Just ordered a Vamo V5 and a Kayfun 3.1, and needs some advice before it gets here.

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Tom Fuller

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relink2013

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OK so far I'm loving the Vamo V5. it's much smaller than I was expecting which is good! They Kayfun, on the other hand...well the kayfun seems fine, its the coil that came with it that's the problem. I opened up the chimney and just soaked the wick, I wasn't expecting much out of a crappy coil that came with it, so I didn't want to fill it up if it didn't work. So after making sure the wick was nice and soaked I went to fire it up, and first thing I noticed was only a small section of ONE turn was even getting red the rest stayed grey, but right off the bat I got a putrid smell...kind of like burning motor oil out of a car that hasn't had an oil change in 10 years...Luckily the guy at my local shop offered the give me "coil building 101" and build me a free coil.

My only other question is regarding batteries. The Vamo came with 2 generic grey 900mah Lithium Ion 18350's and a generic charger. I want to get some backup batteries anyway so what is the best place to buy batteries from? I am very weary of knock offs. Another local place sells Sony VTC5 2600mAh, are thoes "safe" to use? and will I need a different charger/should I get a better charger anyway? I am on a budget, but safety comes first.
 

DavidOck

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These are both good, reliable sources for batteries and chargers:

Authentic AW Batteries - RTD Vapor

and

Batteries-Chargers-Flashlights-Only The Best

Indeed, you don't want to save pennies on your power source! And you can relegate the provided charger to backup status.

Did you take the KF apart and wash it all well before use? There's always some machine oil left from manufacture, and that sounds like it might be the source of your bad flavor...
 
I had the vamo, well have, just don't use all day every day now. I really only used it in 18650 or stacked 18350 mode when I would be out and about for long periods and didn't want to fuss with battery changes. I carried mine in an ego case, but I didn't carry a ton of metal in it either.


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relink2013

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Thanks for the links, what about the batteries I mentioned? because I can go pick those up today locally...

I am currently using mine with stacked 18350's but I have heard that, paired with my generic batteries, is pretty much the least safe option...lol

I actually didnt take it apart and clean it, I didnt know I needed to, guess you learn something new everyday. If it's machining lubricant than I assume some good scrubbing with soap and water is in order?
 

DavidOck

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Yup, dish soap and hot water works fine. If you got it at a B&M, I'm surprised they didn't tell you that.

The Sony VTC5 2600mAh is fine, although it's a bit of "overkill" on a regulated mod. Then again, you have very little chance of stressing them! If your local shop isn't too far out of line on mark-up, or you're in a hurry, go for it.

Stacking batteries.... IF you have good quality batteries, IF you religiously keep them paired and voltage matched, IF....
 

relink2013

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Jun 2, 2014
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Ormond Beach, FL
Yup, dish soap and hot water works fine. If you got it at a B&M, I'm surprised they didn't tell you that.

The Sony VTC5 2600mAh is fine, although it's a bit of "overkill" on a regulated mod. Then again, you have very little chance of stressing them! If your local shop isn't too far out of line on mark-up, or you're in a hurry, go for it.

Stacking batteries.... IF you have good quality batteries, IF you religiously keep them paired and voltage matched, IF....

Awesome, exactly what I needed to know.

But as far as the charger goes, the batteries at the local store seem pretty reasonable, $13 compared to $11 online. But the charger they have is $45 ouch! can I use my current charger with those Sony batteries for now, and then order a better one online?
 
OK so far I'm loving the Vamo V5. it's much smaller than I was expecting which is good! They Kayfun, on the other hand...well the kayfun seems fine, its the coil that came with it that's the problem. I opened up the chimney and just soaked the wick, I wasn't expecting much out of a crappy coil that came with it, so I didn't want to fill it up if it didn't work. So after making sure the wick was nice and soaked I went to fire it up, and first thing I noticed was only a small section of ONE turn was even getting red the rest stayed grey, but right off the bat I got a putrid smell...kind of like burning motor oil out of a car that hasn't had an oil change in 10 years...Luckily the guy at my local shop offered the give me "coil building 101" and build me a free coil.

My only other question is regarding batteries. The Vamo came with 2 generic grey 900mah Lithium Ion 18350's and a generic charger. I want to get some backup batteries anyway so what is the best place to buy batteries from? I am very weary of knock offs. Another local place sells Sony VTC5 2600mAh, are thoes "safe" to use? and will I need a different charger/should I get a better charger anyway? I am on a budget, but safety comes first.

Toss those coils that came with the kayfun... They are crap. The silica that was used with mine was awful! I built, filled, vaped, gagged and then tore down and rebuilt with cotton and 30g kanthal and was happy


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relink2013

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Jun 2, 2014
109
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Ormond Beach, FL
Toss those coils that came with the kayfun... They are crap. The silica that was used with mine was awful! I built, filled, vaped, gagged and then tore down and rebuilt with cotton and 30g kanthal and was happy


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Oh trust me it was tossed 5min after opening the box, lol.
 

2legsshrt

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Well I hope it all works out.... :(

Just out of curiosity what is the best, and highest mah 18350 battery I can get? I would like to try and keep the Vamo short if possible.

The only batteries I use are the AW IMR 18650 2000mah. I have never had a bad one and been using them since they came out used to use the same only they were 1800mah. RTD has about the best price you can get on them.
 

2legsshrt

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Toss those coils that came with the kayfun... They are crap. The silica that was used with mine was awful! I built, filled, vaped, gagged and then tore down and rebuilt with cotton and 30g kanthal and was happy


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I agree. I use 28AWG Kanthal micro coil and cellucotton wick. Works great. I have been experimenting with different size bits and depending on the juice, if it is real thick I have had better luck with 7/64 with thinner 3/32. Have fun. IMO Get a Provari. Also don't get a DNA20 or 30 unless you are into sub ohming. I have a DNA20 clone and unless you are using 1.6 ohm or higher it can't be regulated down below 3.7v higher if your battery is fully charged.
 
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I've had my v5 for about a week and a half and the threads are already getting bad , tanks screwing in all wonky and what not. I ordered a 510 to ego adapter to hopefully prevent any further damage but I just ordered the I taste vtr to replace it but if the I adapter solves this problem I will be very happy because I honestly really love my v5


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I have a V2 in my hand right now with a EHPro Kayfun3.1 clone. Coil is built using 30g Kanthal with organic cotton as the wick. I use a tight coil placed on the diagonal on the deck. Originally wrapped at 1.8 ohms, but after 2 1/2 months is showing 1.9 ohms using the up power function. Battery: Panasonic CGR18650CH rated to 10A. It's a hybrid IMR and works really well for the Vamo, you won't have any problems with it as the battery is really kind of overkill for the Vamo and more suitable for a mech mod. Use your Vamo in RMS mode...it does not come in that setting straight out of the box. I like the Vamo/Kayfun combo so much that I ordered a V5 and another Kayfun clone to go with it. Build or have your coils built to between 1.5 ohm and 1.9 ohm and high VG juice and you'll be producing awesome clouds without having to sub-ohm.

Edit: I have not had any problems at all with the threading on the connector. Key is to not over tighten the atty to the Vamo, and don't drop it.
 
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relink2013

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So I was hoping the cheapo batteries would at least get me through the day...I thought wrong. I had them on charge for a few hours and noticed the light on the charger never turned green. So I took them off the charger and immediately pulled out the multimeter, and both batteries tested well over 4V, and the combined voltage was 8.2V when realistically it should only have been 7.4V, as the batteries themselves are only 3.7V.

Im going to assume this is bad seeing as Litium Ion batteries cannot take on overcharge like NiCd or NiMH can.

Correct me if Im wrong, I would actually like to be wrong right now, because I would much rather be vaping off my Vamo than my Spinner right now. lol

EDIT: Ok a little googling and I found out that apparently 4.2V is where these batteries should be at fresh off the charger. But Im still buying new batts as I don't trust anything that doesn't even have a name on it.
 
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DavidOck

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Your current charger should be ok, but a good one should be high on your list.

Yes, fresh, fully charged batteries are a nominal 4.2 volts. Could be your charger is just a low current charger. If they came up to 4.1 or 4.2, they should be good to go. I never run mine below about 3.6. But if you ran them significantly lower, it can take a long time to charge. And if you run them too low (shouldn't be an issue in a regulated mod like you have, as they will shut off when they sense their low voltage cut-off) most chargers will simply refuse to recharge them.

You'd think the manufacturer would provide at least decent batteries, but you never know. But you can use your '350s in short mode on your Vamo while waiting for the new ones. Or your "kit" may have been assembled by the vendor, and who knows what they put in :unsure:

I, too, use cotton for wick. Vapes great, easy to replace. Just takes a bit of practice to get the amount right. Too dense and it cuts off the flow. Too loose and you're susceptible to leaks.
 

relink2013

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Jun 2, 2014
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Ormond Beach, FL
I never run mine below about 3.6.

Now would that be X2 if im stacking? Because if both batteries were at 3.6V then my battery level on my mod would read 7.2, but if I waited until the mod actually showed 3.6V, then I would think both batts would be at 1.8V at that point? This is all purely assumption based on the fact that im stacking right now and it reads 8.1V with both batteries in, instead of the 4.05V that each battery is actually at right now.
 

DavidOck

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Yes, 7.2 if stacked. IIRC the "danger" point for them is 3.2. Below that, many chargers will "reject" them.

And while going that low occasionally probably won't have much impact, doing so consistently may drastically shorten the life span. I go by the motto of "charge early, charge often"
 
If you're going to read anything, read this reply! DO MOT OVERTIGHTEN YOUR ATTY'S! Don't try and tighten your atty down too far on your Vamo. You will squish the o ring holding up the pin and have to find a replacement which is nearly impossible. My girls friends Vamo has thy problem right now


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