HighTechLab
AKA Dexter - CTO of Current Connected, LLC
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2019
- Messages
- 1,636
Taking my first dive with these very large aluminum case cells everyone is looking into. I have a few thoughts, but by no means am I claiming tested and proven facts.
Just ordered 100pcs of CATL 310Ah cells from China, through a vendor I have worked with since 2018...They are advertised as grade "A" but they are not grade A++. The vendor clearly indicated that the QR codes are removed from the cells and they are unobtainable with QR codes in tact (more on this later. According to the vendor, the reason for not being A++ are potentially minor blemishes, but the cells still pull 300-310ah, absolutely guaranteed over 300ah. The price point for this size cell matches a commodity grade cell price as seen elsewhere on these forums.
I was told, but have not proven, that CATL does NOT sell their "cream of the crop" cells other than to EV manufacturers and other similar companies in CHINA ONLY. I was also told, but have not proven, that getting cells that are advertised as "brand new" and "Grade a++" likely are the same cells as I ordered, just with misleading or falsified advertising. I know there have been quite a few threads here on the forum that agree with this statement...where members have bought cells that were supposed to have QR codes arrived without QR codes...But correlation is not confirmation.
My question is, we know the QR code is used for tracking purposes in the factory, but since the price is a good price, what does it really matter? It's not like we can realistically look up this QR code and get any meaningful data out of it? My feeling is that it's just an indication if things have been tampered with, or if there is something to be hidden.
Even if the cells only come in at 300ah, it's still a damn good price point for the capacity. Who cares if the bank is limited to 300ah by one weak cell? This is still 96% capacity of nameplate, and still cheaper than grade A++ 272ah Lishen cells.
My predicted use case scenario really does not make a difference if capacity is a little lower. These would be getting used for stationary storage, such as off-grid power systems, or possibly in an RV where they would be replacing something like a group 8D battery. In this use case application size/weight per AH is not a critical factor.
My vendor is offering a warranty for 5 years on them, and I throw so much business their way that they would be making a big mistake to screw me on a warranty.
Just ordered 100pcs of CATL 310Ah cells from China, through a vendor I have worked with since 2018...They are advertised as grade "A" but they are not grade A++. The vendor clearly indicated that the QR codes are removed from the cells and they are unobtainable with QR codes in tact (more on this later. According to the vendor, the reason for not being A++ are potentially minor blemishes, but the cells still pull 300-310ah, absolutely guaranteed over 300ah. The price point for this size cell matches a commodity grade cell price as seen elsewhere on these forums.
I was told, but have not proven, that CATL does NOT sell their "cream of the crop" cells other than to EV manufacturers and other similar companies in CHINA ONLY. I was also told, but have not proven, that getting cells that are advertised as "brand new" and "Grade a++" likely are the same cells as I ordered, just with misleading or falsified advertising. I know there have been quite a few threads here on the forum that agree with this statement...where members have bought cells that were supposed to have QR codes arrived without QR codes...But correlation is not confirmation.
My question is, we know the QR code is used for tracking purposes in the factory, but since the price is a good price, what does it really matter? It's not like we can realistically look up this QR code and get any meaningful data out of it? My feeling is that it's just an indication if things have been tampered with, or if there is something to be hidden.
Even if the cells only come in at 300ah, it's still a damn good price point for the capacity. Who cares if the bank is limited to 300ah by one weak cell? This is still 96% capacity of nameplate, and still cheaper than grade A++ 272ah Lishen cells.
My predicted use case scenario really does not make a difference if capacity is a little lower. These would be getting used for stationary storage, such as off-grid power systems, or possibly in an RV where they would be replacing something like a group 8D battery. In this use case application size/weight per AH is not a critical factor.
My vendor is offering a warranty for 5 years on them, and I throw so much business their way that they would be making a big mistake to screw me on a warranty.
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