PowerBox Firmware Update Guide

Keep your system running smoothly with the latest features, including Infrastructure Networking Mode.

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1. Identify Your Current Firmware

STOP! Read Before Proceeding Installing the wrong firmware or using the incorrect update method can permanently damage ("brick") your control board. You MUST accurately identify your current firmware version before unplugging any hardware or attempting an update.

We need to check if your board currently has our "U2" updater built-in, or if it is running a legacy version. This dictates entirely how you will perform the update.

  1. Turn your system on and connect to the board via Wi-Fi, or use your control screen.
  2. Tap the Menu button in the top left corner.
  3. Tap About.
  4. Look closely at the text displayed on the Firmware Version line. You are looking for specific letters within that long string of text.

Which version do you have?

Scenario A: You have the U2 / HW Updater
If you see "U2" anywhere in the middle of your firmware designation, or "HW" at the beginning, you are in luck. You will use the simple, over-the-air update method outlined in Step 4.

2023_11_03U2 RIXENS / 2023-11-01

HW2-1.206 2026_02_13 RIXENS / 1.06 2026-01-22 PID

Scenario B: Legacy Firmware
If there is NO "U2" or "HW" in your firmware name, your board requires a manual, hardwired update using a Windows computer as outlined in Step 5.

1.202 2024_03_28c / 1.03 2023-11-01

rvc-2024-04-18 / 1.03 2023-11-01

2. Important Preparation

Hardware Disconnect Required Now that you have identified your firmware, you must physically disconnect the hardware before continuing.
  1. Remove the lid of your PowerBox to access the control board.
  2. Locate and disconnect the white 24-pin connector and the Espar CAN plug from your control board.
Failing to do this can cause fans or heat to run inadvertently during the reboot process. Do not reattach them until the update is completely finished.

Note: The blinking light you see on the board is simply the normal status light.
Diagram of CANBus plug and 24-pin harness
Location of CANBus and 24-pin Harness (Click to enlarge)
Remove connectors
Remove these connectors before updating (Click to enlarge)

3. Download the Latest Firmware

Select the firmware that matches your physical control board. Look at your board's color and layout below to find and download your specific firmware package.

Standard MCS7 Firmwares

Green Board - Standard

Green Board (Standard)

Select this if your board is green and you control your heater with a Rixen's Touchscreen.

⬇ Download .zip
Green Board - Garmin

Green Board (RVC)

Select this if your board is green for rigs with a Garmin screen (Artek, Noovo, RossMonster).

⬇ Download .zip
Green Board Type 3

Green Board (CAN Bus)

Select this if your board is green and part of a Storyteller rig.

⬇ Download .zip

Experimental MCS7 Firmwares

Purple PCB Design for Latest firmware

07-08 HW2 update

Select this if your physical control board is purple. You can select your CAN mode from the settings to match your manufacturer.

⬇ Download .zip
Green PCB Design for Latest firmware

07-08b HW1 update

Our latest firmware for Green Boards only!

⬇ Download .zip
Note on ZIP files: U2 updaters, do not extract/unzip this folder. Legacy updaters must extract the zipped folder to run the .exe updaters.

4. The "Easy Update" Process (U2 / HW Firmware Only)

Only follow this section if your current firmware contains the "U2" or "HW" designation.

  1. Connect your smartphone or computer to the Rixen's PowerBox Wi-Fi network. The default password is 12341234.
  2. Crucial step: Turn off "Auto-Reconnect" on your device for your home/other Wi-Fi networks so that your device stays connected to the Rixen's AP during the update, even if it warns you there is no internet.
  3. Navigate to the updater portal in your web browser by typing 10.10.10.10/updater into the address bar.
  4. Select the .zip file you downloaded in Step 3. Do not extract it.
  5. Click Upload ONCE and wait for the progress bar to complete. Do not double-click the load button, or you will start the update twice and cause an error! Your system will automatically reboot.
Do not cut power! Ensure your van's power system remains on during this process. Interrupting the upload can corrupt the board.
Final Step: Turn off power to the system, reattach the white 24-pin connector and CAN plug you removed in the preparation step, and power the system back on.

5. Manual Windows Update (Legacy Firmware Only)

Follow this section ONLY if your current firmware DOES NOT have "U2" or "HW" in the title.

Because your board is running an older generation of software, it must be flashed manually. This requires a Windows 7, 8, or 10 computer with Wi-Fi capabilities.

Click here to expand the Manual Update Instructions

Phase 1: Reset the Device

  1. Extract the Files: Right-click the `.zip` file you downloaded in Step 3 and select "Extract All...". Save the contents to a folder on your desktop.
  2. Connect to Device: Click the Wi-Fi icon on your Windows toolbar. Select and connect to your PowerBox's Wi-Fi network. The default password is 12341234.
  3. Turn off Auto-Reconnect: To ensure a stable connection, disable auto-reconnect for your home Wi-Fi networks so your computer stays locked onto the Rixen's network.
  4. Trigger Reset: Open your web browser. Type the following address directly into the top address bar (NOT the Google search bar) and press Enter:
    http://10.10.10.10/firmware_update_reboot
  5. A blank page will return, and the device will temporarily reset.

Phase 2: Disable Windows Firewall

Why do I have to do this? Windows sees the new temporary local network as a threat and will actively block the firmware transfer. You must temporarily disable the firewall for this to work.
  1. Click your Wi-Fi icon again. Connect to the new temporary network named OTA_###### (the numbers will be random). The password is 12341234.
  2. Open your Windows Start Menu. Type "Check Firewall Status" and hit Enter.
  3. On the left-hand side of the window, click "Turn Windows Firewall on or off".
  4. Click the circles next to the red shields that say "Turn off Windows Firewall (not recommended)" for both Private and Public networks. Click OK.
  5. Minimize this window (do not close it, you will need it later).

Phase 3: Update the Wi-Fi Processor

  1. Go to the folder you extracted on your desktop in Phase 1.
  2. Double-click and run updater.exe. A black command window will open and should quickly count from 0-100%.
  3. Reconnect your computer's Wi-Fi to the original PowerBox device network.
  4. Open your browser and type http://10.10.10.10 into the address bar. Under the Information tab, verify the new version is installed. Press F5 to refresh your browser and double-check.

Phase 4: Update the Heater Processor & Cleanup

  1. Inside that same extracted folder on your desktop, locate the MBED updater and run RixenBootloader40.exe.
  2. Ensure you are still connected to the PowerBox Wi-Fi and click "Start Update". The updater will report when it is finished.
  3. Turn Firewall Back On: Maximize the Windows Firewall window you left open. Click "Turn Windows Firewall on or off" and click the green shields to reactivate your firewall. You can now close this window.
Final Step: Turn off power to the system, reattach the white 24-pin connector and CAN plug you removed in the preparation step, and power the system back on.

Nervous about updating? We can help.

If you aren't comfortable performing a manual update, please contact us before starting.

  • 📞 (503) 668-6090
  • ✉️ contact@rixens.com