18650 Batteries

[stols001]

If in doubt, suspect it to be fake and treat it as such.

It's really not so uncommon to discover the fact that some batteries can be fake and to find that out by buying some fakes, and being like, "WHUT" and finding out about reputable venders and whatnot.

Don't use them, it's not worth it.

Anna

 

[Eskie]

The worst part is batteries from reliable vendors are affordable to begin with. I just ordered 6 Samsung 25R batteries from IMR for $4.50 each. At that price why would I ever buy from elsewhere even to save $1 on a battery? It's the one area of vaping where buying from a legit vendor is not only a safety issur, but they're usually the same price or even less than a rewrap elsewhere. IIRC IMR was selling 30Qs for $4, or $3.50 each on a 6 battery or more order. How much was the fleabay price with the 15% discount?

 

[Merlin 9]

Chinese manufacturers, at least many of them, have a different standard of quality than the rest of the world.

Ha, yeah. I don't know how they can sell some things. Batteries, cheap chargers, various computer cables, $1-2 each INCLUDING SHIPPING to the US. Bought 30 Zippo flints for 85 cents shipped.

 

[Merlin 9]

The worst part is batteries from reliable vendors are affordable to begin with. I just ordered 6 Samsung 25R batteries from IMR for $4.50 each. At that price why would I ever buy from elsewhere even to save $1 on a battery? It's the one area of vaping where buying from a legit vendor is not only a safety issur, but they're usually the same price or even less than a rewrap elsewhere. IIRC IMR was selling 30Qs for $4, or $3.50 each on a 6 battery or more order. How much was the fleabay price with the 15% discount?

Hmm, well they were $14.25 for 4 plus the 15% discount. But I did not really know as much about the fakes and legit sources until I found this forum, after my purchases. Ah well, now I know, also many other questions answered here, am now "armed" for future purchases, batteries, mods, juices etc.

 

[Eskie]

Hmm, well they were $14.25 for 4 plus the 15% discount. But I did not really know as much about the fakes and legit sources until I found this forum, after my purchases. Ah well, now I know, also many other questions answered here, am now "armed" for future purchases, batteries, mods, juices etc.

Oops now I feel bad. I went to double check that price and it's $6 for a 30Q. There are a bunch of new Samsung offerings so I misquoted the price. My bad. Still, at least you now have the names of good vendors for the future.

 

[Merlin 9]

Oops now I feel bad. I went to double check that price and it's $6 for a 30Q. There are a bunch of new Samsung offerings so I misquoted the price. My bad. Still, at least you now have the names of good vendors for the future.

No reason to feel bad, if the ones I got are fakes could be worthless. Good to know legitimate sources, heck even if 50-100% more you get something you know will work. And not like you have to replace the batteries every day. If bad I'm sure they would refund my money but in a way I feel sorry for some of those Chinese vendors, some may not know what they are selling is not legit and the prices are so low on many items I don't see how they can make anything, the Chinese post office must ship to the US for pennies........................

Oh, as I mentioned before these do ship from the US but when I went to "ask a question" it mentioned the actual seller is not based in the US. But since shipping from the US they have to pay USPS rates. Geez.

 

[Rossum]

Where do you buy the YR1030?

I got mine from Liion Wholesale but it's now available for considerably less from 18650 Battery Store.

The catch, of course, is that it doesn't make sense to buy a $50-$75 meter just to be able to check $15.00 worth of questionable batteries.

One more post for now, so many great replies I can't respond to all but have read them all. So a blanket thanks to all who posted. I will try to post again when I get the "suspect" batteries. I will probably run a "charge test" on my OPUS, it tops off, then discharges, then fully charges. Not sure what setting to use, there is 200, 300, 500, 700, 1000, 2000. Since this is supposed to be a 3000mah probably 700 or 1000. Best test is probably the charge refresh mode, runs 3 charge/discharge cycles but can take a LONG time........

I think the standard for discharge current when measuring capacity is 0.2C. For a 3000 mAh cell, that would be 600 mA.

 

[Susaz]

The actual CDR and mAh of the cell is more important than the specific chemistry. Buying from Ebay is a terrible idea.

Assuming it is genuine, the Samsung 30Q is a superb cell. If it is not genuine then who knows whats under the wrap.
You should buy from reputable dealers.

UK/Europe

Batteries Plus - Specialists in rechargeable batteries for cordless phone, mobile phone, digital camera, solar light and torch batteries and a large range of button cells, all at Batteries Plus in the UK
Fogstar - The UK's #1 trusted source of 18650 Batteries
NKON | nkon.nl
myepack.co.uk


North America

www.liionwholesale.com
www.imrbatteries.com
www.illumn.com
www.rtdvapor.com
www.batterybro.com
www.orbtronic.com

The chart is valid until May. I'll see if I can find a new one.

 

[Merlin 9]

I got mine from Liion Wholesale but it's now available for considerably less from 18650 Battery Store.

The catch, of course, is that it doesn't make sense to buy a $50-$75 meter just to be able to check $15.00 worth of questionable batteries.


I think the standard for discharge current when measuring capacity is 0.2C. For a 3000 mAh cell, that would be 600 mA.

Great info, thanks. Actually I use a lot of rechargeable batteries, many devices, so would not be for just this. Also noticed they have the Samsung 30Qs for $4.99 each. Since the meter ships free I assume I could add some batteries without paying additional shipping. Shipping is also part of the reason I "hunted" for bargains at ebay, if just buying 2-4 batteries from an online shop the price may be ok but if you have to add $6 or so in shipping can be prohibitive. Guess I will check Mooch's recommendations for batteries, maybe something even better than the 30Qs for my device.

 

[williamclarkonet]

I remember mooch saying most cells are mislabeled Inr or imr. It’s above my pay grade so I won’t try to explain it. They could be authentic cells but it’s hard to say. I would only order from eBay if I knew the seller and he was trustworthy. The sellers rating may help you determine if he sells authentic cells. @Mooch May be able to tell you how to spot a fake. Hopefully he will pop in and have an easy way to spot a Samsung 30q fake. Good luck

Yeah i only found 2 trustworthy sellers on ebay

 

[Merlin 9]

Oops, says the meter "qualifies" for free shipping but you actually have to purchase $99 worth of items to get the free shipping. Meter and 4 batteries only $69, will have to see if I can find anything else I need.

Update, checked shipping, almost $9, they don't offer first class. Price on meter is pretty good though, may make up for the shipping cost. They have a place for "coupon codes" too, wonder if I can find one

 

[Merlin 9]

Yeah i only found 2 trustworthy sellers on ebay

Mind sharing those? I like those 15-20% off on everything sales.

 

[williamclarkonet]

Mind sharing those? I like those 15-20% off on everything sales.

Sure it #1 genuinecells on eBay
And number 2# original_year on eBay
Best bet though is to get them here Illumn.com - Flashlights, Batteries, Carry Gear, Intelligent LED Lighting, and More! or here Earth's #1 source for IMR 18650 Batteries, Chargers, Cases & Wraps | IMRbatteries.com

 

[Merlin 9]

Sure it #1 genuinecells on eBay
And number 2# original_year on eBay
Best bet though is to get them here Illumn.com - Flashlights, Batteries, Carry Gear, Intelligent LED Lighting, and More! or here Earth's #1 source for IMR 18650 Batteries, Chargers, Cases & Wraps | IMRbatteries.com

Thanks, ran across both while searching for my purchase, since I didn't know about all the "fakes" I bypassed them as others were cheaper. Free shipping, on one of those 15-20% off days would be a great bargain I think. Will check the online sites too.

Well actually there is no such thing as "free shipping". Sellers just add the shipping cost to the minimum bid or buy it now price. In many cases calculated shipping can be better than "free shipping", especially on heavy items, if you live close to the seller calculated shipping can be half or less of what it would be for someone who is far away. And the "free shipping" type sellers have to add the shipping cost to the buy it now or minimum bid assuming the buyer would be the furthest possible distance away...............

 

[williamclarkonet]

Thanks, ran across both while searching for my purchase, since I didn't know about all the "fakes" I bypassed them as others were cheaper. Free shipping, on one of those 15-20% off days would be a great bargain I think. Will check the online sites too.

I have bought from both those sellers they have always checked out to my eyes and there performance has always meet expectation. They have also matched Moochs performance test also. There good to deal with. genuinecells i know are good to work with, same day shipping, all batteries 2 or more come with cases, they make no aggravated claims on there batteries and they know there stuff ask them a question and they well give you an honest educated answer.

 

[Coyote628]

I buy batteries from a b&m and keep the reciept. That way, if the batteries are fake and explode on me, ill own a vape store.

 

[Baditude]

I buy batteries from a b&m and keep the reciept. That way, if the batteries are fake and explode on me, ill own a vape store.

Yeah, and then you can sell the vape store to pay for your medical costs and property damage. Great plan.

 

[stols001]

I buy batteries from a b&m and keep the reciept. That way, if the batteries are fake and explode on me, ill own a vape store.

Uuh… I don't think that's quite how it works. Well, I mean to say THAT IS NOT HOW it works. Even in a joke fashion, that's a pretty terrible joke.

Although I do think a fitting punishment for the McD lady might have been to have her own a franchise or something. See, that's a good joke.

J/K and all kidding aside, I see no point buying expensive electrical equipment of which the husband already owns two of them, but I have never used one because like, why test my batteries even at all if I'm doing it right. Performance falls off (it is doing so in my FIRST vape battery, BTW) I retire the batter and then contact one of my favorite vendors (usually IMRbatteries.com) and I don't even have to beg they send me these lovely new batteries in a day or two and it's cheap, too.

Anna

 

[Merlin 9]

Small update, I noticed my mod will be arriving 3 days before the batteries I ordered. So I borrowed a couple used AWT IMR 18650 40A. Using the OPUS charger I did a charge test which tops off, discharges (you then get the capacity), then charges. Both show capacity of 2700, considering used pretty good? The OPUS also has a "quick test" which is supposed to measure internal resistance. Both came out 34 (64-30, the manual says to subtract 30 from the reading for the resistance of the charger itself.) So I have a sort of baseline for what my maybe real/maybe fakes Samsung 30Qs should be when they arrive. This OPUS is a great charger, I read more you can do with it, I guess it has an internal switch too (you have to open it up to set the switch, one guy just cut a hole in his so he can access the switch). Settings are 4.2v (default) or 3.7v or 4.35v. I guess you need 3.7 if you want to charge one of those LiFePO4 batteries (CANNOT use 4.2). And from what I read a few LG models need 4.35v to reach full capacity. Anyway that's it for now, will report back when my hopefully legit 30Qs arrive.

 

[Zaryk]

Small update, I noticed my mod will be arriving 3 days before the batteries I ordered. So I borrowed a couple used AWT IMR 18650 40A. Using the OPUS charger I did a charge test which tops off, discharges (you then get the capacity), then charges. Both show capacity of 2700, considering used pretty good? The OPUS also has a "quick test" which is supposed to measure internal resistance. Both came out 34 (64-30, the manual says to subtract 30 from the reading for the resistance of the charger itself.) So I have a sort of baseline for what my maybe real/maybe fakes Samsung 30Qs should be when they arrive. This OPUS is a great charger, I read more you can do with it, I guess it has an internal switch too (you have to open it up to set the switch, one guy just cut a hole in his so he can access the switch). Settings are 4.2v (default) or 3.7v or 4.35v. I guess you need 3.7 if you want to charge one of those LiFePO4 batteries (CANNOT use 4.2). And from what I read a few LG models need 4.35v to reach full capacity. Anyway that's it for now, will report back when my hopefully legit 30Qs arrive.

Here is what mooch had to say about the AWT batteries you are talking about.

AWT 40A 3000mAh 18650 Bench Retest Results...only a 20A battery, damaged at over 30A