Efest Bio charger ok for AW IMR Provari batteries?

[r0ss]

Hi,

I've searched and googled a bit but can't find an exact answer. Maybe it's obvious, dunno. But, I bought a Provari Mini about a month ago. Got the kit with some 18350 batteries and the Tenergy charger. After some research a couple of weeks ago I learned the Tenergy overcharges them which, of course, isn't good. So I bought an eFest Bio charger I heard about on another forum. The person didn't specifically say what batteries it was for, just mentioned he used them and it's a decent charger as it shuts off when it's finished charging them.

Question is - The eFest Bio definitely charges the AW-IMR batteries I have but I can't tell if it's totally fine to use for these? Or is the eFest Bio more specifically for a similar, but different battery?

I also ask this because seems like the 18350s I have aren't lasting very long. I get about 3-4ml before the light starts blinking. I believe when I first got them they lasted longer. Or maybe it's my imagination. I just ordered the extension cap and a couple of 18490s and don't want to screw them up. Want them to last long for a long time.

Here is the charger I have - http://www.evcigarettes.com/efest-bio-intelligent-li-ion-battery-charger-with-car-charger/

Edit: Also, the efest charger has a button which let's me switch between 0.5A and 1.0A - what is this for?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Baditude]

That charger should be fine. It seems to have the appropriate safety features needed to safely charge the batteries you have; the 18350 and 18490 are listed as batteries that it can charge.

You weren't specific which brand batteries that you are using. Are they the AW imr that Provape recommends and sells? The 18350 is rated for 700 mah (7 hours of use between charges) and the 18490 is rated for 1100 mah (11 hours of use between charges). The Provari's processor will alert you when the battery voltage gets around 3.5 volts and you can likely continue to vape for another hour once it does that. Some people have learned to remove the battery and put it back for even longer use once the blinking light comes on.

These types of batteries should last for about a year before they start to take less than a full charge or deplete sooner than expected. The Provari is able to check the battery voltage with its built in voltage meter. Check them before putting them in the Provari (should be around 4.2v) and when removed (3.4-3.5v).

Edit: I just re-read the title of your post and see that you did indeed say you are using AW imr's. My bad. Concerning the question about the Amp switch on the charger, I would think you'd want to slide it to the 1.0 amp position.

 

[r0ss]

Hmm - Thanks for the info.

I'm definitely not getting 7 hours with the 18350s - more like 3 or 4 hours. This is usually around 3-4ml so I guess heavy vaping.

And yea, I check the voltage - they usually read 4.1 when I put them in (All three 18350s I have). I'm thinking the Tenergy charger may be the culprit. Maybe they got charged too long. No idea.

 

[bmrdave]

The efest Bio is a lot like the XTAR wp2ii. I did some research on it before, and the units reviewed charge to just slightly less than the XTAR, which also charges to slightly less than the rated 4.2V. This is actually a good thing for the battery, as IMR types are more sensitive to overcharging than regular Lithium Ion batteries. If you had a less sophisticated charger before it might have been charging it up to 4.21 or 4.22, which would have meant a longer time before you needed to recharge, but was probably shortening the life of your batteries.
(NEVER let an IMR go to 4.25V)

AW IMR Specs from the maker.

 

[kcline]

From what i've read 1/2 amp is better but takes longer and I use mine on aws all the time no problem yet

 

[bmrdave]

From what i've read 1/2 amp is better but takes longer and I use mine on aws all the time no problem yet

I agree, but I don't have anything to quote here so I'll just say I've always tried to charge batteries around or below their capacity. Meaning a 700mAh battery at 0.5A, an 1100 mAh at 1A, etc. The AW IMR 18350 is supposed to be capable of taking a max charge rate of 3A, but I would feel uneasy about that. I charge even my higher mAh batteries at 0.5A unless I am in some kind of hurry, but I'm usually not because I buy enough batteries to keep a good rotation going so I'm never in that dire need.

 

[Unforeseen]

Moved to Assorted PV Topics - E-Cigarette Accessories Discussion

 

[r0ss]

Just an update in case any future googlers/readers come upon this -

Been a couple of weeks, the eFest Bio charger works just fine for the IMR high drain orange Provari batteries. I'm getting pretty much a full days use with the 18490s. With the 18350s I was getting about a half days use.

So, if looking for a decent charger the eFest Bio is good for the Provari batteries.