Battery Questions

[seansluder]

So I manage an e cig shop in Louisville, KY that has recently started carrying mechanical mods and all that good stuff. I would like to know from more experienced users information I need to give my customers on battery safety. Probably a terrible question to ask for a manager I know. It's embarrassing to have to tell my customers I don't know the answer to their question. I have done a lot of research online but I get conflicting information, or it's all in technical talk that I don't understand. I'm a pretty intelligent guy, but I'm not an electrician. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

 

[State O' Flux]

Welcome to ECF, Sean...

Click on my second sig line hyperlink. It will take you to an article filled with information and several other links regarding mech mods, rebuildables and battery safety knowledge. You can never know too much... ya' know. ;-)

 

[Neolithium]

So I manage an e cig shop in Louisville, KY that has recently started carrying mechanical mods and all that good stuff. I would like to know from more experienced users information I need to give my customers on battery safety. Probably a terrible question to ask for a manager I know. It's embarrassing to have to tell my customers I don't know the answer to their question. I have done a lot of research online but I get conflicting information, or it's all in technical talk that I don't understand. I'm a pretty intelligent guy, but I'm not an electrician. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

The link already given to you is the best to get you informed. I don't think there's anything remotely embarassing about asking how you can pass on useful information on safety to customers. We see too many customers on here who were never informed by a vape shop about this kind of thing - you obviously do care about your business and your customers. Awesome

 

[EBates]

Welcome aboard
Glad to see there are vape shop owner/operators learning how to inform their customers in battery safety.

 

[drunkenbatman]

I give you points, mate. You also have one hell of a learning curve ahead, especially with safety. If you're confused, ask until you get enough answers you trust and understand the why behind the what even if it takes awhile. The only difference between a local shop and an online shop is convenience, a neck to choke when stuff goes wrong, and knowledge, all weighed against cost. If you don't have the latter, it'll catch up to you somehow.

 

[ElVaho]

When it comes to battery safety the most important thing to learn is Ohm's Law.
Without that you will not be able to determine if a battery in question can actually delivery enough AMPS for a given setup safely.

 

[Lessifer]

It's great seeing someone in your position wanting to learn, so you can look out for your customers. You've come to the right place.

 

[Mrs C]

When I'm in a shop and the person who is helping can't answer a question I ask, I have far more respect for a person who says "I don't know but I'm going to find out", than someone who shrugs their shoulders and mumbles rushing me out or gives inaccurate info.

Kudo's for seeking out the information your customers NEED to know.

 

[edyle]

So I manage an e cig shop in Louisville, KY that has recently started carrying mechanical mods and all that good stuff. I would like to know from more experienced users information I need to give my customers on battery safety. Probably a terrible question to ask for a manager I know. It's embarrassing to have to tell my customers I don't know the answer to their question. I have done a lot of research online but I get conflicting information, or it's all in technical talk that I don't understand. I'm a pretty intelligent guy, but I'm not an electrician. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

1: Use safe chemistry batteries.
The "IMR" batteries are high drain, safe chemistry batteries suitable for vaping.

2: a) Be sure to have some fuses available for customers who would like to have them.
b) Be sure to have some kick modules available for customers who would like that option.

3: Most mechanical mods use a bottom switch instead of a spring, and they depend on the battery wrapper to act as an insulator.
If the wrapper gets torn, on the side, the switch gets bypassed and the mod is on.

4: Be vary wary of mods like the SMPL mod which off a 'hybrid look' by contacting the tanks center pin directly to the battery; this depends on the tank having a center pin which clearly protrudes outwards, otherwise screwing down the tank onto the battery results in an instant short between the center pin and the 510 threads.

 

[Warpigs]

Welcome to ECF!

 

[KGB7]

Here what you should do.

Use companies money and make a HUGE poster, with a chart, that breaks down and simplifies Ohm laws, batteries and coils. Then slap it on the wall in the shop. Make it simple and effective, dont forget to add warning signs, so even a 5th grader can understand it.

This way, anyone that walks in to the shop will be able to learn by looking at the chart.

But it needs to be big, bright, with arrows, smiley and frown faces.

 

[Susan~S]

Hello and welcome to the forum Sean. Glad to have you here!

Below is the post I give to most members new to mech mods and rebuildables. What shop do you manage? I have family in Louisville and will be visiting them over the holidays. The only shop in Louisville I have been to is AltSmoke.

================

If you are new to mech mods and rebuildables I highly recommend you spend some time with Baditude (one of our resident battery experts) and visit his blogs. You are now 100% in control of your own safety (and others around you). Make sure you purchase an ohm reader and a voltmeter or DMM so you can measure your builds, check for shorts and measure the remaining charge on your batteries.

Baditudes Blogs. The blogs regarding mods and rebuildables are listed below:

BATTERIES

9. Battery Basics for Mods: IMR or Protected ICR?
* Another essential read to understand which batteries are safe to use in mechanical and regulated mods. Includes a frequently updated list of recommended safe-chemistry, high-drain batteries with their specifications.

17. Purple Efest Batteries Not As Advertised
* A cautionary blog that reveals that the purple Efest batteries may not have the specifications advertised. Also includes a commentary on "continuous discharge ratings" vs "pulse discharge ratings" of battery specs.

OHM'S LAW

14. Ohm's Law for Dummies (Vapers)
* My attempt at explaining Ohm's Law in layman terms and how it relates to vaping.

16. Explain it to the Dumb Noob: Ohm's Law Calculations
* As simple as it is to use, some people have a tough time grasping the concept. Warning: Includes graphic photos of mod explosions.

MECHANICAL MODS & REBUILDABLES

7. Information Resources for Your First RBA
* An essential read and reference guide for someone new to rebuilding coils. Includes a multitude of useful links on battery safety, mod safety, coil meters, coil building, and the differences in the three types of RBA's.

15. Inexpensive Mechanical Mod and RDA Setup
* A response to the frequently asked question on how to get into rebuildable atomizers with a mechanical mod inexpensively. Includes a list of commonly used tools and supplies for rebuilding and where to find them.

 

[edyle]

Here what you should do.

Use companies money and make a HUGE poster, with a chart, that breaks down and simplifies Ohm laws, batteries and coils. Then slap it on the wall in the shop. Make it simple and effective, dont forget to add warning signs, so even a 5th grader can understand it.

This way, anyone that walks in to the shop will be able to learn by looking at the chart.

But it needs to be big, bright, with arrows, smiley and frown faces.

I'd put this pic with a caption: "Respect your Lithium Battery."

 

[lotuspwnz]

If you did a simple search on google about e cig battery safety you could even just print out the articles and give them to new customers that are new to vaping. I only say cause if i was new and a shop did that for me i would have loved it compared to what i had to do was research battery safety and how to vape safe in general and that process took me months to figure out everything i could on vaping possible. Id also say push your customers to research as much about vaping as possible. If i were you though id do all the research work print out copies of everything and give your customers a premade packet on vaping in general and all the info they need to know.