diff --git a/BreakfastSerial/BreakfastSerial.py b/BreakfastSerial/BreakfastSerial.py
index 3df9566..68ad201 100644
--- a/BreakfastSerial/BreakfastSerial.py
+++ b/BreakfastSerial/BreakfastSerial.py
@@ -35,6 +35,12 @@ def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
             newargs = (find_arduino(),)
             super(Arduino, self).__init__(*newargs)
 
+        # Get protocol version
+        self.sp.write(chr(0xF9))
+        self.pass_time(1)
+        while self.bytes_available():                 
+            self.iterate()
+
         if not self.get_firmata_version():
             raise FirmataNotOnBoardException
 
diff --git a/BreakfastSerial/components.py b/BreakfastSerial/components.py
index c528fda..f1777ff 100644
--- a/BreakfastSerial/components.py
+++ b/BreakfastSerial/components.py
@@ -75,6 +75,7 @@ def __init__(self, board, pin):
         super(Led, self).__init__(board, pin)
         self._isOn = False
         self._interval = None
+        self._pin.mode = pyfirmata.OUTPUT
 
     def on(self):
         self._pin.write(1)