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Is there interest in a group buy of A123 20ah prismatic pouch cells?

Discussion in 'Prius PHEV Plug-In Modifications' started by ericbecky, Jun 4, 2012.

  1. stevemcelroy

    stevemcelroy Active Member

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    Just a word of warning about A123 - the company and not their specific products. The company recently issues a "going concern" notice meaning that they are warning investors (I am one) about their long term viability as a company. The notice was accompanied with them saying that they were actively looking for outside investors.

    So, just something to weigh if you are considering this.
     
  2. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    Scarry news, sounds like " take the goverment money grants and run....":confused:
     
  3. Flying White Dutchman

    Flying White Dutchman Senior Member

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    This was in february not recent
    Trouble is still the same but its nor bankrupped yet

    -Htc Tapatalk
     
  4. stevemcelroy

    stevemcelroy Active Member

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    The notice that I mentioned was from mid-May. The whole point of such a notice by a publicly traded company is to let everyone know that it has significant issues well before they get to the point of bankruptcy. It is not a death notice, but it is akin to a doctor telling the family of an accident victim that the outlook is not great and that they should at least begin to ready themselves for the possibility of the of death.

    The reason that I mentioned it was that such a disclosure would make me worry about support and warranty issues down the line

     
  5. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    We do not buy the cells directly A123. We do not have the volume for them to pay any attention to us, plus, the cost would probably be 300% to 400% more. A123 will not directly be giving support.

    I'll be adding a few more questions and answers to the Q&A.
    - Self discharge (basically very little)
    - Warranty/Guarantee (same, basically very little)
     
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  6. cgates30

    cgates30 Junior Member

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    I guess the point is that if a cell goes bad down the road, then you may not be able to get a replacement. Since the characteristics of these cells are different than other LiFePO4's then you wouldn't (I guess) be able to do a replacement with a cell from another company. Presumably somebody would buy the rights to make these cells in or before any bankruptcy and continue making them. That's a maybe.
     
  7. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    In the past these cells were like unobtainuim. They could not be bought by the general public at any price.
    So now that these have begun showing up on the market, we usually get a few extras just in case they become unavailable again or need to swap out a bad cell.
     
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  8. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    A quote of prevention will save a lot of headaches
     
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  9. lopezjm2001

    lopezjm2001 Senior Member

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    I have thought about a backup should I get bad cells for some unknown reason and the A123 20AH pouch cells were no longer available to purchase. My battery pack is made up of five containers. Each container contains 14 x A123 20ah pouch cells connected in series. My contingency plan would be to replace each of the 14 cells in one container with two Headway cells 10AH connected in parallel. I cannot see a problem with doing this. Whatever differences there may be they will be protected by my miniBMS. Whatever differences thee are in cell voltage while discharging would not make any difference. Whatever differences ther are in each cell internal resistance will just add up to the total internal resistance of the complete battery pack.
     
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  10. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    I'll start a separate thread to discuss possible ideas for the connections of the A123 cells.

    I just completed my most recent 500 cell order, and after talking with my vendor it looks like for future orders the price will be $27.50 per cell and it includes shipping.

    Reading through this thread, possible interested parties so far may be:
    - 145 cells mrbigh
    - 72 cells cgates30

    Still need some more interested parties.

    Want to see what 500 cells looks like?
    Here they are at my shop.
    Photos - Google+
     
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  11. Flying White Dutchman

    Flying White Dutchman Senior Member

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    Nice

    Any closeups? Like little dens on the batteru cells or so like i hat

    -Htc Tapatalk ( sorry for auto spell correct )
     
  12. banshee08

    banshee08 Member

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    I am interested in 156 cells and my friend also interested in 72 cells. I just need to figure out the connections before I commit.
     
  13. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    Sure. There are several ways to do it. Everyone seems to think their way is the best.
    I just added a post about another connecting method in the A123 cell connection thread.
    Connecting A123 20ah lithium prismatic cells | PriusChat

    FWD,
    I'll post some closeups after I finish getting all these boxes ready for shipment to their recipients.
     
  14. tf4624

    tf4624 Active Member

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    I'm not liking this new conversation option. Since we no longer send private PMs. Eric i started a conversation with you. Check your inbox to see if you got it

    Thanks
     
  15. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    I can't even find where the conversation thing is? email me at [email protected] or let's talk the old-fashioned way via phone 608-729-4082
     
  16. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    I was just contacted by another person interested in cells.
    This puts us close enough to the 500 cells order so I may be able to move on this as soon as the end of next week.

    I know people still need to decide for sure if they are in.

    Is next week to Friday too soon for people to commit?
    Realistically, what are peoples timeframes?
    Not trying to push anyone. Just trying to get a reality check.

    Feel free to email or call me if you'd rather talk privately.
     
  17. NortTexSalv04Prius

    NortTexSalv04Prius Active Member

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    ericbecky did you or are you listing some 123 on ebay currently
     
  18. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    Yes, I just listed 14 orphan cells from our last group buy on ebay. I'll have about 80 more by mid-month because of a bank snafu that delayed shipping. The price on ebay is higher to cover then extra costs.

    I'd prefer to sell them locally or on the boards here, but since it was a smaller quantity than most people were looking for I didn't want to bother anyone here with it.

    I posted a listing in my local community workshop's site and one other site as well. (A bit lower price since no extr charges by ebay or paypal.) Feel free to call if you have questions. 608-729-4082.
     
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  19. NortTexSalv04Prius

    NortTexSalv04Prius Active Member

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    thanks
    I may get some this fall/winter however I am still worried about "how to" do the connections and make battery pack.
     
  20. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    Keep watching the "Connecting A123 20ah lithium prismatic cells" thread.
    Something will shake out that alleviates your connection worries.