Peeling battery casing question

[mollylama]

Hi, I have a Kangertech subox, and my battery is peeling a little on the bottom (the negative side). Is it okay to use, or is it dangerous? I've heard on some models, it can explode, but on others not? I'm getting paranoid about it, and want to make sure it is safe. Thanks!

 

[K_Tech]

Hi @mollylama! Yes, the problem with the peeling wrapper is that it may expose the negative terminal of the battery (which is basically the entire battery "can") to metal inside the mod. Doing so can cause a short circuit condition, and that's a bad thing.

Pick yourself up a package of these:

18650 PVC Wrap

and re-wrap the suspect cells. Just cut the old wrapper off, slide the new one in place, and use a hair dryer to shrink it to the battery.

In a pinch, you can wrap a little piece of electrical tape over the cracked area, but replacement would be the best option.

 

[mollylama]

Hi @mollylama! Yes, the problem with the peeling wrapper is that it may expose the negative terminal of the battery (which is basically the entire battery "can") to metal inside the mod. Doing so can cause a short circuit condition, and that's a bad thing.

Pick yourself up a package of these:

18650 PVC Wrap

and re-wrap the suspect cells. Just cut the old wrapper off, slide the new one in place, and use a hair dryer to shrink it to the battery.

In a pinch, you can wrap a little piece of electrical tape over the cracked area, but replacement would be the best option.

Thank you so much for this info, I will buy some of the wraps, especially since one of the vape shops I go to charges $5.00 to re-wrap a battery. I actually threw away 2 good batteries before, because I thought I needed to throw them away if damaged at all. So what you saying is, that yes, a peeling battery has the potential to explode in my Subox Nano? I will take it out now if it potentially dangerous to vape while it is in there.

 

[BrotherBob]

Welcome and glad you joined.
Might like to read:
18650 Battery Buying Guide for Vapor Users – Wake and Vape Blog
(9) Battery Basics for Mods; the Ultimate Battery Guide | E-Cigarette Forum
(12) Deeper Understanding of Mod Batteries - Part I | E-Cigarette Forum

 

[zoiDman]

Thank you so much for this info, I will buy some of the wraps, especially since one of the vape shops I go to charges $5.00 to re-wrap a battery. I actually threw away 2 good batteries before, because I thought I needed to throw them away if damaged at all. So what you saying is, that yes, a peeling battery has the potential to explode in my Subox Nano? I will take it out now if it potentially dangerous to vape while it is in there.

It is Never a good idea to use a Battery (any Battery) with a Damaged Wrapper.

Especially when for about 3 Bucks and 30 Minutes of time with a Blow Dryer you can Replace the Wrapper with "Any Colour you Like".

Wraps - IMRbatteries.com

 

[r77r7r]

So, how does one know the identity of the battery then. For later use with a different mod?

 

[zoiDman]

So, how does one know the identity of the battery then. For later use with a different mod?

You can write on the Battery's Metal Casing with Fine Tipped Sharpie Marker and then use a Clear or Translucent Wrapper.

Or if you don't have any Mods that have Very Tight Battery Compartments, you can Print out Info and then Cut the Paper Down to a Small Strip. Once Again, Using a Clear or Translucent Wrapper.

 

[zoiDman]

So, how does one know the identity of the battery then. For later use with a different mod?

BTW - What Happened to your Avatar?

 

[NealBJr]

So, how does one know the identity of the battery then. For later use with a different mod?

His suggestion is better than mine. I wrote on the shrink wrap directly, and it can sometimes smudge off. His solution is better than mine. I have a labeler, but no film for it, so I might give that a shot sometime later.

If you have a dual battery mod, it is also a good way to "marry" them. For kicks and grins, I label them with a female and a male name starting with the same letter. (Alfred and Abagail, Bob and Bernice, Charlie and Christy) Things get real tricky though when you have a Releaux three battery mod... (Frank, Frances, Fern)

 

[zoiDman]

His suggestion is better than mine. I wrote on the shrink wrap directly, and it can sometimes smudge off. His solution is better than mine. I have a labeler, but no film for it, so I might give that a shot sometime later.

If you have a dual battery mod, it is also a good way to "marry" them. For kicks and grins, I label them with a female and a male name starting with the same letter. (Alfred and Abagail, Bob and Bernice, Charlie and Christy) Things get real tricky though when you have a Releaux three battery mod... (Frank, Frances, Fern)

A P-Touch Labeler works Great Also.

Now that thing about giving them Male and Female names? You might want to consider Lowering your Nicotine mg's.

Or Maybe Increasing it?

 

[kbeam418]

It is Never a good idea to use a Battery (any Battery) with a Damaged Wrapper.

Especially when for about 3 Bucks and 30 Minutes of time with a Blow Dryer you can Replace the Wrapper with "Any Colour you Like".

Wraps - IMRbatteries.com

^This one of the vape shops I go to re-wraps batteries for free. No sense buying new batteries when the wrapper tears.

 

[Imfallen_Angel]

If you're in a jam, a quick temporary fix is at least put some thick tape over the tear.. the goal.. no contacts that could cause short..

 

[r77r7r]

Liquid Electrical Tape.

 

[K_Tech]

Thank you so much for this info, I will buy some of the wraps, especially since one of the vape shops I go to charges $5.00 to re-wrap a battery. I actually threw away 2 good batteries before, because I thought I needed to throw them away if damaged at all. So what you saying is, that yes, a peeling battery has the potential to explode in my Subox Nano? I will take it out now if it potentially dangerous to vape while it is in there.

I wouldn't say that it's 100% dangerous without knowing the internal construction of the Subox, but yes, it is a risk.

You can write on the Battery's Metal Casing with Fine Tipped Sharpie Marker and then use a Clear or Translucent Wrapper.

Or if you don't have any Mods that have Very Tight Battery Compartments, you can Print out Info and then Cut the Paper Down to a Small Strip. Once Again, Using a Clear or Translucent Wrapper.

Those are great ideas, along with your suggestion of a P-touch. I specifically bought clear wrap just so I could label the batteries. For "factory-wrapped" batteries, I use a paint marker to label them, I've found it's a LOT more durable than a Sharpie.

If you're in a jam, a quick temporary fix is at least put some thick tape over the tear.. the goal.. no contacts that could cause short..

Yup. At the low voltages we deal with, even clear adhesive tape (like Scotch tape) works just fine, although it's not designed as an insulator.

 

[90VG]

Things get real tricky though when you have a Releaux three battery mod... (Frank, Frances, Fern)

Frank, Frances and Fido. You can always add a dogs name.

 

[zoiDman]

Frank, Frances and Fido. You can always add a dogs name.

Woof!

 

[K_Tech]

Frank, Frances and Fido. You can always add a dogs name.

I'm boring. Mine are always "A1..A2..A3" and so on...