGE : 100.0 Percent
TIMELEFT : 32.0 Minutes
MBATTCHG : 5 Percent
MINTIMEL : 2 Minutes
MAXTIME : 0 Seconds
OUTPUTV : 246.2 Volts
DWAKE : 0 Seconds
DSHUTD : 90 Seconds
ITEMP : 32.8 C
BATTV : 27.0 Volts
LINEFREQ : 50.0 Hz
OUTCURNT : 0.81 Amps
NUMXFERS : 0
TONBATT : 0 Seconds
CUMONBATT: 0 Seconds
XOFFBATT : N/A
SELFTEST : ??
STATFLAG : 0x05000108
MANDATE : 2017-11-29
SERIALNO : DELETED
BATTDATE : 2020-12-15
NOMOUTV : 230 Volts
NOMPOWER : 500 Watts
NOMAPNT : 750 VA
FIRMWARE : UPS 09.4 / 00.5
END APC : 2021-11-21 22:24:36 +0100

But apctest is kinda working for me, I get to the menu every time and can start some functions (f.e. self-test), but some other options are unstable.

One time I can View manufacturing date but not Battery date.

Other time I can View Battery date but not Manufacturing date.

...

Can the problem be related to RPi3 USB2 ports driver or some USB communication parameters (speed/parity/...)?

Is USB modbus communication sensitive for something, needs USB driver support etc?

[peterpavlik_apc]

Hello, I have the same problem with my (second piece, first has problem to enter green-mode) of APC SMT750i smart UPS via USB cable to apcupsd@RPi with Raspbian Stretch.

I have recently upgraded UPS firmware from to ver. 9.6 and having a problem exactly like yours.

Today I tried downgrade the UPS firmware back to ver. 9.4, done UPS braindead & coldstart procedures, loaded factory defaults via display menu and still the same behaviour:

Apcupsd daemon 3.14.14 re-connects to UPS and sending messages to console every second until I stop the service.

Every second I receive following emails with the many details about my UPS connection Lost and Restored.

OMV Communication with UPS APCUPS lost

APC : 001,039,0899
DATE : 2021-11-21 22:24:34 +0100
HOSTNAME : OMV
VERSION : 3.14.14 (31 May 2016) debian
UPSNAME : APCUPS
CABLE : USB Cable
DRIVER : MODBUS UPS Driver
UPSMODE : Stand Alone
STARTTIME: 2021-11-21 22:24:28 +0100
MODEL : Smart-UPS 750
STATUS : COMMLOST
LINEV : 244.8 Volts
LOADPCT : 31.2 Percent
LOADAPNT : 27.3 Percent
BCHARGE : 100.0 Percent
TIMELEFT : 32.0 Minutes
MBATTCHG : 5 Percent
MINTIMEL : 2 Minutes
MAXTIME : 0 Seconds
OUTPUTV : 246.2 Volts
DWAKE : 0 Seconds
DSHUTD : 90 Seconds
ITEMP : 32.8 C
BATTV : 27.0 Volts
LINEFREQ : 50.0 Hz
OUTCURNT : 0.81 Amps
NUMXFERS : 0
TONBATT : 0 Seconds
CUMONBATT: 0 Seconds
XOFFBATT : N/A
SELFTEST : ??
STATFLAG : 0x05000108
MANDATE : 2017-11-29
SERIALNO : DELETED
BATTDATE : 2020-12-15
NOMOUTV : 230 Volts
NOMPOWER : 500 Watts
NOMAPNT : 750 VA
FIRMWARE : UPS 09.4 / 00.5
END APC : 2021-11-21 22:24:36 +0100

But apctest is kinda working, I get to the menu every time and can start some functions (f.e. self-test), but some other options are unstable.

One time I can View manufacturing date but not Battery date.

Other time I can View Battery date but not Manufacturing date.

...

Can the problem be related to RPi3 USB2 ports driver or some USB communication parameters (speed/parity/...)?

Is modbus communication sensitive for something, needs USB driver support etc?

[peterpavlik_apc]

Seems I got the solution for modbus via USB problem for my RPi 3B/Raspbian.

I even tried serial connection without any luck.

Solution for me was to upgrade firmware on my RPi 3B via:

"rpi-update" to latest version "c827259e4adb63d1dd36e21d51dcd4243d0c1255".

After reboot modbus via USB started to work as expected, no more reconnect messages.

Hope this helps