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Does my PCM include temp protection

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MEN!

New Member
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Jul 7, 2020
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Hi guys,

I am wondering if my batterys PCM will be sufficient for protecting from charging/discharging in cold temps. I'm in Chicago and approaching the cold season. My batteries (2x 200AH 12v LiFePO4) are mounted in a Van-RV conversion. There's some climate control in there with a diesel heater, but I hear it only takes 1 time to mess things up. Here is the spec sheet on my PCM (Attached below). It lists a higher charging temp but seems absent of low temp mention. It does list ambient condition and operating temperature but I'm confused about its meaning.

If my PCM would not protect against charging/discharging under freezing, could anyone recommend an easy to install and use BMS? Not concerned with the cost, but want something very dependable for my application. Thank you

PCM Spec.JPG
 
It appears to have a high-temp cut-off but not a low temp one.

Assuming this is a sealed battery, getting another BMS is not practical unless you're going to open up the battery to attach the leads.

If you're charging off solar, Victron SCC have the ability to enable and specify a low-temp cut-off. Others do as well.
 
snoobler said:
It appears to have a high-temp cut-off but not a low temp one.

Assuming this is a sealed battery, getting another BMS is not practical unless you're going to open up the battery to attach the leads.

If you're charging off solar, Victron SCC have the ability to enable and specify a low-temp cut-off. Others do as well.
Click to expand...
Argh. Yes, they are sealed. That's too bad there is not an easier option to attach a BMS.

I'm using EPEver MPPT trace SCCs that certainly have a port for a temp sensor. A quick google search says you can program them to stop charging at low temp. Maybe I'll look into that.

Thanks
 
smoothJoey said:
A bms does individual cell balancing in addition to having protection circuits.
Click to expand...
Aah. Guess I don't have that. Do you know if there are any precautions one could take to keep cells balanced without that feature?
 
MEN! said:
Aah. Guess I don't have that. Do you know if there are any precautions one could take to keep cells balanced without that feature?
Click to expand...
Don't charge or discharge to high or low.
Don't charge or discharge at to high current.
Do an initial top balance.
Why not just run a bms?
 
Based on the spec sheet, the battery has its own internal BMS with high and low votlage protect as well as balancing.
 
smoothJoey said:
Why not just run a bms?
Click to expand...
Well that was the point of my thread, to ask about running a BMS. The response I got was adding a BMS is difficult when attempting to add to a sealed battery(as is mine). I guess it can be done if you open the sealed battery and attach to the leads? But honestly I'm a beginner and that sounds a little out of my league.

Certainly if there were an easier option for attaching a BMS I would.
 
snoobler said:
Based on the spec sheet, the battery has its own internal BMS with high and low votlage protect as well as balancing.
Click to expand...
Could I ask what line(s) you read that lead you to that? Thanks

EDIT: Nevermind, think I see what you mean. There's a line on cell balance and several on voltage protection.
 
MEN! said:
Well that was the point of my thread, to ask about running a BMS. The response I got was adding a BMS is difficult when attempting to add to a sealed battery(as is mine). I guess it can be done if you open the sealed battery and attach to the leads? But honestly I'm a beginner and that sounds a little out of my league.

Certainly if there were an easier option for attaching a BMS I would.
Click to expand...
Sorry I didn't read to the end.
Short attention span.
I'm reluctant to invest until the esoteric acronyms have been defined.
 
Last edited:
smoothJoey said:
Sorry I didn't read to the end.
Short attention span.
I'm reluctant to invest until the esoteric acronyms have been defined.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure which acronyms you're referring to. You asked about PCM. Was there another you're unsure of?
 
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