use NiMH 1/3 AA size in a 14500 mech mod?

[Nikkel]

I recently became aware of NiMH rechargeable batteries that are 1/3 the size of normal AA batteries. The dimensions of these are: 13.9mm (0.55") D x 16.4mm (0.65") H. They are rated at 1.2V, 280mAh. Three of these stacked would be roughly the same size as a 14500 lithium battery. The voltage would be 3.6V. I don't know if the mAh rating of the stack would tripple or remain the same as an individual battery. Perhaps someone here could tell me.
Could three of these batteries be used successfully in a mechanical mod that is designed for a 14500 lithium battery?

 

[wonner]

...Perhaps someone here could tell me...

Maybe not. Battery substitutions like you're describing are very risky business.

Anyway, welcome to the forum.

 

[cskent]

Stacking NiMH batteries to achieve 4.8v used to be common practice in the olden days of vaping. This was prior to the widespread availability of VV devices. You could buy them stacked and wrapped from several vendors who also sold chargers specifically for them. As to the safety of this setup, I haven't heard of any problems, but you may want to research it a bit before giving it a go.

 

[Nikkel]

Intro:
I started vaping and quit smoking about 2 months ago. Currently using Blu ecigs.
I'm scared of lithium batteries. I know most all ecig hardware uses lithium. I want to use NiMH. It's safer, cheaper, and more easily available locally. Read some articles regarding the "Puck" mod. Got me to thinking about NiMH. Saw a thread here: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/battery-issues/7251-portable-usb-battery-packs-3.html
Mentions a 4XAA battery box and a USB passthrough. That's what I'm going to try. Blu ecigs are too wimpy.
Noticed the 1/3 height AA batteries on the batteryspace site and I wondered if they would work in a 14500 mech mod. Saw a cheap one at Fasttech for 7 bucks.

 

[RickAppling]

No if they are in series, ie stacked the voltage and power would triple. But the capacity would still be 280mAh. So you would have around a quarter of the capacity of a 14500. And may be even less. I assume that there is circuitry that prevent the lithium cell from discharging below a certain point. So you might not get even a single puff. Plus you would have to change them in a different charger.

 

[Nikkel]

Stacking NiMH batteries to achieve 4.8v used to be common practice in the olden days of vaping. This was prior to the widespread availability of VV devices. You could buy them stacked and wrapped from several vendors who also sold chargers specifically for them. As to the safety of this setup, I haven't heard of any problems, but you may want to research it a bit before giving it a go.

What size NiMH batteries were stacked? The 1/3 AA size that I mentioned?

 

[Nikkel]

" But the capacity would still be 280mAh. So you would have around a quarter of the capacity of a 14500."
I think some 14500 batteries are rated at 600mAh. So, the NiMH stack would have about half that capacity.

 

[Izan]

Use an OTS mod in 18650 size.
5V NiMH Batteries
Charger

Also investigate protected batteries and safer chemistry batteries.
The reality is, from your mobile phone to your pocket camera, from your laptop/ipad to your kindle...Lion's are everywhere.
don't complicate your journey.

Have fun
I

 

[WarHawk-AVG]

I recently became aware of NiMH rechargeable batteries that are 1/3 the size of normal AA batteries. The dimensions of these are: 13.9mm (0.55") D x 16.4mm (0.65") H. They are rated at 1.2V, 280mAh. Three of these stacked would be roughly the same size as a 14500 lithium battery. The voltage would be 3.6V. I don't know if the mAh rating of the stack would tripple or remain the same as an individual battery. Perhaps someone here could tell me.
Could three of these batteries be used successfully in a mechanical mod that is designed for a 14500 lithium battery?

Cosidering you can 16 of em for $20
NiMH Rechargeable Cell: 1/3 AA 1.2V 280mAh NiMH Rechargeable Batteries (16 pcs)
Looking at the "stacked" max output...looks like they may not be able to push the current needed
NiMH Battery Pack: 4.8V 280 mAh ( 4x1/3AA ) with Tabs

That is the beauty of Li Ion...energy density is 2-3x that of NiCD or NiMH batteries
Battery Knowledge

So more than likely using 3x of those 1/3AA stacked NiMH batteries might give you the output of a single 14500 Li Ion, it would only last 1/2 as long and might end up overdriving the batteries themselves, 3x of these would give you the 3.6~vdc but would be a combined 280mAh rating...which means they would last nowhere near as long as a single 14500

Nickel-metal-hydride- has a higher energy density compared to nickel-cadmium at the expense of reduced cycle life. There are no toxic metals. Applications include mobile phones and laptop computers. NiMH is viewed as steppingstone to lithium-based systems.

 

[Nikkel]

OTS mod? I googled it but couldn't find out what that means. Over-The-Shoulder mod? That sounds like a big one!
I think of Lions as little bombs. The fewer I have around me, the better.

 

[Nikkel]

OK. So it looks like the three shorty AA's won't work. But, from reports on this forum, the battery box and passthrough will work. That's what I hope Santa brings me for Christmas.
4xAA battery box:
Battery holder: AA x 4 with USB interface connector and Belt clip ("On" / "OFF" power switch) - RoHS Compliant
USB passthrough:
Smok Tech 5 Volt 510 Manual USB Passthrough

 

[Rickajho]

What size NiMH batteries were stacked? The 1/3 AA size that I mentioned?

It's 4 NiMh batteries - not 3 - in a shrink wrapped package to produce 4.8 volts in an 18650 format package. They are still available, require a specialized charger, and are hardly used any more. (Couldn't find a place selling them in a quick search.)

If you are looking at a mech tube and trying to get 3.7 volts why not just use a LiOn 3.7 volt battery designed to do that?

 

[Rickajho]

Cosidering you can 16 of em for $20
NiMH Rechargeable Cell: 1/3 AA 1.2V 280mAh NiMH Rechargeable Batteries (16 pcs)
Looking at the "stacked" max output...looks like they may not be able to push the current needed
NiMH Battery Pack: 4.8V 280 mAh ( 4x1/3AA ) with Tabs

That, and I've found from experience the smaller the NiMh battery gets the more problems you have. AAA NiMh in my experience never last long, having widely varying capacities and life spans and did I mention never last long? I gave up on the idea of AAA rechargeables. Even at (alleged) 800 mAh capacities they're just more bother than they are worth. Can't even imagine what fun a 280 mAh NiMh could possibly be.

 

[Izan]

OTS mod? I googled it but couldn't find out what that means. Over-The-Shoulder mod? That sounds like a big one!
I think of Lions as little bombs. The fewer I have around me, the better.

Off
The
shelf

Any 18650 mod you like can be used with the 5V's linked. Start with a SR (standard resistance) device.

Battery Pro tip:
14500 battery is the same length as an 18500 battery: 50mm

First two digits are the width in mm, the third and forth digits are the length in mm. The last digit shows battery shape (o) round.

A 14500 battery is 14mm wide and 50mm long, the last "0" indicates the battery is round.
An 18500 battery is 18mm wide and 50mm long, the last "0" indicates the battery is round.

Have fun
I

 

[Stosh]

NiMh batteries can easily be used for vaping with very good results. I've used 4 - AA in series and they will produce suitable amperage for normal resistance attys, no sub-ohming. A quick easy mod can be built very easily and cheaply...http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/battery-mods/105465-now-puck-cheap-parts-easy.html#post1587798

For some more info on NiMh batteries....http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/general-e-smoking-discussion/108173-nimh-rechargable-myths-truth.html#post1631388

If you do want a bit more voltage you can replace the AA size NiMh batteries with NiZn which have a nominal voltage of 1.5v for each battery up from 1.2v for the NiMh. Both batteries are very safe to use and charge, without the energy density of a Li-ion battery they don't have the potential of releasing all that enery all at once in a "BOOM"....

 

[lvm111]

I recently became aware of NiMH.....Could three of these batteries be used successfully in a mechanical mod that is designed for a 14500 lithium battery?

Why would anyone want to use three of something that's not designed to be used in their product? Why not just buy one (or more) of the correct batteries? Wouldn't it be easier, simpler, safer, and smarter?

best regards, larry mac

 

[AttyPops]

Standard NiMH batteries don't hold their charge very long for storage. But for immediate use they are OK. They charge up fast too. Make sure you don't use the wrong charger with em. I've built and used a "Puck" with good results also. But with Li Ion batteries being more common (along with local vape shops ) I don't use it anymore.

However, note that AMP LIMITS DO NOT STACK when stacking cells. So you have an amp limit of 1 single cell for the whole stack. That said, NiMH has higher amp limits and less internal resistance than Li Ion. So you need to check the specs and do an ohm's law calc for amps.

1 Li Ion would replace your stack though (or close to it). And be an easier form factor.

 

[Mariopainballer]

dont do it, stick to regular li-ion batts

 

[D. Waterhouse]

Why would anyone want to use three of something that's not designed to be used in their product? Why not just buy one (or more) of the correct batteries? Wouldn't it be easier, simpler, safer, and smarter?

best regards, larry mac

It would be safer with NiMh actually, they won't go into thermal runaway. Their charge capacity is smaller but they are a lot safer.

 

[Nikkel]

Currently, my equipment consists of a Blu starter pack with two 80mAh teeny-tiny batteries. Not much fun. I feel like I'm on a moped at a Harley-Davidson rally.