Solar OutlookBack to the appSystem Bridge Beta
Set up your System Bridge.
Keep recording your solar and battery readings while your phone is away.
We’ll take you through it, one step at a time.
STEP 1 OF 3
Which device do you have?
Look for the model name on the case, the underside or its box.
Loading the available models…
I’m not sure which model I have
Atom Lite: a small square with a button and status light. Check for C008 on the box.
AtomS3 Lite: also a small square with a light, labelled AtomS3 Lite or C124.
Dial: a round screen with a rotating outer knob.
Core Basic / Gray: a square screen with three buttons along the bottom.
CoreS3: a square touchscreen with a camera, labelled CoreS3.
Match the full model name before continuing. Core2 and AtomS3 with a screen need different software and are not offered here. If you’re unsure, email Simon a photo of the device and its label.
STEP 2 OF 3
Plug in and install
This replaces the device’s software, Wi-Fi details and equipment keys. Use a direct USB data cable and keep it connected until installation finishes.
Choose your model to begin.
Select that USB connection, choose Connect, then Install. The browser asks which device this website can access.
I can’t find or connect to my device
- Try a USB data cable directly on the computer. Avoid an overloaded hub and close other installers or serial monitors.
- If several entries look similar, compare the list before and after reconnecting the device. Look for the new USB entry.
If the USB port still does not appear, check M5Stack’s official USB drivers.
Open the manufacturer’s device guide ↗Installation failed, or the screen is blank
An interrupted install can leave the device unable to start. This is usually recoverable through its built-in download mode.
- Close the installer and use a reliable USB data cable directly on your computer.
- Reconnect and try the installation again from the beginning. If it cannot connect, follow the button instructions under connection help above.
- Keep USB connected and the computer awake until the installer confirms completion. Then press reset or reconnect USB if needed.
A website cannot prevent every cable or power failure. If the device still does not respond in download mode, contact Simon with the model and the exact installer error.
Keep your System Bridge powered. The USB installation is finished; follow the steps below to connect it.
STEP 3 OF 3
Make it yours
Once installation is complete, keep your System Bridge powered. You can use your phone for the remaining steps.
- Open the bridge’s setup page.
On your phone or computer, join the Wi-Fi network named SolarOutlook-XXXX (the ending will vary). If your phone warns that it has no internet, choose to stay connected.
The setup page should open automatically. Otherwise, open http://192.168.4.1 in your browser while connected to that network.
- Choose how you’ll use it.
For online readings, connect the bridge to your 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi or hotspot, then follow its account-linking instructions. Online readings need Solar Outlook Plus.
For local recording, choose the logger option. You can add Wi-Fi later.
- Add your Victron equipment.
Follow the setup page to add compatible devices. Keep the equipment nearby and have its Bluetooth PIN or Instant Readout key ready.
Once you see fresh readings on the bridge’s dashboard, you’re ready to leave it recording.
The setup page isn’t opening
Check that you are still connected to SolarOutlook-XXXX, then type http://192.168.4.1 into your browser’s address bar. This address works on the bridge’s own Wi-Fi network.
If the device is still waiting for installation after the installer has finished, press reset or unplug and reconnect USB. Then follow your model’s instructions above to open its setup network.
The first hotspot starts without a password. Set one in the bridge’s settings, and use a trusted network. Anyone on its hotspot or local Wi-Fi can manage this beta.
- Open Solar Outlook on your phone.
Keep internet available on your phone. Go to Settings → Devices and choose Set up a System Bridge. Select your bridge, sign in and follow the prompts to link it to your system.
On screenless devices with firmware 0.5.4 or later, accept the phone’s normal Pair prompt if shown. There is no pairing number to compare. Account sign-in still controls access.
The current store app does not yet support this setup flow. You’ll need the matching development version supplied for testing.
- Add Wi-Fi from the app.
After account linking, follow the app to send your 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi or hotspot details to the bridge over Bluetooth. Online readings may need a subscription.
For local recording, you can leave Wi-Fi unset after account linking. Approved phones can later access the bridge offline.
- Add compatible Victron equipment.
Use the app’s setup flow and have the equipment’s Bluetooth PIN or Instant Readout key ready. Check for fresh readings before leaving the bridge recording.
I can’t see the setup option in the app
Check that you have the matching development app. The current store app does not yet offer account-authorised bridge setup. Email Simon with your app version, bridge model and firmware version if you need help.
WHEN YOU NEED IT
A little more detail
What is a System Bridge?
A small, separately powered device that stays near your compatible Victron equipment. It records readings while your phone is away. With Wi-Fi and a linked Plus account, it can upload readings for your online dashboard.
The beta includes Victron broadcast readings, supported VE.Direct Bluetooth dongle polling, a browser dashboard, account linking and local CSV export. Models with screens also show live readings.
Compatibility varies by device. System Bridge pairing, uploads and the phone setup flow still need further hardware checks. Development firmware 0.5 adds account-authorised Bluetooth setup for Wi-Fi and equipment. Initial linking uses your phone’s internet connection; approved phones can later access it offline. Bluetooth collection and offline history charts are in the development phone app and require its next release.
Can the website identify my device automatically?
The USB connection can identify a chip or USB adapter shared by several models. It cannot reliably tell which complete M5Stack you have. The installer checks the chip family when it connects, and you confirm the exact model before erasing anything.
See Chrome’s USB serial documentation for the technical background.
Older and newer Core Basic models
The Core Basic / Gray download is for the original ESP32 family. Firmware 0.4.1-beta has been checked on an early 4 MB Core Basic: USB upgrade, screen, Wi-Fi, ENV sensor, saved history, fresh Victron broadcasts and Bluetooth discovery of the new setup interface. Full phone pairing and setup are still being tested.
Later Basic models have 16 MB flash. This download uses a conservative 4 MB layout and leaves their extra flash unused. They use the same M5Stack PlatformIO target, so we expect this build to work, but those revisions and Gray have not been physically checked. Some early boards need a USB-A-to-C data cable. Core2 and CoreS3 are different models. CoreS3 has its own download; Core2 is not currently offered.
M5Stack Basic specifications and revision history ↗Device profiles and internet updates
With Wi-Fi, the System Bridge checks for signed device profiles each day and keeps its last valid copy offline. Profiles can correct supported Bluetooth readers; additional Bluetooth protocols still need firmware support.
After this USB installation, open Settings → Updates on the System Bridge to check for and install firmware over Wi-Fi. Automatic firmware installation is optional and starts switched off. Internet updates keep settings and saved readings, and restart the System Bridge. Keep its power connected during installation.
The 4 MB Atom Lite and Core Basic reserve a second firmware slot and keep a smaller rolling log. Internet updates, pairing and the new profile reader still need physical testing. Keep this beta on a device you can recover by USB.
Wi-Fi, uploads and privacy
Adding Wi-Fi enables automatic HTTPS uploads to Solar Outlook’s service, including readings, times, device names, model IDs and hashed device identifiers. Bluetooth keys and home Wi-Fi passwords are stored locally on the System Bridge. Equipment PINs used during setup are not saved. Avoid personal details in equipment names.
Unclaimed uploads are retained for seven days. Linked systems retain detailed readings for up to 90 days and hourly summaries for up to two years. Remote account access is experimental and may require a subscription. Choose logger mode without Wi-Fi to keep readings local.
The installer and firmware files are served from this website. USB flashing happens in your browser. Never port-forward the System Bridge’s setup page. The published 0.4.1 firmware allows management over its hotspot or local Wi-Fi, so use a trusted network and set a hotspot password. Newer development firmware uses account-authorised Bluetooth setup.
Privacy policy ↗Firmware download and release details
Download complete firmware (.bin)Complete image, flash offset 0. For this exact model only. This also erases saved settings.
Need a hand? Email simon@solaroutlook.co.uk with your model name and the step you reached.