OpenBatteryInformation Tool

The OpenBatteryInformation tool is the software you use with the ArduinoOBI dongle.

Getting it to run correctly can be challenging though because it is a Python script embedded in an executable. Many operating systems flag it as malware, and when you run the script directly, essential dependencies may be missing. Below, you learn how to launch the tool correctly.

Running Binary Application

The tool is available as a stand-alone executable, yet many browsers and operating systems flag it as malware and refuse to download. The tool is benign but its pattern looks suspicious: a python script embedded inside an executable.

If you must run the executable, below are PowerShell scripts that help you do so. However, I strongly advise to run the python script below as shown in the next section.

Downloading Executable

This PowerShell script downloads, unblocks and unzips the file while bypassing browser security:

# store binary in TEMP folder:
$rootFolder = $env:temp

# define paths for our project:

# top folder where everything is stored:
$projectRoot = Join-Path -Path $rootFolder -ChildPath OpenBatteryInformation
# path to zip that gets downloaded:
$pathZip = "$projectRoot\obi.zip"

# create folder
$exists = Test-Path $projectRoot
if (!$exists) { $null = New-Item -Path $projectRoot -ItemType Directory -Force }

# download zip from github
$url = 'https://github.com/mnh-jansson/open-battery-information/releases/download/v0.2.2/OBI.exe.zip'
Invoke-WebRequest -Uri $url -UseBasicParsing -OutFile $pathZip

# remove virus alarm:
Unblock-File -Path $pathZip

# unzip file:
Expand-Archive -Path $pathZip -DestinationPath $projectRoot

# open folder
explorer $projectRoot

Windows Explorer opens the folder where openbatteryinformation.exe was stored.

Disabling Anti-Virus (Not Recommended - But Often Required)

Downloading is just the first challenge. Once downloaded, when you launch openbatteryinformation.exe, your operating system most likely pops up a virus alert and deletes the file. This is standard procedure on consumer Windows for binaries that contain python scripts, regardless of whether it is malicious or not.

In order to run the file, you must disable “real-time virus protection”. I am not walking you through these steps, and it is not recommended. If you do anyway, don’t forget to re-enable the protection when you are done.

Running Python Script Directly

This is the recommended way of running OpenBatteryInformation and does not trigger security alerts.

Use this PowerShell script to conveniently download the python source code:

# store binary in TEMP folder:
$rootFolder = $env:temp

# define paths for our project:

# top folder where everything is stored:
$projectRoot = Join-Path -Path $rootFolder -ChildPath OpenBatteryInformation
# path to zip that gets downloaded:
$pathZip = "$projectRoot\obiSource.zip"
# path to extracted files:
$pathExtracted = "$projectRoot\obiSourceFolder"


# create folder
$exists = Test-Path $projectRoot
if ($exists)
{
  Write-Warning "Project folder exists: $projectRoot"
  Write-Warning "You need to delete this folder if you want to run this script and freshly rebuild the folder."
  $response = Read-Host 'If you want to delete the folder now, and continue, enter Y and press ENTER'
  if ($response -ne 'y') 
  {
    Write-Warning "Script aborted." 
    return 
  }
  else
  {
     Remove-Item -Path $projectRoot -Recurse
  }
}


$null = New-Item -Path $projectRoot -ItemType Directory -Force

# download zip from github
$url = 'https://github.com/mnh-jansson/open-battery-information/archive/refs/heads/main.zip'
Invoke-WebRequest -Uri $url -UseBasicParsing -OutFile $pathZip

# remove virus alarm:
Unblock-File -Path $pathZip

# unzip file:
Expand-Archive -Path $pathZip -DestinationPath $pathExtracted

# find python sources:
$file = Get-ChildItem -Path $projectRoot -File -Filter main.py -Recurse
$folder = $file.DirectoryName

# move them to the root of our project:
$newFolderPath = Join-Path -Path $projectRoot -ChildPath $file.Directory.Name
Move-Item -Path $folder -Destination $projectRoot

# delete the rest:
Remove-Item -Path $pathExtracted -Recurse

# open the folder with the python script and its dependencies:
explorer $newFolderPath

# set current folder:
Set-Location -Path "$projectRoot\OpenBatteryInformation"

Running Python Script

To run the python script, you need python. Run this line to check whether it is already present:

python --version

Prerequisite #1: Installing Python

If the command python isn’t found, run this to set up python on Windows (use a newer python version if by the time you read this 3.13 is no longer up-to-date):

winget install -e --id Python.Python.3.13

Once you successfully installed python, make sure you close and open the PowerShell console. That’s because the installation changes the environment paths, and you get the new python path only when you re-launch the console. In the newly launched console, you should now be able to successfully run python --version.

Prerequisite #2: Installing Dependencies

The script requires access to the serial port, so in order to run it, you need to first install the pyserial library like so:

python -m pip install pyserial

Running Script

Now that you have successfully set up your python environment, you can launch the script. For this, it is crucial that you first set the current directory to the directory with your script, if you haven’t done that already. If you ran the PowerShell script that downloads the source code, then the current folder is already set to this directory. Else, set it manually:

# this is the path where you downloaded the python script (see above)
Set-Location -Path 'C:\Users\...\Temp\OpenBatteryInformation\OpenBatteryInformation'

Finally, launch the script:

.\main.py

Do not run the script with an absolute path name.

Quick Checklist

Here are common quirks, and why they happen:

• I try and launch the python script, but can’t find “python”:
  Make sure you have installed and set-up python first.
• Lots of error messages when I launch the script:
  Make sure you set your own current directory to the directory where the python script is located.
• The GUI opens, but I cannot select an interface. The combo box is empty:
  Make sure you installed the library pyserial before you launch the script.

Working with OpenBatteryInformation

Your Arduino hardware that you built earlier - ArduinoOBI for short - acts as interface between your Makita battery and your PC:

• Connect ArduinoOBI via its USB connector to your PC.
• Slide ArduinoOBI onto your Makita LXT battery.

Launch Software

Depending on which route you chose, either launch OpenBatteryInformation.exe, or launch main.py. This opens the main GUI:

Connect Software to Battery

In the application window:

1. In Makita Selection, select Makita LXT. It is the only option available.
2. In Interface, select Arduino OBI. It is the only option available.
   NOTE: If there is no option at all in this drop box, then you need to install pyserial as a prerequisite for the script.
3. In the Select Port list, choose the COM port assigned to your Arduino.
4. Click Connect.
5. In the top‑center section, click Read battery model and Read battery data to populate all details in the list below.

Unlocking Battery

Occasionally, the internal BMS will lock a battery, making it unusable. While lockouts often indicate legitimate issues such as cell defects, overload events, or other safety‑critical faults, there are also many reports of otherwise healthy batteries being locked purely by software.

In such cases, you can click Clear Errors in the software to attempt to unlock the battery. Proceed entirely at your own risk: overriding a safety lock on a damaged battery can lead to overheating or fire.

Materials

• ArduinoOBI (platformio):
  Complete sample project, ready to be built in platformio: download and unpack this zip, then in VSCode choose File / Open Folder.

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