System and method for balancing battery cell charge in battery array for electrified machine

A method of balancing battery cell charge in a battery array for an electrified machine, including:

• powering at least a portion of the electrified machine using the battery array;
• powering a plurality of cell monitors using individual battery cells, or groups of battery cells, of the battery array;
• monitoring the individual battery cells, or groups of battery cells, using the plurality of cell monitors;
• passing information about the individual battery cells, or groups of battery cells, from the plurality of cell monitors to a battery controller, wherein the information traverses the plurality of cell monitors in a first pattern;
• and
• after the first passing step, passing information about the individual battery cells, or groups of battery cells, from the plurality of cell monitors to the battery controller, wherein the information traverses the plurality of cell monitors in a second pattern that is different than the first pattern.

An electrified machine, including:

• a machine frame;
• ground-engaging elements supported by the machine frame;
• a battery array including a plurality of individual battery cells, or groups of battery cells, supported by the machine frame for powering the ground-engaging elements;
• a plurality of cell monitors in communication with the individual battery cells, or groups of battery cells, wherein the plurality of cell monitors are powered by the individual battery cells, or groups of battery cells;
• and
• a battery controller receiving information about the individual battery cells, or groups of battery cells, from the plurality of cell monitors, wherein the information traverses the plurality of cell monitors in a first pattern to the battery controller and, after a predetermined period of time or occurrence of a predetermined event, the information traverses the plurality of cell monitors in a second pattern that is different than the first pattern to the battery controller.