Discharging with Gauge Development Kit

Hugues Lavoie

Other Parts Discussed in Thread: BQ27411-G1, BQSTUDIO, EV2400

I ordered a Gauge Development Kit to test a battery pack with a bq27411-g1.

Using the recommended setup, I am able to charge the battery pack properly. The current set is close to the current measured by the gauge. However, when discharging, I only get a fraction of the current that is set. For example, if I set 2000mA of discharge current, I get 267mA from the gas gauge and an amp meter.

Is is necessary to update the GDK firmware, as I have not been able to download the firmware update from the TI site yet.

over 8 years ago

0 Sammi Shang over 8 years ago

TI__Expert 4450 points

Hi ,

Maybe this is because the current sense resistance, what about the value of your current sense resistance?
You need to do calibration under discharge contions first.

Best regards,
Sammi Shang

0 Hugues Lavoie over 8 years ago in reply to Sammi Shang

Intellectual 320 points

Since I measure the same current with an ampere meter I doubt that it is a calibration issue. Note, however that the current displayed by the GDK panel in bqStudio is 2000mA.

Still not able to download the firmware update for the GDK from the TI site. The download stops at 1.3Mb of 8.3 Mb total.

0 Benjamin Lough over 8 years ago in reply to Hugues Lavoie

TI__Mastermind 27145 points

Hi Hugh

sluc578 (2).zip

Here is the firmware update .zip

Best Regards,

Ben Lough

0 Hugues Lavoie over 8 years ago in reply to Benjamin Lough

Intellectual 320 points

Thanks, but I wanted to upgrade the GDK MCU, not the EV2400, which by the way is at the correct version.

I got help from a colleague and we found that the voltage set by the DAC is erroneous. So I definitively need an update for the GDK' MCU. Now, how can I get that firmware ?

0 Hugues Lavoie over 8 years ago in reply to Hugues Lavoie

Intellectual 320 points

I was able to find a firmware upgrade for the GDK MCU by following this link: e2e.ti.com/.../536882
I hope that the firmware proposed fix the problem I have with the discharge current not being set properly. Am I right on this ?

0 Hugues Lavoie over 8 years ago in reply to Hugues Lavoie

Intellectual 320 points

I upgraded the GDK MCU from version 1.04 to 1.06 using the file in the link. However, it does not fix the problem I have with the discharge current not being set properly. As an example, when setting the current to 2000mA, the gauge still measure 267mA.

0 Hugues Lavoie over 8 years ago in reply to Hugues Lavoie

Intellectual 320 points

Where could I get an firmware upgrade of the GDK that fix this issue ?

0 Benjamin Lough over 8 years ago in reply to Hugues Lavoie

TI__Mastermind 27145 points

Hugh,

The GDK itself does not require calibration and should work out of the box. Based on the information you provided, you are likely dealing with a HW issue that a FW update may not be able to fix. I contacted the tools team about your issue and will respond again once I receive their input.

Best Regards,
Ben Lough

0 Hugues Lavoie over 8 years ago in reply to Benjamin Lough

Intellectual 320 points

Still didn't hear anything from you yet. For the time being, I can manage to test with a failing GDK, but it is less than perfect. Do I need to purchase another GDK board then or could I get another one from TI ?

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Discharging with Gauge Development Kit