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Approved date
File number
S230XLP03
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8. Integrated Protection
The smart battery includes integrated protection circuitry to prevent the battery from exceeding
its voltage limits. The battery’s circuitry interrupts either charging or discharging current if the
battery is in danger of exceeding upper or lower voltage or temperature limits.
8.1 Over Voltage and Under Voltage
The smart battery’s circuitry continuously monitors cellblock voltage and can interrupt either
charge or discharge current in the event that a cellblock’s voltage exceeds safe operating limits.
The protection circuitry interrupts current if the voltage on any single cellblock rises above 3.9V
or falls below 2.4V.
If the voltage on a single cellblock falls below 2.4V, the protection circuitry enables
under-voltage protection, preventing continued discharge until you charge the battery. To
avoid degradation you must recharge the battery at once. The protection circuitry disables
under-voltage protection once you charge the battery to the point where all cellblocks are
above 2.6 V.
If the voltage on a single cellblock rises above 3.9V, the protection circuitry enables
over-voltage protection, preventing continued charging until the voltage falls. The protection
circuitry disables over-voltage protection once the voltage falls below 3.6V.
Under-voltage protection creates an open circuit, removing voltage from the terminals.
With a lead-acid battery, finding no voltage at the terminals often indicates the battery has
reached the end of its life. With the smart battery, no voltage at the terminals typically
means the cellblock protection circuitry has interrupted current to protect the battery.
Simply connect the battery to a charger to restore voltage to the terminals.
8.2 Over Temperature
The smart battery’s circuitry continuously monitors the battery’s temperature and can interrupt
current if the battery exceeds 60°C (charging) or 65°C(discharging). Battery temperature must
fall below 50 °C before the protection circuitry restores current.
8.3 Balancing
Over time, the cells inside a battery diverge in both capacity and SOC. An advantage of the
smart battery is the circuitry continuously monitors the capacity and SOC of each individual
cellblock and balances the battery to ensure maximum capacity. Completely balancing the
battery can take up to 48 hours.
8.4 Fusing
30 A 32V, user-replaceable, Mini® blade fuse manufactured by LittleFuse (Part Number
0297030L) protects the smart battery from short circuits if other protections failed. If required,
you must replace the fuse with a new one. The use of other fuses voids your warranty.
The fuse can commonly be found in automotive parts retailers as well as electronics retailers.
Ensure the replacement fuse’s voltage rating is appropriate for your application.
12V Smart Battery
User Guide