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bq76930/balancing

Other Parts Discussed in Thread: BQ76930, BQ78350

Hi, Im trying to build a Battery Management system for 10 Li-Ion battery cells, and Im using a bq76930 for the project. Unfortunately when I try to balance the cells I don't get any balancing current. That means both internal and external balancing(no current). I use exactly the same schematic at page 44 in the datasheet. I use 1k resistors for input resistors. I can read the cell voltages but balancing the cells is not possible. Another problem that Im having is that the external thermistors doesn't work. If anybody knows what this depends on or why there are no balancing currents please wright me back. Thanks.

  • With the 1k input resistors the balance current will be low.  You should be able to see a voltage shift across a resistive cell simulator like the EVM board, but will not see cell voltages change.  To observe cell balance current with cells, measure the voltage across the input resistors (Rc).  For a higher balance current use an external balance circuit.  Note the bq78350 will balance multiple cells and the input filter may not settle within the 12.5ms time allowed before measurement, so you may see some voltage artifacts from balancing.  To decrease these make the Cc input filter capacitors smaller.

    The bq78350 has configurable parameters to control balancing and it runs only during the end of charge.  Refer to the bq78350 documentation.  Similarly the external thermistors are selected by a configuration setting.  When in operation they are measured ever 2 seconds, so be sure to look for a pulse on the signals.

  • Thanks for the answer. 

    I have connected all Ground pins to " Batt - " , Is it the right way to do it or should I have a separate Ground? (Im referring to page 18 in  bq78350 datasheet). 

  • The ground pins should all have the potential of "Batt-", however when current flows through the board there will be a voltage drop across the board resistance.  If capacitors (or other circuits) are connected at different points in a high current path the load current will modulate the voltages of the capacitor references and thus the voltages the capacitors are trying to stabilize.  You should be able to control this by careful physical design of the board which directs the current in a safe path away from capacitor references.  The Net-Tie shown on page 18 of the bq78350 provides a single connection between the high current path and the low current reference points so that the references are not separated by a voltage drop in the high current  path.  It is one technique, others may work also.