50% of my batteries have been bad

[ACM]

In the past month, I have experienced many battery issues. So far, I have had to return three out of six, spread out between an L88b and an RN4081. Here's what has been going on:

My L88b: Within three weeks, both batteries became super sensitive, and started turning on with almost any movement, no matter how slight. One also started cutting off very quickly, causing me to have to drag repeatedly in order to generate any vapor. The vendor, EkoCigs.com, however, has not been able to honor the warranty because of a lack of inventory (customs hold ups.)

So I turned to Volcano for two replacements (they also carry the L88b). When they first arrived, they were like night and day compared to the EkoCigs batteries. But within one week, one of them started with the same sensitivity issue. Volcano graciously offered to issue a credit for a replacement and an extra pack of carts.

My RN4081: Within three days, both batteries started blinking whenever I took a drag. They were charged, but they would not power on to heat the atomizer. I sent them back to Aquavaporcigs.com and received quick replacements that seem to be working fine. It could have been a problem with the charger that killed the batteries, though, so I do have to consider that.

My wife's two RN4081 batteries have been fine.

Regardless of the excellent customer service from Volcano and Aquavaporcigs (and Eko's promise to replace once stock is replenished), and regardless of the possibility that my charger killed the RN4081 batteries, the fact remains that 50% of the batteries I bought were no good within a very short period of time.

Is this typical of the technology? Are e-cig batteries pretty much hit-or-miss?

 

[jlmanno]

I've had similar problems. My wife's RN4081 had a bad battery within days. My 510 from the widow had both bad batteries which she immediately reshipped. Another new 510 from VS had all three batteries defective which Eric is taking care of with my next order. Strange thing there was 1 was an auto, 2 manual's, one of which didn't have the center post even drilled out. So out of the 3 new kits I've purchased in the last three weeks all have had battery issues. I love vaping, I think it has and is going to help save my life after thirty years of analogs. I don't know about the battery issue or what is going on! maybe some of the experienced users can advise. I understand batteries won't last forever along with atomizers, but this seems ridiculous.

 

[jlmanno]

Wanted to get this posting back up high on the list for some possible responses and/or suggestions. Thanks

 

[jlmanno]

any replies or suggestions??

 

[jlmanno]

Experienced users or suppliers please give us some info! thank you

 

[jlmanno]

sorry to keep moving this post up, but any info would be appreciated

 

[ACM]

Odd that nobody has any comments about this issue. I would think long-term vapers would have some insight into the inconsistent batteries that ship with these things.

BTW - I lost another L88b battery this morning. It started turning on just from moving it. No drag needed. That's 4 out of 6 that didn't last a month.

 

[Houdini]

I don't have any experience with that brand but most likely the batteries are getting juice inside them and shorting out or if they are manual the switch is getting gummed up. I had a manual switch battery start up on it's own without me touching it and it was stuck on for 3 days no matter what I did the light would not go out. I tore it apart and it was totally flooded with juice. I have a couple auto batteries that still charge fine and vape fine but I have to take a real hard fast drag to get them to activate and sometimes they will go out within 2-3 seconds. I tore one of those apart and same thing. Flooded with juice. If you do a lot of dripping don't use more than 2-3 drops or this is what will happen.

 

[ACM]

I do drip sometimes, but never more than 2-3 drops (usually two). Still, it's possible that even that small amount was enough to create some problems. Maybe I should let the latest affected battery sit for awhile and dry out.

I have pretty much retired my L88b cigs in favor of my RN4081, anyway. I'll keep the L88b's for backups, although in many ways, I like them better.

Now off to the mods section for some good cart mod ideas for the RN4081.

 

[Trixie]

The truth is that your experience isn't unusual. Batteries and attys are unpredictable at best. Having been vaping since late May 09 I too have had about a 50% success rate with batteries - some doa, some ok at best for a week or two before failing, and others which last for months and months (401s, Kr808ds, 510s, 901s). Of course it is a problem I'm willing to endure in order to be able to vape instead of smoking, so I consider it a tolerable shortcoming.

I did finally decide that it was time to consider a mod, and purchased a Protege for my 510s, which has been a most enjoyable relief as the batteries tend to last at least 8 hours, and maintain great strength throughout. I'm also planning on getting an Xhaler when I can get adapters for both the greencig carts and the 510s, as I have always appreciated Drew's work and service, and he's managed to design the mod to be sleeker than other 5-6V models.

I will still continue to use my regular 510s and kr808s in certain situations, as they tend to be more discreet, and they are perfect for sharing with curious smokers (carrying extra carts makes sharing easy) but having finally gotten a mod I must say that overall they are a definite step up.

 

[ACM]

Thanks for some good feedback and suggestions. I think I might explore buying a 510 for home use.

I did find that one of the bad batteries for my L88b bounced back and now seems to be working. Maybe it just needed some drying time.

Overall, I have to agree that the annoyances are outweighed by my preference for vaping over smoking.

 

[oldlady]

I agree with the preference for vaping over smoking. However, this battery issue sure increases the cost!

 

[greenie]

I too have received three not so good batteries from three different vendors in the past 30 days. You can search my post to see me whining about them( the batteries ) so I won't repeat myself here except to say, no it isn't unusual but I don't have an explanation only theories of hypersensitive microchips, un-sodered or loose wires and general feelings of pulling my hair out for other problems I could not come up with a logical reason for.

 

[mwahle1]

Maybe I am lucky because I have ordered batteries from Vapornine, V4L, and Healthcabin and never had a bad one yet (11 total--mainly Kr808d-1).

 

[greenie]

Maybe I am lucky because I have ordered batteries from Vapornine, V4L, and Healthcabin and never had a bad one yet (11 total--mainly Kr808d-1).

Well I just made the switch to the KR808 battery to use with the 901 atty. If it is consistent as you say I will be happy. Then it's on to the cartomizers.

I ordered it from VK.

I wonder if the KR808 purchase will deter me from my previous plan to try the M401.

 

[Wojtek]

For me 100% of my batteries have issues

bat1 = no led / gives out burnt smell vape
bat2 = seems to work at half current, little vape + juice not fully 'atomized' gets in my mouth
bat3 = works great, but.. having issues with trying to charge it, have to screw in all the way, then unscrew a tiny bit, screw back in, until it's in it's sweet spot, then it charges heh

M401

 

[rob33]

The truth is that your experience isn't unusual. Batteries and attys are unpredictable at best. Having been vaping since late May 09 I too have had about a 50% success rate with batteries - some doa, some ok at best for a week or two before failing, and others which last for months and months (401s, Kr808ds, 510s, 901s). Of course it is a problem I'm willing to endure in order to be able to vape instead of smoking, so I consider it a tolerable shortcoming.

I did finally decide that it was time to consider a mod, and purchased a Protege for my 510s, which has been a most enjoyable relief as the batteries tend to last at least 8 hours, and maintain great strength throughout. I'm also planning on getting an Xhaler when I can get adapters for both the greencig carts and the 510s, as I have always appreciated Drew's work and service, and he's managed to design the mod to be sleeker than other 5-6V models.

I will still continue to use my regular 510s and kr808s in certain situations, as they tend to be more discreet, and they are perfect for sharing with curious smokers (carrying extra carts makes sharing easy) but having finally gotten a mod I must say that overall they are a definite step up.

I totally agree with Trixie. Find a good quaility mod that suits you. You will have a better vaping experience and more money for juice in the long run. A mod with 3.7 2400 mAH battery will stay charged for up to 2 days of vaping and the batteries are rated for over 300 charges.

 

[ACM]

I think Trixie is right - a good mod is probably the way to go. I really like my RN4081 and my Volcano, and they "usually" work well, but the way I've gone through batteries and, lately, atomizers is negating part of why I wanted to switch to e-cigs: to save money.

So now, my next question is "What mod should I buy?" Which one(s) have the longest battery life, most consistent vapor production, and best throat hit? I have read amazing things about Carlos's box mod, but it's way expensive and the wait for one is weeks. The Janty Stick line sounds decent, too, but I have heard that they don't give much of a throat hit. I know nothing about the Chuck (is that even considered a mod?)

Maybe I need to post this question in another thread.

Thanks to all who replied to my initial posting.

 

[whiskey]

This Sounds Like A Major Thing..Couple Of Thoughts That Come to My Mind...How Do You Know Your Getting New Batteries Huh? Weird As It Sounds, But Do We Really Know? And Then We Send Them Back & Have Suppliers Say They Work Just Fine?? More Duds & Bullsh.. Than Good Batteries MaybeUnless We Have Tecno Testers Handy, How Do We Know8-o One Supplier In Particular Makes Me Wonder But No More Orders For Him!!! I Went Mod...End Of Problem

 

[jj2]

I'll second it, third it, or whatever---get a mod.