Those lavatube unprotected battery nonsense..

[THEFILLTER]

So guys, my mini lavatube will arrive in the mail tomorrow.

I got it from apollo with an extra 18350. Great company, fast shipping and fast responses.

Now here's the dilemma:
These batteries that they provide are the unprotected kind. I bought a AW IMR 18350 today but it wont be here til next week. Should I use these batteries that came with the kit or wait. I really can't wait to vape with this tomorrow when I get off from work but I hear all these things about "unprotected batteries blow up" or "if you don't get the AW you are __insert insult here__"

Would there be a problem using these batteries? Im thinking that if handled correctly they wont give a problem.

Any input would be appreciated!

FILLTER

 

[Retriever]

Hey Fillter. I recommend the AW IMR batteries. They use a "safer" chemistry and will not explode, or at least not that I have seen. The protected batteries have a protection circuit in them which is great. But if it fails, those are the ones that can explode. Just my

 

[THEFILLTER]

So then its a double edged sword. I just want to feel as if the batteries I use aren't gonna explode in my face like that guy in florida (which I heard was using stacked unprotected batteries which isn't the same in this case).

FILLTER

 

[inter_ceptor00]

well...technically IMR batteries are unprotected as well but they are unprotected LiMN which is another "safer" chemistry. they dont explode but they can pop and leak and get over discharged and over charged. Do you have a multimeter? test the batteries you get right after charging them and make sure they are at 4.2volts or slightly less..never higher. then use them sparingly and test them every now and again to make sure you dont overdischarge them. use them till they are around 3.7v then charge them up again and you should be fine. Also make sure both batteries are at the same State of charge(voltage level) when using them. that why you should pair them and use them together and charge them together.

 

[ChrispyCritter]

The protection is built into the device and I haven't heard of any of these VV tubes venting yet..also there is a vent hole and where the bottom plastic attaches looks like it's even bigger than it apears on the bottom of the cap..so if it vented most likely the plastic cap would come off venting through the hole/s so I doubt it could explode just vent.

Like posted above check your voltages to be sure..the most important test is making sure the charger isn't charging much over 4.2v..my charger charges at 4.19v..also good advise is to not put your battery in right off the charger wait at least a few mins.

I randomly test my charger and batteries and also feel them to see if they get any warmer than normal off the charger and they shouldn't get very warm really. Also a good idea to inspect your batteries for any defects or irregularities before putting them in the tube or charger.

 

[Bizrad8381]

You can also check the battery voltage with the unit itself by pressing the power button several time it will change from the set voltage to actual battery voltage on the display.

 

[THEFILLTER]

Thanks guys for the advice!

I'm an automotive mechanic and It just dawned on me after reading those posts I could just check for battery voltage. If I seem alittle over dramatic about these batteries It's just we had an automotive battery blow up before in our shop so I just wanna make sure these are good batteries.

Ill bring my snap on meter home and keep a constant check on the voltages.

FILLTER

 

[ChrispyCritter]

My dad had a auto body shop where my uncle used to sell used cars and I had a battery blow up when it was charging there but I didn't see it just the aftermath..what a mess..it's really rare car batteries blow up when hooked up right but it happens.

I am a self taught mechanic I have put in at least 2 dozen V-8 engines and done too many other things to cars to list here. I don't do it much anymore though only when I have to. I used to have a car with a 400 chevy small block..well that small block I put in a couple cars over 15 years before I sold it

I also am a self taught in repairing some electronic things..I repaired game consoles for my friends game shop for about 4 years..after I quit doing that because there wasn't enough PS2's coming in to be worth it I got into repairing computers..sometimes I think I could fix just about anything mechanical if I had the right tool and wanted too lol...

I think it's even more rare one of these batteries vent than car batteries and it should be fine as long as you pay attention to them..I don't think you have to check them every time with a meter but at 1st it's a good idea..also lithium batteries are sensitive to hard falls so if you ever drop one watch it for awhile afterwards.

 

[sailorman]

There is nothing magical about AW batteries. They're IMR, just like the ones that Apollo and all the other vendors send out. They are probably made in the same factory. There are far fewer battery manufacturers than you might think. The only difference is that the specs are more consistent than the "generic" IMR batteries. Oh, and they cost more for that label.

One IMR, assuming it's really an IMR, is as safe as another. It's the chemistry that counts, not whose label is on it. There are plenty of counterfeit AW batteries out there as well. AW's are made by Panasonic and Samsung or wherever Andy Wong can get them from. Truth be told, that's very likely to be exactly where the unlabeled IMR batteries that Apollos ships are made as well.

IMR batteries, regardless of what label they do, or don't have, are a safe chemistry battery. They don't need to be "protected" with a PCB like a ****fire battery does.

So, don't worry about it. Use your battery. Check it the first few times it's charged. It will likely be a tad under 4.2V for the first couple charges. Then, it should be 4.20 to 4.23V. You need to be doing this with AW batteries too, or any other lithium-ion battery.

You don't need to check it every time you charge. Every few times is fine as long as your charger seems to be working right. Recharge as often as possible. I don't let my generic IMR's fall below 3.8V, but that's just me. The LT will flash at you when they hit 3.3V and it's supposed to cut off at 3.0V, well above the "danger zone". I can't personally vouch for that though because I've never let mine drop below 3.5V.

 

[sailorman]

So then its a double edged sword. I just want to feel as if the batteries I use aren't gonna explode in my face like that guy in florida (which I heard was using stacked unprotected batteries which isn't the same in this case).

FILLTER

That's right. He was using unprotected Lithium Ions, not IMRs, which, while a type of lithium ion, is not the same chemistry.
It doesn't matter whether or not you stack batteries, you should never use unprotected lithium ions in a PV anyway.

 

[osirisorion]

peel that little aw sticker off the battery an now you have a no name IMR battery! the ones in the may or may not be as good as an AW , I couldn't tell you that

But from experience DO NOT use protected batteries in the lavatube ! the circuitry is designed for unprotected high drain IMR batteries! see what happens is the protected batteries don't supply enough power and the lavatube will flash and turn off! I tried this myself and it happens right around when the battery is at 3.8-3.7 v remaining in the charge! The lavatube has protection circuitry already!

No sense damaging the tube circuitry using batteries it wasn't designed for!

 

[THEFILLTER]

It turns out that Apollo had shipped IMRs so I feel alittle better haha. Sorry for all the drama guys, just wanted to be safe

FILLTER

 

[iowena99]

When in doubt "FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS"

 

[Johnny2puffs]

I really can't see what the fuss is about. The LT restricts the amps to 2.5. So there you go. It will not go higher so why worry?
This bat issue is overdone. 2000mah will do it and even the 1800.

 

[sailorman]

peel that little aw sticker off the battery an now you have a no name IMR battery! the ones in the may or may not be as good as an AW , I couldn't tell you that

But from experience DO NOT use protected batteries in the lavatube ! the circuitry is designed for unprotected high drain IMR batteries! see what happens is the protected batteries don't supply enough power and the lavatube will flash and turn off! I tried this myself and it happens right around when the battery is at 3.8-3.7 v remaining in the charge! The lavatube has protection circuitry already!

No sense damaging the tube circuitry using batteries it wasn't designed for!

You can't use MOST protected batteries either because they can't handle the current or they're too long to even attach the bottom cap, or both. However, there are some that you can use. The Panasonic 3100mah is one. The only problem is that it's a tad too long and will leave a gap of thread showing on the bottom cap. Some people put an o-ring in the gap, but it's not something I'd personally want to do. A 2250mah IMR is good enough for me. Apollo sent 1600mah IMR's and they've been performing just fine.

 

[Johnny2puffs]

I use 2200mah bats and therefore don't need protected bats. The device has a time limit and an amperage limit anyway. This bat can supply 2.2 amps consistently for 1 hour.
Part of my job was to test 2 way radio bats with a variable high watt resistor and sometimes I did make a mistake of doubling the amps for a few minutes and apart from just getting warm, none exploded.
Anyway, what do you want with more than 2.5 amps? It will only burn your juice. Most I can go is 1,9 amps then it tastes like vaping tar.

 

[ChrispyCritter]

I use 2200mah bats and therefore don't need protected bats. The device has a time limit and an amperage limit anyway. This bat can supply 2.2 amps consistently for 1 hour.
Part of my job was to test 2 way radio bats with a variable high watt resistor and sometimes I did make a mistake of doubling the amps for a few minutes and apart from just getting warm, none exploded.
Anyway, what do you want with more than 2.5 amps? It will only burn your juice. Most I can go is 1,9 amps then it tastes like vaping tar.

From what I've read the Sanyo ur18650w that appears to be the battery that comes in most of the kits has at least a 15a Maximum continuous discharge current..that probably being over safe as I've read it's really safe up to 20a Maximum continuous discharge current. I believe the AW's are 10a Maximum continuous discharge current..either would be well over what an LT would require...