Anyone know how we will know when the software update for the 314 mini BT battery is released and how we update the batteries (I assume through the app but I do not see how)? This uopdate is suppose to change how the batteries share the load.
Anyone know how we will know when the software update for the 314 mini BT battery is released and how we update the batteries (I assume through the app but I do not see how)? This uopdate is suppose to change how the batteries share the load.
I heard that there is an update too. I've tested my two 314 mini BT and the first battery in the string stays 90-100% while the second battery will drop to 40ish % before the first battery assists. Hopefully this update will cure that.
They have put out a 'Test" beta version you can try. It seems to work. Android only. Look for the first QR code.
https://www.wattcycle.com/blogs/news/one-step-by-step-bluetooth-guide
Your question is about how to ensure parallel discharge works as one would expect it to work.
Does anyone know what the manufacturer was trying to accomplish with this strange behaviour that prevents/delays discharge when in parallel?
It seems like they designed it as a feature, not a bug, but it's only a feature if it can be managed (turned off).
I have the same issue using 2 x of the new 314 ah "smart" batteries in parallel. Sent a note to support and they offered to replace the batteries which tells me there is no firmware update available. I have noticed that if I disable discharge on one battery the second battery will then discharge and seems to take the lead as the primary discharge source once I reenable discharging on the battery. Anyone else experiencing this?
The download I have been sent from Watt is to large to down load. It doesn't work.
@gloftin48 , offering a replacement might be more about trying to offer good customer service than an indication that replacement is necessary. Of course, you could be right, but hopefully not.
I would hope that an update to the smartphone app would be capable of changing the operation of the BMS. But I would also hope such a change would stick, such that it can't automatically revert back to this surprising discharge behaviour.
@Rascally I think it was to protect the cells in the battery from over voltage. It does do that, but there was a side effect which it appears is fixed with the new September 3 version of the Android app. Too early to tell if it is completely fixed yet. Some will probablt test it today. I am going to try the new app.
@TWesthoff , can you explain how preventing discharge (disabling discharge (sometimes) when it's detected that another battery is connected in parallel) would protect cells from over-voltage? I'm scatchingn my head, but here to learn.
@gloftin48 Yes, you are describing the problem exactly. The "test" phone app they released yesterday seems to work. They made a video describing it, and the link to the "test" phone app is above in my other post. It is Android only now. When final they said they will have it for both iOS and Android.
@Rascally It seems that what the BMS does to protect the cells from over voltage, by shutting off Charging had an unintentional bug that somehow disabled Discharge while leaving the Discharge indicator dark blue. It doesn't detect another parallel battery directly it just knows the voltage on its battery terminals and compares it to its internal voltage. If you wait until the discharging battery gets down to 30-50% (depending on the current) it will switch on its discharge and supply current. At that point both (if two) batteries will provide current.
The "fix" does it much sooner and shares the current more or less equally.
Disabling Discharge would not protect cells from over voltage, you are correct.
Let's hope the fix they have works. Wattcycle thinks it will.
@TWesthoff wow. That sounds weird.
it does make one wonder if relying on the BMS to stop charging is a good idea or not.
I've read of many that are using the internal BMS to stop charging, rather than using logic.
Clearly we need much change.
