How do you check batteries?

[Trayce]

I just read the ECF announcement on exploding mods (http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...-mods-update-february-2012-a.html#post5327522) and it says one of the things you should do is check your batteries daily and to buy devices with safety features.

I am on a budget and was considering a Joyetch for chain-vaping at home. Something with a single 18650 or 2000 batt, but my questions are:

1. What kind of safety features does the article refer to?
2. How do I "check a battery daily to make sure it's functioning properly" ??

Please don't say "use a meter." How exactly do I do it and what am I looking for? My digital voltage meter detects what I connect to it so I don't have to dial anything in, (but maybe put it on DC, I can't remember what the face looks like now and it's new and I haven't used it yet)... but any help would be appreciated.

Also any suggestions as to an inexpensive chain-vape device with these "safety features." And no, I won't buy a cheap battery and I WILL buy the charging device recommended for the device by the authorized retailer!

 

[jSquared]

Hi Trayce. There's a good video on YouTube about how to use a multimeter:

Multi-Meter How to for Electronic Cigarette users

Don't forget: it's important to check the rest of your vaping equipment (atties, cartos and cleros) as well as your batteries.

Unfortunately, the "charging device recommended [] by the authorized retailer" may not be the best/safest option for you. A lot of vendors sell the TrustFire TR-001, presumably because it's reasonably priced and it gets the job done. I won't go into detail about the TrustFire, but it lacks the safety features of other more expensive chargers and the initial saving may prove to be a false economy as they don't tend to last very long. I use a Pila now, but the Xtar WP2 is also very highly recommended.

JJ

 

[Ryedan]

The exploding mods Rolygate is referring to are ones which use replaceable batteries. If you buy a eGo or 510 type battery, or any other of the ones that have the battery built into the device like the Spinner, you will not have any problems as long as you use the recommended charger. Having said that, I don't leave batteries on charge while I'm out.

If you are looking at a Joyetech (or any electronic mod) mod that uses a single 18650, you are also OK. The problems have always come from devices used with multiple batteries.

General battery safety: I have a digital multi meter. I paid about $15 for it which is fine. I check battery volts after my batteries have charged. They should not be higher than 4.2. If they are, the charger is bad and I would replace it. I never use a freshly charged battery in the first 1/2 hour. I check battery voltage when the mod shuts down. If it's lower than about 3.3 it is an issue I need to be aware of. I never leave batteries on charge when I'm not awake and at home. That also goes for my cell phone batts, my power tool batts and all others.

 

[Trayce]

Hi Trayce. There's a good video on YouTube about how to use a multimeter:

Multi-Meter How to for Electronic Cigarette users

Don't forget: it's important to check the rest of your vaping equipment (atties, cartos and cleros) as well as your batteries.

Unfortunately, the "charging device recommended [] by the authorized retailer" may not be the best/safest option for you. A lot of vendors sell the TrustFire TR-001, presumably because it's reasonably priced and it gets the job done. I won't go into detail about the TrustFire, but it lacks the safety features of other more expensive chargers and the initial saving may prove to be a false economy as they don't tend to last very long. I use a Pila now, but the Xtar WP2 is also very highly recommended.

JJ

Thanks so much for this very useful information! The vid and charger advice both!

 

[Trayce]

[...] General battery safety: I have a digital multi meter. I paid about $15 for it which is fine. I check battery volts after my batteries have charged. They should not be higher than 4.2. If they are, the charger is bad and I would replace it.

This is excellent to know.

I never use a freshly charged battery in the first 1/2 hour.

Wow, that takes discipline. I am assuming this is because virtually all reported explosions occurred right after a charge and on the very first press of the vape button. So by waiting 1/2 hour the battery cools or...?

I check battery voltage when the mod shuts down. If it's lower than about 3.3 it is an issue I need to be aware of.

... because a 4.2v battery should read in what range what at that point?

I never leave batteries on charge when I'm not awake and at home. That also goes for my cell phone batts, my power tool batts and all others.

Good to know. So you take all these extra precautions with your mod batts and this is not a stacked flashlight mod, but a single batt mod, right?

 

[llamainmypocket]

Circuits to turn off after a period of time or after a certain temperature and blowout holes are an example. Joyetech has safety features.

The couple of rocket propelled incidents come from mods that don't blow out and/or stack batteries. If there are two batteries inside the tube and one blew then the other would shoot the opposite direction. Sometimes and rarely I may add, any battery could go in a violent manner. Its happened with cell phones. By in large, a violent death for a battery means incineration, not explosion. You take that risk every time you have your phone.

My phones battery is 1300 mah, my mifi dive is 6000 mah, and my tablet is 9000 mah. I'm not going to be afraid of my 650 mah ego-c twist but I'm also not going to ever stack batteries. I think the problem is there.

 

[Satava]

I charge my eGos in a big ceramic cup just in case they get toasty and decide to vent and I charge my mod batteries on a metal table with a 12"x12" ceramic tile under the chargers. Ceramic is a fairly good insulater and it won't burn.

As far as checking batteries goes. Fresh should read 4.2v "Dead" should read above 3.2v. You can check an ego with an RBA that isn't wicked or you can monkey with the positive pin being inside a negative cup. You have to hit the fire button on an ego for the voltage to show. Mod batteries are just touch the + to + and the - to - on the multimeter and see what it says.