Just received Stingray (clone) from FT. Need some guidance.

[Reveen]

Hey all. My Stingray from FT finally arrived, but I just noticed that my battery that I purchased doesn't fit (it is too wide). I can an older IMR 18490 to fit but not the Sony VCT5 - 18650 -30amp - 2600mah that I purchased form Hard Rock Vapor (I heard it was the best/safest). I'm starting to think I ordered the wrong battery. Please excuse my extreme noobness, this is my first mech mod. Can someone point me in the right direction?

 

[Ndizzle07]

i have a stingray x and all I use are sony VTC5s and VTC4s. i believe all batteries that start w/ 18xxx are the same diameter(ex 18490, 18500, 18650). both of those batteries should fit in a stingray

 

[Reveen]

i have a stingray x and all I use are sony VTC5s and VTC4s. i believe all batteries that start w/ 18xxx are the same diameter(ex 18490, 18500, 18650). both of those batteries should fit in a stingray

I wish this was the case for me, but there is no way my Sony will fit. The 18490 slides in perfectly but the Sony gets hung up pretty good.

 

[jrs99]

Is that a sticker on the "Sony"?
The Sony looks like a fake to me.
You might want to stick to a reputable dealer for your batteries.
RTDvapor.com is a good trusted source.

 

[Reveen]

Is that a sticker on the "Sony"?
The Sony looks like a fake to me.
You might want to stick to a reputable dealer for your batteries.
RTDvapor.com is a good trusted source.

It very well could be I guess. I only knew about that site because someone on here recommended it as a good source for the battery. I'm just nervous to buy another VTC5 and have it not fit as well. My 18490 is over a year old but has not been used very often. Do you think it is still safe (using KFL+ at 1.4ohms)?

 

[USMCotaku]

Sometimes an authentic will come with that sticker. Pull it off, and underneath you will see the info printed on the green battery wrap. Removing the sticker may help with it fitting.

Edit: check for an uneven seem on the Sony...that's a sure sign of it being a fake.

 

[Reveen]

Sometimes an authentic will come with that sticker. Pull it off, and underneath you will see the info printed on the green battery wrap. Removing the sticker may help with it fitting.

Edit: check for an uneven seem on the Sony...that's a sure sign of it being a fake.

Yep, pretty sure its fake. Under the sticker it says "SE US18650VTC5"

Anyone have a recommendation of an 18650 battery that will fit in the Stingray?

 

[USMCotaku]

That's what it should say....

 

[USMCotaku]

Positive pole

 

[jrs99]

Sony US18650VTC5
These are the real deal and will fit.
They were out of stock just the other day so it looks like they just got a shipment in

 

[USMCotaku]

Negative pole

 

[Reveen]

Sony US18650VTC5
These are the real deal and will fit.
They were out of stock just the other day so it looks like they just got a shipment in

These pics you guys are posting look EXACLTY like my battery. Is there any other reason it wouldn't fit in the Stingray? Is there another option besides this battery? I don't plan on doing any sub-ohm vaping, as I'm plenty satisfied with 1.4 on my Kayfun Lite. I just want something that fits! Are there any good brands of 18650s that are known to be a little skinnier?

 

[Reveen]

Pretty sure I just found the problem. I connect all the tubes of the Stingray (18650 mode) and looked down through the center. Where the 18650 part of the tube connects, I can see a Ridge in the tube. Took the tube apart and sure enough, even the 18490 that was fitting in short mode, won't fit in this tube because of that little ridge around edge. How can I fix this? Maybe take a dremel and try to smooth out the ridge?

 

[WattWick]

Have you tried using your superconsciousness, Great Reveen?

Seriously, tho. I would try to sand down the ridge as gently as possibly. Most likely with plain old unmotorized sand paper or maybe a file depending on how much material you have to remove.

 

[USMCotaku]

A small file should work fine....make sure its smooth so it doesn't cut up your batteries

 

[icemanistheking]

I know you found the problem, but just adding here, there is no reason to believe the battery you have is a fake. Many vendors put stickers like that on their batteries, and the printing on the battery you posted is accurate.

That being said, I would recommend RTD Vapor as well, as they specialize in authentic batteries for vaping.

 

[Reveen]

I know you found the problem, but just adding here, there is no reason to believe the battery you have is a fake. Many vendors put stickers like that on their batteries, and the printing on the battery you posted is accurate.

That being said, I would recommend RTD Vapor as well, as they specialize in authentic batteries for vaping.

Thanks for the reply. After some additional research, I'm positive my battery is legitimate. I haven't been able to work on the mod yet as I'm still at work. What would you guys recommend to smooth it out? Sandpaper? Dremel? Metal file? it's on the inside of the tube so if it looks a little less than perfect, it won't bother me, I just want it to be silky smooth for my battery's sake. I know I could make quick work of it with a dremel, but I would hate to somehow mess up the threading.

 

[USMCotaku]

I would try a small metal file first, then a fine grit sandpaper if it needs smoothing out

 

[USMCotaku]

That's one drawback to fastech...a lot of their stuff is factory seconds and come with some sort of defect...usually its just cosmetic, but sometimes it's something you will have to fix. Still worth the great price if you aren't opposed to tinkering

 

[Reveen]

I'm happy to report that with a minute or two of the dremel with the sandpaper attachment, I'm happily vaping in 18650 mode! Thank you, everyone, for your help!