Safety issue w/ Sony US18650vtc4 ?

[skyrose]

Tested Sony VTC4/30amp on new KTS mechmod with 1.8 coils on Protank after tried AWimr18650/10amp which worked fine but didn't get full flavor. But when I put in the Sony the mod side firing button through a spark and got so hot I dropped it. Removed batt immediately and it was hot also.
I saw one poster who said he was getting scorched PT coils with a VV device with the same Sony batts and I had the same experience when trying one on my VV. Has anyone else had issues with these Sony batts in certain applications? As this is my first tube mechmod as well as first try with these batts its kinda got me freaked though have been vaping 2yrs with no issues with VV mods.
Replies appreciated muchly!

 

[Maurice Pudlo]

Where might you have purchased this battery, I would think it is an isolated thing or you somehow came into a fake or rebranded battery of another type.

I use mechanical mods nearly exclusively or on the odd occasion when all of my batteries are yet to be charged I'll vape the trusty MVP.

I would think that if you have a multi-meter you should test the hardware for shorts, this could be an issue as well.

Maurice

 

[anumber1]

Your description of events points to a fault other than a battery problem.

Sounds more like a hard short either in your atomizer or your mod.

Time to break out the meter and find the problems.

As I'm sure you are aware, there is no protection circuitry in a mechanical mod to shut it down should your atomizer or any other attachment develop a short.

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

 

[ScottChensoda]

If you trawl back through the archives you will find any number of issues with KTS switches.

 

[skyrose]

After posting I did look up the vendor and don't see them listed on ECF. I'll try googling the batteries to see what the authentic ones look like to compare. Beyond that I have seen posts with the KTS firing button issue and suggested possible fixes. I believe the issue could be with that but want to rule out a batt issue. Guess its time to learn how to use my multimeter tool huh. . Still curious about the batts though as ive never had one that was too hot on the lowest 3.0v setting of my Vamo for the PT 1.8 coils I use. So need to rule out counterfeit next I feel before trying to use them again. Was hoping for reply from someone using these Sony batts on similar equipment.
Thanks for your time and help

 

[anumber1]

After posting I did look up the vendor and don't see them listed on ECF. I'll try googling the batteries to see what the authentic ones look like to compare. Beyond that I have seen posts with the KTS firing button issue and suggested possible fixes. I believe the issue could be with that but want to rule out a batt issue. Guess its time to learn how to use my multimeter tool huh. . Still curious about the batts though as ive never had one that was too hot on the lowest 3.0v setting of my Vamo for the PT 1.8 coils I use. So need to rule out counterfeit next I feel before trying to use them again. Was hoping for reply from someone using these Sony batts on similar equipment.
Thanks for your time and help

Your regulated mods will not fire if a short is detected. That is built in protection for your battery.

I have had many instances where the genuine Kanger atomizer coil in a pro tank developed a short. The last time was when there was an extra bit of wire sticking out of the silicone insulator. That short would only manifest when the tank was installed and snugged down and the insulator was compressed.

With a mechanical mod you have no protection built in! It is very easy to take for granted the simple fact that even a basic ego type battery will not fire a short circuit.

The event you describe leading up to your hot battery is descriptive of a hard short somewhere in your setup. The spark from the switch is possible due to the fact that all of the available current from your battery was flowing through that point of the mod. A Sony vtc4 will pulse more than 60 amps! That is a lot of power!

Learn how to use your meter! Then, use your meter.

You got lucky in that the battery just got hot. If the battery temp is ever elevated when in use, you have damaged that battery.

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

 

[skyrose]

Thanks for the info but I'd like to clarify...you're saying because the battery got hot during the short it should be tossed?

 

[anumber1]

Thanks for the info but I'd like to clarify...you're saying because the battery got hot during the short it should be tossed?

Yes. That battery now has an excellent chance of venting unexpectedly.

 

[Baditude]

Thanks for the info but I'd like to clarify...you're saying because the battery got hot during the short it should be tossed?

Batteries should never get hot. This is a sign that they have been stressed and could have internal damage, making them even more vulnerable to vent or go into thermal runaway. It's not worth the risk of using a damaged battery.

 

[skyrose]

Thank you Baditude for clarifying. I needed to hear that from a veteran.

 

[beckdg]

Thanks for the info but I'd like to clarify...you're saying because the battery got hot during the short it should be tossed?

define hot

sony rates the vtc4 batteries good up to 60°C (140°F). most people don't have the heat tolerance to palm something metal at those temperatures.

heck, in my RC hobby, we get folks all the time stating their motors are too hot to even touch. "it burns", "it's too hot to touch", etc. more often than not, they wind up getting an infrared temp gun and finding out their motors are in the 140°F to 150°F range and they're just fine.

grasping something with the whole hand is going to net a substantially lower heat tolerance than simply touching it with a finger.

now, obviously, i can't tell what temp the battery actually got to from across the www. so i can't say it's good to keep using. that would be up to your discretion.

 

[skyrose]

Thanks so much has been a good education on hard shorts with a mech mod.