Anybody purchased cells from EEL Battery?

[barbtalon]

I bought 8 BYD 100 AH cells from them on 1/31. As of 2/9, they still haven't shipped. I specifically bought them as they were listed in US stock and able to ship out at a "maximum of 7 days" after ordering.

I've been in touch with Howard via e-mail. He told me their US warehouse is "recalculating their stock" and so it would take longer than normal to ship my cells.

I only discovered this company and trusted them enough to purchase from because Will had posted a link to their EVE cells on his website. However, he has since taken down that link. This concerns me and makes me think this company is not legit. In addition, their website is hard to find and not discoverable via a google search. Here's a link to their website:

EEL BATTERY|Lifepo4 Battery Cells|DIY Battery Pack|Battery Storage System

We insist on providing solar energy system building solutions to our customers, benefitting from the advanced supply chain and strict quality testing standards, we believe our products and great services will build long-term cooperation with you.

www.eelbattery.com

Does anybody else have experience with EEL Battery? I'll probably ask for a refund if they don't ship out soon, and I hope they comply.

 

[DJSmiley]

EEL 302Ah LiFePO4 order from Ali

Greetings In the latest of my endeavors to stabilize my off-grid power situation, I went in big to replace the 5 (very used) BYD packs. So Aug 19, I ordered 52 3.2v 302ah LiFePO4 packs from EEL in China. I was told I would receive Grade A cells that would test at minumum 295ah each. Here we are...

diysolarforum.com

Personally it wouldn't be my first choise. Did you buy them from their Alibaba store? Or Aliexpress?

Aliexpress is basicly the highest change of getting crap. Seems a lot of sellers use Aliexpress to get rid of their junk.

But any reason you didn't go for Luyan, Basen, Docan, QSO, or similar, where plenty of people have good experiences with?
At this moment of time, Luyuan and Docan seems to be the preferred sellers here on the forums, but with the other ones plenty of people have no issues also with..

Unlike the load of complaints about unknown and Aliexpress sellers...

 

[Rossman]

I bought 8 BYD 100 AH cells from them on 1/31. As of 2/9, they still haven't shipped.

It has been the annual Chinese New Year holiday during the period in question. Business should be getting back to normal starting today, I believe.

 

[DJSmiley]

Yes, everything is now starting again, but not all factories and shipping forwarders are operational yet. 15-16 feb or so is the data most sellers mention as end of CNY. Expect some delays since the companies have some backlog of orders, not everyone is working yet (or is even returing to the factory at all), so things will be back to normal in a few weeks

 

[barbtalon]

I purchased directly from their website, not alibaba or aliexpress. I'm avoiding those websites. I only purchased from EEL because the link on Will's website convinced me that they must be reputable.

I just talked with someone from Solar Supply House over the phone who shed some light on the situation. He said he's been to this warehouse in California and said it is a complete unorganized mess. Makes sense now that they can't find my BYD cells. It doesn't seem to me like this has anything to do with the CNY, especially since this warehouse is in CA.

EEL has at least been pretty responsive the times that I've contacted them, so there's that. Just incompetent logistics, I guess.

 

[Will Prowse]

No they are fine in my experience. I have them back up because they finally updated their affiliate program software. It was down and I kept telling them to update it. They have good cells. I haven't had any issues with them ever.

 

[ericfx1984]

Did this ever get resolved?

 

[Bo H]

Did this ever get resolved?

I tried to purchase batteries - waited - waited - waited - blamed FEDEX at every turn. Fed EX shows a tracking # that is only the shipping label printed. They stopped communicating with me. Won't answer my calls - wont answer on the chat.... I cannot say this experience has been good. I don't know yet if I will get my money back.

 

[Bo H]

No they are fine in my experience. I have them back up because they finally updated their affiliate program software. It was down and I kept telling them to update it. They have good cells. I haven't had any issues with them ever.

Based on your video recommendation - I tried. Once I pressured them for not receiving the items I ordered - they completely stopped replying. I called, tried WHATSAPP, tried EMAIL, tried the embedded chat from their website - and nothing. The only thing I can do is hope my CC company will refund based on no communication and no product received.

 

[Bo H]

I even have the printed out order where it was paid and an order # given. Since no one will reply to me, all I can do is go on their website and put in my order #, and it does not show up. They did initially start talking to me, and when I wasn't happy with their explainations - they disappeared, and have yet to offer a refund.

 

[Will Prowse]

Based on your video recommendation - I tried. Once I pressured them for not receiving the items I ordered - they completely stopped replying. I called, tried WHATSAPP, tried EMAIL, tried the embedded chat from their website - and nothing. The only thing I can do is hope my CC company will refund based on no communication and no product received.

Eel in America or eel from Alibaba?

 

[Bo H]

Eel in America or eel from Alibaba?

I shopped directly from their website. Update - after I submitted a claim through Paypal - I received a very nicely worded email from the manager (Johnny). In fairness I will include it...we will see how it turns out. --- Dear Bo, This is Johnny, I am the manager of eel battery, I feel sorry to make you upset. and I have learned the whole thing from Howard. The package has been delivered to your place, but the careless Courier could not scan the bar code and returned it to our warehouse.
The package has been returned to our warehouse, but the warehouse is rented, so we cannot control the whole progress. We have confirmed that the package has been re-shipped, and we will see the logistics update in the next 12 hours or so.
I am very sorry for the trouble caused by this scanning problem. We have secondary responsibility. I am willing to pay for the shipping cost $60 as our truly apologize.
Johnny

 

[Despotes]

Any update? I'm considering buying an "in stock" battery pack from them

 

[WhyNotDIY]

Just saw EEL battery's website has some CATL cells at a decent price. It's for china stock so I know I have to wait for two months.

4PCS 3.2V CATL Raw Lifepo4 Battery Cells Rechargeable for EV Solar Chi

Battery Specifications Rated capacity: 280Ah per cell impedance:0.1~0.3mΩ Nominal voltage:3.2V Dimensions(L*W*H):174*72*205mm Weight:5.22±0.2kg End-of-Discharge Voltage:2.5V Recommend Constant Current:140A Max Continuous Current:1C Charging Temperature:-5~60°C Discharging Temperature:-30~60°C...

eelbattery.myshopify.com

Anyone have experience with purchasing from their website, not alibaba? @barbtalon what was your experience in terms of shipping?

 

[WhyNotDIY]

I shopped directly from their website. Update - after I submitted a claim through Paypal - I received a very nicely worded email from the manager (Johnny). In fairness I will include it...we will see how it turns out. --- Dear Bo, This is Johnny, I am the manager of eel battery, I feel sorry to make you upset. and I have learned the whole thing from Howard. The package has been delivered to your place, but the careless Courier could not scan the bar code and returned it to our warehouse.
The package has been returned to our warehouse, but the warehouse is rented, so we cannot control the whole progress. We have confirmed that the package has been re-shipped, and we will see the logistics update in the next 12 hours or so.
I am very sorry for the trouble caused by this scanning problem. We have secondary responsibility. I am willing to pay for the shipping cost $60 as our truly apologize.
Johnny

Any update here? I ordered one battery case more than week ago and they are yet to ship. I asked Howard and he said they are arranging the shipping. One their product page they said 10-15 days delivered.

 

[bigljd]

I ordered 8 of the 'B' marked Eve 280ah cells from Eel about a month ago, from their US warehouse. They did ship the order pretty quickly (within a day) and since I'm in NorCal and they ship from Los Angeles, I had them from FedEx in a couple days. I ordered a BMS and flexible bus bars too - they shipped from from China, but I got those in about 2 weeks.

The problem I had, is that one of the Eve cell boxes was dropped during shipping, presumably FedEx dropped it. This resulted in one of the cells being damaged, the corner was bent in, and I'm not going to use that cell in my battery for safety reasons. I immediately notified Howard at Eel, and sent pics of the damage. He insisted everything was fine, just use the cell. This battery will be used in an RV and I'll literally be sleeping above it, so I told him there's zero chance I'll be using this damaged cell in my battery, send me a replacement or refund me for that cell. After a lot of arguing, it was obvious they were not going to help me.

I tried filing a FedEx claim, since it was probably their fault, but FedEx requires a waiver from the seller if a buyer files a claim, so that the seller won't file a 2nd claim for damages. So I asked Howard for a waiver, but in response he said he'd file a FedEx claim. After a few days, I emailed Howard for an update on the claim and got no response, so I'm doubtful he ever filed anything with FedEx, and if he did get money from FedEx, it never got credited to me. So this week I filed a claim with Paypal for the amount of 1 cell ($149). After a couple days of no response from Eel regarding the claim, I elevated it with Paypal, so it's currently in review with them. I'm assuming if Eel doesn't respond to the claim, they'll rule in my favor and credit me $149, but we'll see.

The cells that I got from them seem OK. I don't have a way to do capacity testing, but I did build a compression box and have assembled the battery and BMS, with the damaged cell temporarily in place. I'm slowly building out the electrical system for a camper van, but won't get the van until next year so I don't have any inverters or anything to really test it with yet. I ended up ordering 2 more cells from Amy at Luyuan and they are somewhere on a ship right now headed my way. Once I get them I'll replace the damaged cell.

So my experience with Eel is that they are legit, the cells and JK BMS and accessories I ordered where good quality and for me they were shipped promptly. BUT, if you're unlucky like me and there's damage during shipping you're pretty much on your own, so you're rolling the dice here. After my experience, I won't be ordering from them again.

 

[GalushenkoZ]

Do not, and repeat DO NOT buy anything from them! They are selling used, bulged Lifepo4 cells and call them "100% Brand New Grade A" cells! I made a mistake recently and bought 8 EVE LF280K cells from their website (I new I shouldn't listen to my coworker about how "good" they are). Only 2 of them were so-so (still not grade A), the rest - used, swollen, utter junk! Stay away. Period.

 

[solardanman]

I wish I would of found this post prior. I just received my order of 8pcs CATL320Ah Grade A LFP battery cells from Howard at eel battery and several are bulged but my question for all of you is that when you order a 320ah and the qr code 001CB31000000BCAN1304823 shows capacity 280ah label says 306ah is this normal? I am testing one now. Also the date is 22/10/2022. I did find this on the their site: These are the latest Chemistry 280AH cells from CATL. The Conservative service life of greater than 10000+ cycles https://eelbattery.myshopify.com/products/3-2v-320ah-grade-a-lifepo4-battery-cells-china-shipping

 

[Quattrohead]

Sounds scammy to me. Complain and reverse charges to get their attention.

 

[DJSmiley]

To me that would indicate 280Ah batteries which are sold as 320Ah. That has been a common practice 'yeah they generally archieve 320Ah so we just sell them as 320'..

In reality, any decent cell reaches slightly over their rated capacity, especially at the first cycles.

I would claim them to refund for at least the difference between 320 and 280. (12%) and otherwise file a claim at the cc company.

 

[solardanman]

I appreciate the replies. Starting to feel a little better. I have a reply from Howard and he mentioned

"Did you check the real QR code under the stickers?
because the CATL has not released this version to the market yet,
so we put the 280 stickers on it.

You can please test these cells and check the capacity.


Best Regards
Howard"

Here what it shows. Am I reading it correctly. My scanner does not scan this one using the lifepoqr battery reader.

LiFePO4 Cells QR Codes Decoder : GobelPower.com

GobelPower.com : LiFePO4 Cells QR Codes Decoder - China Lithium Battery Distributor and manufacturer, Offers LiFePO4 Battery, 18650 Battery, 12V/24V/48V/72V Rechargable Lithium Battery for Home Solar Energy Storage, Electric Bikes, Scooters, Forklifts, Sweepers, Mowers and Boats.

www.gobelpower.com

Code Check...
Code: 001-cb-7c000-000bc-an130-4823
Code seems right.
Code length is right.
Manufacturer:
CATL
Product Type:
Battery Cell
Battery Type:
LiFePO4
Nominal Capacity:
Don't Know Yet
Nominal Voltage:
3.2V
Production Date:
22/Oct/2022
Manufacturer Website:

宁德时代·CATL

宁德时代新能源科技股份有限公司是全球领先的新能源创新科技公司，致力于为全球新能源应用提供一流解决方案和服务。

www.catl.com

below is an example of the stickers over the original qr code. At lease they are not scratched off

here is the latest reply

"
The website or App does not have this CATL version data,
and the code defined has been changed as well.

It will be better for you to test these cells,
fully charge/discharge if you want to confirm the real capacity

Best Regards
Howard"

I am testing one now, see you in a week since I only have a 10 amp charger and 20 amp discharge tester.

 

[Quattrohead]

Wasting your time to claim against them and making you do all the work.....
Start the process to refund and return.
Outright lies.

 

[solardanman]

Wasting your time to claim against them and making you do all the work.....
Start the process to refund and return.
Outright lies.

I am such a newbie to all this but it does sound fishy. I am steering that way for sure with attempting to get a refund but I hear that is nearly impossible when it ships from China. What bugs me the most the the manufacture date. I have been watching Ray builds stuff and Andy at off-grid garage for most of my info. I did find the link on Andys site for the EEL batteries and started the process. Ray does not recommend them from what I just watched on his channel. He did mentioned Jenny Wu so got a quote from her and I am thinking this time going with Eve instead. What do you think of the manufacture date being so old or is that normal? I just got the batteries a few days ago.

 

[Quattrohead]

There were no 320ah cells in 2022 afaik. Some really good ones may test to 320ah for the first cycle or 2 if flogged from 3.6 to 2.5v.

 

[Kennyh327]

Ordered 16, Grade A 280ah cells from EEL. Boxes arrived in perfect condition. 2 of the cells had dents/damage that must have been there before packaging. Howard always responded very fast until I requested replacements.
His first response was he could give me a better price for my NEXT order.
Told him I wouldn't be ordering anything else and to please ship me 2 replacements.
Was then told they could not ship only 2 cells. I had to place another order for them to ship me 2 replacements.
After this he ignored ALL my emails. I filed a PayPal complaint and then EEL agreed to refund the cost of 2 cells.
Besides the 2 damaged cells, the rest were acceptable but certainly not Grade A cells.
From my experience, I can only recommend finding a different supplier.