E-Power Battery 14650 problems.

[karent]

So i bought an e-power around two months ago and have really enjoyed it but i am having some battery issues with it. The bottom section of the battery started to deteriorate within a few days. Looking back, I probably should have exchanged them but instead i wrapped the bottom section with some electrical tape. The battery barely fits in the body but has been working for the last few weeks like this. Until a few minutes ago when i attempted to take the battery out to exchange it with the charged one. The battery became kind of stuck in the body and started to become very hot!!! I threw it down on to my dresser and stepped back for a couple minutes, went back to it and it was still extremely hot!! I put some gloves on and threw it in to my kitchen sink. (still there!!) Anyways, maybe i have am just being over cautious? I think those threads about batteries exploding really scared me! lol.

Anyways, does anyone know of a good vender that sells replacement batteries because until i purchase some new ones...i'll be using my old joye 510.

 

[Rocketman]

inside edge of e-power is sharp and cuts plastic cell wrapper. I would bevel the edge a little. The AW protected 14650\14670 is a few thousandths of an inch smaller in diameter (if you can find one). I would also try some thin kapton tape on all cells used in a 14650 e-power. the charger sent with most of them is really tight. Always put the negative end in first (the spring post can cut the wrapper) and take the positive end out first. This tape is thin and holds up well:

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/polyim...emperature-adhesive-tape-16mm-33m-260-c-21358

 

[CrystalClaire]

Here's where I get mine:

E Power batteries 14650

 

[karent]

Thanks for the information Rocketman, What should i do to make the battery fit better in to the body? I know that even when the batteries were brand new, it was kind of difficult to stuff them in. Each day, and more of the exterior wrapper peeling, it has become even more difficult to insert the battery in to the body section. When I put the electrical tape around the bottom, it was almost impossible for me to get that in there!

 

[Rocketman]

once the wrapper gets damaged it's difficult to slide the cell in. A really thin and tough tape can be applied after the torn area is removed. Just don't try that with vinyl tape. Look at the entry edge of the e-power. that is one problem area. Another is the sharp edge about half an inch into the tube. That one is a little harder to reach. Both edges should be rounded a little. 400 grit paper works. Then look further into the tube where the inside diameter gets bigger. This allows the cell to wobble. Cut a 3x5 card, roll it up and fill in some of that space. Might take a couple of tries to get it right. Be very careful putting cells into or removing them from the single slot boat tail shaped charger.

The link to the tape from DX will take at least 2 weeks to receive. Get a few spare batteries but watch out for "unprotected" cells. Contact your vendor and ask. and if you get unprotected cells get tough. Seems some vendors are too lazy (or are cheats) and sell them as protected. If you don't know how to tell, look at your damaged one really close.

Always look over the plastic wrapper whenever handling Li-ion cells. It's not really the cells fault they can't take abuse
If the thin metal strip running down the side of a protected cell gets exposed, it becomes DANGEROUS. It can short out a cell and cause it to fail. Go back to first photo I posted. Just a small nic over the strip caused the cell to short out. The cell got hot enough to melt the wrapper and burn the user's finger.

 

[karent]

Thanks again Rocketman for all the info. It really helps me out!! I am not to knowledgeable about this stuff, so when the battery started to get really hot I started to freak a little! lol That 2nd picture of the two batteries that you posted is pretty close to what mine looks like. A portion of the metal strip is exposed. Until reading your post, I didn't even know to look for that! I looked in the body of the E-Power and i do see what you are talking about. I will have to try to sand that down a little. I am going to need some cart's soon so i guess i will have to buy a couple spare batteries also! Hey, some of this can be a hassle sometimes, but it sure beats smoking!

 

[Rocketman]

but it sure beats smoking!

you got that right.

 

[karent]

Thanks CrystaClaire!

Here's where I get mine:

E Power batteries 14650

 

[tj99959]

Anyways, does anyone know of a good vender that sells replacement batteries because until i purchase some new ones...i'll be using my old joye 510.

Good for you! In fact you should go back to your original post and put that in big bold text so that others are sure to see it.

 

[karent]

Thanks so much!!! Appreciate it!!! I'll have to try to go back and put it in there!

Good for you! In fact you should go back to your original post and put that in big bold text so that others are sure to see it.

 

[yzer]

Hi karent, I've been using the E-Power 14650 (stainless steel) since November.

Like CrystalClaire I purchased the E-Power 14650 from Hoosier as a kit. I also purchased two additional E-Power 14650s inexpensively from Hoosier as spare parts.

You can get protected 14650 batteries from Hoosier. I believe that these are the same batteries that come with Hoosier's E-Power starter kit. These batteries have the Smoktech name stamped on them.

I have also purchased protected Trustfire Blue 14650 from this source at FocalPrice. The price was $8.42 for two batteries.
Genuine TrustFire 2*3.7V 1600mAh 14650 Protected Rechargeable Li-ion Battery (Blue) EB289L - $8.42 - Affordable Batteries
Trustfire exaggerates the capacity of this battery at 1600 mAh. It's more like 1050 mAh. These are indeed protected cells and they work great.

The blue plastic wrapping on these batteries is called shrink tubing. In comparing the Trustfire and Smoktech batteries I found that the shrink tubing is a little tougher (more durable) and more neatly applied with the Trustfire Blues. In addition, the Trustfire Blues are a tad smaller in diameter than the Smoktechs and fit into the battery tube without binding. The Smoktechs are a sliding fit into the tube.

I have three E-Power 14650's and none of the battery tube edges are sharp. I can't imagine anyone cutting the shrink tubing on these battery tubes.

Be careful using these protected 14650's. If you damage one in any way they should be tossed and replaced with new. Dropping one of these batteries can dent the ends, resulting in damage to protection circuity. Dents in the battery sides could case an internal short. Damage to any of the shrink tubing can cause a short. I pays to take a close look at each battery prior to recharging to make sure they are in good shape.

Smoktech and TrustFire Blue protected 14650s. Both were purchased in October.

Smoktech

Smoktech

Trustfire Blue

Trustfire Blue

 

[yzer]

The Smoktech protected 14650 batteries are a sliding fit in my E-Power battery tube. By sliding fit I mean that the battery slides into the tube, making contact with the inside of the tube as it slides in.

The protected Trustfire 14650's are also a sliding fit, but a considerably looser fit.

Both the Trustfire and Smoktech batteries fit loose enough that I can hold the battery tube upright and drop each battery all the way into the tube.

If a battery is damaged or the E-Power battery tube is sufficiently dented, then some force may be required to slide a battery in or out of the tube. Either way, the damaged part should be replaced.

I know some vendors like Hoosier sell parts for the E-Power 14650. If the battery tube is dented and binding on the battery then replace the tube. They only cost about $7.

 

[yzer]

Then look further into the tube where the inside diameter gets bigger. This allows the cell to wobble. Cut a 3x5 card, roll it up and fill in some of that space. Might take a couple of tries to get it right.

I'm a bit concerned about this modification.

Filling that space may effectively prevent the movement of gas from most of the battery body to the vented blow-out plug in the unlikely event of outgassing. Unlikely, because there are no reports of an outgassing explosion on single cell (single battery) mods. Nonetheless, I'd rather have the vented blow-out plug fully functional. Plus, paper burns rather easily.

I can shake my E-Power 14650s violently without any noticeable wobble of the battery. If the battery wobbles I'd recommend stretching the standard battery spring a little for a tighter fit or replacing the standard spring with a stiffer spring (these are available).

 

[Rocketman]

there is a lot of space in the large section of the tube. a rolled card will take up a little space. if the edges are not sharp, and you are careful no problem. If you are very careful,no problem.
Venting from the top of the cell is already limited by the tight fitting upper section of the tube.

 

[yzer]

Sorry Rocketman, but I must disagree with you.

Stuffing paper into the E-Power 14650 battery tube is not a good idea. It defeats what little ventilation that is provided for battery outgassing on this PV and blocks it with an easily flammable material. Maybe I'm overcautious, but that's the way I am.

The best and safest ICR I've found for the E-Power 14650 is the genuine protected Trustfire Blue protected 14650 battery. I provided the best priced source for this battery in post #11. I say this battery is safer because the shrink tubing is more durable than that found on the Smoktech battery and the assembled quality and QC is better than found on the Smoktech 14650 battery. Additionally, I can add that the protective PCBs on either end of the Trustfire Blue battery are better centered than that found on the Smoktech batteries, allowing for a better fit into the E-Power 14650 battery tube which causes less wear on the insulated shrink tube coating.

I'll add that as far as I can tell there is no difference between genuine Trustfire Blue protected Li-ion batteries and genuine Trustfire "Flame" batteries. The "Flame" batteries are functionally the same as the "Blues." Only the cosmetics are different. Anyway, from a marketing viewpoint I can't understand why Trustfire would want to charge more for batteries that have "Flame" graphics printed on the shrink tubing. Do you want a battery that goes up in flames?

In this case, battery quality is a lot like the quality of OEM tires that you will find on new automobiles. Unless you are buying a high priced, top quality car the OEM tires are going to be the lowest bid, cheapest, just barely functional tires the manufacturer can get their hands on. The same is true for economy priced PVs. The economy priced PV (like the E-Power 14650) may be an excellent performing and durable machine (like a Subaru or Toyota) but the OEM tires are usually crap.

 

[berger]

well that assuming they are real for starters..about 6 months ago I got a pair of blue trustfires of ebay that say they are protected but dont have any metal strip on the inside at all...neat trick..
I agree with rocketman about insulating the tube..that particular trustfire in his photo had a very slight nick in the wrapper caused by the tube...got very hot in my hand so was noticed immediately and it was a lucky thing too. The odds of that happening are much higher IMO..first hand it was too......oh and btw the fake trustfires fit great as compared to the real one that almost went off but im not recommending unprotected mind you

 

[karent]

Thanks everyone for all of the information on this subject. I purchased two replacement batteries last night so now I'm just waiting for them to ship out and i will be back to vaping my E-power. I am just going to have to be really careful when inserting the batteries in to the body and also when i put them in the to charge because the batteries started to tear apart within the first few days last time.

Can't wait for the batteries to arrive because these small 180 mah batteries do not last long!!! lol Although i am surprised that they fire up all of my cart's including a 1.25 lr one! I figured i would have to use standard cart's but not the case.

 

[karent]

Thank you very much for all of the info Yzer!! I purchased two replacement batteries last night. I hope they get here soon because i am so used to just grabbing my E-power and taking it with me for the day, not having to worry about the battery dieing out on me!

I don't how the batteries came apart so fast? The bottom section broke off the 1st couple of days on both and then it just started to unravel. Once i tried to put a piece of electrical tape over it (which i didn't really even still feel comfortable using at that point) it would not even really fit in the body. I guess I'll just have to be much more careful putting the battery in to the body and charging it.

The Smoktech protected 14650 batteries are a sliding fit in my E-Power battery tube. By sliding fit I mean that the battery slides into the tube, making contact with the inside of the tube as it slides in.

The protected Trustfire 14650's are also a sliding fit, but a considerably looser fit.

Both the Trustfire and Smoktech batteries fit loose enough that I can hold the battery tube upright and drop each battery all the way into the tube.

If a battery is damaged or the E-Power battery tube is sufficiently dented, then some force may be required to slide a battery in or out of the tube. Either way, the damaged part should be replaced.

I know some vendors like Hoosier sell parts for the E-Power 14650. If the battery tube is dented and binding on the battery then replace the tube. They only cost about $7.