Instructions To Set Up A PowerCap Capacitor
The PowerCap™ capacitor is designed to work with DS8178 scanners with firmware version CAACXS00-004-R00 or later.
This page includes instructions for how to determine your firmware version and upgrade it if necessary in order to use a Powercap capacitor in place of a battery.
1. Connect the scanner’s base cradle to a PC using a USB or serial cable
2. Insert the scanner into the base cradle
3. Open a text editor (for example, Microsoft Word or Notes)
4. Scan this barcode with your scanner
The firmware version will be shown in the text editor after the barcode is scanned. If the firmware version shown is not PAACXS00-004-R00 or later, you will need to update your firmware before the scanner can use a PowerCap in lieu of the battery.
1. Connect the scanner’s base cradle to a PC using a USB cable
2. Insert the scanner into the base cradle
3. Load 123Scan, Zebra’s scanner configuration utility
4. Choose Update scanner firmware (from the start screen)
5. Click Update firmware
A progress bar will appear indicating the progress of the firmware update. The update will take several minutes for each scanner being updated during which the LEDs on the scanner and base cradle will flash red.
Wait until you see the message It is now safe to disconnect the scanner before removing the scanner from the base cradle.
Make sure to close 123Scan before scanning any barcodes.
Zebra offers two remote management tools for updating multiple scanners.
Choose the option that works best for your needs.
Scanner Management Service (SMS) enables your enterprise to remotely manage its Zebra scanners. In addition to accessing asset tracking information and statistics, the SMS (which runs on the scanner’s host PC) can remotely set parameters and update firmware. Providing your enterprise maximum flexibility, the SMS can operate in an automated, unattended manner with no operator intervention required.
Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) is an industry standard from Microsoft for the management of hardware devices, including barcode scanners in a Windows enterprise computing environment.
You can write WMI scripts or applications to automate administrative tasks remotely on networked computers. The tasks interact with Zebra’s WMI Agent to access scanner information and provide command and control capabilities. WMI is designed to be used with network consoles such as Microsoft’s System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM).
The Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) Agent for scanners is bundled with Zebra’s Scanner SDK for Windows.
For more information about these software options, please see the barcode scanner remote management page.