Efest batteries losing charge

[Grimjack]

Hey gang,

Using Efest 18350's stacked and a 18650 single, and I noticed that they dont seem to hold a charge long when not being used. I had my 18350's charged, but didnt need to use them for a couple days. When I did put them in, they drained in a matter of hours. Is this common? Is there a better battery/charger combo I should be using? Currently using a trustfire chargers that handles both battery sizes, which is a plus in my book. But if there are suggestions for something better quality wise I'd love to hear it.

Thanks!

 

[Grimjack]

Quick update - I've had an 18650 charging all day long, put it in my vamo and it readys 3.9volts, but as soon as I fire it it shows lo. Im thinking I have a bunk charger since this is happening to all the batteries I use. Suggestions for a good battery/charger set up? Price doesn't matter as much as reliability. My twist is charging as well so I'm unable to vape until something is charged, not a good place to be

 

[mightymen]

You must check volts if 18350 don't read 4.2 volts put them back in charger. Don't use your batteries as soon as they are charged, should let them rest 1/2 hour then ok. I notice with my 18650 when I put charger on 1A setting (fast charge) they dont last as long as 0.5A setting (slow charge) on charger.

When your vaping at higher volts/wattage batteries won't last as long as lower volts/wattage. If chain vaping well what can I say batteries are going all the time.

You do need a charger that will not over charge your batteries. Like the XTAR. A hole lot of us have retired the trust .

 

[xbassman]

Hey Grim....

Sounds to me like a few things might be goin on here.
I would suggest buying a cheap multimeter.

You should know how high your charger is charging your batteries to limit risk factors.

The fact that your 18650 shows 3.9V then won't fire is concerning.
Normally an 18650 @ 3.9V will give you quite a bit more vape time before it would read Lo in your device.

Ditto above about the Trustfire charger....
I have one, but the only time I have used it recently was when I first got my Vamo. (had 4 18350's needing charge)
Mine (Tr-001) continues to trickle charge after it hits 4.17 and will overcharge if left long enough.

I'm currently using an Xtar WP2-II.
Charges 18650's faster than all but a couple of chargers available. (1A mode) Cuts off @ 4.2V
It has one major drawback though....
You have to use 2 spacers for each 18350 you are charging. (2 come with the unit)

Some users have recommended this charger...( I have not used one...)
It doesn't require spacers for your batts.
Review: SysMax/NiteCore Intellicharger i4 V2 Charger | BudgetLightForum.com

Almost forgot to add....
My Efest 18350's consistently read 4.1V on my Vamo after about a 24hr rest period. (That long is not necessary I have 4 bats in rotation)

 

[lagittaja]

I recommend a Nitecore charger. I have the i2 V2 and it just is excellent.
Anyone else who is looking for a charger, don't cheap out and get some TR-001 crap. Get a proper charger, in the long run you WILL save money when your batteries don't die early because of lousy charger!

Review of Charger SysMax i2
Review of Charger SysMax/NiteCore i4 V2

 

[fooey]

Grimm Did you get the updated spring / battery spring fix for your vamo? Check with your vendor to make sure your vamo had the latest battery spring. A bunch of vamos was released into the market with a defective battery spring that caused all kinds of battery related problems.

 

[vsummer1]

I recommend the Nitecore as well. It doesn't need spacers, can charge all kinds and sizes of batteries. I couldn't stand the trustfire.

 

[xbassman]

Grimm Did you get the updated spring / battery spring fix for your vamo? Check with your vendor to make sure your vamo had the latest battery spring. A bunch of vamos was released into the market with a defective battery spring that caused all kinds of battery related problems.

I knew there was something I was forgetting.....

There have been 3 spring revisions for Vamo.
v1 weak , v2 high resistance, v3 gold spring

The pic shows the v1 and v3 spring.
V2 looks like the v3 except it is not gold in color and would need a vendor replacement.

 

[quickload187]

You can use a trustfire but it is slow and you gotta watch it like a hawk. I need to upgrade but it has served me fine so far.

 

[Kemosabe]

for batts, you might have better luck with AW or Panasonic brand. those have been regarded as the best batts in the world of vaping.

ive got the Tenergy TN-270 charger. it was recommended by provape when i got my provari. it was less then $20 and works very well. the left bay charges up to 4.16v before turning green and the right bay goes up to 4.18v before turning green. if you leave the batts on there after the light turns green, both bays will go up to 4.20. each bay is spring-loaded so you can charge 18350s, 18490s, 18650s, 14500s, most likely any battery you can throw at it, all without needing any spacers. and each bay is independant of each other so you can charge two different types of batteries on it at the same time.

another tip is to not leave your batts on the charger all day. that will damage the batts. you want to take the batts off as soon as they are done, or as close to done as possible. i had a friend render his AWs useless by being careless with charging times. he would leave them charging for days at a time. not only is that damaging your batts, but its creating a very possible dangerous situation.

 

[lagittaja]

That Tenergy looks like a Cytac CY-015 to me. Wouldn't use it on my own batteries.
Like I said above I use the i2 and other charger's that I have are also microprocessor controlled.