batteries 101: Safe ecig Battery Charging
An Easy to Follow Guide for ecig Battery Charging Safety
1. Always, ALWAYS use the manufacturers recommended charger.
We cannot stress this enough how important it is that you do not piece together charger components just because they fit together. Just because A fits into B, does not mean A+B is a compatible charging relationshipif they are from different manufacturers, their charging relationship is most likely always a volatile one.
2. Never leave your e-cig charging unattended.
This instruction is printed on every electronic cigarette manual that you come across and it is there for a very good reason. If something does happen and you arent present to realize it before it occursthermal runaway may just happen.
If you notice that your battery is heating up or beginning to swell, remove the charger from the USB port or from the wall socket immediately and place it somewhere it can cool down.
If the battery change shape in anyway overtime, it's time to recycle that battery and get a new one as it has reached the end of its life.
3. Dont charge overnight.
You may be inclined to leave your battery charging overnight so in the morning you are all set to go and dont have to worry about a break in your vaping. But again as stated in #2 you should never, ever leave your charging unattended.
Leaving your batteries on its charger can lead to overcharging which is the beginning of thermal runaway and battery failure. Most likely your standard e-cig model will never require a 6-8 hour charge, normally only requiring half that time.
Its always a good idea to be present when the charging indicator LED turns from red to green (fully-charged), that way you can take it off of its charger straightaway or soon afterwards.
If you have large batteries like 18650s, you may want to consider investing in a good charger that has an auto shut-off feature which automatically detects and adjusts for the voltage output for the battery and will stop charging once the battery is fully charged.
4. Location, location, location
You should choose to charge your batteries in a safe location where there is no excessive heat and/or flammable materials. An empty kitchen counter is normally a great spot.
Always charge in areas out of reach of children or pets. If you already keep a good track of your charging you dont have too much to be weary of, but it is still best to keep it in an area where it is not easily reachable by little hands or paws. The last thing you want to happen is a child or pet coming into contact with an overheating battery.
Most all battery failures stemmed from user error. That the user thought it would be fine to plug in their e-cig USB charger (designed for the charging output of a computer's USB port) into a wall socket and negligently left it unattended. But most vapers have done their research and follow the manufacturer rules and recommendations, which has led to a great relationship with vaping without fear of catastrophic battery failure.
But if you are the worrying type, following the manufacturer rules word-for-word but still feel a bit uneasy, we recommend investing in a LiPo Safe Charging bag. These bags, commonly used by RC hobbyistsis a fireproof bag that is designed to stop and contain the fire caused by, specifically LiPo batteriesbut batteries in general, when they are charging.
The materials that these bags are made out of are composed of the same fiberglass woven fabrics used in fireproof suits worn by firefighters. But again, please do not leave your charging unattendedthese bags are simply for some ease of mind while you are charging, you should still ALWAYS be present in case a failure does occur.
Curious about how your e-cig batteries work and what theyre made of?
Check out our Batteries 101 Series and learn more about what powers your ecigs every time you vape.
The Vaping Noobs Guide To e-Cigarette Batteries
Battery Chemistry
How Battery Sizing Works
What Is Battery mAh?
What mAh, Amps, Watts, Volts & Ohms Mean For Your Vape
e-Cigarette Battery Care
The Best Way To Recycle An e-Cig Battery
