life span of the 18650

[sixofusernames]

How long should I expect my 18650 trustfire battery to last before I have to buy a new one? I vape the SB w/the 3.7 volt protected trustfire rechargeable battery. I have two, that I have been constantly rotating for the last 2 months, and it seems like they are going bad already, I thought they would last longer, I charge them regularly as suggested, but I vape pretty heavily. Is this the normal life-span?

 

[Rocketman]

If you have several backup e-cigs then no rush to order a couple more spare 18650 protected cells.

If you only have a few backup e-cigs then logoff, and go order more

Recharge daily for 3 months or more,

or not, sometimes, maybe more. but things fail, don't get caught with no batteries,

Rocket

 

[sixofusernames]

when i first got the incling that i was having battery isssues, I ordered 2 more, as i have NO back up pv. just wondering if i should break them out, and how long i can reasonably expect them to last. so you would guess, on average about 3 months?

 

[Rocketman]

I have had a couple of the pretty red ones get a little "flakey".
Found that one of the connections to the protection circuit board had been knocked loose. The red covering was damaged a little. Pressing the circuit board and it would work. Be careful putting them into and taking them out of the charger. If the spingy contact of the charger drags across the negative end of the cell then it can start cutting into the covering.
If you hear a kaklack every time you remove the battery from the charger, then you are not being careful enough.

Did that make any sense to anyone?

didn't to me, and I wrote it.

Rocket

 

[epesos]

I have the exact same question. After about 2 months my 2 I rotated seemed to be getting flaky... and I'm down to my last one I started using recently, but can't order anymore until I get back to the US. And they take so friggin long to ship if ordered from Hong Kong. I have plenty of backups, though. How long are they supposed to be good for?

 

[5cardstud]

I haven't had very good luck with them at all. I had 1 go bad before I used it and it was replaced the other one I had to take off the protection circuit cause it went bad. When they do finally quit I'm going to the high energy drains. Oh ya and it say's they have a 10yr shelf life and I think 5oo recharge cycles. I'll be happy if I get 50 recharge cycles.

 

[Rocketman]

The chemistry in the Li-ion rechargeable will eat itself long before 10 years.
Thats the Lithium primary non-rechargeable.

500 cycles is very optimistic.
Maybe Sanyo prime cells in commercial applications, but not Chinese battery from the bargain bin.

Rocket

 

[sixofusernames]

thanks for that charger advice rocket, I will be more careful. I guess the concensus is that they just dont last that long, and that sucks.

 

[sixofusernames]

i got these batts from altsmoke and i dont think they are cheap chinese batts, but i guess they could be, i dont know, but i doubt rob would carry lame batteries

 

[Rocketman]

Not saying they are lame. I use cheap.
and most (not all) are made in China.
Ultrafire, superduperfire, roachfire, tenergy are not the same as
Panasonic, Saft, Sanyo.

The battery technology for the Li-ion rechargeable (not the newer LiFePO4) has a limited use and storage life. Use them or lose them. Just don't pay $12 for a $6 battery, or whatever.

R

 

[5cardstud]

The chemistry in the Li-ion rechargeable will eat itself long before 10 years.
Thats the Lithium primary non-rechargeable.

500 cycles is very optimistic.
Maybe Sanyo prime cells in commercial applications, but not Chinese battery from the bargain bin.

Rocket

Thats exactly what I thought. I was just putting what it said. I'm having trouble getting 25 charges out of them. I don't think they're very good myself.

 

[sixofusernames]

okay 2 brand new batteries, rotating 3 of them to keep up. taking all day to charge, and i only get a few hours of good vape. getting frustrated and seriously considering getting a different pv

 

[Rocketman]

It's voltmeter time.
Mine take forever to charge.
So I now have a 2 port running for me and one for the wife.
This is starting to look like 510 city again
Check charger voltage, check battery every couple of hours and you can get an idea about what is going on.
Most chargers will set there with end voltage with no load. Mine are about 4.2255v
My batteries get just about there, at least 4.20 before green lighting. 4.18, 4.19 is better than going over 4.25 for a Li-ion.

Big batteries take forever to charge.
See what the RC guys have to go though to fast charge (towerhobbydotcom has some RC examples). And that's why they also sell the LIPOSACK.
And make youtube videos.

Rocket

 

[KingVapor]

Are all your batteries the Trustfire 2400mAh?

 

[Rocketman]

I use several types (some of which I don't recommend for you common folk, LOL),
But I have the PrettyRed (some call it the Ultrafire 3000mah).
It ain't 3000mah. It probably isn't as good as some of the 2400, 2600 protected cells from other sources, and hopefully some unscrupulous reseller isn't printing up PrettyRed Labels and sticking them on other brands.
Shop around for the PrettyRed ($7 to $9 shipped, unless you buy then from across the great sea). Best, nope. OK, yup.

Rocket

 

[KingVapor]

I was asking the OP if all his batteries were the same type.

I have one of those PrettyReds, but I've been putting the AW2600 to use. I find 2600 has a slower drop off compared to the PrettyRed. They are pricey suckers though.