Efest Fail or user error?

Batteries and Chargers Rechargeable Batteries
1

Hi guys,

I have picked up several different types of batteries for my new vaping habit/hobby and I have my first scare yesterday. My newest ecig (capable of 4A) can be ran with one 18650 or stacked 18350’s. So I’ve been using my AW IMR batteries in several different ecigs including this one and they’ve all been excellent. When purchasing my new Zmax ecig I also bought a pair of Efest 18350 IMR as they are needed to get maximum power from the device.

I did everything as normal, tested voltage out of the package at a matching 3.8X each and threw them in the Tr001 charger. The charge terminated at the same time and both came off the charger at 4.19V on my DMM. I put them in and used them for a couple of days without checking voltage during the first use (which is quite a stupid thing to do, which I would never do with a flashlight, not sure why it never crossed my mind). When the total voltage read 6V on the device I pulled the batteries and the cells were at 3.02V and 2.99V. I was not happy to see that.

I threw them back in the charger and after checking them several times, the cells were charging at what I would consider a vastly different rate. After a little over an hour I had one cell at 4.11V and one at 3.99. I checked the channels of the charger and they were all normal. Obviously these cells will not be used again in series.

Did I screw up not cycling these cells before using them in series? Is there any cell that you would recommend over these assuming I be more responsible with checking their compatibility? Thanks guys

2

Im interested in that answer to.

I just want to buy my first IMR cells (EFEST 18650 ) so I also want to know something about IMR cells in general.

3

Well, has OP fully charged them? Did they end at the same voltage? Maybe the charger isnt good or there is some inconsistency..

4

I fully charged the batteries shortly after receiving them. They came off the charger at 4.19v each and discharged at slightly different rates in series. I should have cycled them to ensure proper break-in. It looks like they are settling down, I have used them recently checking them every several minutes and they are performing a little closer to each other than when new.

5

There are reports that (Problems with Nitecore Intellicharge i4 Version 2 overcharging | Candle Power Flashlight Forum ), here popular, NItecore charger, overcharges LiMn cells.

Is there some experience with XTAR WP2 (I and II) charger, and XTAR MP1 chargers, with charging lMRs?

6

Curious why you would use two cells when you say you could use an 18650 ?

..i'd shove an 18650 in and take the 18350's and stick them in a solarforce L2m shorty with a foybezel

7

+1. I was wondering the same thing. It’s surely always safer to use one cell rather than 2 in series.

8

He probably needs higher voltage to get more vapour.

FOlks, if you dont know, there’s real deal on easy-liquid website.
I bought 4 Efest 18650 2000mAh IMRs and including shipping, they cost e little more than trustfire flames…
Probably very similar as trustfire flames at manafont (on of the rare reliable suppliers…)

9

Don't mean to be contentious... but LMR's have nothing in common with trustfire flames ..cept size ..

10

Well they are (real) 18650, same voltage and capacity is around the same, lots of things in common :slight_smile:

11

The device in question is quite a bit more powerful in stacked 18350 mode and will do things few other devices can do. The 18650 setting will give ~ 12W where the 2*18350 can give around 22W. It’s basically to play with, I’m not worried about it. I trust it 100X more with a single 18650 for sure.