NOTICE:

This page only applies to batteries with a production date code of 2022-08. If you have a battery with a production code newer than this, please refer to the 2023 version instead.

PC communication allows for Realtime monitoring of all information of up to 15 packs from one centralized location. Additionally, you can view the battery setpoints. Please note, the PC software does not allow for parameters to be changed, as changing the factory parameters will invalidate your warranty coverage of the battery.

Hardware

PC communication can be established via a RJ-11 to USB Cable Kit available from Current Connected. This is a 2 piece cable, consisting of a RJ11-DB9 adapter cable, and a DB9-USB adapter. This cable set will plug into the “RS232” port of the SOK SK48v100 Battery and into any free USB (2.0 or better) port of your PC. This cable is custom made and only compatible with the SOK battery. If you are outside of the US, please contact the salesperson or website you purchased the battery from – if they have the batteries available, then they are required to stock this RS232 cable.

Software Installation:

Notice

Communication is only possible when using a Windows machine running Windows 7 or newer and has been tested up to Windows 11. As is explained in the next section, you must install drivers which will require administrative permissions. Do not attempt installation if you are not an authorized administrator of the computer or IT personnel of your organization.

Step 1: Downloading appropriate Software

Download SOK Tools 2022 Edition

Save and download to your computer. It is recommended to store this on your Desktop as you will need to access this file in order to run the program.

Step 2: Extract ZIP File

After downloading, right click on the “SOKTools v2.04.zip” file and select “Extract All” using either the built-in windows extraction tool or a pre-installed extraction tool such as WinRAR Archiver.

Step 3: Driver Installation

Once the folder has been extracted, open the folder and double click on the “Driver_setup” to install the drivers for the USB converter. Windows may have already installed a driver, but it is a good idea to run this installer regardless to make certain that you have the right driver. Once you have double clicked the file, select “Extract” followed by “Next”. Accept the license agreement, then click “Next”. The software will proceed with the installation and then you can click “Finish” when it has completed.

Step 4: Open Program

After you have installed the driver, open the “Program” folder located within the “SOKTools v2.04” file. Double click “SOKTools v2.04” to run the software.

Software Operation: Connecting to the battery

Ensure the USB-RS232 cable is connected to both the PC and the RS232 port of the battery, and the BMS is activated before proceeding.

From the same “SOKTools v2.04” file you already downloaded and extracted in the previous step, open the “Program” folder. Double click “SOKTools v2.04” to run the software.

Typically, the software will automatically detect the COM port. If you get an error popup message, confirm that you have connected the battery to a working USB port and the BMS is active, click OK, then on the home screen (illustrated below) use the port selection drop-down, select the com-port and then click “Open” followed by “Start Monitor”. You may now utilize the software.

Software Pages: Realtime Monitoring

The following image shows the realtime monitoring tab of the SOKTools software. In this section, we will further explain the tabs and their function.

Numbers across top of screen; 1-15+Auto

These numbers correspond to the packs connected via the RS485B & RS485C ports. These buttons can allow you to quickly tab between various packs to view their real-time data. The numbers on the buttons correspond to the ID set via the DIP switches on the front of the battery, as described in this section of this manual. In order to enable selection between the tabs, you must set “Serial Port” -> “Pack” to option “FF” prior to clicking “Start Monitor”. Please note that the “FF” mode has a known bug where it doesn’t always work. If you run into this, please toggle between each pack with the “pack” drop-down instead of the 1-15 numbers across the top of the screen.

Pack Information

  • Pack Voltage – The total voltage of all cells within the pack. This voltage is derived from the sum of voltages of all cells.
  • Pack Current – Current, measured in amps passing in or out of the pack. A negative number in this section indicates discharging and a positive number indicates charging. This is measured by the shunt resistor within the battery.
  • SOC – State of charge, indicated between 0% – 100%, 0% being empty and 100% being full. This state of charge indication is not accurate until the battery has been fully charged for the first time. The shunt resistor in the battery monitors discharge over time, and calculates state of charge by dividing remaining capacity by full capacity.
  • SOH – State of health, indicated between 0% – 100%, 100% being perfect health. This indicates how much life the battery has remaining. A battery with 90% SOH would only be able to output 90% of it’s rated capacity.
  • RemainCapacity – Indicates how many milliamp-hours are remaining until the battery is empty. This tells you how much actual capacity you can remove from the battery.
  • FullCapacity – Indicates the capacity of the battery when fully charged. This is calculated by measuring how many milliamp-hours the cells can accept between their lowest charge level and a full charge level.
  • Battery Cycle – How many times the battery has been cycled (charged & discharged)

Temperature

  • Tcell 1 – Temperature, in Celsius of the group of cells 1 to 4
  • Tcell 2 – Temperature, in Celsius of the group of cells 5 to 8
  • Tcell 3 – Temperature, in Celsius of the group of cells 9 to 11
  • Tcell 4 – Temperature, in Celsius of the group of cells 12 to 16
  • MOS_T – Temperature, in celsius of the MOSFETS (Main power transistors) of the BMS
  • ENV_T – Ambient temperature of the battery environment, in Celsius

Cell Voltage (mV)

  • MaxVolt [Cell Number] [Voltage] – Cell number with the highest voltage, and the voltage of that highest cell.
  • MinVolt [Cell Number] [Voltage] – Cell number with the lowest voltage, and the voltage of that lowest cell.
  • Vcell[1-16] – Voltages of each individual cell.

Serial Port

  • Port – Selection of which COM port you would like to monitor. Typically this should only have one available option, which would be the one you want to select. If you have multiple COM devices listed here, you can try each device until you are successful in communication.
  • Baud Rate – Must be set to 9600, no other options work successfully.
  • Pack – You can select either a specific pack, or you can select option “FF” which allows you to toggle between packs using the 1-15+auto buttons. Please note that the “FF” mode has a known bug where it doesn’t always work. If you run into this, please toggle between each pack with this drop-down instead of the 1-15 numbers across the top of the screen.
  • Inverval (S) – Adjust how often to read the battery data

System Status

  • CHG-MOS-[ON/OFF] Shows the status of the charge circuit; when on, the battery can accept charge, even if the DSG-MOS is off.
  • CHARGING – If the battery is currently charging, this shows as active (blue)
  • CHG-LIMIT-[ON/OFF] The battery can only accept 100a charge current max. In a multi-pack system, the current entering the battery can exceed 100a if the packs are out of balance or wiring is not designed to share current evenly. a limiting circuit is activated that will restrict the charge current to 10a. This is especially useful when connecting multiple packs in parallel at varying states of charge. The 10a of current allows the battery to reach a higher state of charge before re-enabling full charge current.
  • ACin – Not applicable to this BMS configuration.
  • DSG-MOS-[ON/OFF] Shows the status of the discharge circuit; when on, the battery can provide current to a load, even if the CHG-MOS is off.
  • DISCHARGING – If the battery is currently discharging, this shows as active (blue)
  • HEATER-OFF – Not applicable to this BMS configuration
  • Fully – Battery has reached a full charge and SOC has been updated.

Alarm Status

This area shows any active alarms. Alarms are when a parameter is nearing the end of its safe range and about to trigger a protection function.

Protect Status

This area shows any protection modes that have triggered because the battery charge/discharge device has done an unsatisfactory job of keeping the battery within a safe range.

Fault Status

Shut off pack circuit breaker IMMEDIATELY and Contact Current Connected if any fault status appears. If the battery has an abnormal temperature or smell, contact your local fire department and shut off your whole system.

Switch Control

This area allows you to manually turn on and off various functions of the battery for testing and troubleshooting purposes.

Administrator Password

For CurrentConnected Authorized personnel only.