Just ordered a Vamo...now, batteries?

[Grimjack]

I think i want to use 2x 18350 batteries with my Vamo, but I'm perplexed about battery/charger selection. I've seen comments about having to monitor your batteries while charging, and that definitely isn't for me. Can someone please recommend a good set of batteries, and a charger that are fairly worry free? I'm less concerned with price as I am safety/convenience. (yeah, I'm that lazy)
Is there just a lot of paranoia about batteries and charging...or am I risking a conflagration of epic proportions if i don't do everything just so?

 

[xanderxman]

Batteries should never be left unattended on a charger, no matter what brand they are or protection they have. They are inherently dangerous objects as they hold a tremendous amount of energy.

You are not at risk of blowing your house up on a daily basis but you need to be aware that a battery, any battery, can fail at any moment. You can purchase a LiPo Sack to increase the safety of charging but I would still not charge a battery unattended.

As far as stacking batteries in a PV, I do not do it. Stacked batteries are more dangerous than single batteries. Again, you will not blow up a house but it does hold a bigger potential for problems than a single battery.

I run AW IMR 18650 batteries in my ProVari and I am expecting a delivery of a LiPo Sack shortly to make charging that much safer.

 

[Iusedtoanalog]

Ok Grim. You will want either the Pila charger or the Xtar Sp2, These chargers throttle down at the end of the charge cycle so to not overcharge the batteries. They go to a "maintain" rate and are much safer than the other chargers that do not do this.....

As far as batteries, I would advise IMR 18350, of reputable manufacturer..... AW comes to mind first.....nut thats the only batteries I personally own because they are readily available, as well as reasonably priced...

 

[apdb90]

I personally went through the "Protected or unprotected" battery thing because of having access to a huge number of high end protected 18650's.

A bit of a "battery lesson"......go with an Unprotected cell in your VAMO. Get good quality....AW, Panasonic, Samsung.....I've been using Joyetech and have been happy with them. Some people say to use a button top in a VAMO, but I suspect they may have the "old" spring in theirs. I have been using both types in mine and have not had any issues with the flat top batteries rattling. The new spring is a much heavier one that extends all the way to the inside diameter of the tail cap where the old spring is smaller and in the center of the tail cap leaving a gap to the outside diameter. Finally, you're going to see maH ratings....think "the amount of power a battery has to offer on a charge".

If you want a GOOD charger, Pila's are top notch but can be a bit expensive and hard to find. I've been using the new Nitecore/Sysmax Intelli Charger (there are 2 and 4 bay chargers....charge 2 or 4 batteries at a time). I've been using one for quite a while now with various battery types including my 18650's and it's by far one of the best chargers I've used. I keep my VAMO batteries in it, and don't pull them out until I need a fresh one.

So AW, Panasonic, Samsung, Joyetech UNPROTECTED....1900-3100 maH.....flat OR button top.....Pila or Nitecore charger. Done

Disclaimer: all IMHO. I'm new to vaping, but have years of experience with batteries, chargers and related. I'm sure there are plenty of other viable options out there and I'm sure someone will be along to add them. The amount of knowledge on this site is amazing.

 

[HyperRealist]

I got 2 of these
AW IMR 18650 2000 mAh

and this
Battery Chargers : Xtar WP2 II

I also have a couple of 18350s for running in short mode but never used them.

 

[Grimjack]

I see the recommendations for the 18650, but from what I've read a single 18650 produces a rattle in the Vamo, thus the choice of 2 18350's stacked...Any Vamo users care to weigh in? Rattling would seriously annoy me....

 

[HyperRealist]

My SS Vamo doesn't rattle at all. That was the first version Vamos with the wimpy spring.

 

[patkin]

Protected 18350's don't work in the Vamo... wouldn't in mine and the threads (including one I started about it) IMRs were advised. I don't have them yet as the Vamo is just a backup for me but all agree the Vamo will trip the protection in the battery and keep it from working.

 

[HyperRealist]

If yours has a crap spring that gets hot and/or rattles you can just buy a new spring. The spring that came with my stainless is fine.

 

[soul05]

you want IMR batteries. I use Efest 18350s. Ive got about 4 of them. I have 2 Panasonic 18650s with 4 more coming from Amazon. I havent use any other 18650s, but the Panasonics are perceived to be the "best"

 

[Grimjack]

good lord I'm thrilled to be off analogs after all these years..but i never had to do this much research when deciding between Camels or Marlboro's

 

[Sonicthehedgehog]

I see the recommendations for the 18650, but from what I've read a single 18650 produces a rattle in the Vamo, thus the choice of 2 18350's stacked...Any Vamo users care to weigh in? Rattling would seriously annoy me....

I used a VAMO with an 18650 and you can get battery wobble. I have been thinking of coming down to shorts and teeshirt mode (18350) as i use my vamo in conjuction with a Cobra RBA and the whole thing setup is really really HUGE lol

 

[WattWick]

You are not at risk of blowing your house up on a daily basis but you need to be aware that a battery, any battery, can fail at any moment.

You might not be at risk of blowing up your house, but you might be at risk of starting a fire that you can't put out with water. E.g one that supplies it's own oxygen. I might be overreacting, but I'm used to dealing with LiPo batteries. Not sure how LiIons compare in hazard factor, but I'm treating them the same just in case.