The goal of this project is to create an open source battery management system based on the TI BQ76PL536A Battery Monitor/Protection IC. The initial hardware revision is in the form of an Arduino shield to facilitate software development.
Initially the hardware is a single BQ76PL536A IC on a Arduino shield, for 3-6 series cells per board. Future versions will include multiple ICs and expand to allow up to 192 cells in series.
Current features:
- Convenient Arduino shield form factor
- Headers for chaining multiple shields together
- Balancing resistors on board
- External temp sensor header
Future features:
- External balance headers to support higher charging/balancing current
- Charger control
- Expandable up to 192 cells in series (~700V)
- Electrically isolated communications
- Data logging to microSD card
- Current shutoff to protect cells from damage due to over-discharge
- "Gas gauge" functionality
All hardware schematics and BOMs will be released as open source.
All software will be released as open source in the form of an Arduino library and example sketches.
Contact: david (dot) wahl at gmail dot com