Did you mean this one? Not mine. It came from an ECF forum member's post. I used it in a new post on battery safety.
Are your battery wraps and insulator rings intact?
Yes that is the one I was thinking of. Thanks for posting it.
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Yes that is the one I was thinking of. Thanks for posting it.
External charging is generally preferred over internal charging in a mod. Additional reasons why is if the battery is being charger in an external charger, it can be monitored more easily for heat production. If the battery is charged in the mod via USB, this can not be done as easily. There is always that "poor design" factor of USB connectors, too.
Interesting you mention poor USB connections. Doesn't that XTAR charger in the pic use a USB connection?
Mine doesn't. It has the other connector that is cylindrical in shape; difficult to see from the angle in this pic. There may be models which use a USB connector though.
Agree 100%
All of the "worries" about mechanical mods are only valid if the mod is used by somebody that is incompetent in the correct usage. Like millions of other people, I have used tons of mech tubes over the years and had zero battery issues, cause I'm smart (no, not arrogant).
I have a background in electronics and that gives me an unfair advantage (it's called knowledge) over most people when it comes to understanding Ohm's Law, current, wattage, etc. So, get some education or don't use a mech. But if you really understand, there's nothing to worry about.
You wouldn't jump into the deep end of the pool without learning to swim, or add a circuit to your electrical panel without knowing how, nor would you fire a gun or reload ammo without some training or research, or mix random chemicals in a lab without chemistry knowledge, right?
Now, if you want to rant about vape shop owners promoting mech mods to folks that don't have a clue, have at it - I'm with you. But seriously, don't blame the tool, blame the operator. And yes, ignorance of the hazards are not an excuse.
Remember - I'm talking about mech mods here, not regulated mods that "exploded" on the nightstand while charging - that's a manufacturer issue or a defective mod, and can happen with any consumer device. If you are worried about that, get yourself a metal box and put the mod/charger inside the box when charging your device/batteries.
Knowledge can only go so far to overcome a design issue/catch-22 though.
At some point, something WILL short in your mech. For example, an insulator will wear out and fail, or an unforeseen thing will happen. Regardless of knowledge.
There's two facts that your knowledge only mitigates, but can't get around:
1) Batteries are designed to have their shells be negative
2) +up orientation vents toward your face.
It's a function of mech ENGINEERING...I'm not talking about craftmanship or tradeskills. I'm talking about engineering and failure mode design. What is the expected lifetime of the insulator used? How long does it typically last? What about vent holes?
I'm sure you're the most careful person on the planet, but if you press that button 300 times per day, every day, you're increasing your odds that eventually something will go wrong that you either didn't catch or couldn't anticipate.
Knives are for cutting, pools are for swimming. Cutting and swimming accidents happen. But mechs are NOT for venting. They need to be designed such that when a battery does vent, they don't blow up. Period. Both these deaths could theoretically be avoided with a mod that isn't a pipe bomb. Theoretically. Knowledge or not.
So what is the design of your mech, and where does it vent, and what do you do with battery orientation? And will it be enough if the battery vents/runs-away?
At some point, something WILL short in your mech. For example, an insulator will wear out and fail, or an unforeseen thing will happen. Regardless of knowledge.
There's two facts that your knowledge only mitigates, but can't get around:
1) Batteries are designed to have their shells be negative
2) +up orientation vents toward your face.
It's a function of mech ENGINEERING...I'm not talking about craftmanship or tradeskills. I'm talking about engineering and failure mode design. What is the expected lifetime of the insulator used? How long does it typically last? What about vent holes?
I'm sure you're the most careful person on the planet, but if you press that button 300 times per day, every day, you're increasing your odds that eventually something will go wrong that you either didn't catch or couldn't anticipate.
Knives are for cutting, pools are for swimming. Cutting and swimming accidents happen. But mechs are NOT for venting. They need to be designed such that when a battery does vent, they don't blow up. Period. Both these deaths could theoretically be avoided with a mod that isn't a pipe bomb. Theoretically. Knowledge or not.
So what is the design of your mech, and where does it vent, and what do you do with battery orientation? And will it be enough if the battery vents/runs-away?
Nope, sorry, I will NEVER short any of my mech mods. I am the only person that can guarantee my own safety and I take all of the necessary precautions to avert an accident.
And I never said that venting isn't important. Personally, I couldn't care less and have never purchased a mech based on venting holes. That's MY choice, and I'm still here, typing away with all my fingers. Do I advocate for or against vent holes or placement? Never. Get whatever you like, but understand what you are using.
Worn out insulator? That's what ohmmeters are for - if you aren't checking your build/atomizer before using, you are you might as well play Russian Roulette.
I get really tired of people going on about mechs and how dangerous they are, but I'm guessing a LOT of them are the same folks ranting about those dang "cloud chasers". I am all about personal accountability and taking responsibility for your actions and owning your outcomes. I'm not saying that an accident cannot happen, but let's not make it sound like it occurs all the time or that mech mods are like hand grenades waiting to explode - they aren't, if used competently. The bottom line is education and respect- and that minimizes accidents whether swimming, cutting, shooting, or jumping out of airplanes.
If you can't be 100% error free 100% of the time using a mech, then it's because you don't know what you're doing. If you disagree with me on that, then it's because you should just stick to using a regulated mod excepting only if your plan is to appear in an episode of Science of Stupid (on National Geographic Channel).
Its commendable that you take all of the precautions to avoid a short circuit. However, there are no guarantees in life. Sometimes stuff happens that you have no control over.
Take driving a car. You can't guarantee that you will never be in an auto accident no matter how careful of a driver you are.
The Ford Pinto had a design flaw with its placement of the gas tank so if a rear end collision occured there was a good possibility it could burst into flames. It's nearly impossible to prevent a rear end collision no matter how careful of a driver you are. IMHO, a mech without adequate venting is a design flaw.
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This is the type of thing that misses the point.
The ohm meter isn't what I'm talking about. I'm talking about the insulator on the connector...either center pin..on the mech's 510 or the mating 510 on the topper.
You can do a short check, and 5 minutes later that ?rubber? (or whatever) insulator fails.
Hubris. The downfall of many.
But I sincerely hope you're correct.
I'm not advocating that you abandon personal responsibility, nor that you transfer it to others. What I'm saying is that assumption can get people killed in these situations, and it has happened twice now. I think it's reasonable to expect mechs to survive venting situations. That's all. Regardless of knowledge. That's not me blaming the manufacturers, I don't know what these guys used. Nor am I blaming them, since mistakes can happen.
I think it's reasonable to have expectations for FUTURE STANDARDS to make sure mechs have vents and don't explode and/or shoot the 510 connector out like a bullet.
Yes, but things like driving for the conditions, and wearing a seat belt greatly enhance your safety. I don't use driving as an example simply because there is so much that is BEYOND my control, like stupid drivers, distracted drivers, drunk drivers and deer. I am more confident about my safety when using my mechs than riding my motorcycle because I know that my fate is in my hands and nobody else's, and I am confident in my ability to do all the right things.
I did concede that accidents can happen at the end of my post, and in a previous post I acknowledged manufacturing defects and flaws. I know that nothing is certain in life, and I'm not saying that mech mods are for everybody, but I will argue that they are not ticking time-bombs if used properly and respected.
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You may gain a little more respect if you were to leave the condescending remarks out.
The common denominators with both devices are the human aspect and a volatile battery if neglected. That neglect can come in various ways from a short circuit to over charging via both USB and even a dedicated charger. Regardless of device the human aspect in understanding the risks and respecting the product is absolutely critical. This cannot be debated and we should stop at the finger pointing and concentrate at what matters most…educate.
Call it hubris if you like. I call it respect and understanding which breeds confidence.
Millions of people use mech mods and people get alarmed by two incidents? I'm not trying to be crass, and it is tragic, but statistically I would say that is a very, very small percentage. If those percentages are enough to alarm folks, they should never leave the couch.
I'm curious if you have ever used a tube mech?
Once, but it wasn't mine.
Additionally, I've used box-vapes with "just wires and a button" in the "old days", but they're not the same thing, and the cover would slide off under pressure.
We agree with "put it all in perspective".
But I don't think that should rationalize complacency either. If we can improve things we should. That said, I don't want to see the regulation used to drive all manufacturers out of the industry either, due to expense.
Not to debate but we are only aware of the 2 fatal accidents – what about those who may have been injured, critically or not. We do not have these actual numbers so difficult to assume any kind of percentage. And the reality is, those who are looking to criticize vaping do not care if a mech or circuit based device was used. To them there is no percentage rate – 2 deaths out of a million or 10 million users is still 2 deaths.
I'm not over-confident, which leads to complacency, and I know what can happen when you get complacent. Here's an example.
My brother-in-law had been reloading his cartridges for his .44 Magnum revolver for years. He used a rotary press, so each time he pulled the handle a finished round would fall out. The press did all the work, measuring and dropping the powder charge. Well, one day he went to the range and this happened:
One of his rounds had a double charge. Luckily he was not hurt, but who's fault was this? I'm going to say it was his fault for not understanding the limitations of his reloading equipment. I also reload, but do so manually, and I check every load before seating the bullet. This will NEVER happen to me, because I understand the danger and respect the process.
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I agree, but those that will criticize our hobby will do so regardless, certainly by sensationalizing every tragedy that occurs. Never pass an opportunity to exploit a victim to further your agenda. Anti-gunners are experts at exploiting tragedy.
But statistically, I just don't think it is as bad as folks perceive it to be. If you (not you personally) are afraid of mech mods, by all means do not use one, but let's not exploit a very small group to demonize something that in reality is not that dangerous.
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