How to tell when my batteries are dying?

[DuineAnaithnid]

So I have built myself a nice copper tube mod that uses 18650 batteries, and recently, it is only vaping about half the time.

I used a multimeter to measure the resistance in my tube to be sure that the connections were good (the mod is dead simple with a mechanical switch) and they were.

I then measured the resistance on the batteries themselves and one (which has completely stopped working) is showing a resistance of almost 1kOhms. The other battery (the one that is working sometimes) is showing negative resistance (which is what I would expect, right?).

What can I do to fully determine whether it is my batteries or the tube mod that have the problem here? The batteries are about 5 months old, could they have gone bad already.

Here is the battery I am using

I have also attache a picture of the mod, and can give more details on it's construction if necessary.

 

[CritterBuddy]

If I'm not mistaken 6 months is considered the average lifespan for batteries. Of course your mileage may vary. My 14500's were about 6-7 months old when I finally gave up on them. The main indications I saw they were going bad is they would not last as long and also charged much faster. I'd say it is time for new batteries.

 

[Java_Az]

Li ion's are rated @ less then 500 charges. Means in the best case you could get close to 500. A lot of that depends on quite a few factors. charge rate ,storage time ,temperature and so on. China made batteries can be lacking on quite a few levels if your wanting the best batteries and price is not a concern you might want to look into some Made in Japan ones. If you really want to get serious about it go to some flashlight forums and see what they have to say about it. They do Independent mah tests and really take their batteries serious. You will find for performance and longevity you wont beat a Japanese made 18650

 

[WillyB]

What can I do to fully determine whether it is my batteries or the tube mod that have the problem here? The batteries are about 5 months old, could they have gone bad already.

Here is the battery I am using

Sure can, and those cells you have are about the worse choice you could make.

 

[stouchon]

I may be just my experience but I fried a 901 battery by checking resistance (I thought my meter was on voltage). It may have been a fluke or maybe the circuitry inside that didn't like it, but I will never check a battery for resistance again.

 

[Stownz]

yep, the amount of charge they hold decreases.

 

[Mudflap]

You might be interested in this thread.

 

[DuineAnaithnid]

Thanks everyone, I have ordered some new batts