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Proper battery safety is important and should never be overlooked. It is is very rare that a battery will vent, explode or cause fire but its important to practise safe battery operation. By following some simple safety tips, you can prevent it from happening.
Do not leave a charging battery unattended for any reason It is not safe to leave your house, have them charge over night or otherwise ignore them. When batteries fail they can catch fire or even explode.
Battery Safety Tips
- Don't leave your batteries charging for long periods after the battery has fully charged! If the battery is damaged it could combust or explode, some battery issues may not be visible until the device is on the charger!
- Inspect your batteries for signs of leakage. Look at the battery, if it is warped or dented its best to avoid using the battery all together. If you have any concerns, pop into one of our stores, or send photos to us at customerservice@vapourium.nz
- Do not store your batteries in a hot place, or in sub zero temperatures. When the battery exceeds its maximum operating temperature, the battery can catch fire or explode. Batteries naturally get warm while in use, but if they are in a hot ambient environment, they can exceed their maximum operating temperature quickly. Most Lithium based batteries are fine in ambient temperatures between 0-45°C
- Do not charge your batteries overnight. This falls under Rule #1: "Do not leave charging batteries unattended!" Just don't do it.
- If your charging cable is getting hot or showing signs of melting, you might have a faulty charging cable. If the problem persists, its best to avoid using the vape all together. If you have any concerns, pop into one of our stores, or send photos to us at customerservice@vapourium.nz
- Always make sure that the USB ports are free from debris, residue and liquid.
Keep Odd Battery Problems in Check
If your battery button sticks; if your battery is behaving unusually; if you even suspect there is something strange about the way your battery is working or charging, do not use it. It is not worth the price of a battery to risk anything happening. When in doubt, throw it out! (Preferably in a safe manner at your local recycling center).
If you are Using 18650 Batteries
There are three main considerations regarding safety to keep in mind when using high drain lithium cells.
- Ensure your batteries are not damaged or have torn wraps, make sure you have the right cell for your device, and always store your batteries in a case.
- Every battery cell has a different “continuous amp rating”. To safely use a battery in a mechanical mod or powerful regulated mod it is important to know the continuous amp rating of your cell and the resistance of the coil you are using. To work out the amp rating you should be using, divide the voltage of the battery by the resistance of the coil (E.G. 4.2v / 0.15ohm = 28A) Most newer devices have temperature sensors which will stop the device from firing if the battery gets too hot, but it is best to get the correct cells to avoid any potential for problems later on down the track. You should be familiar with ohms law if you are using a mechanical device.
- There are a lot of batteries on the market. We highly recommend only purchasing reputable cells from Sony, Panasonic, Samsung or LG.
Choosing a Battery
If you are using a regulated device at a lower wattage (under 60W with a single battery, or 120W on a dual battery) we would recommend a Samsung 25R or Samsung 30Q as they have a larger capacity, giving you a better overall battery life.
The Sony VTC4, or Samsung 25R are our personal favourites for mechanical mods or vaping at high wattages on regulated devices (above 60W on a single battery, or above 120W with a dual battery mod). While Regulated devices have advanced protection features to prevent your batteries from getting damaged, batteries other than the VTC4 and Samsung 25R may heat up when used at a high wattage, and this will trigger overheat protection on your vape temporarily preventing it from firing.
When your Battery is Damaged
It’s really important to make sure there is no damage to your battery cell, always check for nicks and tears in the plastic wrap and large dents in the battery. Underneath the battery wrap is the negative of the cell, if this comes into contact with something metallic this can quickly lead to a hard short, which can cause your battery to vent. If you find such damage on your battery cell, you will need to re-wrap the cell, or purchase a new one. If in doubt, contact your local vape shop.
Please do not throw damaged batteries in the bin, if in doubt, contact your local waste disposal team to properly dispose of your Li-Ion batteries.
Carrying Spare Batteries
Make sure to always carry spare batteries in a non-conductive case, such as these dedicated battery cases. Carrying your spare batteries in your pocket or bag where they may come into contact with conductive metal is dangerous as it may cause your batteries to short circuit or vent.