Mooch's table of recommended batteries has been updated

[Mooch]

There have been several changes since the last table was posted, about 4 months ago. Here's a summary:

- The Aspire 1800mAh ICR has been removed. While it's a good performer the 40A rating on the wrap is ........ and I will no longer promote 18650 batteries from companies who lie to us.

- The LG HE2 has been removed. While it is a decent battery there are several batteries available at the same price that outperform it.

- The Basen 10A 700mAh 18350 was added...only 7A but a good performer.

- The iJoy 40A 4200mAh 26650 was added...only 30A but the best performing 26650 so far.

- The Sony VTC5A 2500mAh 18650 was added...an incredible performer, best all around 18650.

- The Sony VTC6 3000mAh 18650 was added...best performer of the 3000mAh batteries.

- The LG HG2 was almost removed. There are counterfeits everywhere and the cells available this year seem to be a lower grade than last year. I lowered the rating on the HG2's from 20A to 18A recently. If the counterfeit situation continues to worsen and the cell grades that we have access to don't start getting better then I will probably remove the HG2 from the next update of the table.

Before some of you start beating on me for not including a particular battery...
If I haven't chosen your personal favorite that doesn't mean I think you're using a crappy battery!
It doesn't mean I'm saying you've made a mistake!
It doesn't mean that there aren't other good performing batteries out there!

There are many other good performers out there but I can't put them all on my recommended list. These are merely my personal choices pulled from the huge pile of available batteries.

Mooch's Recommended Batteries | E-Cigarette Forum

 

[DaveP]

I regard your opinion and testing on batteries highly, Mooch. I'll always be changing my new battery purchases slightly based on your testing and reporting. As you indicated, it's possible to get good (or bad) batteries from vendors based on what gets put in the wrapper.

It's funny how some batteries that get a bad name actually perform well. A case in point is my matched pair of Efest purple 3000mah 35A batteries. My mods generally cut off at 3.5v, so charging starts from there. My Xtar VC4 reports MAH based on what it takes to bring a battery back to full charge from the starting voltage point. Those Efests end up matched within a few points a little over 2400 mah, while the equally rotated matched pairs of Samsung 25R and Sony VCT4 used in the same dual battery mod usually top out around 2100 mah or so. All three sets were purchased in the same month about a year ago.

I've always been amused at how those two lowly Efests consistently report higher MAH when charging. I guess the difference is which batteries they were able to buy on the cheap when they needed to re-wrap a batch for sale. It was just the luck of the draw.

***
Thanks to your battery testing, I won't be buying any more iffy brands or battery shopping anywhere except the known trusted vendors.
***

 

[Eskie]

Thank you for the update! Your hard work is really appreciated, especially with all the loose claims in the market. Obviously no one can guarantee the performance of every single unit made, but I always feel safer knowing I'm placing a well tested and properly rated battery in my mod.

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

Hello,
I purchased The Sony VTC5A 2500mAh a couple of weeks ago even tho the vendor recommendations said not to use these as a stand alone and only to be used in battery packs. I have not charged these because I wanted to find more info before I do. I trust your testing and recommendations so could you explain why there are warnings on them as stand alones? And I read this from a couple of sites that carry these not just the one I purchased from.
Thanks for any info you can provide.

 

[Eskie]

Well, I guess Mooch can give the final verdict on this, but it's my understanding Sony really doesn't want their batteries used for vaping. That sort of disclaimer is likely Sony trying to show they're not encouraging sale for anything but battery pack use, and not in vaping equipment.

Besides, in a regulated mod, it's already sort of in a battery pack with regulation. It would be unregulated mechs that would directly violate that disclaimer. But a battery is a battery, and if it's performance is sufficient to the task, it really doesn't matter.

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

Well, I guess Mooch can give the final verdict on this, but it's my understanding Sony really doesn't want their batteries used for vaping. That sort of disclaimer is likely Sony trying to show they're not encouraging sale for anything but battery pack use, and not in vaping equipment.

Besides, in a regulated mod, it's already sort of in a battery pack with regulation. It would be unregulated mechs that would directly violate that disclaimer. But a battery is a battery, and if it's performance is sufficient to the task, it really doesn't matter.

Thank you for the info. I wasn't aware about Sony. This makes so much sense to me now... I am
glad I asked the question.

 

[OhTheAgony]

Haha, we were just discussing this in the Evolve thread last week.

Thanks for all the work you put in to this, it is very much appreciated!

 

[DaveP]

Sony makes batteries for multiple battery packs for just about everything from hand tools to jet airliners, and probably electric cars. The ecig market, as large as it is, probably represents a small part of their overall battery business.

I guess they want to stay out of a market that loves newspaper articles that plaster the industry for exploding mods. They have enough to deal with in airline battery pack overheating. If I were them, I'd steer clear of the hover board industry, too.

 

[Mooch]

I regard your opinion and testing on batteries highly, Mooch. I'll always be changing my new battery purchases slightly based on your testing and reporting. As you indicated, it's possible to get good (or bad) batteries from vendors based on what gets put in the wrapper.

It's funny how some batteries that get a bad name actually perform well. A case in point is my matched pair of Efest purple 3000mah 35A batteries. My mods generally cut off at 3.5v, so charging starts from there. My Xtar VC4 reports MAH based on what it takes to bring a battery back to full charge from the starting voltage point. Those Efests end up matched within a few points a little over 2400 mah, while the equally rotated matched pairs of Samsung 25R and Sony VCT4 used in the same dual battery mod usually top out around 2100 mah or so. All three sets were purchased in the same month about a year ago.

I've always been amused at how those two lowly Efests consistently report higher MAH when charging. I guess the difference is which batteries they were able to buy on the cheap when they needed to re-wrap a batch for sale. It was just the luck of the draw.

***
Thanks to your battery testing, I won't be buying any more iffy brands or battery shopping anywhere except the known trusted vendors.
***

Thanks!
Those Efests are rewrapped 3000mAh HG2's so they should give you more capacity than 2500mAh 25R's or 2100mAh VTC4's. Glad they're working well for you!

 

[Mooch]

Hello,
I purchased The Sony VTC5A 2500mAh a couple of weeks ago even tho the vendor recommendations said not to use these as a stand alone and only to be used in battery packs. I have not charged these because I wanted to find more info before I do. I trust your testing and recommendations so could you explain why there are warnings on them as stand alones? And I read this from a couple of sites that carry these not just the one I purchased from.
Thanks for any info you can provide.

No Samsung, Sony, LG, or Panasonic/Sanyo battery we use was ever meant for use outside of a battery pack or, if used alone, a protected single-battery module. Sony has just been the more proactive company in letting us know that.

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

No Samsung, Sony, LG, or Panasonic/Sanyo battery we use was ever meant for use outside of a battery pack or, if used alone, a protected single-battery module. Sony has just been the more proactive company in letting us know that.

Thank you so much for responding. I also want to thank you for the time you spend on keeping us safe and informed on the batteries we use.

 

[Semiretired]

No Samsung, Sony, LG, or Panasonic/Sanyo battery we use was ever meant for use outside of a battery pack or, if used alone, a protected single-battery module. Sony has just been the more proactive company in letting us know that.

So if I am understanding this they are saying that VV/VW mods with circuit protection are okay, but no mechs? What about if you are using a kick or other protective device?

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

So if I am understanding this they are saying that VV/VW mods with circuit protection are okay, but no mechs? What about if you are using a kick or other protective device?

You could try referencing some of Baditude's threads or blogs. He has written volumes on the subject.
Error | E-Cigarette Forum

eta not sure why it says 'error' cause the link works.

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

sorry double post.........

 

[Mooch]

So if I am understanding this they are saying that VV/VW mods with circuit protection are okay, but no mechs? What about if you are using a kick or other protective device?

No, those companies only approve their batteries being used in closed battery packs, no loose cells allowed. The process of inserting and removing cells and externally charging them is a lot riskier than using and recharging a battery pack with an integrated battery management/protection system.

 

[Semiretired]

You have really peaked my interest. I can understand them not wanting the liability though.

 

[KentA]

Thanks Mooch.
We appreciate your guidance.

 

[Barkuti]

Hello!
Just taking a stroll around here.
Mooch, did you saw this?: 4 x 3.7V 18650 2600mAh Lithium - ion Battery Rechargeable Battery ( 18650HE2 )
Now, where are those batteries which outperform the LG HE2s, price/quality wise?
My .

Cheers

 

[Mooch]

Hello!
Just taking a stroll around here.
Mooch, did you saw this?: 4 x 3.7V 18650 2600mAh Lithium - ion Battery Rechargeable Battery ( 18650HE2 )
Now, where are those batteries which outperform the LG HE2s, price/quality wise?
My .

Cheers

For me, price doesn't matter as you get to enjoy a better performing battery every day for months if not a couple of years. Any price difference is inconsequential when spread out over that long a period of better performance, in my opinion.

Better performing batteries (not sure what you mean by quality) include the HE4, 25R, NSX, VTC3, VTC4, VTC5, VTC5A, VTC6, 30Q, HG2, HD2, HD2C, HD4, HB2, HB4, HB6. There may be others I've forgotten.

 

[Barkuti]

According to HKJ's battery comparator, performance of the HE2 was above that of the HE4, HD2, HB2, … Roughly equivalent to “cyan” 25Rs, and somewhat below VTC5s. That was on his old testing rig, so matching them with the ones tested on the newer has to be taken with a grain of salt: Battery test-review 18650 comparator
And, to me, price matters, as with an equal amount of money you'll be carrying more shells in your pocket. Or better: grab a proper high amp BMS and stack 'em in series. Example: 8S 21A 33.6V lipo lithium Polymer BMS/PCM/PCB battery protection circuit board for 8 Packs 18650 Li ion Battery Cell w/ Balance on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group
Take care.

Cheerp!