How to perform firmware upgrade on Pentair* controllers

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I'm just thinking out loud, but there may be an inexpensive way to reflash firmware on some of these units...

If you download and expand the firmware and look in the pemicro/pkg12z/cfg folder, you'll see that the EZ Touch indoor/outdoor controllers use the 9S12DJ64 processor in the version that can take 1.060, and the 9S12DT128 processor in the version that can take firmware 2.140. EZ Touch Lite also uses the 9s12DT128. These are freescale processors and are supported by many open source BDM tools that are much less expensive than the P&E BDM (you can even build your own). USBDM is one that you can get prebuilt for about 20 bucks, and there is free usbdm software that can flash many controllers (both processors above are listed). I'd love to try it myself but my intellitouch's processor is too old and unsupported by the USBDM software.

All you should need is the .s19 file for your device and the frequency you need to set the BDM tool too, and that's all in the latest firmware download pentair provides. If I were going to try this I would double check device support and do a read of the firmware first to at least make sure that works. Use/explore/think about at your own risk.
 
ogdento said:
I'm just thinking out loud, but there may be an inexpensive way to reflash firmware on some of these units...

If you download and expand the firmware and look in the pemicro/pkg12z/cfg folder, you'll see that the EZ Touch indoor/outdoor controllers use the 9S12DJ64 processor in the version that can take 1.060, and the 9S12DT128 processor in the version that can take firmware 2.140. EZ Touch Lite also uses the 9s12DT128. These are freescale processors and are supported by many open source BDM tools that are much less expensive than the P&E BDM (you can even build your own). USBDM is one that you can get prebuilt for about 20 bucks, and there is free usbdm software that can flash many controllers (both processors above are listed). I'd love to try it myself but my intellitouch's processor is too old and unsupported by the USBDM software.

All you should need is the .s19 file for your device and the frequency you need to set the BDM tool too, and that's all in the latest firmware download pentair provides. If I were going to try this I would double check device support and do a read of the firmware first to at least make sure that works. Use/explore/think about at your own risk.
Click to expand...

Yes, I did look into using a cheap BDM programmer off of ebay, but the programming software was complicated.
 
There's another programmer that works for firmware updates... the parallel port BDM-Multilink, Rev B.

I bought the parallel BDM-Multilink on ebay for $50 (i've seen em for less) and it worked with the adelaide software. I just successfully updated my intellitouch indoor and outdoor boards to firmware version 1.170.

I did have to update the scripts a little bit to tell it to use the parallel port BDM instead of the USB one by changing this:
CPROG12Z ? 1 IO_DELAY_CNT 12 C:\pemicro\pkg12z\cfg\OLD_UIC.CFG FREQ 8000000 Interface=USBMultilink PORT=USB1
to this:
CPROG12Z ? 1 IO_DELAY_CNT 12 C:\pemicro\pkg12z\cfg\OLD_UIC.CFG FREQ 8000000 Interface=BDMMultilink PORT=1


I think jerryt mentioned this already, but I also had to edit the OLD_UIC and OLD_UOC config files to set the algorithm from this:
Freescale_912DG128A_1x16x64k_128k_16k_page.12p
to this:
912DG128A_128k.12p

Ran the batch file and everything worked great. The indoor controller piezo did make a horrible noise and I thought I had something hooked up horribly wrong but it worked just fine.

Thanks for all the info guys, I now have an updated system that can run the intelliflo pump!
 
ogdento said:
There's another programmer that works for firmware updates... the parallel port BDM-Multilink, Rev B.

I bought the parallel BDM-Multilink on ebay for $50 (i've seen em for less) and it worked with the adelaide software. I just successfully updated my intellitouch indoor and outdoor boards to firmware version 1.170.

I did have to update the scripts a little bit to tell it to use the parallel port BDM instead of the USB one by changing this:
CPROG12Z ? 1 IO_DELAY_CNT 12 C:\pemicro\pkg12z\cfg\OLD_UIC.CFG FREQ 8000000 Interface=USBMultilink PORT=USB1
to this:
CPROG12Z ? 1 IO_DELAY_CNT 12 C:\pemicro\pkg12z\cfg\OLD_UIC.CFG FREQ 8000000 Interface=BDMMultilink PORT=1


I think jerryt mentioned this already, but I also had to edit the OLD_UIC and OLD_UOC config files to set the algorithm from this:
Freescale_912DG128A_1x16x64k_128k_16k_page.12p
to this:
912DG128A_128k.12p

Ran the batch file and everything worked great. The indoor controller piezo did make a horrible noise and I thought I had something hooked up horribly wrong but it worked just fine.

Thanks for all the info guys, I now have an updated system that can run the intelliflo pump!
Click to expand...

Great job, you worked thru all the issues...

What computer did you use that has a parallel port ??
 
Hey Jerry,
Thanks, I only got it because of all the work you guys already did. I keep around an ooooold pc because it's got an ISA slot for an old device programmer i haven't bothered to replace... it's got a parallel port also. I set the parallel port to normal/standard mode because one of their docs said not to use EPP or ECP. And that machine's running XP, service pack 2.
 
While reading through this I noticed that people were adding unnecessary steps or making things more difficult than necessary using the older Prog12z on Windows 7 systems.

Win 7's built in "Compatibility Mode" program handles older software like this seamlessly eliminating the need of a physical or virtual Win XP OS completely.

If you'd like I have a step by step .pdf guide I made up on how to do this that you can add for that set up package.

Here's a sample of what I did.

Cheers!

Changes To Make.jpg
 
Last edited:
MarkPristine said:
While reading through this I noticed that people were adding unnecessary steps or making things more difficult than necessary using the older Prog12z on Windows 7 systems.

Win 7's built in "Compatibility Mode" program handles older software like this seamlessly eliminating the need of a physical or virtual Win XP OS completely.

If you'd like I have a step by step .pdf guide I made up on how to do this that you can add for that set up package.

Here's a sample of what I did.

Cheers!

View attachment 39158
Click to expand...

I don't think the issue is running the software, the issue is that "the Driver which connects the hardware (Programmer) to the earlier version of Prog12Z will not load on anything but windows XP".
We can get the software to load but not the drivers (It shows in device manager under "Universal Serial Bus Controllers" as "P&E USB Device" Driver version 1.3.20.0 dated 7/29/2002. Jungo/Windriver 11.7.0.0 dated 10/26/2014 also loads)
See post number 38
 
I was able to upgrade my V1 Suntouch using a USBDM programmer from eBay. There were to main issues to deal with: The processor (a MC9S12A32) had to be swapped with a MC9S12DJ64 as the 2.x firmware requires 64K of Flash. The Flash file from Pentair must be converted to a format that the USBDM software can use. The benefit was that the USBDM was only $15.00. The new processor was available from Mouser electronics; however it's a surface mount QFP80 flat pack that is difficult to change unless you have the proper tools.
 
xuulan said:
I was able to upgrade my V1 Suntouch using a USBDM programmer from eBay. There were to main issues to deal with: The processor (a MC9S12A32) had to be swapped with a MC9S12DJ64 as the 2.x firmware requires 64K of Flash. The Flash file from Pentair must be converted to a format that the USBDM software can use. The benefit was that the USBDM was only $15.00. The new processor was available from Mouser electronics; however it's a surface mount QFP80 flat pack that is difficult to change unless you have the proper tools.
Click to expand...
It would be a huge help if you could provide some information on how you converted the file and some of the steps you used. I am looking to reprogram my IntelliTouch Indoor Control Panel which has a MC912DG128ACPVE.

EDIT: Upon further research it looks like the USBDM does not support the microcontroller inside the Intellitouch outdoor and indoor panel. The USBDM only supports the HCS12 series not the HC12 series used in the intelliTouch.
 

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Last edited:
Just got done upgrading at ET8 board to 2.14 using an old Thinkpad T42p on Windows Xp with the prog12z v1.71 that LukeS provided the link to above. Programming was completed using an USB-ML-12 Rev C
All I had to do was modify the OLD_EZTUOC2.cfg file to:

RE
CM C:\pemicro\prog12z\Algorithms\9S12DT128_128k.12P
EM
BM
SS C:\pemicro\pkg12z\s19\EasyTouch_Outdoor_2140.s19
PM
VM
RE
QU

from:

RE
CM C:\pemicro\prog12z\Algorithms\Freescale_9S12DT128_1x16x64k_128k_Linear_16k_page.12P
EM
BM
SS C:\pemicro\pkg12z\s19\EasyTouch_Outdoor_2140.s19
PM
VM
RE
QU




Thank you everyone for your help in this thread!
 
I was able to perform the 2.150 firmware updates to both my outdoor Easytouch 8 panel and my easytouch 8 wireless remote. I used a PE Micro USB Multilink Rev. C on an old Windows XP laptop. I used the Prog12z version 1.71 from the link posted by LukeS in post #71. I did need to make changes to the batch files as described by Mikem95626 in post #74. I used a second Micro JST connector with pins 1 and 6 hooked up to the outdoor panel to power the wireless controller for the update (described with pictures by geobrick in post #59).

The Micro JST connectors I ordered from ebay had a different color order. Make sure to go by pin number as illustrated in JerryT's first post, not by color.

I did notice one odd thing after going from 2.010 to 2.150. Both the pool temperature and the air temperature numbers were wacky (195, 202 degrees F) on both the outdoor panel and the wireless controller. After about 7-8 minutes they switched to normal values.

Thanks for all posts on this thread - the collaboration here is what makes the internet great and keeps pool ownership affordable. I couldn't get anyone to come out for the reprogram for under $300. The programming took less than 5 minutes.

UPDATE: I noticed my pool cleaner wasn't coming on. It would never exit the start delay even if manually cancelled on the panel. I erased the EEPROM and reprogrammed all my labels, schedules and settings and this completely resolved the problem. If you are making a large jump like I did (2.010 -> 2.150), I recommend writing down your settings, resetting the EEPROM, and re-entering your settings.

UPDATE 4/20/17: The need to erase the EEPROM was a bug in the 2.150 firmware. The 2.160 firmware fixes this and it is no longer necessary to erase the EEPROM.
 
Last edited:
miles267 said:
Thanks aholmes5. Done. Do you see any on there right now so that I know exactly what I'm looking for?

When I search USB Multilink there are many results.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...


What operating system do you want to use with it ??

I may have an early unit which only works on Windows XP


Changes in ;
EasyTouch 2.150
1. Fixed issue with self test screen over writing some characters.
2. Fixed issue with some boards misidentifying as PL4 units
3. Fixed issue with Spa/Cleaner. Now if Cleaner turns on while Spa is running it turn the Spa Off and visa versa.
4. Fixed issue with Heat source not changing until Spa or Pool was turned off and back on
5. Fixed issue with units set for degrees C being stuck at 40c
6. Added support for New Iflo II VSF and Alarm tables.
7. Fixed issue on EasyTouch 4 Indoor panel showing a phantom LED.
8. Removed PSI from VSF setup screen.
 

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