"MAX" devices Batteries discussion

[Dusty_D]

For those that own the Zmax I have a 2 part "noob" question concerning it's batteries:

1. Are all 18650 batts the same size?...
2. Is it written anywhere the inside dimension of the tube to know just how big a battery will fit in single 18650 configuration? and...
3. Will, say, a larger batt like the 3000mah 18650 aw battery work with the extension cap, and is this still safe?

I'll be making this my first mod in about a month and want to make sure i get the biggest aw batt i can for lifespan's sake. I, unfortunately don't have the luxury of having any spares lying around to test out. It's been all ego batt's my first year and I'm ready to get my big boy vape on, lol.

Also if the answer to part 1 is yes, obviously 2 and 3 are moot so feel free to tell me ....!

Ans.1: They are supposed to be 18mm wide x 65mm high (hence 18650) but they are not. They are generally 18mm wide, but they can vary in length from 65mm to 68 or 69mm depending on whether they have a protective circuit built in, and whether they are nipple or flat topped.

Ans.2: Don't have this information but if using a single battery, it would work in whatever length (65 - 70mm) due to the spring compression at the bottom allowing for a variance in length.

Ans.3: You need the extension cap for the dual 18350 configuration not for the 18650's. The 3000mah 18650 will work without the cap. That being said, I would stick with the RED AW IMR 1600 or 2100 18650's as tried and tested true batteries or the newer Panasonic's that have been receiving rave reviews (CGR something or other). I have a couple of the Black AW 3100 protected batteries, and they do not provide the same oomph as the IMR's in single cell applications.

Hope this helps..

 

[skipdashu]

For those that own the Zmax I have a 2 part "noob" question concerning it's batteries:

1. Are all 18650 batts the same size?...
2. Is it written anywhere the inside dimension of the tube to know just how big a battery will fit in single 18650 configuration? and...
3. Will, say, a larger batt like the 3000mah 18650 aw battery work with the extension cap, and is this still safe?

I'll be making this my first mod in about a month and want to make sure i get the biggest aw batt i can for lifespan's sake. I, unfortunately don't have the luxury of having any spares lying around to test out. It's been all ego batt's my first year and I'm ready to get my big boy vape on, lol.

Also if the answer to part 1 is yes, obviously 2 and 3 are moot so feel free to tell me ....!

1) No, but the problem is rarely diameter all tend to be close 'nuff to 18mm to not cause a problem. The problem is length and type. Protected ICR batteries (all the 3000mAh rated batteries that I know of) tend to be over 67mm and up to 70mm. Many of these are too long for mods like the ZMax and the LavaTube. ZMax should use an IMR type battery which typically does not have the extra protection circuit (not needed with this chemistry) and are closer to 65mm long. AW button tops work but many other button tops don't. Nearly all flat top IMR 18650s will work (CGR18650, EH, EFest, Generic).

2) See above, it's not a diameter problem.

3) Typically the 3000mAh (rated, not actual) batteries are almost always ICR not IMR types. They don't allow the device to draw enough amps to operate correctly. You need to look at 1600~2250mAh IMR type batteries from Panasonic (CGR18650CH-2250) AW (1600 or 2000), Efest (2000 or 2250), EH (2000) or generics.


PS: Well close 'nuff to same answer posted earlier, sorry, didn't see it.

 

[donesmokin]

I just overcharged two of the Efest 18350s (4.6/4.7 volts) on a cheap charger. The light never turned green and the batteries where HOT. The charger will be retired. I'm thinking I should I toss the batteries too. What do you folks say?

 

[dwcraig1]

I just overcharged two of the Efest 18350s (4.6/4.7 volts) on a cheap charger. The light never turned green and the batteries where HOT. The charger will be retired. I'm thinking I should I toss the batteries too. What do you folks say?

Are you be able to identify the brand of charger?

 

[AnsonJames]

I just overcharged two of the Efest 18350s (4.6/4.7 volts) on a cheap charger. The light never turned green and the batteries where HOT. The charger will be retired. I'm thinking I should I toss the batteries too. What do you folks say?

Batteries are relatively cheap - dump them.

 

[donesmokin]

Are you be able to identify the brand of charger?

HG-1210W Lithium Ion Battery Charger

 

[donesmokin]

Batteries are relatively cheap - dump them.

After reading about your VMax troubles I don't want to invite my own! That puts me down to one set of batts. Oh well, time to order more. My brother's name is Dirk. Love the avatar, that look!

 

[dwcraig1]

After reading about your VMax troubles I don't want to invite my own! That puts me down to one set of batts. Oh well, time to order more. My brother's name is Dirk. Love the avatar, that look!

If that equipment is relativity new I would contact MadVapes to see if they are willing to fix you up. Or where you got it from if not them.

 

[dwcraig1]

What about 16340's in the Zmax, will they fit with the regular 18650 battery cap, just curious?

 

[VAPNJ350]

I just overcharged two of the Efest 18350s (4.6/4.7 volts) on a cheap charger. The light never turned green and the batteries where HOT. The charger will be retired. I'm thinking I should I toss the batteries too. What do you folks say?

ABSOLUTELY TOSS THEM !!! Once a IMR type cell is charged over 4.23v it's as good as dead, and possibly unstable. If it got warm enough to feel and charged over 4.23v you never want to use it again. Just not safe. I hope you do/did completely discard the charger also, it's no good.

 

[donesmokin]

OK the batteries go too, as I thought dang it. I introduced a buddy to vaping so when he ordered his VMax I had him pickup an extra intellicharger for me. Just went and got it from him. I'm hoping it's as good as I've been hearing. NO MORE CHEAP CHARGERS FOR ME! All caps in honor of VAPNJ.

 

[skipdashu]

I just overcharged two of the Efest 18350s (4.6/4.7 volts) on a cheap charger. The light never turned green and the batteries where HOT. The charger will be retired. I'm thinking I should I toss the batteries too. What do you folks say?

If it were ME... I'd let 'em cool completely. Then discharge them down to ~3.8v and recharge them back up (on another charger obviously) watching very closely to see how they act. If they don't get hot on the recharge they are likely perfectly good with just some life knocked out of them. IMRs are more sensitive to overcharging than ICRs though. Likely they'll just behave like they are much older than they actually are. I'll guess they'll only hold around 400~425mAh now assuming they were pretty new prior to this incident.

Skip

 

[skipdashu]

HG-1210W Lithium Ion Battery Charger

I've had an HG (LiFePO4 version) crap out on me also. Some low-end Ultrafire chargers appear to be HGs.

 

[VAPNJ350]

OK the batteries go too, as I thought dang it. I introduced a buddy to vaping so when he ordered his VMax I had him pickup an extra intellicharger for me. Just went and got it from him. I'm hoping it's as good as I've been hearing. NO MORE CHEAP CHARGERS FOR ME! All caps in honor of VAPNJ.

You now have a AWESOME charger on the way buddy. I even charge my Duracell/Energizer 1.2v rechargeable's in that thing. The ONLY battery that the i-4 doesn't charge is that puke green 4.8v 18650'ish size battery. Anything 3.7 volts and lower...Lithium Ion, NImH, NIcad, and Alkaline .......that's what makes it "Intelligent". No switches, no sliders, and NO FREGGIN' SPACERS !!! That i-4 and the Ultrafire WF-188 are the ONLY 2 chargers I use, and happy to report, not 1 issue with either after 1 year of use. Man I love good quality products for a great price.

 

[skipdashu]

You now have a AWESOME charger on the way buddy. I even charge my Duracell/Energizer 1.2v rechargeable's in that thing. The ONLY battery that the i-4 doesn't charge is that puke green 4.8v 18650'ish size battery. Anything 3.7 volts and lower...Lithium Ion, NImH, NIcad, and Alkaline .......that's what makes it "Intelligent". No switches, no sliders, and NO FREGGIN' SPACERS !!! That i-4 and the Ultrafire WF-188 are the ONLY 2 chargers I use, and happy to report, not 1 issue with either after 1 year of use. Man I love good quality products for a great price.

I like the I4 also. The only draw back is the sticky slides when out at the 65mm range but only one bay of mine is bad. Electrically they seem to do the best CC/CV outside of a hobby charger. Just try to get the yellow labeled ones as they improved some things starting with that version per reviews.

V1:

V2:

 

[VAPNJ350]

I like the I4 also. The only draw back is the sticky slides when out at the 65mm range but only one bay of mine is bad. Electrically they seem to do the best CC/CV outside of a hobby charger. Just try to get the yellow labeled ones as they improved some things starting with that version per reviews.

V1: View attachment 135704

V2: View attachment 135708

Free tip time Skip : Get some petroleum jelly and a q-tip not much...lil' goes a long way...and luuuuuube the plastic where the metal sliders touch it. Should glide right on down smooth after this. Just pay close attn to everywhere the metal slide touches plastic, if you rub the jelly in those spots very thin .......you get the hint.

Let me know how it works out.

 

[skipdashu]

Free tip time Skip : Get some petroleum jelly and a q-tip not much...lil' goes a long way...and luuuuuube the plastic where the metal sliders touch it. Should glide right on down smooth after this. Just pay close attn to everywhere the metal slide touches plastic, if you rub the jelly in those spots very thin .......you get the hint.

Let me know how it works out.

Do I have to use that or can I use regular auto grease? Was kinda saving the Vasoline in case I ever get lucky again before I croak ;-)

 

[donesmokin]

Skip. I was thinking along the same lines but I just can't bring myself to risk a $90 mod over a couple batteries. The VMax has performed perfectly so far and I don't want to do anything that might piss it off...LOL! Four new batts shipped this morning.

VAPNJ. I charged 2 protected 18650's and 2 protected 14500's on the I-4 at the same time so far. Four slots and two different size batteries at the same time, cool! I didn't care for the Ultrafire WF-188. The positive terminals are wonky IMO.

 

[VAPNJ350]

Skip. I was thinking along the same lines but I just can't bring myself to risk a $90 mod over a couple batteries. The VMax has performed perfectly so far and I don't want to do anything that might piss it off...LOL! Four new batts shipped this morning.

VAPNJ. I charged 2 protected 18650's and 2 protected 14500's on the I-4 at the same time so far. Four slots and two different size batteries at the same time, cool! I didn't care for the Ultrafire WF-188. The positive terminals are wonky IMO.

With the Ultrafire WF-188 their is a 5 sec. trick to make it perfect. The + terminals did have a flaw but are easily corrected.

The Fix : Ok so on the WF-188 their are 2 positive tabs. Upper and lower, upper for 26000 series batts, lower for everything smaller in diameter. All you have to do in gently bend the lower tab outward and down about 3-5mm, then bend the upper tab down and behind where the lower tab used to be......then gently bend the lower tab back to it's original position which will now act like a spring loaded terminal that protrudes to make excellent contact to every battery you put in it.

I love the WF-188 because it charges my E'fests and AW 18350's in 35-45 min. flat to 4.21v every single time perfectly.

 

[donesmokin]

Both of the WF-188's I had went to friends in 5 volt (DIY) box kits I put together. With 2.5 ohm single coil cartos in the kits I'm getting some converts! Two have already upgraded to the VMax. I'll pass your fix info along, thanks!