Battery Management system
The BMS connects to 12,8V Victron LiFePO4 (LFP) batteries. Up to 5 batteries may be connected in parallel. Can be used as a system on/off switch.
Alternator and battery protection
The input current is electronically limited to approximately 90% of the fuse rating. A 100A fuse, for example, will therefore limit the input current to approximately 90A.
Choosing the right fuse will:
a. Protect the LFP battery against excessive charge current (important in case of a low capacity LFP battery).
b. Protect the alternator against overload in case of a high capacity LFP battery bank (most 12V alternators will overheat and fail if running at maximum output during more than 5 minutes).
Starter battery Protection
This function is similar to that of a Cyrix Battery Combiner or Argo FET Battery Isolator. Current can flow to the LFP battery only if the input voltage (= voltage on the starter battery) exceeds 13V. And current cannot flow back from the LFP battery to the starter battery, thus preventing eventual damage to the LFP battery due to excessive discharge.
Li-ion battery protection
Excessive input voltage and transients are regulated down to a safe level. The Smart BMS CL will stop charging in case of cell over voltage or over temperature. It has three outputs, similar to the miniBMS:
Load Disconnect output
The Load output is normally high and becomes free floating in case of imminent cell under voltage (default 2,8V/cell, adjustable on the battery between 2,6V and 2,8V per cell). Maximum current: 10mA. The Load output can be used to control the remote on/off input of a Battery Protect, inverter, DC-DC converter or other loads.
Pre-Alarm output
The pre-alarm output can be used as warning when the battery voltage is low and it will trip shortly before the Load Disconnect output is disabled due to cell under voltage. The pre-alarm output may be used to drive a relay, LED or Buzzer. It can be configured as continuous or intermittent signal. The pre-alarm output is normally free floating and becomes high in case of imminent cell under voltage (default 3,1V/cell, adjustable on the battery between 2,85V and 3,15V per cell). Maximum current: 1A (not short circuit protected) The minimum delay between pre-alarm and load disconnect is 30 seconds.
Charge disconnect output
The Charger output is normally high and becomes free floating in case of imminent cell over voltage or over temperature. Maximum current: 10mA. The Charger output is not suitable to power an inductive load such as a relay coil. The Charger output can be used to control: The remote on/off of a charger, a Cyrix-Li-Charge relay, a Cyrix-Li-ct Battery Combiner. (Note: in some cases an interface cable will be needed, please see the manual.)
Remote on/off input
The remote on/off input controls the charging via the alternator. When off, charging via the alternator is disabled, while the BMS functionality will remain active allowing any loads and chargers to continue working regardless of the state of the remote input. When “system on/off switch” is enabled via VictronConnect, the BMS functionality will also be disabled. It consists of two terminals: Remote L and Remote H. A remote on-off switch or relay contact can be connected between H and L. Alternatively, terminal H can be switched to battery plus, or terminal L can be switched to battery minus
Ignition proof
No relays but MOSFET switches, and therefore no sparks.
