So you’re saying the only safe 18650 is a AW 18650?
The Samsung 30Q comes as a button top by the manufacturer it isn’t added on.
I’m sorry if I’m not understanding.
Provari Mini 18500 Battery
- Thread starter Heartsdelight
- Start date
- th_trl_thread_readers 0
- Status
The Samsung 30Q comes as a button top by the manufacturer it isn’t added on.
I’m sorry if I’m not understanding.
Which 18650 button top battery would you suggest?Yes, Hearts, and that was to be my suggestion as well.
Much as we love our Provi Minis, it's best to use them in '650 mode. You can enjoy holding them in Mini mode, but use them in "extra strength long mode".
Safe as in it will function? safe as in won't have a cell vent due to over stressing?
Yes.
Safe as in won't put excess pressure on the inner workings which may cause it to push them out of place causing your P2.5 to stop working and need repair?
Very hard to say, over time most likely will, after a few hard drops probably, also depends on when your P2.5 was made, in the later models they improved the way the board & battery contact was mounted & affixed in the tube.
Because at this time no one is repairing Provape power devices, I wouldn't risk it.
But, but, but,,, because of the craptastic selections in 18350, 18490, 18650 button top cells, if you want to continue to use your P2.5 & earlier Provape devices, you really have no other choice.
The very first time you screw on the battery cap it could push the 'guts' out of place, or you might be okay for weeks, months maybe a year or more.
No way to predict longevity.
None of the actual manufactures of cells produce button tops.
AW bought raw cells / bare / unfinished cells from reputable manufacturers that fell within certain tolerances as far as quality and size.
Then he & his crew installed a button top he designed that maintained the exact size specification when finished & wrapped.
Yes.
Safe as in won't put excess pressure on the inner workings which may cause it to push them out of place causing your P2.5 to stop working and need repair?
Very hard to say, over time most likely will, after a few hard drops probably, also depends on when your P2.5 was made, in the later models they improved the way the board & battery contact was mounted & affixed in the tube.
Because at this time no one is repairing Provape power devices, I wouldn't risk it.
But, but, but,,, because of the craptastic selections in 18350, 18490, 18650 button top cells, if you want to continue to use your P2.5 & earlier Provape devices, you really have no other choice.
The very first time you screw on the battery cap it could push the 'guts' out of place, or you might be okay for weeks, months maybe a year or more.
No way to predict longevity.
None of the actual manufactures of cells produce button tops.
AW bought raw cells / bare / unfinished cells from reputable manufacturers that fell within certain tolerances as far as quality and size.
Then he & his crew installed a button top he designed that maintained the exact size specification when finished & wrapped.
Last edited:
I've been using these in my Provaris for 7-8 years now, and they've never failed me.
3000mAh 18650 Battery 20A-35A Li-ion 3.7V Button Top Rechargeable High Drain H-IMR - Orbtronic
Efest button tops, either red or purple, have performed pretty well for us over a few years, all three sizes - 18350, 18490/500 and18650. Although I wouldn't recommend them for high wattage subohm applications, they are way beyond the amp limits of a ProVari 2.5. Rotated with AW batteries they have given us about 90% of the run time.
It sure sounds as if some of us a may think so, but that's not the case. In my experience most all button top 18650's will fit in and perform well a ProVari 2.5. There's enough room with the spring to handle a couple mm of difference. The ones that likely will be too long are the "protected" batteries, which shouldn't be used in a ProVari. The 30q button top should work well. Good luck enjoying your ProVari!
Untrue. Lg, Samsung, and Sony have never made button top batteries. All are made exclusively for protected battery packs. Battery suppliers will add a button top to these brands of batteries, but the original manufacturer doesn't. Just ask Mooch.
Thank you, I was racking my brain trying to remember what cells these black wrap things I've been using in a standard size with extension cap are. I peeled the sticker long ago, sitting here staring at them hoping I'd remember...
I know with my oldest P2.5 the first time I installed a Samsung 30Q button top it pushed the innards out of place never to work again without repair before the battery depleted the first time.
Those wanting to use 18350 - 18490 - 18500 are still in a hard spot, IMO.
Last edited:
My pleasure, T.
I'd actually got the recommendation for them from one of Provis support reps (Jennifer), back in mid 2012. The 1600 mAh was nice, but I was seeing all KINDS of things out in that crazy old Internet.
Orb was advertising one at 2000, which she said made by Panasonic, and that ProVape wouldn't kill my warranty if I used those. Kenny, back when he was still around, told me the same, which basically sealed my deal.
They kept improving them (2200, 2900, and now 3000), and I kept getting the latest version when my trade-up time came along the calendar (about every two years or so).
Yep, thats where I got the recommendation / go ahead too.
I think Jennifer disliked talking with me, I have a fairly thick Texas accent, every time in my best Forest Gump impersonation, I referred to her as my Jenny....
It may be useful to recall that when the ProVari came out, there were no other high drain safer chemistry batteries available in the retail market. AW was a very good battery but is was also the only choice.
Most all other makers were selling and recommending protected batteries in those early days, which worked fine at the lower power all were using in 2010. Provape's recommendation and reliance on AW button tops was to a great degree out of necessity, as all other button top batteries available were of the protected variety. Those early AW's were 15 amp batteries, far less than what anybody would recommend today on current devices designed to handle much higher wattage than a ProVari 1-2.5 allows.
Most all other makers were selling and recommending protected batteries in those early days, which worked fine at the lower power all were using in 2010. Provape's recommendation and reliance on AW button tops was to a great degree out of necessity, as all other button top batteries available were of the protected variety. Those early AW's were 15 amp batteries, far less than what anybody would recommend today on current devices designed to handle much higher wattage than a ProVari 1-2.5 allows.
I really struggle with posters who recommend Efest unknown re-wrapped batteries when there is a perfectly good 18500 nipple top battery available from TrustFire. I've been using them for the last five years and NEVER had a problem - they have the claimed capacity, discharge cool at 5 amps and are cheap and reliable. Perfect for ProVaris.
$6.02 TrustFire IMR 18500 3.7V "1300mAh" Rechargeable Li-Ion Batteries (2-Pack) - actual capacity 1100mAh / unprotected / 15C discharge at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping.....
$6.02 TrustFire IMR 18500 3.7V "1300mAh" Rechargeable Li-Ion Batteries (2-Pack) - actual capacity 1100mAh / unprotected / 15C discharge at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping.....
Those sound like good alternative too. I guess my early experience with Trustfire and Ultrafire protected batteries led me to avoid their later safer chemistry releases. Like Efest, Trustfire batteries are rewraps and if they have a good runtime should work. I guess I've been a bit of a battery snob myself!
I just checked some of the 18650 button top batteries mentioned above. Lengths from the vendor sites.
AW - 65.6mm
Orbtronic - 66.5mm
Liion 30Q - 67.3mm
Efest button top - 65.69mm
For comparison the 18650 LG HG flat top batteries I use said 65.2mm.
I measured some myself. Just by sight using a steel ruler and a mini set square. I got 65 1/2 for the AW, slightly over 66 for the 30Q. It wasn't an accurate method of measuring but there's no way the 30Q could have been over 67. And I got it right for the AW so I'm fairly confident there. I might try to jury rig a more accurate way of measuring them. Didn't seem like a good idea to use the metal calipers.
I picked up some do it yourself add-on buttons a while back but never used them. I just measured a flat top battery with one of them on top and it showed as well over 69mm.
Back when AW disappeared I read up on this on a flashlight site. I saw some batteries that had been converted to button top using solder. Beyond my skills at the moment but there were pics of batteries with a perfect little solder dome in the middle of the positive contact. I would be scared of moving my hand at the last moment and shorting the thing out. That would add the least possible amount of length to a flat top.
Reading this thread I'm getting a little worried. Might even be worth taking the Dremel to a spring and removing a couple of mms. Doesn't look like it would be too hard, and I've got a bag of spare springs.
AW - 65.6mm
Orbtronic - 66.5mm
Liion 30Q - 67.3mm
Efest button top - 65.69mm
For comparison the 18650 LG HG flat top batteries I use said 65.2mm.
I picked up some do it yourself add-on buttons a while back but never used them. I just measured a flat top battery with one of them on top and it showed as well over 69mm.
Back when AW disappeared I read up on this on a flashlight site. I saw some batteries that had been converted to button top using solder. Beyond my skills at the moment but there were pics of batteries with a perfect little solder dome in the middle of the positive contact. I would be scared of moving my hand at the last moment and shorting the thing out. That would add the least possible amount of length to a flat top.
Reading this thread I'm getting a little worried. Might even be worth taking the Dremel to a spring and removing a couple of mms. Doesn't look like it would be too hard, and I've got a bag of spare springs.
Last edited:
Last edited:
Again thank you everyone for your input & help.
I ordered 1 extender ring from EBay - Provape Parts. And I’m going to order the Orbtronic’s that @DPLongo22 has been using successfully for 7 years.
I ordered 1 extender ring from EBay - Provape Parts. And I’m going to order the Orbtronic’s that @DPLongo22 has been using successfully for 7 years.
The only experience with Trustfire batteries were the 14500 protected ICR versions used in a mech mod. It's the only battery I've used that exploded on me. Stayed away from Trustfire ever since.
I use 18500 flat tops in my smpl mods and a couple others.I love them, been using them for years.mooch rated a couple a year ago I believe.the one use are bestkaliont not the best name in the battery bizz but are good for my and a lot of other people they've use them inn the fasttech chat forum.I've used a lot of 18500 bats and the best kaliont are the best.I can put 15a on them easy and they don't get warm.who knows might be a watch battery inside the cylinder haha.got to love China.why can you only use nipp top bats in your device?
- Status
