Batteries for Dummies?

[TastyKakes]

Hello again ECF fam. Awaiting the arrival of my vamo v3 tomorrow, which comes with two 18350 batts and a charger. That's all fine and good to get me started on my first mod experience, but I would like to upgrade the batteries and charger in the very net future; also gonna need some 18650's to play around with the different configurations.
My question is, albeit a VERY general one: anyone care to point me in the right direction to a "Begginers Guide to APV batteries"?
I've been scanning the web, the forum, battery university, you name it - but everything I come across seems so damn advanced. Everyone seems to skip over the basics... Either that or even those basics are over my head.
I don't need a full explanation of how batteries work, crazy graphs that show the whosie-whatsits of different brands, etc and so forth (unless you'd like to take the time to explain each step along the way)
All I'm looking for is the highest mah battery available sufficient for my vamo without running the risk of melting my face off. I'm just getting lost with all this ICR, IMR, NCR, CGR available in 3.6, 3.7, 4.2, 4.3V...
If anyone would be so kind as to give me even the most basic explanation, suggestions, or just start up a very general battery discussion for is dummies I'd be most appreciative.
Thanks for any and everything you folks have to offer.

 

[Baditude]

Battery Basics for Mods. IMR or Protected?


When in doubt, always go with the red AW IMR batteries. You can't go wrong.

RTD Vapor - Your source for AW Batteries

 

[IMFire3605]

Samsung's 18650 is a 2600mah cell, these are found coming with the Evic standard. I have 4 of these I use with my SVD as I am not going anywhere near their Amp drain peak, they are safe for my use and application as I don't go anywhere near or above 3 amps draw. Another would be the Panasonic 18650 is another decent cell with a good mah rating and amp drain peak

 

[BardicDruid]

RTD Vapor has these: http://www.rtdvapor.com/online-store/batteries/pan-ncr18650pd-ft-detail , I've been using the Panasonic's for over a year now with no problems.

 

[TastyKakes]

Battery Basics for Mods. IMR or Protected?


When in doubt, always go with the red AW IMR batteries. You can't go wrong.

Genuine AW Batteries at RTD Vapor

I clearly still have a lot to learn and will be doing a lot more reading on the topic at hand. Since I'm a little pressed for time at the moment though, would you be willing to state that the batteries you linked to at RTD Vapor be plenty safe to run with a good charger on my vamo v3?

 

[Baditude]

I clearly still have a lot to learn and will be doing a lot more reading on the topic at hand. Since I'm a little pressed for time at the moment though, would you be willing to state that the batteries you linked to at RTD Vapor be plenty safe to run with a good charger on my vamo v3?

Yes, RTD Vapor specializes in providing high quality batteries specifically for mods. They are a trusted vendor and many ECF members purchase their batteries and chargers from them. They are an authorized dealer in selling authentic AW brand batteries.

RTD Vapor sells no unprotected Li Ion batteries on their website, unlike a certain popular overseas discount vendor. No unprotected Li Ion battery should be used in a mod. Unless you can clearly identify the battery you want and know for a fact it is safe for a mod, then stay away from those places. Mod batteries are the most important item in your setup, and not the item to be bargain hunting for. Be safe, not sorry.

 

[TastyKakes]

Namely, the Panasonic NCR18650B 3400 mAh: Batteries : Panasonic NCR18650B 3400mAh Protected Button Top

And for 18350's when I want to run the mod in "shorty" mode, is there any advantage to the efest over the aw batt (other than additional 200 mAh?)
Batteries : Efest Protected 18350 900mAh
VS
http://www.rtdvapor.com/online-store/batteries/aw-imr-18350-3-7v-55-detail

 

[MiamiMom63]

I get nothing but AW IMR red batts. In fact, a protected battery won't even work and handle the amps in a Provari. Thus, from all I've read and heard they just work great for pulling those extra amps or whatever the proper term is. I'm not an expert in the science of it all though. Also, I always let my battery rest for about 30 mins before and after charging them just to make sure I'm not stressing out the batt. Some disagree and some agree on that method so I just do it. And make sure you know whether your charger will allow parallel charging of batts that haven't been coupled or not. For example, if you have a mod that is using two batts at the same time, mark them as a couple and always use them together. Keep their chemistry always the same together. Rotate their position around in the mod as you use them. If you end up with four batts to use and are using two at a time, mark them with a marker or sticker as A and B, C and D. Then A will always be used with B and never with C or D, etc. that's the easiest way to describe it. And don't use battery A alone on another mod and then go back to using it again with B as a couple. They aren't equal anymore. Keep them married. I prefer not stacking two batts but some box mods require it so you should know about it. And be sure your charger can take parallel batteries charging together of different sizes and even if they aren't married. It's way easier and faster to charge up. Some chargers aren't good for that even though they have two slots for charging.

 

[MiamiMom63]

And don't buy batts off Amazon or EBay. Lol. There's some bad fake batts on those sites. Consider your batts as the most important part of your mod. Buy from reputable vendors and don't try to save a few bucks.

 

[Baditude]

Namely, the Panasonic NCR18650B 3400 mAh: Batteries : Panasonic NCR18650B 3400mAh Protected Button Top

And for 18350's when I want to run the mod in "shorty" mode, is there any advantage to the efest over the aw batt (other than additional 100 mAh?)
Batteries : Efest Protected 18350 900mAh
VS
Batteries : Efest IMR 18350 Button Top

Your Vamo is a regulated mod, which means it has a processor to adjust voltage/wattage higher or lower by means of a boost circuit. Depending upon the maximum load of those protected Panasonic NCR18650B , they may or may not handle high voltage demands as an IMR high drain battery can. (I'm unfamiliar with the Panasonic batteries, but I'm attempting to learn).

Li Mn IMR batteries have the maximum load current available (high drain) that most protected Li Ion batteries do not. So generally speaking IMRs are recommended for nearly all regulated mod applications, including mechanical mods using a Kick.

Also know that mAH ratings are often inflated by some battery manufacturers in order to push sales. There are no regulations in the battery trade concerning mAh ratings, it is a number the manufacturer chooses to advertise. If it was myself, I would choose the AW IMR's over Efest every time, based on my personal experience using both in an IMR format.


And as a matter of fact, the ECF battery guru's (rolygate et all) recently updated their recommendations that the AW IMR is the safest battery that you can use in any mod for any application, over a protected Li Ion battery. When choosing batteries for mods, safety should be your number one priority. (reference http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/ecf-library/129569-rechargeable-batteries.html)

 

[potter3]

i don't know if this is the same thing or not but should you use imr in mechanical mods to or are there a different kind that you should use

 

[MiamiMom63]

It depends on what type of coils you plan on using. If you plan on vaping basic 1.5 ohm or higher, then it don't matter which you use. If you plan on going lower in ohms or sub ohm coils, that's a whole new ball game that I'm not comfortable doing so you would probably have to ask that in another thread for guys that are into that for more answers.

 

[niczgreat]

Hello again ECF fam. Awaiting the arrival of my vamo v3 tomorrow, which comes with two 18350 batts and a charger. That's all fine and good to get me started on my first mod experience, but I would like to upgrade the batteries and charger in the very net future; also gonna need some 18650's to play around with the different configurations.
My question is, albeit a VERY general one: anyone care to point me in the right direction to a "Begginers Guide to APV Batteries"?
I've been scanning the web, the forum, battery university, you name it - but everything I come across seems so damn advanced. Everyone seems to skip over the basics... Either that or even those basics are over my head.
I don't need a full explanation of how batteries work, crazy graphs that show the whosie-whatsits of different brands, etc and so forth (unless you'd like to take the time to explain each step along the way)
All I'm looking for is the highest mah battery available sufficient for my vamo without running the risk of melting my face off. I'm just getting lost with all this ICR, IMR, NCR, CGR available in 3.6, 3.7, 4.2, 4.3V...
If anyone would be so kind as to give me even the most basic explanation, suggestions, or just start up a very general battery discussion for is dummies I'd be most appreciative.
Thanks for any and everything you folks have to offer.

If your Vamo takes flat top batteries [I believe that it does] the best buy in batteries is the Panasonic High Drain Batteries at Fastech.

The Panasonic NCR18650PD 18650 3.6V 2900mAH has 10amp constant and a 16 amp Burst [5-6 Seconds]
$13.62 Panasonic NCR18650PD 18650 3.6V 2900mAH Rechargeable Li-ion Batteries (2-Pack) 2-pack at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping

The CGR18650CH a 2250mah Battery is also popular
$11.03 Panasonic CGR18650CH Rechargeable 2250mAh 3.7V 18650 Lithium Batteries 2-pack - authentic cells / 2-pack at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping

For 18350 my experience has been best buying AW18350 from Lighthound
The markings on the batteries are different then the ones I've bought in shops and online.
Lighthound has the reputation on the Flashlight Forums for carrying authentic AW. I only bought elseware because they were out of stock and I've seen a difference in the batteries.
BTW I've tried every 18350 out there and the AW are the ones that last in the 18350 size.

Back on the subject of 18650 Flat Top Batteries, if you need Button Tops then Orbritronics sells a relabeled panasonic with button top for around double the price
NCR18650PD High Drain Panasonic 18650 2900 mAh Li-ion Battery free shipping from Florida

Orbtronic - Panasonic CGR18650CH With Top Button, 2250mAh IMR High Drain 18650 Battery Cell-Made in Japan

 

[niczgreat]

i don't know if this is the same thing or not but should you use imr in mechanical mods to or are there a different kind that you should use

Yes, always use a IMR or High Drain Battery in a Mechanical Mod. There are no protecting circuitry and if you were to get a short the IMR has a safer Chemistry. It takes longer to heat up giving you time to close down the circuit.

The 18650 High Drain Batteries are so inexpensive on FastTech there is no excuse.

 

[MiamiMom63]

Hmm. Good to know. Then again the only mechanical mod I own is a Bam and I have a kick in it and only have AW IMRs anyways. And I build coils but don't go real low in ohms. Good to know!

 

[niczgreat]

Hmm. Good to know. Then again the only mechanical mod I own is a Bam and I have a kick in it and only have AW IMRs anyways. And I build coils but don't go real low in ohms. Good to know!

The Kick turns your mechanical into a VV. It has protection built into it. Also the Watts [11] are so low it won't allow you to do High Wattage vaping. I wouldn't be concerned about batteries for a Kicked Unit.

 

[TastyKakes]

I went ahead and made the safe bet: AW IMR18650 X 2 and AW IMR18350 X 2 with the Xtar XP4 charger. I'll play around with other batteries (maybe) when I've done the proper research.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[TastyKakes]

Also, I can appreciate all the fast tech love but I feel more comfortable buying batteries stateside with all the counterfeiting going on. Also, RTD is right here in PA, so shipping time should be ridiculously fast.

 

[jow350]

Your Vamo is a regulated mod, which means it has a processor to adjust voltage/wattage higher or lower by means of a boost circuit. Depending upon the maximum load of those protected Panasonic NCR18650B , they may or may not handle high voltage demands as an IMR high drain battery can. (I'm unfamiliar with the Panasonic batteries, but I'm attempting to learn).

The protected Panasonic NCR18650B 3400 mAh batteries apparently will cut-off around 3 Amp. Given that, and that the battery protection circuit will probably interfere with the circuit in the VAMO even below that current, that battery is no good for the VAMO. The unprotected version is rated at 2C, so it will handle 6.8 Amps continuous which is more than enough for the VAMO and other regulated devices rated at or below 15 Watts.

 

[Baditude]

The protected Panasonic NCR18650B 3400 mAh...battery is no good for the VAMO. The unprotected version is rated at 2C, so it will handle 6.8 Amps continuous which is more than enough for the VAMO and other regulated devices rated at or below 15 Watts.

Now which Panasonic battery is this? Are you suggesting someone use an unprotected Li Ion battery in a mod?

Is it an unprotected Li Ion or an IMR?