Lava Tube Battery Questions

[Sad Society]

After doing lots of research, I'm seriously thinking about getting a LT. Now my questions are about the batteries. The LT uses 18650 IMR batteries. I'm no battery expert, and I just wanted to know if these are safe. Especially when charging them.

I've always used protected lithium-ion batteries in my mods. When I charge them, I just put the protected batteries in the charger and pretty much leave them there until my other ones die and then swap them out. Even though they are protected, I know this isn't the safest way to do it.

So my main question is, with these 18650 IMR batteries, can I just leave them in a charger?

Not really sure what the difference is between these and the protected lithium-ion batteries, other than reading that IMR's are supposed to up the voltage. Is there such thing as 'protected' 18650 IMR batteries, and would they fit the LT.

Thanks and Happy vaping.

 

[Keeno]

IMR's are a pretty safe chemistry and I've never heard of one exploding but at the same time battery chargers are not meant for storing batteries. To be on the safe side at the very least I would set up a schedule to charge the batteries like overnight and then take them off in the morning or whenever convenient but not leave them in a charger for extended periods of time regardless of chemistry. Also, the AW IMR 18650's are strongly recommended by Volcano and for good reason....buy at least a couple to go with your LT....

 

[Sad Society]

Yes it's true that chargers are not meant for storing batteries. It's not a set it and forget type thing....but charging them overnight? I figure just don't charge them when you're not at home. But what if you forget? I have no experience with IMR's so what is keeping them from being overcharged?

Do you have to use a special charger?

I have a universal spring loaded battery charger that can charge any size battery, that I use for my protected lithium-ions. The reason why I ask is because it would be cheaper for me to buy the LT separately from the batteries.

Does anyone have a site to recommend on where to get batteries that will fit the LT?

 

[Sad Society]

Well, Lighthound is out of stock, and I found more info on IMR's here: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...9007-warning-rechargeable-batteries-mods.html

 

[Eliteedge_7]

super T manufacturing has some good prices on AW IMR Batteries

 

[Sad Society]

Yeah I was looking at those, but they dont say they are IMR. Here are the descriptions for the two that are on that site:

"NEW! AW 18650 3100mAh 3.7v Protected"
"AW 18650 2900mAH protected 3.7v. Built with LiNiCoO2 NNP cells"

They're Protected, so that good, but doesn't IMR make up all the difference for High/Variable Voltage?

 

[Retriever]

The IMR18650 batteries are safe chemistry batteries. They can supply a higher rate of discharge than protected ones. That being said, I am no battery expert, but the batteries, either protected or safe chemistry, should not be left in the charger while you are not around. AW is the best brand, or at least they are considered superior by many members on the forums. There is a new type of IMR18650 coming out and the people at Provape are taking pre-orders. I already have some ordered. They are the same size as the ones they are replacing and should work fine in your LT. They just have a higher mAh rating. Hope that helps.

ProVape E-Cigarettes: Buy Electronic Cigarettes & Smokeless Cigarettes

 

[Mudflap]

I'm assuming the 2250 IMR 1mm Top battery sold by Callie's Kustoms would perform well and be safe to use. Just throwing that out there since AW IMR 18650's have become somewhat scarce. At 18.2 X 65mm, the dimensions are right.

 

[borockster]

I have a Galaxy VV (same thing as a LT but no logo) and I use the blue 3000mah batts from RTD vapor...I had 6 of them on hand and decided to try them before I bought any others. No issues at all and I get about 8 hours of heavy vaping at 4.5 volts.

 

[donnah]

I bought mine at SuperTmanufacturing. They work and fit well. yes they are aw brand and imr. They're out of stock right now. They'll cost around $20 shipped for 2.

 

[Nomoreash]

I have no experience with IMR's so what is keeping them from being overcharged? Do you have to use a special charger?

Any LiIon charger will work as long as it has the circuitry to keep IMR/liMN from overcharging. Once the charge is completed at 4.2ish volts the charger cuts off and no longer charges. Some chargers that do this are noted as being a "smart charger". You'd just have to check your specific charger to see if it has overcharge protection, most do but there are some that don't. You also want to make sure the charger in question doesn't trickle charge, some do. I have been using a Ultrafire WF-188 for over a year which is a smart charger, preforms very well with both LiIon and IMR and it's versatile with a wide range or sizes.

I have a universal spring loaded battery charger that can charge any size battery, that I use for my protected lithium-ions. The reason why I ask is because it would be cheaper for me to buy the LT separately from the batteries.

If you can look up that specific model and confirm it has overcharge protection and doesn't trickle charge then it should be fine. If not get another just to make sure you have the correct charger, they aren't that expensive. I would recommend checking the battery every so often with a mulimeter when it comes off the charger just to make sure the charger is functioning properly.

Does anyone have a site to recommend on where to get batteries that will fit the LT?

Supertmanufacturing, Lighthound, RTDVapor, Empiremods, Indyvaporshop, Provape, Cloudsofvapor, Oveready, Vaporkings and quite a few others sell AW IMR. Many are out of stock right now, probably due to the popularity of the LT but shouldn't be to hard to find.

I stick with AW but as somebody else posted Callie’s Kustom makes a IMR that has been rated very well as has MNKE and I think Avidvapor as well as others sell MNKE.

 

[Keeno]

indyvaporshop has the AW IMR's in stock on their website and is where I picked mine up a couple days ago...my local shop/supplier....their "juices" are pretty darn good as well...

 

[L7D4N]

I'm assuming the 2250 IMR 1mm Top battery sold by Callie's Kustoms would perform well and be safe to use. Just throwing that out there since AW IMR 18650's have become somewhat scarce. At 18.2 X 65mm, the dimensions are right.

I have heard these to NOT be genuine Li-Mn IMR's, but rather a combination of Li-Co and Li-Ion(I think? Can't remember or find documentation) and is regarded as a safer alternative due to the combination of the chemistry's compared to unprotected Li-Ion's. I read MANY threads on CandlePower Forums when Callie's Kustoms released those, as they are Panasonic CGR18650CH. They appear to test amazingly well, but cannot be confirmed by anyone as to their actual safe nature, only dead short tests when new. I figured I'd these roam around the market for a few months and see if anyone is missing hands from the Flashlight Guru's before I try my luck with them. In the meantime, ProVape is releasing their 2000mAH IMR from AW on the 13th, and since it falls on my pay day, I'll be stocking up

 

[Sad Society]

Yeah, I was a little leary about Callies Kustoms 3100mAh 18650 Panasonic Batteries as well.

Thanks for all the responses. I figured out what I needed. And I've decided to go with a Ultrafire WF-188 Charger, just to be on the safe side for charging my IMR batteries.

Thanks again to everyone for their replies and Happy Vaping

 

[Keeno]

Fantastic and good luck to you. Enjoy your LT.....

 

[meeems]

Yikes, i've always stored my imr 18650's in the charger. there's always one in there. I wonder if its okay , since its a Pila charger. or does it not matter?

The IMR18650 batteries are safe chemistry batteries. They can supply a higher rate of discharge than protected ones. That being said, I am no battery expert, but the batteries, either protected or safe chemistry, should not be left in the charger while you are not around. AW is the best brand, or at least they are considered superior by many members on the forums. There is a new type of IMR18650 coming out and the people at Provape are taking pre-orders. I already have some ordered. They are the same size as the ones they are replacing and should work fine in your LT. They just have a higher mAh rating. Hope that helps.

ProVape E-Cigarettes: Buy Electronic Cigarettes & Smokeless Cigarettes

 

[Sad Society]

Yikes, i've always stored my imr 18650's in the charger. there's always one in there. I wonder if its okay , since its a Pila charger. or does it not matter?

I don't recommend leaving any battery in a charger once it's charged. But even I forget and leave it in there sometimes. But it's not safe, and taking the batteries out when they are charged can (and will) prolong the life of your batteries as well.

UPDATE: So now I have my UltraFire WF-188 Charger, my cheap charger that I bought from ebay for under 10 dollars when I first started vaping, and my IMR 18650 batteries for my LT, along with the multimeter. My cheap charger doesn't overcharge the IMR's, but surprisingly they charge the IMR batteries faster than the UltraFire WF-188.

Everytime I test the batteries with the multimeter after they have been fully charged in the cheap charger the voltage reads 4.21

The WF-188 seems like it takes forever to charge the IMR's. But when a battery is fully charge on that charger the voltage on the multimeter always reads 4.25

Which charger do you think is better?

 

[meeems]

Batteries are out. thanks for the suggestion!

I use a Pila , because everyone in here said it was the best of the best. I listen to people. , i have no mind of my own'...hehe

Meems

I don't recommend leaving any battery in a charger once it's charged. But even I forget and leave it in there sometimes. But it's not safe, and taking the batteries out when they are charged can (and will) prolong the life of your batteries as well.

UPDATE: So now I have my UltraFire WF-188 Charger, my cheap charger that I bought from ebay for under 10 dollars when I first started vaping, and my IMR 18650 batteries for my LT, along with the multimeter. My cheap charger doesn't overcharge the IMR's, but surprisingly they charge the IMR batteries faster than the UltraFire WF-188.

Everytime I test the batteries with the multimeter after they have been fully charged in the cheap charger the voltage reads 4.21

The WF-188 seems like it takes forever to charge the IMR's. But when a battery is fully charge on that charger the voltage on the multimeter always reads 4.25

Which charger do you think is better?

 

[brad33]

Great information. I just ordered my LT on Monday and was wondering about the batteries. Good to see that other have tried other 18650 batteries - with success. I will definitely be looking into SuperTmanufacturing.

 

[surfsuphere]

Not hijacking this thread but taking it sideways a bit...

I am getting the LavaTube Mini which uses 18350 batteries.

1) I am a noob when it comes to batteries, so pretend you are talking to a 5yr old

2) These LavaTube MINI 18350 are in Kit form with a brand-x charger and brand-x 18350

QUESTION: Does anyone know the maker of the LT Mini battery ?

Are they ok to use, or throw them away and buy something "more-safe" and then, which ones?

I've seen much talk about 18650 batteries in the LT full-size; but almost no dialogue about the LT Mini (appreciating it is newer on the market and US Vendors are just selling them in the last week or so).

thanks