[azdeltawye]

So I was all set to start ordering parts for my DIY LFP BMS and was planning on using the Volt Blochers. But to my surprise when I went to Brian's web page (http://www.voltblocher.com/) to place my order I discovered that this venerable product has been discontinued.


Any idea on where I could find a similar system for cell balancing and HVC control of the charger for a Lithium battery pack?


Looks like its back to the drawing board to figure out an alternate BMS solution...

[Overlander23]

Depends on how big your pack is, I suppose... but an alternative to the Volt Blocher is the offering from Goodrum/Fechter design from TPPacks.

http://www.tppacks.com/products.asp?cat=26

There's another company that uses these boards and basically does all the construction to sell a turnkey solution. Can't remember who, though. Site search tool will help here...

[ClintK]

Ack! Okay, who's going to take over producing Volt Blochers!? EVComponents? Anyone?

I'm maxed out on my spare time right now, but that would be a solid business for anyone willing to do it!

[jimbo12d]

http://www.rechargeablelithiumpower....529l1ik6raigf7

this seems to be what you were talking about

[etischer]

My coworker and I have been working on a BMS and monitoring solution. Basically a Volt blocher which is networked using rs232. Im hoping to have something to show in about 2 months. The Ebalance will support up to 6 or 12 cells per board, each board will have a communication port, and 2 temperature probes. Up to 12 Ebalance boards can be linked together. A laptop can also be connected, as well as other hmi hardware we are developing.

Supporting multiple batteries with 1 board reduces wiring, and makes it cost feasible to make a nice weather tight enclosure. It's also espcially helpful for batteries mounted under the car since the eBalance can be remotely mounted.

[dimitri]

I find it amusing that my offer in Classifieds section of the same exact system as Brian's ( him and I collaborated on the design, but I ended up ordering my own PCBs ) has 1000 views, but not a single person expressed any interest.

http://www.diyelectriccar.com/forums...ack-32464.html

Today there are several choices available and I am not much interested in mass production for same reasons Brian mentioned, its too time consuming with little financial benefit since everyone wants cheapest product, yet demands high quality.

[dimitri]

Originally Posted by etischer

My coworker and I have been working on a BMS and monitoring solution. Basically a Volt blocher which is networked using rs232. Im hoping to have something to show in about 2 months. The Ebalance will support up to 6 or 12 cells per board, each board will have a communication port, and 2 temperature probes. Up to 12 Ebalance boards can be linked together. A laptop can also be connected, as well as other hmi hardware we are developing.

Supporting multiple batteries with 1 board reduces wiring, and makes it cost feasible to make a nice weather tight enclosure. It's also espcially helpful for batteries mounted under the car since the eBalance can be remotely mounted.

Eric, I wish you best luck with your BMS, sounds like you are combining VB functions with PakTrakr like functions. As a Paktrakr user myself I can tell you how difficult it is to make it work in super high EM noise environment. I also don't see how this is making less wires if you have to attach 12 leads to each board

You will undoubtly find out that in order to make your product worth your time to produce you will have to price it such that most DIY folks will find it too expensive

I don't want to speak for Brian, but I am not surprised he quit, you really can't make enough money to justify all the time and effort that goes into even a simple product.

ClintK, making $2 on repackaging components is not really a "solid business" model, but I might be spoiled by working in IT field for so many years You have to make $$$ investment in bulk parts only to hope you will get it back soon enough and make some profit and pay off your bills. It only looks simple when someone else is doing it....

[lnstech]

I have a mail order company that sells electronic kits (www.techkits.com). I am also an EV builder for hobby. I would be willing to sell the Lead Acid version of the Volt Blocher kits if I could get Brian's permission & schematic. I have tried to contact him by email, but with no response yet.

[racunniff]

Originally Posted by azdeltawye

So I was all set to start ordering parts for my DIY LFP BMS and was planning on using the Volt Blochers. But to my surprise when I went to Brian's web page (http://www.voltblocher.com/) to place my order I discovered that this venerable product has been discontinued.

Looks like its back to the drawing board to figure out an alternate BMS solution...

Bummer. I had just placed an order (yet to be fulfilled, waiting on batteries) for 16 Volt Blochers with EVComponents last month. Now I wonder what will happen...

[etischer]

Originally Posted by racunniff

Bummer. I had just placed an order (yet to be fulfilled, waiting on batteries) for 16 Volt Blochers with EVComponents last month. Now I wonder what will happen...

I have (25) volt blochers I will be selling in a few weeks, are you looking for 12v
version? They could be modified for a different voltage with some minor soldering. PM me if interested. I installed larger heat sinks, and capacitors for noise supression.