Active balancer activation?

[ericfx1984]

So I've been seeing that some people are using their BMS or their charge controller to activate a active balancer at a certain voltage ... Effectively leaving it off whenever it's below that voltage

So I have a couple different options that I'm hoping will work for this

I have the JBD 200 amp 16S BMS (I think it's actually seven ass through 21s?)

And then I have the MPP solar LV6548

Is there any programmable on off switch? I'm hoping that there's something that I can use that will complete a circuit when the voltage hits a certain voltage (maybe 54.4?)

I know my Victron 100/50 had a dry contact function that probably could have worked for this... I imagine that the MPP does... But I'm not seeing anything about it in the programming manual... And of course the JBD BMS is not super clear on that either

If neither of these items will work... Is there a balancer that won't cost an arm and a leg but also Not just sit there and run 24/7? Maybe some programability?

 

[BarracudaBob]

So I've been seeing that some people are using their BMS or their charge controller to activate a active balancer at a certain voltage ... Effectively leaving it off whenever it's below that voltage

So I have a couple different options that I'm hoping will work for this

I have the JBD 200 amp 16S BMS (I think it's actually seven ass through 21s?)

And then I have the MPP solar LV6548

Is there any programmable on off switch? I'm hoping that there's something that I can use that will complete a circuit when the voltage hits a certain voltage (maybe 54.4?)

I know my Victron 100/50 had a dry contact function that probably could have worked for this... I imagine that the MPP does... But I'm not seeing anything about it in the programming manual... And of course the JBD BMS is not super clear on that either

If neither of these items will work... Is there a balancer that won't cost an arm and a leg but also Not just sit there and run 24/7? Maybe some programability?

The latest Ney / Enerkey smart active balancer 4a Bluetooth are fully programmable. I set it for 3.45 to turn on and 3.400 to turn off. Working great for me on some troubled welded cells. After running it up/down a couple of times I turn the balancer off via Bluetooth and the pack will do well by it self for a couple of months. I am considering setting even higher so they will top balance together at the knee. I see no negative to an active balancer as long as it is installed safely and set to balance at the top end.

The only other choice I had was to try to cut out and replace with like cells. Adding the 4A active balancer was a better option after all other recommendations have been exhausted

 

[Alkaline]

So I've been seeing that some people are using their BMS or their charge controller to activate a active balancer at a certain voltage ... Effectively leaving it off whenever it's below that voltage

So I have a couple different options that I'm hoping will work for this

I have the JBD 200 amp 16S BMS (I think it's actually seven ass through 21s?)

And then I have the MPP solar LV6548

Is there any programmable on off switch? I'm hoping that there's something that I can use that will complete a circuit when the voltage hits a certain voltage (maybe 54.4?)

I know my Victron 100/50 had a dry contact function that probably could have worked for this... I imagine that the MPP does... But I'm not seeing anything about it in the programming manual... And of course the JBD BMS is not super clear on that either

If neither of these items will work... Is there a balancer that won't cost an arm and a leg but also Not just sit there and run 24/7? Maybe some programability?

SFK is supposed to be coming out with this and I asked them if they would just sell it by itself and they said eventually:

Sun Fun Kits EX+ Batteries with WIFI, Bluetooth 5, MESH, and USB-C

Sun Fun Kits EX+ Batteries with WIFI, Bluetooth 5, MESH, and USB-C

www.sunfunkits.com

basically a replacement for the jbd bluetooth dongle, that also adds wifi. The active balancer (Ester EK, flying capacitor style) gets plug into it via a lead and it turns it on or off as needed.

The currently have something for there 12v batteries but its a manually button to turn it on/off or have it run only when the battery voltages are near full.

No idea on what it will be cost but sfk is usually not the cheapest.

I do not recommend the nEEY balancer it can cause cells to go well over 4v, when its running, so you have to limit the current to less than 1 amp to keep cells under 3.65v

 

[BarracudaBob]

SFK is supposed to be coming out with this and I asked them if they would just sell it by itself and they said eventually:

Sun Fun Kits EX+ Batteries with WIFI, Bluetooth 5, MESH, and USB-C

Sun Fun Kits EX+ Batteries with WIFI, Bluetooth 5, MESH, and USB-C

www.sunfunkits.com

basically a replacement for the jbd bluetooth dongle, that also adds wifi. The active balancer (Ester EK, flying capacitor style) gets plug into it via a lead and it turns it on or off as needed.

The currently have something for there 12v batteries but its a manually button to turn it on/off or have it run only when the battery voltages are near full.

No idea on what it will be cost but sfk is usually not the cheapest.

I do not recommend the nEEY balancer it can cause cells to go well over 4v, when its running, so you have to limit the current to less than 1 amp to keep cells under 3.65v

I keep the existing BMS to do it's job and kill charging voltage if any cell gets OV. I monitor everything with Solar Assistant because I believe in Trust buy Verify. If you don't need an active balancer don't use one but if you have exhausted months is of everybody's suggestions and your cells keep going 150-250 mV out of balance it was a no brainer with excellent results.

We are under tornado and tropical storm wind warnings/watch right now. My batteries are all charged up with wife at home while I am at work for storm duty. I feel good knowing that everything is balanced, monitored, and have safty precautions set up.

Just took a screen shot:


It just stopped charging (EG4 set at 56.2V) peeked and stop taking any more current. It will now float at 54.0V
I am set in UPS mode and ready for a power outage. My friend just called and they lost a feeder just north of Trumps Home in WPB. I am relieved that my wife working from home has power, HVAC, water, and our food is safe in Fridges & Freezers. Life is good.

 

[BarracudaBob]

Is there any programmable on off switch? I'm hoping that there's something that I can use that will complete a circuit when the voltage hits a certain voltage (maybe 54.4?)

You can use the small gauge RED +V input to turn on/off the balancer but I don't feel that is necessary. It may not turn on in Balance mode after power lost so you will have to test that or use one of the small capacitance balancers.