Unico i Series User manual

Introduction.................................................................................................................................................5
Section 1: iSeries Diagnostics......................................................................................................................5
Equipment Required .................................................................................................................................5
System Setup.............................................................................................................................................5
Logging Procedure....................................................................................................................................5
Section 2: Updating Firmware .....................................................................................................................8
Equipment Required .................................................................................................................................8
System Setup.............................................................................................................................................8
Update Procedure......................................................................................................................................8
Firmware Version Cross-Reference........................................................................................................14

This manual provides instructions on how to
update the firmware, as well as monitor and
record the operation of iSeries units.
We recommended that both indoor and
outdoor firmware be checked at the time of
installation on every iSeries system. Update
firmware as required. Logging system
operation at startup is required.
If you need assistance with any of the
procedures described in this manual, please call
Unico at 1-800-527-0896.
The operation of every iSeries unit can be
monitored and recorded using the USB-to-Serial
adapter that is provided with every iSeries
outdoor unit. The logger provides information
on both the indoor and outdoor units(when
powered), including temperatures, blower RPM
and Mode of Operation. While the outdoor
operation can be monitored without power to the
indoor unit, the indoor unit cannot be monitored
without power to the outdoor unit. The log file
that is created when the logger is running
contains much more data than is displayed on
screen, and this data can help to diagnose some
field issues.
It is good practice to hook up the logger to every
installation at startup in order to confirm that the
system is operating normally.
To generate a system log, gather the required
equipment below, and follow the logging
procedure.
1. Laptop with Windows XP or higher
2. Unico iSeries communication kit (p/n:
A02131-K01). Includes serial adapter, 15ft
communication cable, and CD.
2.1. Note: If you choose to source your own
cable, use 2-conductor cable with
shield and drain wire, 18-22ga.
2.2. Note: If you choose to source your own
serial adapter, it must be a USB to RS-
485 adapter.
2.3. Note: All files on the CD can be
downloaded from
tech.unicosystem.com
Before attempting to log system operation,
ensure that the system is configured as follows:
1. The outdoor unit is powered on and the
indoor units are powered on or off.
2. All communication wires between the
outdoor unit and all indoor units have been
connected.
3. The USB-to-Serial adapter is connected to
either the indoor or outdoor unit
communication terminals.
4. The USB-to-Serial adapter is plugged in to
the laptop.
Take the following steps to log data:
1. Wire the USB Adapter
1.1. Use 2-conductor cable with shield and
drain wire, 18-22ga, for these
connections (same as the wiring
between the ODU and IDU control box).
1.2. Connect terminal 1 on the adapter to
communication terminal C2. (Fig. 1a)
1.3. Connect terminal 2 on the adapter to
communication terminal C1 (Fig. 1a)
1.4. The connections to C1 and C2 can be
made either at the indoor or outdoor
unit.
1.5. Connect the drain wire to the ground
terminal on either the indoor or outdoor
unit.

1.6. Note: Do not connect the drain wire to
the USB adapter ground terminal. This
will create a ground loop and cause the
programming step to fail!
1.7. Note: The serial adapter needs drivers to
operate properly. Plug in the adapter to
the tablet or laptop you intend to use and
these drivers will usually be downloaded
and installed automatically.
Figure 1a. USB-to-Serial adapter connection
diagram.
Figure 1b. USB-to-Serial adapter with shielded
cable attached. Cable supplied with iSeries
communication kit.
2. Determine which COM port the serial
adapter is using.
2.1. Go to Start>Control Panel>Device
Manager
2.2. Select “Ports (COM & LPT)”
2.3. Look for “USB Serial Port”. The COM
port in use will be listed. Record this
port number for later use.
Note: The COM port in use on your computer
may differ from the example shown above.
3. Select the appropriate logger
In order to properly log data, you must select the
logger that corresponds to the indoor and
outdoor units installed for your system. All
loggers are located on the CD with the iSeries
Communication Kit, or may be downloaded
from our tech.unicosystem.com website.
Each logger filename lists the type of outdoor
unit it can be used with. Either G50, G65, G80
or G110 will be part of the filename. The
filename also lists the type of indoor unit it
should be used with, either SDHV or MP. If the
system has both SDHV and MP(either MPA or
MPB) units installed on the same outdoor unit,
use the SDHV logger.
For example, a system using an IS24G065
outdoor unit with and IS24MPB indoor unit
would use logger #2 from the list below.
1. Unico DCI Logger v2.6 (Service –MP –
G50).exe
2. Unico DCI Logger v2.6 (Service –MP –
G65).exe
3. Unico DCI Logger v2.6 (Service –MP –
G80, G110).exe

4. Unico DCI Logger v2.6 (Service –SDHV –
G50).exe
5. Unico DCI Logger v2.6 (Service –SDHV –
G65).exe
6. Unico DCI Logger v2.6 (Service –SDHV –
G80, G110).exe
4. Launch the logger.
Double click the icon for the logger that matches
your system configuration. You will then see the
screen at right.
5. Set the COM port that the serial adapter is
using by selecting from the drop-down menu
under “COM port name”
6. Assign the filename.
You must give your log file a name and decide
where to save it. You should include the date,
job name and address to identify the log later.
Example:
2015_02-12 –SGI Residence - 1234 Unico Ln.
Save the file to the Desktop so it is easy to find
later.
7. Click “Start” to begin logging system
operation.
You will see the screen change and start to
display operating parameters of the system.
Record data for at least 15 minutes.
8. Click “Stop” when you are done logging.
The program will automatically create a .zip
file with the data that was recorded.
9. Send the log file to Unico.
If you are logging system operation in order
to get help troubleshooting a unit, send the
log file to Unico Customer Service at:
[e-mail]
10. Resume normal operation.
Logging system operation does not interfere
with normal system operation. Simply
disconnect the serial adapter communication
wires from the indoor or outdoor unit when
the log is complete.

Firmware upgrades provide new features, fix
bugs, and aid in troubleshooting. These files can
be used to upgrade units with older firmware, or
restore the default firmware to newer units The
iSeries has firmware on both the indoor and
outdoor units, and both can be upgraded by the
same easy methods. Depending on the nature of
the update, the indoor unit, outdoor unit, or both
units, may need to be upgraded. It is
recommended that the installer check the
tech.unicosystem.com website for the latest
firmware available at the time of installation.
When in doubt, use the logger (See Section 1) to
verify the installed firmware version and
compare it to the latest versions available online.
A cross reference table is shown at the end of
this guide.
To install new firmware, gather the required
equipment, and follow the update procedure
below.
Estimated Time Required: 15 minutes
1. Laptop with Windows XP or higher
2. Unico iSeries communication kit (p/n:
A02131-K01). Includes serial adapter, 15ft
communication cable, and CD.
2.1. Note: If you choose to source your own
cable, use 2-conductor cable with
shield and drain wire, 18-22ga.
2.2. Note: If you choose to source your own
serial adapter, it must be a USB to RS-
485 adapter.
2.3. Note: All files on the CD can be
downloaded from
tech.unicosystem.com
Before attempting to upgrade the
firmware, ensure that the system is
configured as follows:
1. The outdoor unit and indoor units are
powered off. All LEDs in the outdoor unit
are off.
2. All communication wires between the
outdoor unit and any indoor units have been
disconnected. (Both C1 and C2 terminals.)
3. The USB-to-Serial adapter is connected to
the outdoor unit communication terminals as
shown in Figure 1a and 1b.
4. The USB-to-Serial adapter is disconnected
from the laptop.
5. The updater program (iSeries Firmware
Updater_v09.exe) is closed.
To update the firmware, take the following
steps:
6. Wire the USB Adapter
6.1. Use 2-conductor cable with shield and
drain wire, 18-22ga, for these
connections (same as the wiring
between the ODU and IDU control box).
6.2. Connect terminal 1 on the adapter to
communication terminal C2. (Fig. 1a)
6.3. Connect terminal 2 on the adapter to
communication terminal C1 (Fig. 1a)
6.4. The connections to C1 and C2 can be
made either at the indoor or outdoor
unit.

6.5. Connect the drain wire to the ground
terminal on either the indoor or outdoor
unit.
6.6. Note: Do not connect the drain wire to
the USB adapter ground terminal. This
will create a ground loop and cause the
programming step to fail!
6.7. Note: The serial adapter needs drivers to
operate properly. Plug in the adapter to
the tablet or laptop you intend to use and
these drivers will usually be downloaded
and installed automatically.
Figure 1a. USB-to-Serial adapter connection
diagram.
Figure 1b. USB-to-Serial adapter with shielded
cable attached. Cable supplied with iSeries
communication kit.
2. Insert the USB adapter into the laptop.
3. Determine which COM port the serial
adapter is using.
3.1. Go to Start>Control Panel>Device
Manager
3.2. Select “Ports (COM & LPT)”
3.3. Look for “USB Serial Port”. The COM
port in use will be listed. Record this
port number for later use.
Note: The COM port in use on your computer
may differ from the example shown above.
4. Launch the iSeries Firmware Updater
Setup program. Look for this icon:
This software is only required if this is the first
time the firmware updater software is used on a
particular computer. The setup program installs
certain files that are required for the updater to
operate.

5. Launch the Series Firmware Updater
v.09.exe Look for this icon:
This is the program that will deliver the update
to the indoor or outdoor unit. The first time you
launch the program, you will see the window at
below. You must set the COM port before the
first use of the program. Click OK.
6. Set the COM port that the program will use
by going to File>Config.
7. Type the COM port the serial adapter is
using in the field provided. This should be
the same number you recorded in Step 3.3
above.
8. Exit the configuration window by
selecting File>Exit
Note: If you use the “X” button in the top right
corner of the window, your changes will not be
saved, and the program may not communicate
properly.
9. Select the devices to be programmed.
To upgrade the firmware on the outdoor unit,
check the box next to “Outdoor” and make sure
that all other boxes are unchecked. Disconnect
any communication wires going to the indoor
unit.
To upgrade the firmware on the indoor unit,
select the checkbox that corresponds to the
refrigerant circuit to which the indoor unit is
attached. Uncheck all other boxes. Disconnect
any communication wires between the indoor
and outdoor unit.

10. Select the firmware file to use.
Click “Firmware File”, next to the checkbox
for the unit that is to be updated. Then
browse for the firmware file that
corresponds to the unit being programmed.
See the Firmware Cross-Reference Table at
the end of this Bulletin to identify the
firmware used with each indoor and outdoor
unit. For the latest firmware, check
tech.unicosystem.com
11. Click Synchronize, then wait for the green
progress bar to roll across the screen one
time(about 10 seconds). Waiting longer will
not prevent the unit from synchronizing, but
provides no benefit.
12. Turn on power to the unit being
programmed.
If programming an outdoor unit, observe the
LEDs on the main circuit board. If the
computer and unit are synchronized, all 5
green LEDs on the main circuit board will
be solidly lit.
ODU LEDs Location
ODU LEDs Detail
If the outdoor unit begins its normal startup
sequence with only one or two LEDs lit, or if the
EEVs start their homing procedure, you must
restart the programming process from the
beginning. This failure to synchronize is likely

due to bad communication, or not following the
steps above.
If programming an indoor unit, observe the
LEDs on the MMI board or front of the MP unit.
If the computer and the unit are synchronized,
all three LEDs will be lit.
MMI Board LEDs Detail.
13. Click Start Update
When the computer and outdoor unit are
Synchronized, click “Start Update”.
The update will start by erasing the old firmware
file, and will then program the new firmware
file. After programming, it will verify that the
new file was installed correctly.
This programming process takes about 2
minutes.
13.1. Once the adapter is plugged in, you
will see a single red LED, indicating
the adapter has power.
Power Only
13.2. While the software is trying to
synchronize with the unit, you will
see the red power LED, and a single
yellow LED
Synchronizing
13.3. While the software is programming
the unit, you will see the red power
LED, and two yellow LEDs.
Programming
14. Successful Programming
After successfully programming the indoor or
outdoor unit, the program will report “PASSED”
as shown below.

15. Power down and disconnect adapter
Power down the unit, and disconnect the
serial adapter wires from the unit. Wait until
all LEDs on the unit turn off. The unit will
run with the updated firmware the next time
it is powered up.
16. Re-connect communication wires that
were disconnected from either the indoor or
outdoor units during the programming
process.

To determine whether a firmware update is required, first determine which versions of the firmware are
installed on the outdoor and each indoor unit. On the logger interface, you will see the Logger Code. Use
the table below to identify the corresponding current firmware version. If the number you see on the
logger corresponds to the current firmware version, no update is required. If the logger code you see is
lower than the current revision, the firmware must be updated.
To find the Outdoor Unit Firmware Version, look here:
To find the indoor unit Firmware Version, Look here:

Firmware Version Cross-Reference Table
Indoor or Outdoor Unit
Current Firmware
Version*
Logger Code
iSeries Control Box
IBv00610
616†
IS12MPA
IS12MPAv00570
570
IS24MPB
IS24MPBv00570
570
IS18G050
IS18G050v01103
1109
IS24G065
IS24G065v01103
1109
IS30G080
IS30G080v01103
1109
IS36G110
IS36G110v01103
1109
†SDHV Indoor Unit control boxes with logger code below 400 must be
exchanged to upgrade the firmware.
*See tech.unicosystem.com for firmware released after this Bulletin was
printed.