This seems a bit extreme considering someone would have shipped a box full of these certified packs where I want to ship just 2 at a time and can put each in it's own little compartment.
Not the same thing. Shipping separate batteries and batteries connected together is a different animal. Batteries are insulated and disconnected in shipping for this very reason.
A BMS that can cutoff overcurrent short circuit for one battery may well fail when having to cut off 2 packs with double the voltage, for example. Same for thermal consideration.
You absolutely have to certify your new product as soon as you ship the batteries in it (even if integrating only one pack into your product, and shipping it
connectedThis is not to screw the customer over
Yeah. right. We're generally immune to that kind of marketing statements here.
The problem is that we want to make sure we get to sell the spare batteries so want to put additional circuitry with the battery.
Yep. Increasing cost just to block alternative options for your customer. They love antifeatures, right ?
it can in fact be locked to that product so that it cannot be used elsewhere although each battery coms with it's own BMS anyway.
You want to screw your customer over. Get over it, it's OK.
costs money so you buy from us, we support you.
Sure, but that fact does not require a lock. A question like "do you use an original battery? No? try again with an original one and call us back" is good enough.
It also opens up other possibilities in the product eco system.
Moar profits from DRM locks, good for management bonus eh ?
My suggestion: Do a huge favor for yourself and your customers. Use standard batteries.
You will have less cost, perhaps lower price and/or higher margin, and still sell spares to >2/3 of your customers.
You'll have less development, certification, paperwork effort.
Most pros don't want to fumble with different batteries because of risks. The ones who do do it out of necessity and will do it no matter what locks you put in place.
Yeah, you'll have to be a bit restrictive on support, and ask more questions.....
Much better strategy on the long run. Especially for a small fish in the big pond.