Compare my Sony 18650vtc4 to yours, please.

[entity72]

Heyo. I just received a pair of Sony US18650VTC4 high drain 30amp batts today. I'm not sure whether or not it's bad form to mention who I ordered these from but they do come from a reputable and recommended dealer.Anyhow, I noticed that the negative terminal on the ones I've received are a bit different than the ones I've seen prior to these. These have a completely flat negative terminal like the MNKEs do as opposed to the AW IMR I also own. I've also just checked a recommended ebay seller's VTC4s and those have the negative terminals that match the AW IMRs; meaning they have a slightly recessed "ring" just within and immediately adjacent to the battery's casing.Here are a few pics.Do any of you who own the Sony us18650vtc4 have the flat/flush negative terminals like mine? If not, does that definitively equate to mine being less than legit?

 

[Baditude]

I don't personally own the Sony 18650vtc4 batteries, but I have links to vendors that sell them and they appear to look like yours.

Sony 18650VTC4 2000MAH 30AMP Battery - Eciggity

Sony 18650VTC4 2100mah 30a | Vineyard Vapes

Sony 18650VTC4 2100mah 30a | Congrevape

Sony 18650VTC4 2100mah 30A – Hyperion Smoke

 

[Bunnykiller]

did you get the protected battery?? it looks a tad bit longer than the other one and the "dimple" in the wrapper at the neg side is normally a sign of the protector being there.

also look for a "strip" running from the neg side to the pos side under the wrapper if there is, good chance its protected

 

[entity72]

@Baditude Aside from pic in the last link which doesn't show the neg terminal, yes, they do in fact look like mine. I know you're very comfortable with the AWs as pretty much everyone including myself are, but I am curious why you in particular don't seem to be 'curious' about these Sonys... ?

@Bunnykiller These are unprotected. After previewing the pics I took, I meant to mention that although it appears the MNKE is shorter, it is in fact a tad bit longer than the Sonys... just under a mm taller.

As stated, these do come from a reputable and recommended seller that caters to the 'flashoholics'. So, either way, I know they stand behind their products. I just wanted to post those pics because the ones I've seen prior and including the recommended ebay'er who sells these have the 'dimpled ring' in the neg terminal. I am sub-ohm'ing and ONLY sub-ohm'ing at the moment, so you can understand my concern.

 

[entity72]

@Bunnykiller It's an IMR, but I do see what could be considered as "faint" strips running from neg to pos under the wrapper. Man, even tho' I know these are IMRs, you're making me "think". lol

 

[Baditude]

@Baditude Aside from pic in the last link which doesn't show the neg terminal, yes, they do in fact look like mine. I know you're very comfortable with the AWs as pretty much everyone including myself are, but I am curious why you in particular don't seem to be 'curious' about these Sonys... ?

As stated, these do come from a reputable and recommended seller that caters to the 'flashoholics'. So, either way, I know they stand behind their products.

AW, Panasonic, and probably the Sony 30 amp batteries are probably the most counterfeited batteries in the trade, as they are the most popular. AW seems to make an attempt to make their batteries more difficult to counterfeit with a more complex wrapper. Sony and Panasonic do not do so; their wrappings are rather simple and perhaps more easily to copy.

Your "peace of mind" lies in your faith of the vendor as being one who is reputable and who stands by their product.

 

[stylezuk]

They look right only difference in mine to yours is that my writing is directly in line with the QR code & i don't have the extra stamp on it stating the mah.

Picture is dark as if use flash it just kills it.

 

[mitchob123]

My sony 2100 mah 30 amps have a completely flat bottom.

 

[stylezuk]

You mean no wrapping to the edges? As they are totally flat.

 

[entity72]

@Baditude I'm not able to quote here for some reason... but I understand and I'm kind of leaning towards your preference for "peace of mind"...

@stylezuk With wrapping around the edges. Here is a pic that you can compare yours to and everyone can see what I mean. I also think this will alleviate my concern somewhat as this is a pic of the 1600mah VTC3. Maybe there was a slight design change on the neg terminal from vtc3 to vtc4...

Do you see the difference between the flat and flush negative terminal to this one? This is what caught my attention.

 

[stylezuk]

I think there may be some slight variation depending on manufacturing date as looking at allot of E-Cig shops some have the slightly raised bottom and some don't, mine don't.

http://www.eciggity.com/sony-18650vtc4-2000mah-30amp-battery/
http://vineyardvapes.wordpress.com/tag/sony-18650vtc4-2100mah-30a/ without bump
http://congrevape.com/projects/sony-18650vtc4-2100mah-30a/ with bump

 

[Ryedan]

I also have these three batteries. The VTC3 does have the raised negative end. Here are my MNKE and the VTC4:

 

[Ryedan]

I think there may be some slight variation depending on manufacturing date as looking at allot of E-Cig shops some have the slightly raised bottom and some don't, mine don't.

Sony 18650VTC4 2000MAH 30AMP Battery - Eciggity
Sony 18650VTC4 2100mah 30a | Vineyard Vapes without bump
Sony 18650VTC4 2100mah 30a | Congrevape with bump

The pictures in the third link actually show the VTC3 battery. You can see the model number in the second picture.

 

[stylezuk]

The pictures in the third link actually show the VTC3 battery. You can see the model number in the second picture.

Lol that'll be why the bump

 

[Ryedan]

Lol that'll be why the bump

Don't you hate when they do that! Probably thought no-one would ever notice the difference, or maybe they just made a mistake ...

 

[entity72]

Ok, I'm feeling good about today's vapemail as far as my initial concerns. My XTAR WP2ii ought to be here tomorrow, hopefully, to take care of these batts.

Thank you gentlemen. As you were.

 

[Ryedan]

IMO, that's a great choice of charger . I have had the WP2 for a year and a half and it's been rock solid for me. I use the 0.5A setting for the 18650s all the time unless I need a quicker charge. That doesn't happen often.

Had an interesting experience last week. I have two no-name 1600 mAh IMR batteries I got in a PV kit. I've been using them as spares since I got them. We had an ice storm up here and in prep for that I tried charging them at 1A and they started heating up.

 

[Sthur]

I just ordered a sony vtc4 today and was from vender bad posted. I can be at ease now I can build lower then 0.6 next when it come in the mail. Running 0.8 on 10a and want to be safe and have the buffer zone.

 

[entity72]

I almost took the Nitecore Intellicharger i4 for < $17 but decided I was willing to spend a bit more and so I did some research. I initially wanted the SP2 for the 2A for those times I want a fast charge but I'm dangerously close to being broke and I have money saved up for New Year's Eve that I don't want to dip into.

I've become fearful of these batteries the more I educate myself. After reading the "I almost burned my house down" thread on another forum I now will never be without an adequate degree of "healthy" fear and respect for these innocuous looking things.

I'll get the SP2 next year. lol

 

[entity72]

@Sthur 30A max continuous on the vtc4... yeah, I think you'll be comfortable with that buffer zone I've been on a .24ohm since yesterday and although I don't like it so much (I'm finding I prefer to sub-ohm between .3 and .6) I felt pretty good having at least 10A between me and what the battery is rated for.