Batrium K9 on id3 modules

[Nicky]

Hi
Im just new to the forum and am thinking of building a battery bank for solar storage using a 9 module vw id3 pack.
I was wondering has anyone done this with a batrium k9 as i have one i would like to use.
If so how well does it balance the pack and how did you connect it up?

Thanks

 

[CarelHassink]

Nicky,
we've been in contact before.
We tried Batrium, and are hoping to use Batrium in the future.
Thing is there's fuse wire, and/or a smd fuse in the flexcable to the individual cells that will blow if running a higher balance current than approx 100mA, rendering the ID modules useless.
Batrium K9 modules have 4 ohm bleeder resistors for Li-ion, or 2 Ohm for LTO, we would need 40 Ohm bleeder resistor for getting a ~ 100mA balancing current.
In the software there's a custom option available for reducing balancing current setting, however with the K9 current hardware, it did not work.
We are in the market to find a work around like changing / modding the bleeder resistors

trial with 2x 8S ID.4 modules in series,


best Carel

 

[Nicky]

Hi Carel
Thanks again for the great advice.
I am wondering now would it work well if i used the batrium to just monitor the cells and turned off the balance completely in the software. Use the batrium for monitoring only and hope the pack stays in balance until i figure out a way of only balancing it with 100mA.

Thanks
Nicky

 

[CarelHassink]

Nicky,
hmm, there are probably some other triggers you could use to flip a relay or trip, when Batrium detects a deviation in temp discharge/charge hysteresis between cells etc.
But officially I would never advocate not using balancing.... or sell something like it, flat out.......

Carel

 

[OffGridInTheCity]

While I agree that balance is necessary from time to time, I turn my Batrium balance off most of the time. I use it when 1) adding new batteries or 2) as a touch up as things will drift over many months. But day to day, for 9 months at a time, healthy packs will stay in balance on their own.

I have Watchmon + longmons so I don't know if it works the same for MM8.... but what I do
1) Set "Bypass Volt" higher than you'll ever charge. In my case I charge up to 4.0v so it will never reach 4.16v / pack.
2) Set "Bypass Extra Mode" to "None"

The Batrium will still monitor hi/low voltage settings etc... and key safety features even if balance is disabled.

In the software there's a custom option available for reducing balancing current setting, however with the K9 current hardware, it did not work.

Very interesting.... as mentioned above I have longmons and use these settings to throttle them... hopefully I'll get a longer life.
These settings seem to work because I observe reduced temps during balance on the main monitor screen.

 

[Nicky]

I will try test the K9 and see if the balance current will adjust down.
Using 100mA fuses in the K9 leads should protect the modules own internal fuses.
If not i will run with balance off and if needs be buy a seperate 12s balancer to use from time to time when needed.
I will update when i get everything up and running. I will probably need more advice at that stage!!
Thanks everyone.

 

[floydR]

Using 100mA fuses in the K9 leads should protect the modules own internal fuses.

What Amperage are the internal fuses?
later floyd

 

[Nicky]

As far as i can find out they are 200mA i think.
Seemingly they can handle around 100mA so just trying to play it safe really.

Nicky