Sourcing Batteries for Small Scale Runs - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: PerArdua
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2023, 10:47:06 pm
content: Hi,I'm tentatively making my first steps towards creating a small, niche product which I'd like to sell in the UK (and potentially further afield). I'm starting with a small run of 100, but if successful I'd be looking at a run of ~ 1000 in the next year. The circuit for this consumes around 120mA - 130mA at 3.3V, and should operate for at least 10 hours continuously from a rechargeable battery. The device itself is to operate in a warm (~30C) moist environment, and is not safety critical, though I would like users to be safe from the potential dangers of batteries. As a result of its environment, I envisage potting the entire device, such that it is moisture resistant, save for an IPx7 rated USB C port.I think I've settled on a LiFePo4 chemistry for this application, given its stability and safety compared to Li-ion and Li-po batteries. I will be including a battery charge controller, load sharing for use whilst charging, as well as BMC if my chosen battery doesn't come with protection.However, I'm struggling to pick a single battery for this. Whilst I've experience and confidence from uni and hobby electronics at picking a random lipo/lifepo4/whatever battery from Ebay for a one-off hobby project, I owe it to my future customers to be more diligent with component selection - especially for the battery. However, whilst I have no issue sourcing components from sources like Digikey/Farnell, these components stockists don't seem to distribute a variety of batteries as they do other components - most of them costing double digit figures. I was anticipating around £2 - £4 for batteries that meet the above criteria (around 1500mAh give or take some error).Where do you all source batteries for projects such as these? Are there other distributors for LiFePo4/Lipo batteries (3.2V at around 1500mAh) that my Google searches are missing? Or do people buy directly from established Chinese manufacturers? If so, who are they? Is my £2 - £4 budget realistic or way off the mark?Last question on this theme (and why I decided to put it in manufacturing and assembly) is what does the extra markup from European distributors, buy me? Is it just convenience for having English speaking, expedited delivery? Or a chance at returning batteries that do not live up to performance specs? If a device fails (without fault of my design) and is from a European distributor - do they hold some liability rather than relying entirely on my own product liability insurance? Reading stories about dealing with the Chinese market makes me think no such recourse would be remotely likely if I were to buy directly.Thanks for your time, I'm both nervous and excited about trying to market my device - would be happy to give more detail if useful/interesting.

author: stone
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 08, 2023, 03:08:18 pm
content: Many factories in China can produce LiFePo4 battery 3.2V 1500mah

author: jc101
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 08, 2023, 04:41:06 pm
content: Alpha Micro can source batteries and make custom sizes if the quantity is right.It might be worth getting in touch with them. They are very helpful.https://alphamicro.net/franchises/powerBuying via a distributor should ensure consistent quality and the like. Buying direct from the far east can be pot luck. I prefer to source things in the UK wherever possible, even if it is slightly more expensive. I like to be able to pick up the phone and speak to someone who can deal with the OEM as required.Edit to add... I trust you are not thinking of potting the battery too? I doubt that would end well in the long term.

author: asmi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 08, 2023, 05:59:23 pm
content: You can take a look here:https://onlybatteries.com/

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 08, 2023, 08:31:46 pm
content: For sourcing bulk LiFePO4 battery packs (mostly 2S1P or 2S2P 18650), I've used O'Cell in Chinahttps://www.ocelltech.com/They've been quite good to deal with, and pricing is reasonable - but international shipping can be tricky.My client visited their factory (a few years ago) and was was suitably impressed with their operation.

author: Prime
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2023, 01:59:04 pm
content: You'll need to consider shipping and handling of batteries in your final cost.I'm a bit out of touch on the newer lithium chemistry but we had major drama shipping boxes of lithium ion batteries in, when I was racing electric cars ten years ago.They either had to be sea freighted or had to be flown with an human to escort them.What you are paying for with a local distributor is avoiding having to deal with that drama.

author: Jeroen3
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2023, 02:31:13 pm
content: I've seen these form of battery packs used in a variety of products, from portable fans to fluke meters.https://www.rrc-ps.com/en/battery-packs/standard-battery-packs/products/RRC2054They're not LiFePo4, but the cell management and protection is completely outsourced.Quote from: PerArdua on August 07, 2023, 10:47:06 pmhttps://eu.nkon.nl/Quote from: PerArdua on August 07, 2023, 10:47:06 pmYou are not the importer into Europe.