I have been reading lots of threads where people talk about NiMh saying they don't work for e-cigs or they are unprotected or they don't last very long or they have memory effect problems. Let me cure the myths now for the benefit of the users who may want an alternative power source.
I would have replied in these threads but some of the threads are older and I also did not want to hijack the thread.
Background. I have been using NiMh Rechargables batterys for over 7 months. In one mod, I rotate or alternate days everyday for 7 months. These are your normal AAA rechargable batteries you buy anywhere like the grocery store, wally world and just about any dollar store. I use a charger that charges them in 15 minutes. Yes, I said 15 minutes.
As some of you may have read, I created a mod with a complete tutorial called the Puck that uses NiMh batteries. I'll post a link at the end if you want to build your own. This mod has been running for 7 months on 2 sets of 4 NiMh AAA batteries, alternated daily for now over 7 months. These are triple a or AAA batteries rated at 850 mah. 1 set of freshly charged AAA batteries will last over 24 hours.
For those of you that say NiMh batteries won't work for e-cig mods, this mod is proof that they do work and will work.
Here is what I have tested:
My mod uses a 901 atomizer (3 to 3.2 ohms).
It uses 4 AAA 850 mah Rechargable NiMh batteries.
The voltage tails off very slightly until the very end of the charge life.
Lasts for over 24 hours
I have tested a Joye 510 atomizer with less spectacular results but it worked:
Atomizer Joye 510 (2.2 ohms)
4 AAA NiMh 850 mah rechargable batteries
Voltage tails off about .01 volts per 30 minutes.
Lasted for 12 hours before dying.
So the best configuration is what I am using... a 901 atomizer, 4 AAA NiMh batteries for 24 hours of vaping (8 hours sleep).
When i say 24 hours, when I put in a set at 7:00 AM in the morning, I usually don't have to change the batteries until 9:00 to 11:00am and sometime longer.
Myths:
Not Protected: NiMH do not need protection becuase of their chemical make up. They are industry work horses and are designed to be drained completely.
Memory Effect: In 7 months I have not had any memory effect but in ecigs, you normally drain them most of the time ( at least i do).
Won't last for e-cig applications: 850 mah is 850 mah. If any battery is rated at 850 mah, it will supply 850 milliamps for an hour.
Voltage is not linear: That may have been true with older NiMh batteries but not as much with todays. My mod runs, producing a great amount of vapor until the batteries die completely or just can't support the current needed anymore (which is after 24 hours).
Fact: Why do manufacturers use Lion batteries instead of NiMh rechargables? It's the charge density factor. You can pack a lot more power into a lion battery so it's size and weight is less with more voltage and current. Lightweight and smaller. When trying to design something as big as a regualr cigarette, manufacturers needed a smaller light weight battery and lion fits the bill for that. Same with cell phones, cameras and such. But if you want to build a mod, you don't have to use lion. You can use NiMh. You will just have to use more batteries and they weigh a bit more, something the e-cig designers didn't want.
Fact: NiMh can stand charging at higher rates than lion. That's why I can get my NiMh charged in 15 minutes using an everyready NiMh charger instead of waiting 2 or 3 hours (requires a 15 minute charger that cost about 30 bucks).
So I hope I dispelled some of the myths and mis-statings out there about the good 'ole NiMh batteries. If more people knew they could use them, I'm sure they would since they can pick them up at their grocery store (now I'm not talking about akalines here, just NiMh) and they are safe.
If you want to build a mod and see for yourself try my Puck mod here.
You can then see how NiMh batteries work out for you. As mentioned above, I've only tested with the 901 and the 510 atomizers where 901 was the best in vapor production, taste and battery longevity.
I would have replied in these threads but some of the threads are older and I also did not want to hijack the thread.
Background. I have been using NiMh Rechargables batterys for over 7 months. In one mod, I rotate or alternate days everyday for 7 months. These are your normal AAA rechargable batteries you buy anywhere like the grocery store, wally world and just about any dollar store. I use a charger that charges them in 15 minutes. Yes, I said 15 minutes.
As some of you may have read, I created a mod with a complete tutorial called the Puck that uses NiMh batteries. I'll post a link at the end if you want to build your own. This mod has been running for 7 months on 2 sets of 4 NiMh AAA batteries, alternated daily for now over 7 months. These are triple a or AAA batteries rated at 850 mah. 1 set of freshly charged AAA batteries will last over 24 hours.
For those of you that say NiMh batteries won't work for e-cig mods, this mod is proof that they do work and will work.
Here is what I have tested:
My mod uses a 901 atomizer (3 to 3.2 ohms).
It uses 4 AAA 850 mah Rechargable NiMh batteries.
The voltage tails off very slightly until the very end of the charge life.
Lasts for over 24 hours
I have tested a Joye 510 atomizer with less spectacular results but it worked:
Atomizer Joye 510 (2.2 ohms)
4 AAA NiMh 850 mah rechargable batteries
Voltage tails off about .01 volts per 30 minutes.
Lasted for 12 hours before dying.
So the best configuration is what I am using... a 901 atomizer, 4 AAA NiMh batteries for 24 hours of vaping (8 hours sleep).
When i say 24 hours, when I put in a set at 7:00 AM in the morning, I usually don't have to change the batteries until 9:00 to 11:00am and sometime longer.
Myths:
Not Protected: NiMH do not need protection becuase of their chemical make up. They are industry work horses and are designed to be drained completely.
Memory Effect: In 7 months I have not had any memory effect but in ecigs, you normally drain them most of the time ( at least i do).
Won't last for e-cig applications: 850 mah is 850 mah. If any battery is rated at 850 mah, it will supply 850 milliamps for an hour.
Voltage is not linear: That may have been true with older NiMh batteries but not as much with todays. My mod runs, producing a great amount of vapor until the batteries die completely or just can't support the current needed anymore (which is after 24 hours).
Fact: Why do manufacturers use Lion batteries instead of NiMh rechargables? It's the charge density factor. You can pack a lot more power into a lion battery so it's size and weight is less with more voltage and current. Lightweight and smaller. When trying to design something as big as a regualr cigarette, manufacturers needed a smaller light weight battery and lion fits the bill for that. Same with cell phones, cameras and such. But if you want to build a mod, you don't have to use lion. You can use NiMh. You will just have to use more batteries and they weigh a bit more, something the e-cig designers didn't want.
Fact: NiMh can stand charging at higher rates than lion. That's why I can get my NiMh charged in 15 minutes using an everyready NiMh charger instead of waiting 2 or 3 hours (requires a 15 minute charger that cost about 30 bucks).
So I hope I dispelled some of the myths and mis-statings out there about the good 'ole NiMh batteries. If more people knew they could use them, I'm sure they would since they can pick them up at their grocery store (now I'm not talking about akalines here, just NiMh) and they are safe.
If you want to build a mod and see for yourself try my Puck mod here.
You can then see how NiMh batteries work out for you. As mentioned above, I've only tested with the 901 and the 510 atomizers where 901 was the best in vapor production, taste and battery longevity.
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