any opinions on these batteries?

[AndriaD]

I'm gonna be buying some more batteries pretty soon, and I saw in the MadVapes newsletter these batteries called "PVTSO Elite"; I'm particularly interested in the IMR 18650, 3100mAh, and just wondered if anyone knew anything, had any opinions of these batteries. I don't do sub-ohm vaping at all, so the 10A is fine, it's just like the Efest batteries I have now, but that 3100 mAh sure trumps the 2250 mAh I have now. For $9.99 I thought they were worth looking in to.

Anyone?

Thx!
Andria

 

[Froth]

The positive and negative poles look just like a Panasonic NCR18650BE(This is the battery cell that eFest used as a base for their "20A" 3100mah 18650). After reviewing the specs and pictures I would feel pretty confident in saying that it's likely a Panasonic battery cell under the wrapper. However the exact specifications are probably never going to be found since it's not really possible to distinguish exactly which Panasonic cell they are using.

Here's a link to the Panasonic cell they may be using, the positive and negative poles are identical to the PVTSO - 18650 Panasonic NCR18650BE 3200mAh High Discharge Flat Top

Edit: I'd personally stay away, too many variables and not enough hard information.

 

[Stosh]

The mah rating you see on any battery has to be taken with a grain of salt. They are determined by rating the charge from a full 4.2 volt charge down to 2.5 volts. Now in vaping we never get close to 2.5 volts, more likely 3.5 volts is time to re-charge. The useful charge is only how long it can remain above the 3.5 volt cut off.

Most high drain, lower mah rated batteries will be able to maintain the higher voltage longer than some higher mah , lower amp rated cells.

I haven't tried the particular cell Madvapes is selling, and haven't heard anything good or bad about them. For standard resistance toppers (about +-2.0Ω) a 10 amp battery will work, but don't count on the full mah rating being useful. Personally I would prefer a 10 amp cell from a company I have at least heard of....18650 Panasonic NCR18650BD 3200mAh High Discharge Flat Top - Batteries, Chargers, and PowerPax Carriers

 

[AndriaD]

The mah rating you see on any battery has to be taken with a grain of salt. They are determined by rating the charge from a full 4.2 volt charge down to 2.5 volts. Now in vaping we never get close to 2.5 volts, more likely 3.5 volts is time to re-charge. The useful charge is only how long it can remain above the 3.5 volt cut off.

Most high drain, lower mah rated batteries will be able to maintain the higher voltage longer than some higher mah , lower amp rated cells.

I haven't tried the particular cell Madvapes is selling, and haven't heard anything good or bad about them. For standard resistance toppers (about +-2.0Ω) a 10 amp battery will work, but don't count on the full mah rating being useful. Personally I would prefer a 10 amp cell from a company I have at least heard of....18650 Panasonic NCR18650BD 3200mAh High Discharge Flat Top - Batteries, Chargers, and PowerPax Carriers

Yes, I've only once ever let a battery get below 3.5v before charging; I think it got to 3.1 and I was in a panic, did I ruin it??? But, that's with my 2250's, which last me all day of moderate-to-heavy usage (with a 3 ohm carto), so I figured any mAh rating substantially higher would be good. The lowest resistance I use are 1.8Ω coils in my kayfuns, and they seem to be high enough to support decent battery life, even if my 3 ohm cartos are of course much better.

I like the price on those NCRs, but I wonder if they also have button-tops. I have flat tops right now, and I dunno if you saw my post earlier in the week, but after a dropped-Vamo incident, one of my flat-tops became "concave topped," so I'm thinking the button tops might be stronger structurally than the thin metal of the flat-tops. I'll check that site, because $9.25 beats $9.99 by a decent margin! No way do I want to go "cheapie" on batteries, but I like to save a bit where I can -- safely!

I'm planning to get some AW 18350s from Desert Vapes, for my mech; as I said, I don't sub-ohm, but I figure with a mech I need all the safety/quality I can get -- but for my regulated mods, I figured any decent quality 10A would be alright, like the Efests or equivalent; I've heard (ok, read) good things about the Panasonic NCRs, so maybe I'll get some of those this time. Just really glad I don't need the super-high amp batteries, for sub-ohming, because those things are PRICEY!!

Thx!
Andria

 

[AndriaD]

Ok, I looked, and the only button tops they seem to have in the NCRs are the "protected" batteries, which I don't want. They have these though: 18650 Efest Purple IMR18650 V2 3100mAh High Discharge Button Top, for $8.99. I know I've seen a lot of back and forth on these particular batteries in the sub-ohm crowd who need massive amp discharge, but for my far more conservative style of vaping, these would be ok wouldn't they? I've been very happy with my other Efests so far.

thx!
Andria

 

[deach]

Apparently in the CoOp's (was just in one) they will run a purchase for some better batteries. I'd keep an eye out there. The Samsung-25Rs I just got were just over 6 bucks each shipped and all. While I know you're safe (from what you have said) Better batteries are well just better. It was mentioned about the MaH being not always what to go by and I totally agree especially the way we use the batteries (down to 3.5 or so). Honestly some of the lower rated ones have lasted way longer than some of the higher MaH rated ones in my experience. Good luck to you!

 

[deach]

Oh also, I'm not totally sure about the button tops being stronger, I've had a couple of those tops push down (maybe my fault??), but again just not sure that's actually true. I've had both (again probably my fault) button tops and flat tops cave in a little here and there.

 

[Stosh]

Ok, I looked, and the only button tops they seem to have in the NCRs are the "protected" batteries, which I don't want. They have these though: 18650 Efest Purple IMR18650 V2 3100mAh High Discharge Button Top, for $8.99. I know I've seen a lot of back and forth on these particular batteries in the sub-ohm crowd who need massive amp discharge, but for my far more conservative style of vaping, these would be ok wouldn't they? I've been very happy with my other Efests so far.

thx!
Andria

For the lower amp draw you are using they should be just fine. You're correct staying away from the "protected" as they are the ICR chemistry. I seldom go beyond about a 7 amp draw on any of my mech or regulated mods, somewhat lower wattage (10 - 15 watt max) is my preference. The higher amp rated VTC batteries I use in my mechs just give me extra time to unscrew the topper or remove the battery if Murphey's Law strikes.

Dropping a battery in or out of a mod is not so good. Besides the noticeable dents it may cause, it may cause unseen internal damage.

 

[AndriaD]

For the lower amp draw you are using they should be just fine. You're correct staying away from the "protected" as they are the ICR chemistry. I seldom go beyond about a 7 amp draw on any of my mech or regulated mods, somewhat lower wattage (10 - 15 watt max) is my preference. The higher amp rated VTC batteries I use in my mechs just give me extra time to unscrew the topper or remove the battery if Murphey's Law strikes.

Based on 11w with my 3 ohm cartos, or 10w with my 1.8 ohm kayfun coils, it looks like I never even get to 2.5A draw, which is why I really haven't worried about those super-high-amp batteries -- like killing a fly with a bazooka! And I'll definitely get some *real* AWs for my mech; the ones I bought turned out to be counterfeit, so I investigated and determined that DesertVapes is an authorized reseller. Since I don't sub-ohm, I've just been using Efest 18350s in my mech, but I'd be happier with AWs in that one.

Dropping a battery in or out of a mod is not so good. Besides the noticeable dents it may cause, it may cause unseen internal damage.

Exactly what I was thinking; although I haven't seen any weirdness whatever with the one that got dropped, it charges up fine, works fine, and no excessive warmth in either case, I figure it's time to replace that one, and even the other one, while never dropped, it won't last forever, and I've had it/used it for about 6 months now, so I should go ahead and replace them while they're both still usable.

Thx!!
Andria

 

[Stosh]

I guess it's a guy thing.... killing a fly with a bazooka sounds like a lot of fun!!! .

 

[deach]

Sighs….yes dropping the mod can cause battery premature retirement. This I know from experience, not something I read…. Vape careful out there.

 

[AndriaD]

Sighs….yes dropping the mod can cause battery premature retirement. This I know from experience, not something I read…. Vape careful out there.

I drop my vv3s pretty much constantly, but so far I've been so careful with my Vamo, because I've read some tales of Vamos going completely kaput after dropping... but an avalanche on my desk a few days ago sent my Vamo to the tile floor -- actually I nearly grabbed it, so that kinda broke the fall a little, it didn't crash down with full force, but it still hit the floor, so I checked it all out, still seems to work, mod *and* battery, but when I saw the dented flat top on the battery, I knew I'd better start looking around for some new batteries -- especially when I realized they've both been in use for a bit over 6 months -- cant' believe how fast this year has gone. They do say time flies when you're having fun, and I'm having a blast with this vaping business.

Best way to quit smoking EVER... don't crave, don't go nuts, don't gain weight, and have a ball while you're doing it!

Andria

 

[deach]

I drop my vv3s pretty much constantly, but so far I've been so careful with my Vamo, because I've read some tales of Vamos going completely kaput after dropping... but an avalanche on my desk a few days ago sent my Vamo to the tile floor -- actually I nearly grabbed it, so that kinda broke the fall a little, it didn't crash down with full force, but it still hit the floor, so I checked it all out, still seems to work, mod *and* battery, but when I saw the dented flat top on the battery, I knew I'd better start looking around for some new batteries -- especially when I realized they've both been in use for a bit over 6 months -- cant' believe how fast this year has gone. They do say time flies when you're having fun, and I'm having a blast with this vaping business.

Best way to quit smoking EVER... don't crave, don't go nuts, don't gain weight, and have a ball while you're doing it!

Andria

Exactly why we do the things we do. This was perfect!