Battery do's and don't?

[IrishUpstart]

I'm very near to getting my shipment from FT and quite frankly, the batteries scare me to no end. As such, I was wondering if you all could chime in on any do's and donts on battery usage and safety. I'm attached to my face and would very much like it to remain attached to me. Here are a couple I've gleaned in my readings. It is important to note I will be rocking a fuseless k100 with panny cgr18650ch

-Don't charge unattended
-Don't fully deplete battery.
-Don't carry spare battery in pocket with keys/coins
-Don't build a .0001 ohm coil and vape.

What else?

 

[Elemental0619]

Think you got it all maybe missed a thing or two that I cant think of lol

 

[IrishUpstart]

What about post-charging: should I let batteries "rest" once fully charged before throwing them in?

 

[Baditude]

A Vape Safe Mod Fuse would add a layer of safety to your fuseless mod.

If you plan on carrying your mod in your pocket, I'd recommend using its safety 0n-Off switch if it has one; if not - detach the atomizer or remove the batteries to prevent accidental firing of the switch in your pocket. I have personally fried a battery and mod when the fire button became depressed continuously and hard-shorted the battery:



It's a good idea to frequently measure the battery voltage when you remove it from you mod and also when you remove it from the charger. Having a simple voltmeter, or better yet a digital multimeter should be a part of your vape setup. Voltage should be 4.1 - 4.2v coming off the charger. 3.4 - 3.5 coming out of the mod. Good idea to rest the batteries for an hour before adding them to a charger or the mod.

Some excellent information resources on battery and mod safety in these links:

http://batteryuniversity.com/

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/announcements-news/129007-warning-rechargeable-batteries-apvs.html

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/ecf-library/129569-rechargeable-batteries.html

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/battery-issues/254690-protected-batteries-vs-imr-safety-5.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short_circuit

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/battery-issues/254690-protected-batteries-vs-imr-safety-5.html

http://bumblevape.com/article/21/105/0/Mechanical%20Mod%20Proper%20Usage%20Guide#5

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/announcements-news/271739-emss-ecf-metal-tubemods-safety-specification.html

http://www.rtdvapor.com/online-store/batteries/vapesafe2-detail

http://www.ohmslawcalculator.com/ohms_law_calculator.php

 

[serenity21899]

Plastic battery boxes are about $1 from many vendors. They hold 2 18650s or 18500s, or 4 18650s. Good for carrying batteries.

 

[dr g]

Plastic battery boxes are about $1 from many vendors. They hold 2 18650s or 18500s, or 4 18650s. Good for carrying batteries.

He will actually get one if he orders a pair of batteries from fasttech.

 

[Thunderball]

He will actually get one if he orders a pair of batteries from fasttech.

I like that and is one of my pet peeves. fasttech gives you batt boxes for free and ships free from the other side of the planet, but any vendor here makes you pay for them.... give me a break.

 

[Baditude]

I like that and is one of my pet peeves. fasttech gives you batt boxes for free and ships free from the other side of the planet, but any vendor here makes you pay for them.... give me a break.

Including a battery case would be a nice business practice, and might encourage vapors to use them.

However, I've read that vendors such as FastTech and Ebay have been selling counterfeit batteries dressed up to look very similar to brand name batteries. Just a heads up: be aware of what the battery you need looks like and has the exact labeling that the manufacturer uses to confirm you are indeed getting what you are paying for.

It was either AW or Panasonic that issued a warning that the batteries being sold by FastTech were not their batteries, but counterfeits.

Edit 8-4-2013: I was unable to find, confirm, and list a link concerning the above information that I posted about FastTech selling counterfeit batteries, although I do recall reading a blip about it. I made a claim that I unfortunately can not confirm, so I respectfully retract that statement. My appologies for the resulting off topic rants that ensued in this thread.

 

[DaveP]

^^^ All good info above.

IMR is safer than Li-Ion. IMR batts can take deep cycle, high amp loads without venting or creating excess heat. I'm through with Li-ion these days and using only IMR.

Don't even think about using a mod that takes more than one battery. All cases where mods blew up in peoples' faces used stacked batteries. That doesn't mean a shorted battery won't do the same, just that with stacked batteries you run the risk of pairing up a fully charged battery with one that is nearly depleted. Reverse charging can occur with the charged battery rapidly discharging into the partially charged battery. Li-ion doesn't like fast charges. Li-ion and IMR like nice slow charging rates.

Use battery cases always. That prevents a battery from coming in contact with a metal part in your glove box or your pocket. By the time you feel the heat, the vent is probably beginning to create a torch on your body parts. Not fun at all! It happens faster than you can respond to and nearly always creates a fire, melted environment, noxious gases, and/or serious burn.


Basic to Advanced Battery Information from Battery University is a good place to become informed about batteries and charging.

 

[Train2]

I was pleasantly surprised that when I ordered these Panasonic NCR18650PD's, they CAME WITH a plastic box.
Which I'd already ordered elsewhere, so now I have extra. Good batteries too!!

Plastic battery boxes are about $1 from many vendors. They hold 2 18650s or 18500s, or 4 18650s. Good for carrying batteries.

 

[Train2]

Finished thread - lol. Didn't see the other "FT includes box" post.

I had NOT heard that FT batteries were questionable. I HAVE read that "alibaba" batteries are DEFINITELY suspect - rewrapped defects, in fact.

 

[Steven_]

You should charge on a metal service like a cookie sheet is what i was told or something like a cookie sheet

 

[DaveP]

You should charge on a metal service like a cookie sheet is what i was told or something like a cookie sheet

I still haven't bought a charging bag, but I only charge when I'm sitting in sight of the charger. It's always within a foot or two of the kitchen sink where I can unplug it, drag it by the cord, and douse it. We all should at least use a metal tin to house our chargers. Those cookie tins that you get around Christmas look like good options if the top were slotted smoothly and insulated around the cut for the charger cord. Maybe even better would be those foot high popcorn tins.

 

[Rob4092]

Why do stacked batteries create a problem? I use them in my Vamo v3 with zero issues so far. I stack the 18350's.

 

[DaveP]

Why do stacked batteries create a problem? I use them in my Vamo v3 with zero issues so far. I stack the 18350's.

When you hit the fire button, current flows in the circuit and both batteries deliver fairly equal voltage and current in a series circuit. If one is dead but not at cutoff, when you hit the fire button the discharged one will begin to equalize current flow with the fully charged battery, but in reverse, in effect charging the empty battery very quickly. Heat results and the electrolyte can reach high temps in a hurry. Hot electrolyte in an enclosed case builds pressure rapidly.

IMR and Li-ion batts don't like fast charge or discharge. Both create internal heat. IMR can take such abuse much better than Li-ion. Some IMR batteries can take 10 amp draws for short periods without harm and can reach temps close to 500 degrees internally without self destructing. Li-ion tends to spew and vent when that happens. Go for the IMR batts when you buy.

Stacked batteries are fine as long as you don't screw up and install one dead one and one fully charged battery by mistake. As long as both are fully charged, you should be fine.

You are also fairly safe if your mod utilizes a sacrificial spring on the end cap. When the high amp load starts, it will heat up and sag, breaking the circuit and taking the pressure off the batteries, which will hopefully stop the heat buildup before the batteries turn into bottle rockets inside a metal tube.

for safety's sake, IMO you are better off using one 18650 as opposed to stacked 18350 batts. There's less to worry about. That's just me. The fewer batts I have to charge and keep up with, the better.

But don't take my word for it, read up here. This should be required reading for anyone using hi tech batteries.

Basic to Advanced Battery Information from Battery University

 

[Jazzi Mike]

Including a battery case would be a nice business practice, and might encourage vapors to use them.

However, I've read that vendors such as FastTech and Ebay have been selling counterfeit batteries dressed up to look very similar to brand name batteries. Just a heads up: be aware of what the battery you need looks like and has the exact labeling that the manufacturer uses to confirm you are indeed getting what you are paying for.

It was either AW or Panasonic that issued a warning that the batteries being sold by FastTech were not their batteries, but counterfeits.

Meh it's a ploy by those companies because Fasttech is selling the batteries well under the MSRP. Innokin tried to do that a while ago, too. What happens is Fasttech uses shell suppliers to buy from the actual companies and Panasonic can't know which ones are the 'fake' suppliers, so to discourage people from buying from them, Panasonic starts saying the batteries on Fasttech are fake.

 

[Baditude]

Meh it's a ploy by those companies because Fasttech is selling the batteries well under the MSRP. Innokin tried to do that a while ago, too. What happens is Fasttech uses shell suppliers to buy from the actual companies and Panasonic can't know which ones are the 'fake' suppliers, so to discourage people from buying from them, Panasonic starts saying the batteries on Fasttech are fake.

If you say so, it must be true.

I've seen pictures of red 18650 batteries that look exactly like genuine red AW IMR batteries, but without the labeling and AW sticker. To the unwary and uneducated buyer, they see what looks like the real thing and end up with an inferior generic and possibly dangerous battery. Believe what you want, I buy only from vendors that guarantee genuine brand name batteries.

 

[dr g]

If you say so, it must be true.

I've seen pictures of red 18650 batteries that look exactly like genuine red AW IMR batteries, but without the labeling and AW sticker. To the unwary and uneducated buyer, they see what looks like the real thing and end up with an inferior generic and possibly dangerous battery. Believe what you want, I buy only from vendors that guarantee genuine brand name batteries.

A lot of people say so. It's pretty much been figured out that this is the case. If FT puts a brand name on something, it's that brand. They don't sell AW, so don't conflate that.

I like that and is one of my pet peeves. fasttech gives you batt boxes for free and ships free from the other side of the planet, but any vendor here makes you pay for them.... give me a break.

Well, time is money heh

 

[Lessifer]

Plastic battery boxes are about $1 from many vendors. They hold 2 18650s or 18500s, or 4 18650s. Good for carrying batteries.

I think you meant 4 18350 batteries? I was actually wondering about this, is it ok to put 4 18350s in a case meant for 2 18650s? The two batteries would touch on one end, but since there's nothing to complete the full circuit it should be ok right?

 

[DaveP]

I've been rotating the same 4 AW 18650 2000mah IMR batts for almost a year and a half. So far, no signs of reduced life. I don't see saving $3 apiece over a year's time being much difference at all. I do get peace of mind for that 25 cents per month premium, though. I could have saved a buck per battery from another vendor, but I trust the one I bought from.