Grey 18350 Batteries that came with kit not lasting according to MAH

[frosting]

Just got my VAMO today. The grey 18350 it came with, i charged. I checked the battery on the built in multimeter. It was about 4.1/4.2. Using one, in short mode has only lasted about 2 hours. The battery is now at 3.4 volts. Much advice say take it out now, or around 3.4. I've been vaping heavy, really enjoying playing with the VAMO. Is this normal?? With 900 MAH I thought even with heavy use one 18350 should last at least 4 hours before going to 3.4 volts.

Do the 18350 only last 5,6 hours if they are stacked? I don't think I really want to stack my batteries.

Also should I be able to charge the 18350s on my normal Trustfire charger I'm using for my 18650s? It may be a silly question, but since 18350 is not on the back of the charger as acceptable batteries I wanted to see what other people are doing.

Also this is my first time using big 18650. I've had them charging from about noon-7pm. Checking them they are 4.2 to the multimeter, but my battery charger is still red. Should I just take them off the charger regardless if the charger has turned green? This is new to me. Since this are unprotected I want to be especially careful.


Sorry if this question is a repeat.

 

[finnman1]

Brand of battery?

 

[frosting]

They come with the starter VAMO kit. "Special Lithium Battery" They really don't have a brand, at least they appear very generic. Made by: D.K.I. Battery. In only China's quirky way, one warning on them says "If leaked liquid get in eyes, wash them with clear and consult a doctor immediately" I think they meant water.

 

[kiwivap]

Hi frosting. I would say get some IMR batteries, which is what this mod needs. The batteries in some of the Vamo kits I've seen are cheap, and often not the kind you should use. I suspect the battery is not living up to its mah because of the drain required from it.
If its an unprotected Li-ion then do not use it.
AW, EFest and Panasonic all have good IMR batteries. People have also been saying the EH IMR at Mad Vapes have been performing well.

 

[Doglips]

I have had some issue with most likely every brand of battery, I read were people loves brand X and buy a few and inevitably 1 of them test out fine...3.8 Volts...then 10 minutes later my VAMO is flashing LO, or my other units just stop working. I picked up a el-cheapo label maker and numbered my batteries...when I put one or two in my PV and don’t seem to get the run time I was expecting, I note the batteries number..and pay attention to how it does after being charged, I give them 3 tries then if they are just not holding a charge, I toss them. I found with the VAMO, that sometimes its 1 of the 2 18350 batteries that is the problem. The only thing I can say is sometimes the person in china misses breakfast and a bad battery gets shipped out. The lack of quality is for me, the most frustrating aspect of vapeing. I just order at least 1 new battery with every order I place, buy juice toss a battery in the cart, when a battery flakes out, be it a old work horse or the new shinny one, I just toss them. I'm sure this is not the answer you were looking for. I hope someone comes along and post what turns out to be the end of my battery quest for a high quality, no problems what so ever battery.

 

[frosting]

Thanks for the input. Def food for thought.

I did buy EFEST IMRs with the Vamo. More what I wanted was the big batteries. Did not expect these to take so long to charge. For whatever reason, I was under the impression IMR are unprotected.

The grey 18350s are def cheapies. Kinda wish I only waited to buy the body, but I do love the case it came with.

How about when the batteries, and I'm referring to the EFEST are red on the charger, but according to the multimeter, charged? Should I let them continue to sit on the charger until it turns green?

 

[kiwivap]

Thanks for the input. Def food for thought.

I did buy EFEST IMRs with the Vamo. More what I wanted was the big batteries. Did not expect these to take so long to charge. For whatever reason, I was under the impression IMR are unprotected.

The grey 18350s are def cheapies. Kinda wish I only waited to buy the body, but I do love the case it came with.

How about when the batteries, and I'm referring to the EFEST are red on the charger, but according to the multimeter, charged? Should I let them continue to sit on the charger until it turns green?

IMR are unprotected, but actually a safer chemistry than protected. Also, using protected batteries in the Vamo isn't advised.
You don't need to leave the batteries on the charger until it turns green. If they are charged then take them off. Don't charge them past 4.2 volts. Usually chargers turn green around 4.18v.
Either they are just getting a little more charge, or more concerning, the charger is faulty and may overcharge them. You run the risk of a meltdown if the charger is faulty and/or the battery is overcharged.

What's your charger? a TR-001 is ok, but charging will take a long time. A Pila or Xsar WPII will charge them quicker, and are better quality. You may sacrifice some overall battery life in the long run with quicker charging.

 

[kiwivap]

I have had some issue with most likely every brand of battery, I read were people loves brand X and buy a few and inevitably 1 of them test out fine...3.8 Volts...then 10 minutes later my VAMO is flashing LO, or my other units just stop working.

Are you talking about IMRs? If your pvs are not working with the different batteries then it sounds like you have the wrong kind, or low quality. You shouldn't experience these issues with AW IMR, Efest IMR or Panasonic IMR.

 

[frosting]

Yup, I have an old TR. I have some spare chargers I need to look for. I do keep an eye, and plan to occasionally check the batteries because part of me doesn't trust this charger completely.

 

[WillyB]

Are you talking about IMRs? ... or Panasonic IMR.

Ir's kinda odd how there is always this Panasonic IMR talk.

From Panasonic's own datasheet.

BTW that's an IMR on the left vs. the Panasonic High Drain on the right.

 

[kiwivap]

Ir's kinda odd how there is always this Panasonic IMR talk.

From Panasonic's own datasheet.

CGR18650CH Panasonic 18650 Li-Mn-Li-ion CGR18650CH High Drain 10A Rechargeable IMR Hybrid Battery Cell

"Some people call this powerful 18650 cell hybrid IMR, others high drain battery."

I just find it simpler to say IMR as vendors list it as IMR.

 

[donesmokin]

Most of my mods run on stacked batteries. I haven't had any problems in two years except a cheap charger that over charged two Efest IMR's. Toss the no name batts and get a good charger. I'm using a Tenery from Puresmoker and a I4 Intellicharge.