School me on batteries for mech mod

[BrushyHillGuide]

So, I'm stepping up to a mechanical mod (my first) and shopping for 18650 batteries and a charger. I've been looking at the Sony VTC5 and the Nitecore NL183 18650's is there any real difference or are they equally as good and safe? Also wondering what charger would be good. I found some packages (with the Sony VTC5s) on ebay, with some generic looking chargers. Is it worth investing in something like a Xstar VP4 or will they be just as good without all the bells and whistles?

Could use a little schooling on batteries. I tried searching the forum but couldn't seem to find what I was looking for. So, I come straight to the brain trust for answers! LOL!

 

[nclobo]

VTC5s are a good choice, but buy from a reputable vendor and not ebay. Too many fakes floating around out there. RTD Vapor sells quality, authentic stuff although they are out of VTCs at the moment. I've bought genuine VTC5s from 101vape as well. Another choice to the Sony's would be AW IMR. Those are available at RTD.

 

[BrushyHillGuide]

VTC5s are a good choice, but buy from a reputable vendor and not ebay. Too many fakes floating around out there. RTD Vapor sells quality, authentic stuff although they are out of VTCs at the moment. I've bought genuine VTC5s from 101vape as well. Another choice to the Sony's would be AW IMR. Those are available at RTD.

OK, I can do that. I noticed that you didn't comment on the Nitecore batteries. Is that because they're not good?

Also, what about the charger issue - are they all about the same or is it worth getting one of the fancy ones with a display and all sorts of controls? I use flashlights a lot as part of my work so I charge a LOT of batteries. As a result, I could actually write off the cost on my taxes; but I don't want to waste money. What are your thoughts on chargers?

 

[eratikmind]

Always use care to insure that the battery's max continuous discharge rate is capable of providing for your atty's requirements. The lower the coil assembly's resistance, the more important it is to keep the said in mind.

 

[nclobo]

Actually, I don't know anything about Nitecore batts, so I'll leave those for someone else to comment on.

As for chargers, I use a Pila, which has been fine for the past couple of years. The Xtar VP series is probably just as good and has the added benefit of a charging display. On the lower end of the price scale, Nitecore chargers are popular here and get good reviews.

Stay away from batteries or chargers with "fire" (multiple brands -- trustfire, ultrafire etc) in the name. Also, any batts/chargers you get in a kit with a mod will usually be cheaper quality.

 

[Susan~S]

For all things battery related (as well as mech mod safety) Baditude is our man. Check out all of his blog posts. Here are a few of them:

1. Battery Basics for Mods
- choose the safest and right battery for your applications here. Includes a list of name brand, high-drain, safe-chemistry batteries with mAh & amp ratings in 18350, 18490/18500, and 18650 sizes. Including recommended chargers.

2. Continuous Discharge Ratings vs Pulse (Burst) Discharge Ratings

3. Ohm's Law for Dummies

 

[AzPlumber]

Careful with buying VTC5's right now, the vast majority will be fake. I have a Nitecore D4 that I'm very happy with.

 

[unsure]

High Quality, Brand Name Batteries. Batteries are not created equal. I recommend buying only the batteries from the list below, paying attention to model numbers:
AW IMR
18650 2000mah 10Amp
18650 1600mah 24A
18490 1100mah 16.5A
18350 700mah 6A

LG18650HE2 2500mah 20A

MNKE IMR
18650 1500mah 20A
26650 3500mah 20A

Panasonic or Orbtronic hybrid
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 2100mAh 30A
Panasonic 26650 CGR2650A 2650mAh 50A

Samsung hybrid (LiNiCoMnP)
INR18650-22P 2200mAh 10A
INR18650-20R 2000mah 22A
INR18650-25R 2500mAh 20A

Sony hybrid
18650VTC3 1600mAh 30A
18650VTC4 2100mAh 30A
18650VTC5 2600mAh 30A
26650 2600mAh 26A

Efest IMR
18650 2250mAh 10A
18650 2000mAh 10A
18650 1600mAh 30A
18490 1100mah 8.8A
18350 800mah 6.4A
purple 18650 2500mAh 35A* (rebranded LG18650HE2 2500mAh 20 amp*)
purple 18650 2100mAh 30A (rebranded Sony 18650VTC4)
purple 18500 1000mAh 15A
purple 18350 700mAh 10.5A

 

[Susan~S]

How to Spot Fake Sony Batteries



Only buy batteries from a reputable supplier (not ebay or Amazon) as there are many counterfeit batteries being sold (as many above me have said). Here are several reputable battery suppliers in the US.

* RTD Vapor
* Illumination Supply
* Lighthound
* Orbtronics

 

[JRIP]

I use the Xtar VP2 charger and LG 20 amp batteries. Very pleased, great combination if you don't sub ohm too far.

 

[Dristwaz]

I would recommend googling 'Battery University' and read several articles on the website there to educate yourself. At a minimum, read about 'C' ratings, lithium-based batteries and discharge methods. Other good reads are about aging, internal resistance and construction.

 

[K31Scout]

I chose an i4 Nitecore charger and it works great. Like the Xtar or Pila it shows what each of the 4 slots are up to as far as time on charger, current voltage etc. It shuts off when fully charged and won't over charge.

 

[BrushyHillGuide]

OK y'all. I'll give up on ebay. Total faith in your advice!

Followup question, related to the list that Unsure posted: What does the amperage rating have (if anything) to do with the battery's use for vaping?

I know that the mAh relates (loosely) to how long the battery will last but how does the amperage relate? I figured that "bigger" is better mainly because I want the battery to last as long as possible, just because I'm lazy. LOL! When I compare the Panasonic NCR18650PD with the Sony VTC5 (which doesn't seem to be available any more) it has more mAh but only 1/3 the Amperage. So, lets say you used those batteries in the EXACT same setup, what would be the practical difference/benefits of one versus the other? I'm electrically challenged, when it comes to theory, lol! Can anyone explain it to to me in a "for Dummies" way? I'm trying to learn as much as possible - I don't want to simply do something because someone else does it that way. I want to understand what I'm doing, why it works (or doesn't) and be able to predict what the outcome will be when I want to experiment with a different setup.

Thanks again for all your help and patience!

Edit: So, for a 'first mech mod' (Hcigar Nemesis clone) which battery would you recommend? Something that's not impossible to find, please? lol! FWIW - I'm getting a Russian and a IGO-W8 to try out.

 

[Topwater Elvis]

The continuous discharge amp rate of the battery defines what ohm range coils you can safely use.
IF you were to use a 30a cdr battery on a 1 ohm coil and a 20a cdr on a 1 ohm coil you'd see no difference at all in the way it vapes.
A 30a cdr battery allows you to go lower in sub ohm ranges than a 20a cdr battery.

 

[rodeo302]

Solid mod thats whatvi started with in mechs I would recommend aw batteries ans build to one ohm to start with if you have no experience in building coils.

 

[ROM CGY]

Also, what about the charger issue - are they all about the same or is it worth getting one of the fancy ones with a display and all sorts of controls? I use flashlights a lot as part of my work so I charge a LOT of batteries.

I'm sing a Nitecore Intellicharger and am happy with it. Has 4 bays and will accept a large range of batteries. Use various flashlights as well so I wanted one decent charger that would charge my 18650's as well as RCR123 and the god old AA and AAA.

 

[Susan~S]

All your questions can be answered if you READ all the links I posted in post #6. The list of batteries that unsure posted are a direct "cut & paste" from link #1 of said post.

 

[ronnbert]

I didn't take susans comment that way. I think she just wants to emphasize the fact that her links are quite relevant. I have seen her in other threads and she just wants to help keep everyone safe with all fingers and cheeks entact. I also prefer links at times, because sometimes it takes a while for a GOOD answer to surface to a question. Cheers!

 

[Baditude]

Battery Basics for Mods contains a list of recommended high-drain IMR or IMR/hybrid batteries for use in a mechanical mod.

Deeper Understanding of Mod Batteries describes what an IMR, IMR/hybrid, and ICR battery are. Explains what the letters & numbers mean on batteries.

Why is the amp rating important when choosing batteries for a mechanical mod and RBA? Explain It To The Dumb Noob: Ohm's Law calculations

Information Resources for Your First RBA An essential read and referrance guide for someone new to rebuilding coils. Includes a multitude of useful links on battery safety, mod safety, coil meters, coil building, and the differences in the three types of RBA's.

Purple Efest Batteries Not As Advertised

Concerning battery chargers: Any charger from Pila, Xtar, Nitecore, or the Efest LUC will be appropriate for your application. The more money you invest in a charger, the more features you'll get. Considering that batteries are the MOST IMPORTANT investment you will make in your vape setup, it makes sense to use a high quality charger.

The previous recommendation of reputable vendors to purchase batteries and chargers are highly recommended to avoid getting counterfeit batteries, which is a growing problem.

 

[BrushyHillGuide]

LMAO! Thanks for looking out; but she's right. I'm being lazy. I'm a power user on some forums on another topic (my profession) and I get frustrated with the same thing, sometimes. So, I understand. the point.

Susan S - I apologize. I had a rain out today (pretty rare around here) from a 120 day straight run at work and I'm trying to get too much done, on this rare free day. So, I got lazy. My bad.