Abstract: A contactor assembly is provided for a battery module of an electric work vehicle comprising a battery management system. The battery module is configured to be charged and discharged via a first circuit. The first circuit comprises the contactor assembly, the contactor assembly comprising a first contactor in series with a second contactor. Each of the first contactor and the second contactor is configured to have a higher resistance to welding for a switching current flowing in a preferred direction than in a nonpreferred direction. The first contactor and the second contactor have opposite preferred directions. In response to an instruction to switch the contactor assembly, the battery management system is configured to determine whether the switching current direction is in the first direction or in the second direction, and to break or complete the first circuit with the contactor having a preferred direction in the switching current direction.

Abstract: A method of performing a ground fault test on an aggregated battery for an electric work vehicle. The aggregated battery is not connected to the electric work vehicle, and includes a plurality of battery packs. A plurality of contactors are configured to facilitate connection to a circuit and disconnection from the circuit of each of the plurality of battery packs. A ground fault detection tool is connected to the circuit and to a battery management system service tool. If the isolation monitor detects existence of a ground fault, the plurality of contactors are opened. Closure of the plurality of contactors is sequenced to include each of the plurality of battery packs in the circuit with the isolation monitor in turn. The isolation monitor is used to determine whether the battery pack that is included in the circuit comprises a faulty battery pack. The faulty battery pack is disconnected.

Abstract: A method of performing a ground fault test on a plurality of battery packs of an aggregated battery of an electric work vehicle. A circuit is configured to connect the aggregated battery to an isolation monitor. A plurality of contactors are configured to facilitate connection to the circuit and disconnection from the circuit of each of the plurality of battery packs. If the isolation monitor detects existence of a ground fault, the user of the electric work vehicle is notified of the existence of the ground fault. The plurality of contactors are opened. The closure of the plurality of contactors is sequenced to include each of the plurality of battery packs in the circuit with the isolation monitor in turn. The isolation monitor is used to determine whether the battery pack that is included in the circuit is a faulty battery pack. The faulty battery pack is disconnected.

Abstract: A contactor assembly is provided for a battery module of an electric work vehicle comprising a battery management system. The battery module is configured to be charged and discharged via a first circuit. The first circuit comprises the contactor assembly, the contactor assembly comprising a first contactor in series with a second contactor. Each of the first contactor and the second contactor is configured to have a higher resistance to welding for a switching current flowing in a preferred direction than in a nonpreferred direction. The first contactor and the second contactor have opposite preferred directions. In response to an instruction to switch the contactor assembly, the battery management system is configured to determine whether the switching current direction is in the first direction or in the second direction, and to break or complete the first circuit with the contactor having a preferred direction in the switching current direction.