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Battery Safety

First of all though my apologies, I’m sure that all you vapers out there that use replaceable batteries know all about battery safety so I could be preaching to the converted but here goes again.

These batteries are fairly powerful and can pack a hefty punch so need to be handled with care, the last thing we need is for them to ‘short out’ causing what is commonly known as "thermal runaway". 

Thermal runaway occurs when the temperature of a cell increases in an uncontrolled manner, leading to its failure. This temperature increase generates gases, which vent when the pressure inside the cell rises above a design value. For lithium-ion cells, these gases are hot and combustible, which can become a hazard if a pack was not designed to control the causes and consequences of thermal runaway. It can result in the venting of toxic and highly flammable gases and the release of significant energy in the form of heat. If ignited, these gases can cause enclosed areas to over-pressurize, and if unmitigated, this overpressure can result in an explosion and severe damage to the battery and surrounding equipment or people.

I’m sure we’ve all seen horrific pictures of injuries to people said to be caused by batteries in E-cigarettes so I won’t be putting any more here. Nor shall I write about the specific conditions that caused them.  However we can prevent ourselves from becoming one of these statistics with just a little common sense, powers of observation and care.

I want to reiterate warnings that we see everywhere about the condition of the ‘wraps’ or ‘wrappers’ used on replaceable e-cigarette batteries. Under no circumstances should you use any battery with ANY kind of damage to the wrappers, no tears or rips should be anywhere on the wrapper.

Tips & Tricks:

  • Recognize that your e-cigarette is not a toy. It is a high-tech device that deserves your respect. As such, you should only purchase your electronic cigarettes, mods, and related products from reputable vendors that have a track record of providing quality offerings to their customers.
  • Given the importance of battery safety, never opt for cheap chargers. With electronic cigarettes – as with so much in life, you usually get what you pay for. No matter how much you might like the thought of saving a few dollars here and there, you definitely don’t want to cut corners with your e-cigarette power source.
  • Make sure that your charger is the right one for your battery. Every device comes with a wall adapter and a cable for charging. These are the recommended charging tools for that device, and are the best option for ensuring the safety of that e-cigarette and anyone who comes into contact with it.
  • With mods, you need to ensure that you are charging at the right amp level. The most common charge level for properly regulated internal battery units is somewhere between .5 amps and 2 amps. Your device’s manual should provide the exact specifications you need to know.
  • Avoid overnight charging, since many accidents can occur when devices are left unsupervised. Instead, only charge your battery when you are awake and around to keep an eye on everything. By the same token, try to avoid overcharging your internal batteries, as this can diminish the device’s life span. Batteries should be removed from their chargers once they are fully charged.
  • Make sure that any battery wrap is in good condition. If that plastic sheath has holes or other damage, then replace it.
  • Always verify that you are inserting batteries properly. Check out the correct orientation specs for any mod batteries, and follow those guidelines to the letter.
  • With multiple batteries, it is best to replace all of them at the same time. So, if you have a mod powered by two batteries, always charge or replace those batteries in pairs.
  • Clean your mods on a regular basis. When your threads become dirty, your mod circuits can be disrupted and buttons can get stuck in place. Use a cotton swab or wipe to clean the unit with alcohol.
  • Watch your coil resistance limits. This is especially true for vaping aficionados who build their own coil setups. Remember, most experts recommend that you never go below .2 ohms, since anything below that level can increase the risk of accidents or other mishaps.
  • Store your batteries properly, to avoid shorting them out. Short circuits can occur when the negative and positive terminals come into contact with the battery simultaneously, or due to careless storage habits. For example, batteries can experience a host of problems when they are stored with objects made of metal. As a rule, never store them in a junk drawer or tool chest. If your battery or mod heats up inexplicably, you may have a short circuit on your hands.
  • Never totally deplete your battery’s charge either. With most batteries, there is a recognizable reduction in capability as they near depletion. When you get those indications that your battery is low on power, replace that power source for another.
  • Use caution when disposing of your old batteries. Batteries are filled with dangerous chemicals that can produce toxic fumes or cause an explosion, so avoid throwing them in fire or other careless disposal options. Instead, locate a recycling center and take them there.
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