Sid Battery Balancers.

Technically yes, though it IS written to EEPROM (cycle limit).  It wouldn't be too difficult to make a "non-persistent charge current" setting, if there was some specific usecase for it.

I thought this was called CV regulation?  If so, the GS has this by default.

Probably derailed myself there a bit.

My own setup is separate components rather than an integrated charger/inverter.  I also have 3 parallel 24V lifepo4 batteries.  Due to the slight capacity differences that inevitably happen between batteries one of the batteries is always the last one to achieve full charge as a result it gets progressively more proportion of the charging current as the other two draw less.  I like to keep charging current under 30A / battery and use the Victron's ability to dynamically adjust it's output such that the current into any single battery is in my happy zone.  The batteries can accommodate much higher charge rates but 30A is the recommended place for lifespan.

There's also a secondary purpose to what I do, and again it comes down to battery charging current but this isn't something an integrated charger/inverter would be dealing with unless it's a solar charger which the GS isn't.  I adjust the Victron's limit on the fly to keep charging current where I want it but also be able to satisfy what ever current the loads are demanding too.

So I finally figured out how to upload files to the website...and a detailed manual for the balance shunts can now be downloaded from either the listing page, or here: https://www.genetrysolar.com/s/Genetry-Solar-Lithium-Balance-Shunt-Manual.pdf

Let me know of any thoughts/comments/corrections.  Kinda the only way a product can improve to better meet customers' unique needs...

Hi Sid,

Just downloaded and read your manual.  Great job!  Very succinct and to the point.  Just the important facts without any bs to cause confusion. 

I doubt there will be any need to amend it at all unless you change the product itself.

You deserve a pat on the back (and a profit!)

Thanks for the hard work and effort.

I hope they meet your expectations AND needs 😉.

I downloaded it and read also. 600 Volt top or 200 units. That would work for a hybrid loco with DC motors. 😁

If you need more than that, I can easily make some with custom firmware to double the serial speed up (will increase quiescent current draw though)...you could run 400 units then if you wanted.  Or I could quadruple the speed for 800 units...

If you were running a locomotive, I don't think there'd be any issue with an extra 100uA quiescent current of the balancers 😉.

Sid, I figure that the units will ship with jumpers open so set for 2.5A and 4.15V as shipped, correct? That will allow me to set up 2 strings as 2.5 Amp at 4.15 Volts and 1 string at 5 Amps and 4.15 Volts. Now all I have to do is find the proper fanning strips and barrier strips, so that the connections can be moved from battery to battery string. The 2.5 Amp max  rate will allow the built in BMSes to do their jobs well. Will a 3 Amp fuse handle the load of one balancer set for 2.5 Amps? Or does it need to go higher?

Just now, Waterman said:

Sid, I figure that the units will ship with jumpers open so set for 2.5A and 4.15V as shipped, correct?

That is if you order from the Li-Ion page.  I believe Sean will solder the voltage jumpers if you order the LiFePo4 units...

The 2.5A / 5A current limit basically limits how hard the balancer can shunt...calculated by making sure the balancer could maintain the desired voltage at (x) current.  If the balance current needs to exceed this limit, the balance voltage will start to rise--and the current may also rise further. 

I think Sean left the current adjust jumper in the open state on his powerwalls.

Though the 5A limit is a hard thermal/protection limit; it will not be able to exceed 5A without tripping.

Thanks Sid! I did order mine as LiPo balancers. Once they get here I can get back to building the batteries. Things are on hold on installing the other solar panels as we are due for some more rain possibly today. Today would be a good day for a wind turbine though as winds will get up to 20 MPH and we are already getting gusts to 14 MPH.  Too many projects, not enough time. But you know how that goes.😉

Balancers ship today!

<a href="/monthly_2021_04/20210426_093111.jpg.b05a4eec7cdfc1a16eb4d76c81a4d2e2.jpg" class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image"><img data-fileid="298" src="//forums.genetrysolar.com/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" data-src="/monthly_2021_04/20210426_093111.thumb.jpg.e792c249c72a0eeabfa167d74ba6895e.jpg" data-ratio="56.2" width="1000" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt="20210426_093111.jpg">

2 hours ago, Sean Genetry Solar said:

Balancers ship today!

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Yeah! In case the insulators didn't get there, I have 100 that should be delivered here on Friday. That is if they get out of Chicago. Now it will be a race to see which gets here first.

Great!  Thanks!

My heatsink is ready.  I have insulator material ready.  My battery modules aren't quite ready, but close.

Progress!

They're currently in Greenwood, Indiana according to tracking.  Left there on the 24th...

Happy to report that my balancers arrived in today's mail!

Thanks!

Now the pressure is on me to get my batteries in so I can add the balancers!