Vamo with protected batteries shuts off when fired above 6W

[longhorn1991]

Hey guys,

I recently purchased a Vamo v5, and got some Panasonic NCR18650B with a "protection PCB", according to the ebay page.
When I put them in the Vamo, it appears that PV shuts off when fired at anything above 6W. Below 6W it works as expected.
Does anyone know if this has something to do with the protection on these batteries or the Vamo unit itself?

Any help is greatly appreciated. I would hate to return a functioning Vamo to the ebay seller, as I had purchased this unit as a cheaper piece that I could take with me to outside and not have to worry about damaging it.

 

[natewesselink]

one thing i would check is does it do that with all batteries or just one. one of the biggest issues you can run into on ebay is ending up with a clone of the device and i can personally attest to the quality control on clone vamos. one way to check if you have a clone is the weight. is your vamo really light or does it have some heft to it without the battery in it?

 

[KenD]

The op said he uses a Panasonic battery. I'm guessing it's the dual protection circuits clashing. Protected batteries shouldn't really be used in vv/vw mods with built in protection (also, they are rarely high drain safer chemistry batteries). What you want is high drain, safer chemistry (IMR or hybrid chemistry) unprotected batteries.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

 

[WarHawk-AVG]

Yup, Vamo has overcurrent protection built in...you have to use high drain IMR's unprotected or it will trip and shut down

Ask me how I know
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...105-yet-another-vamo-v3-thread-one-review.htm

 

[longhorn1991]

Hey natewesselink, I included the ebay page with the purchased battery in my original post, if you want to take a look at them.
I already made a purchase of some more Panasonic NCR18650B unprotected batteries. Hopefully those will get the Vamo up and running.

 

[natewesselink]

ya that will probably do the trick. i personally use efest batteries and have never had any issues with them. i did have a panasonic when i first started but it got downgraded to a flashlight when i got the efest's but i never had any issues with the panasonic in my vamo.

 

[Bunnykiller]

No reason for protected batteries in a Vamo... sounds like the battery protector is kicking off thus turning off the Vamo....

 

[bsoplinger]

Very short explanation...

To fire the Vamo at those settings, it must draw a high level of current from the battery. The battery's built in protection circuit detects this and shuts off all output from the battery.

Short answer...

Use IMR style batteries, which are specifically designed for high current drain situations and not ICR (protected) batteries which aren't.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Xparent Purple Tapatalk 2

 

[longhorn1991]

Well I know this is kind of dangerous, but I took off the protection PCB from one of the batteries, and the vamo fired up just fine. I should probably shelve these batteries though since I have no idea what the effect of removing the protection has on its long term safety...
You guys are right, it appears that the protection is tripping on higher powers! Nothing but great advice once again from the Veterans!
Thanks guys

 

[Ianovic]

Sometimes the protections fight with themselfes, the vamo likes unprotected batt's. Don't dump those batteries.

I wouldn't use the tourn battery myself, better buy new ones if you can. I don't know batteries but i won't trust them tripped.

Just my oppinion....

edit: sorry for mis spelling, had a long day, won't correct, you'll understand.

 

[longhorn1991]

one thing i would check is does it do that with all batteries or just one. one of the biggest issues you can run into on ebay is ending up with a clone of the device and i can personally attest to the quality control on clone vamos. one way to check if you have a clone is the weight. is your vamo really light or does it have some heft to it without the battery in it?

Well it relatively light without the batteries, but my previous unit was an itaste mvp so I am used to having a solid, heavy mod. However, I have noticed that when I change out the batteries, I have to adjust the power all over again as it forgets my setting. I noticed that pbusardo mentioned that his vamo maintained the settings regardless. Nate, you may be onto something. Appreciate the protip, and I will do some investigating as to whether this is a fake. The seller may have sold me a knockoff from fasttech.

 

[InTheShade]

Well it relatively light without the batteries, but my previous unit was an itaste mvp so I am used to having a solid, heavy mod. However, I have noticed that when I change out the batteries, I have to adjust the power all over again as it forgets my setting. I noticed that pbusardo mentioned that his vamo maintained the settings regardless. Nate, you may be onto something. Appreciate the protip, and I will do some investigating as to whether this is a fake. The seller may have sold me a knockoff from fasttech.

Thing is there really is no such thing as a clone Vamo as there are numerous factories in China producing the same mod. Of course there are differences in manufacturing specs and quality, but that I know (apart from Smok Sigelei Smoktek) there are no 'brand-name' Vamos. I'm not sure Smok Sigelei Smoktek were even the first manufacturer or if they themselves copied a design.

I'd go so far as to say that a Vamo has almost become a generic name for an APV that looks a particular way and has a similar set of features.

EDIT - Sigelei, not Smok
EDIT2 - I was right the first time, it's Smoktek that sell a version of the Vamo.

 

[The Ministry]

Well I know this is kind of dangerous, but I took off the protection PCB from one of the batteries, and the vamo fired up just fine.

Extreme...but I guess you've sussed it out! Ha-ha.

I've had my "issues" with 18650 batteries - check this thread out for more info on batteries to go for, might help you out long term

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...68-bartteres-heads-battered-sheer-choice.html

Massive thanks to Baditude as always

 

[patkin]

I wish vendors who sell Vamos or similar would STOP saying ALWAYS AND ONLY use protected batteries!!!! The same thing happened to me a year ago with my Vamo. Now I have six protected batteries in the drawer that I'll never use and had to lay out more money for IMRs to get it to work. I think the 18350s did work though. It was just the 18650s that shut down. In my view, this is a vendor problem. They need to quite being so lazy putting that statement on everything on the site and replace it with a "ONLY use IMRs" on Vamos. I guess it benefits them though when a Vamo buyer comes back to buy more batteries that work!

Edit: A noob, is a noob, is a noob. As one, how was I to know protected batteries weren't the way to go especially when the vendor says so? Sorry for the rant but it still burns me. I could have spent my hard-earned money on something else instead of wasting it.

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

Hey natewesselink, I included the ebay page with the purchased battery in my original post, if you want to take a look at them.
I already made a purchase of some more Panasonic NCR18650B unprotected batteries. Hopefully those will get the Vamo up and running.

Should be asking before hitting the buy button. More mah does not necessarily mean you've got the best batt as there are other batt specs you should also be looking at.

 

[joecil]

I order a spare 18650 to back up the only IMR battery that came with mine as well as a pair of 18350. Now I ordered all IMR High Drain but got the 18650 in a protected battery having the same problem. I called the supplier and he said the protected was supposed to work which I said regardless not only don't they but I pointed out he sent a battery I didn't order. I got correct battery shipped from him that day and he told me to keep the protected. Now I do have something it will work in, a flash light I own so it wasn't a total waste.

 

[longhorn1991]

I actually had second thoughts about purchasing them. I decided to go with the panasonic 2900 high drains that can safely put out 10 amps as opposed to the 2.9 of the NCR18650Bs. Thanks for the heads up Vapoor

 

[edyle]

Thing is there really is no such thing as a clone Vamo as there are numerous factories in China producing the same mod. Of course there are differences in manufacturing specs and quality, but that I know (apart from Smok Sigelei) there are no 'brand-name' Vamos. I'm not sure Smok Sigelei were even the first manufacturer or if they themselves copied a design.

I'd go so far as to say that a Vamo has almost become a generic name for an APV that looks a particular way and has a similar set of features.

EDIT - Sigelei, not Smok

Were you confusing the vamo with the zmax?

I know theres a Sigelei zmax and a Smok zmax.



I used to think the vamo started from Volcano ecigs! But I was probably confusing it with the lavatube.

 

[edyle]

I wish vendors who sell Vamos or similar would STOP saying ALWAYS AND ONLY use protected batteries!!!! The same thing happened to me a year ago with my Vamo. Now I have six protected batteries in the drawer that I'll never use and had to lay out more money for IMRs to get it to work. I think the 18350s did work though. It was just the 18650s that shut down. In my view, this is a vendor problem. They need to quite being so lazy putting that statement on everything on the site and replace it with a "ONLY use IMRs" on Vamos. I guess it benefits them though when a Vamo buyer comes back to buy more batteries that work!

Edit: A noob, is a noob, is a noob. As one, how was I to know protected batteries weren't the way to go especially when the vendor says so? Sorry for the rant but it still burns me. I could have spent my hard-earned money on something else instead of wasting it.

By checking here first.


http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...-9-battery-basics-mods-imr-protected-icr.html

Baditude
(9) Battery Basics for Mods: IMR or Protected ICR?
Rating: 12 votes, 5.00 average.
21 Comments Go to first new comment
by
Baditude
, 08-27-2013 at 10:20 AM (14190 Views)

As mod users, we depend heavily upon batteries. To assist novices to choose which battery to use in their mod I have written this guide. Our choices are IMR, protected ICR Li-Ion, and a new class of Hybrid batteries.

High quality IMRs are currently recommended in place of Protected Li Ion for all applications. (reference - Rechargeable Batteries)

IMR (Li Mn) batteries are the safest batteries available to us for vaping. They use safer chemistry, so they don't require protective circuits like ICRs do. They have higher tolerence to stress, and although they may vent during failure it is less likely to be as dramatic as a ICR. Should protective circuits fail in ICRs they can vent violently in flames.


High Quality, Brand Name Batteries. Batteries are not created equal. Mod battery experts recommend the following brand name IMR and hybrid batteries:


AW IMR
18650 2000mah 10Amp CDR
18650 1600mah 24A
18490 (1100mah) 16.5A
18350 ​(700mah) 6A

MNKE IMR
18650 1500mah ​20A

Panasonic ​or Orbtronic hybrid
CGR18650CH (IMR/hybrid) 2250mAh 10A
NCR18650PF (LiNiCOMnO2) INR/ICR/IMR Hybrid 2900mAh 10A
NCR18650PD (LiNiCoAl) 2900mAh 10A
Orbtronic 18650 SX22 (hybrid) 2000mAh 22A
Orbtronic 18650 SX30 (hybrid) 2100mAh ​30A

Sanyo
UR18650EX 2000mAh 20A

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

Sony hybrid
us18650v3 IMR 2250mAh 10A
us18650vct3 1600mAh 30A
us18650vtc4 2100 mAh 30A

EH IMR
18650 2000 mAh 16A
18650 1500 mAh 22A
18500 1100 mAh 8.8A
18350 800 mAh 6.4A

Efest IMR
18650 (IMR/hybrid) 2250mAh 10A
18650 2000mAh 10A
18650 1600mAh 30A
18490 1100mah 8.8A
18350 800mah 6.4A

If you do sub-ohm coils, you must use a battery which has over 10 amps CDR.

Lower Quality Brand-Name Batteries. Trustfire, Ultrafire, and Surefire are a second-tier name brand battery in terms of quality and safety. Not recommended.




​Generic Batteries. ​Not recommended. Seen at Amazon & EBay at cheap prices or thrown in for free in a kit when you purchase a mod made in China. These are unknown batteries of unknown quality by an unknown manufacturer, and not worth the risk using in your mod. Never assume because they were included with your mod that they are safe or the correct battery to use.



Be wary when shopping for batteries online. Unprotected ICR batteries should NEVER be used in a mod. I recommend buying only the batteries from the list above, paying attention to model numbers.




If uncertain about the quality or type of a battery, don't buy or use it. Do not use over-the-counter batteries like those from Radio Shack, etc. Buy only from trusted e-cig vendors. Many use RTD Vapor AW Batteries. Use the type of battery that your mod calls for. For example, Provape recommends using only AW IMR button top batteries in the Provari; using magnets on flat top batteries will void the warranty because this is an unsafe battery practice.



Battery Chargers. Get the best charger that you can reasonably afford. Statistically most battery incidents occur during the charging phase on a charger. Pila, Xtar, and Nitecore Intellicharger ​are the highest recommended brands.



Always use safe battery practices and common sense with all batteries. Even the safest battery available to us can fail. IMR battery failure From what I've read, most battery failures are the result of rapid discharge, either from the fire button inadvertantly being pushed for too long, or the battery being shorted from metal objects (keys, change, etc) completing the circuit when carrying a battery in a pocket or purse. Use Battery Cases. Do not stack batteries.



If you are using sub-ohm coils in an RBA/RDA, it is extremely important to use the highest quality IMR battery. Coils < 0.8 ohm require an IMR battery that has a maximum continuous discharge rate over 10 amps​. This is extremely critical. OHM'S LAW CALCULATOR



PROTECTED or IMR BATTERY: ​Which is best for your application?

IMR Li Mn. Lithium manganese class batteries. Also called "high drain", "safe chemistry", "unprotected".


These are used in regulated mods that use buck boost circuitry to achieve variable voltage-wattage, but they are now also recommended for single voltage mechanical mods as a safer alternative to protected Li Ion batteries. Technical - Why High Drain Batteries?


​

This class will have less capacity in mAh rating compared to protected batteries, but are superior when maximum load current is required, such as in regulated mods, mechanical mods using a Kick, or using an RBA.


​Hybrid batteries.

New mixed chemistry batteries that are both safer chemistry/high drain and extended capacity in one.



​A good choice for applications that demand both maximum load current and longer battery time. Can be used for either mechanical or regulated mods.


Protected ICR Li Ion. Lithium ion class batteries, also called "protected batteries".


These batteries use a built-in protective circuit because they contain volatile chemistry that can become unstable quickly when they are severely stressed. Circuit failure can lead to battery failure, venting violently with flame in an event called thermal runaway. These batteries have a higher capacity (mAh rating) than IMR batteries and have been used in single voltage applications in a mechanical mod when long battery time was the primary objective. Not recommended for regulated mods, RBAs, or use in a mechanical using a Kick.



Vape Safe Mod Fuse

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

I actually had second thoughts about purchasing them. I decided to go with the panasonic 2900 high drains that can safely put out 10 amps as opposed to the 2.9 of the NCR18650Bs. Thanks for the heads up Vapoor

The NCR18650B have a 6.8 amp limit meaning they will work fine BUT the low amp limit means they're working too hard and will not last as long as other batts and you can't realize the full potential of an APV. The Panasonic 2900 high drain 10 amp are perfect. I use the 2250 mah and it lasts all day. A good idea to recharge when it hits 3.6 volts- will last much longer.