New Xtrema Balancer v2.0.2b and Charger v1.3.11b Beta Firmware Update

[tmenet]

Great News! We have a new beta release with significant enhancements for the Xtrema Balancer and a companion release for the Xtrema Charger to support one of the changes to the balancer. If you do not have an Xtrema Balancer for your Xtrema Charger then you DO NOT need to update your charger.

On a side note, we also have had some customers report that when balancing large (5s or 6s) packs that have many cells that need to be discharged, channel 5 cell appears to climb up rather than be discharged down. We have traced the problem to two resistors that have inconsistent temperature coefficients that must be replaced. If you suspect your balancer is not performing properly with 5 or 6 cell packs please return it to us for a free check up and repair. Our return address will always be found here http://www.tmenet.com/contact.htm

NEW BALANCER FEATURES

There are several improvements and changes to the Balancer. Due to the changes in discharge currents in the Xtrema Balancer a change was necessary to the Xtrema Charger firmware therefore BOTH PRODUCT MUST BE UPGRADED.

The changes to the balancer are as follows:

1. We added a new resistance measurement function to measure individual cell resistance. This new feature is for comparative readings only and not to be taken as exact cell measurements. This is because the resistance from the balancer connector contacts and the small balancer wires are unavoidably measured in the process of loading the cells through the balancer connector.

There are DC and AC methods of measuring battery impedance. We use a DC method. We measure the loaded voltage then the unloaded voltage across each cell and use that delta to calculate the internal series resistance.  Unfortunately when the balancer puts a load on each cell the current is going through the balancing connector and it will add to the resistance of the cell. Another factor that will make your measurements look high is that the impedance of a lipo cell is higher at low loads and at cold temperatures.

Even though you will not get accurate cell resistance measurements with this new feature, you will be able to see changes to the resistance of each cell over time. This can help you spot a cell that is going bad. Please experiment with this new feature and tell us how it is working for you.

2. We added current limiting firmware that reduces discharge current as the number of cells to be discharged increases. This will help keep the overall temperature of the balancer lower.

3. We added an automatic "recheck for balance" feature that starts a new balance 2 minutes (default) after the balancer has completed the balance cycle. This feature will permit our balancer to continue checking for balance when used with NON Xtrema chargers.

4. As a result of the new "re-check for balance" feature, we changed the "Power down command"  to the "Pause After Balance command"  to allow you to change the 2 minute default pause after balance (sleep time before checking again for balance) The time (represented in seconds default=120) can be changed with the XTRBalancer program.

The new firmware update can be downloaded here ... http://www.tmenet.com/updates/XtremaLog%20Setup%20BETA.exe Note that the install will not delete any saved Xtrema plots but only add the updated files. You will need to update the balancer with the file balancer-v2-0-2b.enc and your Xtrema with the file  Xtrema-v-1-3-11b.xac into the Xtrema.  (note some computers will not show the .enc or .xac part of the file name) Instruction on how to update your balancer are included in the next post. The new XTRBalancer program can be downloaded here http://www.tmenet.com/updates/special/XTRBalancer_Setup.exe

 Enjoy the new features and don't forget to leave comments or ask questions here in this forum.

[tmenet]

//  +  +  +  +  +
//  +  +  +  +  +    O
// [=====================~~
//  5  4  3  2  1
//
// JUMPER 1 - FUTURE USE
// JUMPER 2 - XTREMA BALANCER PRIMARY/SECONDARY  (ON = SECONDARY)
// JUMPER 3 -
// JUMPER 4 - LIPO/M1 SELECT (ON = M1)
// JUMPER 5 - RUN/UPDATE (ON = UPDATE)

 


HOW TO UPDATE THE FIRMWARE

1. You will need to install and run the latest XtremaLog program from our web site.  If you have the USB data cable (XTR-USB) you will need to make sure that the drivers for the cable have also been installed.  (also available on our web site)

2. Connect one end of the data cable to the balancer connector labeled DATA. (It will need to be removed from the BIM if it was attached.)

3. Connect the other end of the data cable to your computer. Depending on the cable model you have, you will either plug into a USB port or an RS-232 port.

4. With the balancer unplugged from the battery, move the jumper from the horizontal position (across pins 8 and 10) to position 5 (across pins 9 and 10)  (far left pair when pins are facing you) (refer to photos in the balancer manual for clarity)

5. Plug in any 2 to 6 cell charged Li battery into the balancer. The green LED near the update cable will remain stuck on while in update mode.

6. Run the XtremaLog software and click on the "Update" tab near the bottom.

7. Select the correct COM port by checking the box to the left of the correct available port you see COM1, COM2, COM3 etc.

8. Click on the "Select Update File" box.

9. Pick the balancer file version number you want to update to by clicking on the file.  (If the update file was emailed to you or downloaded separate from the XtremaLog program you will need to find it by navigating to the folder that contains the update file.)

10. Click on the update "Open" box to actually select the file.

11. Click on the "Update Xtrema" box to begin the update. If everything goes alright you will see "Xtrema Update Successful" displayed.

12. Unplug the battery and move the jumper from position 5 (across pins 9 and 10) back to the horizontal position (across pins 8 and 10) (refer to phots in the balancer manual for clarity)

Your balancer is now up to date

[mikereidis]

On a side note, we also have had some customers report that when balancing large (5s or 6s) packs that have many cells that need to be discharged, channel 5 cell appears to climb up rather than be discharged down. We have traced the problem to two resistors that have inconsistent temperature coefficients that must be replaced. If you suspect your balancer is not performing properly with 5 or 6 cell packs please return it to us for a free check up and repair. Our return address will always be found here http://www.tmenet.com/contact.htm

Aha ! So this is the problem.

I bought 5 balancers last October and only now have gotten around to testing them out.

I have 5 cell packs and the more 'balancing' cell 5 was getting, the higher the apparent voltage went, and the more 'balancing' it would get. As the heat built up, this positive feedback kept reducing the real cell voltage, while increasing the apparent voltage. I think I saw some small effect on cell 4 too, perhaps because of the heat buildup at it's divider resistors, but much less than cell 5.

Pointing a strong fan at the balancing resistors minimized this issue, but yes, I want to get all 5 replaced. Any particular hassles with replacements to Canada ?

[tmenet]

No hassles. As we said above, please return it to us for a free check up and repair. Our return address will always be found here http://www.tmenet.com/contact.htm