18650 brand recommendation?

[SunnyMoon]

It's been nearly a year since I first bought 18650 batteries and it's time for new ones. I have trustfires now and I'm wondering if anyone recommends any particular brand. I am looking for protected, button top Li-ion batteries. Any American made brands?

*not really a battery "issue" so hope this is ok to post here*

 

[Comfortlin]

I'm sure there are others, but I bought mine at Provape.com when I purchased the Provari.

 

[xanderxman]

The batteries Provape sells are not protected. I have seen people talking about the Panasonic protected batteries. You might want to take a look at them. I don't use protected batteries so I can't be much more help than that.

 

[Thompson]

RTDVapor has a lot of batteries and usually good stock amounts.

I don't think there are any US Li-Ion manufacturers.

 

[jasl90]

There are two types of protection. "Safe Chemistry" and "PCB Protected".

When you say "protected" that typically means that you're talking about pcb protection. These batteries usually have a lithium cobalt chemistry, very high energy densities (3,000 mah and up) and low "c Ratings" (the number of amps you can safely draw in relation to its total capacity).

They make great flashlight batteries but the pcb protection circuit makes them less than ideal for use in regulated mods.

The "safe chemistry" batteries, also known as "IMR" and/or "high drain" batteries, have a lithium manganese chemistry. These batteries have lower energy densities (2/3rds of their equivalent li-co counterparts) but tend to have very high C ratings. Basically they are designed to be able safely deliver high amps. Because of their chemistry, they have no need for pcb protection.

Because of their ability to deliver high amp current and do it safely, they have become favored in the e-cig community.

There are 3 "premium" brands that I'm aware of... AW IMR, Panasonic CGR18650CH and the MNKE.

I own both the AWs and Panasonics and both are very good. I don't own any MNKEs but lots of folks around here swear by them.

The Panasonics are flat tops and I'm thinking that the MNKEs are too... So that would leave the AWs that have the nipple top.

FYI... The batteries carried by Provape are the AWS. It's the only brand they carry and the only one they endorse.

Hope this helps...

 

[Baditude]

What jasl90 said. I believe an IMR is a safer battery than a so-called "protected" battery. It's also a more practical battery for PV use. The advertised higher mAh rating of the protected batteries are a misnomer when compared to real-life usage of an IMR's mAh rating.

To my knowledge there aren't any USA made batteries; all of them that I know of are made in China.

 

[Thrasher]

The Panasonics are flat tops and I'm thinking that the MNKEs are too... So that would leave the AWs that have the nipple top.

they are made in both styles depending on the size.

 

[Thompson]

Was just going to say I've got 2 panny CGR button tops right hurr

 

[Jerms]

Efest are good IMR batteries too, usually a bit cheaper than AW. Also important I think is to get them from a trusted vendor, as there are counterfit batteries sold out there.

Sent from my LGL55C using Tapatalk 2

 

[jasl90]

Was just going to say I've got 2 panny CGR button tops right hurr

Shows what I know. I've never seen the button top CGRs. Guess I'll have to look harder.
Of course my two flat tops quickly became button tops as soon I discovered that they weren't working w the Provari... A little solder goes a long way.

Legal disclaimer... If you're read the above and want to add a solder nipple to your flat tops... Don't do it unless you know what you're doing. Soldering any battery can be dangerous and soldering lithium based battery's can be very dangerous.

 

[mostlyclassics]

Also, if you're thinking of buying, say, a Lavatube or Vamo PV, their protection circuits do not play nicely with the PCs in protected batteries. They'll usually refuse to fire in those devices. I have a couple of Trustfires, but I only use them in my Reo Grande.

 

[GroovyGI]

RTDVapor is the best for batteries protected, unprotected, and safe chemistry. Also their customer service is great, even when the mistake is the fault of the customer. I ordered the wrong batteries and the exchange was effortless.

 

[SunnyMoon]

I have a Bolt and an Ego18650 mod. I don't do VV. Anyone have an opinion of Ultrafires?

 

[Baditude]

I have a Bolt and an Ego18650 mod. I don't do VV. Anyone have an opinion of Ultrafires?

I don't trust any battery whose name ends in "fire".



I buy only genuice AW imr (safe chemistry)batteries for both my mechanical and VV PV's. If AW's were to fall off the face of the planet, I'd probaby buy Panasonics or Efests. Nothing else.

I use a Pila charger, too.

 

[jasl90]

I have a Bolt and an Ego18650 mod. I don't do VV. Anyone have an opinion of Ultrafires?

They work great in my flashlight...

 

[SoberSnyper]

It's been nearly a year since I first bought 18650 batteries and it's time for new ones. I have trustfires now and I'm wondering if anyone recommends any particular brand. I am looking for protected, button top Li-ion batteries. Any American made brands?

*not really a battery "issue" so hope this is ok to post here*

I always prefer the AW IMR 18650 batteries.

 

[SoberSnyper]

There are two types of protection. "Safe Chemistry" and "PCB Protected".

When you say "protected" that typically means that you're talking about pcb protection. These batteries usually have a lithium cobalt chemistry, very high energy densities (3,000 mah and up) and low "c Ratings" (the number of amps you can safely draw in relation to its total capacity).

They make great flashlight batteries but the pcb protection circuit makes them less than ideal for use in regulated mods.

The "safe chemistry" batteries, also known as "IMR" and/or "high drain" batteries, have a lithium manganese chemistry. These batteries have lower energy densities (2/3rds of their equivalent li-co counterparts) but tend to have very high C ratings. Basically they are designed to be able safely deliver high amps. Because of their chemistry, they have no need for pcb protection.

Because of their ability to deliver high amp current and do it safely, they have become favored in the e-cig community.

There are 3 "premium" brands that I'm aware of... AW IMR, Panasonic CGR18650CH and the MNKE.

I own both the AWs and Panasonics and both are very good. I don't own any MNKEs but lots of folks around here swear by them.

The Panasonics are flat tops and I'm thinking that the MNKEs are too... So that would leave the AWs that have the nipple top.

FYI... The batteries carried by Provape are the AWS. It's the only brand they carry and the only one they endorse.

Hope this helps...

Yeah, what he said. Very good post and right on point.

 

[mostlyclassics]

RTDVapor is the best for batteries protected, unprotected, and safe chemistry. Also their customer service is great, even when the mistake is the fault of the customer. I ordered the wrong batteries and the exchange was effortless.

I also enthusiastically endorse RTDVapor. Great folks to deal with.

 

[plastictree]

I use Efest imr batteries, they work and cheap. But cheap batteries you have to be careful. But they have worked for me

 

[Thrasher]

I also enthusiastically endorse RTDVapor. Great folks to deal with.

yea rtd folks rock. i usually get them there as well, either aw or the panny.