DL3021 to DL3031 Conversion Discussion

[ToThePub]

I also just did a DL3021 to a DL3031A "upgrade" via the USB method.
This was running 00.01.05.00.01. (shipped with this version)

[Mouse69]

It's a new unit, here in the UK.  Came with the latest firmware already installed (00.01.05.00.01)

[electr_peter]

Firmware update for DL3000 is overdue, v00.01.05.00.01 is from ~2020-12-01. There are bugs in battery app mode, multiple UI improvements can be made as well. DC load is OK otherwise.
Did Rigol forget DL3000?

[ben_r_]

Firmware update for DL3000 is overdue, v00.01.05.00.01 is from ~2020-12-01. There are bugs in battery app mode, multiple UI improvements can be made as well. DC load is OK otherwise.
Did Rigol forget DL3000?

Probably won't come out with another firmware update until they figure out how to lock out this firmware hack! Then use the improvements to battery app mode and UI to tempt us to upgrade!

[rfspezi]

[SOLVED]
When using Rigol's Ultra Load app with my "upgraded" DL3021, i get the "Parameter exceeds Limit!" error when trying to e.g. set the CC current to 1A.
Can it be that Ultra Load is not usable anymore with a hacked device?

UPDATE:
=====
Found the fix for the issue here: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/rigol-ultra-sigma-has-stopped-working/msg999147/#msg999147
Seems to be related to the language of the installed Windows.
At least for German, i need to follow the instructions above to get it working.

[idcipher106]

Successful conversion to DL3031A. Model number is shown as DL3031A, no bugs were noticed (did system reset before & after mod). Tested with 350W and 60A loads, all is fine. Thanks to @Pedrofabian for confirmation that hardware is the same for all DL3000 range

To anyone interested in how to do the mod between RIGOL DL3021/3021A/3031/3031A models:

• turn on DL3000 load, make a system reset via menu, stick in prepared USB stick
• connect to DL3000 and open SCPI/serial terminal: via USB (Rigol Ultra Sigma or serial terminal) or via RS232(Rigol Ultra Sigma or serial terminal) or via LXI LAN (telnet or RigolBildschirmkopie)
• enter command "*IDN?" (without quotes, should show current model number - if not, something went wrong in step #2)
• enter command ":PROJ:SET MODEL,DL3031A" (without quotes, model number is from a set {DL3021/DL3021A/DL3031/DL3031A})
• enter command "*IDN?" (without quotes, should show new model number - if not, something went wrong with step #1 or #4)
• restart device, make a system reset
• enjoy

This didn't really work for me.  I have a Rigol DL-3021 that I just bought.  It has the following firmware versioning shown on the front panel:
Software Version:  00.01.05
FPGA Version:  02.03
Boot Version:  01.011
Hardware Version:  01.00

I attached an RS-232 cable with a DB9 cable from my computer to the DL-3021.  After connecting, I could successfully send the "*IDN?" command, and the device returned an appropriate response.  So I know the serial communication is working and I have the right baud rate, etc.

Then I tried sending the command ":PROJ:SET MODEL,DL3031A".  And the device just hangs with no response.
I tried the same thing using the Rigol's Ultra Sigma software and a USB cable (instead of the RS-232 serial cable).  The same thing happened: after sending the "PROJ:SET MODEL,DL3031A" command the devices hangs with no response.

After the device hangs, if I try to type "*IDN?" again, there is no response any more.
The DL-3021 must be power cycled to get the RS-232 port (or USB port) to become responsive again.

I must admit that I don't know what is meant in the above instructions by this:  "stick in a prepared USB stick".  And there is a link to some topic that is talking about a completely different device (the DP832).  Surely I don't want to follow advice for a DP832 on a DL3021?  Is there something that needs to be on a USB stick when I run the ":PROJ SET MODEL" command?  If so, what?

Is there any other documented way of doing this?  This is really the only detailed instructions I could find for doing the upgrade.

[thm_w]

Yes you need the prepared USB stick or it won't work.
Follow the link electr_peter provided and the instructions are in the first few lines of the post:

Quick Guide
Flash the rigol-key.img from the attached zipfile to a USB drive using your prefered disk imaging software. (dd/Win32 Disk Imager)

Power on the device, and insert the thumbdrive

[idcipher106]

Yes you need the prepared USB stick or it won't work.
Follow the link electr_peter provided and the instructions are in the first few lines of the post:

Ok, so do in fact use an image file from a thread on the DP832 (a power supply) to upgrade the DL3021 (A DC load).  Not what I would have guessed, but ok I'll do it.
Thanks!

[Micro]

Firmware update for DL3000 is overdue, v00.01.05.00.01 is from ~2020-12-01. There are bugs in battery app mode, multiple UI improvements can be made as well. DC load is OK otherwise.
Did Rigol forget DL3000?

This battery test bug is really giving me some grief, I wish I’d read this post before I just went ahead and upgraded trusting that RIGOL knows what regression testing is!
I’d now really like to roll back to the previous version without going all the way back to 00.01.02, but have been unable to find it anywhere. Does anyone have a late version in between that you could share with me to get rid of the battery test bug please?

[elex_enthusiast]

Hands down to all folks who made this hack so easy . Just recently had a good deal for a DL3021a in prestine condition . Did the hack and it worked. Mine has 00.01.04 FW

[NE666]

I would also like to express my gratitude to member Pedrofabian (and member Vaiti from the DP832 hacking thread) for sharing their work and findings.

DL3021 -> DL3031A with FW rev. 00.01.04, HW rev. 01.00

[Mat_J]

What about DL3051?

Tested DL3051A option. Model number changes (*IDN? -> RIGOL TECHNOLOGIES,DL3051A,DL...........,00.01.05.00.01)
On boot it shows error "Self-test error for OCP reference voltag" (after canceling error doesn't reappear until next boot).
Current ranges changed to 9/90A (compared to 4/40A or 6/60A), but max current limit remains unchanged at 70A (same as for DL3021/3031).
Max power setting increases to 500W (compared to 200 or 350W).
Other than that, seems to work, accuracy and functions remain unchanged.

So full mod to 150V/90A/500W DL3051A would require some work with FW (OCP reference?, max current limit) and HW (MOSFETs and driving circuitry).

Thanks for testing this,
I cant find any mention of a DL3051 outside of this forum and a Russian site; do these exist in the wild?
I would be interested in purchasing one to see what is required to upgrade my DL3021's from DL3031A's to DL3051A's
Has anyone had luck running these at 500w as is for extended periods of time with just the rigol-key? (>10 hours)
I'm using them to match 5kw Li-ion battery's, and being able to test capacity faster would be really nice

[thm_w]

Thanks for testing this,
I cant find any mention of a DL3051 outside of this forum and a Russian site; do these exist in the wild?
I would be interested in purchasing one to see what is required to upgrade my DL3021's from DL3031A's to DL3051A's
Has anyone had luck running these at 500w as is for extended periods of time with just the rigol-key? (>10 hours)
I'm using them to match 5kw Li-ion battery's, and being able to test capacity faster would be really nice

No you can't purchase one, they don't exist. Rigol often enters a bunch of model numbers and some may or may not work out. In this case they probably tested 500W and it wasn't reliable or they didn't see the market demand.

It would be up to you to test it with a thermal camera. Since the design appears it intended additional FETs to be populated: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/dl3021-to-dl3031-conversion-discussion/msg4007887/#msg4007887 you would be taking a risk.

Probably make more sense in this case to purchase a higher wattage load (1kW+).

[xjordanx]

I just bought a DL3021 and it will not show up in Ultra Sigma or Ultra Load software, even though it does show up successfully in Device Manager in Windows. Any ideas what makes Ultra Sigma / Ultra Load not able to see the load box?