Purchasing 18650 batteries and voltage drop

[eFFeRR]

Hello ECF,

I am looking for a device that can measure the voltage drop of my batteries. I am new to mechanical mods and want to keep an eye on the voltages of my batteries. I'd like to see how low the voltage is actually getting when I am charging it. Are their any chargers with built in voltage readers? I see the eFest LUC models have a display that shows the voltage but they are hard to find!

Which brings me to my next point. Where are you guys purchasing your Sony VCT-5 batteries from? Should I be concerned about trying to get them shipped from the US?. Not too many Canadian vendors have them from what I see. I found them on VapeMate but they do not carry the eFest LUC charger. I'd like to purchase them together if possible.

Thank you!

 

[moralizer]

Vapemail dot com has the eFest LUC charger and the VCT4.

I know you mentioned you wanted a VCT5, but I remember reading somewhere on ECF that they are very similar. Also Vapemail is having a week long sale (Vapecan prices).

 

[Battlelance]

Hello ECF,
I am looking for a device that can measure the voltage drop of my batteries.

You can find in-line voltage meters with 510 threading pretty much anywhere. Canvape, fasttech, etc. A lot of things are going to cause voltage drop, like internal battery resistance, mod body resistance, etc. Really all that matters (more so if you're sub ohming) is if the voltage hitting your attached device is what you expect it to be.

I am new to mechanical mods and want to keep an eye on the voltages of my batteries. I'd like to see how low the voltage is actually getting when I am charging it. Are their any chargers with built in voltage readers? I see the eFest LUC models have a display that shows the voltage but they are hard to find!

You'll be able to get a feel for the voltage of the batteries as you vape with a mech. If you're unsure, pop them out after a while and test it with a multimeter. You should be testing your batteries after a charge anyway to ensure your charger isn't overcharging - regardless if the unit displays voltage or not.

Now you mentioned " I'd like to see how low the voltage is actually getting when I am charging it". If your charging it, your voltage won't drop, it'll raise.

Which brings me to my next point. Where are you guys purchasing your Sony VCT-5 batteries from? Should I be concerned about trying to get them shipped from the US?. Not too many Canadian vendors have them from what I see. I found them on VapeMate but they do not carry the eFest LUC charger. I'd like to purchase them together if possible.

I got my VTC5's from China, but eastcoastvape.ca carries the VTC4 and VTC5, along with some pannies and efest. Canvape carries the luc. Any particular reason why you're gunning for the LUC? I've used a trustfire tf-001 and a nitecore intellicharger i2 for years without any issues.

I'm not a big fan of the LUC's ability to let you select 2A charging regardless of the battery you place in the unit.

 

[eFFeRR]

I was interested in the eFest LUC because it had the Voltage Display on the screen. Its nice to see for overcharging like you said. But I was also interested in it because I am curious to see how low I am bringing the voltage down right before I start charging it.

How do those inline volt meters work? Seems like it would be a good investment. I found this at CanVape

Haka Voltage/Ohm/Wattage Tester/Meter/Checker

Is there anything I should know about these? Can they short a battery at all?

 

[Stiiinger]

I bought one of these from Canvape, and it's been great. Nice LCD display to show voltage, current, and charge time. Charges at 500mA by default, allows you to switch to 300mA mode for slow charging to extend battery life if you have time.

D2 Nitecore Universal Smart 2-slot charger
http://www.canvape.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=NITECORED2D

Check out the official product page for it's full features. It's a pretty trusted charged from what I've read.
http://www.nitecore.com/productDetail.aspx?id=115

 

[Battlelance]

I was interested in the eFest LUC because it had the Voltage Display on the screen. Its nice to see for overcharging like you said. But I was also interested in it because I am curious to see how low I am bringing the voltage down right before I start charging it.

You need a multimeter. If you're relying on the charger display to determine if you've gone too low (around 2.9v give or take depending on the cell), it's too late. Discharging to that point multiple times will lower the life expectancy of the battery over time. Allow the battery to drop around 2v or so, and you'll pretty much destroy the battery.

Is there anything I should know about these? Can they short a battery at all?

Anything can short out a battery if it is improperly built - a inline voltmeter, your atomizer, your device. I can't speak specifically to those meters as I've never needed one.

You should visit Basic to Advanced Battery Information from Battery University and do a bit of reading on Li-ion batteries. There are some great articles on overcharging, discharging, storage, longevity, etc.

 

[eFFeRR]

I bought one of these from Canvape, and it's been great. Nice LCD display to show voltage, current, and charge time. Charges at 500mA by default, allows you to switch to 300mA mode for slow charging to extend battery life if you have time.

D2 Nitecore Universal Smart 2-slot charger
http://www.canvape.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=NITECORED2D

Check out the official product page for it's full features. It's a pretty trusted charged from what I've read.
http://www.nitecore.com/productDetail.aspx?id=115

Thanks Stiinger,

I will go ahead and grab the NiteCore D2 charger. Was not sure if it displayed Voltage at all but it looks like it does.

 

[AveryW]

Thanks Stiinger,

I will go ahead and grab the NiteCore D2 charger. Was not sure if it displayed Voltage at all but it looks like it does.

The D2 is what I have, it displays voltage, current charge time, and the charge rate. Pretty good charger.

Sent from the mothership.