Lava Tube Battery Scam

[cjb313]

No sooner that the hype of the LT is at a peak, Volcano Announces that the AW IMR 18650 high drain batteries that come with the kit and that are on the sight are Fakes !! They are not AW, in fact they're not sure exactly what they are !! Can someone please direct me to a place were I can find a true AW IMR high drain 18650 ?? This is probably why there was a slight rating differential around the 5v range, I'm not sure but I'm shocked to hear that Volcano went on to say that in their original prototype that they were using a black AW that lasted longer, and was more durable.. Hmm this is not what I wanted to hear... check it out: http://forum.volcanoecigs.com/battery-issue-t7830.html

 

[landscaper]

Being that I have no idea about batteries, can you explain what the difference is and what dangers are involved if any. Are these safe? Is it just a quality issue and longevity issue. I have no clue so if you or anyone can explain it would be appreciated.

Thanks Dave

 

[Maximillian]

Heyas folks,

I have 2 of the "fake" aw imr 18650's from volcano. I got both in the same order. One included in the kit, the other I ordered at the same time, so I could have 2 batts for my lt.

I haven't had any problems with the batteries so far. I don't know yet if I'll return them or not. I'm still undecided on that.

However, after reading through all the info on the volcano forum a couple times, I just wanted to add a couple points to this discussion.

1. According to the info on the volcano forums, the test lava tube units they had did not come with a "black aw" batt. It came with an "unknown, unbranded" batt.

2. Volcano did their best, as far as I can tell, to give their customers what the customers wanted. Namely, an "aw" branded batt. Volcano got scammed by a manufacturer or reseller of batts, who took unknown batts and put the "aw" brand name on them.

3. Volcano sold these batteries to us in good faith, believing them to be aw batts. Volcano did not try to scam us.

4. In spite of the fact that it was volcano that was scammed, or who knows, maybe their supplier was scammed too, volcano is offering to do right by their customers, and accept returns on the batts, shipping to be paid by volcano.

5. Apparently, aw does not even make a flat top imr 18650 batt. volcano is still selling the other batts, but no longer calling them aw's, since they now know that they are not aw's.

6. volcano is also looking to get another batt to sell which fits all the lavatube manufacturers recommendations. namely a flat top, imr, 18650 batt. They are looking to find a battery of this type, of a known provenance, that they can put their name on, to offer their customers in the future.


From what I can see, I still think volcano is a great supplier. They dealt with me in good faith. I don't feel scammed by them. I feel they were the ones that were scammed, and they are the ones offering to make this right with me.

I'm not saying that anyone here was suggesting that volcano was at fault, I just wanted to bring my thoughts to the table.

And btw, I don't work for volcano. I'm not affiliated with them in any way. My sole contact with them is one order so far. My lavatube preorder + 1 extra batt.

This whole battery situation has only helped me to feel better about volcano, and doing business with them in the future.

Just my



Maximillian the Mostly Mischievious

 

[chopperguys]

i have good results from my batts from provape with my provari and the pila charger
i know they sell batts on their site

 

[DTO]

This really sucks but I'm glad Volcano is addressing the situation properly and offering refunds. If I owned a pair of these batteries, without question, I would return them and get a legitimate AW IMR 18650 from a reputable vendor like rtdvapor.com or empiremods.com. Don't use counterfeit batteries. Even if they work OK, you don't know if they are safe.

 

[conan]

AW Battery Issue

 

[Nomoreash]

No sooner that the hype of the LT is at a peak, Volcano Announces that the AW IMR 18650 high drain batteries that come with the kit and that are on the sight are Fakes !! They are not AW, in fact they're not sure exactly what they are !! Can someone please direct me to a place were I can find a true AW IMR high drain 18650 ?? This is probably why there was a slight rating differential around the 5v range, I'm not sure but I'm shocked to hear that Volcano went on to say that in their original prototype that they were using a black AW that lasted longer, and was more durable.. Hmm this is not what I wanted to hear... check it out: The Official Volcano E-Cigs Forum • AW Battery Issue : Lavatube Technical Issues

I'd always been curious about Volcanos claims as to a AW Flat Top IMR comming with the kit. I've never seen one nor could find one outside of what they were claiming and highly doubted AW made a battery specifically for them to include in a kit.

You do want to stick with a IMR or High Drain battery due to the LT boost circuitry. AW sells a button top IMR 18650 that has been tested, fits and works just fine in the LT and is an excellent quality battery. You can get these at several places including, supertmanufacturing.com, lighthound.com, rtdvapor.com, provape.com and I think a seller or two in the suppliers section here.

FWIW, even though they may have previously stated they were AW and they aren't doesn't mean they won't work or be fine in the LT. As long as they are High Drain they should work well but they probably won't last as long as AW which are excellent quality batteries.

 

[AlmightyGod]

I've never been a fan of Volcano's rebranding of 510 batts, egos, etc...

Why should this come as a surprise to anyone?

 

[zoiDman]

... Can someone please direct me to a place were I can find a true AW IMR high drain 18650 ??
...

That's a drag about Volcano getting had on some knock-off batteries.

Anyway. I've bought batteries from this company and never have had a problem. They are an ECF Supplier and have reasonable shipping.

Super T Manufacturing, Innovative manufacturer of electronic cigarette products.

 

[arbogast]

To their credit, they're very open/honest about the issue. Still, I'm happy I only ordered the LT body - sans batteries.

Slightly OT, sorry: This leaves me with the task of finding the correct batteries myself. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to remember that protected batteries are too long for the LT, and safe chem/IMR is the way to go?
Will these do the job?: AW IMR 18650 Rechargeable Safe Chemistry Battery

 

[cozzicon]

To their credit, they're very open/honest about the issue. Still, I'm happy I only ordered the LT body - sans batteries.

Slightly OT, sorry: This leaves me with the task of finding the correct batteries myself. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to remember that protected batteries are too long for the LT, and safe chem/IMR is the way to go?
Will these do the job?: AW IMR 18650 Rechargeable Safe Chemistry Battery

Ironically- Provape sells them.

 

[atom48]

RTD Vapor is whre I get my batteries: AW Batteries

 

[Nomoreash]

To their credit, they're very open/honest about the issue. Still, I'm happy I only ordered the LT body - sans batteries.

Slightly OT, sorry: This leaves me with the task of finding the correct batteries myself. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to remember that protected batteries are too long for the LT, and safe chem/IMR is the way to go?
Will these do the job?: AW IMR 18650 Rechargeable Safe Chemistry Battery

To their credit would have been to initially check with the manufacturer of the battery in question(AW) to see if they even produced a flat top IMR since none had ever been seen of that brand before they ever mentioned it or put it for sale to the public, which seems elementary, ok rant over.

Yes those are the ones you want, IMR button top which have been verified and work great in the LT. Protected batteries will likely be to long due to the protection circuit adding a little length plus protected doesn't have as much current capability needed for use with a booster circuit.

 

[zoiDman]

To their credit, they're very open/honest about the issue. Still, I'm happy I only ordered the LT body - sans batteries.

...

I think this is Very True.

There arn't too many companies that haven't been duped by someone giving them Knock-Off batteries.

It's how well the Company handles it that matters.

 

[Sgt. Pepper]

That's a drag about Volcano getting had on some knock-off batteries.

Anyway. I've bought batteries from this company and never have had a problem. They are an ECF Supplier and have reasonable shipping.

Super T Manufacturing, Innovative manufacturer of electronic cigarette products.

Another vote for superT. I buy all of my batteries from them and they are genuine AW. David at superT is one of the most reputable vendors around.

 

[arbogast]

Wow. Thanks a lot for all your answers reg. the batts.
I can vouch for Super T as well, btw. Exquisite customer service.

 

[ambientech]

Volcano is claiming they think they are sanyo cells and if they truly are sanyo cells they are good quality. For the longest time sanyo has made the best batteries on the market and still make the best nicad and nimhi batteries. Panasonic just in recent times made a better lithium battery and AW puts their name on it. My bet is they aren't even sanyo. If your going to scam your going to get the cheapest cell you can get your hands on and sanyo isn't.

 

[Firefly13]

I already had a bunch of real AW 18650 IMR's, just ordered the tube, does suck that happened though, least they're making it right.

 

[zoiDman]

... My bet is they aren't even sanyo. If your going to scam your going to get the cheapest cell you can get your hands on and sanyo isn't.

Not necessarily.

Sometimes it’s not about Scamming a vendor to make money. Sometimes it is about Substituting something for what it should be to meet a delivery schedule.

The Lavatube is about the Hottest New VVPV to hit the Market in a Long time. And an after Christmas New Product Roll-Out is not good for Any Product. So it could be that the OEM got caught short and Substituted a Good Quality battery just to meet a delivery schedule.

It is a Very Viable concept in that when you are caught shipping the Knock-Off batteries (Notice I said “when” and Not “if”) you know you are going to catch flake for it. But if the batteries you swapped are Good Quality that the damage will be manageable. But if you swap out some Crappy Batteries then things will probably get ugly Quick.

Makes it look like you’re defrauding someone for money verses just trying to meet a delivery schedule.

Not sure we will ever know what Exactly happened and I’m not saying substituting something is right. I just wanted to throw this out to think about.

 

[Carless]

I don't have a horse in this race because I have a Pro-Vari and not a LT, but just wanted to say as others have that Volcano seems to be a good company to do business with. I would buy their products in the future.
Hopefully, this will not hurt them.