AW batteries are garbage

[roxics]

In my experience. I know a lot of people swear by these. I've owned two 18650 batts in the last couple of years. Both dead after a 4-5 month period. My recent 18490 that I bought two months ago just died on me. I was using it with a kick. Now it won't charge.

Meanwhile my UltraFire 18650 is still going strong after two years.

I need a new recommendation for IMR batteries.

 

[Ref Minor]

Where did you buy the AW?

 

[Asbestos4004]

Still going strong after 2 years? Why do you need recommendations? Seems like you're having good luck with Ultra fire. I love my AW's and don't own any batteries that have "fire" in the name but if they're working that good for you, stick with them.

 

[mooreted]

I use these:

CGR18650CH Panasonic 18650 Li-Mn-Li-ion CGR18650CH High Drain 10A Rechargeable IMR Hybrid Battery Cell

 

[CommaHolly]

are you sure they are GENUINE AW batteries??????

battery "clones" are rampant.

 

[Krazirob]

try the EH or EFESETs.......those have lasted me awhile and voltage still the same on my APV since i got it months ago

 

[tj99959]

IMO Ultrafire's simply have to low an amp rating, and are not safe for e-cigs.

I'm using these IMR bats. (18500)
Efestbattery Notice

 

[SissySpike]

it could be any number of reasons. Just bad luck, charger, counterfeits, batteries not properly stored by seller, but most generally when everyone else thinks something is good and I dont its me doing something wrong.

 

[roxics]

You know what guys, I'm an idiot. While it's true what I said about the AW 18650 batts I had, a thought just occured to me. I took my 18490 and put it in my girlfriends bolt, since her bolt can take that battery natively without the extension. Battery is fine. It's the Kick that's dead. No wonder it wouldn't charge, it was already charged.

Why didn't I think of this sooner.

 

[SissySpike]

You know what guys, I'm an idiot. While it's true what I said about the AW 18650 batts I had, a thought just occured to me. I took my 18490 and put it in my girlfriends bolt, since her bolt can take that battery natively without the extension. Battery is fine. It's the Kick that's dead. No wonder it wouldn't charge, it was already charged.

Why didn't I think of this sooner.

Ha dont feel bad. Now you have a excuse to get a Kick 2;-)

 

[tj99959]

Now clean the aluminum oxide of your kick.

 

[roxics]

This is a kick clone. I should pick up the real thing.

 

[SissySpike]

New at RTD : Kick 2

 

[CommaHolly]

You know what guys, I'm an idiot. While it's true what I said about the AW 18650 batts I had, a thought just occured to me. I took my 18490 and put it in my girlfriends bolt, since her bolt can take that battery natively without the extension. Battery is fine. It's the Kick that's dead. No wonder it wouldn't charge, it was already charged.

Why didn't I think of this sooner.

because chit happens

 

[roxics]

Now clean the aluminum oxide of your kick.

There isn't any. I just checked. I got this thing two months ago. Still looks new.

 

[tj99959]

I'd still scrape the surface that the ground spring rests against before I threw the kick away.

 

[Baditude]

Well, that all depends upon what application you are going to use them. Different applications may need a more specific battery chemistry type. Were you using the black protected ICR AW or the red high drain IMR AW batteries? Two different chemistries for different applications. http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/general-e-smoking-discussion/204731-question-about-ultrafire-vs-aw-imr-18650s.html

For instance, you weren't specific about which Ultrafire 18650 you are using. To my knowledge, all the 18650 Ultrafire batteries made are ICR chemistry batteries, they don't make a high drain IMR chemistry battery.

• There's the blue 2400 mAh Ultrafire Blue XSL 18650 2400mah BUTTON TOP Lithium Battery Li-Ion which is an un-protected li-ion ICR battery. Un-protected ICR batteries should not be used in a mod, and should not be used with a Kick (Kicks require using a high drain IMR battery).

• There's the red 3000 mAh Ultrafire 18650 3000mah BUTTON TOP Protected Rechargeable Lithium Battery Li-Ion UF18650-BRC which is a protected li-ion ICR battery. Again not recommended for the Kick because it's not a high drain battery.

• There's the grey 2400 mAh USD $ 11.49 - UltraFire 18650 Li-ion Rechargeable Protected Battery (2400mAh, 3.7V, 2/Pack, Silver), Free Shipping On All Gadgets! which is another protected li-ion ICR battery, not high drain.

What is your desired application:
What mod are you using? Mechanical or electric regulated mod? I guess you are using a mechanical since you mentioned using a Kick.
What juice attachment are you using? Store bought coils or homemade coils on an RBA/RDA? Are you making sub-ohm coils?
How hard do you push your batteries?

All these factors come into play when deciding which battery chemistry to use. Regulated mods, and mechanical mods using a Kick or RBA/RDA work best with a "high drain" battery, which are IMR or a hybrid battery. A protected ICR battery (ie Ultrafire 18650) is not recommended for this application.

Generally speaking, the experience you shared about AW brand batteries runs counter to what the majority of people will have experienced. AW IMR batteries are regarded as one of the best batteries available in the industry and are the most recommended in general. Generally speaking, Ultrafire batteries are frowned upon as a lesser quality battery.

Battery Basics for Mods: IMR or Protected?

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/provape/334831-technical-why-high-drain-batteries.html

Deeper Understanding of Mod Batteries

Edit: Since finishing my post I now see the "user error".

 

[Thrasher]

the real kick is much better then the clones - real DC to DC output, love mine, runs my .8 ohm coils flawlessly.

 

[WillyZee]

funny story roxics ... glad you got it sorted out.

another testament to why clones of anything are sub par

 

[Mark Anthony]

Still going strong after 2 years? Why do you need recommendations? Seems like you're having good luck with Ultra fire. I love my AW's and don't own any batteries that have "fire" in the name but if they're working that good for you, stick with them.

This exactly^^^^^^ you found something that works.... Stay with it.