Battery Question from ProVari Newbie

[InTheClouds]

Does anyone use anything besides the batteries from ProVape? I have a set of batteries from Orbtronic, High Drain 2900mAh NCR18650PD 18650 Li-ion High Current 10A battery cell - Button Top - Panasonic-Orbtronic. Can I use these in my ProVari?


Ideal 18650 High Drain battery cell for any device where high current AND long run time are the highest priority.

Specifications:

Battery type:	18650 High Drain
Capacity:	2900mAh
Max Discharge (constant current):	10A
Max Discharge Pulse Current (5-6 sec.):	18A
Full charge:	4.2V
Charging method:	CV/CC
Minimum charging current:	0.6A
Rapid Charging current:	1.35A
Nominal (storage) voltage:	3.6V-3.7V
Minimum discharge voltage level:	2.5V
Dimensions:	W18.5mm x H66.5mm
Weight:	46g
Button Top:	Yes

- See more at: NCR18650PD High Drain Panasonic 18650 2900 mAh Li-ion Battery free shipping from Florida

 

[ScandaLeX]

I don't know but you might want to read this thread- I found it Googling your battery and ProVari.

Ok to use NCR18650PD and CGR18650CH in the Provari 2.5? Good or Bad idea?

 

[InTheClouds]

I followed you link, then a few others, the Bad's link to battery university. I am going to set my Provari aside till I get the AW IMR. Thank you very much.

 

[Baditude]

Although I still stand that you should use AW button top IMRs in your Provari, my main concern in the above referenced post was primarily about that poster using magnets on a flat top battery in order for it to work in his Provari. This is considered using unsafe battery practices and never recommended. Provape explicitly says this practice will void their warranty.

Having said that, some people do use the Panasonic 2900mAh NCR18650PD button top in their Provari. This is a hybrid/IMR high drain battery and can be used.

 

[Ojen924]

I wouldn't use the Panasonic battery. I would just stick with the awr or efest imr 18650 batteries. You mentioned high amp rating or the Panasonic it really wouldn't matter because the provari is a variable voltage mod. You can up the resistance in your coil and up the voltage. To lower amperage draw on the battery and get the same wattage.


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[ItTechy]

GOOD question!

I asked Provape a similar question about my Provari, here is what they said:

You can safely use any 18650 for your device, however it should be an IMR non protected because the protected cells have circuitry to cut them off during high or low drain/ volts which causes poor performance in regard to your VV functions on a Provari.

As long as it is a NON PROTECTED / NON SELF REGULATING 18650, go for it, hey if I could find some 90000 gazillion mAh I would use them!

Vape on dOOds!

 

[Technonut]

I just received two of the button-top Orbtronic High Drain 2900mAh NCR18650PD's yesterday to test for myself. My Pila charger has LED issues after 2 1/2 years of constant service, and while ordering the Xtar VP1 charger to retire the Pila for back-up purposes, I included the batteries.

There is VERY little difference in length between them and the AW IMR 2000mAh 18650. That was my primary concern with this particular cell, since I don't want anything putting excess pressure on the ProVari's board.

I plan on posting a thread after a week of testing. I will say so far that I am impressed. As for using what you have...I see no reason not to.

 

[ItTechy]

Again as I mentioned Provape said we can use any NON PROTECTED 18650, I too admit we want to use good judgement, but hey ya'll we are only going to see minor increases in longevity in regards to how long a battery lasts...

We're not talking 4000 mAh vs 2000 mAh!

Now I would want these (if they were made)!

It also deepens if you vape at 6 volts vs. 4.2 volts! ;-)

I just received two of the button-top Orbtronic High Drain 2900mAh NCR18650PD's yesterday to test for myself. My Pila charger has LED issues after 2 1/2 years of constant service, and while ordering the Xtar VP1 charger to retire the Pila for back-up purposes, I included the batteries.

There is VERY little difference in length between them and the AW IMR 2000mAh 18650. That was my primary concern with this particular cell, since I don't want anything putting excess pressure on the ProVari's board.

I plan on posting a thread after a week of testing. I will say so far that I am impressed. As for using what you have...I see no reason not to.

 

[Technonut]

900 additional mAh, and 10 amp constant current is a significant improvement over the AW IMR 18650 2000mAh IMO. ProVape does recommend only using AW IMR cells though for the record..

We recommend only using AW IMR high drain batteries in your ProVari.
You must use batteries that have a positive button on the top. Flat top batteries will not work. Installing magnet(s) on top of your battery is very dangrous and will void the warranty.

 

[ItTechy]

Here is what Kim from Provape wrote me:

Hello ItTechy,

Great questions. For the battery, we only recommend using the AW red high drain batteries because these cells have enough output current to handle the demands that the ProVari needs. While the trustfires and others with a button top will work, it's when you get into pulling more power those protected IC batteries will shutdown. This is because the protection circuit on the battery is turning off when it reaches its output max which is only about 2 amps. With the AW cells they can supply a lot more power to the unit.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Kindly,
Kim

Now that being said, yes OFFICIALLY Provape does say somewhere on their web site the recommended batteries are AW IMR, in a way they have to say this to protect themselves....

These batteries have never blown up in a mod, as far as I know, and they (Provape) like many vendors try to design their mods and circuitry around specific batteries, that usually have a proven safety record....

nuff said you all get the drift...sheesh

900 additional mAh, and 10 amp constant current is a significant improvement over the AW IMR 18650 2000mAh IMO. ProVape does recommend only using AW IMR cells though for the record..

 

[dice57]

My thinking is if an engine is designed around a specific power supply for maximum efficiency, then I probably want to use that preferred source. Even if another source will work, if something fails then warranty replacement and repair are now null and void, if it is determined that failure was caused by this other source. You do it at your own risk and expense. I'd rather have an extra battery then have to fall back on an ego if something happened to P.

 

[Technonut]

I'm all for the best-performing battery, so I really don't get your point... Here is a comparison I just ran at 3 amps between the two we're discussing.. I pull my batteries at the 3.2v cut-off, and my own testing so far is proving the NCR18650PD is lasting much longer than the AW IMR 18650 2000mAh..

Provape does say somewhere on their web site the recommended batteries are AW IMR

"Somewhere" is right on the ProVari sales page..

 

[ItTechy]

arghhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



never mind!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!​

The question was regarding

Can I use these in my ProVari?

YES!

IF IT BLOWS UP, SHORTS OUT, MELTS, PROVAPE SAID USE THE AW BRAND!

My take: I am getting some of the Panasonic cells, they're fine!

 

[Technonut]

The problem is that when someone opens the "you can use any IMR in the ProVari" can of worms, some folks will want to throw in the cheapest, no-name IMR they can find. Some of these may not even be genuine IMR batteries, and can be potentially dangerous if boosted.

I was debating with someone across the pond recently about the use of IMR batteries which are popular there in the ProVari.. Problem is, they are too long.. This particular person was boasting about how they ground their bottom-cap down to fit, and ProVape would never know if the unit was sent in for warranty. Another was saying it was so tight, there was a gap between the cap and body.

I almost had my ... handed to me for my opinions against this, and posting quoted blocks of text, and links to ProVape recommending the AW IMR's.

That's why I'm careful to only recommend AW IMR's in the ProVari unless my own personal testing proves otherwise.. I did say to the OP..

I plan on posting a thread after a week of testing. I will say so far that I am impressed. As for using what you have...I see no reason not to.

 

[ItTechy]

I agree...

That's why I put up what Provape said, and specifically pointed out what they say....etc.

Just like when I have posted anything regarding DIY mixing, or if the like, disclaimers, but lets be honest, when we agreed to the forum rules somewhere in there is states posts are the opinions of the posters....yada, yada, yada....

Everyone should use common sense, ask questions, and above all DO THE RESEARCH , don't believe me, you or anyone, go on a quest for the knowledge yourself, but alas we all know what "they" said.....

Who is "they" and where did they get their facts, it's kinda like the insurance commercial with the gal that says she found her information on the internet, so it has to be true! ........

The problem is that when someone opens the "you can use any IMR in the ProVari" can of worms, some folks will want to throw in the cheapest, no-name IMR they can find. Some of these may not even be genuine IMR batteries, and can be potentially dangerous if boosted.

I was debating with someone across the pond recently about the use of IMR batteries which are popular there in the ProVari.. Problem is, they are too long.. This particular person was boasting about how they ground their bottom-cap down to fit, and ProVape would never know if the unit was sent in for warranty. Another was saying it was so tight, there was a gap between the cap and body.

I almost had my ... handed to me for my opinions against this, and posting quoted blocks of text, and links to ProVape recommending the AW IMR's.

That's why I'm careful to only recommend AW IMR's in the ProVari unless my own personal testing proves otherwise.. I did say to the OP..

 

[EddardinWinter]

The problem is that when someone opens the "you can use any IMR in the ProVari" can of worms, some folks will want to throw in the cheapest, no-name IMR they can find. Some of these may not even be genuine IMR batteries, and can be potentially dangerous if boosted.

I was debating with someone across the pond recently about the use of IMR batteries which are popular there in the ProVari.. Problem is, they are too long.. This particular person was boasting about how they ground their bottom-cap down to fit, and ProVape would never know if the unit was sent in for warranty. Another was saying it was so tight, there was a gap between the cap and body.

I almost had my ... handed to me for my opinions against this, and posting quoted blocks of text, and links to ProVape recommending the AW IMR's.

That's why I'm careful to only recommend AW IMR's in the ProVari unless my own personal testing proves otherwise.. I did say to the OP..

Thank you for your considered and researched opinion. I think in your case, obviously, deviating is fine. I always recommend genuine AW IMRs to new owners, but I am sure you know precisely what you are doing. At the moment, I am expanding my knowledge on RBAs, but I intend to move into battery research after I obtain some degree of competency on rebuildable attys.

 

[InTheClouds]

OK Folks, I did not mean to cause anyone to pull their hair out I am finding that any simple question I ask seems to open a can-o-worms. I have some electronics knowledge, tho I admit it is rather dated. Orbtronics has a good reputation, so I knew it was a good quality battery. In reading the specs I could not find a reason not to use the battery other than ProVape recommending another brand with a different mah capacity. I wanted to make sure I was not missing something that would hurt my ProVari. It did not occur to me that a product would be manufactured around a specific brand of battery. Imagine if all you could use in a specific model car was an Interstate
battery, then Interstate went out of business. I thought it was more along the lines that Provape has a working business agreement with AW. I know there are people who will buy what is cheapest, I am not one of them, I did buy a ProVari didn't I?? I also realize people will do all kinds of stupid things, like stacking batteries in a mech mod, or wrapping their 1st coil and try to use it without testing it. I feel for those folks who have been here for quite a while yet still take the time to answer the same old questions that have been asked and answered many times. I thought that having posted an intelligent question with a copy of the relevant data I would not be taken for an idiot, I did read all the information that Provape offered, I just did not understand why one specific battery was recommended. That said, I thank all who offered their input and experience. I also want to thank the individual who took the time to PM me, and thank Technonut for posting the testing info.

 

[Baditude]

@ InTheClouds. Please don't feel bad because a debate occured from your question. It was a legitimate question, and you got a variety of answers. Friendly debates happens all the time on this forum, and on internet forums everywere, not just on this one. In fact, from what I hear, this is one of the less volatile e-cig forums anywhere. Everyone has their own opinions based on research, personal experience, or here say. It sounds like you got the answer you needed.