I use these https://www.ebay.com/itm/313221927381 (the run around $35-$40)Hello 123! Would you kindly share what active balancers you are using? My new set up is 2P 16S. Thanks! J
yes...that is what I always do now.So, I'm new to all of this, is it best to use a "active balancer" for balancing and a BMS for the temp/overcharge/undercharge protections and leave the balancing part off?
And, why do Lithium batteries not self balance?
Yeah, that works. That's actually what I have been doing. I have the balancing function of the BMS turned off. However, that's mainly so I could test the active balancing without the BMS participating.So, I'm new to all of this, is it best to use a "active balancer" for balancing and a BMS for the temp/overcharge/undercharge protections and leave the balancing part off?
Each cell doesn't know the state of charge of the other cells. How exactly could they "self balance"?And, why do Lithium batteries not self balance?
Thanks! This is the one I got a month ago and plan to install over the weekend. JI use these https://www.ebay.com/itm/313221927381 (the run around $35-$40)
the hardware version is V1.3 so watch for that..I have been testing the V1.3; I did try a V1.1 and it was useless...
Yes, I've been using the v1.3 hardware (8S) as well. In my testing it has done a good job of balancing.I use these https://www.ebay.com/itm/313221927381 (the run around $35-$40)
the hardware version is V1.3 so watch for that..I have been testing the V1.3; I did try a V1.1 and it was useless...
Thanks on that. Any special instructions? I was planning the same cells as the Daly leads; B- then each positive.Yes, I've been using the v1.3 hardware (8S) as well. In my testing it has done a good job of balancing.
looking at the picture you have an inductive balancer instead of capacitive(maybe) so make sure to post how well it does...Thanks! This is the one I got a month ago and plan to install over the weekend. J
Hey 123! Thank YOU for taking the time to share this info. I have a basic Fluke multimeter and will do a 'before and after' chart on my iPhone notes and share that back here. Jeromelooking at the picture you have an inductive balancer instead of capacitive(maybe) so make sure to post how well it does...
if you have a good multimeter check each of your cell voltages so you know exactly what is going on before you plug it in.
You should be able to quickly (well, relatively quickly hehe) see your max voltage cell dropping and your min increasing.
Some balancers have start/stop trigger points instead of "always on"; its hard to get actual design specs so often the only way to figure it out is to test it.
check you voltages hourly and you should see a difference. If nothing is happening you may be in a balance inactive zone (the worst case cell difference is not enough to trigger the balance circuitry). When I was testing some balancers I have to use a resistor and purposely drain one cell to cause a big enough imbalance for them to kick in.
I did my first tests with the batteries disconnected fromthe charger, then I tested with the charger. Active balancers are NOT like the resistive ones that are just burning off energy. Actives should be moving energy from high cells to low cells so no need to have the charger connected AND you should not see all the cells only dropping in voltage; high cells should be dropping, AND low cells should be rising.
Yes, the leads go on the same as the BMS.Thanks on that. Any special instructions? I was planning the same cells as the Daly leads; B- then each positive.
Sky when you used a resistor to pre-charge what was the value of the resistor? Also any body got an idea on what value resistor one should use on a 48 volt bank to precharge the inverter to prevent arcing and current inrush damage?I use a Heltec Capacitor Active Balancer from amazon or aliexpress. Be careful when you use a capacitor active balancer , make sure you pre-charge the capacitors before you hook it up to your battery, I use a resistor on the negative lead to pre-charge the capacitors before I connect up the negative lead to the battery. With my first balancer I forgot to do that and I burned up one of the capacitor.
HelTec SmartBMS (All chemistries,): https://cncdheltec.en.alibaba.com/productgrouplist-821326332/Smart_BMS.html
On this note, doesn't that OKS bms do a pretty good job balancing? I've discovered I have 1 slacker in my 8s pack, but in a matter of, say 15 - 20 mins or so, it's brought up to the others. And I'm embarrassed to ask, but is it transferring from the high one to the low one? Or is it just burning off the high one? The app looks like it's transferring, but I've never really been sure. (I speak of the 8s 100A bms btw..the one in your pic)Yes, the leads go on the same as the BMS.
I've been doing something a little different, and maybe a little unorthodox. I took a hobby board (PC solder-able version of the standard breadboard) and wired in four separate 9-pin JST connectors. Then I put 9-PIN JST female connectors on the leads to my BMS, my Heltec capacitor-based balancer, my QNBBM-8S balancer, and my iSDT Q8 balance charger. Then I made one last cable with my balance lead ring terminals on one end, and a JST female on the other end. This lets me hot-plug any of the above in at once (up to 3). I can also unplug the balance leads on the hobby board all at once.
I did all this after trying to disconnect the leads from the QNBBM-8S from my battery, and the lead slipped out of my hand and briefly shorted to another cell stud. The QNBBM made some noise and there was a big spark, but fortunately it didn't harm the balancer or the cells.
Here's the pic of the hobby board and the plywood several of the items are mounted to. I should point out that - although it may not be obvious in the photo - there is a lexan shield over the hobby board to prevent me from accidentally shorting any of the cells. Also, I haven't mounted the Heltec balancer to the board yet.
View attachment 53312
View attachment 53314