Super-T Precise with flat-top batteries?

[D133]

I have a Super-T Manufacturing Precise e-cig that will not work with the flat-top 18350 batteries that are commonly available nowadays. The pin is too short to touch the battery as it is always recessed (having tried a variety of atomisers).

Old button-top batteries (e.g. AW) did work, but I would prefer to mod the e-cig if possible so I can use my newer flat-tops. Currently I'm using an older Precise 18350 model with a fixed pin which does work with flat-tops but the endcaps have different tube threads and are not interchangeable.

I wondered if any other Precise owners had encountered this issue and found a solution? I would rather not stack tiny magnets as they could slip and cause a short (I'm guessing).

Is there a longer pin, perhaps from another mod that would fit into the Precise endcap?

Pictured below are my Precises, older fixed pin version on the left, newer adjustable/removeable pin version on the right which is the one that requires modding:

Many thanks for any ideas.

 

[Baditude]

I would not advise the use of magnets on flat top batteries to make them into button tops. As you seem to be aware, this is not safe battery practice. Accidentally dropping your mod could easily dislodge the magnet and cause a hard short.

Unfortunately, when AW left the market, there are no high quality button top batteries on the market. The better manufacturers (Lg, Samsung, Sony) don't batteries in 18350 size.

As much as I hate Efest, IMHO they may have the best button top on the market currently. Just please be aware that this company and others like it often over-rate the specifications of their batteries, in particular the amp rating.

Imren, Nitecore, Basin, and Avid Vapor also sell 18350 button top batteries, but I couldn't recommend that one is any better or worse than another. I would imagine that the cell to cell consistancy of all 18350 batteries is pretty poor. That was the one good thing about AW batteries as they all went through a stringent quality control process before they went on the market.

 

[D133]

Thank you for the reply, I'll look out for button-top batteries, I'd assumed they were no longer made but I was wrong. Yes, I trusted the AW batteries and had quite a few, never a problem.
I did remove the pin from the Precise, and it is a slotted grub-screw (albeit one with a palladium coated end). It is 8mm long, 5mm OD. I have a thread gauge somewhere, so may also look into finding a suitable longer grub-screw to use as a pin.

Edit>> Pitch is 0.8, and OD is 5mm, so I'll order an M5 flat-point stainless 10mm grub-screw and see if it works. The mod was made in the USA so it may be an imperial thread size (10-32?), but I'm hoping it will be close enough. Will get both if I can find them. The original pin appears to have a 'half dog' point rather than plain flat - interesting to read about the different types!

 

[440BB]

If I recall correctly, adjustments to fit different battery lengths and button throw could be changed by placing a washer or two under the bottom pin, if that's a Precise Simplicity on the right.

 

[D133]

The older one on the left is a PrecisePlus 18350, the newer one (bought used) I think is a Precise Simplicity 18350.
Both versions have rubber o-rings inside the tube at the button end which can be removed/added to aid battery fit.

With the Simplicity I have the pin is simply too short to contact an atomiser and a flat-top battery. The Delrin insulator on the endcap also stops the battery from getting close enough to the pin.

 

[D133]

I received a selection of grub screws and now have the mod working as intended with flat-top batteries.
A few final notes for anyone else that may attempt this solution:

DO NOT remove the rubber o-ring from the button end in an attempt to get a better battery/endcap fit. The o-ring helps to maintain a gap to ensure the mod is not accidentally put into an 'always on' state by overtightening the threads.

For the Precise Simplicity 18350 a pin (grub screw) length of 9mm would seem to be the ideal, 8mm is too short and 10mm slightly too long. I use 10mm flat-point as it was the closest I could find. I could always grind it down a little.

The original pin is flat at both ends, which I assume makes for better electrical contact. I have not looked for similar slotted flat-end grubscrews, my replacements are hex key but work fine.

All the M5 (metric) and 10-32" (imperial) screws I tried are slightly loose in the insulator threads. It does not matter once the mod is tightened up, but it means the original pin must be a different size, possibly bespoke. 10-32" requires a 3/32" hex key which I luckily had.

Yes, I could probably force fit any sort of "pin" that cuts its own new thread into the nylon, but I wanted to try and do it without any damage so the original can still be used securely.
Thank you for the replies, getting button-top batteries may still be the easiest solution

 

[jwbnyc]

Vapcell INR 18350 1100mAh 10A Button Top

Not as consistent as AW’s, but I have had good results with these.

I would not use these at the rated amp rating though.

They are fine lightly loaded.

 

[D133]

Hi jwbnyc, thanks, I have several of those and use them with the older PrecisePlus 18350, as shown in my first picture. I describe them as 'flat-tops', as opposed to button-tops which have a much smaller positive pole. I think the website has mis-labelled them as button-tops. I also use Shokli 1150mAh flat-tops (the black ones). I only use IMR/INR batteries.

 

[jwbnyc]

They show the flat top picture but they also sell a button top version.

Check the description in the link.

It’s a link to the button top version.

I have bought these and I assure they are button tops.

 

[D133]

Thanks, I will try to track some down here. The review on the website isn't good, but I've had my Vapcells a few months and no issues. Also they are listed on Mooch's recommended list.

 

[jwbnyc]

My experience is that they are okay, not great, but okay.

Some are actually excellent, but that’s luck of the draw.

Out of the 16 that I have used, Three were never great, but still useable, ended up recycled a bit early. Cost of doing business.

Overall, I’ve been glad to have them.