The Cost of Good Batteries / Battery Safety Links

I came across this thread on ECF. I liked it so much that I asked for permission to re-post it here to which Ryedan graciously agreed. Here's the link to his original post The cost of good batteries

"People sometimes talk about how expensive our batteries are.

I'm generally pretty cheap and I'm not by any means rich, but batteries and chargers for vaping are items I don't skimp on. I buy batteries from suppliers I know will not sell me fakes or counterfeits and I buy only name brand IMR or hybrid batteries. RTDvapor, Illumination Supply and Orbtronic are just a few of the known good suppliers out there that come to mind. This way I'm reasonably sure my batteries will not explode if they are subjected to a short one day and that can happen in any mod, no matter how good it is or what type of mod it is. These suppliers rarely have particularly 'good deals' (sales) on their batteries.

So, just how expensive are good batteries? In the 18650 size, $10.50 plus shipping will buy you a Sony VTC5 from Illumination Supply. Cost at RTDvapor is a few cents less and Orbtronic is a couple of bucks more. AW 1600 mAh are $9.87 and 2000 mAh are $11.27 at RTDvapor.

So let's say with shipping one of these good batteries costs $13. How much does that cost per day/week/month?



At 250 total charge/discharge cycles per battery and one charge per day, this battery will cost me $0.05 a day, $0.36 a week and $1.56 a month. If I found a cheap battery that cost $5.00 shipped, I would save $0.96 a month (about three cents a day).

So battery cost plays a pretty minor role in the overall cost of vaping, no matter how expensive the batteries we buy today are. Commercial juice is way more expensive. DIY juice can save a lot of money, but it still generally costs more than good batteries do. Then there's the cost of mods and atty's to consider.

On the other hand one bad battery that explodes when it's mistreated can ruin your whole day.

Vape safe"​

 

I'm constantly referring back to these links on battery safety so I thought they might be helpful to others as well.

Rechargeable Batteries
(9) Battery Basics for Mods: IMR or Protected ICR? - Blogs - E-Cigarette Forum
Read: Batteries EXPLAINED

When I have a question on a specific battery or charger, I always check this guy's site. He posts under HKJ on the flashlight forums and really knows his stuff!

Batteries and chargers

Finally, here are the links to Andrew Wong's (AW) IMR battery sales threads on CandlePowerForums. His current offerings are in the first post of each thread. Since he ships via HK Post, they come by slow boat to Thailand but they do get here (and are packed in nice plastic boxes if you order in multiples of 2).

Edit: HK Post has banned all shipping of Li-Ion batteries...AW batteries must be purchased at authorized dealers worldwide...see the following links for more info.

Link 1: IMR16340 / IMR14500 / IMR18350 / IMR18490 / IMR18650
Link 2: AW's LiIon Batteries Sales Thread *Part 13*

For those in the US, the AW batteries from WonderLite are also legit and arrive quicker.


Edited on 30 Jan 16 due to HK Post no longer allowing the shipment of Li-Ion batts.

 

Cheers mate.

 

Thanks Konvict...that slipped my mind.

Here are the new specs for the AW IMR batteries. They are available in the US but not yet from AW directly as the dealers are buying up all of his supplies.

IMR18650 -2200 Specifications:

Nominal Voltage : 3.7V
Capacity : 2200mAh
Lowest Discharge Voltage : 2.50V
Standard Charge : CC/CV ( max. charging rate 2.2A )
Cycle Life : > 500 cycles
Max. continuous discharge rate : 20A
Operating Discharge Temperature : -10 - 60 Degree Celsius


IMR18490 Specifications:

Nominal Voltage : 3.7V
Capacity : 1200mAh
Lowest Discharge Voltage : 2.50V
Standard Charge : CC/CV ( max. charging rate 1.2A )
Cycle Life : > 500 cycles
Max. continuous discharge rate : 18A
Operating Discharge Temperature : -10 - 60 Degree Celsius


IMR18350 Specifications:

Nominal Voltage : 3.7V
Capacity : 800mAh
Lowest Discharge Voltage : 2.50V
Standard Charge : CC/CV ( max. charging rate 0.8A )
Cycle Life : > 500 cycles
Max. Continuous Discharge Rate: 12A
Operating Discharge Temperature : -10 - 60 Degree Celsius
Dimensions : 18.15 x 34.82 (+/-0.05)mm

 

AW has authorized suppliers in most western countries. See the first post in each thread for information on how to order and pay. I actually joined CPFMarketplace (separate from flashlight forum) and have ordered from him several times. Payments are via PayPal and he ships quickly.