I’ve read a ton of warnings about buying cells on Aliexpress, and I know it’s not the best place to get them. But I just want to spread the word about how important it is to choose a reliable supplier. And why are prices on Aliexpress so cheap? It’s like they’re too good to be true!
I’m just starting to explore this topic, so I thought I’d give a few things a try. I’m not too worried about buying something that’s not exactly what it’s cracked up to be, so I went ahead and purchased an EVE LF304 from a seller.
The cell arrived pretty quickly, but it was in a bit of a rough package. I think there are some regulations about how cells are supposed to be packaged, but it didn’t seem too bad.
I watched some of Andrews Off-Grid-Garade videos and read the data he provides to get an idea of what I was looking for and how to set up the charger. I also looked at the spec sheet of the cell to understand the settings for the EB Tester Software.
I wasn’t sure about the 5Ah cutoff, but I don’t think it’ll make much of a difference in capacity if I had set it to a different value. So, there you have it! I suspected that I was sold a 280Ah cell instead of a 304Ah. My next thought was to remove the black cover on top of the cell to see what’s underneath.
So, it’s no surprise that the original QR code was replaced with a different one from a different cell type. A few days back, I got another LF304 from a different seller, and I tested it too. As you can see, it gave different results compared to the first tampered cell.
I’ve come to the conclusion that most buyers don’t have the means to test the cells or have testing equipment.
Choosing the right seller is crucial. You can’t rely on the QR codes on the cells, especially since there’s no serial number registration database or similar. It would be fantastic if manufacturers had to register the serial number in their database and if you could query that number to see how often that QR code or number has been checked. A high number would suggest that others have scanned the QR code multiple times already. Right now, anyone can create a QR code with random data and it will pass validation since there’s no cross-check with the manufacturer.
I’m not seeking advice on the refund process. My goal with this thread is to raise awareness about the issues surrounding the sales of the cells. As the refund isn’t processed yet, I’ll update this thread with any updates I receive.
Buying
There are a lot of sellers on Aliexpress, and surprisingly, some of them have the same name as each other. Like Diankaishou Cell No.9 Store or Diankaishou Wholesale Channel. And there are more!I’m just starting to explore this topic, so I thought I’d give a few things a try. I’m not too worried about buying something that’s not exactly what it’s cracked up to be, so I went ahead and purchased an EVE LF304 from a seller.
The cell arrived pretty quickly, but it was in a bit of a rough package. I think there are some regulations about how cells are supposed to be packaged, but it didn’t seem too bad.
Testing
I didn’t have the charger yet, so I couldn’t test the cell right away. It took about two months for my EBC-A40L to arrive. When it did, I connected the cell to the charger and started testing.I watched some of Andrews Off-Grid-Garade videos and read the data he provides to get an idea of what I was looking for and how to set up the charger. I also looked at the spec sheet of the cell to understand the settings for the EB Tester Software.
I wasn’t sure about the 5Ah cutoff, but I don’t think it’ll make much of a difference in capacity if I had set it to a different value. So, there you have it! I suspected that I was sold a 280Ah cell instead of a 304Ah. My next thought was to remove the black cover on top of the cell to see what’s underneath.
So, it’s no surprise that the original QR code was replaced with a different one from a different cell type. A few days back, I got another LF304 from a different seller, and I tested it too. As you can see, it gave different results compared to the first tampered cell.
Communication with seller
I reached out to the seller about this issue and shared some pictures and test results. He said that the QR code was removed from the manufacturer because the cells were originally made for companies and are now sold for retail. (I’m not going to go into that story…). He also mentioned that it’s common for a 304Ah battery to only have 280Ah. When I told him I’d report this case to Aliexpress, he offered me either a return or a partial refund for the cell. When I confronted him about being a scammer, he only responded with a laugh emoji. It seems clear to me now that the seller is aware of this. So, I stopped talking to him and will let Aliexpress handle the rest.Aliexpress and return
So, what can I do next? I paid around $70 including shipping for the cell, and 15 days for the return have passed a long time ago. It’s now been 3 months since the delivery date. However, after contacting Aliexpress, they reopened the return request for me, so I was able to file a claim. I’m waiting for the seller’s response now and will see how Aliexpress handles it. My hope is to get a full refund without having to send back the product. I’ll update this thread once there’s a decision.About the seller
I was surprised to see that there are many positive reviews for this seller and that he’s selling quite a few cells. I read somewhere that Aliexpress isn’t allowing buyers to review a product if there’s a dispute or return request open. This might explain why there aren’t many negative reviews. However, I did find one review that mentioned the exact same “problem” I was facing.I’ve come to the conclusion that most buyers don’t have the means to test the cells or have testing equipment.
Final words
I recently heard from a friend who bought 16x320Ah batteries from Aliexpress. I’m not aware of any EVE 320Ah cells or other companies that sell them. He’ll be able to test the cells soon, and I’ll let you know how it goes! I assume they are just 304Ah or lower than that.Choosing the right seller is crucial. You can’t rely on the QR codes on the cells, especially since there’s no serial number registration database or similar. It would be fantastic if manufacturers had to register the serial number in their database and if you could query that number to see how often that QR code or number has been checked. A high number would suggest that others have scanned the QR code multiple times already. Right now, anyone can create a QR code with random data and it will pass validation since there’s no cross-check with the manufacturer.
I’m not seeking advice on the refund process. My goal with this thread is to raise awareness about the issues surrounding the sales of the cells. As the refund isn’t processed yet, I’ll update this thread with any updates I receive.
