question

gregferro avatar image
gregferro asked

Smart BMS CL 12V 100A with third party battery ?

My Renogy DC-DC battery charger (from alternator) has blown and I would like to replace it with Victron VE compatible devices. As best I can tell the Smart BMS CL 12V 100A would be a good choice but the manual states it is specifically designed for Victron BMS.

I have a Victron SmartShunt and Battery Monitor on the VE.bus to monitor battery performance.

Can I use the Victron Smart BMS with a non-Victron battery ?

BMS
2 |3000
Toggle Comment visibility. Current Visibility: Viewable by all users

Up to 8 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 190.8 MiB each and 286.6 MiB total.

2 Answers
nickdb avatar image
nickdb answered ·

No, it is for victron batteries only.

2 |3000
Toggle Comment visibility. Current Visibility: Viewable by all users

Up to 8 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 190.8 MiB each and 286.6 MiB total.

gregferro avatar image
gregferro answered ·

I have a Victron SmartShunt and Battery Monitor on the VE.bus montoring the batteries - does this change antying ?

8 comments
2 |3000
Toggle Comment visibility. Current Visibility: Viewable by all users

Up to 8 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 190.8 MiB each and 286.6 MiB total.

Stefanie (Victron Energy Staff) avatar image Stefanie (Victron Energy Staff) ♦♦ commented ·

If it's just a matter of using current limiting, which is what the BMS does, then yes - you'll have to trick the BMS by connecting a BTV cable to the M8 connectors. But this is basically fooling the BMS; The Load and Charge Disconnect output no longer works and with it there is no battery protection. It is neither recommended nor supported.

1 Like 1 ·
gregferro avatar image gregferro Stefanie (Victron Energy Staff) ♦♦ commented ·

Could you confirm what a BTV cable is please ? I think I know but better to know for sure.

0 Likes 0 ·
Stefanie (Victron Energy Staff) avatar image Stefanie (Victron Energy Staff) ♦♦ gregferro commented ·

It's the communication cable between a Victron Lithium Battery Smart and a BMS. Each battery has such a cable pair. There are extension cables available. See: https://www.victronenergy.com/accessories/m8-circular-connector-male-female-3-pole-cable-2m

0 Likes 0 ·
Show more comments
klim8skeptic avatar image klim8skeptic ♦ commented ·

What do you need the Smart BMS CL 12V 100 to do?

0 Likes 0 ·
gregferro avatar image gregferro klim8skeptic ♦ commented ·
I would like to have a Victron solution for charging batteries from my diesel engine.


My system is SmartSolar MMPT 150/85, Mulitplus 3000, Smartshunt and Smart Battery Monitor on the VE.bus. Two 250AH LiFePo third party batteries.

Hope thats enough info, thanks for taking the time to answer my question.
0 Likes 0 ·
klim8skeptic avatar image klim8skeptic ♦ gregferro commented ·

@gregferro @Stefanie Stefanie has nailed it. Without ATD, ATC and pre alarm signals from within the Victron batteries, the Smart BMS CL 12V 100A is a pretty blue paperweight.

Maybe there are other products that could achieve B2B charging?

1 Like 1 ·
Show more comments