Which Bms?

[Stewen]

I’m getting confused or maybe overthinking this. I’m on the verge of buying lifep04 , looking at Roamer, Fogstar, KS, NDS/ Roadpro, EcoTree and it seems that different battery manufacturers each have their own bluetooth BMS system. Is there a standard for BMS’s or is one type better than others? Or does it not really matter and I should just focus on getting the most suitable battery/ price and trust that the provided BMS is going to do its job. Tia

 

[Ditcha]

I’m getting confused or maybe overthinking this. I’m on the verge of buying lifep04 , looking at Roamer, Fogstar, KS, NDS/ Roadpro, EcoTree and it seems that different battery manufacturers each have their own bluetooth BMS system. Is there a standard for BMS’s or is one type better than others? Or does it not really matter and I should just focus on getting the most suitable battery/ price and trust that the provided BMS is going to do its job. Tia

BMS,s are changing by the week no sooner you commit to buy the best spec you can another one comes along which is better and has more features.
Basically check the specs which suits you best, ie discharge current, charge current, temp protect both on charge and discharge, high voltage protection, low voltage protection, Bluetooth app and how customisable the settings are so yes you have it bit of a mine field, think roamer and fogstar look the best all round package in my personal view, good luck

 

[LesW]

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=bms.qtproject.dx
I use this to monitor our 36v 17ah electric bike batteries.

Should work on other Bluetooth enabled ones.

 

[autorouter]

A BMS balances the cells, and protects against low and high voltage, low and high temperature, and excessive current. Apart from balancing the cells, it should never be needed, but is there as a last resort to protect your battery investment.

The chargers should be configured to charge a lithium battery properly, and ideally there should be a battery protection cutoff to stop the voltage going too low.

 

[Stewen]

Thanks.
So, if BMS’s are much of a muchness as long as I buy a battery from a reputable UK based dealer thats offers support ( if needed) I needn’t worry?
I alteady have a victron Orion DCDC charger, victron mppt solar controller and Victron IP22 30A mains charger in readyness for LifeP04. I’ve bypassed the Sargent EC500 and wired the chargers directly to my current pair of AGM’s. I have a relay to disconnect the on board dcdc charging when driving.
After upgrading the batteries I need to then research an appropriate 2kw invertor. I think victron would be ott for my modest inverter needs though.

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[bigtwin]

So, if BMS’s are much of a muchness as long as I buy a battery from a reputable UK based dealer thats offers support ( if needed) I needn’t worry?

Not sure that all are much of a muchness. The JBD Overkill BMS allows adjustment of pretty much all of the settings. See the screen shots below:

Ian

 

[Stewen]

Not sure that all are much of a muchness. The JBD Overkill BMS allows adjustment of pretty much all of the settings. See the screen shots below:

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Ian

Thanks. That looks pretty comprehensive. So if the JBD is one of the better ones,which batteries use it?

 

[Ditcha]

Thanks. That looks pretty comprehensive. So if the JBD is one of the better ones,which batteries use it?

Best make a short list and ask the manufacturer or supplier to answer that, JK BMS are up there with 4amp active balancer built in.

 

[bigtwin]

Thanks. That looks pretty comprehensive. So if the JBD is one of the better ones,which batteries use it?

My batteries, that use that BMS, are from Life Batteries.

Ian

 

[Stewen]

Thanks,I’ll check them out.

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[Stewen]

I see that Fogstar drift batteries use the JBD BMS .

Roamer batteries have their own which uses passive cell balancing. Am I right in thinking active balancing is better & generates less heat?

I’ll keep trawling

 

[Ditcha]

I see that Fogstar drift batteries use the JBD BMS .

Roamer batteries have their own which uses passive cell balancing. Am I right in thinking active balancing is better & generates less heat?

I’ll keep trawling

That's right passive balancing dissapates/ burns off charge during the charge cycle, active balancing takes the charge from the highest cell and feeds it to the lowest cell both whilst charging and discharging so is more efficient.

 

[Stewen]

Just had a great chat with Becky at Fogstar about their choice of BMS and she also reconfirmed that the max charge current is 200A not 20-50 as I saw on their web page. Hopefully they will update it soon. I’ve narrowed down my search to Roamer & Fogstar. I am leaning towards Fogstar simply because they use active cell balancing and Roamers is passive. Fogstar are a bit cheaper too!