A secondary power system is configured to connect to a motor vehicle having a powertrain comprising an engine and a first alternator. The secondary power system includes a second alternator connected to the engine, one or more electro-chemical storage devices coupled to the second alternator and configured to be charged by the alternator, and one or more inverter chargers. The inverter chargers may operate in a first mode to provide AC power to loads on the vehicle or in a second mode to receive alternative power and charge the storage devices. In an embodiment, the secondary power system includes multiple storage devices each comprising at least one electro-chemical storage pack and a logic. The storage devices are interconnected by a junction box. The logics within each storage device may selectively disrupt power flow from the junction box upon detection of an error condition.

The systems and methods described herein are directed to techniques for improving battery life performance of end devices in resource monitoring systems which transmit data using low-power, wide area network (LPWAN) technologies. Further, the techniques include providing sensor interfaces in the end devices configured to communicate with multiple types of metrology sensors. Additionally, the systems and methods include techniques for reducing the size of a concentrator of a gateway device which receives resource measurement data from end devices. The reduced size of the concentrator results in smaller, more compact gateway devices that consume less energy and reduce heat dissipation experienced in gateway devices. The concentrator may comply with modular interface standards, and include two radios configured for transmitting 1-watt signals. Lastly, the systems and methods include techniques for fully redundant radio architecture within a gateway device, allowing for maximum range and minimizing downtime due to transmission overlap.

A power supply charging system comprising: a) a first power cell having electrical energy stored therein; b) a second power cell having electrical energy stored therein, wherein the first power cell and the second power cell are adapted to not be in a discharging mode or a charging mode simultaneously; c) a third power cell in electrical communication with the first power cell and the second power cell, wherein the third power cell is adapted to operably supply power to the first power cell when in the charging mode or the second power cell when in the charging mode; and d) a control system which is adapted to alternate the power being supplied from the third power cell to the first power cell while in the charging mode and the second power cell which in the charging mode based on an occurrence of a pre-determined condition.

Main management unit manages the plurality of power storage modules via the plurality of sub-management units. Main management unit and the plurality of sub-management units are daisy-chain connected by power line. Main management unit can supply power from power storage unit other than the plurality of power storage modules to the plurality of sub-management units via power line. Main management unit and the plurality of sub-management units respectively include communication units. Each of communication units superimposes a communication signal on power line.

In some examples, a system includes a primary side with a charger and a first battery and a secondary side with a second battery. The charger on the primary side can charge both the first battery and the second battery. A hinge resistance is between the primary side and the secondary side. The primary side includes a feedback controlled active device in a current path of the first battery that compensates for the hinge resistance, for connector resistances, or for battery impedances in a current path of the second battery.

A module maintenance system includes a battery module comprising at least a first battery cell and a second battery cell, and a charging device comprising a bulk output and an equalization output. The battery module has a series configuration and a parallel configuration. In the parallel configuration, the charging device outputs a first voltage to the equalization output to equalize charge levels of the first and second battery cells. In the series configuration, the charging device outputs a second voltage to the bulk output to modify charge levels of the first and second battery cells, wherein the second voltage is greater than the first voltage.

A resistor ladder comprising identical resistors is disposed electrically in parallel with a multicell battery to calibrate voltage-controlled oscillators or analog-to-digital convertors for voltage balancing the battery cells in the multicell battery. Switches in a first state provide the voltage across each resistor as inputs to the VCOs or ADCs. The number of oscillations of the output signal of each VCO or ADC over a predetermined time period are compared to determine an offset error. Switches in a second state provide the voltage across each battery cell as inputs to the VCOs or ADCs. The battery cells with a higher relative voltage can be discharged until they are balanced. Some aspects describe temperature-adjusted and interpolated determinations of electrical quantities in the cells such as voltage and/or current.

A system for balancing battery cell charge in a battery array for an electrified machine is provided. The battery array includes a plurality of individual battery cells, or groups of battery cells. A plurality of cell monitors are in communication with the individual battery cells, or groups of battery cells, with the plurality of cell monitors being powered by the individual battery cells, or groups of battery cells. A battery controller of the system receives information about the individual battery cells, or groups of battery cells, from the plurality of cell monitors. The information traverses the plurality of cell monitors in a first pattern to the battery controller and, after a predetermined period of time or occurrence of a predetermined event, the information traverses the plurality of cell monitors in a second pattern that is different than the first pattern to the battery controller.

Provided are a balancing apparatus, and a battery management system and a battery pack including the battery management system. The balancing apparatus includes a voltage regulator to generate a first high level voltage from a voltage of an auxiliary battery, a power switch electrically connected to a high voltage node of a battery group, a DC-DC converter to generate a second high level voltage from a voltage applied to a voltage input terminal, a balancing unit including a plurality of balancing circuits connected in parallel to a plurality of battery cells of the battery group; and a control unit to hold the first high level voltage applied to the control terminal of the power switch in response to the second high level voltage being applied to the power terminal.

Various embodiments of the present technology may provide methods and apparatus for communication and balancing in a battery system. The apparatus may include a battery pack connected to a management network. The management network may be configured to communicate with a master controller via a communication bus. The apparatus may be configured to operate in a communication mode and a balancing mode.