I bought some 18650 efest batteries the beginning of this year(January) I was woundering since I've used them ever day since then and have done a number of complex builds of when I should buy some new ones for safety reasons,when do typical builders that do alien claptons and and crazy stagger claps and builds like that,how long should your bats last and when is it time to get some fresh ones??
When should you buy new batteries
- Thread starter mrcoffee
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The short answer is when you feel their performance is suffering. Just be aware that you'll get a drop in runtime and in amperage from your batteries as time goes on. Keep in mind those efests are, at best, 20 amp batteries. If you do crazy builds, don't do anything too low on those.
The charge will diminish, and when it does, your brain will tell you to get new ones. It's a natural thing. There will be a voice in the back of your head..and it'll say stuff like, hm, these batteries used to last longer... and I have to swap the batteries already? But ultimately, you'll just slam your fists down at your desk and say why is my mod dead already! And magically, you'll buy new batteries without even thinking about it.
+1 to Ou2mame 
That's exactly the way it went down for me most every time.
Also, switching/Upgrading Devices is a great time to get new Batteries and go on and retire the old.
Always a good idea to mate new Devices with new Batteries. Especially if a dual Battery Mod where it is commonly advised and accepted to require new mated Batteries.
Definitely be sure your Batteries have the proper Ratings and proven Test Results to back those Ratings up.
Mooch and Baditude are well known and accepted Battery Senseis here on ECF.
I personally (as well as the majority of Members) take their Direction and Advice Carte Blanche without question.
Another Batt to add to the "Good to Go" list already mentioned is the LG HG2.
I have 2-Sammy 25R's, 4-Sony VTC4's, and now 2-LG HG2's. They replaced older LG HE2's per Mooch's Advice.
Dual 25R's in the Hollowpoint Mech w/0.45 ohm RDA's (HE2's as Emergency backups at work for this Rig)
Run the HG2's in rotation on the SX Mini M with 0.2-0.3 Ti builds for TC
Run the VTC4's in rotation on Kbox & SubBox w/STM's.
Big thing is Do NOT trust Manufacturer Ratings or Seller Claims on Batteries unless Bench-Tested to be true by Mooch.
Also, ONLY buy your Batts from reliable and tried & proven Sources as suggested by Members here. Far too many Fakes and Charletons in the Battery Bidnez...
RTD Vapor is an awesome Battery Source that carries Authentics and all the Selection of Proven Batteries you will ever need. Couple other well known Sources as well but RTDV is the only one I have 1st hand experience with.
Beware buying Batteries on eBay.... Actually, don't beware; Just don't do it and spare yourself the inevitable pain and aggravation.
Another well bandied about Altruism here on ECF,,,
If it has "Fire" in the Brand Name=Just Say NO.
That's exactly the way it went down for me most every time.
Also, switching/Upgrading Devices is a great time to get new Batteries and go on and retire the old.
Always a good idea to mate new Devices with new Batteries. Especially if a dual Battery Mod where it is commonly advised and accepted to require new mated Batteries.
Definitely be sure your Batteries have the proper Ratings and proven Test Results to back those Ratings up.
Mooch and Baditude are well known and accepted Battery Senseis here on ECF.
I personally (as well as the majority of Members) take their Direction and Advice Carte Blanche without question.
Another Batt to add to the "Good to Go" list already mentioned is the LG HG2.
I have 2-Sammy 25R's, 4-Sony VTC4's, and now 2-LG HG2's. They replaced older LG HE2's per Mooch's Advice.
Dual 25R's in the Hollowpoint Mech w/0.45 ohm RDA's (HE2's as Emergency backups at work for this Rig)
Run the HG2's in rotation on the SX Mini M with 0.2-0.3 Ti builds for TC
Run the VTC4's in rotation on Kbox & SubBox w/STM's.
Big thing is Do NOT trust Manufacturer Ratings or Seller Claims on Batteries unless Bench-Tested to be true by Mooch.
Also, ONLY buy your Batts from reliable and tried & proven Sources as suggested by Members here. Far too many Fakes and Charletons in the Battery Bidnez...
RTD Vapor is an awesome Battery Source that carries Authentics and all the Selection of Proven Batteries you will ever need. Couple other well known Sources as well but RTDV is the only one I have 1st hand experience with.
Beware buying Batteries on eBay.... Actually, don't beware; Just don't do it and spare yourself the inevitable pain and aggravation.
Another well bandied about Altruism here on ECF,,,
If it has "Fire" in the Brand Name=Just Say NO.
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I plan on tossing them if they don't hold a charge of least 4.1 off the charger.
You've gotten some great advice! +1 on everything said so far. I strongly recommend the vtc4 just be ectra cautious with your crazy builds!
Yup, pretty much covered. You didn't say how many batteries you have ... I think it's a good idea to have at least 3 (sets) for every mod. That way, you're never stuck with an under-performing battery while you wait for vapemail 
. Oh - and if you're really doing crazy builds at low ohms, please get yourself an ohm meter. Safety first!
. Oh - and if you're really doing crazy builds at low ohms, please get yourself an ohm meter. Safety first!
I'm late to the thread, but +1 to the advice you're hearing. Usually, a battery won't stop working, just lose capacity over time until it gets too frustrating to use. Do buy good batteries from reputable dealer. And definitely ohm out those crazy builds before firing them.
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+1on the Sony VTC4's. They are like $5 each and will power anything safely and reliably. I have a pair for a Magneto mech that are about a year old now and still going strong.
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