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Version 1.01

 

ESS Troubleshooting Guide

 

2.

 

Ensure your computer has the proper drivers. 

A.

 

Sometimes a computer will need a driver update to allow the service tool to work. Please 
see the Service Tool Manual by BMZ for instructions on how to do this. 

3.

 

Try reinstalling the firmware. 

A.

 

If during an attempt to read information from the battery with the service tool an error 
message appears that states something about an unknown command during transfer, 
attempt to reinstall the firmware. It’s possible that a previous firmware update was 
incomplete. 

4.

 

Try connecting the USB cable inside the battery directly to the laptop. 

    

 

If the above is completed and: 

A.

 

You get communication: 
This means the pass-through USB port on the housing is bad (assuming the USB cable that 
was used is working) and should be replaced. Contact BMZ for a replacement port. 

B.

 

You do not get communication: 
This very likely indicates some internal issue if all other methods have also failed. Please 
contact BMZ. 

2.6

 

Battery has been working properly with inverter but has suddenly 

stopped working and turned off 

Normally, the inverter is powered by the battery. If the battery stops providing power, the inverter will 
shut down. 

If the battery loses communication with the inverter (such as if the inverter shut down), it will 
automatically turn off after 20 minutes and must be manually restarted. 

1.

 

Check for any battery errors and check environmental conditions at the battery location.

 

A.

 

Verify battery is functioning via visual inspection and the service tool. 

B.

 

Verify battery voltage level. Please see the section for this in this document if there is 
an issue.

 

C.

 

Verify proper environmental conditions. Too hot or too cold will cause the battery to 
protect itself and turn off the voltage output. Please see section about temperature. 

D.

 

If errors are present (RED LED is on solid or blinking by itself) despite acceptable 
environmental conditions and turning the battery ON and OFF does not clear the errors 
and allow the battery to work, contact BMZ. 
 
 

Summary of Contents for ESS

Page 1: ...Troubleshooting Guide for BMZ ESS Energy Storage System ...

Page 2: ...21 8499 E mail Service USA bmz group com Firmware 31502A_V2 03 or higher Battery BMZ ESS 7 0 ESS 9 0 ESS X Software ESS 3 0 Service Tool Rev 0 0 27 25617 or higher Country of Origin Germany Phone 49 6188 9956 9830 E mail ess service bmz gmbh de Version 1 01 Subject to modifications BMZ shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors All contents of this document are protected by copyright by...

Page 3: ... 6 2 3 Battery Voltage Issues 6 2 4 Inverter connected to battery will not turn on 7 2 5 Service tool communication error or failure 7 2 6 Battery has been working properly with inverter but has suddenly stopped working and turned off 8 2 7 Battery Temperature 9 2 8 Configuring Batteries in Parallel 10 2 9 The Battery SOC is Wrong 11 2 9 1 The Learning Cycle 11 2 10 Off Grid Systems Battery SOC an...

Page 4: ... to contacting BMZ 1 2 Expected Battery Operation The following is a short list of expected and readily observable battery behaviors under normal operation and are usually no cause for concern Loud click is heard right after the battery is turned on o This is the relay inside the battery closing RED and GREEN LEDs flash once per second o Battery is in standby mode and ready for communication with ...

Page 5: ...location of the switch A Open service cover with screwdriver B Look to the upper left side of the plastic fuse holder C To switch ON the ESS hold button for a couple seconds You will see the RED and GREEN LEDs flash once and then the battery will turn on The LEDs should be active blinking or solid once the battery is ON 2 I pressed the switch but the battery still didn t turn on A Switch must be h...

Page 6: ...elay is closed fuses are inserted and there is still no voltage across the terminals A If above is verified and tested and there is still an issue this very likely indicates some internal issue Please contact BMZ 2 3 Battery Voltage Issues There is always a very small drain on lithium batteries regardless of whether they are in use or not A Battery MUST not sit for too long without being charged o...

Page 7: ...ot use another ESS or battery as a power source for charging C As mentioned above if the battery drops to around 30 volts this is considered the point of no return and the battery will not be recoverable D If you are unable to charge the battery yourself or it has passed the point of no return please contact BMZ if you would like to purchase a replacement or send the battery for disposal 2 The bat...

Page 8: ... some internal issue if all other methods have also failed Please contact BMZ 2 6 Battery has been working properly with inverter but has suddenly stopped working and turned off Normally the inverter is powered by the battery If the battery stops providing power the inverter will shut down If the battery loses communication with the inverter such as if the inverter shut down it will automatically ...

Page 9: ...to these temperature ranges The key caveat to the previous statements is that this range is outside the ESS operational range Exposure to temperatures outside the ESS specified temperature range can cause degradation to the battery lifetime as well as possible triggering of battery protections which may require servicing 1 My battery got too cold or hot what do I do A Allow time for it to warm up ...

Page 10: ...tries to get the setting to save However if you have tried this several times and still the setting will not save there is likely some internal issue Please contact BMZ 2 Ensure the connections are correct A When putting multiple batteries in parallel there should be both power and communication cables connected to every battery once the setup is finished The master battery should be the only batt...

Page 11: ... learning cycle the battery must cover the SOC limits of 100 and 12 as frequently as possible The learning cycle starts at 100 SOC battery full and ends at 12 SOC If both incidents occur in succession and in the meantime the energy is not charged more than 20 SOC then the learning cycle is evaluated as successfully executed What this means is You must charge the battery to 61 5V SOC will automatic...

Page 12: ...tections will trigger at the very end of a charge cycle As of August 2020 this firmware is not on every battery by default so please contact BMZ if you are interested in this firmware and you are off grid 2 11 Battery Capacity Issues BMZ ESS have both nominal and usable capacity listed in the product literature For actual usage usable capacity will always be the value used 1 I get a lower amount o...

Page 13: ...ry weighs approximately 100kg there will be bending of the internal metal structure of the battery It is certainly possible the battery will still work but once this bending occurs there is no way to ensure the physical integrity of the electrical connections inside It s very likely that many internal electrical connections are now loose and therefore compromised This is a hazard If you know an ES...

Page 14: ...Page 2 of 14 Version 1 01 ESS Troubleshooting Guide BMZ GmbH Am Sportplatz 28 30 63791 Karlstein am Main GERMANY Phone 49 6188 9956 0 Fax 49 6188 9956 900 kontakt bmz gmbh de www bmz gmbh de ...

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