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Where to Source Cells w/ Tariffs now

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Banjoman

Solar Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 5, 2023
Messages
156
Location
Middle TN
Been talking to Docan Power and EEL. Looks like Docan will not be re-stocking in the states? I was talking to them on WhatsApp and it seems that they are not wanting to stock in the US until the tariffs are resolved could be days, months, years.. EEL battery which I am contemplating getting their V5 boxes will ship from China but I assume Ill have to pay tariffs at port of entry.

Where is everyone sourcing cells and battery cases currently with all of the Chinese tariff issues? Ideally wanting to source down EVE MB31 cells and 4 battery cases on a roller cart at first. Then do it again to get a grand total of 8 batteries built.
 
Banjoman said:
Been talking to Docan Power and EEL. Looks like Docan will not be re-stocking in the states? I was talking to them on WhatsApp and it seems that they are not wanting to stock in the US until the tariffs are resolved could be days, months, years.. EEL battery which I am contemplating getting their V5 boxes will ship from China but I assume Ill have to pay tariffs at port of entry.

Where is everyone sourcing cells and battery cases currently with all of the Chinese tariff issues? Ideally wanting to source down EVE MB31 cells and 4 battery cases on a roller cart at first. Then do it again to get a grand total of 8 batteries built.
Click to expand...
Great question
 
I have 18 packages weighing 468lbs coming from Docan TX Thursday.

They still have a good selection available but inventory continues to drop, accord to their website.

If that supply drys up when I need more I'll order from Battery Hookup or 18650 again. If their prices are silly I might try Gobel or I'll wait for the slow boat from Docan.
 
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42OhmsPA said:
I have 18 packages weighing 468lbs coming from Docan TX Thursday.

They still have a good selection available but inventory continues to drop, accord to their website.

If that supply drys up when I need more I'll order from Battery Hookup or 18650 again. If their prices are silly I might try Gobel or I'll wait for the slow boat from Docan.
Click to expand...
Why would you need MORE? lol working on that 900kWh bank?
 
SunFunkits is another option, I think they have stock, they def consider their cells top ultra grade, so economy prices aren’t what they sell, and they have unique terminal options. I think if you order a full pallet crate from them the price isn’t too bad.

Does batteryhookup carry new cells?

I’m more curious about the $100 100ah batteries on Amazon and how those prices will fair.

Hopefully shipping containers will be fill with “dried flowers” to meet our ever growing need of fresh cells.
 
SomethingAppropriate said:
Why would you need MORE?
Click to expand...
iu

SomethingAppropriate said:
lol working on that 900kWh bank?
Click to expand...

I only have ~54kWh on the main system currently. This order will put me ~82kWh.
When I started the goal was 1000Ah, ~51kWh. That would have given me ~ 5 days with no sun based on pre addiction calculations. Now that I make my own power I'm using ~40kWh a day on average... Why stop at 900 😉
 
42OhmsPA said:
I have 18 packages weighing 468lbs coming from Docan TX Thursday.

They still have a good selection available but inventory continues to drop, accord to their website.

If that supply drys up when I need more I'll order from Battery Hookup or 18650 again. If their prices are silly I might try Gobel or I'll wait for the slow boat from Docan.
Click to expand...
My order was just delivered today...32 REPT 280 and two diy kits from Docan... Also got my ground mount and 36 panels from Sunpal today
 
It is becoming challenging to gain a large saving in DIY from cells vs buying completely built batteries.

Added - especially if you consider the potential insurance liability aspects, it can be tricky.

On a mobile / van type use, when you go to sell it, most buyers will not put any value at all on a DIY battery pack.
 
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I wonder if any of our fair friends of the great white north will be entrepreneurial enough to buy and resell containers worth of cells.

Depending on costs, a road trip north might be worth it, Montreal? Quebec is lovely in springtime. I’m sure Boarder patrol won’t mind me declaring a couple hundred pounds of dried flowers upon re-entry.
 
I guess if you already have worked it all out and value your time at $0 / hr, then anything is possible.

Using the same logic, I can under bid anyone else to build homes for a living.

When I am making a build / buy decision, unless it is something that is really a hobby, I try to apply a $5 or $10 / hr labor fee to it, just to make sure that I am not doing something completely silly. If it is a hobby, then of course it doesn't matter.
 
HarryN said:
I guess if you already have worked it all out and value your time at $0 / hr, then anything is possible.

Using the same logic, I can under bid anyone else to build homes for a living.

When I am making a build / buy decision, unless it is something that is really a hobby, I try to apply a $5 or $10 / hr labor fee to it, just to make sure that I am not doing something completely silly. If it is a hobby, then of course it doesn't matter.
Click to expand...

You're aware this is the DIY Solar Forum?
 
HarryN said:
I guess if you already have worked it all out and value your time at $0 / hr, then anything is possible.

Using the same logic, I can under bid anyone else to build homes for a living.

When I am making a build / buy decision, unless it is something that is really a hobby, I try to apply a $5 or $10 / hr labor fee to it, just to make sure that I am not doing something completely silly. If it is a hobby, then of course it doesn't matter.
Click to expand...
Solar is a hobby to varying degrees for most of us. A lot of us are always look for ways to play with our systems, even if just monitoring it.
But, it's more than just saving money when building batteries. It's knowing what went into the batteries and knowing we can service them if needed. It's putting together the most ideal components that we know will work with our system. Or in my case, building batteries that would fit in my limited space.

So yes, using your logic, you can under bid anyone else to build homes for a living. But, I built my own home. In a way I know I couldn't get someone else to build it. My home is very unique in ways that I could have never conveyed to a builder. And my home isn't just cobbed together by lowest bidders who don't care about the quality.

But, this is all off topic, as, the OP didn't ask whether or not we should be building our own batteries.
 
HarryN said:
I guess if you already have worked it all out and value your time at $0 / hr, then anything is possible.

Using the same logic, I can under bid anyone else to build homes for a living.

When I am making a build / buy decision, unless it is something that is really a hobby, I try to apply a $5 or $10 / hr labor fee to it, just to make sure that I am not doing something completely silly. If it is a hobby, then of course it doesn't matter.
Click to expand...
I can choose the quality of components building something myself, I can not do that with something pre made.

Same with housing, I can build it myself using quality components or I can purchase a manufactured home with questionable quality built to maximize their profit.

My wife says I buy something, new or used, then take it apart and redesign it. It is the Zwy way of doing things.

That is because they didn't make it right. :ROFLMAO:
 
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