Desertprep
1 kW
Does anyone have any experience buying Lipo batteries directly from a Chinese manufacturer? There are several that have a low enough minimum order quantity for me to consider.
Buying Lipo directly from a Chinese manufacturer
- Thread starter Desertprep
- Start date
Jeremy Harris
100 MW
I think that, if we had a good contact with a manufacturer and had an easy means to both pay them and be assured that the transaction was reasonably safe, then a few of us would happily deal direct.
The problem for us in the West has always been trying to find out who the manufacturers really are (there seem to be many resellers posing as manufacturers!), getting a good contact with the manufacturer who can understand clearly our requirements (the language and cultural barriers often makes this difficult), being assured that the product quality is good and finding a way to business with them safely.
I bought some Headway cells directly, and the transaction was OK, if a little slow and cumbersome in terms of making payment. It seems that manufacturers in China cannot easily accept standard Western payment methods, like credit cards or PayPal, which adds to the difficulty, meaning that we're pretty much stuck with dealing with outlets like HobbyCity.
Jeremy
The problem for us in the West has always been trying to find out who the manufacturers really are (there seem to be many resellers posing as manufacturers!), getting a good contact with the manufacturer who can understand clearly our requirements (the language and cultural barriers often makes this difficult), being assured that the product quality is good and finding a way to business with them safely.
I bought some Headway cells directly, and the transaction was OK, if a little slow and cumbersome in terms of making payment. It seems that manufacturers in China cannot easily accept standard Western payment methods, like credit cards or PayPal, which adds to the difficulty, meaning that we're pretty much stuck with dealing with outlets like HobbyCity.
Jeremy
coolchinateacher
100 mW
Pengyou
Where are you located? I might be interested in a going in on a purchase with you depending on what you're looking for.
Where are you located? I might be interested in a going in on a purchase with you depending on what you're looking for.
liveforphysics
100 TW
pengyou said:
Keep in mind, there is a huge performance range in LiPo.
I made the mistake of buying some cheap "20C" packs off ebay that had an internal resistance of 28mOhm per 5Ah cell! AKA, completely useless for anything other than putting along at 10amps...
Then you've got hobbycity selling a product that visually looks identical, claims the same 5Ah capacity and 20C discharge rating, and you measure them at 5mOhm/cell, and amazingly you can get 5.5-5.8Ah from them. Making them a real 20C capable cell.
Not a bit of difference in physical appearence, but one performs worlds better than the other.
So, to sumarize, getting a wholesale deal with a factory would be absolutely kick-ass! But make sure you personally test it yourself before buying, because just because it's LiPo doesn't mean it's going to perform well. I think there is far more suck-ass LiPo for sale in the world than good LiPo, so make sure you test test test before you buy.
Best Wishes, and good luck!
-Luke
I sugest contacting Chinese trade consul. You have translation, legit biz, all the specs and details discussed. Pick your best option, theyre will be many. This will be absolute (Great Leader is watching) unless you throw in a final detail like " and I want you to do this at half the price" . From experience with Japan / Toronto consul in the late '70's. Then was in person, now its computer, they don't see your commoner callouses (handshake). Do use a business line, free economic development address is good.
John in CR
100 TW
Pengyou,
You're there, so go directly to the factory and see it for yourself. Visit a few if possible. BTW, your uncle owns a big import/export company that is interested in breaking into the battery market.
As LFP said, the bottom line is the internal resistance of the cells, and of course the consistency. If you can get a few cells straight off the line, then there are several on the forum who could test them properly. Good quality cells and a factory direct price can easily net yourself free batteries via a group buy for your efforts.
You're there, so go directly to the factory and see it for yourself. Visit a few if possible. BTW, your uncle owns a big import/export company that is interested in breaking into the battery market.
As LFP said, the bottom line is the internal resistance of the cells, and of course the consistency. If you can get a few cells straight off the line, then there are several on the forum who could test them properly. Good quality cells and a factory direct price can easily net yourself free batteries via a group buy for your efforts.
