PC Software

BMS Master Control

User Manual

Novi trg 9, 6230 Postojna, Slovenia

mail: [email protected]; www.rec-bms.com
 Novi trg 9, 6230 Postojna, Slovenia
mail: [email protected]; www.rec-bms.com

INDEX:

Installing the BMS Control Software: ...................................................................................................... 2

Setting communication with BMS: ......................................................................................................... 3
BMS settings setup: ................................................................................................................................ 8
Data logging: ......................................................................................................................................... 11
Service Instructions: .............................................................................................................................. 12
Firmware upgrade:................................................................................................................................ 13

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 Novi trg 9, 6230 Postojna, Slovenia
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Installing the BMS Control Software:

Run the Setup.exe application in the Installer folder on your Setup CD. Click “Next” at the Welcome to
the BMS Master Control Installation Wizard.

Choose the Destination folder where the application will be installed.

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You have now successfully installed the software. Click the “Finish” button to exit the installation.

Setting communication with BMS:

When the RS-485 communication cable is inserted in the USB for the first time in Windows XP and
older, the device is not recognized. The Found New Hardware Wizard pop-up window appears.
Choose “Install the software automatically” option and click Next.

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Windows completes the Found New Hardware Wizard by clicking the “Finish” button.

The RS-485 cable behaves as virtual com port (VCP). A number is assigned to the VCP in the Control
panel/System/Device Manager under Ports (COM & LPT). This port number is used to set the
communication parameters in the Set communication properties window of the BMS Control
software.

Drivers can also be found on the FTDI web site: http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm

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You can now run the BMS Control software. If this is the first time you have been running the program,
the VCP has not been set yet and the Error 10733807346 occurs. You must follow the procedure
described below. Click the “Continue” button.

The BMS is not connected to the BMS Control software, the sign is turned on and
Reading BMS configuration window pops out. Click the “Cancel” button and open Set communication
properties in the Program menu.

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Select the COM port number that was assigned by VCP and set the parameters as they are listed in
Table 1:

Table 1: RS-485 Communication properties.

Parameter Settings
Bitrate 56 000
MAIN Address BMS Address (See BMS PIN Configuration) or 16 for Master
CTL Address 0 or 16 for Slave Units
Timeout 350 ms

When the communication properties are set properly, the Present? Light turns green. To confirm the
settings, press “OK”.

If you are using Windows 7 Premium Home Edition, the BMS communicate software is unable to
detect the dedicated RS-485 cable on COM port. Extra drivers should be installed. Run Visa426Full.zip
file on your installation CD and wait until it extracts to a temporary location on your computer.

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Continue the installation by selecting “Next”.

Select the location for National Instruments VISA Drivers.

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For the RS485 Cable to work, only Serial, USB and COM Support Drivers under “Run Time Support”
should be chosen.

Restart the computer when the VISA drivers are installed.

BMS settings setup:

When BMS and BMS Master Control software on the PC are properly connected, the program
downloads all system parameters the Settings tab.

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If you want to change the settings of your BMS, the BMS has to be unlocked first. To unlock the device
select the tag Locked from BMS menu (Ctrl+L) or click the red “LOCKED” button in the top-right corner
of the window.

The window Enter password appears. The password is written as a serial number on the BMS you
have purchased without the first »-« e.g.: 1Q-0953 or 1A-0298.

Once you unlock the BMS, you get a permission to change the original settings on the device. The sign
in the right top corner should change to .

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Table 2: BMS Parameter description.

Parameter Description

Balance Voltage Sets the balancing voltage above which the individual cell is balanced
END 100%.
Balance Voltage Sets the average battery pack voltage above which the BMS performs
START the balancing while charging. Special balancing algorithm is used to
determine which cells have to be balanced until the Balance Voltage END
is reached.
END of Charging Sets the end of charge voltage of the individual cell.
Hysteresis Sets the Charging hysteresis of individual cell.
MAX Tbat Battery pack is disconnected from the system, if the TBAT temperature is
higher than the MAX Tbat. MAX Tbat hysteresis is set to 2°C.
MIN Tcharge Charging is not allowed under this TBAT. MIN Tcharge hysteresis is set to
2°C.
MAX Tbms Sets the maximum allowable temperature of the BMS TBMS due to the
passive balancing. The BMS Tmax hysteresis is set to 5°C. The balancing
and charging are stopped until the temperature does not drop under the
set value.
MAX Vcell The highest allowed voltage of the individual cell.
MAX Vcell The highest allowed voltage of the individual cell voltage
Hysteresis hysteresis.
MIN Vcell The lowest allowed voltage of the individual cell.
MIN Vcell The lowest allowed voltage of the individual cell voltage
Hysteresis hysteresis.
Chemistry Cell chemistry.
Capacity Battery capacity (Single string).
Cycle Number of effective battery cycles.
Parallel Strings Number of parallel strings in the battery pack.

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Data logging:
All parameters of the BMS can constantly be monitored on the right side of the screen. To see the
individual cell voltage, Cell resistance, package and BMS temperature the Logging window should be
chosen. To record and save the data you collect during an operation (charging, testing, etc.) choose
the File and set the Time interval you want BMS to save. When the Time interval is set to 00:00:00
the software logs the data with its maximum achievable speed. By pressing the “Start” button you
start the logging, to stop recording, just press the button “Stop”.

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Service Instructions:
Additional Service Parameters are available in BMS tab under Communicate. Additional instructions
and custom-made parameter instructions are described in the individual BMS user manual.

A new window pops-up. BMS receiver address has to be filled-in first. Read and Write instruction are
possible. When the parameter should be read from the BMS a question mark should follow 4-letter
instruction (e.g. VMAX?). If the parameter should be changed a new parameter value should follow
the instruction + a single space (e.g. VMAX 3.95). »Query« button answers with the parameter settings
or confirms the new value with »SET«. If the Run time window appears, repeat the instruction. The
BMS is busy with the measurement. »Send« is used in case when no respond is required.

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Firmware upgrade:
BMS firmware can be upgraded with RS-485 Cable and BMS Master Control software. When the BMS
is turned ON it waits for an instruction for firmware update for the first 0.5 s. Then it jumps to the
normal mode of operation. When a firmware upgrade should be done a “Firmware upgrade” option
should be chosen in the “BMS” menu.

A new firmware binary file should be selected from the “Select binary flash file” window.

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A new window pops-up with Bootloader status. BMS should be turned OFF and ON to start the new
firmware upgrade. When the firmware is downloaded to the BMS, it should not be turned OFF! When
the new firmware is updated the BMS restarts on its own.

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