Battery Charger Compatibilty

[Valentine Michael Smith]

I'm not sure if this the correct place to post this question, but I keep hearing conflicting things so I thought this may be the best place to come.

I am at a point in my vaping that I am looking into "mods" (if we call a Provari that)

This may seem like a horribly ignorant question but I can't seem to find (I'm not saying anyone has not, just that I can't find it) anywhere that explicitly states that the same battery chargers that are used for Li-Ion cells can be used for AW IMR High Drain cells (LiMn?)

Provape claims the charger they sell with the Provari can be used for both the batteries used in the Provari (AW IMR High Drain) and the Provape 1 (Li-Ion).

ASSUMING the charger handles the correct size batteries (i.e. 18650 Li-Ion, and AW IMR High Drain 18650), can the same charger handle both types of batteries?

My second question is: Can a "mod" (beside the Provari, say something like a Chuck) that uses a Li-Ion 18650 also use a AW IMR High Drain 18650?

If this is the case (and assuming I didn't want or need to change voltage on a fixed voltage mod) then wouldn't it make sense to not even have an Li-Ion cells and just use AW IMR High Drains.

I have some links to products I have in mind, but I am not sure if that is appropriate to post here.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
VMS

p.s. I am aware of the difference between protected and unprotected Li-Ion cells, just so no one here feels the need to go down that rabbit hole.

 

[buGG]

This may seem like a horribly ignorant question but I can't seem to find (I'm not saying anyone has not, just that I can't find it) anywhere that explicitly states that the same battery chargers that are used for Li-Ion cells can be used for AW IMR High Drain cells (LiMn?)

technically they're all Li-ion batteries, one is a LiCo or Lithium cobalt (ICR), and the other is LiMn or Lithium Manganese (IMR), but yes both can be properly (safely) charged in the same charger, i.e. Pila IBC 4-stage charger.

ASSUMING the charger handles the correct size batteries (i.e. 18650 Li-Ion, and AW IMR High Drain 18650), can the same charger handle both types of batteries?

yep, as long as the the charger "fits" and it's designed for the same voltage cells, you should be fine. the thing to watch out for is same chemistry but vastly different sized batteries, like a 3.7V (AAA) 10440 or CR2 (15270) battery and then putting them in the same charger as a 3.7V (AA) 14500 or 18650 battery. the charging current, listed on the back of the charger, and often on the website product descriptions, should not exceed the mA rating, so a "real" 500mAh battery shouldn't be charged faster than 500 mA, or .5Amps. but again, not really an issue with the exception of the smaller batteries. and then there are voltage adjusted batteries like some CR2s and RCR123A batteries that are intrinsically 3.7V, but equipped with diodes to drop the voltage to 3V. these will need their own special charger, and shouldn't be charged with other Li-ions like the 3.7V LiCo or 3.2V LiFePo4 batteries. i mention this last example as you may be looking at 3V, 3.2V and possibly 3.7V RCR123A batteries to use in a chuck or other mod for +6V, but this shouldn't apply to the ProVari.

My second question is: Can a "mod" (beside the Provari, say something like a Chuck) that uses a Li-Ion 18650 also use a AW IMR High Drain 18650?

yes, in theory the 18650 or 18mm (diameter) x 65mm (length) spherical (0) cell should fit a mod equipped to take it, regardless of whether it is an IMR, ICR, INR, IFR, etc. along with size variance, one other thing to watch out for is that mods calling for an IMR may in fact be doing so because of the amperage that IMR batteries offer in order to deliver voltage above 3.7V with a single battery or to get the intended performance out of a LR atty at 3.7V without stressing the battery. the slight size variance can come into play because the IMR are unprotected cells, though safer chemistry, whereas you may be looking at a LiCo with the a slight height and width advantage due to added protection circuits. so an IMR may be a little too short in one mod or the LiCo could be a little too long in another, but this is usually only the case with mods specifically designed and form-fitted around a very particular battery. you should be fine with an IMR 18650 in both the mods in question.

If this is the case (and assuming I didn't want or need to change voltage on a fixed voltage mod) then wouldn't it make sense to not even have an Li-Ion cells and just use AW IMR High Drains.

it depends on your personal preference. i use protected LiCo batteries in mods using straightforward 3.7V, no bells or whistles, for batteries sized 17500 and bigger. the added amperage is of no value for the atomizers, and i gain quality protection circuitry and about 33% increased runtime. but if you're going to use LR attys at 3.7V with batteries below 17500 get an IMR. so while an ICR like the protected AW2600mah or INR like the AW or Redilast 2900mah will work perfectly fine in your chuck and offer longer runtimes than using the same sized IMR, it may benefit you to use an IMR in the ProVari because it is drawing more amps from that single battery to potentially set the voltage well above what the battery is designed to deliver on its own. a good IMR can handle this type of setup quite well, but using it in a straightforward 3.7V 18650 mod may be overkill unless you don't trust your battery manufacturer's protection circuits and generally fear the risks associated with LiCo batteries.

 

[Valentine Michael Smith]

buGG,

Thank you very much, that was the exactly the information I was after.

And you even answered a question that I had and forgot to ask. I do need a different charger for the RCR123A batteries.

I am looking at the Pila IBC 4 stage charger. I think it is worth the investment.

Can you recommend a charger for the RCR123A cells?

Thanks again,

VMS

 

[buGG]

for the 3.7V RCR123A LiCo and LiMN i use the Pila and a dummy cell to act as a secure spacer.

for 3.2V RCR123A LiFePO4batteries i use the ultrafire 138A like this one, no spacer required, but it will not fit larger batteries. it is capable of charging 3.6/3.7V LiCo batteries at one setting, and 3.2V LiFePO4 batteries at the other setting. i use it solely as a designated charger for the 3.2V LiFePO4 batteries.

for 3V RCR123A LiCo batteries like some from tenergy and soshine, they have special chargers that usually come with the starter pack of batteries or that you can purchase separately. beware that the mAh on these types of batteries are grossly inflated and generally these 3V cells don't have the amperage to supply most attys outside of short bursts, which increases the stress and limits the performance of the battery over time, but there are many who use them and like them for 6V setups.

the links are just here for picture and availability sake, but most of this stuff can be found cheaper if you look around. hope this helps!

 

[Valentine Michael Smith]

buGG,

Thanks again.

VMS

 

[maltose66]

Hello,

I have lost two Desan usb chargers (original and replacement) in the past two weeks Both rated at a Input DC5V 500mA Output DC4.2 420mA. Both of the chargers show melting on the plastic case right above the Desen label. I lost a RiVa 700mah and vapormaxx V510-VGO 750mah batt at the same time.

I was using them with one or the other of my usb/wall chargers.
1) Output = DC 5.0V – 7.0V max 400mA
2) Output = DC 5.0V +- 0.5V DC 500mA

My first question is… Would the under amperage of charger #1 cause batt/s to go out or a fast charger to fry? Or do you think that one of the batts fried causing damage to the charger that then damaged the second batt?
I started exclusively using the 500mA wall charger, with the fast charger, once I saw the difference in output but the damage has been done.

My second question is… The 510 charger that came with wall charger #1 has an input rating different than that of the wall charger (Input DC 5V 0.3A Output DCA 2V 0.15A). It still works fine.

Am I to assume that wall charger #1 has some output regulation circuitry that limits the amperage? Are there wall chargers out there that regulate output amperage to the pull of the device? I would love to get a wall charger that I could plug whatever 5V device(s) I have into it without worrying about over juicing.

Thanks

Malt