Battery do's and don't?
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Perhaps I wasn't completely clear. I read that either AW or Panasonic had issued a notice for their potential customers that fasttech was selling conterfeit batteries and saying that they were Panasonic....(come to think of it, it was Panasonic). So the manufacturer is saying one thing, and the middleman is saying something else. Who you gonna believe? Just being the messenger, don't shoot me, bro.
I also said that I had seen pictures of red 18650 batteries dressed to look nearly like red AW IMR batteries, which to the untrained new vapor's eyes, might easily be mistaken for the real thing. Here's the thread that shows those batteries. Tell me they don't look nearly the same as the red 18650 batteries that AW sells. These came with a mod purchased with a kit off of Ebay. The purchaser had the good sense to ask the veterans here on ECF if these batteries were safe to use in his mod.
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/new-members-forum/445953-safe-battery.html
I don't bring this stuff up to drag a business down, but only bring this up so that uneducated new vapors should be careful of where they buy their gear and be careful what they buy.
Sorry if this comes across as bad information to some readers. It is common knowledge that conterfeit batteries are being distributed from China. I'm just trying to help people make intelligent choices. Too often I see people choosing cheap over safety.
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It's worth mentioning that as far as regulated devices go, none of the Chinese VV/VW mods will put out more than about 11w on a single 18650, regardless of specs.
You need to stack 18350s to get them up to 15w.
You need to stack 18350s to get them up to 15w.
Ah, sideways, got it. I was kind of hoping I could carry one 18650 and two 18350s in a single case.
Got a link to that?
You're taking a bad approach here. You are automatically conflating fasttech with random ebay sellers with no evidence whatsoever. That's irresponsible.
The bottom line is it has been confirmed through extensive testing that fasttech does provide genuine brand batteries and is considered a reputable source.
I don't recall where I read that, but read it I did. It took me 15 minutes to find the other link. If I have more time or remember where I read the Panasonic warning, I'll most definitely post the link for you, kind doctor.
You got a link to that?dr g said:
Here's another one for the list --
Don't use if the battery has been damaged. Rips on the wrapper and dents or if it is swollen or mis-shaped.
And maybe the most obvious, but also unknown by many new to mods:
Only use batteries that are appropriate for our devices. It's not SIZE that matters.
Don't use if the battery has been damaged. Rips on the wrapper and dents or if it is swollen or mis-shaped.
And maybe the most obvious, but also unknown by many new to mods:
Only use batteries that are appropriate for our devices. It's not SIZE that matters.
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Unless you have proof, I have to go with DaveP and Baditude on this one. I've seen several threads around ECF about FasTech selling other knockoff items (such as evods). Then all of a sudden I'm supposed to accept that they are simply above reproach when it comes to batteries. I just don't see it personally. I'm not saying you can't find a genuine battery on FasTech. But, if they do also have knockoffs, how do I know which I'm buying? I'm simply not willing to take a risk on a dubious battery just to save a couple of bucks.
Yes.
That has been a recommended practice and I'm sure you will find it in Baditude's links.
It goes something like this -- the riskiest time is when the battery comes right off the charger and the first time it is fired.
(one recent hot pocket battery was due to change in the pocket and and the battery hadn't been off the charger for more than 5 minutes.)
This is a very specific claim of a document. Now it's not surprising given that we've seen some (Chinese) companies attack fasttech for selling genuine items for under MAP. But I would like to see the specific document you speak of to 1) see how Panasonic (Japanese company) words it and 2) make sure you're not conflating it with the other claims going around.
You got a link to that?
Sure
Especially check the flashlight forums, they've been at this a long longer than we have.
But really almost every popular battery on there has extensive discussion right on the Fasttech site.
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I've also read from a few places that Panasonics are the most counterfeited batteries, period, in all sizes and types, not just "our" types. Panasonic has a great reputation and thus people are capitalizing on that. And, often times the re-sellers are unaware that they have a knock off.
I like Bacon and Taco's as much as anyone, but these are serious issues our industry faces.
A warning about supplier source is a good one, especially when it comes to the power sources. If you don't want to support those vendors in the e-cig community, then go to candlelite forums and buy from where these guys do.
Source?
If it helps, one thing to keep in mind about the batteries we're dealing with is they aren't run of the mill batteries. These are proprietary high drain batteries, often with specific chemistries, and any company that can produce the performance we see would not be producing knockoffs, they would be making their own batteries under their own brand.
"Recently, Panasonic has seen an increased import of counterfeit and look-alike (Panasonic) batteries in Europe. In addition to this being an illegal form of trade, other risks may occur such as brand image and loss sales risk (due to confusion with customers and low quality of these batteries), but also health and safety risks (some batteries being unsafe) and even public risks (banned substances in batteries which may be harmful to the environment).
Should you have questions or doubts about certain Panasonic or Panasonic look-alike products of which you believe they may not be original, feel free to contact us at counterfeit.batteries@eu.panasonic.com. Thank you. "
Here's one quote from Panasonic. I don't know how old it is, but it is certainly relevant.
Here's the link: http://www.panasonic-batteries.com/eu/support/guarantee
As I understand it our type of batteries are made by very few companies. Some in China and one in Japan.
Should you have questions or doubts about certain Panasonic or Panasonic look-alike products of which you believe they may not be original, feel free to contact us at counterfeit.batteries@eu.panasonic.com. Thank you. "
Here's one quote from Panasonic. I don't know how old it is, but it is certainly relevant.
Here's the link: http://www.panasonic-batteries.com/eu/support/guarantee
As I understand it our type of batteries are made by very few companies. Some in China and one in Japan.
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Many companies have similar counterfeit statements. Do you have a source for Panasonic being "the most counterfeited batteries, period, in all sizes and types"?
In the past one of the primary sources for true counterfeit products from China has been companies' own factories -- workers make off with "seconds" and sell them, or run machines in unauthorized runs. This comes down to a company's own security controls and it's a good bet a company like Panasonic would be very careful about this kind of thing.
http://panasonic.net/ec/company/location.html
A few other places deal with li-ion as well. Not real surprising, there is advanced manufacturing capacity all across the developing world.
In the past one of the primary sources for true counterfeit products from China has been companies' own factories -- workers make off with "seconds" and sell them, or run machines in unauthorized runs. This comes down to a company's own security controls and it's a good bet a company like Panasonic would be very careful about this kind of thing.
http://panasonic.net/ec/company/location.html
A few other places deal with li-ion as well. Not real surprising, there is advanced manufacturing capacity all across the developing world.
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Tearose50 beat me to the general statement from Panasonic themselves concerning counterfeits on their batteries:
Guarantees and Warrantees | Panasonic Batteries | Support
This link from one of the candle power boards shows FastTech has the capability to re-wrap cheesy batteries to make them look like brand name batteries, including Panasonics.
EDIT: worse than I thought "Make" your own UltraFire 18650s! | BudgetLightForum.com
Your Google link only took me to the FastTech website. Nice try and thanks for wasting my time.
Bottom line: Buyer beware. There are counterfeit batteries being distributed by middleman vendors. Buy only high quality, genuine brand name batteries from trusted vendors (whoever you consider to be trustworthy) and beware of potential counterfeits. I am done here.
I could swear I read somewhere that batteries are only made by a select few companies. Very similar to gasoline - only 3-5 major players own refineries. They then sell to other companies that just put their brand name on it - so as far as batts being knockoffs - I really wonder.....my 2 cents...
Please let me start out by saying that I'm here to learn. I really like that we are now getting to the point of asking for real and true information when someone says "I read [whatever info]", and not just playing telephone.
Having said that, I read a blog on Reddit, and will quote part of the blog.
"it's not that easy to burn out an IMR!" you're right, under normal circumstances it's not. But these batteries are NOT intended for what we're using them for. In fact, after recent conversations with Panasonic/Sanyo, Sony, and Samsung, they don't even like the fact that we're USING these batteries because they're not intended for single cell, unprotected use in any device. The fact that they're available can be attributed to modders of flashlights, pen lasers and bicycle electronics. A demand formed around those markets and it was filled by various folks, ecigs came along and the demand skyrocketed.
These batteries are not built for what we're doing to them."
My question is ... Is this referring solely to the use of IMRs in the SLR situation, or in general?
Having said that, I read a blog on Reddit, and will quote part of the blog.
"it's not that easy to burn out an IMR!" you're right, under normal circumstances it's not. But these batteries are NOT intended for what we're using them for. In fact, after recent conversations with Panasonic/Sanyo, Sony, and Samsung, they don't even like the fact that we're USING these batteries because they're not intended for single cell, unprotected use in any device. The fact that they're available can be attributed to modders of flashlights, pen lasers and bicycle electronics. A demand formed around those markets and it was filled by various folks, ecigs came along and the demand skyrocketed.
These batteries are not built for what we're doing to them."
My question is ... Is this referring solely to the use of IMRs in the SLR situation, or in general?
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