I am deciding whether it is worthwhile to build my own Lithium batteries from the various individual cells on the market (just to add resilience in whilst I am off shore). However I would like to use Victron for all the other components, due to the quality.
Do the Smart BMS's work with cells other than Victron Smart Batteries?
The Victron BMS will only work with the Victron Lithium Batteries. I contemplated a self build, but decided that there was not enough cost savings snd purchased the Victron 12,8 Smart Lithiums.
If you do self build, ensure you get a CanBus based BMS that will work with the Victron eco system and Cerbo GX.
Just a question on that: Is it really necessary to have the communication between e.g. multiplus and the battery package? Or is there an option to charge and recharge the battery without a BMS communication? For sure the diy batterie must have a safe BMS (cell voltage, temperature, balancing, etc.) and everybody who wants to do this should really know what he/she does. Or is this option not available at all?
In VEconfigure one can define the cell type with voltage range. Does the multiplus need more information?
There are third party BMSs that will play nicely with Victron systems. I’m looking at building a pack for my boat using a REC Active BMS. It will l manage the cells properly and communicate with the victron gear cleanly, allowing for things like DVCC. My goal is to design the system so that there is never a high voltage disconnect battery, inverter/charger, solar power, and alternator regulator all tied together through a cerbo and playing nice.
This serial driver enables you to link a lot of the cheaper BMSs to Venus OS
