One of my mods uses stacked 16340s, regulated to 5V. At first I was using no-name, unprotected ICRs with decent results, but replacements were inconsistent at best. I ordered a few name brand replacements, one being AW IMRs and the other using a protection circuit. The protected batteries wouldn't allow the end cap to screw on so I've been using AW IMRs ever since, with excellent results. Whether I really need to be using IMRs or not, I don't know.
I tend to check my batteries both before use and after use, and occasionally during use I'll pull them out, check them and put them back in. I charge and use batteries as a pair. I rarely hit the cutoff on the mod any more (6.4V combined, from what I can tell). I've had one AW go "bad" on me, where after use one battery read ~2.7V and one read ~3.7V if I remember correctly. I haven't used that pair since. Usually, pairs are within 0.01-0.02V of each other, occasionally as much as nearly 0.1V and I'll keep using them, keeping an eye on them for any changes in performance.
Here is my issue: A friend of mine with the same mod is having the same issue with the generic, unprotected ICRs and asked me what batteries I use. Every time I see him, he's run his batteries down to the cutoff on the mod and keeps trying to use it, hoping it will fire one or two more times. I know he doesn't keep an eye on his batteries the way I do. I want to help him out, but I'm concerned about recommending a high drain battery to someone who doesn't keep an eye on the state of their batteries. I know that IMRs are safer than unprotected ICRs, I just wish there was another option to recommend without telling him to get a new mod.
In my profession, any time there is doubt about the safety involved, we stamp a warning on it and make sure the customer is aware, so that's where my head is at. Am I being a responsible friend, or am I just being paranoid?
I tend to check my batteries both before use and after use, and occasionally during use I'll pull them out, check them and put them back in. I charge and use batteries as a pair. I rarely hit the cutoff on the mod any more (6.4V combined, from what I can tell). I've had one AW go "bad" on me, where after use one battery read ~2.7V and one read ~3.7V if I remember correctly. I haven't used that pair since. Usually, pairs are within 0.01-0.02V of each other, occasionally as much as nearly 0.1V and I'll keep using them, keeping an eye on them for any changes in performance.
Here is my issue: A friend of mine with the same mod is having the same issue with the generic, unprotected ICRs and asked me what batteries I use. Every time I see him, he's run his batteries down to the cutoff on the mod and keeps trying to use it, hoping it will fire one or two more times. I know he doesn't keep an eye on his batteries the way I do. I want to help him out, but I'm concerned about recommending a high drain battery to someone who doesn't keep an eye on the state of their batteries. I know that IMRs are safer than unprotected ICRs, I just wish there was another option to recommend without telling him to get a new mod.
In my profession, any time there is doubt about the safety involved, we stamp a warning on it and make sure the customer is aware, so that's where my head is at. Am I being a responsible friend, or am I just being paranoid?
