Power-Z KM001 and how to use it.

Just landed on my desk today is a Power-Z KM001 USB meter. I have a few different devices like this and was attracted to something with more capabilities and PC connectivity.

So far however, even after reading the user manual, and UnionRepair’s how to use guide, I find it is not behaving in a simple way, and not like the instructions.

Take the most basic requirement beyond simple voltage/current measurements; to measure Wh.

I would expect to select a channel, plug it in and off it goes. Once finished, a simple press-and-hold to clear the counter back to 0 and off we go again. - Well, not so far.

I have only reset it by going in a doing a factory reset of the whole device.

Does anyone know of a review or other webpage with ‘good’ instructions that you can actually follow? (the UnionRepair’s how to use guide is the user manual on a web page, so not any help)

If not, perhaps we can start to build one here.

I’ll keep fiddling with it to see if I can get anywhere by trial and error.

Well, I did a vid on it, and came across the same issues as you :)
No freaking understandeable manual...


I'll share my vid below, it's supposed to be posted later in May, but I'll set it to unlisted for you...
www.youtube.com/embed/hMlySYTHbyk
Maybe it'll help you out a bit...

Thank you, I’ll give it a watch. I have just about worked out the simplest part with clearing the memory, but look forward to your video.

Good luck. I've had mine since december, and STILL haven't figured it out completely :)

Well it just gets better (as in, more complicated). I’ve been trying to get the PC software running. My KM001 was on firmware 1.1.7, and this just would not work with the app that the official site links to (v0.0.6).

Eventually I found an app (via an incorrectly configured website) at v1.2.1 with matching firmware. After trying every combination of button clicks on the firmware upgrade screen, it loaded and the KM001 is now on 1.2.1, and connects to the APP!!!

Things are working, but there are so many settings, and all in Chinese. At least I’ve got a graph plotting.

What firmware are you running now?

Here is the support page of the product
It also contains information about upgrade procedure with pictures and a video for us :slight_smile:

original page

translated

In the curves settings display page:

Ch1 = Voltage
Ch2 = Ampere

Ch1 + Ch2 = shows Voltage & Ampere

Ch1 + Ch2 * = shows Voltage & Ampere too (but what is the difference?)

I notice when selecting the “*” option, the display will not be as smooth (more “choppy”) than when selecting the one without asterisk.
Any idea what the Ch1+Ch2* means?

Recently just picked up a Km001. Does not connect to laptop. Win 10. “USB Device not recognized”. What button press combo do i need to do to find out the firmware version my USB meter is running? I can’t figure it out for the life of me. These 3 buttons have driven me to the brink of insanity! I assume i need to match the meter firmware with the App version??? Trying to find setup instructions IN ENGLISH is not working well for me. I downloaded the 1.2.1 PC App but my USB meter is still not recognized. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!

some points to note:

- be sure to use a data cable to connect to the PC (some charging cables are “charging” only and do not carry the data signal); the cable included with the KM001 should be a qualified data cable ; try to get another data cable to check that the included cable is not defective, also try changing to a different USB port (I think Windows will identify as a “USB input device” and may show “Kingmeter KM001” device name or not)

- the port labeled “HID” (top, beside the 3 buttons) is the one to be connected to the PC.

  • the current app is still a bit quirky to use, and is in a mix of English and Chinese, even when language is set to English… I suppose there’s not much we can do about it at this time but to wait (or maybe those knowledgeable with both English and Chinese can offer to help in the translation services)

USB cable with Data capabilities ~ Check
Using port marked “HID” to connect to PC ~ Check

I bought it used from Ebay. Is it possible it could be a clone KM001? You know, like the widely cloned DSO 138 Oscope kit. Are there known clones of the KM001that do all of the meter based operations great but not the PC app? The laptop DOES see something is being connected but does not recognize it. Maybe i’ll try on a Win 7 machine and see if connects using that OS. Am i missing a driver of some sorts?

  1. Everything is possible, but when it looks exactly like an KM001 it should be an KM001. Maybe take high resolution images of front and back and post them here.
  2. No known clones which imitates the look of an KM001 in every detail.
  3. Using another machine and other OS is a good idea.

I finally found out the meaning. There’s a new updated and more detailed manual (PDF) updated just last month, and contains the information, but it is in Chinese (there are pictures though, and one could copy & paste to an online translation tool).

On page 9 of the updated KM001 manual:
(section 4, translated via Google Translate, I manually tidied up the translation a bit…)

“View Vbus voltage flow process curve:

Press again to adjust the display type,
CH 1 displays only the voltage,
CH 2 displays only the current,
CH 1+ CH 2 displays both voltage and current flows,
CH 1+ CH 2* means refresh the screen (update display) once every second,
this does not affect the acquisition rate, and is mainly used on the 100 FPS acquisition, when scrolling is too fast and can not be observed properly.”

Power-Z KM001 updated PDF [in Chinese, but with pictures with a few text labels in English] (07-23-2018)

KM001 v1.2.3 firmware update (07-09-2018):

Running the KM001 app, and going to the firmware update will automatically look for update, as of today, it found v1.2.6 (not sure where this can be downloaded manually, but the app found it for me and offered to update it)

So my KM001 is now v1.2.6 (firmware dated 08-20-2018)

The latest app version seems to be v1.2.4 here:

It seems to mention that in the future, the firmware can only be updated directly from the app, not available as stand-alone download (which is probably why I can only find the v1.2.3 firmware, but not the v1.2.6 firmware. Anyway let’s see.

Out of nowhere my KM001 decided to connect to my Win 10 latop, yay! I can now use the app. I have no idea what i did diffrent.

Hey all,

Anyone successfully use their KM001 to detect and trigger PD 3.0?

Just got mine in the mail and updated to latest firmware (1.3.1). Connects to the computer just fine, and I can trigger QC, FCP, SCP, AFC, but no there’s no PD. Charger is supposed to be PD compliant, so either it doesn’t meet its spec, or I can’t use my new toy properly. Unfortunately I don’t have another charger to verify.

Thank you,
Eldon

Yeah, I have @ 4:13 in the video
www.youtube.com/embed/hMlySYTHbyk

It doesn't work with the USB-A port though.

In other news, received a KM001C a couple of days ago ;)

Yep, cable was the problem… I was using an adapter. Got a Type-C cable and all’s good. Thank you!

Just so I understand, this KM001 by itself cannot produce a load on the power adapter, correct. You need to plug something on the other end of the KM001 that will simulate a load?

Could it at least trigger USB PD 20V mode? And if so, can I then use my Ruideng HD35 to generate a load at 20V?

HD35 on its own can’t trigger PD.

I’m basically looking for a USB PD load tester.

I’m sure HKJ did a review on this.

That's the new, Type-C only model : KM001C.

Yes, KM001 can trigger 20V USB PD, I use it quite a lot for that in my videos.

You can use the HD35 as a load, you'll get about 1,75A max. load.
Haven't come across a combined UPM/load that can handle 20V USB PD.

Thanks, dodge_911!

Kind of an expensive PD trigger. I might have to find something cheaper.