Updated: 11/12/2021
Mechanical mods are advanced e-cigarettes that lack any kind of electronics or power output regulation. Due to their simple design and lack of safety features, mechanical mods are only recommended for experienced vapers who understand Ohm's Law and battery safety.
Ohm's Law:
It's very important that you understand Ohm's Law if you are using a mechanical mod. If you're not completely familiar with Ohm's Law please read my blog post linked below:
Ohm's Law 101 For Vapers
Steam Engine also has a really good Ohm's Law calculator which you can access here:
Ohm's law | Steam Engine | free vaping calculators
Also check out this blog by Baditide:
Ohm's Law for Dummies (Vapers)
Battery Safety:
Since mechanical mods lack any type of safety features, it's very important to understand battery safety concepts. We'll break it down into several key area's:
Where To Buy:
Only buy from a trusted store known to sell authentic high quality batteries. RTD Vapor is a highly recommended source for batteries. There are fake batteries, so avoid unknown vendors like those on eBay.
What To Buy:
Only buy high drain safe chemistry batteries, these are often called IMR or simply safe chemistry. Never buy protected or Lithium Ion batteries. High drain safe chemistry batteries can handle higher current loads, essential in sub ohm vaping, and if they fail, they do so in a less violent manner than Lithium Ion batteries.
Secondly, only buy batteries that have a known maximum continuous discharge rate (CDR). A battery with a 10 amp CDR is good for 0.5-0.6 Ohm atomizers and higher. A 20 amp CDR can safely go down to 0.3-0.4 Ohms. If you're using atomizers with resistances below 0.3 Ohms a 30 amp CDR battery is recommended.
It's best to leave yourself some safety margin, as the chart below shows, current rises rapidly with sub ohm builds as resistance decreases.
Check out Baditude's excellent blog post on batteries for more information:
Battery Basics for Mods: IMR or Protected ICR?
Ohm Meters:
You need an accurate atomizer ohm meter, especially if you're using a RBA, and a digital multi meter (DMM). The dedicated atomizer ohm meter, like one from Coil Master, can give you accurate coil resistance readings. A DMM is good for checking battery voltage and checking for shorts.
Maintenance:
Keeping your switch, contacts, and threads clean in your mech mod is very important. Dirt and oxidation can result in high resistances that cause heat, like hot button issues. Follow your mod makers recommendations on cleaning.
Safety Rules:
Here are some basic safety rules to avoid problems or accidents with your mech mod:
(1) If you press the button and it doesn't fire, STOP, remove the battery. Use your ohm meter to check for a weak battery, short, or other problem. People have vented batteries continually pressing the fire button when there was an obvious problem.
(2) Only use quality high drain safe chemistry batteries with a sufficient CDR for the atomizer you're using. Do NOT push your batteries beyond their limits.
(3) If the mod or battery gets hot, STOP! Remove the battery, if safe to do so, and check for shorts, oxidation or changes in atomizer resistance. Make SURE the battery you have can handle the atomizer resistance you're using.
(4) Always test your coil builds with an ohm meter prior to using the atomizer on a mechanical mod.
(5) ALWAYS lock the button to prevent accidental firing when carry a mechanical mod in a pocket, purse, etc...
Please feel free to leave a comment if you have any suggestions or corrections.
Mechanical mods are advanced e-cigarettes that lack any kind of electronics or power output regulation. Due to their simple design and lack of safety features, mechanical mods are only recommended for experienced vapers who understand Ohm's Law and battery safety.
Ohm's Law:
It's very important that you understand Ohm's Law if you are using a mechanical mod. If you're not completely familiar with Ohm's Law please read my blog post linked below:
Ohm's Law 101 For Vapers
Steam Engine also has a really good Ohm's Law calculator which you can access here:
Ohm's law | Steam Engine | free vaping calculators
Also check out this blog by Baditide:
Ohm's Law for Dummies (Vapers)
Battery Safety:
Since mechanical mods lack any type of safety features, it's very important to understand battery safety concepts. We'll break it down into several key area's:
Where To Buy:
Only buy from a trusted store known to sell authentic high quality batteries. RTD Vapor is a highly recommended source for batteries. There are fake batteries, so avoid unknown vendors like those on eBay.
What To Buy:
Only buy high drain safe chemistry batteries, these are often called IMR or simply safe chemistry. Never buy protected or Lithium Ion batteries. High drain safe chemistry batteries can handle higher current loads, essential in sub ohm vaping, and if they fail, they do so in a less violent manner than Lithium Ion batteries.
Secondly, only buy batteries that have a known maximum continuous discharge rate (CDR). A battery with a 10 amp CDR is good for 0.5-0.6 Ohm atomizers and higher. A 20 amp CDR can safely go down to 0.3-0.4 Ohms. If you're using atomizers with resistances below 0.3 Ohms a 30 amp CDR battery is recommended.
It's best to leave yourself some safety margin, as the chart below shows, current rises rapidly with sub ohm builds as resistance decreases.
Check out Baditude's excellent blog post on batteries for more information:
Battery Basics for Mods: IMR or Protected ICR?
Ohm Meters:
You need an accurate atomizer ohm meter, especially if you're using a RBA, and a digital multi meter (DMM). The dedicated atomizer ohm meter, like one from Coil Master, can give you accurate coil resistance readings. A DMM is good for checking battery voltage and checking for shorts.
Maintenance:
Keeping your switch, contacts, and threads clean in your mech mod is very important. Dirt and oxidation can result in high resistances that cause heat, like hot button issues. Follow your mod makers recommendations on cleaning.
Safety Rules:
Here are some basic safety rules to avoid problems or accidents with your mech mod:
(1) If you press the button and it doesn't fire, STOP, remove the battery. Use your ohm meter to check for a weak battery, short, or other problem. People have vented batteries continually pressing the fire button when there was an obvious problem.
(2) Only use quality high drain safe chemistry batteries with a sufficient CDR for the atomizer you're using. Do NOT push your batteries beyond their limits.
(3) If the mod or battery gets hot, STOP! Remove the battery, if safe to do so, and check for shorts, oxidation or changes in atomizer resistance. Make SURE the battery you have can handle the atomizer resistance you're using.
(4) Always test your coil builds with an ohm meter prior to using the atomizer on a mechanical mod.
(5) ALWAYS lock the button to prevent accidental firing when carry a mechanical mod in a pocket, purse, etc...
Please feel free to leave a comment if you have any suggestions or corrections.
