I've been sifting through some threads to help pick a vendor for my next battery purchase and I thought I would compile some of the information I found here. I'm located in Canada so the vendor selection is a bit limited as some have shipping prices that are higher than the actual battery price. I'm personally looking for 4x 280Ah batteries, (EVE or Lishen).
In my search for a vendor it seems the quality of service and the products from vendors that have been highly recommended have changed over time. With some of the users changing/revoking their recommendations. Granted these are anecdotal by the users on this forum, and those with issues are more likely to be vocal about it. So the below are some threads that I thought were useful and had good information pertaining to this.
Popular suppliers/vendors
AliBaba:
Luyuan
Store: https://szluyuan.en.alibaba.com/?spm=a2700.wholesale.cordpanyb.2.5ed03e0dXY7NEm
This looks to be a great choice with most receiving their orders without issues.
Shipping to Canada: ~$150USD
diysolarforum.com
diysolarforum.com
Dongguan lightning new energy technology co
Store: https://shandian.en.alibaba.com/productlist.html?spm=a2700.shop_plgr.88.17
Looks like another good choice with most not having issues
diysolarforum.com
diysolarforum.com
diysolarforum.com
Xuba
Store: https://szxuba.en.alibaba.com/?spm=a2700.wholesale.cordpanyb.2.30bb26adIy4WKA
Was highly recommended early to late 2020. However it seems most are receiving damaged cells from this vendor as of late. Dented from either factory or poor packing, customer service seems unhelpful. A few members reported receiving cells with scratched off bar codes as well.
diysolarforum.com
diysolarforum.com
Basen
Store: https://sibeile.en.alibaba.com/productlist.html?spm=a2700.icbuShop.88.16.4cda3183byRKlt
Similar to Xuba with dented cells/poor packing and bad customer service
diysolarforum.com
diysolarforum.com
AliExpress
BLMpow. Store: https://blmpow.aliexpress.com/store/5040275?spm=a2g0o.detail.100005.1.25336551Y4I5I4
I believe this is Basen's Aliexpress partner or alternative shop but not sure. They seem new but offer free shipping to Canada. A few members have purchased from this seller, but haven't received the batteries yet.
Additional information:
DDP: Delivered, Duty paid - Preferred option for shipment as all the fees should be included.
When dealing with the above vendors, mention that you came from DIYSolarforum and that you will be reviewing their products and services. Some vendors will offer discounts.
Get written confirmation on the battery stats (Ah, Grade A/B, New, manufacture date), in case there is a dispute.
Questions:
Hopefully this helps someone else who is new (like me) trying to find a source for LiFePo4 batteries. As I get shipping quotes I will update the prices to give an estimate for those who are looking.
Looking forward to any comments, and help.
Please let me know if there is a mistake/misunderstanding. Happy to correct it.
In my search for a vendor it seems the quality of service and the products from vendors that have been highly recommended have changed over time. With some of the users changing/revoking their recommendations. Granted these are anecdotal by the users on this forum, and those with issues are more likely to be vocal about it. So the below are some threads that I thought were useful and had good information pertaining to this.
Popular suppliers/vendors
AliBaba:
Luyuan
Store: https://szluyuan.en.alibaba.com/?spm=a2700.wholesale.cordpanyb.2.5ed03e0dXY7NEm
This looks to be a great choice with most receiving their orders without issues.
Shipping to Canada: ~$150USD

Introducing the New & Improved Shenzhen Luyuan Technology Co.
Dear Members of DIYSolarForum, With the experience I gained while working with Shenzhen Xuba Electronic Co., which I am infintely grateful for. I was introduced to a group of very enthusuiastic and most helpul people which helped me to grow & improve my own knowledge which helps me to better...


Shenzhen Luyuan Technology Co., Ltd. Discussion Thread
in reading the long XUBA thread I learned that "Amy Amy" is involved with Shenzhen Luyuan Technology Co., Ltd. I just placed an order with them via Alibaba for 48x 120ah cells. the shipping calculator was apparently wrong on the 120ah cells, quoting me $170 for all the cells. after the order...

Dongguan lightning new energy technology co
Store: https://shandian.en.alibaba.com/productlist.html?spm=a2700.shop_plgr.88.17
Looks like another good choice with most not having issues

Alibaba purchase feedback - Dongguan Lightning New Energy Technology Co., Ltd.,
I ordered 20 of these in early August. They left by boat August 7th. And were delivered on the east coast of the United States September 10th. I didn't get a chance to inspect each cell yet (tomorrow). But the 4 I unpacked to start top balancing for a 12v config seem nice.... The one has a...


Warning of under-capacity batteries purchased on Alibaba
I posted this on another location on this site specific to the vendor in question but thought it might be of genera;l interest to anyone currently sourcing batteries. If it's bad form to post in two places, please let me know and I will try to remove one. I was recently made aware of this forum...

report of 200AH cell only having 160AH capacity.

Another purchase from Dongguan lightning new energy technology co
Hello all, I am new to this forum; however, after scouring several of @Will Prowse videos and reviewing the information held on this site, I just purchased 16 pieces, Lishen 3.2v 272AH battery packs from dongguan lightning new energy technology on alibaba. My total price was just under $1700...

Xuba
Store: https://szxuba.en.alibaba.com/?spm=a2700.wholesale.cordpanyb.2.30bb26adIy4WKA
Was highly recommended early to late 2020. However it seems most are receiving damaged cells from this vendor as of late. Dented from either factory or poor packing, customer service seems unhelpful. A few members reported receiving cells with scratched off bar codes as well.

Xuba Electronics: DEAL - 280AH LiFePo4 cells. Purchase & Review
So far, my heat producers are, in order of heat, descending 1. Inverter 2. Converter 3. MPPT 4. BMS I didn't include the battery in the list because so far, it's been cool as a cucumber.

Highly recommended, to not recommended due to poor quality.

Using dented Lishen cells
So my order came in with 3 dented cells. See images below. Supplier (Shenzhen Xuba) is claiming they are safe to use. Is this true? They have stated it must have happened during shipping but this is extremely unlikely, each cells packaging was perfect, I would expect the foam to be marked but...

Cells were from Xuba
Basen
Store: https://sibeile.en.alibaba.com/productlist.html?spm=a2700.icbuShop.88.16.4cda3183byRKlt
Similar to Xuba with dented cells/poor packing and bad customer service

Shenzhen Basen Review
I ordered 8 Eve cells from Basen and wanted to provide feedback so other members are aware of the events. First I ordered Eve and was told after shipping they were sending Lishen, they made this election without asking me. Second, they did refund a small portion for the cells price difference...

dented cells

EVE 280 Ah from Shenzen Basen are not "brand new" as advertised
Hello everyone, I would like to inform you about my experiences with Shenzen Basen "Emely". On January 5th, 2021 I ordered 4 Cells "EVE 280 Ah brand new cells". I was glad that they arrived yesterday, February 19th, 2021. After unpacking the big disappointment came; The poles had scratches...

dented cells and corroded terminals.
AliExpress
BLMpow. Store: https://blmpow.aliexpress.com/store/5040275?spm=a2g0o.detail.100005.1.25336551Y4I5I4
I believe this is Basen's Aliexpress partner or alternative shop but not sure. They seem new but offer free shipping to Canada. A few members have purchased from this seller, but haven't received the batteries yet.
Additional information:
DDP: Delivered, Duty paid - Preferred option for shipment as all the fees should be included.
When dealing with the above vendors, mention that you came from DIYSolarforum and that you will be reviewing their products and services. Some vendors will offer discounts.
Get written confirmation on the battery stats (Ah, Grade A/B, New, manufacture date), in case there is a dispute.
Questions:
- What method of payment with Alibaba do you use? Credit card with Alibaba or direct with seller?
- What should be kept in mind to prove that the seller sent a bad product? What would you do to ensure that you will win a dispute? Issue a dispute within Alibaba, or go straight to your credit card company? (I use aliexpress often, and the dispute process is very easy. I've had no issues with their service and getting what I paid for/refund. This will be the first time I've used Alibaba)
Hopefully this helps someone else who is new (like me) trying to find a source for LiFePo4 batteries. As I get shipping quotes I will update the prices to give an estimate for those who are looking.
Looking forward to any comments, and help.
Please let me know if there is a mistake/misunderstanding. Happy to correct it.