Mod Batteries from FastTech and Ebay

[ROM 1]

Believe it or not, I ended up buying this same battery from fasttech and using it with a KTS mod, which I also bought from fasttech. HOWEVER, I am also using a Vape Safe 2 fuse with these batteries, since these batteries aren't protected. So far no problem at all with these Ultrafire batteries. I ordered some IMR batteries and once they arrive, I will use these Ultrafires as back-up spares.

 

[Ref Minor]

Several people on here have suggested that FT sell counterfeit batteries, I just don't see it myself. I know I post a lot about FT, but that's because I now buy most of my supplies there, but I am critical when they deserve it.

FT made their name over here selling flashlights, you can get a flashlight from FT for $3 delivered anywhere in the world, it's probably not very good but is probably ok to keep in the cupboard for an occasional fuse blow out. They also sell flashlights for $400 (no idea why you would need it but I guess some people do)

If you want a clone Protank they will sell you one for less than $5, if you want a Kanger, they will sell you an original.

If you want a cheap no name battery they will sell them, they will even sell you reconditioned from industry no name ones (AND WILL OPENLY TELL YOU THIS) at an appropriate price point, if you want original Panasonic, Samsung, Sony quality batteries they will also sell them.

Their business model involves buying from source adding a small mark up and selling them fast. From the recent teething troubles with slowing response times it suggests they are expanding faster than their ability to maintain their previous service levels. Personally I don't see them needing to rip off customers and risk their business when a. They are doing well and b. they already sell people the counterfeit quality of battery.

 

[sawtoothscream]

recieved my panasonic ncr18650pd and nitecore i4. charged them and the battery symbol only stayed at half full on the charger for awhile. removed both baatteries and reinstalled. One says fully charged and the other still says half. hoping something isnt wrong.

going to buy a multimeter tomorrow night and see what they are reading

 

[Jim Diamond]

So .... should we trust the name-brand batteries from Fasttech? Like Panasonic, Samsung, Sanyo, etc?

JD

 

[tearose50]

I have no reason to believe that FT is not selling the batteries as they state them to be.

If they say Panasonic XYZ and the manufacturer is listed as Panasonic -- then that is what you are getting.

The hitch is being studied enough to know exactly what you want or need....and, be alert enough to look carefully for those products. "Just buy a panny" doesn't cut it.

I would not trust their viewer comments/reviews on what to buy, especially in the battery area.

When I advise the newbie who wants to know where to get a battery --- I send them to RTD. And even that can be a challenge to someone new. It will cost more, but I am pretty sure he won't end up with an unprotected li-ion or a subpar battery as RTD doesn't carry them. Plus, he won't learn a week or two later that he hadn't learned enough about chargers and the one he bought wasn't even average quality, much less "good" or "better".

I still have my original cheap charger I never used. I have used what was the only ECF Recommended Charger, the Pila, for 2 1/2 years without a hitch. That was very expensive for me at the time, as well as one of my best purchases. So far it has cost me about $1 a week.

There are a few other less expensive good chargers now, so it is not such an expense to get started with APV's.

I have no problem with someone asking questions, aren't we supposed to do some due diligence on our suppliers?

 

[Baditude]

Which Nitecore model or any battery charger model would you recommend for charging IMR 18350, 18490, and 18690 batteries? I want one with independent charging indicators, at least 2 battery charging slots, and shuts-off or goes into trickle charge when battery reaches full charge. I currently have a cheap single slot, generic charger that I bought from FastTech, which actually works pretty good for the time being. After reading so much horrible scenarios with using cheap chargers, I want to upgrade to something more reliable.

I bought my daughter the i2 Intellicharger, and the i4 for myself. Both are plug-N-play easy. Indicator lights make it easy to observe the progress of charging. Independent charging slots. Auto charge stop when battery is fully charged. The sliding bars that hold the battery are easier to use that the flimsy springs of some of the Xtar models; in addition, the springs of my Xtar WP6 won't keep an 18350 in the slot without them wanting to pop out.

I'd go with the i4, that way should you accumulate multiple mods (and batteries), you don't outgrow the i2 charger.

Nitecore Intellicharger i2

Nitecore Intellicharger i4

 

[RedhatPat]

He's smart folks. If he hadn't bought it for his daighter then she would have probably bought one with his money anyway. Bad's like one of those cool forward-thinking dads we all had envy for back in the day. Shame he can't get a penny or two for everytime someone clicks like.

RHP

 

[Baditude]

So .... should we trust the name-brand batteries from Fasttech? Like Panasonic, Samsung, Sanyo, etc?

I don't believe that it's a matter of trust of authenticity as much as FastTech displaying inappropriate batteries alongside batteries which we use in mods. The buyer has to know battery types and which ones are appropriate/inappropriate for PVs. As it stands with FastTech, the responsibility of knowing this lies with the customer alone. A vendor like RTD Vapor does not sell unprotected Li Ion batteries, so you can rest assured that you will get a safer battery from them.

The gist of this thread was when a novice vapor had a choice between three 18500 batteries. 3 Batteries (Battery Form Factor: 18500) at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping

I can't speak for her, but a novice might choose the Sanyo's over the Ultrafire and Trustfire batteries on basis of the Sanyo's reputable brand name and the fact it has a 5-star customer rating. Which would you choose?

The Ultrafire is a protected Li Ion. The Trustfire is an IMR. The Sanyo is an unprotected Li Ion. It should be obvious that Sanyo battery is inappropriate for vaping purposes, but a novice vapor that isn't educated in batteries can easily make the wrong choice.

There has been a common misconception among many mod users that "unprotected" was synonamous with being an IMR, which it's true that an IMR is unprotected because it is a safer chemistry and doesn't require it. But in the strictest definition, unprotected means a Li Ion battery (not safe chemistry but a volatile one) without a protection circuit; and those are never recommended for use in a mod.

I presume that someone could use the above 18500 unprotected batteries in an mod with a Vape Safe Mod Fuse in an 18650 mod, but that is an inefficient way to use a mod. Why not just get a protected 18650 or better yet an 18650 IMR? A Vape Safe may or may not fit in an 18500 mod, depending upon how much room is in the battery compartment.

I don't mean to beat a dead horse, but as mod users we need to self-educate ourselves to know what batteries are safe for PVs, and which ones are not. If you know how to identify the chemistry of a battery and you are familiar with what a specific battery looks like, then FastTech can be a great place to purchase batteries on the cheap. Just know going in what battery you need before going onto the site.

 

[Vwls]

Lesson learned. I'm a bargain hunter by nature... this will end up costing me more than if I had just bought expensive batteries. I'm sure to get a refund, they'll make me ship these back to China. LOL the cost of doing that would be more than the product value. From now on, I'll only buy top of the line.

I'd like to follow up on this. I was wrong about Fasttech and the cost of returning items. They have a Florida address, and they take everything back for a full refund, no questions asked. All you have to do is get an RMA from them, and mail the product to the Florida location, which costs under $3. They even offer to refund you for your postage. Good company in this respect - responsible and responsive. My only problem with them is that they are advertising batteries that should never be used in vaping devices, both by listing the batteries in the drop down menus on pages where you purchase mods, and also by neglecting to post warnings about appropriate use of batteries on pages where batteries are ordered by themselves. I think since they have delved into being a vape supplier, it is their responsibility to change this so no one gets hurt. But they seem like the kind of company that will listen to customer input, so perhaps this will get fixed soon.

 

[Baditude]

Thank you Vwls for the followup, especially since you are the reason for this thread in the first place.

I actually registered on the FastTech website solely to post cautions about the intent of use for that battery and it not being a good choice for use in an e-cig mod. I saw numerous customers recommending this battery for various mods. Customers MIGHT get by using this battery in a regulated mod with built-in protection (I wouldn't), but used in a mechanical mod without a Vape Safe fuse (if it would fit) would not be wise.

For the record, may I ask why you chose that battery over the other two choices?

 

[gr1llmeacheese]

Just wanted to ask a quick question because I didn't see it mentioned. Earlier this week I saw a ........ post about some Samsung batteries on Fasttech and what little research I've done has been good news.
I just wanted to post the link here to have the ECF battery gurus weigh in. Are these batteries decent?
I don't have a mech yet but plan on getting one soon, as I understand it these should work well in a mech, correct?

Samsung INR18650-20R 3.6V 2000mAh Rechargeable Li-Ion

 

[oO_Gab727_Oo]

Wow! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Ryedan]

Here is one: https://batteryworkshop.msfc.nasa.g...st_Panasonic_Li-Ion_NCR_18650_Cells_JRead.pdf

But for pete's sake, don't take that document and use it as justification to decry Panasonic hybrids as unsafe and unsuitable for vaping.

They seem just fine to me. Just don't puncture them, but I suspect (not sure though) that standard IMR behave that way also. Does anyone have any data on this?

 

[tearose50]

I don't think any rechargeable battery would do well if you punched it with an ice pick. I believe the cels are under pressure, and you would not want that to be released suddenly. I'm sure that is explained fully in rechargeable batteries 101 somewhere.

But, as we know, the chemistry of the battery makes a big difference in how one reacts should it go thermal.

The lMRs have been called safer chemistry for that reason. The CGR18650CH's (often called hybrid) have a bit less of a reaction, so could be even a tad safer.

I frankly don't know on these. High Drain is not necessarily equal to safer chemistry and safer is a relative scale. Looks like I've got more studying to do.

 

[Baditude]

Just wanted to ask a quick question because I didn't see it mentioned. Earlier this week I saw a ........ post about some Samsung batteries on Fasttech and what little research I've done has been good news.
I just wanted to post the link here to have the ECF battery gurus weigh in. Are these batteries decent?
I don't have a mech yet but plan on getting one soon, as I understand it these should work well in a mech, correct?

Samsung INR18650-20R 3.6V 2000mAh Rechargeable Li-Ion

Sorry, I don't recommend it. Nowhere does it say that these Li Ion batteries are protected. In fact, the "details" on the right of the page say "all batteries are not protected".

 

[dr g]

I don't believe that it's a matter of trust of authenticity as much as FastTech displaying inappropriate batteries alongside batteries which we use in mods. The buyer has to know battery types and which ones are appropriate/inappropriate for PVs. As it stands with FastTech, the responsibility of knowing this lies with the customer alone. A vendor like RTD Vapor does not sell unprotected Li Ion batteries, so you can rest assured that you will get a safer battery from them.

The gist of this thread was when a novice vapor had a choice between three 18500 batteries. 3 Batteries (Battery Form Factor: 18500) at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping

I can't speak for her, but a novice might choose the Sanyo's over the Ultrafire and Trustfire batteries on basis of the Sanyo's reputable brand name and the fact it has a 5-star customer rating. Which would you choose?

You gotta take a step back and see what you are saying here. You are decrying a company because it sells too much stuff, so the customer has too many options.

 

[dr g]

Just wanted to ask a quick question because I didn't see it mentioned. Earlier this week I saw a ........ post about some Samsung batteries on Fasttech and what little research I've done has been good news.
I just wanted to post the link here to have the ECF battery gurus weigh in. Are these batteries decent?
I don't have a mech yet but plan on getting one soon, as I understand it these should work well in a mech, correct?

Samsung INR18650-20R 3.6V 2000mAh Rechargeable Li-Ion

Samsung INRs are, I believe, the current reigning "best battery" for super high drain applications, and one of the very few that can outperform an AW 18650 1600.

 

[Baditude]

You gotta take a step back and see what you are saying here. You are decrying a company because it sells too much stuff, so the customer has too many options.

Read again what I said. The responsibility of choosing the right battery ultimately rests upon the customer alone if they choose to shop at FastTech. FastTech sells protected and unprotected Li Ion batteries, in addition to IMR. It's up to the customer to recognize which is which. A novice vapor can easily order the wrong batteries, just as gr1llmeacheese might have if he didn't ask here.

The subject who is the focus of this thread had only 3 battery choices to choose from in an 18500 selection. Out of only three choices she chose the one that was unprotected.

Samsung INRs are, I believe, the current reigning "best battery" for super high drain applications, and one of the very few that can outperform an AW 18650 1600.

Then show me where on the FastTech description for that battery that confirms that it is a high drain battery. All I see listed is that it is a Li Ion. No mention that it is protected, so I take for granted it is an unprotected Li Ion battery. That's a no no for a mod in my book.

See, this is the problem I'm speaking about when ordering from FastTech. Unless you have knowledge that those are indeed high drain, it says nothing about that in the product description.

http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?u=595545&b=437122&m=44775&afftrack=&urllink=www.fasttech.com%2Fproducts%2F1%2F10002357%2F1443728-samsung-inr18650-20r-3-6v-2000mah-rechargeable-li

And does "high drain" automatically mean it is "safe chemistry"? There is much confusion with battery classifications if you ask me.

I'll repeat what I have said earlier. If you can correctly identify the battery you want is either an IMR, protected Li Ion, or a hybrid IMR then you are good to go at FastTech.

 

[sawtoothscream]

checked my batteries today, said 4.03 for one and 4.05 for the other. guessing they are not fully charged? was expecting 4.2v area.

anyways got to play with my brothers kts+ and igo w with my batteries. dual micro coils and 1.2ohm and hits like a beast with the bobas bounty I have. with performance like that I probably wont go sub ohm

 

[mackman]

VWLS
if the vendor is FT you can ship to Miami see their FAQ's on returns