Fire Danger

[adrianp89]

I see a lot of people say you must go with a reputable brand.

Is there any evidence that they catch fire less than a no-name brand, or is this just forum propaganda?

[TheCartBoy]

Lol I don't think it's propaganda, but just some observations on those WangChuFoo122 products coming from overseas.

If my WangChung battarie caught on fire and the now homeless is giving me bad Amazon reviews, well I'm going to close my AliExpress store and rebrand it and the battery under a new name, maybe ChubWang this time. I'm not going to make the product any better, because that would cut into profits.

Also even if Billy Bones house doesn't burn down, I'm going to rebrand after a year anyways so I don't have to honor that 8 year warranty I sold you. Good luck finding Mr. Chin!

[DaveTM]

And speaking of Ali....I doubt I'll ever buy from them again. The BMS I ordered ....not what I got. They sent me some cheap $20 item that I paid $120 for. Then the "vendor" did not respond to my request within the 48 hour time frame. So I then got Ali involved and the refund process has started. They sent me a return label.

I think these overseas guys willl ship you anything if they don't have what you ordered. Then they have your $$$ for a minimum of 30 days interest free......on the hopes that you will give up and let them keep the money.

I'm still in the process....and I'll let you know how it goes. It's suppose to go to a return center in NJ. We shall see.

[adrianp89]

Originally Posted by TheCartBoy

Lol I don't think it's propaganda, but just some observations on those WangChuFoo122 products coming from overseas.

If my WangChung battarie caught on fire and the now homeless is giving me bad Amazon reviews, well I'm going to close my AliExpress store and rebrand it and the battery under a new name, maybe ChubWang this time. I'm not going to make the product any better, because that would cut into profits.

Also even if Billy Bones house doesn't burn down, I'm going to rebrand after a year anyways so I don't have to honor that 8 year warranty I sold you. Good luck finding Mr. Chin!

Again - everything you just said is opinion.

I could alternatively say the "reliable" US companies use the same Chinese cells and BMS as the cheaper Amazon brands. I don't have any evidence either way but it is certainly a possibility and very common practice.

Any YouTubers break down AliExpress vs. Amazon vs. US based battery companies?

[jasonojordan]

Originally Posted by adrianp89

Again - everything you just said is opinion.

I could alternatively say the "reliable" US companies use the same Chinese cells and BMS as the cheaper Amazon brands. I don't have any evidence either way but it is certainly a possibility and very common practice.

Any YouTubers break down AliExpress vs. Amazon vs. US based battery companies?

They all use cells out of China. End of Story.


What is being argued here is build quality and lack of liability to do better.
Is a battery is built and sold on the cheap from China catch fire every time? No.
Is a battery built in the US at risk of catching fire just like one built in China? Yes.

Does having a battery built in the US make it better then one built in China? No, point and case the whole debacle with Extreme Team and Uno.
But just like anything in the real world ever manufactured if you have loose QC and no one holding you accountable the chance of a failure goes up.

Its like the age old saying. You can have 2 of the 3. Quality Product, Affordable Product or Good Support.
Pick the two that work for you.

Is there a scientific proven % rate of failure for every single battery made in the US and China? No.
Is there a proven % higher failure rate of one country build batteries over the other? No.

Is this all propaganda by people here on the forum? No.
This is as it always is people on the forum supporting known quality products and protecting people that come looking to be more informed by steering them to known good products.

You want to go buy a 48v100ah golf cart battery made and sold from China with a Alphabet Soup name go right ahead no one will stop you. Its your money and your choice.

The people here are piping up to protect people from spending money on products that won't work, companies that won't support their products, and in extreme cases products that are flat out dangerous. That's what we are here for.

[TheCartBoy]

Yep!

Also plenty of those YouTubers get paid or given free products in exchange for those reviews.

[adrianp89]

Originally Posted by jasonojordan

The people here are piping up to protect people from spending money on products that won't work, companies that won't support their products, and in extreme cases products that are flat out dangerous. That's what we are here for.

I get this - but it seems if someone here doesn't know a company, they are labeled as all of above. Just because BillyChangsBatteries isn't heard of by forum members doesn't mean they have bad support or poor products.

I am just providing a full insight to people. Forums are a major echo chamber and always tend to lean towards a few brands only (often sponsors) and everything seems to be bad. (All forums, not just here). They should take forum advice as well as doing their own research outside of here.

I have certainly have been burned by buying a forum favorite brand when it ended up not being the best choice for me. (Alltrax and Lester being two just from this forum).

[jasonojordan]

That is all fine and you are correct. I think where alot of us have bristled at is it being called propaganda.

That is definitely not the case. Alot of us are likely on edge here too sick of answer the daily...I want to go lithium what should I buy threads.

Or the I bought this alphabet soup brand battery off amazon will it work or did I make a mistake threads.

[DaveTM]

Originally Posted by adrianp89

I get this - but it seems if someone here doesn't know a company, they are labeled as all of above. Just because BillyChangsBatteries isn't heard of by forum members doesn't mean they have bad support or poor products.

I am just providing a full insight to people. Forums are a major echo chamber and always tend to lean towards a few brands only (often sponsors) and everything seems to be bad. (All forums, not just here). They should take forum advice as well as doing their own research outside of here.

I have certainly have been burned by buying a forum favorite brand when it ended up not being the best choice for me. (Alltrax and Lester being two just from this forum).

Well, your milage may vary as they say.......But in the 14 years I've had my cart I'm running on my second Alltrax Controller. I have found Alltrax support to be outstanding, and the product to last a reasonable amount of time.....as long as you purchase the right fit for your needs.

You stated in a post that you spoke to Lester and they told you their Lead Acid charger will work on lithium. That may be true.....but it won't be optimal for the lithium.

You stated in another post that you installed a Li-Time 60AH lithium battery with 120amp continuous and 350amp peak (for how long I don't know).

The lester charger may work on your battery.....but it will not be a good long term solution. The small power Li-Time may work for your needs, but here in SW PA where we have actual hills my cart would chew up and destroy that Li-Time battery in short order.......leaving me stuck on a hill a few miles in the woods.

Your cart needs are much different than mine. As are others on this forum. If you want to burn you bucks on Chin's battery that's your choice. If you want to use a LA charger on your battery, that's your choice. But don't squawk later than the forum posters gave you bad advice.

[adrianp89]

Originally Posted by DaveTM

Well, your milage may vary as they say.......But in the 14 years I've had my cart I'm running on my second Alltrax Controller. I have found Alltrax support to be outstanding, and the product to last a reasonable amount of time.....as long as you purchase the right fit for your needs.

You stated in a post that you spoke to Lester and they told you their Lead Acid charger will work on lithium. That may be true.....but it won't be optimal for the lithium.

You stated in another post that you installed a Li-Time 60AH lithium battery with 120amp continuous and 350amp peak (for how long I don't know).

The lester charger may work on your battery.....but it will not be a good long term solution. The small power Li-Time may work for your needs, but here in SW PA where we have actual hills my cart would chew up and destroy that Li-Time battery in short order.......leaving me stuck on a hill a few miles in the woods.

Your cart needs are much different than mine. As are others on this forum. If you want to burn you bucks on Chin's battery that's your choice. If you want to use a LA charger on your battery, that's your choice. But don't squawk later than the forum posters gave you bad advice.

I have no issues with Alltrax - it wasn't the right choice for my build, for a full cart rebuild the AC conversion kit is a much better choice than an Alltrax and re-built or custom motor IMO. That info was hard to come by a few years ago, back then everyone basically said Alltrax or bust.

Those statements aren't quite accurate. I ended up buying the 100ah battery, but seriously considered the 60ah, which would have been fine for me in retrospect but I prefer some headroom. I am moving to TN and the neighborhood has some serious hills which will really put that to the test over the flat grounds of FL.

That came with a new charger which works great, I never even tried the Lester with the new battery, but I did check. They seemed confident it would work great with lithium, so not sure why you think it wouldn't be optimal.

If my cheap battery or charger fails, catches fire, or any other odd-ball scenario, I will gladly share my experience on here. Knowledge is power and there is lack of real world experience when it comes to these cheaper lithium's. I saved well over $1,000 so I am willing to take the risk over a "proven" forum brand.