What battery should I use and where do I get it?
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I'm really no battery expert, but since the IMR are usually shorter than regular protected batteries, I'm guessing there is a connection problem. It sounds like something isn't making contact. Also, are you sure your battery is charged?
Trust Fire is not really the best one. Prolly your best choice is an AW 14500 protected battery. The non IMR version can be found here:
Electronic Cigarettes and AW batteries by Super T
and here: www.rtdvapor.com
As Joelong stated, IMR batteries are usually a few mm shorter than protected batteries. If you can stretch that bottom spring a little bit, it may be enough to give you a connection.
Electronic Cigarettes and AW batteries by Super T
and here: www.rtdvapor.com
As Joelong stated, IMR batteries are usually a few mm shorter than protected batteries. If you can stretch that bottom spring a little bit, it may be enough to give you a connection.
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There are also spacers sold for this issue. The easiest thing to do is buy the recommended battery size. Most give you the dimensional specs in the battery description at point of sale on a web page.
I found the solution! Rob at SmokTek told me some people use magnets. I had these batteries around from another mod I have. Since I am waiting for the right size batteries to get here, I went to Radio Shack and bought a pack of 2 rare earth magnets for $2.10. Put them up at the + end, and it solved the problem.
I buy all my batteries from DealExtreme. Never had a problem with them, half the price of state-side vendors, and shipping is included in the already cheap-o price. The only caveat is that you'll wait upwards of a month to get them, since they ship direct from China.
So if you're not in a hurry...
TrustFire Protected 14500 3.7V 900mAh Rechargeable Lithium Batteries (2-Pack) - Worldwide Free Shipping - DealExtreme
$5.50 for a 2-pack is a pretty good deal, especially since shipping is included. Check out the other stuff on DX; I've found some great prices on chargers, solar cells, etc. If you're down to your last 2 batts and need them fast, get a pair from a state-side supplier, and order half a dozen from China & wait.
So if you're not in a hurry...
TrustFire Protected 14500 3.7V 900mAh Rechargeable Lithium Batteries (2-Pack) - Worldwide Free Shipping - DealExtreme
$5.50 for a 2-pack is a pretty good deal, especially since shipping is included. Check out the other stuff on DX; I've found some great prices on chargers, solar cells, etc. If you're down to your last 2 batts and need them fast, get a pair from a state-side supplier, and order half a dozen from China & wait.
The spring is seldom the problem. Look at the positive terminal, the plastic retainers that hold it often keep the cells button from making firm contact.
A hammer & punch (like a rounded screw head) can solve that; back it up on a piece of soft wood & invert that "dimple" in the center prior to assembly.
That is great! I bought some yesterday from eBay for $6.66, free shipping. It says 1 week shipping; will let you know when they get here! eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices
It says "protected", but I thought that the grey ones weren't protected.
It says "protected", but I thought that the grey ones weren't protected.
They're protected. Look close, and you can see the protection circuit in the pic. Note also that the seller is "china_seller200907", located in Hong Kong. 1 week means either they have a US warehouse, or more likely that they will *leave Hong Kong* within a week. Then there's 7-15 days to cross the Pacific, possible lag time in customs, and however long it takes USPS to get it from San Francisco or San Diego to you.
Be prepared for a wait, but if they actually DO show up in a week, let me know
Will let you know when they get here. How do you tell that there is a protection circuit?
If you take a look at the ends, you'll see what looks like a dimple of sorts (esp. on the negative contact)... tear one apart, and you'll find tiny little PCBs between the contact and the actual battery cell. Plus, I've had these, and they do actually say "protected" on them (just not in this pic). Description also lists it as protected.
You'll know for sure when you put them in a standard AA battery slot (like in a box mod), and it's a somewhat tight fit; protected 14500's are slightly (like 1 or 2 mm) longer than an unprotected, or a regular AA battery. The extra length is from the protection circuit.
You'll know for sure when you put them in a standard AA battery slot (like in a box mod), and it's a somewhat tight fit; protected 14500's are slightly (like 1 or 2 mm) longer than an unprotected, or a regular AA battery. The extra length is from the protection circuit.
Well, I'm not sure... just that the 'flame' ones seem to work a hell of a lot better. Just my opinion. They seem to hit harder & hold a charge longer; I've never actually metered them.
I've had and/or tried lots of different mods, but a little 3.7v box with a 'flame' Trustfire battery & a 2 ohm (LR) cartomizer still hits better than anything I've had so far. My last DX order, I threw in a 2-pack of flame 18650's, and I've got some 2xC cell boxes coming from Madvapes (which will hold that size if you gut the box). Should be interesting.
I've had and/or tried lots of different mods, but a little 3.7v box with a 'flame' Trustfire battery & a 2 ohm (LR) cartomizer still hits better than anything I've had so far. My last DX order, I threw in a 2-pack of flame 18650's, and I've got some 2xC cell boxes coming from Madvapes (which will hold that size if you gut the box). Should be interesting.
Don't feel bad, though; the grey ones work fine . Try the flame-wrapped ones some time. Did I mention that at DX there's no minimum order to get the free shipping? Seriously, you can order something for a buck, and they'll ship it from CHINA for free!
. Try the flame-wrapped ones some time. Did I mention that at DX there's no minimum order to get the free shipping? Seriously, you can order something for a buck, and they'll ship it from CHINA for free!
Don't feel bad, though; the grey ones work fine
Thanks! Good to know. And thanks about the flame ones, will get them next time.
Unfortunely there was a big stink about the 14500 flames just a while ago. We are talking about ones from respected vendors. Some various no-name cells wrapped up in a flame jacket. Who knows how many of these are still in the pipeline.
And FWIW the current TF18650 flames do not perform as well as last years batch which did surprising well in tests.
They're protected. Look close, and you can see the protection circuit in the pic. Note also that the seller is "china_seller200907", located in Hong Kong. 1 week means either they have a US warehouse, or more likely that they will *leave Hong Kong* within a week. Then there's 7-15 days to cross the Pacific, possible lag time in customs, and however long it takes USPS to get it from San Francisco or San Diego to you.
Be prepared for a wait, but if they actually DO show up in a week, let me know
Well, I ordered a charger too. The charger got here yesterday -- not the batteries yet. Incidentally, I ordered something from Health Cabin in China that got here in a little over a week.
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