EmonWRT3 Network Locked Out

Overview

This page will help you restoring the EmonWRT3 system if the device can not connect to any network after misconfiguration.

Method 1

Using serial adaptor.

The proposed procedure is to connect to the Emonwrt3 using serial (USB). Enter failsafe and reset the OS. Then re-install Emonwrt3 software.

Hardware

• A USB to UART adaptor (See picture).
• 3 jumper wires.

Other hardware needed are:

• A computer with a USB port.
• A common network cable. (cat5 / RJ45).

Hardware Setup

• Remove the Microcontroller from the Base Board. This is the wide 28 pins chip. This must be taken off the board.
• Setup the USB adaptor for 3.3V using the small jumper.
• Connect the USB adator to the (Gnd,Rx,Tx) connect on the base board. The USB adaptor also has (Gnd,Rx,Tx). Connect them together.
• Connect the USB adaptor to your computer. A red light should be lit.

It should look as this picture here in the end.

Software Preparation

Putty

Download the Putty software from the web. Install it on your computer.

Start Putty and setup a serial connection.

• Serial Line /dev/ttyUSB0 (or equivalent for windows or mac).
• Speed 115200

Click on Open. A black background window will appear.

Enter Failsafe

Power up the base board. Then wait until you see a message proposing to enter Failsafe mode.

When this appear enter f then return.

A prompt will be offered then enter here:

firstboot -y

That's it. The operating system is back to factory default. You will now need to reinstall Emonwrt3.

Complete installation

Power off and on the base board and follow the guide below to install Emonwrt3.

Emonwrt3 Install on OpenWrt

Method 2

Using arduino sketch.

The proposed procedure is to flash the arduino chip with a special code. This will trigger uboot prompt. Then you can update the firmware via a web browser.

Hardware

• An Arduino UNO.
• A computer with a USB port.
• A common network cable. (cat5 / RJ45).

Hardware Setup

• Remove the Microcontroller from the Base Board. This is the wide 28 pins chip.
• Insert the microcontroller on the Arduino UNO.

Software Preparation

Arduino

Open the ARduino IDE and copy paste this sketch below:

void setup() {
 Serial.begin(115200);
 delay(500);
 Serial.println();
 delay(500);
 Serial.println("httpd");
}
void loop() {}

Upload the sketch to the arduino Uno.

OpenWRT

Download OpenWRT Chaos Calmer here. Save this somewhere on your computer.

Enter uboot prompt

Install the Arduino chip back onto the Emonwrt3 base board unit.

Connect the network cable directly from the computer to the EmonWRT3 unit.

Setup your computer with static IP address 192.168.1.2

Now power on the Emonwrt3 by connecting the micro-usb cable.

Complete installation

Power off and on the base board and follow the guide below to install Emonwrt3.

Emonwrt3 Install on OpenWrt