Good gried, what kind of battery do I need for vtube?

[normajean999]

Hi all! Ok well I just got a vtube (regular size) from apollo ecigs. They were out of stock for extra batteries so I wanted to order some more. I am moderately confused on this whole battery topic. This comes with an 18650 2200mah battery. I understand AW is the best bet. However I see that some sites like vapor king sell these but they are unprotected. So is that what I am supposed to get? Unprotected? I found some on lighthound.com that say they are protected. I just don't know what this one is that came with it because on Apollo's site it doesn't say if they are or are not. And I don't know if the charger that came with it can charge either kind. I was thinking of getting protected batteries as it sounds like they don't have an issue with overcharging but then again some chargers designed for unprotected chargers say they prevent it from being overcharged. Anyway like I say, moderatly confused here and somewhat shocked to read the battery descriptions that say never leave these in the charger unattended. Good grief!

 

[Scotay87]

The vtube kit comes with an unbranded IMR high drain battery that is protected by the chemistry of the cells with in the battery... The vtube aka Lavatube is built around the specs of this type of battery which is 65mm in length... Preferred battery is the AW IMR "1600" mah battery... There is now a 2200 mah AW IMR but is slightly longer and the end cap may or may not screw all the way in I have read some mixed comments on this... Standard protected 18650s will work but the end cap does not screw all the way down...

The IMR type have a higher continuous output than reg protected ones that push the VV circuitry to its fullest...

Check the Lava Tube Sticky in the Variable Voltage mods discussion... There are several threads on this subject if you want more details...

Consensus for the best vendors seem to be SuperT manufacturing, RTD Vapor, Pro Vape, and lighthound as well but 2 bucks more than the others...

 

[normajean999]

Thanks Scotay87!

 

[KeysBum]

The vtube kit comes with an unbranded IMR high drain battery that is protected by the chemistry of the cells with in the battery... The vtube aka Lavatube is built around the specs of this type of battery which is 65mm in length... Preferred battery is the AW IMR "1600" mah battery... There is now a 2200 mah AW IMR but is slightly longer and the end cap may or may not screw all the way in I have read some mixed comments on this... Standard protected 18650s will work but the end cap does not screw all the way down...

The IMR type have a higher continuous output than reg protected ones that push the VV circuitry to its fullest...

Check the Lava Tube Sticky in the Variable Voltage mods discussion... There are several threads on this subject if you want more details...

Consensus for the best vendors seem to be SuperT manufacturing, RTD Vapor, Pro Vape, and lighthound as well but 2 bucks more than the others...

I'd say that pretty much covers it. Good post.

 

[txtumbleweed]

The IMR AW 18650 2000 mah batteries work good on them and the cap does screw down all the way.
I haven't seen any IMR 2200 batteries so I don't know about them.

 

[Scotay87]

The IMR AW 18650 2000 mah batteries work good on them and the cap does screw down all the way.
I haven't seen any IMR 2200 batteries so I don't know about them.

Could swear I saw a post in the Lava Tube sub forum of the VV mod section were someone posted a pic of the slight size difference of the 2 batts... The poster said that he had an issue with the end cap screwing all the way down... At the same time I have seen comments like yours that the 2200's fit fine... Just trying to relay what info I have come across...

Cheers...

 

[tj99959]

To clarify, "AW" is a brand name, and they have several different 18650 batteries.
"IMR" is the chemestry of the battery, meaning that it is made from a different material than a "Li-Ion" battery.
AW does not make a flat top IMR battery like what comes with a new LT. (this is what started all the hub bub)
The AW IMR button top battery fits in the LT just fine as do several Li-Ion flat top batteries.
A Li-Ion button top with a protection chip is to long to fit in a LT.

While an IMR battery can still go thermo, it will not explode and catch fire like a Li-Ion battery.
There is also more protection built into the LT than what is in the little chip in a protected battery.

 

[txtumbleweed]

Could swear I saw a post in the Lava Tube sub forum of the VV mod section were someone posted a pic of the slight size difference of the 2 batts... The poster said that he had an issue with the end cap screwing all the way down... At the same time I have seen comments like yours that the 2200's fit fine... Just trying to relay what info I have come across...

Cheers...

I haven't seen an AW IMR 2200 but the 2000 is what I have. It is a tiny bit longer but not enough to keep it from fitting properly. You have to look very close to see any difference. The protected 18650 batteries I have do not fit.