• Have you tried out dark mode?! Scroll to the bottom of any page to find a sun or moon icon to turn dark mode on or off!

diy solar

diy solar

Docan Power bad experience, beware.

I have an order of 4 lf280k's and four lf304s coming in soon from Docan's Houston TX warehouse. Id be happy to check them when they arrive. I've seen quite the collection of relasered cells in the past. Some fakes better than the others. A fun collection of them is attached below.

First a real LF280 ordered direct from EVE
IMG_20230327_142316_HDR.jpg

Bunch of fakes, mixed lf280n, lf280k and lf304 qr codes
IMG_20230327_084419_HDR.jpgIMG_20230327_084123_HDR.jpg
IMG_20230327_084440_HDR.jpgIMG_20230327_084427_HDR.jpg

Most of the relaser work is sloppy enough where you can see the surface finish difference. Though as you can see the fakes have gotten better over the years.

Edit: I ment to add it's very clear that those cells were relasered without removing the top plate, if you look in your pictures you can see the color change where the sanding stopped next to the vent.
 
I ment to add it's very clear that those cells were relasered without removing the top plate, if you look in your pictures you can see the color change where the sanding stopped next to the vent.
Yes you can see that color change but it's not easily noticeable. It's when you remove the black cover you can clearly see that sanded spot.
Please share QR code pictures when you get your cells. Who knows, it's possible that US market is in a privileged position compared to European and you have a chance to get unaltered cells.
 
Yes you can see that color change but it's not easily noticeable. It's when you remove the black cover you can clearly see that sanded spot.
Please share QR code pictures when you get your cells. Who knows, it's possible that US market is in a privileged position compared to European and you have a chance to get unaltered cells.
I'll be real, I expected relasered cells, and I went into the purchase expecting that. I also expect not great lf280k's cause that's just the market. Will definitely post both qr codes for you, unknown if I will peel the black cover off. It's needed with how these cells will be used.
 
Some of us have gotten good cells from Docan, I had two purchases of 28 lf280N and they are excellent. I think they were over run/excess cells when they were switching to the lf280k. Probably got lucky.

I would imagine they sell the best cells first so depending on how far into the current batch of cells they are will dictate how good the cells are you get. It’s always buyer beware, and there are scams everywhere. I don’t believe any of these companies are actually selling EV grade cells, they are all either rejects or old stock.
 
I'll be real, I expected relasered cells, and I went into the purchase expecting that. I also expect not great lf280k's cause that's just the market. Will definitely post both qr codes for you, unknown if I will peel the black cover off. It's needed with how these cells will be used.
You don't need to remove the black cover completely. Just pull gently from one side to the center and then you can push it back and it will stick to where it was originally. No signs of removal should be visible.
 
I don’t believe any of these companies are actually selling EV grade cells, they are all either rejects or old stock.

I can pretty much say from our dealings with EVE where I work, that these are not EV rated cells, they don't not sell EV cells at the prices we see at any volume level. That is the 140$-160$ range. They likely come from scrap lots as we all pretty much knew, but if they work well, they work well.
 
I can pretty much say from our dealings with EVE where I work, that these are not EV rated cells, they don't not sell EV cells at the prices we see at any volume level. That is the 140$-160$ range. They likely come from scrap lots as we all pretty much knew, but if they work well, they work well.

Edit, when we ordered raw cells from EVE back in the day, it cost us about $250 per EV grade cell plus china shipping and tarrifs. We still have a few of those around.

Actual edit, well that missed lol
 
Some of us have gotten good cells from Docan, I had two purchases of 28 lf280N and they are excellent. I think they were over run/excess cells when they were switching to the lf280k. Probably got lucky.

I would imagine they sell the best cells first so depending on how far into the current batch of cells they are will dictate how good the cells are you get. It’s always buyer beware, and there are scams everywhere. I don’t believe any of these companies are actually selling EV grade cells, they are all either rejects or old stock.

18650batterystore
Luyuan Store on alibaba
SunFunKits
CurrentConnected for calB

All have grade A EV grade cells with individual cell report expect to pay $175-195 shipped/cell

Or pay $135-$160 for grade B/Fraud Grade cells from Ali sellers.

Grade B prices are insane right now, Grade A is not that much more at this point, unless they come back to 80-100 shipped grade B is a rip IMHO...
 
No, I was referring to that guy from the video, Ray. In the comments on Youtube he was asked to show on video what is under the black cover but he preferred to leave that question unanswered. And he gave a very detailed explanation how great Jenny is that there are imposters on Alibaba pretending to be her. Ridiculous. I think he must be better prepared for such questions and should have a few normal cells without altered QR codes.
I am ok with affiliate program, but in this case we clearly have counterfeit product offered.
And sorry if I offended you, definitely didn't want that.

I asked this question, my post got hidden on his youtube. #RayBuildsCowPatties...
I think their sales have taken a dip after this was exposed so now they are calling in their influencers to pump up sales.
 
The stupid thing about all this is that most people would probably be happy to buy grade b cells and pay grade b prices but some sellers have decided to obscure the true source of these cells.
As with everything else on this forum, the truth always eventually surfaces.
 
I have no complaints with my original Docan order a year ago, but I haven't done capacity tests or anything like that.

If I end up ever buying more cells, I'll probably end up at 18650batterystore.com at this point. Not planning on anything more right now (heck I don't even have my current stuff all done yet...) but if I do that's the more likely source. I don't mind "grade B" I just want someone to be honest about it.
 
The stupid thing about all this is that most people would probably be happy to buy grade b cells and pay grade b prices but some sellers have decided to obscure the true source of these cells.
As with everything else on this forum, the truth always eventually surfaces.

Very much doubt anyone would ever buy grade B from overseas... I would not only way I would buy grade B is if I could return it, which I might end up doing (if I still can) with my grade b 304 from 18650batterystore

Very difficult / impossible to return grade B cells to China, maybe even inside USA, do you have to declare these are grade B cells? Will the carriers accept them?

I have a hard time seeing them sell any cells at all if they disclose they are grade B.
 
Very much doubt anyone would ever buy grade B from overseas... I would not only way I would buy grade B is if I could return it, which I might end up doing (if I still can) with my grade b 304 from 18650batterystore

Very difficult / impossible to return grade B cells to China, maybe even inside USA, do you have to declare these are grade B cells? Will the carriers accept them?
What's wrong with your 304 cells?
 
What's wrong with your 304 cells?

horrible results, 267 AH on a 304 cell pack:

I'm having someone else verify my results just to make sure my equipment is not bad but he emailed me the same one of my cells is only making 270 AH and has a very strange bad quality voltage curve...

Its been over 30 days since my order, I sent them emails never got a response, dodged a bullet as far as I'm concerned as I was going to make a large 64KW pack wit 2x LV6548 inverters. I purchased 66 from SFK instead, perfect cells, I also tested them all average 316-320 AH no funny business with discharge/voltage.

Had I not tested them I would have assumed the 18650 grade B were just as good, in fact 1 of them tested exactly like the EV grade 304 from SFK, but 2 fell short and 1 was just a trash cell.
 
Oh yuck. Don't know if I could even call them "B" grade at that point. "G" (garbage).
At least (so far) it seems the Docan B grades are fairly well matched per order, even if they're not stellar (just want them to be upfront about the "B" grade and not relaser crap!). Sounds like 18650 might just throw a bunch of random cells together? Not cool.
 

I think Ray has been duped by Docan as well go to 4:55 look at the background color of the QR code and compare to the rest of the cell it is different. :unsure:
 

Attachments

  • ray.jpg
    ray.jpg
    333.3 KB · Views: 126

I think Ray has been duped by Docan as well go to 4:55 look at the background color of the QR code and compare to the rest of the cell it is different. :unsure:
Part of the original lasering process does actually draw a different colored square on the top of the cell. I was confused about this originally on some of the LF304s Grade A cells, we had not bought directly from EVE. I went back and looked at our offical EVE LF304s and they matched identically. I can try to post some pictures tomorrow if you want.
 
Real 304 are perfect no color difference, let me find a picture I got this from Amy Wan (btw Luyuan Cells have a little sticker on the back).

Notice the real QR codes look like a DOT MATRIX style they are not perfect almost jaggy edges.
 

Attachments

  • pic3.jpg
    pic3.jpg
    158.6 KB · Views: 117
  • pic2.jpg
    pic2.jpg
    274.2 KB · Views: 119
  • pic1.jpg
    pic1.jpg
    280.5 KB · Views: 120
Sadly I can not peel the whole top of this battery but here is what it looks like under the top of a from the Factory EVE LF304 There is a slight color change, but the qr code is very well defined and perfectly square to match the lid cut out

IMG_20230508_083024_HDR.jpgIMG_20230508_082657_HDR.jpg
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20230508_082714_HDR.jpg
    IMG_20230508_082714_HDR.jpg
    113.4 KB · Views: 84
  • IMG_20230508_082815_HDR.jpg
    IMG_20230508_082815_HDR.jpg
    205.3 KB · Views: 101
Need to peel the cover more, if those are real it will not have any color difference between the back ground and where the QR code is. Real cells do not have a border around it. You need to peel it back, and use cotton with alcohol to gently dissolve away the glue.

The one in Ray video clearly show a background difference its a fake QR code.
 
Finally I decided to look what's under the black cover of the cells.
The outcome was predictable. QR code area looks sanded and I have no doubts the new QR code was printed on top of the old one to hide the "B" mark or to change the product code.
It's up to you to decide whether it is a normal business practice to remove original manufacturer's labels and print your own.
On my pictures here there is a clearly visible oval shaped spot with a parallel scratches, like that area was scraped with abrasive. Rest of the cell surface is even and smooth. I didn't remove the glue, just ripped off the black cover.
On Ray's video you can also see that under the glue area around QR code is different. I am talking about bigger spot, not just the small square which is also looking odd.
But of course to properly check the code on his cells it would be better to remove the glue and look at the code area from different sides with proper lighting angles.

PS. Found a year old thread RayfromTX Gone..? Huh..? on this forum.
Will Prowse banned Ray for pushing Docan here to forum members.
It is the same Ray that builds cool stuff :ROFLMAO:
Ray's quote:
"Apr 15, 2022 Add bookmark #31
I receive a commission on sales from Jenny Wu when my youtube channel is mentioned at the time of contact. I don't have an affiliate link. I try hard to not self promote. In the case of the post that got me banned, I was responding to someone that was having a hard time with a payment method so I posted Jenny's email address so she could sort it out and get the discussion off the forum. Many people come here to find this information. I don't sell anything and technically, I have no affiliate links here or on youtube. My income comes from working in construction. I have turned down many offers to promote companies on my youtube channel but I prefer to not go that route.
My Youtube channel is Ray Builds Cool Stuff."
Will perfectly handled that situation, can't agree more.
Will's quote:
"I don't have a problem with reviewing an actual company and their products and services. Or even linking to them. I only have a problem when a forum member is posting "tell her I sent you" and getting a kickback. Any affiliate links or referrals should not be allowed anywhere on this forum."
 
Last edited:
And my sad story with BMS order finally came to an end thanks to PayPal protection. They backed my refund request and I received my $1.5K back.
One day before the PayPal decision Jenny Wu unexpectedly appeared on Whatsapp after three weeks of complete silence. She made a ridiculous offer that I should pay $600 to close the dispute. I didn't bother to discuss that bullshit with her and next day received my PayPal decision.
So guys, you better use all possible protection (PayPal, your bank etc.) if you decide to take the risks buying form Alibaba. Read carefully what is written in Alibaba contract, it can be different compared to what sales reps are promising during negotiations. Do not rely on Alibaba trade assurance, they can screw you even if it's clearly seller's fault, like it was in my case.
Looks like a happy end but I wasted so much time on the pointless negotiations with Docan and Alibaba, preparing a ton of screenshots for Alibaba dispute and then for PayPal dispute also. It was a very frustrating experience.
 
Last edited:

diy solar

diy solar
Back
Top