Prerequisite - TCP Server - Waveshare Firmware update - v1.486 or v1.490

[alienatedsec]

The below guide was made for the purpose of this project and it can be used for Waveshare devices connected to other inverters; however, the functionality outcome may differ from what is known as working with older firmware, so follow only at your own risk

The Waveshare devices are likely to be delivered with an old firmware version v1.452 - while this version works fine with TCP Client, its functionality has not been great with TCP Server. See #14 (comment), and wills106/homeassistant-solax-modbus#340 for more details.

Therefore, following this guide to upgrade your TCP Server to the latest firmware version is highly recommended. The proposed firmware release v1.486 is dated 2022.08.10 and it has been originally shared via the Waveshare ticketing system, and released at the following address https://note.youdao.com/s/JImk2MbZ

I copied its content just in case it will be removed in the future:

FOLLOW THE BELOW AT YOUR OWN RISK

FIRMWARE UPGRADE PROCESS

1. Download the firmware
   1.486(2007_dev_name-WSDEV0001).zip or you could try 1.490(WSDEV-1.490.BIN.zip) - untested

2. Download the VirCom
   VirCom_en.zip

3. You can refer to the programming instructions on pages 49 to 52 of the manual.
   RS485-to-eth-b-user-manual-EN-v1.33.pdf

4. Extract all content from the files you downloaded

5. Search for a device in VirCom - double click, and choose the highlighted Firmware/Config button.
   

6. Select Code file download mode and pick your firmware file 1.486(2007_dev_name-WSDEV0001).bin - there is no need to amend any other settings - press the Download button.
   
   At this time, the download progress bar starts to move, and the download time is about 30 seconds. During the download, you will see the ACT light of the device flashing, and at the end of the download, you will see the LINK light flashing a few times. Then the program will pop up a prompt box Do not power off the device when the LINK light flashes after the transmission is complete. Note: This is only the completion of the transfer. The flash writing process takes about 3 seconds. At this time, the LINK light will flash. Please do not cut off the power during this period.

The above will erase the web interface; therefore, it is required to load the Web Interface files again.

However, I recommend using VirCom to configure your devices - I found the web interface is inconsistent with the latest firmware.

RECOVER WEB INTERFACE

1. Download the package
   2043_waveshare_web_zx.zip
2. Extract the content
3. Search for a device in VirCom - double click, and choose the highlighted Firmware/Config button.
   
4. Select Webpage directly download mode, select the folder with HTML files 2043_waveshare_web_zx and press the download button.
   

The flashing process is similar to FIRMWARE UPGRADE PROCESS

OBSERVATIONS

• The MAC Address is likely to change - it will assign a new IP address if you have a DHCP reservation
• Web Interface settings are not consistent with VirCom settings. Use VirCom at all times.