REC BMS

[GRIT]

Hi all. I hope someone can help me with this question.

I just received my REC BMS, and am having difficulty getting it to work. It comes on for only a few seconds at a time. I can hear a relay clicking on and off, every 2 seconds or so, and it communicates, briefly, with my computer for two seconds at a time.

The green light flashes 6 times before the relay shuts down. If it was the red light, I'd assume it's the relay overheat sensor, giving a false reading, and shutting the bms down for "overheat". But it's the green one.

I've written to REC, and I hope they answer, but, unlike others on this forum, I've never received an answer from them before the third day after I've written to ask a question.

I've also called, numerous times today, but have not managed to talk to anyone yet. I will try again tomorrow; but if someone knows the answer to my problem, I'd be grateful for your insight.

Thanks.
Paul.

[GRIT]

I just got an automated response from Maja's email system. They are on holiday until the 6th of May.

So I'm at the mercy of those on this forum with REC D.O.O. experience.

Thanks.
Paul.

[GRIT]

With great effort, I am able to get some responses when communicating with the BMS.

TMAX? shows 5.50000e1
TBAL? shows 5.50000e1
BMTH? shows 5.00000e0
TMIN? shows 8.00000e0 (I managed to set that parameter, 8C)

Am I mistaken in thinking that the BMS thinks it should shut down at 5.5C?

I also noticed the CAN wants two resistors installed to "prevent shutdown". Though I don't have anything attached to the CAN cable, perhaps I still need the resistors?

I don't see where to list the number of cells, which I later found, is what the 6 green flashes represents.

Cheers.
Paul.

[GRIT]

Ok. I know you've all been waiting with baited breath.

For those purchasing a BMS from REC D.O.O. I'd suggest that your communication go through Tine. He responds instantly.

The problem seems to be the CAN terminator, (as mentioned in post 3) or rather that the CAN is not terminated. The unit comes with an RJ45 connector with a 120 ohm resistor already installed. This is meant to be installed at the end of your string.

If you don't have your Victron equipment yet, like me, and you don't have anything installed to the CAN bus, like me, then you'll have this problem.

I'm going to get an RJ45 joiner, and join the communication wire, with the "terminator" connector, supplied in the box. That should fix the problem.

I'll make one final post, if this fixes the problem, for posterity.

Cheers all.
Paul.

[GRIT]

All fixed.

And Tine really does answer e-mails right away.

Cheers all.
Paul.

[Steve_C]

Originally Posted by GRIT

All fixed.

And Tine really does answer e-mails right away.

Cheers all.
Paul.

Hi Paul,

Where did you purchase your REC? I am having trouble finding a source and have been unable to get a response from their standard support email address. How do you reach Tine?

Thanks,

Steve

[GRIT]

Hi Steve. I had the same issue. Try Tina at: tine@rec-bms.com

I have recently had luck with Primoz Kovacic
primoz@rec-bms.com, they wrote some new firmware for me, and he responds within a day or so.

I bought my bms from their website, I don't know if they have distributors.

Good luck, and feel free to ask me anything, if you think I can help.

[ronstory]

FWIW, I just pinged the REC folks via email and after a few exchanges of questions, I just ordered directly from them. Shipping to the US was fast, my time from order to delivery was 6 days.

I would purchase from them again.

[Tim Robotham]

Not a good sign, very poor company management