Hoymiles DTU Firmware V00.07.02: S-Miles Cloud Connection Issue

by Alex Johnson 64 views

Experiencing issues with your Hoymiles system after upgrading the DTU firmware? You're not alone! This article dives into a critical bug discovered in the V00.07.02 firmware version that limits connections, impacting the functionality of the S-Miles Cloud when used alongside the Home Assistant integration. We'll explore the details of the bug, how to reproduce it, the expected behavior, and a workaround to get your system back on track.

The Bug: Single Connection Limit in Firmware V00.07.02

After upgrading the Hoymiles DTU firmware to version V00.07.02, many users have reported that the S-Miles Cloud stops receiving data when the Home Assistant integration (ha-hoymiles-wifi) is active. This means that while your Home Assistant continues to function correctly, displaying data from your inverter and DTU, the official Hoymiles cloud platform shows no information, even though the devices appear online. The core issue seems to be that this new firmware version enforces a restriction, allowing only a single connection at a time. This is a significant change from previous versions, such as V00.06.05, which allowed simultaneous connections from both the S-Miles Cloud (via the app or web server) and the Home Assistant integration.

This single connection limit creates a frustrating situation for users who rely on both platforms for monitoring and managing their solar power systems. Imagine being able to see your real-time energy production and consumption in Home Assistant but having the official S-Miles Cloud completely blank. This not only limits your ability to track long-term performance and access official Hoymiles data but also hinders troubleshooting efforts. The inability to access S-Miles Cloud data can also be concerning, as it is often the primary platform for warranty claims and support.

This issue highlights the importance of thorough testing before firmware updates are rolled out, especially when dealing with critical infrastructure like solar power systems. The impact on users who rely on both the Home Assistant integration and the S-Miles Cloud is substantial, disrupting their ability to monitor their energy production and potentially affecting their ability to claim warranties or receive support. Hoymiles users are strongly advised to be cautious about upgrading to V00.07.02 until a fix is released. If you are experiencing this issue, it is crucial to contact Hoymiles support and report your findings. The more reports they receive, the quicker they are likely to prioritize a solution. Sharing your experience on forums and online communities can also help other users identify the issue and find potential workarounds.

Reproducing the Issue: Step-by-Step Guide

To better understand this connection conflict, let’s walk through the steps to reproduce the bug. This will help you confirm if you're experiencing the same issue and provide valuable information when reporting it to Hoymiles support:

  1. Upgrade Hoymiles DTU firmware to V00.07.02: This is the crucial first step. Ensure your DTU is updated to the problematic firmware version.
  2. Enable the ha-hoymiles-wifi integration in Home Assistant: Make sure the integration is active and successfully reading data from your Hoymiles system.
  3. Open S-Miles Cloud (Web or App): Access the S-Miles Cloud platform either through your web browser or the mobile app.
  4. Observe the behavior: You should notice that the S-Miles Cloud is no longer updating or displaying data, even though your devices are shown as "Online." In contrast, Home Assistant will continue to receive and display data correctly.
  5. Disable the ha-hoymiles-wifi integration: This is the key step to isolate the issue. Within your Home Assistant settings, disable the Hoymiles integration.
  6. Observe the change: After disabling the integration, the S-Miles Cloud should begin updating and displaying data again. This confirms the conflict between the two connections.

By following these steps, you can reliably reproduce the bug and gain a clear understanding of the single connection limitation in firmware V00.07.02. This reproducible scenario is also essential for Hoymiles support to effectively diagnose and resolve the issue. When contacting support, be sure to clearly outline these steps and the observed behavior to facilitate a quicker resolution. Providing this detailed information will significantly aid in the troubleshooting process and help Hoymiles develop a fix for this problem.

Expected Behavior vs. Reality

In previous firmware versions, such as V00.06.05, both the Home Assistant integration and the S-Miles Cloud were able to receive data simultaneously without any issues. This allowed users to seamlessly integrate their Hoymiles system into their smart home setup while still maintaining access to the official Hoymiles monitoring platform. The expected behavior is for both platforms to function independently and concurrently, providing users with comprehensive access to their solar power data.

The reality with firmware V00.07.02, however, is quite different. The introduction of the single connection limit means that only one platform can actively receive data at any given time. This creates a frustrating dilemma for users who rely on both Home Assistant and S-Miles Cloud. They are forced to choose between integrating their solar system into their smart home ecosystem and accessing the official Hoymiles platform for monitoring and support. This limitation significantly reduces the usability and flexibility of the Hoymiles system, hindering the user experience and potentially impacting their ability to manage their solar power effectively.

The discrepancy between the expected behavior and the actual behavior highlights a critical regression in the firmware. Regression testing is a crucial part of software development, ensuring that new updates do not break existing functionality. In this case, the lack of simultaneous connection support in V00.07.02 represents a clear step backward in terms of user experience and system compatibility. Hoymiles needs to address this issue promptly to restore the expected functionality and maintain user satisfaction. A thorough investigation into the root cause of this regression is essential to prevent similar issues in future firmware updates.

Additional Context: Troubleshooting with Hoymiles Support

Extensive troubleshooting has been conducted with Hoymiles Official Support to verify the single connection bug. Here's a summary of the key findings:

  1. Initial Symptom: After upgrading to V00.07.02, S-Miles Cloud lost data visibility.
  2. Downgrade Blocked: An attempt to manually downgrade to V00.06.05 resulted in the error: "App and server connected simultaneously." This suggested the device was locking out the downgrade due to the active HA connection, further indicating the single connection limitation.
  3. Support Investigation: Hoymiles support initially confirmed there were no issues on their end but asked to disconnect "Toolkit." As the user was not using Toolkit but had the HA integration enabled, disabling the HA integration immediately restored S-Miles Cloud data.
  4. Verification Test:
    • Support reverted the firmware to V00.06.05. Result: Both HA and S-Miles Cloud worked simultaneously.
    • The firmware was upgraded to V00.07.02 again while HA was active. Result: S-Miles Cloud data stopped immediately.
  5. Conclusion: The tests clearly demonstrated that firmware V00.07.02 allows only a single connection path to the DTU.

This detailed troubleshooting process with Hoymiles support provides strong evidence of the bug and its impact. The fact that a downgrade was initially blocked due to the perceived simultaneous connection further reinforces the single connection theory. The verification tests, where the issue was consistently reproduced by upgrading to V00.07.02 and resolved by reverting to V00.06.05, solidify the conclusion that the firmware is the root cause of the problem. This thorough investigation and the collaborative effort with Hoymiles support have been instrumental in identifying and understanding this critical bug.

Workaround: Downgrading Firmware (If Possible)

The most effective workaround for this issue is to revert your DTU firmware to version V00.06.05, which restores the dual functionality allowing simultaneous connections. However, it's important to note that downgrading firmware can be a complex process and may not always be possible depending on your specific DTU model and Hoymiles' support policies. In this case, the user requested Hoymiles Support to revert their firmware, which was successful in restoring dual functionality. If you are experiencing this issue, contacting Hoymiles support and requesting a firmware downgrade is the recommended first step.

It is crucial to emphasize that attempting to downgrade firmware without proper guidance or authorization from Hoymiles can potentially damage your device and void your warranty. Therefore, always contact Hoymiles support before attempting any firmware downgrade procedures. They can provide you with the necessary instructions, tools, and firmware files, as well as ensure that the downgrade process is performed safely and correctly. If Hoymiles is unable to provide a remote downgrade, they may be able to offer alternative solutions or schedule an on-site technician to assist with the process.

While downgrading the firmware is the most effective workaround currently available, it is essential to remember that this is only a temporary solution. Hoymiles needs to release a new firmware version that addresses the single connection limitation bug and restores the expected functionality. Users should continue to monitor Hoymiles' official channels for updates and announcements regarding a fix for this issue.

Conclusion

The single connection limit bug in Hoymiles DTU firmware V00.07.02 is a significant issue that impacts users who rely on both the S-Miles Cloud and Home Assistant integration. This article has detailed the bug, provided steps to reproduce it, highlighted the discrepancy between expected and actual behavior, and outlined a workaround involving firmware downgrading. It is crucial for Hoymiles to address this issue promptly and release a new firmware version that restores dual connection functionality. In the meantime, users experiencing this issue should contact Hoymiles support and consider downgrading their firmware to V00.06.05 as a temporary solution.

For more information on Hoymiles products and support, visit the official Hoymiles website. 📄