How well do you know your battery safety?
In this article we will touch on some important things that are detriment to know about batteries, chargers, a few do's and don'ts and a few benefits of looking after your batteries and other vape equipment.
It's important to know about know about these arduous things because mishandling batteries can be catastrophic.
Are 18650 Batteries Dangerous?
Lithium-ion high drain batteries are used for a variety of electronics such as laptops, powerful flashlights, and of course e-cig vaporizers. They are designed to handle high power draw and provide a lot of energy. 18650 batteries have a label that indicates their voltage (3.7), their size (18650 18mm x 65mm), and their mAh rating (number of cells which directly relates to battery life)
Simple tips that are important to know:
1. Keep your batteries in a battery sleeve when you are not using them.
18650 batteries must be carried in a carrying case that separates them from touching anything else to prevent the batteries from creating other connections in your pocket. This connection can occur when the positive end of your battery touches metal in your pocket (change, lighters, pens) or even through the metal buttons or zippers in some pants and cause energy to continuously drain. Once that happens, the battery becomes hotter and hotter until the battery acid “vents” out of the positive end of the battery turning into a “vented battery.”
2. Match battery types together.
Always use the same type of battery together to prevent an imbalance of power between the multiple cells. For example, if you have a dual battery mod, a set of Sony VTC5A 18650 batteries, and a set of Sony VTC6 18650 batteries do not mix and match the different types of batteries.
Only use batteries of the same type, color, mAh rating, age, and condition. Using two or more different batteries in a multiple battery device can cause damage or venting if seriously misused.
3. Do not use a damaged battery.
This one should be obvious, but it is something we often see in vaping and the cause of most battery malfunctions.
Carelessly using a battery with a torn wrapping, large dent, missing positive ring at the top, heavy corrosion, deformity, or water/juice damage is highly discouraged. Using or charging batteries in a damaged state can cause them to vent. Damaged batteries can also ruin your box mod, cause the chip to fry and turn your vape into nothing more than a crispy paper weight.
If the old wrapping of a battery becomes damaged, put it back in the plastic carrying case and have it “rewrapped” with a new wrap.
4. Do not leave charging batteries unattended.
As with all batteries, do not leave 18650 batteries unattended while charging. Even though most chargers are made of fire-proof material, electronics and fires can still happen. When completely dead, batteries only take about 3 hours to charge on the slowest charging setting.
Charging through the device’s micro USB is not highly recommended due to the lack of a full charge that can be provided through the micro USB cable. Instead, charging docks are a superior and safer way to charge batteries.
Just like with your vape, do not use damaged batteries in the charger. Safely charge batteries on the charger while you can keep an eye on them.
5. Never store batteries with metal.
The only metal your batteries should ever be touching is the battery terminals inside your vape. If 18650 batteries are exposed to metal, it could create a circuit and continuously expend energy until they vent.
6. Safely dispose of your batteries.
When batteries get old, they often don’t hold a quality charge. Using old batteries are not only a hassle because they don’t last as long, but they can also be dangerous. Your best bet when dealing with an old battery is to play it safe and get rid of them.
Resist the urge to toss them in the trash because of the damage it could do to the environment. Instead, place batteries in individually in cases or plastic bags and bring them to your local recycling center.
The chemicals inside the batteries are toxic just as the chemicals in cigarettes are harmful, so we ask you to respect the earth like your lungs.
You wouldn’t leave your phone in the freezer or the oven so don’t do it to your vape. Leaving a vape in your car on a hot or cold day with extreme temperatures can damage 18650 batteries. Not only that but it can cause juice to leak from your tank, which will saturate your mod and potentially even leak on to batteries resulting in black spotting under your battery wraps.
If juice leaks inside, it could break your mod causing it to misbehave or not turn on again.
7. Do not leave batteries in extreme temperatures.
You wouldn’t leave your phone in the freezer or the oven so don’t do it to your vape. Leaving a vape in your car on a hot or cold day with extreme temperatures can damage 18650 batteries. Not only that but it can cause juice to leak from your tank, which will saturate your mod and potentially even leak on to batteries resulting in black spotting under your battery wraps.
If juice leaks inside, it could break your mod causing it to misbehave or not turn on again.
In Final, Are 18650 batteries safe?
Yes, if you’re safe with them. All batteries weren’t created equally and should be treated that way. 18650 batteries require the user to be attentive and knowledgeable, but once you know how to use and handle the batteries they are safe to use.
We hope you found this article helpful and informative. Our goal is to keep our customers vaping safely.
Stay safe everyone. Happy vaping!