Lava Tube Battery Scam

[BK_Malik]

Fair enough. I'm using regular red button top AW IMR's in my Lavatube now and they fit just fine. In one of my previous posts I said my AW's didn't fit exactly but I meant the black & silver AW button tops. If anyone is worried about getting flat tops just because Volcano ships them with the Lavatubes, don't. Use regular AW IMR button tops.

 

[ironslave]

As long as these can be verified as the claimed chemistry batteries I am fine with keeping them. I do however want compensation for their purchase of knock offs just to make more money. I would assume these were bought because they were cheaper. I think a few bucks in credit would be enough to make up for me buying off brand crap at a name brand price, their fault or not. I could just return them and they can take a loss.

I just hope they are right about the chemistry and nobody gets hurt. A claim like the can get the slapped with a class action lawsuit.

 

[Xhevias]

So, Magma Mike has gotten back to everyone over at the Volcano forums regarding the battery situation. They are getting true button top AW IMR batteries since they work just fine in the LT. And for those that want their counterfeit batteries exchanged, it looks like once they get their true AW batteries in, you can have them exchanged.

Xhev...

 

[L7D4N]

Yup, I'm glad these will be replaced with true AW's and they see that they could in fact be unprotected batteries in the worst case scenario. I'm still being called names on their forum, but just as the ECF community is aware, unprotected batteries are a safety risk no one should ignore or take lightly.

 

[cozzicon]

Yup, I'm glad these will be replaced with true AW's and they see that they could in fact be unprotected batteries in the worst case scenario. I'm still being called names on their forum, but just as the ECF community is aware, unprotected batteries are a safety risk no one should ignore or take lightly.

Don't feel bad. Usually folks to carry the bad news get kicked around a bit before others get it. You did a good job over there!

 

[cozzicon]

So, Magma Mike has gotten back to everyone over at the Volcano forums regarding the battery situation. They are getting true button top AW IMR batteries since they work just fine in the LT. And for those that want their counterfeit batteries exchanged, it looks like once they get their true AW batteries in, you can have them exchanged.

Xhev...

It still does bear mentioning that according to their post to their forums they shipped unprotected batteries.

If the protection circuit fails on the Lavatube, there's no backup either through safe chemistry or electronics.

Kinda of a bush league move in my opinion.

 

[frazz]

It still does bear mentioning that according to their post to their forums they shipped unprotected batteries.

If the protection circuit fails on the Lavatube, there's no backup either through safe chemistry or electronics.

Kinda of a bush league move in my opinion.

It's amazing how they go from AW to just plain IMR to unprotected LION. hmmmm.... Now I am waiting to hear back on an exchange... they were quick getting back to me on my first email offering a credit.. when I refused and wanted a CC refund the contact dropped off... I guess I will keep resending the same email until they get sick of me

I must be one of the asshats they spoke of in the forum..

BTW... L7D4N.... good job bro.

 

[L7D4N]

Thanks guys! I appreciate it!

I sent them a message a few hours ago after Mike posted in the forums, and haven't heard anything back as of yet either. I'm thinking they're either being bombarded with support tickets on this, or a company meeting telling everyone the SOP on the replacement procedure is going on. I figure I'll give them the benefit of the doubt for a couple of days before I start calling them up, if I get no response.

 

[kalojado]

So.... Wish I had read this thread before I ordered... So I ordered my lavatube and they were out of batteries, had they been in stock I would have gotten my batteries from Volcano. The thing I kept reading on their site was that I needed the flat top imr batteries. I don't know a whole lot about batteries, so I just went looking for the flat top IMR's. I ended up ordering these: IMR 18650 Batts | Sweet-Vapes E-Liquid Everything they say on their site indicates these are safe IMR's. Does anyone know if I should be worried with these? From everything I am reading here it seems like you don't know what you are getting, even if you try and order the correct thing... Any help is appreciated...

 

[cozzicon]

So.... Wish I had read this thread before I ordered... So I ordered my lavatube and they were out of batteries, had they been in stock I would have gotten my batteries from Volcano. The thing I kept reading on their site was that I needed the flat top imr batteries. I don't know a whole lot about batteries, so I just went looking for the flat top IMR's. I ended up ordering these: IMR 18650 Batts | Sweet-Vapes E-Liquid Everything they say on their site indicates these are safe IMR's. Does anyone know if I should be worried with these? From everything I am reading here it seems like you don't know what you are getting, even if you try and order the correct thing... Any help is appreciated...

Hey Kalo,

Unless you are a battery expert... I'd spend the extra cash for the Genuine AW IMRs. There's quite a few vendors that carry them.

The one's in the picture look like the ones previously sold by Volcano. Gives me shivers.

 

[L7D4N]

So.... Wish I had read this thread before I ordered... So I ordered my lavatube and they were out of batteries, had they been in stock I would have gotten my batteries from Volcano. The thing I kept reading on their site was that I needed the flat top imr batteries. I don't know a whole lot about batteries, so I just went looking for the flat top IMR's. I ended up ordering these: IMR 18650 Batts | Sweet-Vapes E-Liquid Everything they say on their site indicates these are safe IMR's. Does anyone know if I should be worried with these? From everything I am reading here it seems like you don't know what you are getting, even if you try and order the correct thing... Any help is appreciated...

Yep, I'd be VERY weary of these as well.

RTDVapor got a new batch of the 18650 IMR's, and they're only $10. I'd purchase these from them, as they are genuine AW's, and use "ecf5" for 5% off at checkout. It's where I usually buy my batteries.

 

[kalojado]

Hey Kalo,

Unless you are a battery expert... I'd spend the extra cash for the Genuine AW IMRs. There's quite a few vendors that carry them.

The one's in the picture look like the ones previously sold by Volcano. Gives me shivers.

Well that's the problem, I am not a battery expert. I pretty much went by what the Volcano website said. Before today, I didn't know the difference between AW, IMR, or anything. The problem was not with "spending the extra cash", I did not know what to buy and basically went by what the Volcano site told me. Like I said, if Volcano had had ANY battery in stock, I would have purchased from them and not thought twice about it and unless I had come across this thread, I would not have known otherwise.

There seems to be a bit of confusion/over-reaction/justifiable concern in this thread. Honestly I don't know what to think. I am basically being told that even though the website I bought from says they are safe IMR batteries, that they really not may be and that is a problem. I would like to believe that these vendors are being truthful with us. Am I to believe that AW is the ONLY safe IMR battery out there? I do find that a little hard to believe. I tend to think that there could be an issue with ANY battery we use, AW or not. I think with the extra protection the lavatube provides, most likely we are gonna be okay, but I know there is always a chance of something going wrong. Personally I think we kinda take that risk anytime we use a mod. We can take every precaution in the world, but there is still no guarantee of a freak accident happening. Did I not read in this thread that there have even been AW batteries that have exploded? I don't know the details but believe I read that earlier in this thread.

So basically I just wonder how much of this is over-reaction and how much is justifiable concern? With the millions of batteries sold and used, how many accidents have there been? I know there have been at least one that I have heard of.... but again I am no expert. Is this a case like the H1N1 virus, where few people actually got it, but everyone was scared and over-reacted? I am not trying to downplay the seriousness of unprotected batteries, I know there is a real danger, but really how often are batteries exploding in mods? Not being an ......, I have not been around the community much this past year and I would really like to know if I need to be worried...

 

[Nomoreash]

No ones saying that the battery you linked from Sweet-Vapes isn't what it's said to be, afaik no one has ever had a reason to doubt Sweet-Vapes on anything. What is being said is it looks more like a generic battery which can lead people to be more concerned and yes there are many other makers of IMR batteries.

The reason AW gets recommended so much is it is consistently rated one of the best if not the best and that has been tested time and time again and is verifiable with some research. The flashlight gurus have tested these batteries to death.

 

[zoiDman]

Well that's the problem, I am not a battery expert. I pretty much went by what the Volcano website said. Before today, I didn't know the difference between AW, IMR, or anything. The problem was not with "spending the extra cash", I did not know what to buy and basically went by what the Volcano site told me. Like I said, if Volcano had had ANY battery in stock, I would have purchased from them and not thought twice about it and unless I had come across this thread, I would not have known otherwise.

...

Don't feel you are the Only one.

I knew next to nothing about Batteries when I got my Provari. All I knew was that some were Supposed to be Better than others and that you Charged them when they went dead.

It wasn't untill I got my Provari that I did some reading about things like Protection, Safe Chemistry, Internal Resistance, etc, to find out if I Over Paid by getting AW IMR High Drain Batteries or if I Realy needed them in a VVPV.

I'm just glad there is a place like the ECF to be able to research things like this for a Battery Noob like me.

 

[L7D4N]

I would only be weary of the Sweet-Vapes batteries only because of the aesthetic similarities of the current batch from Volcano. Before this, I wouldn't have thought twice about it as well. I have no reason to doubt Sweet-Vapers as a whole either, it's just an eye-opener and something to watch out for.

ECF has been a life-saver, in that all the information regarding battery safety is explained in both layman's terms, as well as documentation, for any and all PV compatible batteries. It's truly an awesome resource.

 

[zoiDman]

...

ECF has been a life-saver, in that all the information regarding battery safety is explained in both layman's terms, as well as documentation, for any and all PV compatible batteries. It's truly an awesome resource.

Very Well Said.

 

[kalojado]

Oh yeah, I totally agree with you guys. I used to be a lot more involved in the forums, but kinda fell out this past year, so I don't know a whole lot of what has been going on... But I am definitely glad this resource is available for people like me with questions and concerns....

 

[Maximillian]

Heyas folks,

Now that more information is in, thought I'd chime in on this subject again.

L7D4N, I didn't think you were out of line at all on the volcano forum. You were a voice of reason. I didn't think you were one of the ones referred to as an ...... over there either, or were called names, but I wasn't paying all that much attention to who was being quoted in what message pasted by whom that said what.... If ya know what I mean.

I think reasonable questions and real information is what makes the online community so great. So my thanks to you.

However, I think some people did over react a bit. Myself, I sat back, watched what was happening, put in my two cents here and there without flinging any poo around, and waited for the wheels of business to turn. And now they have, in a way that I think makes any reasonable customer happy.

I did end up putting in a ticket a little while ago to return my batts, since they are of unknown provenance or substance.

I also agree with what Kalo said a couple posts back. Even the button top aw imr's I have in front of me from other manufaturers, I'm just taking on faith are actually imr batteries manufactured by aw.

I wonder if maybe some of the professionals in the electronics industry that are members of this forum might suggest a way for us to feel more comfortable with our future battery purchases? Some distinguishing characteristics to look for in different types of batteries? Documentation to ask for from our vendors? This whole episode shows that even documents can be faked.

So, I'm NOT trying to fear monger here. Just wanting to suggest the start of a discussion on battery tracability and safety for us consumers.

Or maybe that should have been the start of a new thread



Maximilllian the Seldom Serious

 

[L7D4N]

Heyas folks,

Now that more information is in, thought I'd chime in on this subject again.

L7D4N, I didn't think you were out of line at all on the volcano forum. You were a voice of reason. I didn't think you were one of the ones referred to as an ...... over there either, or were called names, but I wasn't paying all that much attention to who was being quoted in what message pasted by whom that said what.... If ya know what I mean.

I think reasonable questions and real information is what makes the online community so great. So my thanks to you.

Thank you , I really appreciate it!

I put in a ticket about 20 hours ago, and haven't had a response as of yet. I'm still not sure what's going on, but I'm still giving them the benefit of the doubt.

I am doing my best to refrain from updating the ticket again, as Customer Support usually answers tickets by age, and updating again will reset the time counter. I'll throw an update in here as soon as I hear something.

 

[Maximillian]

Yup. I'm sure they're swamped over there at volcano. It's not like they can have a whole department sitting there waiting for the poo to hit the fan, and then jump in to action. Things take time, and even though I'm an AVID postal stalker when it comes to my vaping gear, I'm trying to just be patient and let the wheels turn.

My has is off to you, L7, and at the same time, I really feel for the folks at volcano. The company seems to have acted in good faith with us all along, and I'd hate to work in their CS department right now.

Maximillian the Mostly Mischievious