Mod Batteries from FastTech and Ebay

[Baditude]

There's a lot going on over at fasttech that is dangerous to new vapers now that I look closely. Here is an example: a whole page full of people asking if they can use Li-ion batteries in their mods:

$5.33 UltraFire 18350 3.7V 1200mAh Rechargeable Li-ion Batteries (2-Pack) at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping

More specifically, "unprotected Li Ion" batteries. Based on the questions asked, there is a lot of confusion and a lot of uneducated consumers asking about the batteries being discussed. What about the consumers who aren't even reading the discussions, and just purchasing those believing that they will be a safe battery for their mod?

Unfortunately, most consumers of mod batteries there seem to be more concerned about mAh capacity than whether the battery is even safe. Others seem to think if a battery is not listed as "protected" that it must be synonymous with an IMR or safe chemistry battery, which they are not. Are they not aware that there are unprotected Li Ion batteries that should never be used in a mod?

 

[GratefulVaper]

I bought this kit (vamo v3 from ft) as my first PV. I immediately realized the "charger" was trash (light never turned green) so I got a nitecore 4 with a pair of AW IMR 18350's and an AW IMR 18650. BUT I STILL HAVE THE ICR18350's IN MY ROTATION FOR MY VAMO. I SHOULD STOP? What are the dangers with these?? (This is a response to a post on page 2 of this thread. ..)

 

[Baditude]

I bought this kit (vamo v3 from ft) as my first PV. I immediately realized the "charger" was trash (light never turned green) so I got a nitecore 4 with a pair of AW IMR 18350's and an AW IMR 18650. BUT I STILL HAVE THE ICR18350's IN MY ROTATION FOR MY VAMO. I SHOULD STOP? What are the dangers with these?? (This is a response to a post on page 2 of this thread. ..)

Just for accuracy, could you please include the link to the kit you purchased? There are a few different links on that page. If you don't know how, tell us what post number you are referring to.

 

[RedhatPat]

This is why I am happy my first APV was a Provari because I just bought everything Provape told me to (from batteries to chargers) with confidence even though I didn't have the knowledge or technical understanding of what I was buying.

11 months later I'm still using the same cheap $16 tenergy charger (although I have splurged in the past and got fancy $50 one from RTD but not out of necessity)

RHP

 

[GratefulVaper]

Don't buy this kit from anywhere.

https://www.fasttech.com/p/1376701

Other vendors, even some stateside, are also selling this kit so the onus isn't just on FastTech. The batteries that come with it are ICR 18350 from a manufacturer called DKI. That's a Lithium Cobalt chemistry and the batteries have no protection. These batteries should never be used in a PV, or any other device that has high drain demand.

Discount Vapers is no longer selling this kit because of the shoddy quality charger and batteries.

What are the dangers of using these batteries in my vamo v3????

 

[SissySpike]

What are the dangers of using these batteries in my vamo v3????

Here are some extream examples of what could happen

 

[nicetucu]

I'm watching this thread for more insight. Also using said battery in shorty mode as well.... The fact I've been using them with no problems for two months I don't feel I'm in immediate danger. I would like to keep my face intact though. Can someone give a link or two to 18350 batteries I can use in a vamo v3 safely. Thank you in advance. Always want to keep things as safe as possible, nothing is 100% though.

 

[tj99959]

I bought this kit (vamo v3 from ft) as my first PV. I immediately realized the "charger" was trash (light never turned green) so I got a nitecore 4 with a pair of AW IMR 18350's and an AW IMR 18650. BUT I STILL HAVE THE ICR18350's IN MY ROTATION FOR MY VAMO. I SHOULD STOP? What are the dangers with these?? (This is a response to a post on page 2 of this thread. ..)

IF in fact they are "ICR" then they are protected. The problem is that you are relying on someone elses word that they are ICR and not cheap counterfeited unprotected cells. Thus my earlier statement of ALWAYS BY FROM A TRUSTED SOURCE.

One thing you can count on: counterfeiters will only counterfeit the cheapest cells they can get their hands on.

Many of us have been around long enough to remember the Lava Tube & AW IMR battery fiasco. (problem was that AW doesn't have flat top batteries)

 

[SissySpike]

Batteries : AW IMR 18350 3.7V 700mAh

Batteries are most vulnerable to failure when charging.

 

[Coastal Cowboy]

This is freaking me out a little. I use these batteries in my vamo v3 along with pannys 18650's. I thought the vamo has protection built in and these would be fine. Used them in shorty and stacked mode for two months and have worked fine. After reading another thread about the exploding charger I didn't bother putting the pannys in because I knew I wouldn't be home for the entire charge and this is all I have for the better part of today lol. Ahhhh I'm a bit ...... right now (at myself). #@#$&*&^%$###$%%^^&

Get some Efest 18350's here:

Batteries - DiscountVapers.com

A better option are AW 18350's here:

Genuine AW Batteries at RTD Vapor

 

[Vwls]

This is why I am happy my first APV was a Provari because I just bought everything Provape told me to (from batteries to chargers) with confidence even though I didn't have the knowledge or technical understanding of what I was buying. 11 months later I'm still using the same cheap $16 tenergy charger (although I have splurged and got fancy $50 one from RTD but not out of necessity)

I did the same as you - which is why I have two high quality 18650's. Bought them straight from Provape along with my Provari. But when it comes time to buy a mechanical mod, the problems arise if you are new to vaping, or if you just expect vendors to offer the right batteries with your mod (the way Provape does). I feel very fortunate that I know to come and bug my friends on ECF when I am unsure of something, but for every one of me, there must be dozens - even hundreds - of people just buying what's advertised on the sites where they buy their mods.

Does anyone know the CEO or regional director of Fasttech? Maybe they would be willing to take a meeting about this to protect their customers... We can send Baditude as our spokesperson!

 

[sawtoothscream]

I just bought a mech and panasonic ncr18650pd batteries. Thought I would double check to see if these are safe. believe they have a 10 amp limit and according to the ohms law calc I should be able to go down to .5ohms at a 4 v charge and still be under that limit at 8 amps. Most likly wont go that low tthough.

 

[Coastal Cowboy]

What are the dangers of using these batteries in my vamo v3????

They have Lithium Cobalt internal chemistry, which is less safe than the IMR Lithium Manganese chemistry. Both are technically Lithium Ion batteries, but the LiMN (IMR) chemistry is safer than the LiCo (ICR) chemistry. When an ICR goes thermal, the damage can be catastrophic. When an IMR goes thermal, it vents but is unlikely to go BOOM.

Although the specs of those ICR batteries are within the parameters of the Vamo's needs, as they approach the end of a charge, or they approach the end of their useful life, the stability of the battery chemistry changes. A thermal runaway chance increases, and you're depending on a cheap battery to behave itself when it's being put under tremendous strain from a device with the capability of making the battery very, very unhappy.

Follow the links above and shop for higher quality 18350's. Do what I did--put those grey ICR's in the backup box and don't use them except when it's absolutely necessary.

 

[Baditude]

Bump because of the importance of the topic.

 

[sawtoothscream]

I just bought a mech and panasonic ncr18650pd batteries. Thought I would double check to see if these are safe. believe they have a 10 amp limit and according to the ohms law calc I should be able to go down to .5ohms at a 4 v charge and still be under that limit at 8 amps. Most likly wont go that low tthough.

Any opinions on these batteries?

 

[Baditude]

Any opinions on these batteries?

Yes, those are the relatively new hybrid IMR PD series by Panasonic. One of the top batteries on the market today. They have a very good maximum load output as well as high mAh capacity for a nice all-purpose type of battery. I don't have this series, but Thrasher does and speaks very high on them; in fact he mentions them somewhere in this thread. Panasonic has always made great batteries and are tops in the business.

Edit: sorry, Thrasher's comments on these batteries were in this thread: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/general-e-smoking-discussion/462491-ok-use-ur18500-sanyo-batteries-my-mechanical-mod-2.html#post10545379

 

[sawtoothscream]

Yes, those are the relatively new hybrid IMR PD series by Panasonic. One of the top batteries on the market today. They have a very good maximum load output as well as high mAh capacity for a nice all-purpose type of battery. I don't have this series, but Thrasher does and speaks very high on them; in fact he mentions them somewhere in this thread. Panasonic has always made great batteries and are tops in the business.

Edit: sorry, Thrasher's comments on these batteries were in this thread: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/general-e-smoking-discussion/462491-ok-use-ur18500-sanyo-batteries-my-mechanical-mod-2.html#post10545379

glad to here thanks.

 

[sawtoothscream]

while on the battery subject, whats a decent charger? thanks

 

[Baditude]

How much are you willing to invest? What's your price range? You want to know the top two, or middle of the road?

How many batteries do you need to charge on a daily basis? What size and how many sizes?

How many mods do you currently own, and how many do you guess you might have after a year's time?

I ask because the top chargers only have two, maybe four charging bays. There's a couple mid-range chargers that can accomodate six batteries at once.

RTD has all of their chargers available on display on one page: http://rtdvapor.com/online-store/battery-chargers

 

[Vwls]

Bad, clean out your inbox. Can't send you a PM!

Baditude has exceeded their stored private messages quota and cannot accept further messages until they clear some space.