What is the truth about fake grade A cells

[Rmhovis]

Dear Will, I watched a video that stated that it is "impossible" to build and sell a LF battery (100 amp hour) in the US for less than $600. The creator does a pretty clear explanation of all the costs to produce, transport and sell these batteries. His message is that if you spend less than x number of dollars for one of these batteries you are NOT getting grade a cells. ( possibly $600-700).
Is this true?
Thank you in advance for sharing your knowledge.
Mark

 

[wpns]

What was the date on the video?

You are not wrong to be suspicious of $200 batteries that claim grade A cells.

 

[Mattb4]

Interesting first post for a member that joined way back in 2020.

 

[Rmhovis]

What was the date on the video?

You are not wrong to be suspicious of $200 batteries that claim grade A cells.

The video is about 2 years old.

 

[Rmhovis]

Interesting first post for a member that joined way back in 2020.

I discovered Will's YouTube channel after I retired. I have a VERY remote cabin in the Ozarks. I had planned to make it more comfortable by adding a window AC unit. Since retiring however, I spend a lot of time watching grand children. Back when I first started watching the channel, Battleborn Batteries were popular. A 100 amp hour was slightly north of $1000, if memory serves me. I have watched his reviews of many batteries and I love that he shares his knowledge with old guys who never messed with solar or Lithium batteries.
Mattb4, do you have an opinion regarding my question? I have never purchased a lithium battery or any solar stuff.

 

[robby]

There is no video link, what are you talking about, is it a 12V pack, 24V or 48Vdc pack?

 

[Mattb4]

...
Mattb4, do you have an opinion regarding my question? I have never purchased a lithium battery or any solar stuff.

From all I gather ratings such a "A" grade is more of a marketing thing than one you can rely upon. Quality of lithium cells for sale does vary. I have done OK with low cost ones myself. Not a young guy myself and also live remote in the Ozarks of NW Arkansas.

LiFePO4 is a huge benefit over lead acid to be used for solar.

 

[Rmhovis]

There is no video link, what are you talking about, is it a 12V pack, 24V or 48Vdc pack?

Here is info about the video:

Fake Grade A Lithium Deep Cycle Batteries Are Everywhere! Learn How To Spot Grade B vs Grade A​

LDSreliance

 

[VVann]

Here's the other side. THoughts?

Leafio – Repurposing - BatteryEVO

https://batteryevo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Repurposing-Banner.mp4 At BatteryEvo, we’re revolutionizing the energy storage industry with a bold and innovative approach: repurposing lithium battery cells. Our mission is to provide you, our valued customers, cutting-edge, eco-friendly...

batteryevo.com

 

[Alkaline]

some reading material: https://diysolarforum.com/threads/are-we-all-getting-grade-b-cells.39156/

EVE identifies Grade B cells using new marking Method [Reposting from General]

Yesterday I got a new information from my supplier. I was supposed to order EVE LF230 (230Ah) cells from them. But it seems there has been a change on how EVE is sending out rejected cells (Tested to be lower than Automotive Grade) for auction to the Chinese market (grey). According to the new...

diysolarforum.com

Yes practically all of amazon batteries are grade B and have been for the longest time, few exceptions are the victron and the sok batteries. ]

As for performance, it depends, some ok, some meh, and some are trash.

For the most part you'll be hard pressed to find true grade A cells 100AH for less than $400.00, right now SOK is probably the cheapest legit battery brand, Then you have Sun Fun Kits and Epoch as close seconds. Also Aolithium is another good one.

 

[doctron]

I am facing this issue,out of 32 cells of lfp,none have scanned out the truth. Some show 2010 to 2012 manufacturing. Whats the way out

 

[Ampster]

Whats the way out

Use them. It is not the end of the world. Yes, there will be some calendar ageing but if the capacity is good you can use them for storage for many years. Have you capacity tested them?

 

[doctron]

How to capacity test them ?
Pls guide.

 

[Ampster]

How to capacity test them ?

Lots of threads on that subject. You will need some devices to measure current. Some load testers have that built in as well as an adjustable load to discharge them. Perhaps your inverter acumulates enough data to give you an answer for the entire pack.

Search results for query: How to capacity test

diysolarforum.com

 

[doctron]

How to make them discharge to load of deye battery port?
I will use them both

1st battery 10kwh
Narada cells 16s 100ah cells
Jk 200amp bms v15.18


2nd battery 5kwh
Highstar cells 100ah
Daly bms.


If I make both of them with jk bms,will it work under master slave configuration?

Only risk I want to avoid is thermal issues. I dont want to deal witth lithium fire.

 

[littleharbor2]

1st battery 10kwh
Narada cells 16s 100ah cells
Jk 200amp bms v15.18

This is typically 5.18 Kwh. not 10Kwh.

 

[doctron]

 

[littleharbor2]

This screenshot shows 200 Ah cells. You mentioned 100 Ah cells in a previous post.



"1st battery 10kwh
Narada cells 16s 100ah cells"

 

[doctron]

Use them. It is not the end of the world. Yes, there will be some calendar ageing but if the capacity is good you can use them for storage for many years. Have you capacity tested them?

I did connect the battery to test it. I connected car charging at 2.8kw rate. Pls see the bms screenshot.and opine. Thanks.

First screenshot is at 99 percent capacity and second is at 40 percent capacity.

 

[doctron]

This screenshot shows 200 Ah cells. You mentioned 100 Ah cells in a previous post.



"1st battery 10kwh
Narada cells 16s 100ah cells"

I am wrong but that's the info my assembly guy gave.

 

[doctron]

None of the cells had any labels.i identified them with Yellow dot on the top was similar to narada.after confronting him with the Google images result, he accepted it being narada and not highstar as he claimed.

 

[littleharbor2]

I am wrong but that's the info my assembly guy gave.

You probably want to change that info in the BMS.

 

[doctron]

Where to edit that ? Which part of jk bms ?

 

[doctron]

 

[littleharbor2]

2nd screen, Battery capacity. 100 Ah.
In case you don't know the default password for changing settings is 123456