18650 Batteries! WARNING!

[craigie1874]

Heya Guys I have just been scouting around the net and read this young dude from the States has just butchered his laptop finding 18650 batteries shoving them in his charger and vaping with them!! This goes for a lot of people I guess that just think a battery is a battery but not the case-these batteries could explode in an unprotected Mod yea that's right blow up in your face! Moral of this story don't use batteries that you have laying around unless they were bought for a specific item or you may have a large dental bill and possibly some reconstructive surgery in to the bargain! Be safe with your vaping guys with all the negative vape hype atm the last thing we need is 'Face blown off with e-cig' headlines!! Batteries are relativity cheep so why take a huge risk? Ok happy vaping guys- be safe

 

[devauto]

Good tip! Can you post a link to the story? Did he blow his face off, or was this just a warning based on his actions?

 

[DetraMental]

Say what!? Yeah a link would be good.

 

[bsidb]

You sure he wasnt from Sunderland UK ?

 

[David Muffmucher]

I think this was on Facebook and I replied to whomever this was that laptop batteries can explode. Such batteries have a low discharge rate and when can get highly stressed when a mod draws too much power from them.

 

[SirSteve]

That is not as uncommon as you think, taking batteries from a laptop or other sources pops up on here from time to time. Not something I would do or recommend, but it does happen. I buy mine from trusted vendors and use what is recommended for my intended use.

 

[generic mutant]

Between that and "I bought them from ebay, but they're the right colour and the seller has a high rating so they must be real..." it's a losing battle.

We can only hope the policy makers have enough sense to realise that reckless people injuring themselves cutting corners doesn't outweigh the possibility of saving so many people from a murderous addiction.

But pointing out that people are being reckless when they are helps. Even if they don't listen, other people reading the responses may be helped.

 

[H Niemand]

As an addition, do not use the USB port on your computer to charge ego and the like. I either use a plug in adapter or a usb multiplier that has it's own power source AND is not plugged into my laptop.

 

[SirSteve]

As an addition, do not use the USB port on your computer to charge ego and the like. I either use a plug in adapter or a usb multiplier that has it's own power source AND is not plugged into my laptop.

Good advice, car chargers are not something I would recommend either, especially using the old cigarette lighter plug-ins, the lighter receptacles are not regulated very well.

 

[Baditude]

I'll add not to use generic batteries with either no brand-name printed on the battery or an un-recognized name-brand battery manufacturer. Battery quality can vary greatly and they are not created equal.

China has been re-wrapping used batteries and re-wrapping battery rejects from the better battery manufacturers and selling them as new. There was a post on one of the flash light forums where someone un-wrapped four new ****fire batteries, and all four cells were different batteries. The counterfeit trade in batteries is alive and well, especially for the more popular brands like AW, Panasonic, and Sony. Purchase only from authorized battery vendors.

Many times "mystery" batteries are thrown into a mod kit that came from China. Never assume that they are a safe battery, the correct chemistry battery, or the right battery for that device. I've seen un-protected ICR batteries included in mod kits, which should not be used in a mod under any circumstances. Research and correctly identify these batteries before you use them in a mod. If you can't identify it and therefore be able to determine if its safe, consider that they are NOT SAFE to use.

The best and safest batteries we can use in our mods are high-drain, safe-chemistry batteries (IMR or hybrid), not the protected ICR batteries that were recommended not that long ago.

BATTERY BASICS FOR MODS: IMR OR PROTECTED?

DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF MOD BATTERIES

 

[Don Robertson]

I prefer to buy "name brand batteries". Yet - sometimes I see the "name brand" at ridiculously LOW prices and can't help but wonder, "are they the real deal?". I stumbled upon one such 'seller' not long ago who was selling what he claimed to be "eGo-C (UPGRADE) USB PASSTHROUGH 650MaH Batteries" at approximately 40% LESS than the best prices I have found. HIS PRICE ..... $12.00 SHIPPED.

When i contacted him to make certain (as certain as possible) they were GENUINE JOYETECH ........ he told me they were, "...made by the same company - JUST FOR ME." Just for him? They looked the same - had the same logo as the real deal - HOWEVER - upon closer inspection of his web site ...... at the VERY END of all his "battery listings" was a disclaimer, "BATTERIES ARE "eGo STYLE" and may not be from the named manufacturer YOU are seeking." What the heck? Double talk! I hate the use of the word "STYLE" but now when i do see it - I don't go forward. "STYLE" - to me - means "aftermarket, knockoff, clone, copy" and so on.

How these people stay in business is a miracle. Great "ratings" ..... "TOP Sellers" ..... "Hogwash"! It is either GENUINE or NOT ..... the use of "STYLE" is a play to fool the unsuspecting and those new to this 'vaping' game.

EXCERPTS FROM E-MAIL:"Hi, The ONLY difference between the EVOD and OUR EGO STYLE BATTERY is that you CAN NOT use a lanyard. The neck is not long enough but it will work with any 510/ego thread with no adapters. Yes OUR T3S STYLE will sit flush and work great on any KANGER EVOD BATTERY as well as OUR EGO STYLE BATTERY. The EVOD is Kangers version of the EGO. We sell them all -- Kanger, Joytech, Vision, Innokin AS WELL AS OUR OWN "eGo-C STYLE" batteries which are quality products. We sell 100% GENUINE KANGER STYLE and other proprietary STYLE products."

Oh Thanks dude! Now I know to shop elsewhere!

I just realized I drifted off topic .... my apology.

From Senility Central STYLE --- Old Man Don

 

[always9988]

As an addition, do not use the USB port on your computer to charge ego and the like. I either use a plug in adapter or a usb multiplier that has it's own power source AND is not plugged into my laptop.

Is it ok to charge like a Volt on computer? I had no idea I thought the whole point of the USB type chargers was for plugging into a computer (I only use it on the regular tower style comp but still)...

And why don't vendors tell you this?

 

[Baditude]

Is it ok to charge like a Volt on computer? I had no idea I thought the whole point of the USB type chargers was for plugging into a computer (I only use it on the regular tower style comp but still)...

And why don't vendors tell you this?

Perhaps they don't know themselves. USB ports are used for many different appliances, and some require a specific voltage. Car charger ports and computer ports can have varying voltage which could do harm either to the charger, battery, or to the computer. Why risk damaging an expensive computer if the battery or charger shorts out?

A cell phone USB/wall adaptor can be had for $5 - 7 from almost anywhere - Radio Shack, Walmart, phone stores, grocery and drug stores, etc.

Ego batteries use li-ion battery chemistry. These batteries are voltatile (flamable) if they go into thermal runaway. There is a small risk involved of starting a fire in your car or home if proper battery practices are not used, but a small risk turns into a large problem if a fire occurs.

 

[always9988]

I do have adaptors, but typically my husband and I are charging 3-4 batteries every evening so we use the comp and a couple different outlets with the various chargers that came with the batteries... It makes sense I just wonder then why the cords are USB instead of like a cell phone charger that plugs into a regular outlet on the wall. Oh well, learn something new every day

 

[japa91]

I had ordered a Panasonic 2900 mah ecf battery and I read that they were good but it only lasted about two days and I am using it in a v3. I watch where I get my battery's now for sure

 

[Kemosabe]

I do have adaptors, but typically my husband and I are charging 3-4 batteries every evening so we use the comp and a couple different outlets with the various chargers that came with the batteries... It makes sense I just wonder then why the cords are USB instead of like a cell phone charger that plugs into a regular outlet on the wall. Oh well, learn something new every day

the answer is $$$. usb plugs are cheaper to produce than outlet plugs. the mfgr passes the responsibility onto the consumer to get them charged appropriately. hey, we want cheap stuff, so mfgrs are cutting corners to get us what we want :/ even if its not what we *really* want LOL

 

[generic mutant]

There's a bit of discussion around the web about that (mostly phone related).

How USB charging works, or how to avoid blowing up your smartphone | ExtremeTech

Personally, I'm not convinced it's a problem. It seems USB ports normally go up to 1.5 amps, and I think that's within spec for a quality Ego / 510 battery *. I wouldn't take my word for it though... Baditude?

People often talk about it wearing out your motherboard to charge things from it. It will contribute, obviously, and if you're using your PC as a charging station through all ports all day it might make a measurable difference. But I doubt it's significant.

If you want to be cautious, just buy a powered USB hub - they aren't expensive.

* edit - well, strictly it's the charger that's going to be determining the current, not the battery. I've read Egos actually charge at 0.5 amps or something, but I really don't know.

 

[Kemosabe]

There's a bit of discussion around the web about that (mostly phone related).

How USB charging works, or how to avoid blowing up your smartphone | ExtremeTech

Personally, I'm not convinced it's a problem. It seems USB ports normally go up to 1.5 amps, and I think that's within spec for a quality Ego / 510 battery. I wouldn't take my word for it though... Baditude?

People often talk about it wearing out your motherboard to charge things from it. It will contribute, obviously, and if you're using your PC as a charging station through all ports all day it might make a measurable difference. But I doubt it's significant.

If you want to be cautious, just buy a powered USB hub - they aren't expensive.

agreed. or you can just get more wall adapters. theyre practically free. less than two bucks a piece shipped.

 

[mgalyan]

I am sorry but holding a potentially explosive item near your mouth merits some caution. Blow clouds, not your face. Read about and understand electricity before you suck on it please.

 

[Fury83]

Good 18650 imr's from authorized and trusted dealers are 10-15 a piece. Cheap options are 5-10. It's your face.

I have nothing to say about ripping open a laptop battery and using those...except that it's incredibly stupid.