Topic: WS2000 firmware 1.35 beta

[danoh]

January 6 2019 | Version 1.3.5 (beta)

Changes:
Fixes a number of issues with stray characters.
Fixes issue with Channel 1 not showing on AmbientWeather.net
Fixes issue with date and time.
Screen makes room for new Air Quality Sensor (coming soon, no details yet). Moved date and time to top bar to make room (similar to a phone layout).

Ed said a fix for WU reporting at 30 seconds would be coming soon.

Thank you Ed for fixing sensor1 issue!

[danoh]

Well, upgraded firmware and sensor ch1 still isn't sending the needed data to ambientweather.net for temp1f and humidity1. Also doesn't show up via the API.  The actual metrics for sensor ch1 aren't being delivered in the update request.  Emailed Ed to let him know it's still not working. Bummer.

[Sir_MAK]

Just FYI - It resolved the sensor one issue on mine.  It also seems to have fixed the midnight drop in the readings (most went to a zero value) and the displaying of the graphs for the unused sensors.

[danoh]

Just FYI - It resolved the sensor one issue on mine.  It also seems to have fixed the midnight drop in the readings (most went to a zero value) and the displaying of the graphs for the unused sensors.

That's weird.  I confirmed it shows 1.3.5 in "about" but looking at the actual packet data sent doesn't include temp1f or humidity1 data for mine.  I  re-registered sensor1 and it shows fine on the display itself.

[Sir_MAK]

I did this update using the awnet app from my iPhone.  Strange that they released a beta version for this and made it available through the awnet app.

[danoh]

I did this update using the awnet app from my iPhone.  Strange that they released a beta version for this and made it available through the awnet app.

You upgraded to firmware 1.3.5 on a WS2000 using awnet?  Interesting. I did the normal user.bin download to sdcard - I was not aware WS2000 firmware was available via awnet.

[Sir_MAK]

I wasn't either, a user in another thread told me this.  I had an issue with an AP in my house that was causing issues with the WS-2000 display connecting to the internet.  I took the AP down and it resolved the connection issue.  I checked the awnet yesterday and saw the update and applied it.

[danoh]

I've asked Ed what I should try now.  Maybe I should downgrade back to 1.2.7 via sdcard then upgrade to 1.3.5 via awnet.  We'll see what he suggests. Thanks for the heads up.

[galfert]

Here is another tip....when doing firmware upgrades sometimes a follow up power cycle and then a factory reset fixes problems. Write down your configuration settings so that you can reenter after factory reset.

[danoh]

I'm going to factory reset when I get a chance and see if that fixes my issue.

Ed also replied and said specifically:

No, do not use awnet. Use the link here:
https://www.ambientweather.com/amwewsfidoce.html

[danoh]

Weird, but sensor ch1 is reporting now as it should.

I factory reset, put all my calibration data back in, etc - it still didn't report sensor ch1.

Waited for 30 mins or so, still not sensor ch1 data - it wasn't even being sent in the upload data.

Upgraded AMBWeather (WiFi) firmware from 4.0.7 to 4.0.8 and BOOM immediately sensor ch1 started sending the temp1f and humidity1 data in the packets and it's working as expected now.

[Sir_MAK]

OK so now I am confused.  Is there two types of firmware for the WS-2000?  One for the display and one for the WiFi?  If that's the case I may have misspoken and I only update to 4.0.8 and not the firmware 1.3.5.

[danoh]

On the "about" screen there's explicitly two firmwares shown.

I've been going back and forth with Ed about this and am confused as well.

Ed says upgrading ws2000 trough awnet does nothing, and everything is only done by the sdcard.

I've yet to get an answer as to how we are supposed to upgrade the AMBWeather (wifi firmware) as it's obvious the user.bin does not include it because user.bin 1.3.5 didn't upgrade the wifi firmware to 4.0.8

If upgrading through awnet "does nothing" as Ed said, then I want to know what ws2000 "wifi firmware" (AMBWeather) actually is, and WHY I *can* upgrade it via awnet...

Ed explicitly said awnet is intended for a different weather station.

[galfert]

Yeah I'm confused too. I thought 4.0.8 was for the WS-2902A not the WS-2000. The WS-2000 firmware has a different numeration.

[danoh]

Ed said the user.bin will update BOTH the firmware and wifi firmware (Ambweather)

I've told him that user.bin 1.3.5 doesn't include wifi firmware 4.0.8, then, and that's what fixed my problem.

So, I'm guessing that ws2000 users should not use awnet for firmware upgrades, since Ed says ambweather firmware is included in the user.bin file as well.

I've gone back and forth enough just getting short and curt answers with Ed when I type out in detail questions, so if anyone else wants to explore WHY awnet even gives an upgrade option for a ws2000, have at it.

[danoh]

Yeah I'm confused too. I thought 4.0.8 was for the WS-2902A not the WS-2000. The WS-2000 firmware has a different numeration.

Yes true, but if you look on the "about screen" of the ws2000 display, you'll plainly see TWO firmwares.  One, I assume is the display, and the other is wifi firmware.

AND the fact the ws2000 shows as upgradable in awnet app....

[galfert]

Okay it is making sense now. The WS-2000 has two firmwares for different internal parts (display and wifi module). So it seems like the WiFi module is supposed to be upgraded with the main display firmware but it didn't happen with the latest version.

So Ed is saying not to use awnet with the WS-2000. It seems to me like awnet sees the WS-2000 as if it were a WS-2902A. And the WiFi firmware part for the WS-2000 is probably the exact same code file firmware for the WS-2902A. I say that because the latest version of the WS-2902A is version 4.0.8 which is what you are seeing and were able to update via awnet in the WS-2000.

[Ski Pro 3]

I've tried asking Ed about the two unique firmwares on the WS-2000 module and how only the primary firmware was available from the website and that the Wifi firmware, currently AMBWeatherV4.0.8 is only accessible from the app on the Ambient Weather Facebook page. 
Here's a quote from the FB page I posted;
Me;
 Ed Edelman New observation; I was lead to believe the WS-2000 upgrades were done solely from the AW website software section. However, I have been recently made aware the wifi firmware is only upgradable via the app on a smart phone or tablet. I don't have a smart phone and my laptop doesn't do apps. I used my son's smart phone and he's loaned me a tablet that runs on android for the time being. Any chance that all upgrades to software/firmware would be accessible via the web site?

Ed replied;
we will be implementing many of your suggestions.

(I made several suggestions about the WS-2000 product on FB)

Ed has never indicated on FB that there was any problem with the app wifi firmware upload to a WS-2000 console, and it's been discussed in detail by members.  Some members noted problems doing it and shortly after the beta firmware was announced. 

[kbellis]

FWI & FWIW

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[danoh]

That's exactly in line with what I said above..

I've yet to get an answer as to how we are supposed to upgrade the AMBWeather (wifi firmware) as it's obvious the user.bin does not include it because user.bin 1.3.5 didn't upgrade the wifi firmware to 4.0.8

[Ski Pro 3]

Wifi firmware now upgraded to 4.0.9
Ambient Weather states the WS-2000 should use the awnet app to update the wifi firmware on their facebook page
There is also a Rev firmware upgrade to 1.3.8 available too.

From Ambient Weather facebook page;

  I stand corrected on this. Sorry, my fault. On the WS-2000, you can update the screen layout with the user.bin file. You can update the WS-2000 WiFi firmware through the awnet app.

There are a couple issues with this though and you can sort through all the discussion on the facebook page.  In a nut shell, the 1.3.8 upload is shown on the console as 1.3.7 for some reason.  If you upgrade the Rev firmware before doing the wifi firmware upgrade, it isn't intuitive how to get your wifi discovered.  I'd recommend updating the wifi first, then the Rev firmware.  Eventually I was able to find my wifi after only updating to 1.3.8 rev firmware, but after I did the wifi upgrade, no problems. 

[kbellis]

There are a couple issues with this though and you can sort through all the discussion on the facebook page.

Why force customers to join Facebook?

[kbellis]

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Facebook shouldn't be the way customers are given notice of updates for their products. It would be better to automate notices to customers whose products are effected, either through a mass email, RSS feed, or both.

Most software developers have built-in periodic checks for updates of their firmware/ software, oftentimes transparent to the user, and it is the application itself, that either goes ahead and performs the update automatically, or asks the user if they want to update now or perform the update later.

[danoh]

AMBWeather is NOT bundled with user.bin

Ed clarified this, and it seems he was in error when he told me otherwise.

So, as it stands right now, use sdcard (user.bin) to update the WS2000 display firmware and use awnet app to update the AMBWeather (WiFi) firmware on a WS2000.

Glad we got that straightened out.

[kbellis]

How were you able to add the WS-2000 as a new device on your mobile device? I tried, but didn't see the option.

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