When you contact a battery pack OEM, a vague inquiry ("I need a 12V battery") usually comes back as a vague quote — or no quote at all. The factories that quote well are the ones that ask the right questions first. This guide collects those questions so you can send a complete brief on the first try and get a comparable, realistic price.
1. Application and device model
Start with what the pack powers. A pack for a solar security camera faces very different demands from one in an AGV or a power tool. Include the device model and, if it replaces an existing pack, the original part number. This single line tells the factory more than a paragraph of spec.
2. Voltage and capacity
Give the nominal voltage (or the series count — 3S, 4S, 6S, 7S …) and the capacity in amp-hours. Be clear about whether the capacity you state is the nominal or the actual delivered figure; honest factories quote on real-rated capacity, and stating it upfront keeps everyone on the same page.
3. Continuous and peak discharge current
This is where many packs fail in the field. State both the continuous current and the peak (and for how long the peak lasts). High-rate applications — drones, power tools, robotics — need cells and a BMS rated for the actual load, not the catalogue average.
4. Size, enclosure and connector
Dimensions are often the hard constraint. Send the maximum envelope, the enclosure material (or "match the original"), and the connector type and pinout. A photo of the current pack with a ruler beside it is worth a page of text — and it lets the factory confirm compatibility before quoting.
5. Communication and certifications
Does the device expect battery communication (SMBus, CAN, Bluetooth)? Which certifications does your market require — UN38.3 and MSDS for shipping, IEC 62133 / CE / CB for the product? Listing these upfront avoids a redesign after tooling.
6. Quantity and destination
First-order quantity and expected annual volume set the pricing tier and the production approach. Include the destination port — lithium batteries are regulated cargo, and the shipping route affects both cost and paperwork.
Send this brief and get a priced proposal
Give us the six points above — even a photo of your current pack is enough to start — and we reply within 24 hours with a specification proposal and pricing tiers. Samples are charged and credited to your first production order.
Quick Inquiry
Not sure about some of the numbers? That is normal — a good factory will help you fill the gaps from a photo or a sample. The point of the checklist is to start the conversation with the facts you do have, so the quote you receive reflects your real device rather than a guess.
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