The mysteries of balance wire connections

Mr Harry Morris

Just Joined
Jun 23, 2021
4
0
Hello everyone, a new boy to the forum so be gentle with me ! I have built a 36 volt lithium ion battery using the tried and tested 18650 cells and the solderless Vrusend kit, I also obtained a B M S of suitable voltage and amps and here is where I have come unstuck.
Those Phase wires ! I must admit that having watched various videos on How To Wire A B M S, I feel most uncomfortable when soldering the wires to ( what I believe ) are the correct cells I just don’t feel I’ve got it right.
Without connecting the battery to my eBike the B M S started to get hot so I immediately pulled the multi plug off and let things cool down ! I know the very first Black wire goes to the battery Negative but the sequence after that I find confusing ! The next wire after the Black is Red which is then followed by a Yellow wire and then another Red and so on.
I am pleased with the battery and it shows 42 volts and works very well on my ebike with the B M S disconnected, the battery is made up of 30 cells with 3 cells across, well that’s my rant over and I would be very grateful to anyone who could help with my confusion ! Cheers everyone Harry Morris.
 

Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
20,917
8,533
61
West Sx RH
The small BMS wires to the battery are sense wires used for balancing when charging.
The small Black as you say goes to Battery - or 0v this side of the pack is the even cell count so next connections on this side will be group 2, 4 , 6, 8 & 10 the final + cell.

The next wire is the 1st v+ wire (Red is odd count) so goes to cell positive #1 on the other side of the battery, it is usually soldered to the interconnector between cell +1 /-1. Use your meter to confirm the voltage is max 4.2v, next one (Yellow even count) goes on the other side to cell + #2. Again use your meter to confirm voltage is max 8.4v.
You find odd cell wires (Red) are on one side of the pack and evens (Yellow ) on the opp side.
So your Red wires are cells 1, 3, 5, 7 & 9.
Yellows are 2, 4, 6, 8 & 10.

Use your meter to confirm each voltage before connecting the wires.
 

vfr400

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 12, 2011
9,822
3,993
Basildon
It's best to show a picture of your actual BMS because there are several complications in the way that you connect the different types.