On Wed, 17 Nov 2021 14:45:20 -0500, legg <legg@nospam.magma.ca> wrote:
After obtaining a ~functional comm line between the installed
BMS and a bench WXP PC, there are a number of issues that
affect the reliability of this comm link. None are obvious.
from:
https://diysolarforum.com/threads/daly-bms-pc-software-connection-issue.21126/
After a number of trials at quiescent ( 0 and 2A charging),
charging (80-90A)and discharging (100-120A) states, a pattern
of Daly BMS to PC comms beginsto form.
These are illustrated in two charts.
http://ve3ute.ca/query/211124-092357a.jpghttp://ve3ute.ca/query/211125-152345ace.jpg
Both show the time-stamped 'BMS Life' reporting intervals
listed in the logs of the trial periods, before reporting comm
either ceased entirely and/or the DalyBMSMonitor program crashed.
The reporting interval generally increases with time.
In the 211125 plot, this interval actually went off the scale of
the graph (>200 BMS Life cycles), reaching the 500-600 count.
As previously stated, the DalyBMSMonitor program uses a lot of
this PC's microprocessor's capacity (P4 2800/MHz). It starts
at 20% and rises pretty quickly (<1hr) to ~80%. If other
programs running simultaneously are terminated, it can rise
further.
Another interesting point to note:
The log files carry a date-stamp that identifies the last
recording time or log entry.
Of the five logs present at the end of testing, 2 crashed
within minutes of 3PM and 3 crashed within minutes of 9PM.
This may reflect or amplify the relevance of reports of BMS
units repeatedly ceasing to function normally at a specific
time of day.
This system install is located at GMT-5. and no equipment in
the test bed has an internet connection, or wireless comm.
Clock times reported are those of the PC.
Reports of other users experiencing anomalies at certain times
of day are present on at least one other thread (8S, PV and
bluetooth comms).
https://diysolarforum.com/threads/daly-bms-bypass-low-battery-question.28804/#post-385851
[Beside the point; the logs developed by the DalyBMS-v1.1.6,
in .xlsx format, have the SOC and current column headers swapped
over. I don't know if this reflects possible problems in actual
comm/BMS processing/activity.]
I'll be trying to run the software and comms from a different
machine with more recent OS and hardware (W7 Pentium P6200),
to see if this stink follows.
RL
Reply by legg●November 22, 20212021-11-22
On Sun, 21 Nov 2021 23:32:43 -0700, boB <boB@K7IQ.com> wrote:
<snip>
>>>North America is really too small a market for them to bother,
>>>I suppose.
>>>
>>>Bluetooth relies on a smart phone app and won't access limit
>>>programming, which is probably a safety/security feature.
>>>
>>Managed to get a com line working in an XP lab machine - worked
>>for about 14 minutes around 4pm, long enough to read, write and
>>readback the parameters, before the Daly program froze the
>>machine - had to task-manager it off.
>>
>>Not a peep out of it since. A 'long button-push' is supposed
>>to turn it off and on, according to the GUI panel settings.
>>You think that worked?
>>
>>In the DIY solar forums, there was a reference to 'rebooting'
>>the BMS. yeah . . yeah . . . .
>>
>
>https://diysolarforum.com/ ???
>
>
>Most BMS's I am aware of are using RS485 and MODBUS I think...
>
>Then again, CANBUS may be the next poplular format.
>
>But USB can work too. Not sure which one of the 3 would be more
>reliable with groind bounce or common mode noise they would be
>susceptible to.
>
>boB
That's the right forum. No end of complaints, though
most tend to be from first installers trying to get
com running and settings in a non-self-destruct state.
Much confusion due to model and I/O hardware variations.
The Daly products come with USB and/or BlueTooth dongles.
There are two different software packages for higher and
lower voltages systems (cutoff being 5S or about 18V).
I/O hardware has been / is changing at an alarming rate.
As this BMS cuts off the negative battery terminal, and
there might be other com/measurement leak paths on that
line, in this test set-up (other $$ isolated tools doing
datalogging on the battery terminals, reference shunt and
inverter/charger). I've been using a USB isolator on the
Daly com line, in this work.
The isolator has never been responsible for a com issue
elsewhere and was present during the brief time that the
BMS was talking normally.
Comms with Daly (the company) are not good, so far,
through local distribution.
If I had some kind of state-machine diagram, it might
be useful. Some users report methods of waking the thing
up that don't actually rely on a high current terminal
disconnect, which might also be useful. I hope that
the 'reboot' reference was just a case of loose lips.
RL
Reply by boB●November 22, 20212021-11-22
On Fri, 19 Nov 2021 23:47:53 -0500, legg <legg@nospam.magma.ca> wrote:
>On Fri, 19 Nov 2021 13:41:44 -0500, legg <legg@nospam.magma.ca> wrote:
><snip>
>>>>Haven't actually tried this BMS on other inverter/chargers.
>>>>Previous work (samlex etc), had the BMS controlling a physical
>>>>relay, typically placed in the +rail.Decision to close the
>>>>switch could always be overiden, though this need rarely occurs,
>>>>from testing here or feedback received, to date.
>>>>
>>>>Due to physical characteristics of the semiconductors used, the
>>>>electronic switch has been placed in the negative line, and there's
>>>>no obvious way to bypass it's electronic control. Aim is to
>>>>replace the relatively low cost relays, above 100A service.
>>>>
>>>
>>>Switches in the negative line can work OK. Positive line drive can
>>>cost more of course but it all depends on the system needs. Common
>>>negatives and things like that. Not sure about this particular unit.
>>>Samlex is an OK company. They're headquartered in British Columbia I
>>>think.
>>>
>>>
>>>>It may be possible to get things started here by making the switch
>>>>leaky, with a parallel resistor. There's a timing issue where the
>>>>charger trickles current into the apparently low-voltage node.
>>>>
>>>>Would be easier if the BMS would just turn on by itself, into a
>>>>simple load. I'd call that a basic function.
>>>>
>>>
>>>Sometimes they don't know the market or how it should work but these 2
>>>companies are fairly decent. Don't know who owns who anymore though
>>>so bean counters may stifle proper design of newer products.
>>>
>>No beef with the chargers. If they're programmed for the right
>>chemistry, they're pretty predictable.
>>
>>If I could get com going with the Daly BMS, I might be happier,
>>but their USB coms driver isn't happy in Windows and vice versa.
>>The Daly BMS Monitor software is also buggy - can't
>>get com ports lined up, even after drivers are present for their
>>CH340 interface.
>>
>>North America is really too small a market for them to bother,
>>I suppose.
>>
>>Bluetooth relies on a smart phone app and won't access limit
>>programming, which is probably a safety/security feature.
>>
>Managed to get a com line working in an XP lab machine - worked
>for about 14 minutes around 4pm, long enough to read, write and
>readback the parameters, before the Daly program froze the
>machine - had to task-manager it off.
>
>Not a peep out of it since. A 'long button-push' is supposed
>to turn it off and on, according to the GUI panel settings.
>You think that worked?
>
>In the DIY solar forums, there was a reference to 'rebooting'
>the BMS. yeah . . yeah . . . .
>
https://diysolarforum.com/ ???
Most BMS's I am aware of are using RS485 and MODBUS I think...
Then again, CANBUS may be the next poplular format.
But USB can work too. Not sure which one of the 3 would be more
reliable with groind bounce or common mode noise they would be
susceptible to.
boB
>RL
>
>RL
Reply by legg●November 19, 20212021-11-19
On Thu, 18 Nov 2021 21:02:56 -0700, boB <boB@K7IQ.com> wrote:
<snip>
>>>What SHOULD happen is that the inverter/charger should be able to
>>>charge a dead battery by booting its charger section up from AC/GRID
>>>when it is connected.
>>>
>>>This is what we used to do with certain 12V inverter/chargers that we
>>>made.
>>>
>>>boB
>>>
>>>
>>
>>The inverter/charger on-hand will do that, but there has to some
>>voltage sensed before it'll attempt it.(xantrex)This may be an
>>attempt no not overvolt connected system electronics with
>>a constant current overvoltage surge, when a battery is missing.
>>
>
>Maybe... Or might just be they didn't think batteries would go so
>dead that they would be zero volts. The charger should at least try
>to charge and if the voltage does not rise at all, maybe it's voltage
>sense is kaput. If it measures some current draw, then maybe it can
>decide thee voltage sense IS bad and stop there with an error.
>If the voltage rises and no current is measured, that is probably OK
>for a while since a real dead lead acid battery may not actually draw
>current until it starts to reform or whatever it takes to start
>actually putting a charge into it. Not sure which Xantrex
>charger/inverter this is though... One of the Chinese ones or....
>I worked for Xantrex when they took over the company I had worked for
>for 6 years and they were somewhat weird but OK.
>
>
>>Haven't actually tried this BMS on other inverter/chargers.
>>Previous work (samlex etc), had the BMS controlling a physical
>>relay, typically placed in the +rail.Decision to close the
>>switch could always be overiden, though this need rarely occurs,
>>from testing here or feedback received, to date.
>>
>>Due to physical characteristics of the semiconductors used, the
>>electronic switch has been placed in the negative line, and there's
>>no obvious way to bypass it's electronic control. Aim is to
>>replace the relatively low cost relays, above 100A service.
>>
>
>Switches in the negative line can work OK. Positive line drive can
>cost more of course but it all depends on the system needs. Common
>negatives and things like that. Not sure about this particular unit.
>Samlex is an OK company. They're headquartered in British Columbia I
>think.
>
>
>>It may be possible to get things started here by making the switch
>>leaky, with a parallel resistor. There's a timing issue where the
>>charger trickles current into the apparently low-voltage node.
>>
>>Would be easier if the BMS would just turn on by itself, into a
>>simple load. I'd call that a basic function.
>>
>
>Sometimes they don't know the market or how it should work but these 2
>companies are fairly decent. Don't know who owns who anymore though
>so bean counters may stifle proper design of newer products.
>
No beef with the chargers. If they're programmed for the right
chemistry, they're pretty predictable.
If I could get com going with the Daly BMS, I might be happier,
but their USB coms driver isn't happy in Windows and vice versa.
The Daly BMS Monitor software is also buggy - can't
get com ports lined up, even after drivers are present for their
CH340 interface.
North America is really too small a market for them to bother,
I suppose.
Bluetooth relies on a smart phone app and won't access limit
programming, which is probably a safety/security feature.
RL
Reply by boB●November 19, 20212021-11-19
On Thu, 18 Nov 2021 09:43:48 -0500, legg <legg@nospam.magma.ca> wrote:
>On Wed, 17 Nov 2021 22:57:56 -0700, boB <boB@K7IQ.com> wrote:
>
>>On Wed, 17 Nov 2021 14:45:20 -0500, legg <legg@nospam.magma.ca> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>The Daly-Antra types of BMS (Battery Monitor Switch) require
>>>charging current before they'll turn on.
>>>
>>>Unfortunately, most 'smart' inverter/chargers won't turn on
>>>until the battery is connected, so guess what happens when
>>>a Daly-Antra BMS is used?
>>>
>>>Nada. That's what happens when a Daly-Antra . . . .
>>>
>>>They supply a Blue-Tooth dongle that plugs into their UART
>>>port, for remote monitoring. This has a press-button that
>>>allows the BMS to 'start'.
>>>
>>>The BMS isn't a source of energy, in itself - cannot generate
>>>a fault condition.
>>>
>>>It's supposed to react to low/high voltages on battery cells,
>>>or overcurrent on charge or discharge. What it's NOT supposed
>>>to do is complain if there's no charger present.
>>>
>>>A manual on/off switch might be a useful feature, but this
>>>BT dongle addition only works the one way and it doesn't
>>>remember what it's supposed to do, though there's always
>>>power supplied when it is supposed to function.
>>>
>>>A USB connection is provided to talk to a PC, to set/adjust
>>>monitoring limits. It uses the SAME UART port as the USB
>>>dongle. See the problem there . . . . ?
>>>
>>>RL
>>
>>
>>What SHOULD happen is that the inverter/charger should be able to
>>charge a dead battery by booting its charger section up from AC/GRID
>>when it is connected.
>>
>>This is what we used to do with certain 12V inverter/chargers that we
>>made.
>>
>>boB
>>
>>
>
>The inverter/charger on-hand will do that, but there has to some
>voltage sensed before it'll attempt it.(xantrex)This may be an
>attempt no not overvolt connected system electronics with
>a constant current overvoltage surge, when a battery is missing.
>
Maybe... Or might just be they didn't think batteries would go so
dead that they would be zero volts. The charger should at least try
to charge and if the voltage does not rise at all, maybe it's voltage
sense is kaput. If it measures some current draw, then maybe it can
decide thee voltage sense IS bad and stop there with an error.
If the voltage rises and no current is measured, that is probably OK
for a while since a real dead lead acid battery may not actually draw
current until it starts to reform or whatever it takes to start
actually putting a charge into it. Not sure which Xantrex
charger/inverter this is though... One of the Chinese ones or....
I worked for Xantrex when they took over the company I had worked for
for 6 years and they were somewhat weird but OK.
>Haven't actually tried this BMS on other inverter/chargers.
>Previous work (samlex etc), had the BMS controlling a physical
>relay, typically placed in the +rail.Decision to close the
>switch could always be overiden, though this need rarely occurs,
>from testing here or feedback received, to date.
>
>Due to physical characteristics of the semiconductors used, the
>electronic switch has been placed in the negative line, and there's
>no obvious way to bypass it's electronic control. Aim is to
>replace the relatively low cost relays, above 100A service.
>
Switches in the negative line can work OK. Positive line drive can
cost more of course but it all depends on the system needs. Common
negatives and things like that. Not sure about this particular unit.
Samlex is an OK company. They're headquartered in British Columbia I
think.
>It may be possible to get things started here by making the switch
>leaky, with a parallel resistor. There's a timing issue where the
>charger trickles current into the apparently low-voltage node.
>
>Would be easier if the BMS would just turn on by itself, into a
>simple load. I'd call that a basic function.
>
Sometimes they don't know the market or how it should work but these 2
companies are fairly decent. Don't know who owns who anymore though
so bean counters may stifle proper design of newer products.
>RL
boB
Reply by legg●November 18, 20212021-11-18
On Wed, 17 Nov 2021 22:57:56 -0700, boB <boB@K7IQ.com> wrote:
>On Wed, 17 Nov 2021 14:45:20 -0500, legg <legg@nospam.magma.ca> wrote:
>
>>
>>The Daly-Antra types of BMS (Battery Monitor Switch) require
>>charging current before they'll turn on.
>>
>>Unfortunately, most 'smart' inverter/chargers won't turn on
>>until the battery is connected, so guess what happens when
>>a Daly-Antra BMS is used?
>>
>>Nada. That's what happens when a Daly-Antra . . . .
>>
>>They supply a Blue-Tooth dongle that plugs into their UART
>>port, for remote monitoring. This has a press-button that
>>allows the BMS to 'start'.
>>
>>The BMS isn't a source of energy, in itself - cannot generate
>>a fault condition.
>>
>>It's supposed to react to low/high voltages on battery cells,
>>or overcurrent on charge or discharge. What it's NOT supposed
>>to do is complain if there's no charger present.
>>
>>A manual on/off switch might be a useful feature, but this
>>BT dongle addition only works the one way and it doesn't
>>remember what it's supposed to do, though there's always
>>power supplied when it is supposed to function.
>>
>>A USB connection is provided to talk to a PC, to set/adjust
>>monitoring limits. It uses the SAME UART port as the USB
>>dongle. See the problem there . . . . ?
>>
>>RL
>
>
>What SHOULD happen is that the inverter/charger should be able to
>charge a dead battery by booting its charger section up from AC/GRID
>when it is connected.
>
>This is what we used to do with certain 12V inverter/chargers that we
>made.
>
>boB
>
>
The inverter/charger on-hand will do that, but there has to some
voltage sensed before it'll attempt it.(xantrex)This may be an
attempt no not overvolt connected system electronics with
a constant current overvoltage surge, when a battery is missing.
Haven't actually tried this BMS on other inverter/chargers.
Previous work (samlex etc), had the BMS controlling a physical
relay, typically placed in the +rail.Decision to close the
switch could always be overiden, though this need rarely occurs,
from testing here or feedback received, to date.
Due to physical characteristics of the semiconductors used, the
electronic switch has been placed in the negative line, and there's
no obvious way to bypass it's electronic control. Aim is to
replace the relatively low cost relays, above 100A service.
It may be possible to get things started here by making the switch
leaky, with a parallel resistor. There's a timing issue where the
charger trickles current into the apparently low-voltage node.
Would be easier if the BMS would just turn on by itself, into a
simple load. I'd call that a basic function.
RL
Reply by boB●November 18, 20212021-11-18
On Wed, 17 Nov 2021 14:45:20 -0500, legg <legg@nospam.magma.ca> wrote:
>
>The Daly-Antra types of BMS (Battery Monitor Switch) require
>charging current before they'll turn on.
>
>Unfortunately, most 'smart' inverter/chargers won't turn on
>until the battery is connected, so guess what happens when
>a Daly-Antra BMS is used?
>
>Nada. That's what happens when a Daly-Antra . . . .
>
>They supply a Blue-Tooth dongle that plugs into their UART
>port, for remote monitoring. This has a press-button that
>allows the BMS to 'start'.
>
>The BMS isn't a source of energy, in itself - cannot generate
>a fault condition.
>
>It's supposed to react to low/high voltages on battery cells,
>or overcurrent on charge or discharge. What it's NOT supposed
>to do is complain if there's no charger present.
>
>A manual on/off switch might be a useful feature, but this
>BT dongle addition only works the one way and it doesn't
>remember what it's supposed to do, though there's always
>power supplied when it is supposed to function.
>
>A USB connection is provided to talk to a PC, to set/adjust
>monitoring limits. It uses the SAME UART port as the USB
>dongle. See the problem there . . . . ?
>
>RL
What SHOULD happen is that the inverter/charger should be able to
charge a dead battery by booting its charger section up from AC/GRID
when it is connected.
This is what we used to do with certain 12V inverter/chargers that we
made.
boB
Reply by legg●November 17, 20212021-11-17
The Daly-Antra types of BMS (Battery Monitor Switch) require
charging current before they'll turn on.
Unfortunately, most 'smart' inverter/chargers won't turn on
until the battery is connected, so guess what happens when
a Daly-Antra BMS is used?
Nada. That's what happens when a Daly-Antra . . . .
They supply a Blue-Tooth dongle that plugs into their UART
port, for remote monitoring. This has a press-button that
allows the BMS to 'start'.
The BMS isn't a source of energy, in itself - cannot generate
a fault condition.
It's supposed to react to low/high voltages on battery cells,
or overcurrent on charge or discharge. What it's NOT supposed
to do is complain if there's no charger present.
A manual on/off switch might be a useful feature, but this
BT dongle addition only works the one way and it doesn't
remember what it's supposed to do, though there's always
power supplied when it is supposed to function.
A USB connection is provided to talk to a PC, to set/adjust
monitoring limits. It uses the SAME UART port as the USB
dongle. See the problem there . . . . ?
RL