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ARCO Zeus Regulator Firmware Release Notes
ARCO Zeus Firmware 1.30 Release Notes
1. Analog Battery Voltage Sense for Systems with Active Sync Mode
This feature is only available for Zeus regulators in firmware v1.30 or above.
A new feature has been added to improve the responsiveness and safety of alternator charging with Zeus regulator. The analog battery voltage sense allows systems connected to smart batteries to measure battery voltage directly through the harness voltage sense wires, instead of relying on voltage data received over the CAN bus. By measuring voltage up to 5–15× faster than CAN bus updates (depending on the protocol), the Zeus regulator can respond more quickly and operate more smoothly, resulting in improved system stability and safety.
This feature is available only for active Sync Mode systems using smart batteries. To enable it, turn on the toggle switch located under Sync Mode in the Regulator Settings tab.
Although not required for operation, we recommend that all users install the battery voltage sense wires (Batt V+ Sense – orange, and Batt V− Sense – green with yellow), as they allow the regulator to detect battery voltage directly and respond faster to overvoltage conditions.
2. Control Panel state changes correctly saved
Updated control panel to retain state changes across regulator power cycles.
ARCO Zeus Firmware 1.29 Release Notes
1. RV-C Messaging Improvements
For Sync Mode integrations that operate on the RV-C CAN protocol (e.g., Lithionics, Renogy, GoPower, and Victron GX RV-C), the Zeus regulator now requires users to specify the master battery instance in the app. This instance will be used to filter incoming RV-C messages (only messages from the selected battery will be received and processed). This ensures that the Zeus regulator communicates exclusively with the correct battery, preventing interference from other devices on the CAN network.
Battery instance data field ranges from 1 to 251.
2. Improved Data Display on Victron GX Devices
NMEA2000 transmission messages have been reviewed and adjusted to ensure the correct Zeus device instance is communicated to connected devices. As a result, alternator voltage, current (amps), and power (watts) are displayed accurately on Victron GX devices, as tested and validated.
3. Fix for ‘Leader Commanded Ignition Disabled’ Message in Victron GX Sync Mode
Resolved an issue in Victron GX (N2K) Sync Mode where the Zeus regulator would stop charging and display the “Leader Commanded Ignition Disabled” message.
This occurred because Zeus received a Stop Charge Command from a Victron device on the network other than the Lynx BMS. In response, Zeus correctly entered a protective state and stopped charging. However, since the message did not originate from the battery (Lynx BMS), it should not have been processed.
To address this, Zeus now filters out CAN messages from other Victron devices and only responds to ‘stop charging’ commands issued by the Lynx BMS. This ensures accurate communication and prevents unnecessary charging interruptions.
4. Added Expion360 (250 kbit/s) Battery Integration
Zeus now supports communication with Expion360 batteries that operate at 250 kbit/s baud rate.
ARCO Zeus Firmware 1.28 Update
1. Charge state transition update rate
This fixes the issue where the Absorption voltage was held as the set point when the regulator would transition into Float. The proper values are now observed and updated upon state transitioning.
ARCO Zeus Firmware 1.27 Update
Note: Zeus Firmware 1.27 Update requires ARCO Zeus app update to 2.0.17.
1. CZone Instance ID now ranges from 1 – 252
In CZone Sync Mode, Zeus now processes CZone CAN messages only from the specified Instance ID, which must fall within the range of 1 to 252. Ensure that all CZone batteries are configured with matching Instance IDs to enable proper communication.
2. Removal of ‘Limp Mode’ feature
The 'Limp Mode' feature in Zeus has been removed. This mode allowed for the enabling of charging to continue even when a fault was detected. As a precaution, the feature has been disabled for now. We may consider reintroducing it in the future with added enhancements.
3. RV-C Messaging Improvements
RV-C messages have been reviewed and updated to enhance compatibility and communication with RV-C battery systems.
4. Battery temp sensor disabling
When the Sync Mode is set to a parameter other than Disabled, ARCO Leader or ARCO Follower, the regulator expects this information to be received over the CAN Bus. The regulator will not attempt to read the temp of the battery itself, even if a thermistor is connected. If the battery temperature is not sent over CAN Bus, this value will appear as 0 in the mobile app.
ARCO Zeus Firmware 1.26 Update
Note: Zeus Firmware 1.26 Update requires ARCO Zeus app update to 2.0.15.
1. CZone Instance ID is now configurable
Allows the user to select the Instance ID that is assigned to the battery when in a Czone system. The battery can be any instance from 0 to 252, so it must be able to be set in the Zeus app.
2. Target Voltage & Current data are selectable and can be shown on the main screen
The commanded/target voltage and current charging parameters are sent from Zeus regulator to the ARCO Zeus app via bluetooth. The goal is to show users the limiting charging parameters. If smart batteries send these parameters via CAN bus, Zeus chooses the lowest (safest) value between battery message and user defined parameters from the app.
3. Sync Mode icon shown next to data received from Smart batteries over CAN
The sync mode icon is shown in ‘Live Details’ with any data that is displayed in the app which comes from a smart battery or bms.
4. Collapsible and Expandable Settings Fields
Specific features that can be enabled/disabled will now have their configurable parameters collapsed or expanded depending on their active status (enabled/disabled).
5. No Firmware update checks when mobile device does not have data connection
When navigating to the Zeus app's Settings page, if the user's device is not connected to the internet, Zeus allows the user to proceed without displaying any blocking pop-up notifications.
ARCO Zeus Firmware 1.25 Update
1. ARCO Zeus ‘Victron Mode’ Updated
ARCO Zeus’s Victron Mode no longer requires a LYNX Smart BMS for operation. Instead, it now requires a GX device connected to the network. Zeus receives and processes battery status messages from GX devices—such as battery voltage and current—and displays them in the app.
Zeus also now supports Victron communication over both NMEA2000 and RV-C protocols. These modes are selectable in the Zeus app under Regulator Settings > Sync Mode.
Note: While Victron RV-C mode is available in Zeus, it will only become functional following the official release of Victron GX firmware version 3.60.
2. Configurable PIN Requirements for Control Panel access and Operating Modes selection
Users can now disable PIN requirements to access Zeus control panel and change operating modes. It is highly recommended users have this feature enabled (PIN required), however this allows users who do not have access to settings PIN# to still access the control panel and make changes.
3. Zeus Configuration Editing Update
Users are now only allowed download and save configurations under the ‘Settings’ page and post PIN verification.
4. Zeus ‘Epoch Mode’ Update
ARCO Zeus ‘Epoch Mode’ now only supports Epoch V2 Elite batteries moving forward.
5. CAN Communication Timeout Update
When Zeus operates in ‘Sync Mode’ with a smart battery, it will stop charging and enter a fault state if no battery status message is received within 10 seconds. Charging will resume only once CAN communication is restored.
This represents a change from the previous behavior, where Zeus would continue charging for up to 30 seconds after communication was lost. The longer timeout allowed brief network interruptions to resolve without disrupting the charging process. However, given the high-energy characteristics of many alternators, a shorter timeout is now considered more appropriate to reduce the risk of improper or unsafe charging.
6. Victron DVCC maximum current based on ‘Alternator Max Output Current’
In DVCC mode, the Zeus regulator will use the ‘Alt Max Output Current (A)’ value to determine the maximum available charge current, instead of the previously used ‘Max Charge Current’.
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