Elite Power Solutions, good or bad?

[flashedarling]

So Elite Power Solutions has some pretty good deals on Thundersky batteries.

http://elitepowersolutions.com/products ... p?cPath=16

I'm told that when Thundersky batteries work they are great, when they fail... not so great. Can anyone tell me if the cells from Elite Power solutions are good, or if they went bad were they good with replacing them. I'm really struggling with the whole "great price" vs "questionable cells" conundrum.

[gogo]

Those seem like great prices and with a one year warranty. I'd want an explanation as to why their address is for a residential house though.

I hope prices like these will be an industry wide trend.

[duffmanaudio]

I just contacted thunder sky & they sent me to elite power solutions. I will be using there 72volt 60ah pack on a project bike soon. Before I do so I want to be sure the almost $3k I spend on a pack is worth it. Has anyone had experience with elite yet. Any thundersky info would be great also.So far jennifer at elite has been helpful.

Duffman

[jimw1960]

I'm wondering the same thing and waiting for someone with experience to give a review before I buy their 38v40ah battery. The prices seem great, though. One thing that concerns me is there is no mention of a BMS system on the battery. I can't even tell from their website if the charger provides cell balancing. The Foxx batteries are the same situation (no BMS for discharge), but at least their charger is a balancing charger.

It would be nice if some of the experts here could comment on whether it is OK to use these kinds of batteries without cell balancing and a low voltage cutoff, or if this situation would lead to ruining the battery the first time you overdischarge it.

[usatracy]

We have tested the TS cells using the TS Ningbo charger, we have talked with TS Ningbo and two of the larger users of the TS Ningbo cells in China.

Thundersky is a complex and unique situtation (company) and one MUST use caution when getting involved with the procurement of their cells and be VERY cautious about what any seller provides to you.

We found 6 cells out of a 14 cell EVAL pack were only capable of 27 AH capacity at 18.8 amp loads. The other 14 varied somewhat disturbingly between 35 and 39 AH after only a few cycles without a BMS using the TS Ningbo "balancing charger".

Our charge tests proved numerous cells went well beyond 4.25 into the 4.6 to 4.9 range and some exceeded 5 volts. This of course means other cells were undercharged and at greater risk to go under 2.5 vdc when discharged as a pack as there is no low voltage protection without a cell by cell BMS and the reliance is all placed on pack voltage.

Our testing proved that up to 3 cells can go below 2.5 while the combined string voltage remained high enough to allow the vehicle to continue to discharge, further damaging the low cells.

We had one cell swell up and it no longer charges.

On the 6 cells that only have 27 AH, they are missing the RED and GREEN TS caps and do not have the ink imprinted Bar Code and Date Cobe Serial Number.

We too have been looking at Elite Power, and will wait until the cells are in and we are provided pictures and dates codes before purchasing, although the picture of the cells they display appear to be correct.

Operating the TS cell without a cell level BMS to protect from over and under voltage and to provide voltage equalization when the cell(s) are > than 3.501 vdc is folly.

We have designed and are waiting on a delivery of a lower cost BMS for the TS cells from Taiwan, due in 2 to 3 weeks, that will provide the required protection for under $500 and will provide two 5 volt signals, overvoltage, undervoltage, to be taken to the charger and EBRAKE to cutoff the charger on overvoltage and cut off the controller on undervoltage, at the cell level.

Elite has establsihed contacted with us in the past, I have no reason to doubt them at this point.

We had a lengthy post on TS testing, we have pulled that post as this is an ongoing discussion between us and TS and others in China right now.

We have posted a smaller condensed version of that at the following link.

http://www.voltsrider.net/vr/forum_posts.asp?TID=179

[michaelplogue]

Any new feedback on this company and the TS cells they are offering? Shopping around for batts for a motorcycle conversion, and on paper these look good (at a very reasonable price as well). However, I'm just very hesitant on buying something from a business run out of a residential home, and with a less than stellar QC history.

.

[AndyH]

I bought a single 40A TS cell from Elite lin late September. The cell is a 'proper' TS cell - correct insignia and placement and correct serial number/barcode. DIscharge tests show 39-41Ah so far.

Service was fast, as was the UPS shipping...but shipping should be fairly quick from Phoenix to San Antonio! The folks kept me informed via email when the order was accepted, when it was processed, and when it was shipped (with UPS tracking info). Very nice!

The only negative, which may only apply to my single cell purchase, is that it was about $17 to ship the cell UPS. The cell could have been shipped USPS flat-rate Priority for about $9.50.

The cell was not shipped with bolts or washers for the electrical connections. You'll have to source M6x1 bolts and desired washers separately. [edit] Actually, Elite DID ship hardware for the cell. I found it in the box I use as a 'packing peanut' recycling center... I almost shipped the hardware in an outgoing box. [/edit]

The terminal holes should have been deep enough for 15mm long bolts, but I was limited to 10mm bolts (depths/bolt length measured from the top of the terminal - not including lugs or washers). I haven't yet tried to 'chase the threads' with a tap.

Andy