When do you buy new batteries?

[Mooch]

Assume perfect physical condition for each and never dropped. What else would make you replace them?

- On a set schedule?
- When they run for a shorter amount of time or start giving you too many low/weak battery alerts?
- When they don’t hit as hard?
- When they start running warmer?
- Only when they completely fail?

This is research for a video but we cannot say “replace now” for any particular loss of performance unless something is obviously wrong or dangerous. Manufacturers say end of life is at 20%-40% capacity loss, depending on the company/battery. No other guidance is really available as every battery and degree of internal damage is different. Physical damage is ALWAYS a big reason to immediately replace them though!

Thanks!

 

[AstroTurf]

Assume perfect physical condition for each.

- On a set schedule?
- When they run for a shorter amount of time or start giving you too many low/weak battery alerts?
- When they don’t hit as hard?
- When they start running warmer?
- Only when they completely fail?

This is research for a video...thanks!

choice number 2

 

[Frenchfry1942]

Choice number 2

 

[Fredman1]

2

 

[puffon]

2
also check if they charge fully to 4.19-4.20 v
if they drop off to around 4.16v in a few days, they are getting tired

 

[Plumes.91]

I hoard new batteries in a chest of drawers, & run several in-use batteries at a time. when I notice one beginning to lose length of time between charges, I relegate it to at-home use only. When it begins seriously angering me, (typically on weekends) I discard, and a new battery comes out to play.

 

[My Batt Hurts]

#2, or #4 (when charging).

 

[Heartsdelight]

#2

 

[Hawise]

#2, although if I noticed #4 that would do it too.

 

[greek mule]

#2

 

[Shadav]

usually because I notice they just aren't holding their charge like they used to...when a battery would last me 6 to 8 hours starts only lasting 2 - 4 hours.....it's time to replace them

 

[Brewdawg1181]

I usually wait until they explode, or exhibit thermal run-away symptoms. Then give them one more chance if the metal casing is at least 50% intact. A new wrap can work wonders.

Just kidding, Mooch. I replace if life is significantly compromised compared to new. I haven't experienced it, but would also replace if they were running noticabley warmer. They're cheap enough, and I trust them too little to use beyond degradation to maybe 70% of initial performance.

 

[sofarsogood]

#2 I just replaced 3 LG HG2 batteries used in my single battery mods. The HG2's weren't available on the Liion wholesale website so I got Sony VTC6 instead. A fresh 3000 mah battery will last me all day without recharging. The HG2's declined some but I used them exclusively for 3 years. We'll see if the Sonys do as well.

 

[bombastinator]

What I do is vape them down to “empty” on a VV mod then recharge them to full and see what by battery charger says they took. If it’s under two thirds of their origional rating they get the boot.

 

[Alexander Mundy]

When they don't hold a charge as long. Haven't had physical damage but did accidentally short one 18350 that vented and one 18650 that got hot. Put a 100 ohm 1/2 W resistor across the 18650 after it cooled and set it outside on concrete till discharged a couple days later.

 

[aLyr]

My cells become obsolete if they

• become too hot during charging or
• do not return to room temperature 30 minutes after charging

At date, I obsoleted just 2 of my 2 dozen cells.

These were:

Aspire 18650 2500mAh of 2016-04,
after charge cycle #38.
It became quite warm during charge, despite reduction of the charge current.

Samsung 35E 3500mAh of 2016-11,
after charge cycle #31.
It became quite hot during charging, even after reducing the charge current. After charging, it took 1 hour to return to room temperature.

I do not replace those cells immediately, as I still have others in stock.

Regards,
aLyr

 

[sonicbomb]

2 and 3

 

[Doffy]

- On a set schedule?
- When they run for a shorter amount of time or start giving you too many low/weak battery alerts?

these two

january, unless they no longer last 1 squonk bottle (7ml @50 watts) then they go sooner

i really only use one mod, so 2 cells in a typical year is worth peace of mind to me

 

[Bunnykiller]

after they explode or when they are on sale....

 

[mimöschen]

#2