In one aspect, an embodiment of this invention comprises an energy storage device balancing apparatus. The energy storage device balancing apparatus comprises a balancing circuit and an alarm circuit. Both the balancing circuit and the alarm circuit are coupled to the energy storage device. The balancing circuit is configured to monitor a voltage of the energy storage cell and dissipate energy from the energy storage cell if the voltage is at or above a first reference voltage. The alarm circuit is configured to generate an alarm when the voltage of the energy storage cell is at or above a second reference voltage and dissipate energy from the energy storage cell when the voltage is at or above the second reference voltage.