A battery management system (BMS) is an electronic system that monitors, manages, and protects rechargeable batteries. The BMS ensures the safe operation, optimal performance, and longevity of rechargeable battery systems, such as deep cycle batteries.
Simply put, a BMS makes deep cycle rechargeable batteries safer and more efficient. Specifically, it monitors voltage and temperature and prevents overheating and overcharging to keep your RV adventure safe.
Let’s explore the critical role battery management systems play. We’ll also learn about their common applications and outline what you should look for when buying one.
What Is a Battery Management System?
Battery management systems enhance the functionality, safety, and performance of rechargeable batteries. They also help extend the life of lithium-ion deep cycle batteries, which carry higher up-front costs than lead-acid alternatives. From this perspective, a BMS lets you extract more value from the investment you’ve made in deep cycle battery technologies.
In essence, a battery management system provides an important initial line of defense against potential safety hazards and performance losses. We strongly recommend it for use alongside any rechargeable battery system, especially deep cycle batteries.
Key Functions of a Battery Management System
Battery Protection
The BMS prevents overcharging, overheating, and excessive discharging to protect batteries. Battle Born’s battery management system features precision temperature controls that safeguard against thermal runaway and inhibit the potential for overcharging and over-discharging.
Overcharging occurs when recharging exceeds a battery’s safe range. This can cause chemical imbalances within the battery, generate dangerous gases, and cause overheating.
Over-discharging tends to occur when a battery is used for energy-intensive applications involving high electrical loads. Older batteries and those that have been exposed to temperature extremes may also over-discharge during normal use unless you pair them with a BMS.
Battery Monitoring
A battery management system continuously monitors and assesses five important aspects of battery function:
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Voltage
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Current
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Temperature
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State of Charge (SOC)
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State of Health (SOH)
Voltage, current, and temperature must all stay within safe limits to prevent damage, cell failure, and other potentially serious problems. SOC describes the amount of electrical energy available within the battery at any given time. SOH compares the battery’s internal resistance and capacity to where these indicators were when the battery was brand new.
Overall, BMS monitoring components work together to control and inhibit the leading causes of damage and performance loss. This extends the longevity of your rechargeable battery.
Battery Optimization
BMS battery optimization features also prevent damage, protect performance, and enhance battery longevity. However, optimizing technologies mainly focus on cell balancing, which evens out the charge levels in each of the battery’s individual cells. Without a BMS, cell-specific charge levels can shift over time and create imbalances that can reduce the battery’s lifespan and capacity.
Battle Born’s BMS uses both active and passive optimization systems. Active systems redistribute excessive heat and electrical charges throughout individual battery cells. In contrast, passive systems drain excessive charges and dissipate them.
Enhancing Safety With a Battery Management System
Safety is critical in any rechargeable battery system but especially for recreational uses that involve vehicles and occupants, such as RVing and boating. Battle Born’s battery management system optimizes safety because it’s specifically engineered and manufactured for use with our LiFePO4 deep cycle batteries. As a result, our BMS outperforms generic alternatives and maximizes the safety profile our systems offer.
Battle Born’s battery management system protects safety with:
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Mechanisms like charge level, temperature, and SOH monitors, which prevent short circuiting and thermal runaway
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Diagnostics and alerts to detect and relay potential safety threats and operational hazards in real time
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Thermal management tools to regulate and control operating temperatures
You can purchase both external and internal battery management systems, which offer differing features and functional profiles. Battle Born’s proprietary internal BMS offers drop-in-ready batteries for ease of use, space efficiency, and simpler maintenance.
Improving Battery Performance With a BMS
A battery management system can improve performance and extend battery life by making the charging and discharging cycles more efficient. A BMS achieves this through the interaction of SOC, SOH, cell balance, and temperature regulation features. They also maximize the amount of usable energy stored within the battery by balancing the charging and discharging.
Maximize BMS Benefits With a Proprietary Battle Born System
A proprietary battery management system can help you make the most of your investment in Battle Born’s advanced deep cycle battery technologies. With a Battle Born battery equipped with an internal BMS, you can maximize efficiency and improve performance. You’ll also safeguard against common hazards that can reduce battery lifespan and pose operational risks.
