Correct Batteries for mech mods

[terry w]

Hi all,

I have recently started adding some mechanical mods to my collection, Thers is just one thing i am not sure about.

And that is, which are the safest batteries to use. I have got 18350`s and 18650`s from previous orders and all i know about them is that they are (icr) flat tops. I got these with the 18650 lava tube and the vamo. ??? Is it safe to use these ??? I don`t know if this brand is protected/unprotected, and just wanna be on the safe side. Help please good people.

 

[jSquared]

Hi terry,

IMRs can deliver more current than most other types of batteries. Unlike some other Lithium batteries, they have no built-in safety or protection circuit. They are, however, considered to be "safer chemistry" - meaning that, if they fail, they will not vent with flame.

ICRs usually have a higher capacity than IMRs. Protected ICRs are readily available, but, despite this protection, a Cobalt Oxide battery will likely vent with flame in the event of a catastrophic failure.

Both types of battery will work fine, but IMRs offer better performance and are the safer choice.

You should avoid unprotected ICRs at all costs. This link should help you to figure out whether or not your current batteries are protected. Also, did they come in a kit with the LavaTube/Vamo or did you buy them separately? You should only really use unprotected high-drain batteries (i.e. IMRs) in VV/VW mods.

JJ

 

[terry w]

Hi terry,

IMRs can deliver more current than most other types of batteries. Unlike some other Lithium batteries, they have no built-in safety or protection circuit. They are, however, considered to be "safer chemistry" - meaning that, if they fail, they will not vent with flame.

ICRs usually have a higher capacity than IMRs. Protected ICRs are readily available, but, despite this protection, a Cobalt Oxide battery will likely vent with flame in the event of a catastrophic failure.

Both types of battery will work fine, but IMRs offer better performance and are the safer choice.

You should avoid unprotected ICRs at all costs. This link should help you to figure out whether or not your current batteries are protected. Also, did they come in a kit with the LavaTube/Vamo or did you buy them separately? You should only really use unprotected high-drain batteries (i.e. IMRs) in VV/VW mods.

JJ

hi jj,
Thanks for your kind response. Yes the batteries i am using are the ones what came with, the vamo starter kit,and the lava tube starter kit both purchased from here E cigarette - VaporBreak. I asked at fasttech where i purchased my kts from,and they advised me to use protected batteries. so i am a bit confused now

 

[terry w]

http://www.vaporbreak.com/608-thick...-vamo-v2-starter-kit-no-atomizers-ego-apv.jpg These are the batteries i have jj

 

[bunnomatic]

The Vamo bats are more than likely unprotected since the electronics provides the protection.

 

[jSquared]

http://www.vaporbreak.com/608-thick...-vamo-v2-starter-kit-no-atomizers-ego-apv.jpg These are the batteries i have jj

I suspect that they are unprotected ICRs, because protected batteries don't work well with VV/VW mods and the Vamo has its own built-in electronic protection as well as a hot spring. Personally, I would feel a lot safer using IMRs - even in a device like the Vamo. Those ICRs are the most volatile of the lithium battery types.

I asked at fasttech where i purchased my kts from,and they advised me to use protected batteries. so i am a bit confused now

Most vendors/distributors will tell you to use protected batteries in a mech, and some will even say that the use of any other kind of battery will void your warranty. Unfortunately, that statement is a bit outdated/miseading. IMRs are actually much safer than protected lithium batteries because of the way they behave in a catastrophic failure. IMRs vent with gas and heat, whereas most other lithium batteries vent with flame. I only use AW IMRs in my mechs, and I feel completely confident doing so.

JJ

 

[terry w]

I suspect that they are unprotected ICRs, because protected batteries don't work well with VV/VW mods and the Vamo has its own built-in electronic protection as well as a hot spring. Personally, I would feel a lot safer using IMRs - even in a device like the Vamo. Those ICRs are the most volatile of the lithium battery types.



Most vendors/distributors will tell you to use protected batteries in a mech, and some will even say that the use of any other kind of battery will void your warranty. Unfortunately, that statement is a bit outdated/miseading. IMRs are actually much safer than protected lithium batteries because of the way they behave in a catastrophic failure. IMRs vent with gas and heat, whereas most other lithium batteries vent with flame. I only use AW IMRs in my mechs, and I feel completely confident doing so.

JJ

Thanks very much for that jj,i will follow your advice and go with the AW IMRs for use with my mech`s. That has cleared up any confusion i had. I will just use the ICRs in the vamo and lava tube,

Thanks again...Terry (OH and i will eventually replace all of the icrs with imrs)

 

[jSquared]

No problem, Terry. The AWs are a little more expensive, but they've outlasted all the other batteries I've had.

JJ

 

[MamaTried]

i keep this bookmarked: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/new-members-forum/438046-battery-info.html#post9996925

bottom line: use IMR

 

[terry w]

i keep this bookmarked: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/new-members-forum/438046-battery-info.html#post9996925

bottom line: use IMR

Thanks for that woody some good info there,
I will go for the IMR,Just need to find some sites in the uk now.

 

[terry w]

No problem, Terry. The AWs are a little more expensive, but they've outlasted all the other batteries I've had.

JJ

Cheers again jj,

This may be a daft question,but here goes. As the IMRs are unprotected, does that mean that they can over/under charge? when using in a apv will The vape just fade off,as the battery runs down ? so you know then, it is time to re-charge? Sorry about all this,but just wanna stay safe. And where do you get your`s from jj ? I normally get my stuff from china,but can`t seem to find any here 1294 Electronic Cigarettes at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping or here E cigarette - VaporBreak These are the sites i get most of my gear from. Anywho Thanks Again...Terry

 

[jSquared]

Cheers again jj,

This may be a daft question,but here goes. As the IMRs are unprotected, does that mean that they can over/under charge? when using in a apv will The vape just fade off,as the battery runs down ? so you know then, it is time to re-charge? Sorry about all this,but just wanna stay safe. And where do you get your`s from jj ? I normally get my stuff from china,but can`t seem to find any here 1294 Electronic Cigarettes at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping or here E cigarette - VaporBreak These are the sites i get most of my gear from. Anywho Thanks Again...Terry

Not a daft question at all! All good chargers will prevent overcharging, and a freshly charged battery should come off the charger at 4.2V. It's generally considered safe to discharge a battery to 3.3V.

Fortunately, when using IMRs in an unregulated mechanical device you get a very sudden and noticeable drop off in performance beyond 3.3V - so you do get a pretty good cue to switch out the battery. That said, the best way to check your voltages is using either a multimeter or a "tankometer" (will update post with a link in the morning).

After all while, you'll get a feel for how long a specific battery will last you and you'll know instinctively when it's time to charge it. To give you a rough idea, I get 40 mins of actual vape time (i.e. when the button is depressed) out of a 2000mAh 18650 AW IMR vaping at around 9W and 2.2A. At my vape pace, that equates to about a day and a half of real world usage.

As for where to buy these little red bundles of joy - I've bought AWs from Cloud 9, EnJuice and VapeEscape. All top notch vendors!

As always, any more questions - just ask.

JJ

 

[terry w]

Not a daft question at all! All good chargers will prevent overcharging, and a freshly charged battery should come off the charger at 4.2V. It's generally considered safe to discharge a battery to 3.3V.

Fortunately, when using IMRs in an unregulated mechanical device you get a very sudden and noticeable drop off in performance beyond 3.3V - so you do get a pretty good cue to switch out the battery. That said, the best way to check your voltages is using either a multimeter or a "tankometer" (will update post with a link in the morning).

After all while, you'll get a feel for how long a specific battery will last you and you'll know instinctively when it's time to charge it. To give you a rough idea, I get 40 mins of actual vape time (i.e. when the button is depressed) out of a 2000mAh 18650 AW IMR vaping at around 9W and 2.2A. At my vape pace, that equates to about a day and a half of real world usage.

As for where to buy these little red bundles of joy - I've bought AWs from Cloud 9, EnJuice and VapeEscape. All top notch vendors!

As always, any more questions - just ask.

JJ

That my friend,is sooo Helpfull,

And thankyou very much.

Still pushing the kts now with the icr 18650 though, Should i wait till i get some IMR`s ?

Or risk blowing my gob off ?

 

[jSquared]

Working on the assumption that they are unprotected ICRs, I wouldn't use those batteries in a mech. Whilst the chances of something going wrong are probably pretty low, it's just not a chance I'd be willing to take. Good news is Vape Escape has the full range of AW IMRs in stock at the moment:

AW IMR Batteries [VE342] - £7.99 : Vape Escape

Following on from my last post, the cheapest price I found for the Tankometer is £17.99 plus £1.85 delivery (2nd Class). For some completely bizarre reason, ECF doesn't allow links to that particular vendor. I've posted a link to the "Where To Buy" section on the Tankometer site - it's the 4th one down on the list:

Where To Buy | The Tankometer

Hope that helps.

JJ

 

[terry w]

Many Thanks jj

So will these be ok ? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-Efest-...rElectronics_Batteries_SM&hash=item43bd42e060

 

[jSquared]

The Efests are absolutely fine - they get really good reviews here on ECF. Some people say they don't last as long as the AWs, but I don't think there's a much in it. That seller is actually a member of UKV, called "Torchy". He does his own batteries which are a fraction cheaper than the Efests, and also very highly regarded:

2x Torchy IMR 2000mAh 18650 3.7v Li-Ion batteries + case | eBay

EDIT: Just noticed that listing has some really good info on batteries if you scroll down the page. There are some discharge charts (so you can see the drop off I was talking about at 3.3V), as well as some general tips and advice.

JJ

 

[terry w]

yeah jj,

I read the info before Thanks, so torchy it is then. Or maybe a couple of each.

Thanks again for leading me in the right direction...Terry

 

[jSquared]

Not at all, Terry. Thanks for reminding me about Torchy - will save me some money next time I stock up on batts! I tend to get stuck in a rut with gear and suppliers and often forget that there are better/cheaper alternatives these days!

JJ

 

[terry w]

Not at all, Terry. Thanks for reminding me about Torchy - will save me some money next time I stock up on batts! I tend to get stuck in a rut with gear and suppliers and often forget that there are better/cheaper alternatives these days!

JJ

No problem jj,

Thanks for all the advice.

 

[terry w]

Not at all, Terry. Thanks for reminding me about Torchy - will save me some money next time I stock up on batts! I tend to get stuck in a rut with gear and suppliers and often forget that there are better/cheaper alternatives these days!

JJ

Hey jj,

I got his last two packs of these 2x Torchy IMR 2000mAh 18650 3.7v Li-Ion batteries + case | eBay

He sent me an e-mail a few hours later, saying Thanks for payment "They will be posted tomorrow"

Great service.