Probably a stupid question...

[ElConquistador]

I recently bought a Provari, along with a couple of AW 18490 batteries from Provapes. Prior to this, I had used Efest 18650 batteries in a Vamo for over a year.

With the bigger Efest batteries, it always took around 3+ hours to recharge, and freshly charged batteries (Nitecore 4 charger) would read 4.2 volts on the Vamo for quite a while vaping after charging. In other words, I could vape for 1/2 hour or so before it would show as 4.1 volts, etc.

The smaller AW batteries take about an hour to charge (same charger), which I makes sense to me. When I put a newly recharged battery in my Provari, it will read 4.2 volts. However, after one vape, they drop to 4.1 volts, sometimes just the act of checking them that first time will drop them to 4.1 volts.

I'm getting about a day out of the batteries, which is just fine, and I know they're charging up to 4.2 volts just fine, it's just strange to me that they drop so quickly from 4.2 to 4.1 volts and lower, and wondering if that's normal for smaller batteries. My VV3, with a smaller battery yet, seems to hold it's 4.2 volt charge for quite a while.

 

[zoiDman]

I recently bought a Provari, along with a couple of AW 18490 batteries from Provapes. Prior to this, I had used Efest 18650 batteries in a Vamo for over a year.

With the bigger Efest batteries, it always took around 3+ hours to recharge, and freshly charged batteries (Nitecore 4 charger) would read 4.2 volts on the Vamo for quite a while vaping after charging. In other words, I could vape for 1/2 hour or so before it would show as 4.1 volts, etc.

The smaller AW batteries take about an hour to charge (same charger), which I makes sense to me. When I put a newly recharged battery in my Provari, it will read 4.2 volts. However, after one vape, they drop to 4.1 volts, sometimes just the act of checking them that first time will drop them to 4.1 volts.

I'm getting about a day out of the batteries, which is just fine, and I know they're charging up to 4.2 volts just fine, it's just strange to me that they drop so quickly from 4.2 to 4.1 volts and lower, and wondering if that's normal for smaller batteries. My VV3, with a smaller battery yet, seems to hold it's 4.2 volt charge for quite a while.

Doesn't seem like a stupid question to Me.

I just wish I had an Answer as to why Rechargeable Batteries do this. But I see it in My Provaries.

I also see it in an e-Bike that I have. Who's "Battery" is made up of a bunch of 18650 Batteries. Off the charger it Measures 43.5 Volts. But as soon as the Throttle is applied it will fall down to about 41.0 volts.

 

[Baditude]

A 0.1 drop in voltage is miniscule and incidental, and it wouldn't be surprising to see such a drop from a fully charged battery removed from a charger and allowed to rest (settle the charge) for a half hour or so before it was even used in a mod. All fully-charged batteries tend to drop some voltage, even with non-use, called "self discharge".

Charging Lithium Ion Batteries (Battery University)

Having said that, and with all chemistry profiles being the same, a smaller battery will take less time to charge than a larger battery; and a smaller battery will discharge at a faster rate than a larger one. Isn't this just common sense?

Concerning Efest vs AW, they are different manufacturers likely with batteries with different chemistries in their batteries. Different chemical profiles of the same size batteries will have different discharge properties. We see this in the performance graphs when reviewing different brands & models of batteries. Some will drop more voltage early in the discharge, but sustain their voltage longer in the middle part of the discharge curve than another model will. Some perform better (sustain the voltage) at the very tail end of the discharge curve, without a sudden drop in voltage; while others will "hit harder" for a shorter time in the middle discharge curve, but quickly drop their output toward the end of the charge.

It all depends upon the chemistry of the battery, and is the reason there are so many models of batteries in the same battery size by the same manufacturer. Each will have a different profile curve of discharge characteristics based on battery chemistry. Panasonic has several 18650 IMR/hybrid batteries, each with its own chemical and performance profile curve.

Panasonic ​or Orbtronic hybrid 18650 batteries:
CGR18650CH (IMR/hybrid) 2250mAh 10A
NCR18650BD 3200mAh 10A
NCR18650PF (LiNiCOMnO2) 2900mAh 10A
NCR18650PD (LiNiCoAl) 2900mAh 10A
Orbtronic 18650 SX22 2000mAh 22A
Orbtronic 18650 2500mAh 21A
Orbtronic 18650 SX30 21000mAh 30 amp​

 

[distortoblotto]

El C, No real need to worry as you could not of picked a finer unit for consistent battery performance. The Provari's circuitry automatically regulates the power output so that the first pull is just as consistent as the last. Simply run it until the fire button starts to flash and then install a fresh battery. It just doesn't get much simpler than that.

And while we are at it, there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers.....

 

[ElConquistador]

Yeah, no worries, just thought I would see if that quick drop was normal. Thanks!

 

[beckdg]

to be honest, there's two things that immediately come to mind that would add to this phenomena.

1: the vamo isn't exactly touted as the most accurate measuring tool.
2: the provari check's the voltage under load. (it fires the atty and puts a drain on the battery which would immediately result in voltage sag.)

i would pretty much expect the same results even if the two units were testing the exact same cells hot off the charger.

 

[ElConquistador]

Makes sense, beckdg

 

[serenity21899]

That is normal. The ProVari measures battery life under load. The same thing occurs with resistance. There is generally a slight difference when using the same atty on a ProVari vs something else.