Hi All, 

 

I have a client that has had these Leoch batteries for a few years. There are 4 batteries in parallel feeding a Schneider conext XW+ inverter and 2 MPPTs.  

 

The problem is that out of the 4 batteries this one seems to not charge fully and displays only 1/4 LED SOC lights even though the rest of the batteries have 4/4 LED light on and the pack voltages are pretty much exactly the same voltage of 51V float. The problem is intermittent and seems sometimes charge all the way but am yet to do a discharge test. 

There is a red fault flashing light on unit but no error code displayed. 

All the individual cell voltages seem fine so not sure if it is the BMS?

Also is anyone know how to set up comes with this to the inverter i would be very grateful. 

 

Many thanks 

Could this be due to a wiring issue that the one battery is working a lot less than the others, is the problem battery the last in the stack? Do your positive and negative battery cables go from only 1 battery to the inverter or positive from the first and negative from the last (or visa versa)? Do you have any data cables between the batteries RS485 ports?

That bms looks suspiciously like a seplos. I have not set up inverter comms (my battery is CAN not RS232), but I have set up comms to the seplos software via the RS485-A port to a PC with a 2 wire USB-RS485 adapter if you are interested in seeing exactly what the battery is doing. The seplos software and info is here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/10pxgNLHovcDZRVGrCZsSkfecBrRw-AdW

User @Beatalso has Leoch batteries and he uses a version of PBMSTools from his supplier to get the BMS info, maybe that is another option to try.

1 hour ago, jumper said:

Could this be due to a wiring issue that the one battery is working a lot less than the others, is the problem battery the last in the stack? Do your positive and negative battery cables go from only 1 battery to the inverter or positive from the first and negative from the last (or visa versa)? Do you have any data cables between the batteries RS485 ports?

That bms looks suspiciously like a seplos. I have not set up inverter comms (my battery is CAN not RS232), but I have set up comms to the seplos software via the RS485-A port to a PC with a 2 wire USB-RS485 adapter if you are interested in seeing exactly what the battery is doing. The seplos software and info is here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/10pxgNLHovcDZRVGrCZsSkfecBrRw-AdW

User @Beatalso has Leoch batteries and he uses a version of PBMSTools from his supplier to get the BMS info, maybe that is another option to try.

Hi Spicy Cables,

 yes I have those Leoch batteries from the importer Averge and am happy for the time being - 2 to 2½ years of service, over 700 cycles. I don't think the battery cables have any influence. The latest pack I acquired is installed at the end of the row, yet it proves the strongest charge and discharge currents. The difference of internal resistance between the packs is far more important. In your case I would ask Averge to check it out. I strongly suspect a BMS malfunction.

I have no communication between the BMS and the inverters, the managing is done with the correct bulk and float charge voltage settings. PmodbusToos V1.20 is very useful to get detailed information from the BMS of each pack to my laptop in my office via RS485 cable and adapter.

Edited November 29, 20223 yr by Beat

Hi guys,

Many thanks for the feedback. 

• The battery is number 2 in the 4 battery stack. 
• No data cables between battery packs. 
• DC cables to inverter are at opposite ends.

The customer has said that it was taken away by a previous company for repair but soon started playing up again. Please see the link for the video running through the BMS screen. May need to do a firmware update but besides that how does one acquire a new BMS system for these batteries? 

https://1drv.ms/v/s!ArowYICP5Aot90MRRY73pK7KUKir?e=64UwiI

The coms to the inverter is just a nice to have as I am happy to keep it in voltage base for now. 

 

Kind regards,

 

33 minutes ago, Spicy Cables said:

No data cables between battery packs. 

It might be worth setting up the cables between the batteries and set the dip switch settings so that they can all communicate with each other, the inverter comms is less important.

I would have thought it was an issue with a bad cell, but in your video they seem to be balanced, it would be easier to see what is going on with some bms software and a PC. I'm not sure of the exact BMS in there, it might be worth going via Averge as @Beatseems to have had good support from them.

2 hours ago, jumper said:

It might be worth setting up the cables between the batteries and set the dip switch settings so that they can all communicate with each other, the inverter comms is less important.

I would have thought it was an issue with a bad cell, but in your video they seem to be balanced, it would be easier to see what is going on with some bms software and a PC. I'm not sure of the exact BMS in there, it might be worth going via Averge as @Beatseems to have had good support from them.

Hi Jumper, 

 

Thanks for that. I am unable to find any manuals or literature yet on these batteries so am quite usure how to use them.

I think it is a good idea to set up battery coms between all 4 units but am unsure of the dip switch configuration. 

I thought the battery BMS looked similar to the one seen in this youtube video where the guys gets coms to his PC via the RS232 port which needs an RJ12 connector. Do you think it is possible to use a RJ45 connector to a RS485 to USB converter on the Rs485A port? This would be ideal as i have this converter. 

I also downloaded the PbmsTools V2.5FN software and was hoping to connect up to the battery but i have no RS232 cable. 

 

 

If i was to get coms between the batteries would i use a normal ethernet patch cable from RS485 A to B, then A to B again up the stack>?

 

Thanks again for the help, I don't have much experience with these batteries, only Pylon Tech and Blue Nova.

4 hours ago, Spicy Cables said:

Do you think it is possible to use a RJ45 connector to a RS485 to USB converter on the Rs485A port? This would be ideal as i have this converter.

This is how I connect to my Shoto battery with seplos bms with the software in the link I gave earlier. This port is usually meant to connect to a PC on the master battery. If you manage to get the seplos software connected then you will know it is a seplos bms at least. Otherwise you will have to go the RS232 route with PBMSTools.

Details on connecting via RS485: 

 

4 hours ago, Spicy Cables said:

If i was to get coms between the batteries would i use a normal ethernet patch cable from RS485 A to B, then A to B again up the stack>?

Yeah a normal straight through ethernet cable works, usually they come with the battery so maybe they are laying around somewhere. They need to go from RS485-B on the master to RS485-A on the first slave and then from RS485-B on the first slave to RS485-A on the second slave and so on. That leaves RS485-A on the master open to connect to a PC. If it is a seplos bms then the dip switch settings are also in the google link I posted.

19 hours ago, Spicy Cables said:

Thanks for that. I am unable to find any manuals or literature yet on these batteries so am quite usure how to use them.

I am afraid to have bad news for you. Averge delivers the packs in a box together with manual, comm cables, battery cables and a software CD. Read my post "how did I find out that I was delivered with stolen batteries?"

However if you desire I can send you the manual and data sheet on a PM.

By the way, the solar installer that delivered has been prosecuted and is out of business.

 

Thanks Beat, I did suspect that these may be stolen being Leoch and seen some reports on RSA news outlets. I know the client and unfortunately time has gone by and the supplier is no longer around. 

I have given him a stern lecture on only buying from reputable companies however to find a silver lining I would like to get the system sorted out and would very much appreciate the manual and data sheet being sent on a PM. 

Thank you and Jumper for your time, it is much appreciated. 

 

Kind regards,

Hi guys,

 

Spent some time trying to get into the batteries. 

Tried RS485 after setting up a master battery with the dip switches. 

Could not connect with battery monitor as it was no liking the protocol I was importing?

Tried 9600 baud rate as is shown on the batteries and the 19200 aswell. 

Tried going through the RS232 port with Pbm tools but no luck. Not sure if it was the converter but did check both had their drivers updated.

Please see the link for the video.

https://1drv.ms/v/s!ArowYICP5Aot-S5Blux_hMJ0m99X

Many thanks for your help.

 

S

14 hours ago, Spicy Cables said:

Hi guys,

 

Spent some time trying to get into the batteries. 

Tried RS485 after setting up a master battery with the dip switches. 

Could not connect with battery monitor as it was no liking the protocol I was importing?

Tried 9600 baud rate as is shown on the batteries and the 19200 aswell. 

Tried going through the RS232 port with Pbm tools but no luck. Not sure if it was the converter but did check both had their drivers updated.

Please see the link for the video.

https://1drv.ms/v/s!ArowYICP5Aot-S5Blux_hMJ0m99X

Many thanks for your help.

 

S

Sorry to hear it isn't working for you yet. I spent the better part of 2 months fiddling to get mine to work and it was a driver conflict the whole time... this stuff can be frustrating. I never had any luck with PBMSTools and once I got the seplos software working I never bothered with it as I'm not 100% sure it works over RS485.

Just wondering if you installed the .NET framework and changed the windows language settings as in the seplos guide? Maybe that is causing the error you are seeing. If you have done that and it still doesn't work then maybe it isn't a seplos BMS.

The only other thing I could suggest is maybe trying to download some com port sniffer to make sure your adapter and wiring is correct. You should be able to see something being sent from the master battery at least.

28 minutes ago, jumper said:

Sorry to hear it isn't working for you yet. I spent the better part of 2 months fiddling to get mine to work and it was a driver conflict the whole time... this stuff can be frustrating. I never had any luck with PBMSTools and once I got the seplos software working I never bothered with it as I'm not 100% sure it works over RS485.

Just wondering if you installed the .NET framework and changed the windows language settings as in the seplos guide? Maybe that is causing the error you are seeing. If you have done that and it still doesn't work then maybe it isn't a seplos BMS.

The only other thing I could suggest is maybe trying to download some com port sniffer to make sure your adapter and wiring is correct. You should be able to see something being sent from the master battery at least.

@jumper I'm going to try Seplos install seplos software, I believe there is a password to change parameters, do you know what it is?

 

1 hour ago, jumper said:

Sorry to hear it isn't working for you yet. I spent the better part of 2 months fiddling to get mine to work and it was a driver conflict the whole time... this stuff can be frustrating. I never had any luck with PBMSTools and once I got the seplos software working I never bothered with it as I'm not 100% sure it works over RS485.

Just wondering if you installed the .NET framework and changed the windows language settings as in the seplos guide? Maybe that is causing the error you are seeing. If you have done that and it still doesn't work then maybe it isn't a seplos BMS.

The only other thing I could suggest is maybe trying to download some com port sniffer to make sure your adapter and wiring is correct. You should be able to see something being sent from the master battery at least.

I had some problems with that too. The BMS of the Leoch 48100 communicated well by RS232 with PBMSTools, but only with the BMS it was physically connected to. The RS485 interconnections between the packs according to the manual didn't help. I called on the importer Averge and their technical staff helped. They said that in order to monitor all of the packs, the connection to the PC must also be RS485 and delivered an RS485 to USB adapter. But that didn't work, the PBMSTools could not support it. After that complaint they sent me the download link for a variant of PBMSTools, the PmodbusToos V1.20. Now I can monitor each pack individually from my office by some 6m of RS485 cable. On my intervention and recommendation they corrected their faulty instruction manual (written in Chinese English).

6 hours ago, Antonio de Sa said:

@jumper I'm going to try Seplos install seplos software, I believe there is a password to change parameters, do you know what it is?

 

Password is admin, admin. It is in the installation guide with the software which I suggest reading as there are a couple of things you need to set up, it isn't just install software and go.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1pAZ_i8w6QFbBYsoweEd93eP94szeZjKW

I see there is a newer guide in the folder that was added in October, I used the older one as it was all that was available at the time and it contains details the newer guide doesn't. The newer guide also refers to a newer version of the software which isn't there... I use V2.1.8

Hi All, I have the exact same battery. The battery is fully charged but the output voltage at the terminals only reads 12,6V. We have opened the top and the voltage from the batteries, where the cables enter the pc boards, is correct at 50V. On the outlet side, after the pc boards towards the terminals, it reads only 12,6V.

How can I fix this? There are no signs at all from a burnt component whatsoever.

Thank you

23 hours ago, Bos said:

How can I fix this? There are no signs at all from a burnt component whatsoever.

Did you contact Averge? They have a technical service.

On 2023/03/31 at 11:05 AM, Bos said:

Hi All, I have the exact same battery. The battery is fully charged but the output voltage at the terminals only reads 12,6V. We have opened the top and the voltage from the batteries, where the cables enter the pc boards, is correct at 50V. On the outlet side, after the pc boards towards the terminals, it reads only 12,6V.

How can I fix this? There are no signs at all from a burnt component whatsoever.

Thank you

Check that you have not pressed the 'soft start' button.  If I remember correctly if you press the 'soft start' (pre charge) button they put out a lower voltage.

 

On 2022/11/30 at 10:49 AM, Beat said:

I am afraid to have bad news for you. Averge delivers the packs in a box together with manual, comm cables, battery cables and a software CD. Read my post "how did I find out that I was delivered with stolen batteries?"

However if you desire I can send you the manual and data sheet on a PM.

By the way, the solar installer that delivered has been prosecuted and is out of business.

 

Mine did come with everything except a CD. so I think that part is probably not accurate

Edited April 1, 20233 yr by gimme_power

On 2022/12/15 at 12:18 PM, Beat said:

I had some problems with that too. The BMS of the Leoch 48100 communicated well by RS232 with PBMSTools, but only with the BMS it was physically connected to. The RS485 interconnections between the packs according to the manual didn't help. I called on the importer Averge and their technical staff helped. They said that in order to monitor all of the packs, the connection to the PC must also be RS485 and delivered an RS485 to USB adapter. But that didn't work, the PBMSTools could not support it. After that complaint they sent me the download link for a variant of PBMSTools, the PmodbusToos V1.20. Now I can monitor each pack individually from my office by some 6m of RS485 cable. On my intervention and recommendation they corrected their faulty instruction manual (written in Chinese English).

Hi @Beat,

Would you mind sharing the link for PmodbusToos V1.20 please?

Thanks,

Clive

49 minutes ago, Clive said:

Would you mind sharing the link for PmodbusToos V1.20 please?

Here it is:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/n1o4imegu84dbqj/AACdH0lBaSAFGdj3cuIWE1X6a?dl=0

The installation will create a structured folder. I had some problems until I found out that one of the files, I believe the .exe, was read only protected. I had to go into the file manager to unlock it. After that it worked. The only flaw: The program will not stay forever, it stops after a few hours and I have to restart it. The RS485 connection must be active before you start the program, otherwise it will not find it.

Hi @BeatI dont see the .exe?

Clive.

Edited June 13, 20233 yr by Clive

I found PmodbusToos V2.0. And its working well with my AM-5.

Thanks.

Edited June 14, 20233 yr by Clive

6 hours ago, Clive said:

I found PmodbusToos V2.0. And its working well with my AM-5.

Can you tell us the link?

On 2023/06/14 at 2:09 PM, Beat said:

Can you tell us the link?

Old thread but I just found this link to download PBmsTools V.2.5 – (separate links for RS232 and RS485)
https://www.solarpower24.it/download-manuals-and-software-link/?lang=en

1 hour ago, Davy said:

Old thread but I just found this link to download PBmsTools V.2.5

Thank you. But got the version V3.0.13 from the LEOCH website.