Community Forums

Kolbrv · 07-11-2023, 04:17 PM

Hi,

I have designed a 800 watt solar system and before I pulled the trigger on batteries I wanted to see if anyone has experience buying batteries from China. I am installing 400AH at 24 volts (800AH at 12 volts) Almost all LifePO4 come from China and I understand the support and warranty advantages of buying from US. But at 2x or 3x the cost I wanted to get some opinions.

Thanks
Tom

Persistent · 07-12-2023, 07:59 AM

See this link for extensive information. Also see Will Prouse videos on UTube.

The RV Lithium battery market changes rapidly. Build quality seems to be getting better. However, Chinese on-line web sites still tend to be "Buyer Beware". There is no telling what you will get directly from Chinese builders.

Chinese Li cells used in US assembled batteries do not make the battery "Chinese". Assembly of Li batteries requires technical expertise and precision measuring equipment and procedures. They are not just wired in and sealed up. It is complicated.

An additional issue is the liability issue. Chinese builders and sellers have no liability issues. Expensive RV's and yachts can be lost when batteries fail. It is all on you if you buy from the Chinese.

The recommendation is to buy from a builder and seller who has significant presence in the country you reside in.

Tim-n-Gina · 07-12-2023, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Persistent

See this link for extensive information. Also see Will Prouse videos on UTube.

The RV Lithium battery market changes rapidly. Build quality seems to be getting better. However, Chinese on-line web sites still tend to be "Buyer Beware". There is no telling what you will get directly from Chinese builders.

Chinese Li cells used in US assembled batteries do not make the battery "Chinese". Assembly of Li batteries requires technical expertise and precision measuring equipment and procedures. They are not just wired in and sealed up. It is complicated.

An additional issue is the liability issue. Chinese builders and sellers have no liability issues. Expensive RV's and yachts can be lost when batteries fail. It is all on you if you buy from the Chinese.

The recommendation is to buy from a builder and seller who has significant presence in the country you reside in.

Link?

Kolbrv · 07-12-2023, 06:36 PM

Thanks for your thoughts on China batteries. I wasn't very fond of the idea but just checking to see if someone had a good experience.

One import that caught my attention is the Redodo battery. Good reviews on Amazon, saw a couple of YT's where engineers tore them down and liked the construction, and I asked a couple of support questions and received clear replies the next morning.

Has anyone given them a try?

Thanks
Tom

oldenavy · 07-12-2023, 07:01 PM

No personal experience with the Chinese LFP batteries but I am familiar with the failure mechanisms and consequences of a Li battery failure from working with commercial and military ships. Li batteries is one area I would not recommend going cheap on. Just a few public examples ( there are others…):

https://theloadstar.com/li-ion-batte...o-ro-services/

https://web.archive.org/web/20081217...localnewsfront

https://www.boatinternational.com/ya...-ion-batteries

https://navalsafetycommand.navy.mil/...ry%20Fires.pdf

Weldergary · 07-12-2023, 07:14 PM

I also did a lot of reading and research before I bought a Li battery. I was concerned about warranty as well. After reading reviews and dollar cost I bought a 300 amphour from Amazon. The Amptime brand had good reviews, I have had it about 9 months and happy so far. As stated in other places the Lithium Battery technology is changing so fast I reasoned that I would want a new one in five years anyway. All parts are made overseas so they are assembled in the US could not justify the price.

Marine359 · 07-12-2023, 07:33 PM

If they don’t have a US based customer support phone number, and warranty service in the US, it’s simply not worth buying that brand no matter how cheap it is. If you’re making a big investment on a large bank, is it still a better deal if one or more battery fails, and there’s no dependable warranty? The delta between a Chinese import and a US brand isn’t that great.