Really Not feel'n the joy with the RCR123A

[SheerLuckHolmes]

Seems like the longer I use (and enjoy) this Prodigy, the less and less I enjoy the batteries.

I've had one charger go wierd on me, not related to bending up the contacts. Done that. Seems like I don't get a complete charge, I will be buying a multi-meter today to test that. But the batteries just don't last more than a couple of hours, with the vapor and taste droping off significantly. Put in new batts and JOY!!! only to have the vapor and taste start dropping off quickly, then waiting for the other batts to charge I am force to go back to other devices while waiting.

I really don't want a passthrough and being tied to the USB port. I like the mobility of the batt's. Also not thrilled with the idea of the Kensington (?) power source with a passthrough, too much hardware.

(Pickie arn't I!?!?)

I would just like one or two bateries that last with what seems like full power for about three hours!!!!!!!!!! - with their backups chaging to full power in the same or less time. Is that really so much to ask???

Any suggestions??????

 

[Casey@PS]

Sounds like something is up with your charger. Are you a chain vaper?

 

[Zofryer]

I'm a heavy chain vaper and I get about four hours. I'd think charger.

 

[gjrhine]

Have you tried cleaning all the battery connections and the threads?

 

[SheerLuckHolmes]

I wouldn't really lable myself a chain vap'r. OK FINE I AM!!! So What!!

I clean the well, its threads and connector there daily. I clean the underside of the atty that screws into the well at same time and blow out atty daily.

I have two identical chargers; one that came with the Prodigy, one I bought locally. The one from Prodigy took a crap several days ago. One side charges and the other doesn't, but the side that works alternates with the side that doesn't. I wrote Puresmoke about it (Ticket#969-6558) No solid suggestions on that yet.

The other one seems to work, but green light comes on in about two hours or so, have bent contacts and batts are firmly in place. But still only usefull life is less than a couple of hours.

 

[Casey@PS]

Hey Sheer, here is the response to your ticket sent yesterday:

yesterday (22hrs ago) [8/24/2009 2:25PM] by Casey Pukl
Hello,

I will need your order number and first and last name in order to further assist you.

Thank you,

Casey Pukl
Pure Enterprises, Inc.
PO Box 1200
Hendersonville, TN 37077

Just PM it to me or respond to that email, and we'll go from there.

 

[Cancer]

at least i am not alone, I am having the same issue with a battery life.

 

[TDM]

The other day I was out of my truck and grabbed the Prodigy instead of the PT. Anyone who knows me I AM a chain vaporer!! I dropped a second set of batteries in my pocket and off I went. I was gone from the truck for 4 hours. The battery just barely made it. I changed them at the 2 hour mark. When I got back in the truck at the 4 hour mark, they were dead. Luckily I had two more sets fully charged in the truck. If I am going to be away from the truck I usually grab my PT and Kensington Power Pack. But I guess Live and learn.

The thing I do not understand is all the problems people are having with the chargers?? I have two chargers and have never had to bend the prongs. They sit on the floor right next to my laptop stand and I just slip batteries in and out all day long. Have never had a problem with the prongs.

 

[Momof3]

I have 1 set in the 5hr range and the other in the 2hr range. If not for the fact I use the 18650s for the bulk of the day I'd have already purchased several extra RCR123As and an extra charger. As it is, I marked the sets and use the "good" set for a few hours in the PM. I love 5V, but so far it's not worth trading the extra mileage I get from the 18650s for main daily use.

 

[hobson]

I have 1 set in the 5hr range and the other in the 2hr range. If not for the fact I use the 18650s for the bulk of the day I'd have already purchased several extra RCR123As and an extra charger. As it is, I marked the sets and use the "good" set for a few hours in the PM. I love 5V, but so far it's not worth trading the extra mileage I get from the 18650s for main daily use.

I have the exact same behavior with my two sets. Very disappointing.

 

[vapn]

Not all batteries are created equal. I have had it a solid week of HEAVY USE. I usually can get through about 6 hours before swapping out. It comes down to three sets a day. Like TDM said. I have NO trouble with the charger at all. I slip them in neg side first and they just slide easily without much force at all. I can see how they would get damaged if you were always trying to put them in the wrong way or something. That would stress out the springs a lot. You would also be really messing up those batteries if you tried to charge them in the wrong direction. They have a micro chip in them to protect them and if you fry that then you have damaged the battery for good.

 

[tparganos]

So your saying the 18650's last longer? I just got my Protegy on Monday and I am currently using the RCR123a batteries. They seem to only be lasting me 2hrs. I bought this because I was tired of recharging my 510's every half hour and was looking forward to this lasting approx 8hrs. I am so disappointed. Is the issue with the tenergy batteries? Do you think the Powerizer
RCR123A 3.0V 680mAh would work any better?

I have 1 set in the 5hr range and the other in the 2hr range. If not for the fact I use the 18650s for the bulk of the day I'd have already purchased several extra RCR123As and an extra charger. As it is, I marked the sets and use the "good" set for a few hours in the PM. I love 5V, but so far it's not worth trading the extra mileage I get from the 18650s for main daily use.

 

[Momof3]

Even chain vaping, 1-18650 batt should get you through at least 24hrs, but they are for the 3.7V set-up. PureSmoker.com - Home of the USA Built PV !!! To get the maximum use you'll need the PD switch without the resistor. PureSmoker.com - Home of the USA Built PV !!! The 18650s will work with the original switch with the resistor, just not as long.

If you want to stay with the 5V, get more RCR123As and a multimeter. I'd want at least 4 good sets which should run 5-6hrs of chain vaping per set. I just marked all of mine with a marker to keep my good set together. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, etc. If I mix my good set with my bad set, then I only get a few hours from both sets. You might try mixing your sets to see if one pair works better together.

I think the issue is just typical of these style of batteries. Some are good and some are bad. I don't think it has anything to do with Tenergy. I've heard of as many and more bad batteries with other brands. You could get bad 18650s too. A good 680mah battery should last for less time than a good 750mah.

 

[tparganos]

I ordered a multimeter with the batteries but the multimeter is on backorder so I have no way of testing these batteries but if the 18650's last longer I may opt for them instead because my issue is not having to recharge all the time. Another thing is I currently have 9 510 atomizers and only 4 fit in the adapter as the others are too tight and I don't want to twist too tight then I will mess up the adaptor. Any remedy as to make them fit?

Even chain vaping, 1-18650 batt should get you through at least 24hrs, but they are for the 3.7V set-up. PureSmoker.com - Home of the USA Built PV !!! To get the maximum use you'll need the PD switch without the resistor. PureSmoker.com - Home of the USA Built PV !!! The 18650s will work with the original switch with the resistor, just not as long.

If you want to stay with the 5V, get more RCR123As and a multimeter. I'd want at least 4 good sets which should run 5-6hrs of chain vaping per set. I just marked all of mine with a marker to keep my good set together. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, etc. If I mix my good set with my bad set, then I only get a few hours from both sets. You might try mixing your sets to see if one pair works better together.

I think the issue is just typical of these style of batteries. Some are good and some are bad. I don't think it has anything to do with Tenergy. I've heard of as many and more bad batteries with other brands. You could get bad 18650s too. A good 680mah battery should last for less time than a good 750mah.

 

[quovadis]

Guys
i want to say 2 things.

I have ordered multiple chargers directly from China they are on the way.
I will evaluate the best ones and order some more for you guys.

Secondly please be aware that SOME atty's when used with the PT make the kensington power pack shut off.

I wish the prodigy stick itself had a USB port.
I do not like these Tenergy RCR123 batteries at all.

 

[Momof3]

I like the 510 at 3.7V. You just have to push the button a couple extra seconds. Without a multimeter, I charged the batts one at a time in the same slot on the charger. I had noticed putting the first one in of a dead 2hr set sometimes the light would be orange and sometimes red. Pairing the two orange ones got me a longer lasting set. Charging individually, the ones that went from red to green really quickly 1/2-1hr went to the bad set. The ones that took more like 3-4hrs are my good set.

The 18650s are twice as long as the RCR123As and you'll need a different charger than the one that comes with the PD kit. I've heard there are some chargers that do both. You'd have to check with Steve, but the one he sells looks like one that might do both types of batts. PureSmoker.com - Home of the USA Built PV !!! I don't have to, but I start with a fresh batt each AM to avoid heading out somewhere and forgetting I haven't changed my batt for a couple days. Only happened once and once was enough.

The only 510 attys I've found so far that wouldn't fit were some dead white ones that were my grandmother's. 2 out of 3 didn't fit. 2 Janty brand , 1 Joye. The Joye was hard to get on, but since it was dead, I did it anyways. So far I'm still using the same 2 I started with. 1 Janty brand, 1 Joye. I have 5 others that screwed on fine (3 Janty, 2 Joye) and the rest are sealed Titans I haven't tried. The dead ones went to a modder, but if I still had them, I would probably take a minute or two a day screwing the tight one on and off to try and loosen the threading up. I don't know if it would work or not, but worst case scenario, I'd only have to replace the adapter. I've got lots of other equipment including other adapters though. I wouldn't try it without plenty of back-up otherwise.

 

[quovadis]

This one looks promising.
I will let you guys know how it works.
They quoted me $7 a piece for sample price.
If i works well i can order a few for you guys

 

[quovadis]

let's research an equivalent to the tenergy.
I'm sure there must be a better alternative out there.

I noticed the tenergy suddenly gave me overcharge and then next puff none at all.

 

[gjrhine]

Secondly please be aware that SOME atty's when used with the PT make the kensington power pack shut off.

Just trying to figure how an attomizer can make a power pack shut off.

 

[tparganos]

Here is a battery charger for the 18650 and the rcr123a at dealextreme for 8.81.

This one looks promising.
I will let you guys know how it works.
They quoted me $7 a piece for sample price.
If i works well i can order a few for you guys