18650 Batteries

[DictatorZero]

So I've been vaping for about 4 months now with the eGo-C (which was so much better then the Lucy and Blu's). I was having issues with my battery charging and was planning on buying my mother an ecig (she doesn't have internet access or understand the stuff) so I bought her the eGo-T 18650 mod as well as one for myself while I was at it.

I purchased a battery charger and battery combo from amazon and had one of them die on me after only about 3 hours (after having been charged all day). So I decided to look into it and it seems the batteries that I purchased are fakes. So I looked around and there appears to be a lot of fakes floating around. My question is can anyone suggest a trustworthy source for 18650 batteries and chargers for a decent price?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Pooladdict247]

New! Panasonic CGR18650CH With Top Button, 2250mAh IMR High Drain 18650 Battery Cell-Made in Japan

I bought 2 from them and have cycled them every other day for months. Most will say get an aw imr but I trust panasonic more than I trust a guy named andy wang(aw batts).
Dont get me wrong, the aw's are good, I have 2 myself but the panasonics are more mah and a better battery if a failure does occur. A failing aw can get up to 200+ degrees and be useless afterwards, the panasonic will only reach about 150 and probably still be usable.

 

[mooreted]

First off, regular batteries can't take the power consumption of an ecig. You run the risk of blowing your face off.

Ok, so, you need AW IMR 18650 batteries. They have a great power profile and are safer chemistry so less likely to fail. Anything you charge can be dangerous so make sure you understand how to care for rechargeable batteries.

I use these with my e-Power:

Super T Manufacturing, Innovative manufacturer of electronic cigarette products.

 

[mooreted]

Oh, and chargers:

Super T Manufacturing, Innovative manufacturer of electronic cigarette products.

 

[mooreted]

Have not tried the Panasonic batts.

 

[WetWooD]

I have been meaning to try the Panasonis Batteries. Something with that many mah's is just begging to be put to the test!

 

[DictatorZero]

Thanks guys, very helpful information...but now I'm completely confused about the different kinds of 18650 batteries...

 

[Rader2146]

You don't need IMR batteries, and nearly every "regular" 18650 size lithium ion battery is very capable of safely delivering the required amperage of a direct drive (not variable voltage) device. IMR batteries do provide good performance, but for a fixed voltage mod there are options that will provide better time between charges and still safely produce a very satisfying vape. The Panasonic linked above is a very good battery with a 10 amp max discharge and will do very well in an eGo 18650 mod. I'm also very impressed by the Xtar 18700 2600mAh with a quality Sanyo cell inside. Look for them on eBay. I have 2 of them on the way for 14.99 shipped.

 

[Rader2146]

Thanks guys, very helpful information...but now I'm completely confused about the different kinds of 18650 batteries...

The inevitable Battery University link:

Types of Lithium-ion Batteries

Lithium Cobalt = ICR, or what was referred to above as "regular" batteries.

Lithium Manganese = IMR

My assumption based on the performance caricteristics of the Panasonic CGR18650 is that it is Lithium Nickle Manganese Cobalt. But that is only an assumption because Panasonic has not published the chemistry, only that it is a "hybrid".

 

[Poeia]

Panasonic 18650s are supposed to be great.

My favorite battery source is Lighthound. The crowd at Candlepower Forum (they're flashlight fans) love them and you can get a 2% discount with the code cpf. They don't carry the Panasonics but their service is unbeatable.

 

[tobarger]

Orbtronic has been out of stock on the Panasonic CGR18650CH batteries, both button and flat top
They also raised the price when vapers started buying them like mad, +$2.00 on the button tops
I guess the honeymoon is over, I'm very disappointed with them

 

[mooreted]

By "regular battery" I mean, don't walk into Batteries Plus and just grab a rechargeable battery off the shelf. If you use Li-Ion batteries then they need to be protected batteries to protect against shorts, over voltage and over discharge which could lead to battery failure.

 

[Rader2146]

My apologizes. I assumed you meant ICR because, as far as I know, there aren't any non-lithium 18650 sized battries.

 

[mooreted]

Well, there are a bunch of threads about battery safety. If you want to know more check the threads here, read up on Battery University and check out the candlepower forums.

Just be safe with your batteries and you'll be fine.