New 152Ah LiFePo4 3.2 A-Grade cells for $42

[Frank in Thailand]

After long concideration, I decided to go with the Chargery BMS16T 2S - 16S 300A
Chargery website have link to go to Alibaba or Aliexpress
I'll order the Chargery BMS16T 2S - 16S there.

Update: (09-03)
No Chargery, but from the same company, I ordered the "A/2A Active Balance Battery Protection Board Smart BMS"
It have BT, all options (except low temp?? and not yet CAN bus
the 24S 1A 300A model costs me $119.28

While it doesn't have BT, it does have RS232 !!!
Unlike the Daly, it also shows the information on the display.
With the Daly you are kept in the dark, and just need to cross your fingers and hope all works OK.
From my previous choice, the $72 BMS, this is $100,- more expensive.
It will protect $ 1600 on Lifepo4.

Lucky I have one DB9 Interface RS232 Bluetooth left over from previous project .


I'm not totally sure if it can work.
In an other thread I read that it can work with USRIOT RS232/485 to CPIP/Ethernet Server
on Aliexpress, low price of 36.47 incl transport



The contactors / relay's, I found a nice price, $18.74 include transport.
300A continuous use .


I will buy them, but probably never use them.
My Revo II MPPT Inverter have cut off voltage.

I am a bit worried about overcharge..
I can set the maximum voltage for charging to 60V, (real is 59v)
and it have special settings for lithium.

If the BMS decide the voltage is too high..., we go "dark"
I'll need to ask them if it automatically re-connects.

Only real protection I need is high temperature.
The rest is managed by the Revo II
and for sure, the BMS need to manage the individual cells and keep them balanced.

 

[Old Jarhead]

I just received 16 of these 152ah cells today. All are at 3.29V. All look new. They weigh 6 lbs 7.2 oz (2.925 kg) each. They look good. The only problem is that there were no bus bars, screws, nor washers included in the boxes.
I will email Haomi about this, but in the meantime, any suggestions on how to set them up?
The BMS I ordered is set to ship on 29 April, so I'm looking at other BMS options, too.

For those interested, I paid $1,118 ($69.88/cell) for them delivered to my door in Utah, USA.
I ordered them on 20 Feb and got them 14 days later.
Good, quick response to my questions. They told me they are new, 1st quality cells.

 

[Frank in Thailand]

I just received 16 of these 152ah cells today. All are at 3.29V. All look new. They weigh 6 lbs 7.2 oz (2.925 kg) each. They look good. The only problem is that there were no bus bars, screws, nor washers included in the boxes.
I will email Haomi about this, but in the meantime, any suggestions on how to set them up?
The BMS I ordered is set to ship on 29 April, so I'm looking at other BMS options, too.

For those interested, I paid $1,118 ($69.88/cell) for them delivered to my door in Utah, USA.
I ordered them on 20 Feb and got them 14 days later.
Good, quick response to my questions. They told me they are new, 1st quality cells.

Yes, I talked about the bus bars and screws during the order process.
If you want to buy them separate from Aliexpress, price is quite high!! $39,- for 20. The connectors in the link look like the ones I received)
They sell low price, probably if you don't talk about it, they don't send!!
( received no washers, and without them, the included screws are just 0.5mm too long)

 

[Frank in Thailand]

I'm not going to order the Chargery.
For use with separate port, using the relays makes sense
While they might be able to use with common cable, makes no sense to use 2 relays, or use relays at all.
For common port there are a lot better BMS available!

I talked to the guys from Chargery, (on aliexpress they are called "IC GOGOGO Store "and they have new type BMS!!
It is not yet available for shipment!! (they expect 10 March 2020)
It also ain't the cheapest option, price start at $95

For me the 300A model, can do 150A charging and 1A balancing, is the best. ($119.28)
It have BT app, and optional CAN or RS485 communication (My Revo II have also CAN bus protocol))

Maybe they will work on a more sexy name once launched.
Its now called:
1A/2A Active Balance Battery Protection Board Smart BMS

It is now available for shipment!! (09 March 2020)

update 23-05
all info about the BMS here
(In short, good idea, product not yet ready for sales)
some images from the product:

 

[Turd Furguson]

Any capacity tests yet?

my 152ah cells arrived and they pass visual inspection; all measuring 3.295v. But my BMS hasn’t arrived yet.

I was surprised to see that aluminum case cells aren’t “perfectly” flat when stacking together, but based on pictures of other cells this appears to be the norm - I guess some tolerance is to be expected.

 

[BiduleOhm]

I was surprised to see that aluminum case cells aren’t “perfectly” flat when stacking together, but based on pictures of other cells this appears to be the norm - I guess some tolerance is to be expected.

Fun fact: if you discharge them they should be a bit flatter.

 

[Frank in Thailand]

Yes, BMS apparently are slow transport ..
For me, visual inspection 100% Ok.
I am now charging the cells as set of 4 up to 3.6 volt.
The last 0.05 I won't do for safety reasons.. (no BMS)
(Check voltage every few hours)
With 2.5A per cell (10A Charger) it will take some time!!

Atleast when my 150W discharger arrives, I can test 2.
1100 watt should take 10 to 11 hours.
(I've read warnings of users to not to push the discharger, 100-110w is fine.
150 W will give issues for long time use. (I consider 8 hours long time).

I don't have the cells above 3.60 and won't go under 2.6v.
90% capacity, should be around 135-140Ah.

Maybe I can get it to 3.65, and can set to 2.52..
Then it should be + 145Ah.

Fingers crossed, but for weight, size, looks and first discharge test (just hooked up some electronic devices) all went OK.

Exiting next week!!

 

[EllaBella]

Looks like I need to stop looking for cells on AliExpress and start looking on Alibaba instead! Why is there such a price difference between the two?

For x16 100ah cells on AliExpress it was going to cost between £900 to £1200!

 

[Bob B]

Looks like I need to stop looking for cells on AliExpress and start looking on Alibaba instead! Why is there such a price difference between the two?

For x16 100ah cells on AliExpress it was going to cost between £900 to £1200!

In some cases they include the price of shipping instead of quoting it seperately.

 

[Frank in Thailand]

Looks like I need to stop looking for cells on AliExpress and start looking on Alibaba instead! Why is there such a price difference between the two?

For x16 100ah cells on AliExpress it was going to cost between £900 to £1200!

Yes, there is a big price difference, also difference in knowledge of basic English. On AliExpress more (not all) sellers know basic English.

Please read this post careful before ordering!!

How to order Chinese Batteries

@Will Prowse asked me to post my batteries deals here so I thought I would kind of go a step further .. So I deal with several Chinese companies when ordering things. For some bizarre reason my corporate guys thinks that I know Chinese (LOL). I was born and raised in LA – I can barely order...

diysolarforum.com

On my question on how to do QA test:

Me: "can you tell me what you consider a proper testing procedure for quality control and received Ah?"

Seller: "Battery usage is very good"

 

[EllaBella]

In some cases they include the price of shipping instead of quoting it seperately.

I've never trusted the "free PnP" on AliExpress, you always pay for it in the cost of the product. But I've never had to pay import tax on items either.

Never ordered of Alibaba, do they always quote the PnP separately?

 

[JJthegreat]

Yes, BMS apparently are slow transport ..
For me, visual inspection 100% Ok.
I am now charging the cells as set of 4 up to 3.6 volt.
The last 0.05 I won't do for safety reasons.. (no BMS)
(Check voltage every few hours)
With 2.5A per cell (10A Charger) it will take some time!!

Atleast when my 150W discharger arrives, I can test 2.
1100 watt should take 10 to 11 hours.
(I've read warnings of users to not to push the discharger, 100-110w is fine.
150 W will give issues for long time use. (I consider 8 hours long time).

I don't have the cells above 3.60 and won't go under 2.6v.
90% capacity, should be around 135-140Ah.

Maybe I can get it to 3.65, and can set to 2.52..
Then it should be + 145Ah.

Fingers crossed, but for weight, size, looks and first discharge test (just hooked up some electronic devices) all went OK.

Exiting next week!!

Subscribed to this thread. So far this would be the best deal per KWH for new cells. Hopefully it's legit. However these are two years old just unused? Not 100% clear.

 

[Frank in Thailand]

I've never trusted the "free PnP" on AliExpress, you always pay for it in the cost of the product. But I've never had to pay import tax on items either.

Never ordered of Alibaba, do they always quote the PnP separately?

I'm sorry, the term "Free PnP" is new for me.
If you never have had to pay tax at Aliexpress, you probably ordered below tax level (about 45-50$) everything cheaper is without tax in most countries in the world.

Alibaba, Yes. Different.
All prices are quoted as EXW.
The different options have different pricing. options are called "Incoterms"

With EXW you need to arrange your own transport company and pick-up at the factory.


I normally let the seller find a transport company, and I know after a few years what transport costs.
Many times they quote you too high price.
It's always good to also contact transport companies on Alibaba.
Just search in Alibaba on "Transport" and you see 2 choices, air and sea transport.
Sea is the cheapest, and especially with large items ( like I had, excavator) but can take long time.
Also, with only transport, you need to have all the paperwork to get the goods.
If you are unfamiliar with wholesale, bigger orders, best to choose DAP or DDP Then it will arrive at your doorstep.

For DAP I avoid DHL !!!
They may have the lowest quotation, but screw you with the tax.
compare ; TAX inverter
UPS $96
DHL $240
(sadly I needed to order 2 times, first product (EASun) was crap and destroyed my 16x200Ah lead acid by charging it at 78v (48v system)
Second order the Revo II from Sorotec. I can highly recommend!!
(they even payed back the $140 tax difference, as I told tem not to use DHL, but they did)

 

[Frank in Thailand]

Subscribed to this thread. So far this would be the best deal per KWH for new cells. Hopefully it's legit. However these are two years old just unused? Not 100% clear.

Yes, I understand this can be confusing.
The QA test paper I received is 2 years old.
That doesn't mean that the cells are 2 years old.
Even if production started 2 years ago (test is normally done with the first production), 2 years is YOUNG (!!) for LiFePo4
After 3 years of usage in medical equipment, cells are replaced by new.
They can easily be +5 years old, as equipment is not sold directly after production.
Those cells still have + 80% capacity, and have had + 1000 cycles.

2 years in storage still will give you 99% of the normal duty cycle.
How many cycles you can do highly depends on your usage.
For solar, charge max 90%, discharge max 20% it can be many many years (in theory + 4000)
(after 4000 cycles much time (8 years) have passed, newer cells (the ones you buy after 8 years) probably can do +5000)

As far as I can see they are brand new, never used cells.
How old the stock is? that is extremely difficult to get a honest answer to.
If you ask a seller, they will tell you they are brand new. and, with no real way to check, who is to say they are wrong?

The cells have QR code.
That code is used to identify the factory and production date.
Sadly, I am unable to find a way to scan this code and retrieve this information!!

Google does not provide me with any way to control this code.
I've tried 3 different QR code apps, and none of them can read the code.

( made new thread : QR code reader for Lifopo4 cells??

 

[Bob B]

I was able to get some of the QR codes to read on the batteries I ordered .... The QR code translated to the numbers that were above and below the QR code.

I've never trusted the "free PnP" on AliExpress, you always pay for it in the cost of the product. But I've never had to pay import tax on items either.

Never ordered of Alibaba, do they always quote the PnP separately?

I've only ordered a couple of times from Alibaba, but the shipping was quoted seperately both times.

 

[Frank in Thailand]

If the scan only provides the same information as the number...
they are easy to read, but they don't give me more information!!
Anyone know what "07HCBC5P18L07 A8CD0001565" as code can tell about the battery?? (Google can't)
The number "07HCBC5P18L07" is the same on all the cells.
I guess it is the factory
Next part always start with "A8C" the "D" or "G" and a long number starting with 000 or 0000

It isn't really important, the cells work fine for now.
I'm just waiting for the capacity tester to do a real test.

For other buyers...Good and bad news.
Bad news, they are sold out.
Good news, they have new good offer 280 Ah for $79.80

 

[JJthegreat]

If the scan only provides the same information as the number...
they are easy to read, but they don't give me more information!!
Anyone know what "07HCBC5P18L07 A8CD0001565" as code can tell about the battery?? (Google can't)
The number "07HCBC5P18L07" is the same on all the cells.
I guess it is the factory
Next part always start with "A8C" the "D" or "G" and a long number starting with 000 or 0000

It isn't really important, the cells work fine for now.
I'm just waiting for the capacity tester to do a real test.

For other buyers...Good and bad news.
Bad news, they are sold out.
Good news, they have new good offer 280 Ah for $79.80

hmmm wonder if they are the same 280ah from XUBA

 

[Frank in Thailand]

hmmm wonder if they are the same 280ah from XUBA

Yes, the are.

I've just talked to Xuba and Haomi, they are both "EVE3.2V280AH " cells


120Ah - 07HCBC5P18K19 Haomi
152Ah - 07HCBC5P18L07 Haomi
280Ah - 02YCB66710000J Haomi
- 02YO836611000H XUBA

 

[upnorthandpersonal]

Full datasheet:

http://www.dcmax.com.tw/LF280(3.2V280Ah).pdf

 

[upnorthandpersonal]

@Anny jiang Good to see you on this forum

 

[Frank in Thailand]

@upnorthandpersonal, thank you for the datasheet!

Today I received the other 16 batteries!!

They are like the first set all 3.29/3.30v
(Multimeter wiggle between the 2)

At request I received 24 bus bars, but apparently the trade-off is no screws
(I think they just forgot)

Actually, for the 16S P2 setup I am still a few bus bars short.
After drawing the connections on paper I saw I need total 64 bus bars to make it look nice.
Lucky I have some coper tube to make them.

Now the second batch arrived, I can take 2 from both batch and charge them full to 3.65v

If tracking information is correct, tomorrow the discharger will arrive.

As we live off grid, and our old lead acid 16*12v@200Ah array is defective, we have only a few hours power after sundown.
That is after a full day hook-up to 27*330w panels and high sun!
Tomorrow and the next 4 days we hit the 40 degrees Celsius again.
First time this year.
(Many will follow)

Tomorrow charging with 3 battery chargers (one 10A and 2* 4A)
That is still only 18A...
The batteries are about 70% full.
That would be +/- 105Ah.
And charge +/- 45
Should be able to do in 3 to 4 hours.
(The 4A Chargers probably will stop charging at 85-90%)
Last bit I have to be creative

I have lab power supply, who can go from 0 to 16.2v
That will do the last bit

 

[Frank in Thailand]

Discharger have arrived

Nice on schedule.

I charged 4 cells all day with 10 amperage charger on 16.6 volts (max settings)
It showed max 14.2v.during charging.
Disconnected the cells have 3.33 - 3.35v
Probably that is the max charging I can do with this charger!!.


I placed them parallel now for the night.
Sun is down, and as we have only for a few hours power, I can't start discharge yet!!
(The discharger needs own power supply)

Tomorrow I can start discharge.

With 3.34 volts, how full are they charged?

My best guess is 90%.
Please do correct me if I'm wrong!!!!

Those voltages confuse me, some talk about 3.65v others about 3.47 as max.

While normal voltage for charging is 3.5v..

(https://www.bestgobattery.com/technology/documents/temperature-test.html)

You understand my confusion, if normal voltage for charging is 3.5v, how can it get at 3.65v?

 

[Frank in Thailand]

Cry...

Battery discharge tester doesn't work!!
It should be straight forward easy to operate.
Will's video shows it ain't rocket science.

Turn knobs down, connect, power up and slowly turn the knob up to desired discharge rate...

Sadly, turning the knob doesn't do anything!!

It does show accurate voltage and temperature

 

[vk2emp]

From your pics of the tester, fan doesnt look like its plugged in. Probably a protection feature. No fan = no go.

 

[Frank in Thailand]

I wish it was that simple

Fan is plugged in as you can see in the picture. (It is supposed to be in the back)

Manual makes port M (see picture) as "reserved transmission interface"

But thank you for thinking with me!!
I really like to test the capacity before I start to use them.