Life expextancy of the AW IMR batteries

[Garemlin]

First let me say I know batteries do not last forever. I am not under an illusion that they do. But I have 4 AW IMR 18490 batteries that I bought directly from Provape when I bought my Provari last June. None of them last very long at all anymore. I swapped out one earlier when I filled my Kayfun v4 and the tank isn't even half gone and the battery warning is flashing. At most I get a tank-full out of one battery. They have not been overly charged. I have a Vaporshark that gets used much more so these batteries don't really get charged that often. And I am using an eFest LUC v4. prior to that a Nitecore v4. Is this the norm with these batteries??? My VTC5 in my Vaporshark is about as old and is till holding a charge just fine.

Oh and since it will probably be asked I typically run 1.3Ω - 1.6Ω at around 4.2v - 4.4v

 

[ENAUD]

The first thing I do when I notice this is to give my ProVari a real good cleaning. Get all of the old Noalox out of the threads with an old toothbrush, do the same with the cap. Clean the threads, spring, and contact inside the tube with some 91, or 99% isopropyl alcohol. Also clean the 510 connection cup and pin thoroughly.
It sounds crazy, but this may just be your problem, I had one that seemed to be eating batteries like candy and this ritual helped a lot.
I've also thrown away my Noalox, and switched to No-ox-ID. Electrical Contact Lubricant - Conductive Electrical Grease | Sanchem, Inc.
Noalox was not really meant for steel and can actually interfere with conductivity when it gets old/ dries out. Hope some of this helps.

 

[Racehorse]

Well you already know that the way batteries are cared for, and the charger used, will affect the lifespan.

I would say a year is pretty good if you used them daily...and depends how you used them, i.e. single coil delivery device, double coils, low ohm vaping (drains batts more and therefore more charges necessary) but you don't appear to be in those categories of harder batt use.

. Looks like you are about at 8 months........I wouldn't say that was *awful* but clean your gear as suggested above

 

[JeremyR]

At about half their expectancy they can start to have a lower run time. With some factors contributing.

One for you is you're probably pushing them to the max, which will prematurely wear them out. 18650 have a higher amp rating.

 

[Garemlin]

The first thing I do when I notice this is to give my ProVari a real good cleaning. Get all of the old Noalox out of the threads with an old toothbrush, do the same with the cap. Clean the threads, spring, and contact inside the tube with some 91, or 99% isopropyl alcohol. Also clean the 510 connection cup and pin thoroughly.
It sounds crazy, but this may just be your problem, I had one that seemed to be eating batteries like candy and this ritual helped a lot.
I've also thrown away my Noalox, and switched to No-ox-ID. Electrical Contact Lubricant - Conductive Electrical Grease | Sanchem, Inc.
Noalox was not really meant for steel and can actually interfere with conductivity when it gets old/ dries out. Hope some of this helps.

I have been a little slacking in the cleaning. Just gave it, and the rest of the fleet a good cleaning. We will see how that goes.

 

[sparkky1]

About 300 cycles with a cheap charger and about 500 with a good one

 

[jwbnyc]

If you have the time, charge them at .25amp. It puts less strain on the battery.

The LUCv4 charges a bit hot too. Better to use something like the Xtar VP2 which under-charges a little.

But a year is pretty good all in all.

 

[sparkky1]

+ 1 xtar....

 

[stevegmu]

I have some I bought with my first ProVari 18, or so months ago. They only charge to 4v, sometimes 3.9v. Could be time to replace them. I vape at low power but have left them in the car when it is very cold out while at work... I use Tenergy chargers from ProVape and a Pilla from ProVape.

 

[jwbnyc]

The Pila is a good charger.

 

[Garemlin]

Ugh I had the Nitecore i4. Needed a new one. Everyone suggested the Efect LUC v4. Have that now people are saying something else.

 

[Train2]

You are running it a little hard, and I've noticed something - it COULD be that the drain kicks in the low battery warning, but that there's more left than you'd think and it could recover and continue in use for a couple more hours.
Next time it blinks early, Check Battery (CB) and see how low it is - then unscrew just enough that it loses contact, then close it again - and then CB "Check Battery" again. It may read 3.5 causing the blink, but then read 3.7 after the "reset"...

 

[Garemlin]

You are running it a little hard, and I've noticed something - it COULD be that the drain kicks in the low battery warning, but that there's more left than you'd think and it could recover and continue in use for a couple more hours.
Next time it blinks early, Check Battery (CB) and see how low it is - then unscrew just enough that it loses contact, then close it again - and then CB "Check Battery" again. It may read 3.5 causing the blink, but then read 3.7 after the "reset"...

When I put them on charge my LUC reads them a 3.6v - 3.7v.

I did try the full cleaning. Didn't seem to help. Still barely got a tank out of one battery. Maybe I just need to go 18650 on the Provari. I just hate the size.

 

[JeremyR]

I agree with trains point those bats are weak and when below 3.7 the voltage drop on draw increases as they age. I have experienced this with small bats... They are shot for your purposes. Goes with the territory trying to use a small device at over 8-10w

 

[Train2]

That's what I'm saying though - during a hit, they could be dropping to 3.5 and kicking on the "low battery warning" - but then recovering to 3.7. So your battery lights on, but they're at 3.7, which is kind of where they settle for a long portion of the run-time.

They COULD be wearing out a bit, but at 3.7, you may also not even be halfway through the run-time...
I'd try that screw/unscrew, and see how long it runs before you get to 3.5. It could be another tankful...

When I put them on charge my LUC reads them a 3.6v - 3.7v.

I did try the full cleaning. Didn't seem to help. Still barely got a tank out of one battery. Maybe I just need to go 18650 on the Provari. I just hate the size.

 

[Garemlin]

That's what I'm saying though - during a hit, they could be dropping to 3.5 and kicking on the "low battery warning" - but then recovering to 3.7. So your battery lights on, but they're at 3.7, which is kind of where they settle for a long portion of the run-time.

They COULD be wearing out a bit, but at 3.7, you may also not even be halfway through the run-time...
I'd try that screw/unscrew, and see how long it runs before you get to 3.5. It could be another tankful...

I've done that before when it was new to get a little extra life when I forgot a spare. I will give it a try again when I get the flash and monitor how much more time I get.

 

[ENAUD]

When I put them on charge my LUC reads them a 3.6v - 3.7v.

I did try the full cleaning. Didn't seem to help. Still barely got a tank out of one battery. Maybe I just need to go 18650 on the Provari. I just hate the size.

Thanks for checking back in Garemlin. Probably time to grab a few more cells, at least in the grand scheme of things, they are relatively inexpensive. I run mostly 18490 and 18350 in my Provari's these days, I prefer the smaller form factor. If it costs me a few bucks in batteries down the road, I'll gladly pay that price for the convenience.

 

[AstroTurf]

Has anyone tried the New Black Bottom AWs yet?

I think they are calling my name.

 

[Roccov]

Check out this thread. Enjoy the day!
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/batteries-chargers/616519-new-aw-cells.html

 

[Garemlin]

Ok after replacing one earlier today at almost a full tank I just got the flash about half way through. Prolly 2ml. Tried the unscrewing of the cap and it didn't give much more time at all. Guess these things are toast.