Hi all,
My order from Xuba came in last week. I ordered two custom 277AH batteries with Lishen cells.
I've had some time to mess with them, balanced the cells and done a capacity test.
Here are some notes on my experience and review of the Xuba pre-assembled batteries.
Keep in mind... I didn't pay battle-born prices, so it's not reasonable to expect battle-born quality... I figured they might be good enough, and if not I'd replace the BMS, or rewire or whatever. In terms of value, I think it's ok, but I'd definitely get a lot more detailed with the specs if I were to do this again.
My order from Xuba came in last week. I ordered two custom 277AH batteries with Lishen cells.
I've had some time to mess with them, balanced the cells and done a capacity test.
Here are some notes on my experience and review of the Xuba pre-assembled batteries.
Keep in mind... I didn't pay battle-born prices, so it's not reasonable to expect battle-born quality... I figured they might be good enough, and if not I'd replace the BMS, or rewire or whatever. In terms of value, I think it's ok, but I'd definitely get a lot more detailed with the specs if I were to do this again.
- Production time was good. Batteries were manufactured and delivered to logistics company in 15 days. Shipment took another 2 months, partially because of issues at the port (out of Xuba's control).
- Brian at Xuba was very responsive. Once it went to logistics I had no direct tracking, but when it was delayed, he was able to get updates on the shipment's status.
- Boxes were intact on arrival but a little beat up. Batteries inside were well protected with no damage. Lots of closed cell foam inside, fully taped on the outside and plastic corner pieces on the boxes.
- Appearance of the batteries are great. Housings are beautiful with welded corners and very nice powder coat finish.
- Boxes were constructed to my specified dimensions.
- Voltmeter is just a simple volt meter with capacity estimated from V
- The other plug on the top is like a 3-prong computer power cable with two terminals connected to batt+ and -. I'm not sure what the intended purpose is, but after having seen how the wires are attached inside, I wouldn't try and use it as a power source.
- I wish I had them delete both the voltmeter and that port.
- Build:
- Cells: Prior to purchase, I was told Lishen cells. The cells in my batteries appear to be ETC-LFP-277Ah but I haven't asked them to confirm yet. I'm not sure if this really matters, but I was not informed of the substitution.
- Capacity: After balancing and fully charging the first battery, I discharged it over about 20 hr period a rates varying from 10a-50a and got 277AH before terminating the test at about 11v (2.75v cell voltage).
- Busbars: I specified "double busbars", assuming that all batteries like this were constructed with Cu busbars and screws. The cells are joined by 1-18"x~2mm Al busbars welded to the posts. I was unaware that batteries like this can be made with welded Al busbars... I'm not sure this has any practical impact on my intended use for the batteries, but I was not informed of the substitution.
- BMS:
- They sent me a picture of the BMS and specs (300a discharge 100a charge), which I figured would be way overstated, but adequate for my purpose. What they didn't tell me was that each battery would have TWO PARALLEL BMSs.
- The sticker on the BMS is all Chinese except where it says 200a.
- One battery has both BMS on top of the cells, the other has one on top and one hidden down beneath the side terminals at the end of the cells, oriented vertically.
- I haven't tested the BMS low-temp cutout, but it supposedly has it.
- Wiring:
- Each BMS has two 8ga leads, so total 4x8ga wires on the negative side
- Pos has 50mm2 cable
- Lugs are hit-and-miss. Some appear to be well done, but some not.
- One really obviously BAD issue is the end on a positive cable where they've got a lug crimped on the wire with a hole for a 3/8" stud. Where it attaches to the side-terminal's 1/4" bolt it's not bolted flat to the side-terminal; there's a nut below the lug and another nut above it, and the nuts are only clamping down on one edge of the lug's ring.
- On the other battery, the negative-end busbar gets really hot at ~80a (haven't dug into it yet to find the issue).
- Insulation:
- Lots of adhesive, shrink-wrap, epoxy board and sticky-backed foam.
- All the screw terminals were liberally coated in adhesive and quite secure.
- Everything was packed in tight and secured from movement.
- It is a big chore to carefully cut into them, expose the internals and get the adhesive off the fasteners.
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