2. Introduction
2.1. General description
The Smart BMS CL 12-100 is an all-in-one battery management (BMS) system for Victron Lithium Battery 12,8V Smart batteries available with a nominal voltage of 12.8V in various capacities. This is the safest of the mainstream lithium battery types. The maximum number of batteries in one system is 20, which results in a maximum energy storage of 84kWh in a 12V system. It has been specifically designed for 12V systems with a 12V alternator such as in vehicles and boats.
It monitors and protects each individual battery cell within the battery (or battery bank) and will disconnect the alternator, charge sources or DC loads in case of low/high battery cell voltage, or high temperature.
A dedicated alternator input provides current limiting and one-way traffic from the alternator into the battery, this so any size alternator (and starter battery) can be safely connected to the lithium battery. The Charge Current Limiter protects the alternator against overload.
The BMS is also equipped with a Remote on/off terminal to turn the BMS (and the system) off via a remote switch, and a pre-alarm contact to give a warning signal before the BMS will disconnect the batteries from the system. Configuration, monitoring and control is done via Bluetooth and the VictronConnect app. This includes Instant Readout, which allows key values to be read out in real time without the need to connect to the BMS, enabling diagnostics at a glance.
2.2. Features and functionality
Alternator/Starter Batt+ port alternator and battery protection
The input current on the Alternator/Starter Batt+ port is electronically limited to approximately 90% of the fuse rating. A 100A fuse, for example, will therefore limit the input current to approximately 90A. (For fuse ratings and corresponding current limit please see the table in the Installation chapter).
Current can flow to the lithium battery only if the input voltage (corresponds to the voltage of the starter battery) exceeds 13V. In addition, no current can flow back from the lithium battery to the starter battery, which prevents the lithium battery from being deeply discharged.
Choosing the right fuse will also:
Protect the lithium battery against excessive charge current (important in case of a low capacity battery).
Protect the alternator against overload in case of a high capacity lithium battery bank (most 12V alternators will overheat and fail if running at maximum output during more than 5 minutes).
Remote on/off terminal
The Remote on/off terminal can be used to disable alternator charging while the BMS functionality will remain active regardless of the remote on/off state.
Depending on the Remote on/off function setting made via the VictronConnect app, it can also be used as system on/off switch (Charge and Load disconnect port will also be disabled) either by using a physical switch or a relay contact between L and H terminal or by using the soft switch in the VictronConnect app. Alternatively, terminal H can be switched to battery plus, or terminal L can be switched to battery minus.
Note
Note that it is mandatory to install either an on/off switch between L and H of the remote on/off terminal or the wire loop (default) for correct operation. Alternatively, terminal H can be switched to battery plus or terminal L to battery minus.
LED indicators
The BMS has a number of LED indicators that show the status of the BMS and the various inputs and outputs. See Appendix C for a complete overview of all LED indicators.
Lithium battery protection
Excessive input voltage and transients are regulated down to a safe level.
The Smart BMS will stop charging in case of cell over voltage or over temperature.
It has three outputs, similar to the smallBMS:
Load disconnect
Can be used to control the remote on/off input of a BatteryProtect, inverter, DC-DC converter or other loads that have remote on/off port functionality.
Normally the Load disconnect output is high and becomes free-floating when cell undervoltage is imminent (default 2.8V, adjustable in battery). Maximum current: 10mA
Pre-alarm
The pre-alarm output can be used to issue a visible or audible warning when the battery voltage is low and will trip with a minimum delay of 30 seconds before the Load disconnect output is disabled due to cell undervoltage.
The output may be used to drive a relay, LED or Buzzer and can be configured as continuous or intermittent signal.
Its output is normally free floating and becomes high in case of imminent cell undervoltage (default 3,1V, adjustable in battery). Maximum current: 1A (not short circuit protected).
Charge disconnect
The Charge disconnect output can be used to control the remote on/off port of a charger, such as the Phoenix Smart Charger IP43, a Cyrix-Li-Charge relay, a Cyrix-Li-ct Battery Combiner or a BatteryProtect. Note that the Charge disconnect output is not suitable to power an inductive load such as a relay coil.
The output is normally high and becomes free floating in case of imminent cell overvoltage or overtemperature. Maximum current: 10mA
Note
In some cases an interface cable such as a non-inverting or inverting on/off cable may be required, see Appendix A.
Setup, configuration and monitoring via VictronConnect
Initial setup, configuration, monitoring and diagnostics of the BMS is done via Bluetooth and the VictronConnect app.
This includes Instant Readout; a way to view key BMS parameters in real time without having to pair with the BMS.
The advantage is:
Better range than a regular Bluetooth connection
The key data at a glance
Encrypted data
Visual notifications of warnings, alarms and errors
This feature is available for a large number of other Victron smart products
2.3. What's in the box
Smart BMS CL 12-100
Ground wire with 10mm eye terminal
2-pin plug with pre-installed wire loop
3-pin plug for load/charge disconnect and pre-alarm
Megafuse 100A pre-installed
ATO fuse holder with 2x 7.5A fuse