New Self-Test feature

We added a super handy self-test feature to the Pathfinder terminal boards.

They now have a TEST button and fault indicator lights for each cell.

This feature will catch many of the wiring mistakes that can destroy the BMS before the damage can happen.

This test can detect swapped balance wires and open circuit cell connections, both of which would damage the voltage sensing inputs on the BMS main board if the terminal board was plugged in before fixing the faults.

The new 16 cell self-testing boards are finished and ready to ship with pre-orders.

(All of the terminal boards will have this feature at no extra cost)

Example Usage:

In this example, all of the balance wire connections are correct, and only the green LED lights when pressing the TEST button. This assembly is ready to connect to the BMS.

In this example, one of the cell terminal bus bars has been left off. Pressing the button lights up a single red LED corresponding to the open connection. If the BMS was plugged in like this, the full battery voltage would be present between 2 cell voltage inputs that are not tolerant of the full battery voltage.

In these examples, 2 balance wires are swapped out of position. The red LEDs will light even without pressing the test button. This may be the most damaging type of wiring fault because it puts negative voltage across several of the cell voltage inputs, which will destroy them if the connector is plugged into the BMS.

In this example, multiple faults are present and the red LEDs do a fun little dance. Might want to start over if it does this…