VTC4's failing

[Vaslovik]

Well I got my first Sony VTC4 batteries in August of last year, from Illumination Supply, and more of them a month later and having 12 of them I rotated them through my Poldiacs since then. Lately it seemed to me they were running out of charge pretty fast, so I charged up one that seemed to run out very fast, got it to 4.2 volts, put it in my Poldiac, filled the genny, and proceeded to vape.

Previously one of these batteries would get me through an entire tank of juice, 3.5 ml, and I'd swap it out around 3.8 volts, but this time it would not even last for a dozen hits before it was drained down to 3.7 volts. Obviously this battery has exhausted it's useful life, and some of my other VTC4's are now showing the same behavior.

I have been using 12 of them in rotation and in less than a year they are dying on me. I had expected better. Having never gotten batteries to this point before, even using other brands well over a year I have to ask, is this normal for Sony batteries?

 

[IMFire3605]

Being batteries are rated in charge cycles, not months or years of lifespan, almost any battery lasting 12months of use is a good lifespan. My first batches of Sony batteries I got about 150 charge cycles out of them, but that was due to being down super sub-ohm vaping on a rotation of 8 batteries, about 3 months. Second batch of 8 I ran a little more gently once I got out of my super sub-ohm spree on mechs, these lasted me about 250 charge cycles, lasted about 14months. On my 3rd set of Sony batteries at the moment, used in my box mods only though, currently at 6months since purchase.

 

[Vaslovik]

Well I vape at .7 ohm, not super-low ohm at all, and would go through 4-5 batteries a day. I have 12 of them. It would seem they have reached their charge cycle limit and are dying on me, so I have ordered another batch of batteries, this time VTC5's.

 

[Eskie]

how many tanks do you go through a day?

 

[daviedog]

I have 3 sony vtc4s,,2 charges/ for 2yrs. Somewhat over 200 cycles,,recharge at 3.7 volts.
I've noticed they only top out at 4.1 now.
Not even sure if they're real.
Use an opus charger & Refresh every month..

 

[Vaslovik]

how many tanks do you go through a day?

I'm not really sure as I refill the tank when it's about half empty. This happens at work during 18-22 hour shifts while I'm busy with other things so I've not kept track of it, but I do know I go through 10-12 ml of juice a day depending on how long the shift is.

I always carried 8 VTC4's with me, and never used more than 5 of them in a shift.

 

[Eskie]

So you're recharging those batteries about every other day (with rotation) given how much you vape. At 200 charges each, you'll probably start to see lower performance in holding a charge within a year (at best) and DOA after ~18 months and >300 charges (although that figure is being optimistic).

 

[Vaslovik]

So you're recharging those batteries about every other day (with rotation) given how much you vape. At 200 charges each, you'll probably start to see lower performance in holding a charge within a year (at best) and DOA after ~18 months and >300 charges (although that figure is being optimistic).

Well I put the batteries I've used into the charger when I get home, it's an Xtar VP4, and usually I've only used 4 batteries per shift, with another 8 behind those fully charged, 4 of those back at home. I have to say I don't really know how many charges each battery has been through. When you work the hours I do such things are hard to keep track of but it would appear that my VTC4's have expended their useful life. So I will start over with 24 VTC5's and see how that goes.

 

[Txaggiesaunt]

It's time to replace them

 

[Vaslovik]

It's time to replace them

Yup, you are right. New batteries on order.

 

[IMFire3605]

Well I put the batteries I've used into the charger when I get home, it's an Xtar VP4, and usually I've only used 4 batteries per shift, with another 8 behind those fully charged, 4 of those back at home. I have to say I don't really know how many charges each battery has been through. When you work the hours I do such things are hard to keep track of but it would appear that my VTC4's have expended their useful life. So I will start over with 24 VTC5's and see how that goes.

Well at only 0.7lowest ohm you are only asking 6amps at fresh charge, the VTC4 is a good all around flexible battery, VTC5 would suit you well, another option if you are on such long shifts I'd suggest the LG HG2 or Samsung 30Q, 20amp CDR like the VTC5 but 3000mah over 2100 (VTC4) and 2600 (VTC5) as alternates and probably a bit cheaper on the wallet price wise, as well as less likeliness of fakes.

 

[sonicbomb]

+1 for the LG and Samsung suggestion

 

[Vaslovik]

Well at only 0.7lowest ohm you are only asking 6amps at fresh charge, the VTC4 is a good all around flexible battery, VTC5 would suit you well, another option if you are on such long shifts I'd suggest the LG HG2 or Samsung 30Q, 20amp CDR like the VTC5 but 3000mah over 2100 (VTC4) and 2600 (VTC5) as alternates and probably a bit cheaper on the wallet price wise, as well as less likeliness of fakes.

Thank you for that, I've already ordered the VTC5's so that's a done deal, and from Illumination Supply I think I've eliminated the fake factor. The VCT5's will get me more mAh, and I should be good for another year on these being that I've ordered 24 of them. The VTC4's were indeed fine batteries as long as they have lasted, but it's time to move on.