Sparkplug thoughts (really a rant about batteries)

[Grimloki]

I've had my Sparkplug mod for a few days. Its on sale at sparkplugforsmokers.com. The starter kit for $29.99 solved my problem of finding a reasonably priced mod.

I like it, and I can see it becoming my 90% of the time PV, but there is one thing I hate!

The unprotected batteries that come with the starter kit are just pissing me off. So this is a mechanical mod. It has no on/off switch, and a big button on the bottom that is easy to depress. Like easy to accidentally depress when pocketing it, or throwing it in a bag, or whatever.

Its being used in an application where you can affix anything to the top of the sparkplug. Adapers abound. Low voltage carts, high voltage atomizers, etc... etc.. dual coil carts. High drain stuff.

Unprotected LI-ion batteries weren't available to the public until recently, because of the risks associated with them. They need to be protected against over-charging, over-draining, short-circuits, and high drain conditions. That NEEDS to happen. It can happen on protected batteries themselves, or in the circuitry of the electronic device that uses them... the flashlight, camera, or whatever.

Using a LI-ion battery this size in the Sparkplug is a high drain condition. What can happen? Hold down the button too long, and one of three things happen. The atomizer melts and breaks the circuit, the battery drains fully and is damaged or destroyed and breaks the circuit, or the battery gets too hot, goes into thermal run away, and vents hydrogen gas with flame.

This could be solved to my satisfaction by including protected batteries, a safe chemistry battery, or no batteries at all with the kit. Its a great mod! Its a great price! The batteries ruin it for me, and are dangerous.

People point out that this hasn't happened often in the ECF community. They ignore the fact that people in the RC (remote control) hobby have lost houses, trailers, etc. People here have been injured. These things EXPLODE WITH FIRE if not used properly, and this is textbook improper use.

Its not even cheaper! Not for the end user. An unprotected battery like the CR123 gets overdrained, is under high drain conditions in a PV that exceed its capacity, and it lasts for a month. Instead of 500+ charge cycles, you get less than 50. That means replacing your dangerous batteries ten times as often. A cheapo unprotected battery off dealextreme costs $3 and the expensive and proper AW IMR costs 7.... but over the lifetime of the battery, the $7 battery lasts much longer. Its $7 vs $30, and thats if it doesn't explode.

ECF members with exploding batteries... there are many more than this.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/thag-built-chuck/75702-my-chuck-blew-up-literally.html
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/modders-forum/18959-lithium-battery-failure-boom-im-okay.html

Here is a thread with the Sparkplug for smokers response about unprotected batteries....

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/requests-opinions-reviews/69799-unprotected-batteries.html

Here is the ECF position about mods and unprotected batteries.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...9007-warning-rechargeable-batteries-mods.html

If you feel like I do, and want to express that to the company owner, I encourage you to do so. He can be reached at james.mcdonald@mcdonaldwebb.com

 

[Mr.Self_Destruct]

Use safe chemistry unprotected 3.7V batteries. Try AW batts. Avidvaper has them 16340 | CR123 Batteries - Avid Vaper

 

[Stownz]

It's a great mod at a super cheap price. How can you be upset about it? Wait till you buy a mod for $100+ and it is extremely unsafe. Ever see a Scredriver MKI or MKII button fall off?--- it AUTOFIRES--- untill you unscrew it. For $30 and all you have to do is order a few more bats from someplace else=win.

$100+ mod that is unsafe, or uber fragile and breaks first time you drop it= loose.

 

[keyzygirl]

Just get protected batts.Its not worth the risk.

 

[Grimloki]

Use safe chemistry unprotected 3.7V batteries. Try AW batts. Avidvaper has them 16340 | CR123 Batteries - Avid Vaper

I know that. I didn't till I read up on it though. The manufacturer recommends unprotected batteries to be used with their mod. Its dangerous, stupid, irresponsible, and IMO ultimately will end up in the company being sued into bankruptcy when someone gets hurt.

 

[Mr.Self_Destruct]

I know that. I didn't till I read up on it though. The manufacturer recommends unprotected batteries to be used with their mod. Its dangerous, stupid, irresponsible, and IMO ultimately will end up in the company being sued into bankruptcy when someone gets hurt.

They have a 30 day return policy. I recommend you do that.

 

[Grimloki]

Just get protected batts.Its not worth the risk.

I must not have been clear. I know that. Not every user of the product does. Its a dangerous product as shipped.

 

[Stosh]

@ Grimloki, you covered all the bases!!

Protected batteries or safe chemistry batteries are a must in any mod!!

 

[Mr.Self_Destruct]

@ Grimloki, you covered all the bases!!

Protected batteries or safe chemistry batteries are a must in any mod!!

Battery education is #1 priority when entering the mod world.

I'll just say, once you are educated on batteries, you can pretty much do what you want and stack whatever. Certainly not recommended for everyone.

 

[Grimloki]

I've written the manufacturer, and decided to include his email address above if you feel like doing the same.

 

[phonedude]

I have ordered my second steampunk sparkplug kit because I wanted the thermo tube. I ordered my first one a while back before they offered this.

I have been using the provided batterys with the sparkplug. But I have been careful with them. I am very careful to insert them in both the pv and the charger the right way. I do not leave them charging unattended. This I had learned from ECF before I ordered the first kit.

I will not use unprotected batterys in the thermo tube when it arrives. By the way the website does say they recommend protected batterys with the thermo.

I'm not mad - just intend to get protected batterys. At the price you can buy several and still have an affordable mod.

It works quite well by the way.

As a side note .. LiteCigUSA, a well respected vendor with ECF sales exactly the same mod with exactly the same batterys .. but for a bit more money. I had looked at it before I found the cheaper option. I'm not sure what all the hubub is about. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Chornbro]

AW LiFePO4 3v R123s... safe chemistry... only 500 mah, but a pair of these lasts me all day... and I'm a heavy heavy vaper. Search "Wonderlite" .... he's an AW battery supplier here on ECF. He has chargers for them too... good prices

 

[Grimloki]

As a side note .. LiteCigUSA, a well respected vendor with ECF sales exactly the same mod with exactly the same batterys .. but for a bit more money. I had looked at it before I found the cheaper option. I'm not sure what all the hubub is about. Just my 2 cents.

The hubbub is about this... excerpted from http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...9007-warning-rechargeable-batteries-mods.html

Buyers should note carefully that the only types of batteries safe to use in a mod (a custom-design e-cigarette with replaceable, larger than standard batteries) are protected rechargeable Li-ion batteries, or rechargeable Li-Mn or Li-FePo4 batteries. [1].

USE ONLY PROTECTED OR SAFE-CHEMISTRY RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES [1]
DO NOT USE UNPROTECTED Li-ion BATTERIES
DO NOT USE STANDARD NON-RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES (as these might be placed in a charger by mistake, subsequently exploding in the mod during use - which HAS happened)
DO NOT BUY A MOD THAT CAN ONLY USE UNPROTECTED BATTERIES - unless it can take Li-Mn or Li-FePo4 batteries and these are advised by the mod supplier. [1] [2] [3]

The Li-ion 3.6 volt rechargeable batteries commonly used in mods have well-known safety issues. You must only use protected Li-ion batteries. You must treat batteries with care. Li-Mn batteries are regarded as the best option at present. There are question marks about some Li-Po flat-pack cells [3].

Suppliers should include VERY CLEAR warnings about unprotected batteries with their products. We advise that a printed insert is placed inside the body of the device, that tells the buyer to only use protected rechargeable batteries (or Li-Mn or Li-FePo4). Note that although the danger is increased when batteries are placed in series, incidents have also occurred with single batteries. Such incidents HAVE BEEN REPORTED BY ECF STAFF so we are not relying on hearsay.

SUPPLIERS PLEASE NOTE CAREFULLY
If an injured party files a civil suit against you because adequate warnings by you were not given, leading to unprotected batteries being used and the device subsequently exploding, WE WILL APPEAR FOR THE PLAINTIFF if requested and WILL BE GLAD TO DO SO.
We WILL provide testimony to assist in the action against you.
Let there be no misunderstanding on that point - our duty is to protect the community AND YOU HAVE HAD ADEQUATE WARNINGS IN THIS REGARD.

 

[Grimloki]

Here is another good link...

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...s/76078-exploding-mods-current-situation.html

 

[phonedude]

Yes I had read that. I had read it a long time ago. I also read it from your origional post as a refresher course.

Maybe my attitude stems from the fact that I had a bb gun at the age of 9 and didn't put my eye out. YMMV


When I find a supplier that is not "rapeing the vaping* with prices I have a little respect for that supplier.

But do carry on. Reminding us of the dangers of using unprotected batterys is always a good idea.

We are all adults here.

 

[DC2]

I have to agree, it is VERY irresponsible to send out a mod with unprotected batteries.

 

[Nokisu]

WOW! I had been thinking about getting a mod, but after reading this stuff, I will never get one. I'm glad I have my Joye eGo-T and I think I'll stick with it.

 

[Grimloki]

Yes I had read that. I had read it a long time ago. I also read it from your origional post as a refresher course.

Maybe my attitude stems from the fact that I had a bb gun at the age of 9 and didn't put my eye out. YMMV


When I find a supplier that is not "rapeing the vaping* with prices I have a little respect for that supplier.

But do carry on. Reminding us of the dangers of using unprotected batterys is always a good idea.

We are all adults here.

I see where you are coming from... you have educated yourself about the risks.

But new people who buy Sparkplugs, and other unsafe mods aren't necessarily educated about those dangers. When I bought my Sparkplug I didn't know. I'd still buy it if I had it to do over, knowing what I do now, and I still recommend it, because its a great mod. I do however include the important caveat that it is far more likely to explode if you use the batteries that come with it, as opposed to safeR chemistry batteries, or protected batteries.

I think thats a big deal. Worthy of pointing out. The part about it exploding.

 

[Noodoggy]

just choose to speak your opinion on businesses that sell devices with unprotected batteries by letting your money talk....and use my rule...its my money, I choose how I spend it, and if I want to spend it wisely, then i got research to do. (not saying i always research, but that's my own damn fault lol exhibit a: my first kiosk e-cig lol)

 

[Grimloki]

WOW! I had been thinking about getting a mod, but after reading this stuff, I will never get one. I'm glad I have my Joye eGo-T and I think I'll stick with it.

Don't let this dissuade you. I'd advise you to not get a mod until you read up on them and can make an informed decision... This mod using an AW IMR 16340 won't explode. Those batteries have never exploded, as the chemistry they use is safe.

There are plenty of safe mods. This one can be made safe... just a matter of the right battery.