AndyH
10 kW
BMI said:
Armin,
I think you hit on a brilliant analogy here. Let's look at cars for a minute. My wife drives a Pontiac Vibe. Pontiac (and a number of independent car websites) lists full specs for the Vibe. The independent sites, and the labels on the car, state that the car is manufactured at a factory in California that is a joint venture between GM and Toyota. This line also builds the Toyota Matrix. Except for a couple of specific options and the manufacturer markings on the vehicles, the Vibe and Matrix are identical. Consumers can research, read, shop, look at prices and dealer support, and decide which vehicle they want to buy.
There are folks in the LiFePO4 cell business that appreciate and promote this level of transparency, and there are others that appear to fight it tooth and nail. When a pair of twin-separated-at-birth companies contracted with PSI to make their cells, they published pictures of the PSI plant and stated the plant was theirs. They stated they are 'manufacturers' and did what they could to distance themselves from all others - including each other. There's little to no info on either price or performance. Not surprisingly, now that they appear to be contracting with Headway (a great move to expand the profit margin!) the tactics haven't changed.
Overall I think it's sad. I want to be able to buy the best cell for the job, and I will not buy from anyone that won't provide information. Testimonials or not - no data, no sale - because I don't know for sure where the cells fit in the marketplace.
I applaud folks like Cell-man and EV Components (and Thunder Sky and Shandong HiPower and PSI) because they put the information a consumer needs in the consumer's hands.
Armin - when I buy cells to evaluate, I start with the manufacturer's data sheets and performance specs. My first tests are to see, within the limits of my equipment, if the manufacturer is telling the truth. Further testing 'expands the envelope' to further evaluate the cells. I cannot do that with BMI or LiFeBatt cells because I cannot get the data, and I cannot get the cells. With regards to my personal testing, two strikes and the company is out. Do you still feel this is unfair? The good news is that you have full control over this situation! Only you can fix the perceived unfair criticism. If you choose not to, there's no point in posting in forums because none of us 'out here' can fix the problem.
Flashdarling - I've personally bench-tested cells from PSI, Headway, A123, Thunder Sky (LiFePO4 and LiFeYPO4), HiPower, and Sky Energy. If you only need .5C and you want a rock-bottom price, go with the HiPower. If 1.5C will do it, the 2010 HiPower might do the job, but the Thunder Sky and Sky Energy definitely will. If you need more than 3C from a cell, Headway hits the next price/performance spot (treat terminals for rust before closing the battery boxes...), then hit PSI and A123. These are just my thoughts based on my own limited experience with these cells.
Andy
