Charger and Communication Interfaces for Custom Battery Packs
A smart battery pack reports its charge level, voltage, current, temperature and faults to your device or charger through a bus such as SMBus or CAN. We set up the interface and the charging profile to match your equipment.
Power only, or power plus data
A pack with no communication gives only power. A smart pack also gives data.
Your device gets power and nothing else. Any charge level comes from a button and LEDs on the pack.
- Remaining charge and battery health
- Pack voltage, current and temperature
- Fault and alarm flags
- Charge settings, so the charger delivers the right current and voltage
Your device can then show a charge gauge, plan runtime and stop work safely before the pack runs out.
Pick the bus your equipment speaks
Choose your type of equipment and we highlight the interfaces it usually uses.
A two-wire bus based on I²C. Many devices can share it, each with its own address.
Similar to SMBus, set up per project.
Robust against noise; suits longer cable runs.
Simple serial link with a standard protocol such as Modbus.
Charge level from a button and LEDs.
What the host reads from the pack
A battery that follows the Smart Battery specification reports data such as voltage, current, temperature, state of charge and estimated run time over SMBus. Your host reads these values, and the charger follows the pack’s requests.
Simplified readout for illustration. Register names and values depend on the pack and the protocol you use.
Match the charger to the pack
Charging a lithium pack correctly depends on the chemistry, the number of series cells and the pack’s current limit.
Based on 4.2 V per cell. Example only: we confirm the settings against the cell datasheet.
Already have a charger?
We can supply a matching charger, or confirm that the charger you already use is compatible. Send the charger model
Small features, better devices
Charge-level indicator
A button with LEDs shows the charge level on the pack.
Wake and sleep control
Low standby drain.
Digital inputs and outputs
GPIO for switches, alarms or enable signals.
Keyed connectors
Connector choice that prevents wrong insertion.
Five details for your interface
Copy the list into your email and fill it in.
- 01Your host system and the interface it uses
- 02Protocol document, or the registers and messages you expect
- 03Charger model, or the charge voltage and current you plan
- 04Connector type and pin out
- 05Whether you need a charge-level display
Only have a charger and no protocol?
Tell us. We recommend a setup that works with it.
Send Your Interface SpecFrequently asked questions
It is a two-wire communication bus, based on I²C, that lets a battery send its status to a host device or charger.
SMBus is common in portable and medical equipment. CAN suits robots, vehicles and industrial equipment, where longer cables and noise are common.
Tell us the charger model or its voltage and current. We confirm compatibility, or recommend a charger.
Yes. With a fuel gauge and an SMBus or CAN interface, the pack reports the charge level to your device. With LEDs, it shows the level on the pack.
Yes, if you can share the interface details. We match the connector, signals and protocol.
Have an interface requirement?
Send the details and get a reply within 24 hours.
