cell_man said:
Thanks Luke
However I wouldn't wait too long to long if you really need the 20Ah prismatics as stocks are running a bit low. Still have plenty of the 15Ah though.
Ah, there's the rub. at this moment i am not ready to purchase. and there is no guarantee that when i will be ready later this year that any more cells will be available unless i am willing to purchase large quantities. the information i had been given is that presently the A123 20Ah prismatics available were ones for sampling/testing and supplies would be limited. also there is no way to ensure that more cells would be available for sampling or testing in the future.
the last time i bought A123's i initially bought 16 cells through their sample program. the only source originally was to buy direct from A123. this included filling in a long questionaire on how the cells were to be used and what market they were going for. when i attempted to buy more i was turned away. A123 deemed that my project was not worthy of getting any more cells. i was told that they had better places to send their few precious remaining sample cells. to get the cells i needed i was forced to buy and disect DeWalt 36V power tool packs.
the A123 company attitude may have changed since then. but from past experience and rejection it would take some convincing before i'd be willing to subject myself to this a second time.
to me the important specs of a cell are how they perform and not who actually made them. so far the cells i got from LifeBatt performed as advertised. i don't really need to know who made them unless my intention is to Surreptitiously circumvent the supplier and buy direct. i don't blame BMI/LifeTech/Lifebatt from protecting their source. it after all is their bread and butter. why should they help you in any way to cut thier own throats? why should or would they not protect their bottom line.
I guess that your argument is that the middleman is a liar, because they won't tell you who or how to go around them and buy from the manufacturer direct? does that sum it up? who really is being dishonest here? sounds more like sour grapes to me. whats the matter? frustrated in your attempts to get the same for less? middle-man won't cooperate and disappear from the picture? what's next in the interogation techniques? Kidnap? Bright lights? Rubber Hoses? The Third Degree?
if you can find the source yourself, all well and good. but to accuse someone of dishonesty for protecting themselves from you? seriously sounds like bully tactics to me. and bullies are never honorable or honest.
Truthfully, if i did find out for myself the source and that i could buy cells direct that are made to the same spec for less, i would likely go direct. but i would not expect any help or confirmation from LifeTech/LifeBatt in this quest. i think that information proprietary and respect their right to protect it.
sort of moot anyways. from what i have read on this thread Headway even if they originally maded the cells either cannot or will not make or sell cells made to the same spec any longer. and since they either can't, aren't or won't be the source, that leaves you with dealing with LifeBatt or LifeTech to supply cells of that quality and pay their price
rick