Custom OEM Battery Packs: From Requirements to Sample Validation
An OEM and ODM traction battery checklist covering vehicle inputs, mechanical and BMS interfaces, prototype fitment, road tests and production change records.
Start the brief with vehicle duty
List vehicle type, payload, grades, operating temperature, distance per shift and recharge window. Include controller and charger part numbers, the required voltage window, continuous and peak battery current and the duration of each peak. Estimated volumes, timing and destination markets inform the validation schedule.
Agree controlled interface documents
Use a revisioned drawing for dimensions, tolerances, fixings, connectors, lead length and service access. List gauge, wakeup, charge interlock and any CAN or other signals with a clear owner. This gives both teams a baseline for investigating voltage sag, communication errors or harness interference.
Separate fitment, traction and charge tests
Check static assembly and service access first. On a representative route, measure starts, sustained grades, energy use and temperature rise. Record charger profile version, limits, charge time and termination. The vehicle team should define procedures and acceptance criteria for fault and boundary cases.
Carry sample changes into the production record
For every change, record the reason, affected interfaces and retest results. Before volume release, agree the cell and mechanical revisions, BMS and charger profile versions, outgoing checks and batch identification. Confirm market and transport documents separately against the actual pack and shipment.