Is there BMS for Gel Cell Batteries?

[Volter]

Hello...
I am curious if there is a Battery Management system for Gel deep cycle batteries.
I am running 4x 12v 50ah (c20 rate) group u 22 I believe, MK Gell Cell batts in series.
Is it done? Or would I be better off getting a controller with over current protection.

I fried my 1000w motor, Unite 48v. I was running it heavy and a little steep.
I May have been too tight on the drive pulley as well. I will post in bicycles under "my crazy trike"
with pictures and some questions.
Thanks!
Volter

 

[neptronix]

A BMS for lead acid is not necessary.

Yes, you need a controller with current limiting if you destroyed your motor due to running too much power to it.
Were you not using a controller?

 

[amberwolf]

Basically what he said. ^

There are some battery monitors for lead-acid, the simplest of which are DIY and easy to use, but typically not needed unless you are using a lot of batteries in series under really heavy current draw most of the time (like in a large-scale EV, car/truck types).

If you are series-charging the batteries, there are some shunting monitors that do basically what a Lithium-type BMS would do, available as individual modules that you can put across each battery (rather than a single integrated board with balance wires), but again, typically not necessary.



As for overcurrent protection, that would indeed be in the controller rather than the "BMS", since just about any BMS is only going to limit current based on the *battery* capability (whcih for lead-acid is pretty danged high for short bursts, longer if you care less about capacity loss/peukert effect), not on motor capability.



The SLA you have are easily capable of hundreds of amps short-term. The motor you have (had) shouldn't be allowed to pull more than about 20A if at 48V, less when the SLA are fully charged (before they begin to sag). At full charge they'll probably be closer to 53-54V, bringing the current that motor would handle (to keep under 1000W power dissipation) down to about 18.5A.

Also, I doubt that motor can handle 1000W continous for very long, unless you modify it for forced-air cooling.

 

[Volter]

Got it.
I did have a controller, YiYun 48v 1000w.. no protection for under/over V and no current limiting.
I am eyeing up the Kelley KDZ48201,24V-48V,200A,PM with Regen controller since it has so many programmable features.
As much as I want to build my own controller, I have a lot more to learn and/or remember.

I had about 5 or 6 years training in electronics back in the 90's.. Most of which was audio/video.
Easily the same theory's and math or trigonometry, but as time has gone by....
Only the basics exist in the old brain. AND the healthy respect for electricity, aka volts don't kill amps do.
with ac at least you have 50/60 times a second you can remove yourself from the circuit if you become a part
of the circuit. DC is Direct and once you're in there you're in there, better hope someone has a stick to whack you with
thank you all for the info.
-V