User#123
New Member
Hello all,
I would like to share my experience I had when buying 2 seplos mason 6.9 battery kits.
This battery was extensively reviewed by Andy from the Off-grid garage youtube channel, really nice channel btw
Andy found the cells he'd received were quite old, so I was warned:
Since I liked the battery design overall, had a BMS with upgradable FW, I contacted Seplos directly to find out the pricing options of the 135Ah and 280Ah version.
After some back and fourth communication decided to go for two 135A batteries, instead of a single 280Ah, as the 135Ah can still be handled by a single person.
Since I was warned by Andy, I asked explicitly for them to guaranty the batteries would be brand new, so definitely not the outdated batteries Andy got.
I also forwarded the link to the YT video, explaining Seplos why my awareness was raised on the battery age.
They agreed to this and confirmed: "Now the batteries we use are brand new and fresh, no outdated stock".
This convinced me it was now relatively safe to place the order, which I then did.
After 3 weeks of manufacturing turnaround time and 2 months of oversees shipment, the batteries finally arrived the beginning of this year.
I was off course eager to find out the date of the batteries, and sadly the outcome of the QR check was not as expected, far from it.
The production dates vary from June 2019 to November 2019, so 3 - 3.5 year old batteries had been delivered.
With serial numbers and dates varying wildly, not part of a single batch what was to be expected as well.
Than the discussion, better say the gaslighting began:
Their response on my finding:
I reported this matter to the leader, and he said there is no problem with the batteries. We have tested everything and everything is normal.
The batteries are new, it's just that the storage time is relatively long, but it will not affect normal use, and the warranty period of the batteries is one year.
Then I reminded them of the deal we made:" Now the batteries we use are brand new and fresh, no outdated stock". I asked for sending me new batteries as agreed.
Their response:
I have given feedback to the leadership about the battery.
He said that the batteries have been stored for a certain period of time, but everything is normal, they have not been used.
They al tested fine when we made the batteries.
So I asked for the test results:
I have been communicating with the leader on this matter, I hope I can give you a satisfactory answer.
I asked the engineer for inspection reports, QR codes, and pictures, but he has been busy recently and has not responded to me.
A while and few reminders later:
We have not received the test report from the battery manufacturer. The battery cells are purchased from the middle of the previous year, and most of them are from 2019.
However, after our testing, the data of the battery cells are all in the qualified range. The batteries we purchased will be well kept, they will be fully charged and placed, and will be tested again before shipment.
I explained that batteries are aging also when keeping them in storage and send them this paper: "Calendar Aging and Lifetimes of LiFePO4 Batteries and Considerations for Repurposing" by John Catton. This paper explains the 2 mechanisms; calendar and cycle aging.
They then offered to send me replacement cells but only of lower capacity 100Ah, as new 135A cells were not available anymore.
I could not accept that, where I payed for new 135Ah cells, I gave them another option:
Indeed on the cells manufacturers website the 135Ah cells are not listed anymore, but a 150Ah model is available: http://en.ihigee.com/product/11.html.
This one has almost identical dimensions, only a few mm more in height, but that would still easily fit in the casing according to my measurements.
Than when these can be supplied; brand new and fresh from the factory to replace my outdated ones, that would be a really good option.
Before you say; but wait these have more capacity than what you have bought.........
Than please consider this as compensation for all the trouble and hassle this issue is causing me.
They came back:
I have been looking for the best way to help you solve the problem, and I have communicated with my boss many times, but he does not agree to give you 32 150ah batteries, because the cost is too high.
So we have also decided the final solution, which is to apply for you Refund to make up for the battery problem this time.
Than long story short, on the refund they low balled me, my request was 3/9 (avg age/lifetime avg.) of the amount which I paid for only the batteries, and they offered me only half of that. Which for me was not (yet) acceptable, and asked for better offer and that is also where the communication ended abruptly, no counter offer nothing, I send them a reminder with no response anymore.
Resume after 4 months of mail discussions, sending many many reminders, basically dragging a dead horse, being gaslighted over the agreements made, I finally gave up.
Since I did not get any refund or compensation what so ever, I feel totally inclined to put this story out in the world and make you all aware of the battery sales strategy of Seplos.
They sell NOS (new Old Stock), at least for the 135Ah cells, and making you believe they are (as) new.
Even when knowing this and explicitly asking for new batteries on forehand which they agree too, in the end they will break that promise, so be aware.
When you find out they are not new, they gaslight the annoyance out off you, that you in the end will give up.
This is then my story for the 135Ah cells.
What experiences do some of you have with your battery age, when you also have bought from Seplos, similar experiences?
Or did some of you really get new cells?
I doubt whether this is really possible as said the manufacturer is not listing them.
Looking forward hearing all about your stories!!!
I would like to share my experience I had when buying 2 seplos mason 6.9 battery kits.
This battery was extensively reviewed by Andy from the Off-grid garage youtube channel, really nice channel btw
Andy found the cells he'd received were quite old, so I was warned:
Since I liked the battery design overall, had a BMS with upgradable FW, I contacted Seplos directly to find out the pricing options of the 135Ah and 280Ah version.
After some back and fourth communication decided to go for two 135A batteries, instead of a single 280Ah, as the 135Ah can still be handled by a single person.
Since I was warned by Andy, I asked explicitly for them to guaranty the batteries would be brand new, so definitely not the outdated batteries Andy got.
I also forwarded the link to the YT video, explaining Seplos why my awareness was raised on the battery age.
They agreed to this and confirmed: "Now the batteries we use are brand new and fresh, no outdated stock".
This convinced me it was now relatively safe to place the order, which I then did.
After 3 weeks of manufacturing turnaround time and 2 months of oversees shipment, the batteries finally arrived the beginning of this year.
I was off course eager to find out the date of the batteries, and sadly the outcome of the QR check was not as expected, far from it.
The production dates vary from June 2019 to November 2019, so 3 - 3.5 year old batteries had been delivered.
With serial numbers and dates varying wildly, not part of a single batch what was to be expected as well.
Than the discussion, better say the gaslighting began:
Their response on my finding:
I reported this matter to the leader, and he said there is no problem with the batteries. We have tested everything and everything is normal.
The batteries are new, it's just that the storage time is relatively long, but it will not affect normal use, and the warranty period of the batteries is one year.
Then I reminded them of the deal we made:" Now the batteries we use are brand new and fresh, no outdated stock". I asked for sending me new batteries as agreed.
Their response:
I have given feedback to the leadership about the battery.
He said that the batteries have been stored for a certain period of time, but everything is normal, they have not been used.
They al tested fine when we made the batteries.
So I asked for the test results:
I have been communicating with the leader on this matter, I hope I can give you a satisfactory answer.
I asked the engineer for inspection reports, QR codes, and pictures, but he has been busy recently and has not responded to me.
A while and few reminders later:
We have not received the test report from the battery manufacturer. The battery cells are purchased from the middle of the previous year, and most of them are from 2019.
However, after our testing, the data of the battery cells are all in the qualified range. The batteries we purchased will be well kept, they will be fully charged and placed, and will be tested again before shipment.
I explained that batteries are aging also when keeping them in storage and send them this paper: "Calendar Aging and Lifetimes of LiFePO4 Batteries and Considerations for Repurposing" by John Catton. This paper explains the 2 mechanisms; calendar and cycle aging.
They then offered to send me replacement cells but only of lower capacity 100Ah, as new 135A cells were not available anymore.
I could not accept that, where I payed for new 135Ah cells, I gave them another option:
Indeed on the cells manufacturers website the 135Ah cells are not listed anymore, but a 150Ah model is available: http://en.ihigee.com/product/11.html.
This one has almost identical dimensions, only a few mm more in height, but that would still easily fit in the casing according to my measurements.
Than when these can be supplied; brand new and fresh from the factory to replace my outdated ones, that would be a really good option.
Before you say; but wait these have more capacity than what you have bought.........
Than please consider this as compensation for all the trouble and hassle this issue is causing me.
They came back:
I have been looking for the best way to help you solve the problem, and I have communicated with my boss many times, but he does not agree to give you 32 150ah batteries, because the cost is too high.
So we have also decided the final solution, which is to apply for you Refund to make up for the battery problem this time.
Than long story short, on the refund they low balled me, my request was 3/9 (avg age/lifetime avg.) of the amount which I paid for only the batteries, and they offered me only half of that. Which for me was not (yet) acceptable, and asked for better offer and that is also where the communication ended abruptly, no counter offer nothing, I send them a reminder with no response anymore.
Resume after 4 months of mail discussions, sending many many reminders, basically dragging a dead horse, being gaslighted over the agreements made, I finally gave up.
Since I did not get any refund or compensation what so ever, I feel totally inclined to put this story out in the world and make you all aware of the battery sales strategy of Seplos.
They sell NOS (new Old Stock), at least for the 135Ah cells, and making you believe they are (as) new.
Even when knowing this and explicitly asking for new batteries on forehand which they agree too, in the end they will break that promise, so be aware.
When you find out they are not new, they gaslight the annoyance out off you, that you in the end will give up.
This is then my story for the 135Ah cells.
What experiences do some of you have with your battery age, when you also have bought from Seplos, similar experiences?
Or did some of you really get new cells?
I doubt whether this is really possible as said the manufacturer is not listing them.
Looking forward hearing all about your stories!!!
