What batteries to buy???

[raavysaavy]

Hello,

Right now I'm getting a Sentinel clone setup. I might be using a VW kick in it, so I would need at least 1 18350 battery. ANd I would like to get a 18650 also.

I am planning on picking up a few more mods down the way, so I would like to have the batteries usable by future mods.

I see that IMR batteries seem to be what I want to get, and 30 amp seem to be standard fare for vaping community.

I don't necessarily want a bargain basement deal. I am looking for GOOD SAFE batteries from some reputable dealers preferably.

Also, what is a good charger too? Do flat tops, or nipples make a difference as well?

Thanks for the time
Raavysaavy

 

[happydave]

what sort of resistance do you plan on running?


some mods need button or flat top batteries to operate, and some can use both. check the item description for the mod your getting.
other than that, button VS flat top is irrelevant.

 

[drainman]

Sony or mnke. I think they're the top dogs. And a nitecore charger...it even takes my 26650's

 

[OBDave]

My only experience is with Sony and Panasonic batteries - love the 2900mah I get out of my Pannys for my regulated Vamo, but I'm getting almost as much out of the Sony VTC5s I have for mechs. I've heard good and bad about Efest, nothing but good about AW (these are the two brands I'm open to but haven't tried yet), and that you should run like the dickens from any battery that has the word "fire" in its name.

VTC5s seem a little hard to come by through legit channels these days (if they pop up at an online vape shop they usually sell out within a week), but the VTC4 is just as good with 500mah less longevity - I have a couple of those too and no complaints.

Chargers are an important part of the equation too - I have a pair of Nitecore i2's, which I believe are pretty good, though the true fanboys insist Xtar is the way to go - my impression is that the Nitecore is acceptable, the Xtar is desirable, and anything less is a reason to make sure your fire extinguisher has been charged recently...

EDIT: MNKE also seems to be popular in the mech world...again, no personal experience to share with those. Count my vote as going toward something in the Sony VTC flattop series...

 

[socallies23]

Ive been using the red lg 35 a easy to find and will handle low ohm coils

 

[devothedude]

For 18650, Sony vtc 4 or 5 is the way to go. For 18350 I use AW.

 

[pnyc]

I am using the Panny 18650PD which works fine for my usage.

 

[Jake Royston]

Got a deal on a 2x pack of sony VTC5s from bevapehappy.com

 

[SMagee]

Sony's are my go to from now on

 

[Baditude]

You should review the info in the sticky in the Batteries, Chargers, & Multimeter Sub-Forum prior to making your choices.

The proper batteries are the most important decision that you will make for your setup. Different batteries for different applications. Bottom line, make certain you choose a high-drain IMR or IMR/hybrid battery. If using commercially available juice delivery devices (clearomizers, cartotanks, etc), any brand-name IMR battery will suffice. If doing sub-ohms coils on an RBA, you'll want a 30 amp IMR/hybrid battery.


And good batteries deserve an equally good charger. XTar, Nitecore, Efest, and Pila are recommended brand names.

I will recommend RTD Vapor for your battery & charger needs.

 

[brickfollett]

+1 on RTD vapor. They send a bunch of goodies like drip tips and keychains too, I recall them personally signing the invoice as well. Impressive for my having just ordered a pair of VTC5's. Definitely a reputable company in my book. I have an AW IMR 18650 and a pair of Sony VTC5's. I hold them to an equal regard, but I always opt for the Sony's because of the higher amp limit. Regardless what ohms you run, a higher amp limit will offer higher protection against shorts than a lower amp limit. On a dead short however, none of this matters.

My vote goes to the Sony VTC5 batteries for all mechanicals that will accept flat tops. For regulated mods, I always suggest AW-IMR's because honestly, if you have a good regulated mod, you won't need to worry about the shorting.

This however does not excuse my local vape shop (and exclusive joyetech vendor) from selling frickin ICR batteries. One of my buddies who works there is getting interested in mechanicals and asked me yesterday if one of his pink ICR batteries would be safe. My reply was a very stern "No, absolutely not. Unless your interested in a facelift to make you look more like two-face, I wouldn't suggest it"

Really bugs me that they sell their Evics and VTR's with ICR batteries. Also bugs me that they sell Evics

 

[raavysaavy]

what sort of resistance do you plan on running?


some mods need button or flat top batteries to operate, and some can use both. check the item description for the mod your getting.
other than that, button VS flat top is irrelevant.

Apologize for my delayed response, life gets busy I haven't actually "planned" what ohm I'm going with. I don't plan on sub-ohming. I am probably just going to go with a regular clearomizer. Probably a rebuildable with some controlable air flow. I hope that answers your question. I'm still new to this and trying to learn as I go. Just wanting to keep it safe and reliable as I figure it out.

That also answers my questions on the nipple/no nipple for the batteries. I didn't think about the fixed/floating pin issue either.

 

[silvertorch]

Another +1 on RTD Vapor.

Also Baditude has been here, not much else needs to be said =)

 

[raavysaavy]

You should review the info in the sticky in the Batteries, Chargers, & Multimeter Sub-Forum prior to making your choices.

The proper batteries are the most important decision that you will make for your setup. Different batteries for different applications. Bottom line, make certain you choose a high-drain IMR or IMR/hybrid battery. If using commercially available juice delivery devices (clearomizers, cartotanks, etc), any brand-name IMR battery will suffice. If doing sub-ohms coils on an RBA, you'll want a 30 amp IMR/hybrid battery.


And good batteries deserve an equally good charger. XTar, Nitecore, Efest, and Pila are recommended brand names.

I will recommend RTD Vapor for your battery & charger needs.

Thank you for the reply. The battery, charger, & MM link is something I've been looking for. I'll give that a good perusal.

 

[Overhawk]

I sadly have just started vaping a couple of weeks ago, and for the price now and performance, sony vtc4's are good. I do want to get vtc5's but no b&m has them in my area.

 

[raavysaavy]

You should review the info in the sticky in the Batteries, Chargers, & Multimeter Sub-Forum prior to making your choices.

The proper batteries are the most important decision that you will make for your setup. Different batteries for different applications. Bottom line, make certain you choose a high-drain IMR or IMR/hybrid battery. If using commercially available juice delivery devices (clearomizers, cartotanks, etc), any brand-name IMR battery will suffice. If doing sub-ohms coils on an RBA, you'll want a 30 amp IMR/hybrid battery.


And good batteries deserve an equally good charger. XTar, Nitecore, Efest, and Pila are recommended brand names.

I will recommend RTD Vapor for your battery & charger needs.

I just realized as I was reading through all that awesome info; that you wrote that up. Great work and a BIG thank you for taking the time to write that up for all of us newbies. That is exactly what I was looking for, thanks again!