Sony VTC4 = Genuine or counterfiet?

[tomj777]

OK folks - a conundrum.

I've bought three Sony VTC4 batteries from a vendor whom I believe to be trusted. 

I was a little surprised when I found one of them had a white label on it stating 18650 2100mAh 3.7V that was only just on and obscuring the text on the wrap (the other two have the white label firmly adhered to the wrap).

So I thought `that's odd` - I recalled seeing a you tube video saying one of the best ways of telling fakes is to weight them and that the weight should be 45g (I've not found anything other than an Amazon listing to corroborate that)
I weighed them... each is 37g or 38g (same weight as my AWT 40A 18650s) ...

Alarm bells are now ringing. 


I look around and see references to the QR Code, the font, discolouration of the wrap and seams.
This is a pretty good example: budgetlightforum.com/node/35167

Now I start to wrorry because I'm not sure about the QR code or the discolouration on the wrap...
My sight isn't strong enough to judge the positive terminal or the font used...
I do not see a seam on the positive end but may be able to feel one (not sure) on the side.

What do you folks think (esp VapingBad Ripshod)?

The pictures fresh from my phone's camera are here for anyone who wants more detail: drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B0mR4pRc-2IKMC1Wa19ZMmJFN1U&usp=sharing








Most importantly, I need to know if they are safe for use with Ni2000 0.15 ohm TC coils (internal resistance is kind of important, I now understand)

I'm not going to call out which vendor as I think that would be a disservice (especially when all I have is doubt).

With thanks

[Ripshod]

The white label is a common thing for vendors do, as the spec isn't actually printed on the wrap. Weight isn't something you can go on 100%, the specs say 45.0g Average. The AWTs are supposed to be ~44g too, showing a possible error in the scales.

Most importantly, I need to know if they are safe for use with Ni2000 0.15 ohm TC coils (internal resistance is kind of important, I now understand)

Even if it's a 20Amp rewrap you'll be able to use to 50Watts whatever coil you use.

The wrap looks good, the crimp at the top looks good too. If the base (negative) is raised rather than completely flat then it certainly looks good. Your mod will tell you about the IR anyway. If the mod rejects with 'weak battery' rather quickly after a full charge then it's a fake or a tired recycled cell.

I'd say genuine - but take it easy until you confirm that fact

Bear in mind I'm only going on the weight and the photos.

[Greigster]

Mine have the identical white label and the numbers printed on them are the same as yours.

Just weighed them and they are spot on 45gms.


Edited due to me writing bo77ocks.

Mine are charged full, but if yours are empty............

[Ripshod]

As the AWTs are supposed to weigh ~44g then I'm gonna say they're genuine and your scales have an error tomj777. Edited my first reply to reflect this.

[VapingBad]

I just weighed my 10 from 3 different suppliers and the varied between 45.17 g and 45.47 g, to check your scales tomj777 weigh 14p in coppers it should be 49.84 g (my scale read this as 49.64 g).

[Ripshod]

May 27, 2015 15:17:00 GMT VapingBad said:

I just weighed my 10 from 3 different suppliers and the varied between 45.17 g and 45.47 g, to check your scales tomj777 weigh 14p in coppers it should be 49.84 g (my scale read this as 49.64 g).

8pence (non-magnetic coppers) should weigh about an ounce (~28 g)

AWTs here average 44.2 g

[tomj777]

And I'm feeling a lot more confident. The vendor, who I keep unnamed, is one I have a heap of confidence in. Thanks folks.

[VapingBad]

May 27, 2015 15:35:40 GMT Ripshod said:

May 27, 2015 15:17:00 GMT VapingBad said:

I just weighed my 10 from 3 different suppliers and the varied between 45.17 g and 45.47 g, to check your scales tomj777 weigh 14p in coppers it should be 49.84 g (my scale read this as 49.64 g).

8pence (non-magnetic) should weigh about an ounce (~28 grammes)

100p = 356 g
2p = 7.12 g Royal Mint spec not a quarter oz
1p = 3.56 g Royal Mint spec not an eight of an ounce

[Ripshod]

May 27, 2015 15:41:23 GMT VapingBad said:

100p = 356 g
2p = 7.12 g Royal Mint spec not a quarter oz
1p = 3.56 g Royal Mint spec not an eight of an ounce

Is that the updated spec? Sometime (awhile ago, can't quote the date) they changed the coinage and it got heavier - as well as magnetic. That's why I specified non-magnetic, there's a difference.

In the magnetic coppers 8pence = 28.48g. Non-magnetic 8pence = 28.1g (looking at that page it seems to disagree, but it used to work).

Go for the magnetic 8p = 28.48g tomj777, I seem to be behind the times 

[VapingBad]

May 27, 2015 15:57:13 GMT Ripshod said:

May 27, 2015 15:41:23 GMT VapingBad said:

100p = 356 g
2p = 7.12 g Royal Mint spec not a quarter oz
1p = 3.56 g Royal Mint spec not an eight of an ounce

Is that the updated spec? Sometime (awhile ago, can't quote the date) they changed the coinage and it got heavier - as well as magnetic. That's why I specified non-magnetic, there's a difference.

As far as I know it has been 356 g for 100p for the last 30 years, I know by roughly how old I was when I found out and have remembered 356 ever since.  I would be amazed if they had changed it at any time as the banks etc depend on the weight to count them and that is why 2p ways twich as much a 1p which weighs twice as much as 1/2p did.

[Ripshod]

I didn't think to look at the Mint, tbh I should have. I went on old memories of a tabacconist weighing with copper coins. He showed my dad 16 2pences weighed against a 4oz weight. It balanced - both ways.

Blow me, if it wasn't a fiddle, to my dad's advantage.  

[phatfil]

well it wasnt backy that was weight out in 1/4's and henrys in my yoof 2p's and 1p's .. but it was close enough...

[tomj777]

Well folks, the final test... I've come home, put the charged VTC4 into the Kangxin Mini, applied the subtank with TC coils and vaped whilst walking Mont (Labrador, aged and infirm) and then my neighbour's Rosie (Staffrador, Spritely and powerful). Kangxin remained pretty cool in my hand - big difference to the AWT's.
Happy Tom.