Battery Experts - I need some clarification...

[thunderbrothers]

I just picked up a Vamo v3 kit from my local B&M yesterday, which included an Xtar charger and a green 18650 battery, for $85. I know I could have gotten it cheaper online, but I want to support my local shop wherever I can.

I've posted pictures of the batteries below. As I said, they included the green battery with the kit, and told me it was a good quality cell. When the lady behind the counter opened the actual Vamo so I could test it prior to paying for it, the blue battery below was already in it from the factory. She advised that I should just pitch the blue one because it wasn't a good quality battery. She didn't try to sell me another battery, so I don't really have a reason to doubt this.

I was hoping that someone here could maybe tell me what batteries I've got, and if they were right about me not using the blue one. I've charged and used both, and haven't noticed a difference with the quality of the vape. I'm not sub-ohming, just using a 2.2 stock coil at 8 watts and 4.0-4.4 volts.

I should mention that the shop is experienced with the 18350 and 18650 batteries. They like to preach battery safety (and they have a battery that exploded on display as an example). They also hold weekly classes on coil building and sub-ohm vaping, so I have the impression they know what they're talking about. But i'm inexperienced with this battery style, so I have no clue.

I was just hoping for a second opinion and maybe some more info. I've seen there are some VERY knowledgeable members here

 

[TrentTC]

That green one is a Panasonic NCR 18650, 2900 mah. It's a very good battery for a regulated mod. That blue one I'm not sure about. Probably a cheap battery that has been rewrapped. I will say though I wouldn't chuck it. It's probably fine to use with your vamo with the protection your vamo offers.

 

[bruiser]

Yep, the green one is a Panny. Very good battery. I have a pair of the blue generic ones that came with a Lavatube about two years ago. They worked OK, but I moved up to the Panny batteries. Also moved up to the SVD.

 

[Baditude]

As stated above, the Panasonic NCR18650PF 2900mAh is one of the best hybrid batteries on the market. It is a high-drain, safe-chemistry battery and perfect for any regulated VV/VW mod.

The blue one is a generic battery of unknown quality made by an unknown manufacturer. Chemistry type is anyone's guess, but more than likely it is an ICR Li-ion battery. No way to know if its "protected" or not. Un-protected ICR batteries should never be used in a mod, even if the mod has protection. If it was me, I'd pitch it just like your B&M salesperson suggested. It's not worth ruining a mod or getting yourself hurt by using it.

There's a HUGE difference in generic batteries and recognized high-quality batteries by name-brand manufacturers. The generics are often old batteries removed from laptop computers in China, re-wrapped and sold as new batteries. The others are the "rejects" of other companies and sold to distributors to be re-sold as lesser name brands or generics. Sad to say but some China distributors have no business ethics or standards, and there's no authoratative establishment to police bad practices. The counterfeit battery trade is alive and well in China, also.

Stick with recognized and reputable companies like AW, Orbtronics, Panasonic, Sanyo, Samsung, and Sony. Try to purchase your batteries from authorized dealers such as RTD Vapor, Orbtronics, and Illumination Supply if at all possible. Your mod batteries should be your most important investment in vaping.

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