And loathe as i am to say it, I don't agree with Bads advice to only buy 15amp+ cells. Provaris have really low amp limits on their chips (2.5 / 5 amps depending on which version) and a stupidly high cut off voltage of between 3.7 - 3.5 - i have happily used 6 amp batteries for a number of years with no problems at all rocking a 1.8 ohm coil at 11 watts. With a massive 2.4 amp draw...
Not to pick an argument with you, but
Provape was quite adament to use only "high drain" unprotected batteries in the Provari. I used to have the link to Provape's explanation, but it no longer exists since Provape closed its doors and website.
My recommendation to use at minimum a 15A battery is because today's high drain batteries begin in the 15 amp range and go up to 30 amps. I doubt that you can find a decent 10A high drain battery today.
Best way that I can explain it, batteries can be classified as either
high capacity (higher mAh) or
high drain (higher amperage) concerning application that they were designed for.
Nearly all protected batteries are of the old "ICR battery chemistry" and considered to be
high capacity. These typically have an amp limit of 4 - 6 amps. They also have a higher internal resistance which affects voltage drop. When under load, these batteries will have a significant voltage drop. That voltage drop will become more noticable as the battery drains under load. So all of those mAh that a high capacity battery has does not equate when used in a high drain battery device. High capacity batteries are best used in low drain applications such as flashlights.
High drain batteries are generally unprotected "IMR" type chemistry (technically "hybrid chemistry"), allow a higher current output under load without significant voltage drop for a longer period of time when compared to a high capacity battery. They have a lower internal resistance. Even the earliest high drain batteries had but 10 amps, which believe it or not made a significant difference when used in a high drain battery device.
In my experience and readings with Provari's, they were very particular about the batteries used and performed accordingly. They were particularly vulnerable to any amount of carbon buildup which might accumulate on their battery contacts, resulting in voltage drop and requiring routine cleaning with alcohol.
You may well have enjoyed using a high capacity battery with low amp ratings. Your use of "high" ohm coils at "low" wattage in a Provari worked for you. However, as I explained above, Provape designed the Provari to use only high drain, unprotected IMR batteries like the original AW 18650 2000mah 10A.
