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Hi VapingBad .

I really did not know that too gentle could also have this effect, but your explanation does sound feasible! I always have heard people talk about slower being better, but I know there are lots of myths in vaping that get passed on as gospel so it is good to learn something new. 

I charge my 25R's and other batteries at 1A due to the standard charge rate on the datasheet being 1.25A. I have never actually fast charged an 18650 at 2A, but to hear you do without any negative effects, and some batteries that are as old as a few of my very first is good to hear. 

When you mention allowing them to get warm, do you mean on the charger at say a speed of 1A, then up the charge rate to 2A? This will be handy for me in times I need a fresh 18650 but don't have one spare. (you would think I would with the amount of them, but they often end up in a mod, so lots of mods are in use at once and only a few batteries are actually free). 

EDIT: Double checking the datasheets, I realise I shouldn't worry as much about charging at 2A, when the standard discharge is 0.5A! Seeing as they are often experiencing 10A, and in mechs right near their CDR of 20A, I would imagine this to be much more damaging than a few fast charges. 

Is that the Pico RTA? I was interested in adding one of those to the collection, but have heard mixed opinions on it. I also love the look of the mod, did you make it bare yourself, or is the VT nano available in that finish?

I was thinking of one for use where I don't want to be blowing out very noticeable clouds, how do you find the flavour produced by it? I also notice it is running at 12W, which would be ideal for me to use without drawing attention to myself. 

Ahh I see. I thought I recognised the name. I had a problem with both a V1 Hotcig, and a V2 hotcig DNA200. You may of helped me out over there, I have a terrible memory though due to some medical issues, if you did help me thank you for your help . 

I purchased the first one, and it was my first DNA200 device, and the Li-Po arrived completely dead, and I had to recover it using Escribe. I still had issues though, and it turned out the fuse was blown on arrival. 

I Purchased a new Li-Po, and someone named Bennett from hotcig started to speak to me. It took a long time for me to get the money back for the Li-Po from the Chinese site I used, and due to this, Bennett kindly sent me a V2 Hotcig DNA200 completely free!

This one turned up with the Li-Po in good condition, as they had changed the packaging so the Li-Po was not connected to the mod. 

But, again very quickly the same issues popped up with this one. The board was replaced by Evolv in this device too. 

Since Evolvs repairs, the mods have worked fantastically, I have converted one to run on dual 18650's @ 133W. I am very happy with the mods now, but none of my other DNA200's have issues since purchase, it seems the hotcigs were plagued with issues from what I have read.   

I completely agree with what you are saying. In no way am I advising anyone to go over a batteries CDR, and this really should always be stuck too in case of something which causes the mod to fire. If you do intend to go above this, you really need to know the dangers and be extremely careful. 

On a different note, do you spend time over at the Evolv forums? I recognise your name, I have spent some time there when I had some issues with a couple of DNA200's. Thankfully Evolv repaired both devices by fitting a new board for me . 

I see, I did think it was nicotine degradation, thank you for clarifying it though. I don't like passing on information unless I know it is true, which is why I mentioned it was just my thoughts. 

I do agree with what you are saying in that I am forcing the process to happen. It is actually very few juices I prefer after a steep though, so it is not often this happens. 

I do also agree with what I have read in other comments in regards to myths, and them being lapped up. It is unfortunate when you see things become 'common knowledge', but are wrong. Similar to how a lot of people think if you get stung by a jellyfish, the best thing to do is you know what on it lol. 

@get off my cloud , I also have had an experience in the past, around 6-8 months ago I would say which was completely my fault. I have memory problems due to some medical issues a few years ago, and I had got myself a noisy cricket.
I had been using it for a little while, and switched to my Abaddon clone. I accidentally put the batteries in as you would for a series mod like the NC, and I am not sure what else was wrong at the time, but as soon as I put the door on, a lot of heat happened, very fast.
Luckily I got the door off as I had only just put it on. I didn't have a vent on either cell, they was rewrapped though and some of the shrink wrap did melt from the heat.

decoy , I would say 0.2 is the lowest I feel safe too with 20A cells. I don't trust pulse ratings either, as you mention not all batteries are made the same. Regulated I also go as low as is needed, and when I built with Ni and Ti it was common to have very low builds, but I know this does not effect amp load on the batteries in a regulated mod, wattage does so I never was worried there.

I generally get my batteries from somewhere called batteries plus, although I got the newest HE4's from somewhere called Fogstar as they was cheaper and he is well regarded.

That does make me laugh about the stacked 18350's, but also makes me very worried too that people do things like this.I agree when a shop does it, it is unforgivable.

enjay , I am glad to hear a user who goes much lower who has not experienced any issues too. I do understand a lot of people build this low without issue. The VTC5A is a fantastic cell, good capacity and an even better CDR.

I am aware of Mooch's tests, it was actually due to him I managed to explain to quite a few people how to calculate amp load on a regulated mod. A lot of the time when people are not aware you calculate differently, they won't always believe me. But if I link them to Mooch explaining the same thing I am, they then do believe my calculations lol.

The main reason I stick at around 0.2 as my lowest, is this is where I actually enjoy vaping at. Regulated I don't vape that high powered, so I find this to be a good area for use down to around 3.6-3.7V before pulling on a mech. 0.08 would be a bit too much for me, simple 26G SS microcoils are plenty for me.

Yes I found it to be slow using 3 or 4 bays which was why I bought/ changed to using the Efest LUC4 mostly.

With up to 2 cells, the D4 charges at 750MA, which is not bad and results in charging fairly fast. With 3 or 4 though, this drops down to 375MA, and as you say are among the slowest. This is gentle on the batteries though, so if you can wait is not the worst thing.

Even with the Efest though, which I can select either 0.5A, 1A for all 4 bays, or 2A charging for 2 bays, at 1A is still well within most cells standard charge rate, and I have found batteries to still last a good amount of time in their general lifespan at this speed.
I only actually use the 2A charging for my 26650's though, I know I can charge my 18650's at this speed but prefer to be within the recommended standard charge rate.

Is the only way to spot the fakes the box, and the plug? As the plug checks out as it should, but I no longer have the box for the D4.