Just got a new Powertap G3 hub, and I wanted to check that the firmware was up to date. Downloaded the PowerAgent software and removed the power cap from the hub.

First source of confusion was the discrepancies between the G3 manual and advice provided online and in the PowerAgent software itself. The manual doesn't mention anything about removing the battery before connecting the powercap to the PC, and the FAQs on the website imply that the battery should still be in place (it mentions not leaving it connected for too long in case you drain the battery). However, other 3rd party advice I found online suggests that it is necessary to remove the battery, most of the time the powercap isn't recognised by the computer unless you do this, and after updating the firmware the PowerAgent software warns you to disconnect the power cap from the computer before re-inserting the battery! So I found out the hard way that removing the battery first is necessary and am hoping nothing has been damaged as a result of not doing this the first time...

Secondly, I can't figure out if the firmware update has been implemented correctly. When I first connected the powercap, PowerAgent told me I had v. 16.000 installed and allowed me to update to v. 16.021. Afterwards, when I check the status it tells me that I have the latest version (16.021) installed. However, every time I disconnect the powercap from the computer and reconnect it, PowerAgent tells me I still have the older firmware and updates it again... How do I really know what firmware I have installed?