LIFEPO4 Battery discussion thread

[x7razor]

What is error 64? Maybe drop it to 56V for this week and re-evaluate on the weekend.

over voltage

 

[wingnut771]

My 5kw shows error 64 if i use the default 56.0 it gives you. I had to set mine to 55.8 bulk and 54 float. When the error happens 2 cells shows almost 3.65v the rest still far they all in the 3.4v odd

Maybe float at 55.8V until balancer has had time to work?

 

[DTBA]

@wingnut771 Can you comment on the imbalance. I caught it within a minute of the charge being killed off by the inverter.

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Battery just needs to get above 55.2v like wingnut said battery looks pretty good tbh.

 

[cavedog]

Battery just needs to get above 55.2v like wingnut said battery looks pretty good tbh.

But if it's the default setting pacebms balancing only starts if one cell hits 3.5v and it's passive balancing

 

[denmendez65]

But if it's the default setting pacebms balancing only starts if one cell hits 3.5v and it's passive balancing

From what I understood online, as long as the unbalance isn’t crazy, like over 150mV it irons out over time.

It’s just very slow. I was getting error 64 at around 95%. Happened out of the blue.

If it’s still happening now it’s definitely happening much later as the battery does hit 99% without being cut off. I just don’t know how far into 56.8 it goes before the cut happens.

My charge voltage was 56.8 if I recall, dropped it to 56. Then raised it again last week to 56.8 to see if it still cuts off at 95 and it seems it’s not. So I suspect some improvement has happened.

The 10A charge might be helping also.

 

[DTBA]

But if it's the default setting pacebms balancing only starts if one cell hits 3.5v and it's passive balancing

default is 3.4 to 3.45 each brand changes it so it might be or might not be mine both were 3.4

 

[wingnut771]

But if it's the default setting pacebms balancing only starts if one cell hits 3.5v and it's passive balancing

You’re right, 56V in this case.

 

[wingnut771]

default is 3.4 to 3.45 each brand changes it so it might be or might not be mine both were 3.4

Just make it 56V and take all the guess work out of the way.

 

[DTBA]

From what I understood online, as long as the unbalance isn’t crazy, like over 150mV it irons out over time.

It’s just very slow. I was getting error 64 at around 95%. Happened out of the blue.

If it’s still happening now it’s definitely happening much later as the battery does hit 99% without being cut off. I just don’t know how far into 56.8 it goes before the cut happens.

My charge voltage was 56.8 if I recall, dropped it to 56. Then raised it again last week to 56.8 to see if it still cuts off at 95 and it seems it’s not. So I suspect some improvement has happened.

The 10A charge might be helping also.

Rj11 or rj45 ? on the rs232 port?

 

[denmendez65]

Rj11 or rj45 ? on the rs232 port?

RJ45. That’s what the comms between the BMS and Inverter is using if that’s what you are asking. Via RS485

 

[DTBA]

RJ45. That’s what the comms between the BMS and Inverter is using if that’s what you are asking. Via RS485

that one

sorry its dark could not see

 

[denmendez65]

I’m using this one. That’s how I got my comms to work.

Inverter side is connected to RS485-2. That’s the one for inverter to battery comms.

 

[cavedog]

I’m using this one. That’s how I got my comms to work.

Inverter side is connected to RS485-2. That’s the one for inverter to battery comms.

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Did you check if you pick up the bms with Bluetooth?

 

[denmendez65]

Did you check if you pick up the bms with Bluetooth?

Nope. I never tried any monitoring on the BMS.

I just wanted the inverter and BMS to talk to each other as after the error 64 my SOC was all over the place.

BMS was saying one thing, inverter and app saying something else.

Is there anything to be gained connecting to the BMS? Do you use your phone or laptop? Maybe I can give it a try.

I am one of those that won’t fiddle with anything until a problem arises. I do enough RnD at work with PLCs and RTUs etc to the point where I get very lazy outside of work with gadgets lol and don’t want to think much

 

[x7razor]

Solar Assistant works by using the printer port for comms. The supplied usb cable also works with SA if you plug it into the bms port but not much info like cell voltages.

 

[wingnut771]

Solar Assistant works by using the printer port for comms. The supplied usb cable also works with SA if you plug it into the bms port but not much info like cell voltages.

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I think solar assistant falls into that too lazy for gadgets after work category I know how he feels. When I used to work on pcs, the last thing I wanted to see when getting home was another pc.

 

[cavedog]

Nope. I never tried any monitoring on the BMS.

I just wanted the inverter and BMS to talk to each other as after the error 64 my SOC was all over the place.

BMS was saying one thing, inverter and app saying something else.

Is there anything to be gained connecting to the BMS? Do you use your phone or laptop? Maybe I can give it a try.

I am one of those that won’t fiddle with anything until a problem arises. I do enough RnD at work with PLCs and RTUs etc to the point where I get very lazy outside of work with gadgets lol and don’t want to think much

If it has bluetooth you can set all the parameters etc via the app. If not the you can use pacebms windows app with a usb to rs232 cable.


You can adjust the balancing voltages and when it kicks in at what deviation.

Solar Assistant works by using the printer port for comms. The supplied usb cable also works with SA if you plug it into the bms port but not much info like cell voltages.

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If you want better stats you can get a usb to rs232 cable and let solar assistant connect to the bms directly.

 

[cavedog]

So for people in Gauteng on solar. What heaters if any do you use?

My room has an inverter aircon that can heat also but still uses about 1kWh on max and probably around 600-800w when its on low setting.

What is the best heater price wise and power draw? I was looking at this one. 400w per bar. Small and compact. Reasonably priced.

 

[denmendez65]

So for people in Gauteng on solar. What heaters if any do you use?

My room has an inverter aircon that can heat also but still uses about 1kWh on max and probably around 600-800w when its on low setting.

What is the best heater price wise and power draw? I was looking at this one. 400w per bar. Small and compact. Reasonably priced.

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I use gas at night. The bottle lasted a month when the wife was around, as she used it the most. I rarely use it nowadays as my inverters sit in my office room so they warm it up enough when I close all the windows and keep the door closed.



During the day, I use a fan heater. Only at weekends and when watching TV. I have excess solar, so just run it between 9 and 3. Works well.



The most efficient is an electric blanket. Use only some 60 to 100W.

 

[cavedog]

I use gas at night. The bottle lasted a month when the wife was around, as she used it the most. I rarely use it nowadays as my inverters sit in my office room so they warm it up enough when I close all the windows and keep the door closed.

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During the day, I use a fan heater. Only at weekends and when watching TV. I have excess solar, so just run it between 9 and 3. Works well.

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The most efficient is an electric blanket. Use only some 60 to 100W.

I have the alva gas heater with gas and 3 bars. I just have one so when I work nightshift I was looking for something to use in the office/gaming room that isn't too bad on batteries.
I also have one of those fan heaters but damn that thing chows electricity. Last winter I was still on grid and cried because the R2.5k electricity bill was hectic.