A couple of months ago I bought a zBitx; an experimental transceiver from HF-Signals. Currently, zBitx V2 is available, but there’s still a struggle going on to get the zBitx V1 to function properly.
The zBitx V1 had a lot of problems. It could run very hot, it had spurious signals at 24kHz from the carrier, CW was unusable and the waterfall updates were present in the audio. Despite many efforts, the only mode that the zBitx V1 was useable for, was FT8. Not my mode.
BUT: the V2 software brought a lot of improvements. As far as the software is concerned: the front panel CPU does not communicate with the main processor through i2c anymore, but now uses Wifi. That solved the waterfall update noise in the audio signal. And it relieved the stress from the main processor, so now it has time to handle the paddle input and hence improved CW a lot. Alas, another problem popped up: the hardware is not able to run the V2 software. The main problem: the regulator on the display board is a 78L type which can only handle 100mA max. The display is powered through the 3,3V of the front panel processor, which uses quite some current. Enabling the Wifi on the front panel processor increased the current even more, exceeding the 100mA limit of the regulator. I measured an idle current of 115mA. The regulator can be replaced with a DI78M05UAB which has the same footprint but can handle 500mA. I replaced the regulator and now the V1 works with the V2 software down to below 6.3V without any problem. I also replaced the 7805 on the main board with a small DROK switching regulator, which reduces power consumption and heat production. It looks like most problems have been solved now and the V1 runs fine with the V2 software. I have to make some more QSOs, but so far, so good. Good luck updating your V1 hardware!