Firmware for LiPoBalancer-08 and -14; lipob_neu-e.txt; date of issue 20 MAR 2011 ------------------------------------------------------ Improved in V 2: Balancing thresholds optimized. (V 1 used the thresholds of the LiPoCard, the LiPoBalancer has a better resolution. The balancing band was a little bit set more narrow). Improved in V 3 : 03 JAN 2006: Altered voltage ranges for the various Balancer difference voltages. Voltage limits in the LiPoCard: the effective limits for the stepped equalization of voltage differences between individual cells have been slightly changed in favour of lower cell voltages (level shift). The equalization process to a lower difference voltage between the cells now occurs earlier. However, we have taken care to ensure that the limits have not been altered to the point where the balancing process incessantly operates to and fro. Improved / Expanded in V 4 : 18 JAN 2006: 1. Strategy change during the balancing process: In order to equalize cell voltages more quickly when the voltage difference between cells is substantial, the voltage test (measurement) frequency has been reduced. The balancing process now continues in the intervals where measurements were previously taken. 2. The user can switch from the stepped equalization characteristic mentioned in V 3 ("automatic balancing difference") to a constant balancing difference voltage ("constant balancing difference") using a SET command. The SET command for this is "SetBalDiff:XXXXmV". Note: If this mode is set, the balancing process includes frequent shunting to and fro, which prolongs the charge time slightly. 4. If any cell is below 3.0 V, only the lowest cell is charged in order to protect it from deep-discharging. 5. The stepped voltage difference limit values (for differential equalization at different cell voltages) have been changed to a deviation curve which always tightens up the permitted discrepancy from the ideal equalization as cell voltage increases (funnel-shaped curve instead of steps). 6. Additional error message for cells connected with reversed polarity. For technical reasons reversed polarity can only be detected with cells 2 to 14. The cause of the error and the reversed polarity cell(s) (negative voltage value) are present at the serial interface. 7. The command "set ?" for listing the possible SET commands has been supplemented by the short form of "set" or "SET". 9. A status message is generated at the serial interface when a battery is connected. The appearance of this message has now been revised. Improved in V 5 : 30 January 2006 Immediately after connecting the LiPoBal 14 (with software version V 4) to a pack containing more than 8 cells, for a brief period the unit displayed the incorrect figure of only 8 cells; the correct cell count was not indicated until the green "ON" LED lit up. This minor problem has now been corrected. Improved in V 6 : 15 February 2006 Internal data arrays of the microcontroller expanded / new structured. Improved/Expanded in V 7 : 18th April 2006 Software for the new Hardware (PCB with pushbutton). - manually battery type selection changed for the selection by the pushbutton. - additional SET commands. Expanded in V 8 : 10th May 2006 Update identical for both hardware platforms. - additional SET commands (e.g. Filter function which removes the discharge spikes from the voltage curve caused by Refresh/Reflex Pulses as good as possible). - please load also down the additional operating instruction sheet for the LiPoBalancer (supplement). ================================== Expanded / modified in V11 : 9 March 2007 Note: the expanded / modified features only apply to the LiPoProfi-Balancer. You can also load this firmware into the LiPoBalancer (in the heat-shrink sleeve), but for this device it only contains the range of functions of V8, issued 10 May 2006. The expanded features: 1. If the configuration resistance in the Balancer lead is not present, or if the resistance value is excessive, then the unit will generate an error message: all three type select LEDs flash simultaneously. 2. The permissible range of battery-empty voltages which can be entered using "SET" commands has been expanded upwards: - Maximum low-voltage threshold, LiFe: 3000 mV instead of 2500 mV - Maximum low-voltage threshold, LiIon: 3700 mV instead of 3000 mV - Maximum low-voltage threshold, LiPo: 3800 mV instead of 3300 mV 3. New "Set" command: SetChargeRate: n.nC This parameter has become necessary because Version 11 of the software compares the charge current measured by the Balancer with the value of the configuration resistance, and cuts off the charge process using the safety circuit if the current is excessive. - It sets the maximum charge rate in C within the permissible range 0.5 C to 5.0 C. - The default value is 1.7 C. - If the charge rate exceeds the permissible value, the ProfiBal triggers the safety circuit, and the green "ON" LED flashes. Modified in V12 : 10 September 2007 The permissible range of battery-full voltages which can be entered using "SET" commands has been expanded downwards: - Minimum high-voltage threshold, LiFe: 3300 mV instead of 3700 mV - Minimum high-voltage threshold, LiIon: 3700 mV instead of 4100 mV - Minimum high-voltage threshold, LiPo: 3800 mV instead of 4200 mV Modified in V13 : 13 September 2007 The multiple back-up of the SET-parameters had been completed with some additional bits. Modified in V14 : 10 December 2007 1. The OLD LiPoBalancer Hardware with jumper did not accept LiFe without the BalCab configuration resistor. New: If a) the jumper is not plugged in and b) no BalCab configuration resistor is connected then the cell type is NiXX if the highest cell voltage is below 2 V. If the cell voltage is higher than 2 V then the cell type is LiFe. 2. Changes are made for the compatibility with the new adapters BalAd-Ko8, BalAd-Ko12 and BalAd-TP. 3. Cell voltages beyond the real max. cell count are not measured but shown as cells with zero voltage on the COM port. Modified in V15 : 10 Januar 2008 1. SET commands are only accepted up to 31 characters, more characters are ignored. 2. Changes are made for better compatibility with the new balancing-adapters BalAd-Ko8, BalAd-Ko12 and BalAd-TP (depending tolerances of the adapters). Modified in V16 : 03 April 2008 1. A SET command is now accepted parallel to the LED-test. 2. If a "constant balancing difference" was set("SetBalDiff:XXXXmV"), the ProfiBal was balancing if the cell difference was bigger than a) the "constant balancing difference" or bigger than b) the "automatic balancing difference". Now it uses in this case only the "constant balancing difference". Modified in V17 : 09 Juni 2008 Detection of charge and discharge process without used safety switch improved Modified in V18 : 06 May 2009 1. Faster start of the charge/discharge process. 2. The seriell communication protocol changed: the winsoft compatible 4 cell output which displays cell 1 as 1, cell 2 as 3, cell 3 as 5 and cell 4 as 7 is changed to: cell 1 = 1, cell 2 = 2, cell 3 = 3 and cell 4 = 4. Modified in V19 and V20 : 20. March 2011 1. All other changes are done only for the firm-internal calibration procedures and modifications for firm clients. We are using a Hardware which is used also for the nextGeneration-II chargers.