More than two hardware routes
Stark CMR and LilyGo are the names most often discussed, but they are not the only boards supported by the project. The current hardware catalogue also includes BECom, Waveshare, DFRobot and specialist development-board options. The right choice depends on the CAN interfaces, control outputs and enclosure standard your particular battery and inverter need.
Stark CMR v2
A commercial DIN-rail controller built specifically for Battery-Emulator. It combines protected outputs, two CAN interfaces, CAN-FD, RS485 and switchable termination.
LilyGo T-2CAN
A lower-cost ESP32 development board with two isolated CAN interfaces. CAN-FD and extra functions depend on the exact model or add-on hardware.
BECom
An open-source DIN-rail design with three isolated CAN interfaces and RS485.
Other supported boards
Waveshare ESP32-S3, DFRobot Edge101, 3LB, older LilyGo T-CAN485 and generic ESP32 boards cover different budgets and interface requirements.
What Stark CMR adds
- Two CAN busesOne classic CAN and one CAN/CAN-FD interface keep battery and inverter traffic separate where required.
- RS485 / ModbusUseful for supported inverters or batteries that communicate over RS485.
- Protected outputsA 7 A continuous relay channel and three lower-current protected MOSFET channels can control suitable auxiliary loads.
- DIN-rail formatDesigned for a cleaner control-panel installation than an exposed development board.
- Termination switchesCAN and RS485 termination can be changed without modifying the board.
- Emergency-stop inputThe v2 provides a dedicated signal input that can be used by Battery-Emulator’s equipment-stop function.
Stark CMR can simplify automatic pre-charge and contactor control, separate CAN buses and CAN-FD battery integrations. It does not make an unsupported battery and inverter compatible, and it does not replace HV protection, isolation monitoring or system-level design.
Choose from the interfaces backwards
- Find the exact battery in the project’s current supported-battery documentation.
- Find the exact inverter and note its voltage window and communication protocol.
- Check whether battery and inverter can share a CAN bus or require isolated channels.
- Check whether the battery uses classic CAN or CAN-FD.
- List the outputs needed for BMS power, pre-charge, contactors and equipment stop.
- Only then choose the controller board.
A cheap controller is not cheaper if it needs several extra interface boards, relays and hours of troubleshooting. Equally, Stark CMR can be unnecessary for a simple, proven combination that needs only two CAN channels and external control hardware you already have.
Redispose and UK buying
Redispose AB manufactures and sells Stark CMR from Sweden. The company publishes its identity, instruction manual and EU declaration of conformity. The controller was listed at €315 when this page was reviewed. For delivery to Great Britain, Swedish VAT is excluded, while UK import VAT, possible customs charges, courier fees and shipping may be payable.
Commercial disclosure: This is a normal external supplier link. UK Solar Sizer has not identified a public Redispose affiliate programme and receives no stated commission from this link. Price, stock, shipping and return terms should be checked directly before ordering.
CE conformity applies to the Stark CMR controller—not automatically to the completed combination of used EV battery, inverter, protection, wiring and installation.
High-voltage boundary: Controller choice does not make an EV battery a low-risk project. Packs can remain at lethal voltage after removal from a vehicle. This guide does not provide live-HV wiring, interlock-bypass or pack-opening instructions.