MXJO

[GaG8tor]

MXJO 18650 Explosion
I just had one of these batteries explode and shot my mod out of my hand. I have no idea what happened. I have been inactive on the forum for awhile but I’ll try to explain what happened. I have/had an AMOD SMPL clone. This morning I put a freshly charged battery in. Not damaged not overcharged less than a year old. I had a a fresh .5 ohm vertical coil in an Eleaf Melo. I’ve built coils and have a thorough understanding of ohms law and all that business. There are mixed opinions about using prebuilt coils and such with a mech mod so maybe that’s where I screwed up. However I have seen videos and reviews with sub ohm tanks from reputable reviewers on sub ohm tanks with Mech mods. Bottom line is this. Like I said, fresh battery not damaged and less than a year old. I woke up this morning and filled the tank and began to vape. Got no vapor and all of a sudden heard a bubbling sound like I had flooded the coil. Luckily I pulled it away from my face about an arm length away. The mod somehow flew about 2 feet out of my hand and exploded like a ....ing mortar. It hit the wall above and behind my head and mad a huge impression and bounced off and flew onto a rug near my desk. Started a fire. I immediately grabbed a rag and picked it up and flung it out the door into the back yard. Did I do something wrong? Probably. If I’m a dumbass I won’t be offended if anyone calls me out. Inferior batteries is what in my opinion is the case. These are the MXJO IMR 18650 batteries 3000 mah 35A that I bought from a reputable shop. I’m trying to post pics and will as soon as I can. Like I said. Maybe I’m a dumbass but I thank God that I pulled it away from my face when I did. My wife had a Juno pod system that she was saving for me for Christmas and gave it to me. It’s pretty satisfying and I’ll probably stick with it for a long time. All I’m trying to do here is share the experience so no one else gets hurt or blows their head off with these batteries. Thank God I only suffered a minor burn and cut probably from the shrapnel.

 

[GaG8tor]

 

[Baditude]

If I'm not mistaken, the SMPL mech mod is a direct battery or faux hybrid mechanical mod (no center pin in the 510 connector).

Did your Melo tank have an extended center pin in the 510 connection? If not, that's the reason your battery shorted and exploded. All atomizers used on a faux hybrid mech must have an extended center pin to avoid shorting the battery used.

MXJO batteries are re-wraps with exaggerated ratings.
MXJO Yellow/Silver 35A 3000mAh 18650 Bench Test Results...only a 15A-20A battery, but near an HG2

Are You Using a Rewrap (Rebranded or Aftermarket) Battery?

Know your gear and batteries used and use them appropriately!!

 

[untar]

If I’m a dumbass I won’t be offended if anyone calls me out

How could one refuse that invitation

☑ rewrapped battery
☑ in a mech
☑ hybrid connection
☑ drop in coil atomizer

So yeah, you checked all boxes, you'll be receiving a certificate shortly

Use only authentic batteries from trusted vendors, if you use a hybrid connection then make sure your 510 pin looks like baditude suggests (though image 2 would already be a no-no to me) and do not use a drop in coil tank on a hybrid mech (even if it wasn't a hybrid connection I wouldn't think that to be a particularly good idea since you have no control over if the coil is a dud or not).
I don't know if you did this but before putting anything on any mech you measure the resistance and don't rely on what's written on the package.

Hybrid connections are more risky, if the coil shorts or the pin slides in a bit vaping goes from a relaxing level to front line simulator very quickly. You were pretty lucky it didn't blow up into your face.

 

[untar]

Your mech also has the vent holes on the bottom. Did you put the battery (+) pole up? That's where the battery vents from. If the hot gases have nowhere to escape pressure builds up and you get a more violent event.
Always put the (+) near the vent holes, if they're on the bottom check that your battery wrap doesn't have a single nic every time.

You made so many fundamental errors that I'd suggest to step away from mechs and use a regulated/electronic mod until you know what you're doing.

 

[CMD-Ky]

In my early days, I bought one of those copper devices with a magnetic switch. I thought it was good looking. Well, as I continued to look in admiration, I also thought, "Man that thing looks dangerous." I put it away and never used the thing. I didn't know enough to understand why it would be lethal for me to use but instinctively shied away from it.

Your mech also has the vent holes on the bottom. Did you put the battery (+) pole up? That's where the battery vents from. If the hot gases have nowhere to escape pressure builds up and you get a more violent event.
Always put the (+) near the vent holes, if they're on the bottom check that your battery wrap doesn't have a single nic every time.

You made so many fundamental errors that I'd suggest to step away from mechs and use a regulated/electronic mod until you know what you're doing.

 

[Baditude]

You were pretty lucky it didn't blow up into your face.

Or worse...@GaG8tor could have been statistic #2.

First vape related death​

 

[Robin Becker]

Mech Mode and Clone? you are a really tough guy!!!
You should go to the church and thank God for that. and if you are not religious...maybe it is time to rethink that

 

[GaG8tor]

Yes the tank does have/had the protruding center pin. I always check resistance on pre built coils and use them on my regulated box first. Never knew those were re wrapped/counterfeit batteries. I actually researched as well. And I did put the positive side up. Never thought of that. It’s possible that I could have nicked the wrapping on the threads when I inserted the battery. With everything being made in China nowadays how do you even know you’re getting legit batteries even if they say Sony or LG on them? Counterfeit/Copyright laws? Biggest joke ever anymore. I’m staying away from anything that takes external anymore. Regulated or not. So many of the so called “Expert reviewers” out there contradict themselves on a daily basis depending on who sends them free products to review. My local shop that I’ve been frequenting for about 8 years now only carries “Sony” and “LG” batteries anymore. I asked the guy in there today how they even knew they were legit and his reply was their distributor tells them so.

 

[GaG8tor]

Robin Becker. I am a spiritual/religious guy and I will be thanking God today and every day for the rest of my life

 

[Heartsdelight]

Thank goodness you’re alright & thanks for sharing your experience.

 

[Hawise]

I'm very glad to hear you're not seriously damaged! We'll probably never know the cause for sure, but the following possibilities come to mind (I won't include the hybrid issue and wrong resistance for your battery, as you seem to be aware of and in control of those issues):

• Dud coil. There was a short in the new coil. Most people build their own coils with mechs, but whether you build your own or use a factory coil it's essential to check each coil on an ohmmeter or regulated mod before using it in a mech.
• Battery deterioration. You say you had the battery for less than a year, but how long was it in storage/shipping/whatever before you got it? Obviously, you've no way of knowing how old it is or what conditions it was exposed to, but it's always possible there were problems before you got it. It's one of the reasons we can never entirely remove the risk from using these batteries.
• Rewrapped battery. If the battery under the wrap was still what it was when Mooch tested it, it should have been relatively safe at your resistance. But it might not have been - that's the joy of rewraps.

If you want to go back to mechs at some point (or even removable battery regulated mods), I'd strongly suggest sticking to Mooch's recommended chart for both your batteries and your vendor:

Mooch's Recommended Batteries | E-Cigarette Forum

A refresher on general battery safety wouldn't hurt either. I expect you already know a fair bit of it, but you might pick up a few tips you missed (like avoiding rewraps like the plague!).

• Mooch's Blog
• Baditude's Blog

 

[untar]

I’m staying away from anything that takes external anymore. Regulated or not.

I don't know if switching to internal LiPo exclusively is a smart move - what do you know about the battery inside?

Most ecig incidents happen while charging in a mod - that's the only option for internal batteries.
E-Cigarette Explosions: Comprehensive List - eCig One
The board and battery get hot during the process and there's next to no ventilation, not exactly how you keep your battery healthy. Then LiPos are the batteries with the most volatile chemicals inside...

Trust is involved everywhere, from boarding an airplane (how do you know the technicians did maintain it properly) to just going out in a restaurant to eat (how do you know what you're eating isn't cross contaminated).
All you can do is inform yourself and select the best choice available - for batteries that means buy from a trusted shop, Mooch has a few options on his blog. For internal batteries there's no info. At all.

I can understand you're shocked and want to do something to feel safer, just make sure your decision indeed leads you down a safer route.

 

[Baditude]

With everything being made in China nowadays how do you even know you’re getting legit batteries even if they say Sony or LG on them? Counterfeit/Copyright laws? Biggest joke ever anymore. I’m staying away from anything that takes external anymore. Regulated or not. So many of the so called “Expert reviewers” out there contradict themselves on a daily basis depending on who sends them free products to review. My local shop that I’ve been frequenting for about 8 years now only carries “Sony” and “LG” batteries anymore. I asked the guy in there today how they even knew they were legit and his reply was their distributor tells them so.

Lg and Samsung batteries are from South Korea. Sony are from Japan. Purchase these batteries only from trusted battery suppliers to insure that they are authentic:

North America
www.liionwholesale.com
www.imrbatteries.com
www.illumn.com
www.rtdvapor.com
www.batterybro.com
www.orbtronic.com
UK
myepack.co.uk
www.batteriesplus.co.uk
www.fogstar.co.uk
www.nkon.nl
Welcome to Ecolux. The UK's Battery and accessory specialists. Wide range of authentic leading brands in stock ready for immediate dispatch.

 

[GaG8tor]

Thank you all for your replies and concerns. There’s just too much risk for me with the whole battery thing. Not one I’m willing to take anymore. I’d almost rather take my chances with the stinkys

 

[Baditude]

Thank you all for your replies and concerns. There’s just too much risk for me with the whole battery thing. Not one I’m willing to take anymore. I’d almost rather take my chances with the stinkys

Well, you must admit that you were unnecessarily pushing your odds for an unfortunate incident to occur:

☑ rewrapped battery
☑ using a mech
☑ using a mech with a hybrid connection
☑ drop in coil atomizer on a mech
☑ incorrect battery orientation for vent holes in the mod

All five together combined for a sort of Perfect Storm.
​

Why not just lessen the risks by:

☑ use only authentic brand name Lg, Samsung, Sony batteries from trusted suppliers
☑ using a regulated mod with protection circuitry
☑ routinely check battery wraps and insulation rings for holes or tears
☑ use a quality battery charger made by Xtar, Efest LUC, or Nitecore​

 

[GaG8tor]

If I ever go back that’s exactly what I’ll do

 

[Baditude]

If I ever go back that’s exactly what I’ll do

I can sympathize with your experience. I too had a battery explode in a mech a few years ago. It's scarey. Mine was caused by user error. But I learned from my experience and have been vaping safely and incident free for seven years ever since.

Good luck.

 

[untar]

I never should have given that utf-8 checkbox sign to baditude... what have I done

 

[Skunk!]

I never should have given that utf-8 checkbox sign to baditude... what have I done

He really seems to have taken a liking to it