Base 3 firmware update

What platform are you using?  Android or Apple?  The Apple app current version isn't capable.  Looks like you are using an Apple device.

Same issue.  I uninstalled the Cab3 from the tablet (android) and did a cold boot (shut off the tablet then restarted it).   Downloaded Cab3 and installed, downloaded Base3 v1.26 to the Cab3.  Turned on Base3 (AP mode).  Ran v1.26 as per instructions... worked perfectly.

Running Cab 3 from an iPhone. Maybe that explains it. Then I looked at instructions to upgrade from a PC and it said in notes something about not available yet.

Does anyone understand Dave Olsen’s firmware notes when he says,

• Base3 Version 1.26 is REQUIRED for using the Base3 System Utility (B3SU)

A link is provided to upload 1.26 to a PC. But then the Base System Utility B3SU is the utility used to upgrade Base 3 firmware to 1.26. How can you use B3SU to upgrade the firmware to 1.26 when 1.26 is required for using B3SU?

It was stated earlier that the only thing the B3SU can do with a 1.22 BASE3 is update the firmware to 1.26. After the upgrade, the B3SU can fully interact with the BASE3.

Thanks for the clarification.

Notes from a successful Base3 update from a Fire tablet:

My first attempt failed.  Perhaps because the orange, yellow, and red LED pipes on the front of the Base3 remained dark (NOT alternating per Lionel's documentation), I thought the Base3 wasn't really in update mode and didn't pay attention to device and Cab3 network settings.

I uninstalled and reinstalled the Cab3 App to start with a clean slate.  With the Base3 in network mode for Internet access, I downloaded the Base3 firmware v1.26 to the Cab3.  The firmware is stored on the tablet.

I restarted the Base3 in AP mode, restarted the Fire tablet, changed the WiFi connection to the Base3, and started the Cab3 App to test that it could connect to the base.  Success.  The update is next.

I powered off the Base3.  The loss of the Base3 AP caused the Fire tablet to revert to my office WiFi.  The Base3 was restarted in Update Mode.  No alternating lights, just the blue "Lionel" end lights.  I restarted the Fire tablet and changed the WiFi connection back to the Base3.  The Cab3 App was launched and connected the the Base3.  An indicator that the base was in update mode is the engine roster info windows are blank.  Swiped down for the Base Details screen and went to the Base3 Firmware Updater screen.  Clicked Update Base3 Firmware, and when the blue progress bar showed completion, clicked Restart Base.

The Base3 restarted with normal lights.  Because the Base3 AP was briefly offline, the Fire tablet reverted to my office network connection so I had to (again) change the tablet's WiFi to point to the Base3 AP.  The Cab3 App connected to the updated Base3 with the engine roster data refreshed from the Base3.  Success.

Because I reinstalled the Cab3 App, I had to re-enter the static IP address.  I noted that the SSID and password for my home network were correct in the Cab3 fields (these persist in the Base3's memory).  I restarted the Base3 in network mode which caused the Base3 AP to stop; the Fire tablet automatically connected to my office network (I checked this).  The Cab3 App connected.  Success and back to normal.

Getting the Base3 updated with the Cab3, per Lionel's instructions, requires firmware download (Internet access required), firmware update (Base3 in AP mode), and Base3 restart.  At each change to the Base3 network mode, or Base3 restart, the Cab3's device is going to lose connection to the Base3 and change it's WiFi connection to the next available WiFi AP.  Half the work in performing a Base3 update is keeping the device's WiFi connected to the Base3 at each step.

Here is the current Base3 firmware update path as I see it.

Android Cab3 app can update via the app.

Current Apple Cab3 App as of checking this morning is Version 1.1.011.  It still is unable to do the update.  Not sure if this an app issue or not.

B3SU according to @SantaFeFan Dr.ZW JonZ can do the update, he posted in another thread, but is not recommended to use in other areas until the firmware is updated on Base3.  B3SU is also unavailable yet to the masses.  I am guessing we will see an update to the Apple app or the update issue is fixed so it can do the update and then we'll get B3SU.  I imagine they are holding off on releasing B3SU until both apps can do the firmware update to prevent folks from using it before the update and causing issues.

So while the cart might be before the horse with 1.26 on the website, once the Apple App firmware update issue is fixed everyone should be able to get to 1.26 firmware and then B3SU should be released.  All logical guesses on my part based on the notes on the website.

@MartyE posted:

Here is the current Base3 firmware update path as I see it.

Android Cab3 app can update via the app.

Current Apple Cab3 App as of checking this morning is Version 1.1.011.  It still is unable to do the update.

B3SU according to @SantaFeFan Dr.ZW JonZ can do the update, he posted in another thread, but is not recommended to use in other areas until the firmware is updated on Base3.  B3SU is also unavailable yet to the masses.  I am guessing we will see an update to the Apple app so it can do the update and then we'll get B3SU.  I imagine they are holding off on releasing B3SU until both apps can do the firmware update to prevent folks from using it before the update and causing issues.

So while the cart might be before the horse with 1.26 on the website, once the Apple App is updated everyone should be able to get to 1.26 firmware and then B3SU should be released.  All logical guesses on my part based on the notes on the website.

Just curious, how will people who are not on this forum know that there is an update available to their app?  Do you have to go to the update or will the app do it for you? I'm not into all this app stuff so I should probably ask my 12 year old but he is at school right now...lol.

@Farmall-Joe posted:

Just curious, how will people who are not on this forum know that there is an update available to their app?  Do you have to go to the update or will the app do it for you? I'm not into all this app stuff so I should probably ask my 12 year old but he is at school right now...lol.

Depends on your phone settings.  You can select to automatically update the apps or manually on the Apple platform. Not sure about Android. If you have it set for manually you will have to check the App store.  There are links on the Power and Control website that takes you directly to the respective app stores where you can find the version information.

The App version you currently have is displayed on the Bluetooth tab in the bottom left of the screen.

Thanks to all who replied to my post. This is an awesome forum.

When the base is ready for update the blue lights on the side will flash.  Lionel has already been told the online instructions are wrong.

@Reading RR posted:

When the base is ready for update the blue lights on the side will flash.  Lionel has already been told the online instructions are wrong.

Just curious how they are wrong?

NVM I see.  They are correct to update from the B3SU in the Base3 section.

Just to note what was stated above, the App instructions on the Power and Control site for Base3 Firmware reads

• While holding down the bootloader button on the front of the Base3 (a gear symbol), power on the Base3.  The orange, blue, and red LED pipes on the front of the Base3 will slowly flash together to indicated that the Base3 is in update mode.

That is incorrect.

It should read

• While holding down the bootloader button on the front of the Base3 (a gear symbol), power on the Base3. The LIONEL lights at the ends of the Base3 will slowly flash on and off to indicate that the Base3 is ready for updating.

The instructions from Lionel (below) look correct to me...

3) While holding down the bootloader button on the front of the Base3 (a gear symbol), power on the Base3. The LIONEL lights at the ends of the Base3 will slowly flash on and off to indicate that the Base3 is ready for updating.

...this is exactly how it functioned when I updated to v1.26.  OK... when I installed I used the laptop for instructions as I cannot see/read the instructions via the app.

@Dennis-LaRock posted:

The instructions from Lionel (below) look correct to me...

3) While holding down the bootloader button on the front of the Base3 (a gear symbol), power on the Base3. The LIONEL lights at the ends of the Base3 will slowly flash on and off to indicate that the Base3 is ready for updating.

...this is exactly how it functioned when I updated to v1.26.  OK... when I installed I used the laptop for instructions as I cannot see/read the instructions via the app.

See my post above...

But the instructions in the App itself does reflect correctly the indication lights.

That's what I told Lionel, what you wrote above.  The funny thing was while the online instructions for the cab3  were wrong, the instructions on the Cab3 were correct.   Still wrong on the online instructions.  See below.

Once the Cab3 APP has the latest firmware saved, you’re ready to update your Base3:

1. With the Base3 powered off, hold down the settings button (looks like a gear) on the front of the Base3 and flip on the Base3’s power switch.
2. The orange, blue, and red LED pipes on the front of the Base3 will slowly flash together to indicated that the Base3 is in update mode.

I'm sure they will correct those instructions soon.

David Jarinko

"It's not a bug, it's a documentation error" ... that's what Microsoft often told me on Windows kernel strangeness.

Wasn't the idea of having the documentation on-line to allow for rapid corrections of the documentation?

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Wasn't the idea of having the documentation on-line to allow for rapid corrections of the documentation?

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Wasn't the idea of having the documentation on-line to allow for rapid corrections of the documentation?

Wasn't the whole point of delaying Base3 was so they could make sure it worked now the android does more than the apple app and there is know way to update from a pc either with out he B#SU which is not available except to testers.  What a joke.

The smart thing would have been to put a light web server like nginx and firmware update page right on the base 3 as a failsafe. They are already dishing out an ip in ap mode.

@Shawn_Chronister posted:

Wasn't the whole point of delaying Base3 was so they could make sure it worked now the android does more than the apple app and there is know way to update from a pc either with out he B#SU which is not available except to testers.  What a joke.

The smart thing would have been to put a light web server like nginx and firmware update page right on the base 3 as a failsafe. They are already dishing out an ip in ap mode.

These is no need to update the Base3 until the B3SU is ready.  And the B3SU can be used to do the upgrade, as I posted earlier.  The changes to the latest Base3 O/S are very minor and mainly to enhance the B3SU features.  So enjoy the Base3 until the upgrade is needed.

PS: And we do have a web server in the system, when needed it will be turned on.  We did cover quite a few bases...

There seems to be a lot of issues with the application and firmware so while I bought the Base3 I am going to keep it in the box for a while. These issues should not be a shock, look how many updates Apple, Dell and MS send out. It’s to the point they are daily.

i am sure Dave and Team are plowing through a long list of “bugs.”

FWIW, the Power and Control sight has been corrected for the actions of the lights in the Firmware Update Process under the CAB3 App section.

I just got my first experience with the BASE3 on an actual layout.  I didn't use the CAB3, but it works fine with the CAB1L and CAB2.