Set-up

Setting up a Lithiumate™ BMS

1. Connect a terminal to the serial port on the BMS controller
2. Power-up the BMS
   • At power-up, the terminal shows the Main Menu
   • Navigate the menu tree by pressing the digit corresponding to the menu item
   • Return to the previous menu by pressing the ESC key. Pressing the ESC key repeatedly will get you back to the Main menu.
   • You can jump back to the Home menu from any screen by pressing the 'H' key (rev 0.97 and above)
3. If the CAN bus is used:
   1. If contactors are controlled by the BMS through the CAN bus, specify the format of the message that does so
   2. If other devices on the CAN bus measure the battery current and report the value, specify the format of those messages
   3. If the standard set of messages that the BMS controler places on the CAN bus interfere with some other device's messages, change their starting ID
   4. If a custom messages is required from the BMS controler, define its format and data
4. Program the functions of input and output lines:
   1. If a normally closed interlock is used, switch the polarity from the default to normally closed
   2. Specify which inputs are used to measure battery current
   3. If any output (LLIM, HLIM, FLT) should be normally shorted to ground, switch its polarity from the default to normally closed
   4. If contactors are controlled by the BMS, select which tests are performed when turning on
5. Program the battery pack arrangement:
   1. The 1st time it is powered-up, the BMS learns automatically how many cells are in the battery pack. To relearn, clear the number of cells in the 0th bank, and cycle the power; you may also enter the number of cells in each bank manually
   2. If using a number of batteries in parallel (each battery has its set of cell boards), specify that number
6. Program the operating parameters:
   1. If the cells are other than LiFePO4, program the cell voltages
   2. Program the max charge and discharge currents during normal operation
   3. If the BMS measures the battery current with current sensors, specify their gain and offset
   4. Specify the nominal capacity of the battery pack
   5. Many other parameters may be customized, but usually they are left to their default
7. Confirm that the BMS has found all the banks and all the cells
8. Confirm that the BMS can control the Source (charge) and the Load (such as a motor controller) to limit the battery current
9. Confirm that the BMS is able to read the battery current