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[DonTom]

My 2017 Zero SR has MBB V33. The latest is V40.


Also, the two BMSes (Pwr Tank) are v40, latest is V47.


Seven versions behind on everything, unless they skip numbers.


All these updates require a dealer for my 2017 SR updates.


Does anybody here have them done and do they do anything useful?


My SR runs fine as it is. Should I even bother with these updates?


Are these dealer-required updates just a way for dealers to make more money on Zeros?


-Don-  Reno, NV

[Richard230]

I just checked the Zero app for my 2018S and it is showing N/A for both the MBB and the BMS. It is checking for firmware updates, but the yellow circle goes round and round without ever connecting. The phone App Version is shown as v2.1.3(391) and the OS Version is 10(29). I have no idea what those are.

The last time I updated the firmware of my bike was about two years ago. I think that was the last update for the Gen 2 models provided by Zero. All of my updates have been accomplished in my garage via WiFi without needing a visit to a dealer. It is my belief that Zero is done with the Gen 2 models and has moved on to greener pastures.

In any case, I would recommend that if your bike is running well, don't mess with it. As I have said before, my daughter's 2014S has never had a firmware update since its power tank was installed by the dealer in early 2014 and the bike still runs like new without any issues that would seem to need a firmware update. 

[DonTom]

I just checked the Zero app for my 2018S and it is showing N/A for both the MBB and the BMS. It is checking for firmware updates, but the yellow circle goes round and round without ever connecting. The phone App Version is shown as v2.1.3(391) and the OS Version is 10(29). I have no idea what those are.

The last time I updated the firmware of my bike was about two years ago. I think that was the last update for the Gen 2 models provided by Zero. All of my updates have been accomplished in my garage via WiFi without needing a visit to a dealer. It is my belief that Zero is done with the Gen 2 models and has moved on to greener pastures.

In any case, I would recommend that if your bike is running well, don't mess with it. As I have said before, my daughter's 2014S has never had a firmware update since its power tank was installed by the dealer in early 2014 and the bike still runs like new without any issues that would seem to need a firmware update. 

If you're using the old FW update program on your Smartphone, that is what you will get. It no longer works on our Zeros for FW updates.


You need the "Zero Next Generation" FW for it to work for updates. But just like when the bike was new, the first FW update requires the dealer.


-Don-  Reno, NV

[Richard230]

I just checked the Zero app for my 2018S and it is showing N/A for both the MBB and the BMS. It is checking for firmware updates, but the yellow circle goes round and round without ever connecting. The phone App Version is shown as v2.1.3(391) and the OS Version is 10(29). I have no idea what those are.

The last time I updated the firmware of my bike was about two years ago. I think that was the last update for the Gen 2 models provided by Zero. All of my updates have been accomplished in my garage via WiFi without needing a visit to a dealer. It is my belief that Zero is done with the Gen 2 models and has moved on to greener pastures.

In any case, I would recommend that if your bike is running well, don't mess with it. As I have said before, my daughter's 2014S has never had a firmware update since its power tank was installed by the dealer in early 2014 and the bike still runs like new without any issues that would seem to need a firmware update. 

If you're using the old FW update program on your Smartphone, that is what you will get. It no longer works on our Zeros for FW updates.


You need the "Zero Next Generation" FW for it to work for updates. But just like when the bike was new, the first FW update requires the dealer.


-Don-  Reno, NV

If that is the case, I guess I won't be getting any more firmware updates, which frankly have never done anything for my Zero that I ever noticed. 

[DonTom]

If that is the case, I guess I won't be getting any more firmware updates, which frankly have never done anything for my Zero that I ever noticed. 

I sometimes think all these updates are just so someone can keep their job. They change things around a little, but probably in most cases, these updates have as many disadvantages as advantages. But in most cases, nobody even notices any change.


"“There are no solutions. There are only trade-offs.”  Thomas Sowell


-Don-  Auburn, CA 

[mdjak1]

I sometimes think all these updates are just so someone can keep their job. They change things around a little, but probably in most cases, these updates have as many disadvantages as advantages. But in most cases, nobody even notices any change.


"“There are no solutions. There are only trade-offs.”  Thomas Sowell


-Don-  Auburn, CA

All well and good until some hacker finds the unpatched security flaw and drives you off a cliff!   /s

[Richard230]

I sometimes think all these updates are just so someone can keep their job. They change things around a little, but probably in most cases, these updates have as many disadvantages as advantages. But in most cases, nobody even notices any change.


"“There are no solutions. There are only trade-offs.”  Thomas Sowell


-Don-  Auburn, CA

All well and good until some hacker finds the unpatched security flaw and drives you off a cliff!   /s

But will the hacker want to wait until he can finally connect to your bike and find that security flaw?   

[rgutt]

Shy of a functionally relevant glitch being corrected, the addition of a feature you'll actually use, or the correction to a problem you know you have, there is NO upside to a firmware update, but there are plenty of downsides -- like bricking what was a completely functional system. And as for the Gen 2 bikes, Zero doesn't push any updates to the motor controller, so other than some current limits they transmit from the BMS, there would never be any kind of performance improvement.

[DonTom]

Shy of a functionally relevant glitch being corrected, the addition of a feature you'll actually use, or the correction to a problem you know you have, there is NO upside to a firmware update, but there are plenty of downsides -- like bricking what was a completely functional system. And as for the Gen 2 bikes, Zero doesn't push any updates to the motor controller, so other than some current limits they transmit from the BMS, there would never be any kind of performance improvement.

What I would like to know is what the BMS updates do. And how it affects charging at different temperatures and that type of thing.


I learned the hard way when I needed a charge, that I could not charge because it was 103°F (39.5°C)  outside.  The first warning was no regen. I was stuck in Carson City, NV with my Zero SR until it got dark when it was cool enough to charge for a while--until the battery warmed up from the charging and shut off again.


I often take my 2017 Zero SR with Power Tank for trips of a couple of hundred miles. I charge it at 8 KW with external chargers. But I now turn off the OBC when it is hot so the heat doesn't travel up the battery and make things even worse. Then I can only charge at 6.6 KW.


-Don-  Auburn, CA