Looking for Common Cells that might be cheap for +500 and +1000 pieces.
Any suggestions for other Commonly Available, High Quality Cells that might be Suitable for Lower Continuous Current?
I understand why looking at cycle life is a good idea!
After looking at the specifications of quite a few 18650 Data Sheets, the top brands are very similar.
The way I see this is the older Batteries are constantly becoming cheaper as superseded.
Also the Performance of New Batteries is increasing.
With the majority of uses of 18650 cells the Amperage and cycle life per kg is the driving factor, in my case the only factor is cost!
My point is that the Battery I make today from cells could be replaced with better Battery Cells at half the price in a matter of years.
When I do all the Math taking the discounted price of Brand name superseded cells into consideration the cycle life is less relevant.
The resulting Battery is still going to last long enough.
The other factor is the risk with Mark1 battery costing $3000 as opposed to $1500.
I am not arguing that cycle life is not very important, just not so much for my first Battery and minimizing the financial risk!
At the end of process with quotes from suppliers, I will know what cell is the best value for my application now.
With plans to Re-build the Battery with the next price break opportunity in the future.
My only question is which 18650 for <= C1 Discharge are more common with good price breaks, what I am finding is some older Cells stack up, like: LG INR18650F1L (Rated 3350mAh) (1.5C Max 4.875A) and some Panasonic Cells.
If all you want is slow drain for an off grid setup, go with the NCR18650B, they are probably one of the cheapest LITHIUM options. You should be able to get these for around USD300 a KW (80 cells) if you shop around. There is a lot of work to turn this into a usable battery.
But IMO, as much as I love lithium technology, for off grid solar “second hand” Lead-acid is still a great idea. Big companies change 3 year old batteries that have been on constant charge on critical systems even if they are perfect. Lead likes to be kept charged so you should get 5-7 years more out of these batteries. Then they are fully recyclable at the end of life in which you get paid.
I will give a real life example. I have a mate who I set up off grid, was going to be close to AUD 10,000 for a 14kw usable powerwall. I found some 3 yo great condition lead acid batterys for AUD 1500 with 20kw of power. Using the 50% drain rate he will have 10kw usable. At current rates they batterys can be recycled for AUD 300. So for AUD1200 he has 10kw of usable power (of which he never gets close to using)
Thank you for your thoughts Lightbringer,
I have not priced LiFePO4 cells, have a particular part number in mind?
Very open to ideas, one thing I have found is many good options in US have not got the market saturation pricing in AU.
Like Forklift Batteries, Golf cart or Electric Cars. I have not found local supplier for cells that can match a months bargaining with Chinese Sellers and half the products value in shipping, so be it in AU.
I am very open to any ideas, if you can suggest anything to check out.
Cheers
Hi Mud Muncher,
Have to double check the quote but around $2.50 AUD for NCR18650B x1000 before freight.
I have received some better offers on other part numbers, but still a work in progress.
The NCR18650BE and LG INR18650F1L are competitively priced for the application but could still come second to common lead acid.
This whole process started by looking for an alternative to Lead Acid and I have looked at pretty much everything that is available in Australia and Lithium Solar Batteries from China.
I am in small town in Western NSW, we understand freight being fruit and vegetable producers.
Adelaide is our lowest cost with a Local transport firm but for the right price it is not going to matter.
Can you help me source 400Ah of 12v Lead Acid, 48v 100A Bank of Usable Storage?
Let me know if you have any suggestions to kick of the search.
Not in the slightest. All I know is that they come that big precisely for solar apps (and RVs and the like). They’re way more forgiving of abuse than Li-ion, and have a very flat discharge curve, just like NiCd. Cycle-life is also lots lots more than Li-ion, if I’m not mistaken. I think they also have LFP replacements for car batteries, but that sounds more like a specialty niche, not something suitable for quantity-pricing.
If you can get those batteries, they’re great in that they’ve geared for deeper discharge than regular car batteries, which are happiest when kept fully charged.
If I understand you correctly.
You are saying “Tenergy LiFePO4 32650 3.2V 5500mAh Rechargeable Batteries 5.5Ah”
were made 9th week of 2013 and do not hold 5.5Ah as stated?
Have you got links to tests, or aware of the true specifications for these cells.
Also, what are these lico 5.5 ah you got?
Can you share what you purchased and who supplies it?
I logged in to Ebay and checked it out,
Item location: Leander, Texas, United States,
doesn’t ship to Australia. (Shipping from US is not viable in any case!)
Tenergy LiFePO4 32650 are not available through Alibaba!
There are Many other LiFePO4 32650 on Alibaba, the question is which manufacture has quality cells.
Also looking at 4x 12V 100Ah lithium iron phosphate battery,
or 17x 3.2V 100Ah lithium iron phosphate battery,
In order to make up 48v 100A!