JKBMS Inverter Edition (V14-V15 only) Problems/Issues | No Support / Help to fix major issues. - DO NOT BUY ! Warning (as of Oct.12.2024)

[Steve_S]

Simply search on the web for "Renogy Problems, Warranty Issues" and/or numerous threads on here about THAT company. They are Very Well known to everyone involved in solar and most often whenever ever a "veteran solar person" sees anyone asking about RUN-O-Gee we stay away from it and won't even respond in any way.

THIS IS OFF TOPIC and ends here, start another thread were anyone interested Or cares may babble about it.

 

[HRTKD]

Renogy is off topic. Stick to the JK BMS issues here.

 

[PeterWA]

After 33 pages of discussion and seeing a "DO NOT BUY" added to the title I still have a dilemma.

I've got 16 EVE cells on order and will need a box when they arrive. I won't assemble batteries all the time, so I'd like an easy DIY solution. The YIXIANG box seems ideal in that respect. Except: it comes with the JK inverter BMS.

That said: most of the bugs JK doesn't address seem to be very specific scenarios that happen when multiple batteries need to communicate with each other. Things appear a lot more stable for single battery installs.

Other than feeling morally pushed towards withholding business from a company that does not play nice, what's the downside if I was to ignore the "DO NOT BUY"?

Can anyone recommend some similarly complete and pre-assembled boxes with BMS that use a different brand BMS?

For what it's worth, I did my bit to put pressure on JK, by writing the following to the YIXIANG sales rep on Ali:
> The JK Inverter BMS you're using has come under a *lot* of criticism lately with so many software bugs, and it seems they are not fixing the bugs. If people (like me) keep buying the BMS as a package deal with a case, we don't have any way of getting JK to take us seriously. Can you as one of the big JK customers have a word with them? It would be a shame if your very good product sells a lot less because the BMS manufacturer has dropped the ball.

I got this as a reply:
> Hello, my friend, we are already communicating with JK. I asked the boss to communicate with them.

Let's hope this is true.

 

[Andy1456]

Is there a list somewhere detailing the problems associated with each firmware version so we can pick our poison?

 

[ArthurEld]

Other than feeling morally pushed towards withholding business from a company that does not play nice, what's the downside if I was to ignore the "DO NOT BUY"?

The main downside is that you will be out $108 if someday you decide to use a different BMS. I have a JK inverter BMS and I plan to use it until/if something better comes along. They work good as a regular, non closed loop BMS. Which is good enough for me.

 

[PeterWA]

They work good as a regular, non closed loop BMS. Which is good enough for me.

That was the impression I was getting. Not perfect, but no major safety flaws any more, and no "perfect" alternative.

Which firmware version are you on at the moment?

 

[ArthurEld]

Which firmware version are you on at the moment?

I'm using 15.18
It works the same as the older non inverter JK active balance BMS.

 

[Steve_S]

The YIXIANG box seems ideal in that respect. Except: it comes with the JK inverter BMS.

There are MANY companies offering "Case Kits" that are just as complete, most offer a choice of BMS offering Seplos, Pace and others. JK is the only one with Active Balancing built-in though.

JK has a New Version (V16 Hardware) that is supposed to be electronically improved and more capable, and "apparently" they have used better chips for more accurate coulomb counting and increased the NVRAM for more programming capabilities. (Advanced rumours) but no one has "seen" them Yet, Andy @ Andy's Garage got one but hasn't reviewed anything yet (which will need a dose of salt when he does) and he can't test anything other than Victron Interaction on the COMMS side.

The previous JK (Ones in the black casings) were pretty good with Active Balancing that was effective, they only lacked direct interaction facilities for AIO's. Their SOC accuracy also wasn't terribly great either but in an open-loop setup that did not matter as much (same applies with the Inverter model) because you are not depending on the BMS telling any device anything.

Unfortunately, at this moment, JK is pretty much the only BMS Maker with Built-In Active Balancing but others are working on it. Then we run into the Early Adopter issues which is what happened with these JK Inverter Models which already has 2 Hardware Versions in less than 1 yr and now a 3rd version... Reinforces the Rule of : Never buy a V1 of anything, electronics or cars ! First Production runs are always the ones with big problems to solve.

 

[Drunkin Solar]

Unfortunately, at this moment, JK is pretty much the only BMS Maker with Built-In Active Balancing but others are working on it. Then we run into the Early Adopter issues which is what happened with these JK Inverter Models which already has 2 Hardware Versions in less than 1 yr and now a 3rd version... Reinforces the Rule of : Never buy a V1 of anything, electronics or cars ! First Production runs are always the ones with big problems to solve.

Seplos is now offering 2a active balancing feature for their 48v Mason kits. They also have a heating option.

 

[JJJJ]

Seplos is now offering 2a active balancing feature for their 48v Mason kits.

From the other threads on this it might be V3. I suggest looking at these. It reportedly has challenges as well. Trying to keep this thread on track. Thank you

 

[PeterWA]

There are MANY companies offering "Case Kits" that are just as complete

You are a pro. I'm am novice with just a little bit of relevant background. I fear for me the difference between a kit (with little to no documentation included) and the pre-assembled YIXIANG, that essentially just requires the batteries dropped in, would be many hours spent on Google and YouTube. :-(

And yes, active balancing is essential, since I don't have equipment that would allow me to top-balance cells before putting them into the box. I will have to rely on the BMS to even out any discrepancy. Of course I was promised matched Grade A cells, but from my reading I know that these things can be hit and miss with most suppliers...

JK has a New Version (V16 Hardware) that is supposed to be electronically improved and more capable, and "apparently" they have used better chips for more accurate coulomb counting and increased the NVRAM for more programming capabilities. (Advanced rumours) but no one has "seen" them Yet, Andy @ Andy's Garage got one but hasn't reviewed anything yet (which will need a dose of salt when he does) and he can't test anything other than Victron Interaction on the COMMS side.

Now that is interesting information, and the first I heat of it. I am heading down the Victron route, so anything tested against that would be fine. Timing is crucial though. A few weeks delay would be ok, but I wouldn't want the cells to sit in a box and just age away while waiting for slightly improved BMS.

 

[upnorthandpersonal]

would be many hours spent on Google and YouTube. :-(

You should do that in any case.

 

[Steve_S]

Now that is interesting information, and the first I heat of it. I am heading down the Victron route, so anything tested against that would be fine. Timing is crucial though. A few weeks delay would be ok, but I wouldn't want the cells to sit in a box and just age away while waiting for slightly improved BMS.

There is a link a few pages back to Andy's "Community Posts" with photo's and minimal chatter on this New Version and that's about as much info that is publicly available at this time.

While this is off-topic, there are serious downsides for NOT Top Charging & Top Balancing cells prior to assembly. You will NEVER get full capacity by skipping that process. Top Charging is required for New Cellf or cells that have been stored for longer than 6 months to Fully Activate the Electrolytes within (This is per manufacturer stated recommendations). This is regardless of the Grade of cells. Very Few Vendors actually sell properly Fully Matched & Batched cells (which means they are cycle tested to match the IR states at the various points within working voltage range that is responsible for delivery the Stated AH's). Shortcuts, Cheating & Rushing things become wasteful of not only time but your hardware as well. Several chose to take the Shortcut Route only to realize why they shouldn't have and then having to do it properly after all. Some come back and say so directly, other hints they had to (don't want to admit their faults) and a few Freak Out and blame Vendors for selling them something they did not setup properly and start Dramnatics of blame & finger pointing without glancing in a mirror FIRST ! Basically, please do it right the First Time and reduce the potential for major regrets.

 

[HRTKD]

Can anyone recommend some similarly complete and pre-assembled boxes with BMS that use a different brand BMS?

Luyuan sells an empty battery case and you can also get the JBD BMS and cells from them. That's where I got mine. You'll still have to assemble it. If you're not up to assembling it then an off-the-shelf solution is a better option.

 

[agtcovert]

You are a pro. I'm am novice with just a little bit of relevant background. I fear for me the difference between a kit (with little to no documentation included) and the pre-assembled YIXIANG, that essentially just requires the batteries dropped in, would be many hours spent on Google and YouTube. :-(

And yes, active balancing is essential, since I don't have equipment that would allow me to top-balance cells before putting them into the box. I will have to rely on the BMS to even out any discrepancy. Of course I was promised matched Grade A cells, but from my reading I know that these things can be hit and miss with most suppliers...



Now that is interesting information, and the first I heat of it. I am heading down the Victron route, so anything tested against that would be fine. Timing is crucial though. A few weeks delay would be ok, but I wouldn't want the cells to sit in a box and just age away while waiting for slightly improved BMS.

Helpfully this puts your mind at ease a bit.

I've just built 4 new and have one more battery to assemble with the JK Inverter BMS. I ordered back in July, was less experienced, though I still have lots to learn.

Anyway, if you don't need inverter comms, I can't say I've had any issues with my packs. The balancer works well enough. The packs are not connected electrically but I do have the comms cables between them. They share enough info I can see all the data I want. And running my system in open loop without inverter comms has worked fine.

I've pushed them near the max discharge (200A) and not had any issues there.

The core issue is their shit support and bugs for certain features. If I was to order again, I'd do a Seplos with Neey active balancers based on that. I don't want to support a company that has this lack of support.

There is one bug mentioned above I find highly disturbing. In the app, disabling charge or discharge individually seems to have no impact or the inverse of what you'd expect. That's not ok. I'm aware of it and it's only when I'm bringing a pack online I really care about the functionality for now. But be aware of it.

Otherwise, it does ok. If you intend to add more batteries and run open loop, I would go for a different BMS for now. But the basic functions are fine, for what it's worth.

 

[Steve_S]

There is one bug mentioned above I find highly disturbing. In the app, disabling charge or discharge individually seems to have no impact or the inverse of what you'd expect. That's not ok. I'm aware of it and it's only when I'm bringing a pack online I really care about the functionality for now. But be aware of it.

There have been issues with the Phone Apps and that one sounds terribly familiar. Do keep the Phone App updated. The current version is 4.27.0 released August 22nd.

 

[Hedges]

While this is off-topic, there are serious downsides for NOT Top Charging & Top Balancing cells prior to assembly. You will NEVER get full capacity by skipping that process. Top Charhiong is required for New Celsl or cells that have been stored for longer than 6 months to Fully Activate the Electrolytes within (This is per Manufacturers stated recommendations). This is regardless of the Grade of cells.

I assembled and charged up with JK BMS. Setting is 3.65V high voltage disconnect, something lower like 3.50V (?) for full charge.
This BMS has 2A active balancer. I set it to 1A. The cells are 228 Ah.

Should I raise high voltage disconnect to 3.85V, raise charge voltage to 3.65V, and charge it that way once for top balance?
I could simply put those settings in one BMS, label it "Top Balancer", and apply it to each 48V 16s string.

 

[kommando]

Should I raise high voltage disconnect to 3.85V, raise charge voltage to 3.65V, and charge it that way once for top balance?

No real benefit as the % increase in capacity is so low from 3.45 to 3.65 as that part of the curve is so steep. I have OVP set to 3.65V and target RCV to 3.50V (plus 0.06V due to the SI off grid drop of 1V), balancing is set to start at 3.499V Delta 0.008V. The SI targets 55.2V but off grid the PV curtailment lag means the battery gets to 55.8V. I never top balanced either of my DIY builds, just let the JK do its thing. Every time the SI gets them to 55.2v balancing is done and finished in 20 mins, with current low sun its a week or more between 55.2V being seen.

 

[Steve_S]

I assembled and charged up with JK BMS. Setting is 3.65V high voltage disconnect, something lower like 3.50V (?) for full charge.
This BMS has 2A active balancer. I set it to 1A. The cells are 228 Ah.

Should I raise high voltage disconnect to 3.85V, raise charge voltage to 3.65V, and charge it that way once for top balance?
I could simply put those settings in one BMS, label it "Top Balancer", and apply it to each 48V 16s string.

As this is outside of the topic _and_ because it is you my friend, you are getting a PM.

 

[On_The_Road]

There is a link a few pages back to Andy's "Community Posts" with photo's and minimal chatter on this New Version and that's about as much info that is publicly available at this time.

While this is off-topic, there are serious downsides for NOT Top Charging & Top Balancing cells prior to assembly. You will NEVER get full capacity by skipping that process. Top Charhiong is required for New Celsl or cells that have been stored for longer than 6 months to Fully Activate the Electrolytes within (This is per Manufacturers stated recommendations). This is regardless of the Grade of cells. Very Few Vendors actually sell properly Fully Matched & Batched cells (which means they are cycle tested to match the IR states at the various points within working voltage range that is responsible for delivery the Stated AH's). Shortcuts, Cheating & Rushing things become wasteful of not only time but your hardware as well. Several chose to take the Shortcut Route only to realize why they shouldn;t have and then having to do it properly after all. Some come back and say so directly, other hints they had to (son;t want to admit their faults) and a few Freak Out and blame Vendors for selling them something they did not setup properly and start Dramnatics of blame & finger pointing without glancing ina mirror FIRST ! Basically, please do it right the First Time and reduce the potential for major regrets.

I am just making conversation but isn't using an active balancer providing a top balance every single charge cycle?

 

[XBeg9]

Team, I got this before the news ... I kept scrolling and reading, but this became a huge thread. It would be great to update post #1 and say current HOT issues

on my side: so it's not charging as expected, charging cut-off was WAY to early, I have Victron GX device, enabled DVCC, so BMS has full control.

GX can communicate with JK-BMS (I have 2A 16S 200A) and update it to latest 15.30 with no issues. Here is my params, it's stoped charging way to early... could somebody share params here? or what am I missing, I tried to copy off-grid-garage params

Oh yeah, and last piece... SOC 100% was not resetted.

 

[ArthurEld]

GX can communicate with JK-BMS (I have 2A 16S 200A) and update it to latest 15.30 with no issues. Here is my params, it's stoped charging way to early... could somebody share params here? or what am I missing, I tried to copy off-grid-garage params

These settings are probably good for the JK BMS-

Post in thread 'Jk inverter bms settings'

Oct 19, 2024

As @HRTKD stated, at this time, it really is better to NOT use the Inverter to AIO Comms as there are many issues with it.
You can connect all the packs together in Parallel with the comms cables and monitor the packs in your bank as a whole with the PC App. The Phone Apps still only allow you to view 1 battery pack at a time and that is not likely to change either.

Currently, the most stable firmware for V15 Hardware is 15:27 and "apparently" newer fixed (actually fixed) firmware is coming. WAIT till others have tried it BTW, don't be an Alpha Tester.

I will provide...

• Steve_S

• 

 

[Steve_S]

Team, I got this before the news ... I kept scrolling and reading, but this became a huge thread. It would be great to update post #1 and say current HOT issues

on my side: so it's not charging as expected, charging cut-off was WAY to early, I have Victron GX device, enabled DVCC, so BMS has full control.

GX can communicate with JK-BMS (I have 2A 16S 200A) and update it to latest 15.30 with no issues. Here is my params, it's stoped charging way to early... could somebody share params here? or what am I missing, I tried to copy off-grid-garage params

Oh yeah, and last piece... SOC 100% was not resetted.

I suggest lowering the Start Balancing voltage to 3.42 so it can actually balance while floating.

Now check the voltage at the battery pack terminals with no load/charge at all. Not connected to a bus with other batteries. Use that measured voltage to calibrate the voltage on your BMS in the settings. Next get everything connected up & test the voltage at the battery when charging and at the SCC charge course leads... Note the differences and adjust your settings in the Solar Controller to compensate. Note that when solar s gone and you are pulling just from battery, there will be a different discrepancy between the battery & inverter, this also needs to be checked and comnpensated for in the Inverter so it actually charges/discharges to the proper cut off limits.

 

[XBeg9]

I suggest lowering the Start Balancing voltage to 3.42 so it can actually balance while floating.

Now check the voltage at the battery pack terminals with no load/charge at all. Not connected to a bus with other batteries. Use that measured voltage to calibrate the voltage on your BMS in the settings. Next get everything connected up & test the voltage at the battery when charging and at the SCC charge course leads... Note the differences and adjust your settings in the Solar Controller to compensate. Note that when solar s gone and you are pulling just from battery, there will be a different discrepancy between the battery & inverter, this also needs to be checked and comnpensated for in the Inverter so it actually charges/discharges to the proper cut off limits.

Thanks, when you say Solar Controller, that should be in inverter right? I have victron GX and multiplus... no solar.

 

[XBeg9]

I am not getting, what am I doing wrong, or hit this JK-BMS weird issue... my charging stops too early, and turns into absorb



DVCC - enabled
CCL - 95A





You can see it here on charts... at 3.42 it just stop charging.

What's wrong?