New Provari

[Baditude]

I'd like to know the stories associated with the pictures you posted.
I heard of a guy (I read it on the internet, so it's definitely true) who blew half his face off with an e-cigarette.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/new-members-forum/472990-hi-all-shaken-up-provari-aw-18490-battery-owner.html

Above is an AW 19490 battery that was loose in the pocket of a book bag. Apparently, it came in contact with some type of metal object to complete the electrical circuit causing it to go into thermal runaway. What you see in the pic is the steel casing with the red shrink wrap burnt away, and the inner contents of the battery stretched out like an accordian while it was venting hot gas. This brings up the point of placing spare batteries in plastic battery cases to keep them away from objects like coins or keys.

It's important to note how the battery swelled during the venting process. This would effectively block off the vent holes often drilled into mods, and make the mod literally a pipe bomb within an enclosed tube structure.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/new-members-information/190146-pictures-serious-battery-failure-imr-18650-a.html



This battery happened to be my own. It's a 14500 protected Trustfire which vented with flames in a mechanical mod. The fire switch became stuck while in a pants pocket in a locker at work. The battery vented from the rapid discharge after the protected circuit failed. This badly scorched the pants and ruined the fire switch in the mod (where it it was designed to vent gas). It could have been worse.

I'm not aware of the stories of the other pic. The story you heard about the guy who suffered major facial injuries was a Florida man who was using a homemade mod and using inappropriate stacked batteries, from what I have read.

 

[tj99959]

Just an update for anyone curious (which might be nobody).

I talked to customer service, and they were great. After I explained everything, they thought I should send everything back to them for inspection and possible repair.

I don't want to do that since I do love this thing so far, and what was happening (the battery being reported as dead when it's not) isn't happening nearly as often. It only happened once yesterday, and with just one of the batteries.

I wish it weren't happening at all, and we'll see how today goes. I also am getting about 6-8 hours of battery live on a 2.6 coil. Longer actually on a workday.

I will say the batteries do charge quickly in the charger I have, at least according to the indicator lights. It only takes about 1.5 hours it seems.

I told the customer service rep, Kim, that I'd rather wait and she assured me it's under warranty for a while, and I can always send it in later (after I purchase another one of course, which I plan to do ... I like to have two handy for easy flavor switching, although switching tanks isn't really that much of a hassle on this unit).

To start with I do not like the idea of "the batteries do charge quickly". This means that you are charging them when they don't need charging, or you are charging them at to high a rate. Neither is good for the battery.

I strongly suggest that you send your Provari kit back and have it repaired. Trust me, you'll be surprised by how quickly they get it back to you. Do not just send the Provari back, let them also check out the charger and the batteries as well..

 

[stoot]

I know this may sound nuts but my solution to all this was just to buy lots of batteries. I have AWs and Efests. I use the extenson tube on the Provari so tend to use the 18490s as they last longer. I just keep changing them every hour or so. I have tried 18500's but they are slightly too long and you cannot do up the end cap completely. Just buy lots of batteries. I use a fab charger which has an LCD display that tells me their voltage as they charge - it's nice to see the numbers when they charge rather than just a light. I will try and remember who made it. I know Efest do one with a display too but I have the other make. Hope this helps!
PS LOVE my Provari mini- they just work (I have a purple one!) - yes they are insanely expensive - live in the UK so with taxes nearly killed me off - but I went through so many others it that broke it does make sense to get something bullet proof. They may not have the giszmos that enable power rather than volts BUT at least they are made properly and do not fall apart!!!!!!!!
Jon

 

[JayTeeA2]

Everything is behaving just like there was no problem at all now.

The batteries take about 1.5-2 hours to charge (which to me seem fast, but I was used to the long charge time of the Ego Twists and then the crappy pen cigarettes I had before those).

The batteries aren't draining fast, the Provari is not reporting incorrect or weird voltages, so I think I'm good. Someone at the very beginning of this thread mentioned that she/he had the same thing happen until they let the batteries charge at least once for a good six hours (which I had never done when this started happening). So, as someone else mentioned, it may be that the Tenergy charger isn't that great and the indicator lights turn green before they should. Who knows. I am having no problems any more.

I probably will send everything back to them once I get a mini. I'm pretty happy with just this alone though. Switching the protanks for flavor change is easy and never messy. (Also, the last poster suggested a battery charger that is more sophisticated and reports voltage in a display ... might try that.)

 

[JayTeeA2]

"I put a cell phone next to my face all the time, and I suppose that's risky too."


WOW!.....Ummm....good luck to you.

Sorry, but your response to this post was rather alarmist.

 

[ScandaLeX]

Sorry, but your response to this post was rather alarmist.

It was meant to be because yours became so nonchalant.
Either way it's your ProVari- do what you want with it. Enjoy and take care!