Battery Confusion - Please Help

[JerryB]

Hello!

I've been using an ego Twist since I quit tobacco last April and am ready to step up to one of the many affordable VW devices available.

I'm confused by the different battery options: protected, unprotected, hybrid, button top, IMR, 18650. 18350 (and the other numbers) etc.

I'd really appreciate some simple, straightforward suggestions as to what type and brands are the best choice.
No need for a dissertation on battery electronic theory... just specific recommendations.

I'd also appreciate suggestions on specific battery chargers - as in which one(s) are best.

Finally, vendor recommendations for any of the above would also be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks in advance!

 

[tA71ana]

I understand your confusion...I just got my first mod (a Chrome Vamo..love it!) I'll tell you what I have gleaned so far and others will chime in too.
In my mod I use a High-Drain (HD) 18650 IMR 3.7volt Efest brand battery, 2000mAh.
I can also use one 18350 HD batt in short mode, or two 18350's stacked. Since I would rather not use stacked batts I only use one 18650.
My batts are not protected..the protection is in the mod. This seems to be the case in any VV(Variable Voltage) or VW (Variable Wattage) mod. Some mods also have both settings (VVand VW) available.
From what I understand, if you use a mechanical mod (like a Bolt or a Silver Bullet) you will need a protected battery, since there is no protection included in the unit. I don't know much more about those, **I don't have a mechanical mod and hopefully someone else will chime in about the mechanical ones because I don't want to give you inaccurate info about those**.
The charger I use is a 2 - bay NiteCore Intellicharger i2..it also comes in a 4 - bay version. I like it because it detects what type of batt in in the bay and charges it accordingly; no settings to adjust - just plug and play.
What mod were you thinking of getting?

 

[tA71ana]

Also, the Efest batts that I use are the button - top batts. The difference between the button (nipple) top batts and the flat tops (as far as appearance) is the contact point on the button tops is more convex and raised as opposed to the flat tops.
Hope that helps

Edit to add:The chemistry on those Efests I use are Li-Mn.

 

[JerryB]

I understand your confusion...I just got my first mod (a Chrome Vamo..love it!) I'll tell you what I have gleaned so far and others will chime in too.
In my mod I use a High-Drain (HD) 18650 IMR 3.7volt Efest brand battery, 2000mAh.
I can also use one 18350 HD batt in short mode, or two 18350's stacked. Since I would rather not use stacked batts I only use one 18650.
My batts are not protected..the protection is in the mod. This seems to be the case in any VV(Variable Voltage) or VW (Variable Wattage) mod. Some mods also have both settings (VVand VW) available.
From what I understand, if you use a mechanical mod (like a Bolt or a Silver Bullet) you will need a protected battery, since there is no protection included in the unit. I don't know much more about those, **I don't have a mechanical mod and hopefully someone else will chime in about the mechanical ones because I don't want to give you inaccurate info about those**.
The charger I use is a 2 - bay NiteCore Intellicharger i2..it also comes in a 4 - bay version. I like it because it detects what type of batt in in the bay and charges it accordingly; no settings to adjust - just plug and play.
What mod were you thinking of getting?

Hi tA71ana.
Thank you so very much for your thoughtful and informative reply!
In one post you've managed to clarify a lot that I had been confused about.
I had forgotten to list 'HD' in my post, but thankfully, you've addressed that as well.
Do you know anything about the so-called 'IMR' designation?

As for a new mod, I'm also considering the Vamo (happy to hear that you're enjoying it!) as well as the Zmax and the Vmax.
They all seem so very similar - but not quite. Of the the Zmax and the Vmax, I've heard that the Zmax is supposed to be a little better.

Thank you again!
Cheers!

 

[JerryB]

Also, the Efest batts that I use are the button - top batts. The difference between the button (nipple) top batts and the flat tops (as far as appearance) is the contact point on the button tops is more convex and raised as opposed to the flat tops.
Hope that helps

I've heard about the Efest batteries. If I've read correctly, they're amongst the more popular - as well as the Panasonics.
So, other than the appearance, I think some prefer the button top varieties for the added height, thus better contact. Is that correct?

 

[tA71ana]

I've heard about the Efest batteries. If I've read correctly, they're amongst the more popular - as well as the Panasonics.
So, other than the appearance, I think some prefer the button top varieties for the added height, thus better contact. Is that correct?

Yes, I much prefer the button tops...I am also going to be purchasing the Panasonic IMR Hybrid 2250mAh CGR18650CH 18650 Button tops next...I have heard good reports on those batts insofar as perfomance

As far as the IMR designation, I haven't the foggiest notion about that, lol...maybe we will be able to get a battery aficionado in here to explain that one, lol

I am considering the Sigelei Zmax as a next purchase - I like the oled screen and it looks pretty well built
Sigelei ZMax Variable Watts Ecig Mod

Pbusardo also did a video in youtube which you may or may not have seen
A PBusardo Review - Sigelei Z-Max - YouTube

Yeah, I'm pretty much sold on that Sigelei, lol

 

[JerryB]

Yes, I much prefer the button tops...I am also going to be purchasing the Panasonic IMR Hybrid 2250mAh CGR18650CH 18650 Button tops next...I have heard good reports on those batts insofar as perfomance

As far as the IMR designation, I haven't the foggiest notion about that, lol...maybe we will be able to get a battery aficionado in here to explain that one, lol

I am considering the Sigelei Zmax as a next purchase - I like the oled screen and it looks pretty well built
Sigelei ZMax Variable Watts Ecig Mod

Pbusardo also did a video in youtube which you may or may not have seen
A PBusardo Review - Sigelei Z-Max - YouTube

Yeah, I'm pretty much sold on that Sigelei, lol

Thank you for the input and the links!
Do you know what the 'hybrid' refers to?

I'll check out the PBusardo Z max review soon as I'm done watching his V max review (which I'm half way through.

 

[tA71ana]

Also, this being my first mod, I was nervous about the VW thing...but found out that there was nothing to be nervous about and actually after having tried it, I am pretty much hooked on VW.
With VV you would have to adjust the voltage to accomodate the Ohm rating of your cartomizer/clearomizer/tank/atomizer but with VW, I just set the wattage and it calculates what it needs to use to fire up the attached catomizer/clearomizer, etc.
I'm pretty lazy - I like to set it and forget it, lol

Edit to add: I don't know about the "hybrid" deal is either....I'm still in the process of wrapping my head around it all too, lol

 

[tA71ana]

Note to add:

There are folks who also swear by AW brand IMR batts too.
I've never tried them ( I will eventually) but you may want to look at those as well

 

[Thompson]

AW IMRs seem to be the standard among some. Thats all I have currently. Provape suggests only using them with the Provari. They are more costly though (by $1-3).

I just bought two Panny CGR18650CHs last night though for when my CVI arrives. Apparently these things are pretty damned good at their job, and I certainly won't mind another 250mah for a few bucks cheaper than AWs.

 

[JerryB]

Thank you Thompson. Great profile pic!