Do sodium-ion starter batteries need a battery management system (BMS)?

Do sodium-ion starter batteries need a battery management system (BMS)? It is a frequently asked question. When comparing sodium-ion starter batteries with AGM or EFB batteries, we find that AGM and EFB batteries do not need a built-in BMS. Some people also hear that sodium-ion batteries are so safe that they don't need a BMS to work properly. Before answering this question, we need to have a comprehensive understanding of how sodium-ion starter batteries work in vehicles. 

How do sodium-ion starter batteries start a vehicle? 

Sodium-ion starter batteries have excellent pulse discharge performance, providing stable and reliable cold-cranking current for vehicles within a temperature range of -40°C to +70°C. Discharging a sodium-ion starter battery below -40°C accelerates its degradation, while discharging it above 70°C not only accelerates its degradation but may also cause thermal runaway. 

 

In order to ensure that the sodium-ion starter battery can be discharged safely and stably, it is absolutely necessary to equip it with a BMS with discharge temperature protection. 

 

In addition, the NaPALION series of sodium-ion starter batteries are equipped with an Emergency Start function. When the vehicle is parked for a long time or the battery is over discharged, the user can briefly enable the Emergency Start function on the NaPALION app, and the vehicle will then be successfully started. The Emergency Start function requires the use of a smart BMS. 

 

How does the alternator charge the sodium-ion starter battery? 

 

Sodium-ion starter batteries also have excellent fast-charging capabilities and can be efficiently charged by an alternator within a temperature range of -10°C to +60°C. Charging a sodium-ion starter battery below -10°C will accelerate its degradation, while charging above 60°C will not only accelerate its degradation but may even cause thermal runaway. 

 

Sodium-ion starter batteries cannot be quickly charged in the temperature range of -10℃ - 0℃, and their charging current should be limited, otherwise the degradation of the sodium-ion starter batteries will be accelerated. 

 

Furthermore, the maximum charging voltage for 12V sodium-ion starter batteries should not exceed 15.4V, otherwise the battery will be at risk of overcharging. While the maximum output voltage of an alternator does not exceed 14.6V, the possibility of a higher output voltage exists when the alternator malfunctions. Therefore, charging voltage protection for 12V sodium-ion starter batteries is essential. 

 

In order to ensure that the sodium-ion starter battery does not exceed its charging temperature, charging voltage range, it is necessary to equip it with a BMS with charging temperature, charging voltage protection functions. 

 

How to monitor sodium-ion starter batteries in real time through the NaPALION App? 

 

It's difficult to predict when an AGM or EFB battery will fail, which can cause some unavoidable trouble when driving your vehicle. A simple way to monitor sodium-ion starter batteries in real time, allowing for quick assessment of their state of health (SOH), would be a significant benefit to users. 

Bluetooth communication technology can achieve this goal. By connecting the sodium-ion starter battery to a customized app via Bluetooth, you can monitor your sodium-ion starter battery in real time on your phone or tablet. The app provides information such as battery charge, or discharge status, state of charge (SoC), temperature, cycles, state of health (SOH), and historical logs. 

 

The NaPALION App also has a built-in OTA function, which allows users to perform OTA upgrades on the battery firmware. This will give users the opportunity to use the latest battery firmware version in the lifespan of their battery. 

 

The Bluetooth communication module needs to be embedded in the BMS to enable information interaction between the sodium-ion starter battery and the NaPALION App. 

 

How to ensure the long life of sodium-ion starter batteries? 

 

Just like lithium battery chemistry, sodium-ion starter batteries are also subject to temperature, voltage, and current limitations. However, if the sodium-ion starter battery is operated within acceptable conditions, its lifespan of up to 2,000 cycles can be guaranteed. 

 

The joining in of a sodium-ion BMS ensures that the sodium-ion starter battery operates within the ideal range, whether in voltage, current, or temperature. It's important to note that a sodium-ion BMS is a necessary but not sufficient condition. Simply having a BMS doesn't guarantee the lifespan of a sodium-ion starter battery. A high-quality sodium-ion starter battery requires high-quality sodium-ion cells, a reliable BMS, advanced mechanical design, and efficient thermal management. 

 

What kind of battery management system (BMS) is needed for sodium-ion starter batteries? 

 

BMS can be divided into two categories based on their functions: one is the hardware BMS and the other is the intelligent BMS. 

 

The hardware BMS can provide overcharge, over-discharge, overcurrent, and temperature protection, but its protection parameter thresholds are determined by the hardware IC and cannot be changed. The hardware BMS does not have Bluetooth communication and cannot calculate information like SoC, SOH. 

 

The intelligent BMS typically includes an MCU and AFE chipset, with the option of integrating a Bluetooth communication module. They not only precisely customize overcharge, overdischarge, overcurrent, and temperature protection thresholds, but also calculate battery SoC and SOH information, communicating this information with the NaPALION App via Bluetooth. The BMS built-in storage system, combined with an RTC, not only achieves historical log but also enables OTA updates on the NaPALION App. 

Although the cost of an intelligent BMS is much higher than that of a hardware BMS, in order to fully utilize the performance and cycle life advantages of sodium-ion starter batteries, we highly recommend to equip them with an intelligent BMS. 

About DEFORD New Power Co., Ltd.

 

DEFORD New Power Co., Ltd. is committed to design and manufacture advanced, safe and reliable lithium-ion, sodium-ion battery systems. We are veterans of battery industry, and our core team has more than 20 years battery expertise.

 

Thanks to our deep understanding to battery technology, battery management system (BMS), and expertise on mechanics and thermodynamics. With the assistance of our advanced manufacturing facilities and cloud-based manufacturing execution system (MES). We do have the ability to guarantee the high quality, safety and reliability of your battery systems. 

 

For any inquiries about sodium-ion starter batteries, please contact us by info@deford.com.cn