Best 18650 batteries for boxmod

[little maggie]

I looked for a thread on this. If there is one please add this to it.

The title is pretty self explanatory

I have 2 questions: one is which batteries are you finding most effective

Two is whether it's okay to mix batteries and vapes. I have a variety of batteries- does it matter if I use 2 different brands in a 2 battery box mod? And does it matter if I switch the same 2 batteries between different vapes or box mods or do the batteries need to be "dedicated" to a specific vape?

 

[bossman]

Cool thread, thanks. I like my 30Q but they're all I own now and I'm new to mods so I'm just here to follow the discussion.

 

[al bundy]

Here’s a good read on them from google searxh
https://www.18650batterystore.com/Best-18650-Battery-Guide-s/142.htm

 

[sickmanfraud]

@little maggie Most mods require what is referred to as "married" sets. Married sets are paired from the first charge. So, I would think that different batteries will not be advisable.

You can use a "married pair" in any vape requiring 2 batteries.

For performance and price I would suggest LG HG2 https://www.imrbatteries.com/lg-hg2-18650-3000mah-20a-flat-top-battery/

 

[little maggie]

Thanks for the answers. I just got a p80 in the mail and it only uses 1 battery. Can I use one of my "used" batteries or does it need an unused one?

 

[Vapeur Rogue]

I have heard it is not a good idea to mix brands of batteries, (for anything).
As far as I understand it, you can use the same married pair for any vape that takes that kind of battery- but I know some folks here appear to dedicate batteries and pairs to specific vapes- In a way, it makes sense especially when certain vapes are used in different ways such as some sipping, some doing more in between heating, some ripping etc. Or if one use more power (and thus condition the batteries differently)

 

[sixstringsmash]

The answer to that question isn't always so simple as to having an end all be all best 18650 battery, as depending on the mod you're using and how much power you're drawing you need to be mindful and make sure that you are never going over the amp limit of the battery you're using. The easiest way to find out what the most optimal battery would be for your mod would be to find out exactly how many amps you're drawing in the first place.

You can do this by using a simple Ohm's law calculator like you would find here: http://www.ohmslawcalculator.com/ohms-law-calculator

Just go on that site and use the calculator. Set the voltage to either 3.7 or 4.2(use 3.7 for a more accurate reading accounting for voltage drop and such or 4.2 for a reading with a bit more of a safety threshold) and set the power(watts) to whatever you usually fire at. Set the resistance(r) to whatever the resistance of the coil you are firing at is. With 3 of those 4 boxes filled in you can hit calculate and it will fill in the current(i) and tell you exactly how many amps the mod will be drawing. If the mod you are using happens to be a dual battery mod wired in parallel, you can multiply that amp limit by 1 and a half. If it's a dual battery mod wired in series, then just leave the amps alone and keep them as is like it was a single battery mod.

Once you know how many amps your mod is using go check out the mooch battery ratings charts. Mooch is a third party battery reviewer who gives out really accurate ratings for batteries. You should pick the highest capacity 18650 that is available that stays under that amp threshold. For example the LG HG2 and Samsung 30Q are some of the best high capacity 18650's, but if your mod is drawing over 20 amps it's not considered safe to use these batteries, and you would need to opt for a lower capacity battery with a higher discharge rate instead. That's why it's so important to know how many amps your mod is drawing and to pick the correct battery accordingly. Here's some links to the Mooch battery charts:

Use this chart if you're using an unregulated mod:

Use this chart if you're using a regulated mod:

 

[little maggie]

The answer to that question isn't always so simple as to having an end all be all best 18650 battery, as depending on the mod you're using and how much power you're drawing you need to be mindful and make sure that you are never going over the amp limit of the battery you're using. The easiest way to find out what the most optimal battery would be for your mod would be to find out exactly how many amps you're drawing in the first place.

You can do this by using a simple Ohm's law calculator like you would find here: http://www.ohmslawcalculator.com/ohms-law-calculator

Just go on that site and use the calculator. Set the voltage to either 3.7 or 4.2(use 3.7 for a more accurate reading accounting for voltage drop and such or 4.2 for a reading with a bit more of a safety threshold) and set the power(watts) to whatever you usually fire at. Set the resistance(r) to whatever the resistance of the coil you are firing at is. With 3 of those 4 boxes filled in you can hit calculate and it will fill in the current(i) and tell you exactly how many amps the mod will be drawing. If the mod you are using happens to be a dual battery mod wired in parallel, you can multiply that amp limit by 1 and a half. If it's a dual battery mod wired in series, then just leave the amps alone and keep them as is like it was a single battery mod.

Once you know how many amps your mod is using go check out the mooch battery ratings charts. Mooch is a third party battery reviewer who gives out really accurate ratings for batteries. You should pick the highest capacity 18650 that is available that stays under that amp threshold. For example the LG HG2 and Samsung 30Q are some of the best high capacity 18650's, but if your mod is drawing over 20 amps it's not considered safe to use these batteries, and you would need to opt for a lower capacity battery with a higher discharge rate instead. That's why it's so important to know how many amps your mod is drawing and to pick the correct battery accordingly. Here's some links to the Mooch battery charts:

Use this chart if you're using an unregulated mod:

Use this chart if you're using a regulated mod:

This is wonderful. I'm not sure my again brain can do the calculations but your instructions are so clear.

 

[sickmanfraud]

Thanks for the answers. I just got a p80 in the mail and it only uses 1 battery. Can I use one of my "used" batteries or does it need an unused one?

You do not need a new battery if only using one. You can use a used battery as long as it is strong enough.

Does your mod tell you how much power (amp) is needed? I would imagine that any battery that works well in your Tubo should be fine.

 

[little maggie]

Thanks- I love my new p80 that uses 1 battery. It's sleek and simple to use for my splinter. Now I have to figure out why it keeps turning off after about 10 seconds so I keep restarting it.

 

[bossman]

Now I have to figure out why it keeps turning off after about 10 seconds so I keep restarting it.

If the P80 supports Arctic Fox you can edit the auto-cutoff to 15 seconds. That helped me a lot with my Splinter. I don't see it on the NFE homepage compatibility list but then my eLeaf Invoke isn't on there either and that's supported.

It's a little OT, but can somebody remind me how low is too low to drain my 30Q cells?

 

[bossman]

The P80 does run Arctic Fox, I didn't see it in the list at first.

 

[stinkytofus]

Vtc5a or 6 hands down

 

[bossman]

Vtc5a or 6 hands down

You like them better than the 30Q?

 

[sixstringsmash]

You like them better than the 30Q?

VTC5A has less capacity but a higher discharge rate. It's generally a better battery if you're going to be pushing over 60 watts in your mod, but if you're keeping it at under 60 watts the 30Q/HG2/VTC6 are still a better choice.

 

[sickmanfraud]

VTC5A has less capacity but a higher discharge rate. It's generally a better battery if you're going to be pushing over 60 watts in your mod, but if you're keeping it at under 60 watts the 30Q/HG2/VTC6 are still a better choice.

does the suggested VTC5A still give an advantage when used in multi-cell mods?

I haven't noticed a difference with the VTC5A vs the 30Q in a 3 cell mod.

Is my supposition that the VTC5A would provide an advantage over a 30Q in an unregulated vape like the Milaana and the Lil Bud correct?

 

[Mangu]

Confusion post below...Please help!:

My dry herb vaporizers have reasonably low power demand, compared to something like a 3-battery mod consistently drawing 150 Watt (which many currently popular mod boxes can easily exceed). I cycle battery usage between my vaporizers, none of which use more than a single battery at a time. Specs for my Efest 3.7V 35A 3000maH batteries (18650, which are not even listed in the Mooch charts above for some reason) seem to be more than adequate compared to the batteries listed in the Mooch charts.

Im not all too familiar with 18650 battery and mod compatibility, and although the information from @sixstringsmash makes some general sense to me, I’m lost in the technical aspects of it all....Is there any increased risk from switching batteries between units such as a single-battery mod box (that I use with an RBT Splinter at 30-45 Watts) into something like a nomad or milaana? Seems like there’s a greater level of risk with these things than most people are led to understand when we first purchase our batteries.

 

[KeroZen]

Is my supposition that the VTC5A would provide an advantage over a 30Q in an unregulated vape like the Milaana and the Lil Bud correct?

Depends if you value having a hotter running device over more run-time, but yes difference shows more in single cell unregulated vapes.

Specs for my Efest 3.7V 35A 3000maH batteries (18650, which are not even listed in the Mooch charts above for some reason) seem to be more than adequate compared to the batteries listed in the Mooch charts.

The reason being that 3000mAh and 35A CDR is not possible at the moment. Your cell is most probably only 18A CDR and the capacity is correct. The 35A figure is a peak discharge rating.

 

[bossman]

So it sounds like we're saying I should get a pair of VTC5a cells to try with my LB? Sure, why not.

 

[stinkytofus]

Sonys, sanyos, and panasonics authentic ones are best batteries you can buy

Vtc4 if u using mechs
Vtc5a 40+ watts
Vtc6 40 under

 

[stinkytofus]

You like them better than the 30Q?

30q is soso, maybe i got fakes but the battery life went downhill quick
Lg hg2/sony vtc6 is better imo

 

[little maggie]

This may not be the best thread for my question but- I have quite a few batteries that I used several years ago with vapes I no longer use. Just wondering if partially used batteries left untouched are still safe.

 

[stinkytofus]

If under 300 cycles
Undamaged physically


Should be good

 

[sixstringsmash]

This may not be the best thread for my question but- I have quite a few batteries that I used several years ago with vapes I no longer use. Just wondering if partially used batteries left untouched are still safe.

I'd put them on an external charger and check what the voltage level is on them. If they're still over 2.5 volts they should still be alright but if they've dropped under 2.5 volts safely dispose of them.

 

[Sick Vape]

this is not really the right thread for this question, sorry. but I try anyway:

I got an istick pico 75w and a 18650GA that doesn't fit. Are there bigger and smaller 18650? Is my istick pico fake or do I need to concentrate the remainings of my brain?
I would appreciate all help

edit:75w

Ok I found out it is a faulty fake unit. So it doesn't matter, that I got the wrong battery.
Thanks