18650 Lithium Battery Safety
Vaping as an alternative to smoking isn't dangerous. No where near as dangerous as smoking according to the Royal college of physicians.
It only seems to become 'dangerous' when some numpty carelessly explodes a battery in their pocket or something. Every few months you hear a tale about a woman in the states who got her handbag blown to pieces because she threw an 18650 lithium cell into there along with her house keys and loose change. Or a guy blew a hole in his face because he shorted his battery in a mech mod etc.
These 'accidents' are few and far between thank goodness but its always going to happen where there are ignorant people about.
The reasons for these mishaps are varied but they generally always involve a torn battery sleeve, a mechanical mod or the wrong type being used.
So here is a quick guide to keeping your vaping batteries in a safe state. I wont go into too much technical depth, I dont have to.... because the steps listed below explain everything in a simple way.
#1 - Use the correct type of 18650
For the beginner, finding the right 18650 cell for vaping can be a nightmare. not only is the market swamped with a million different brands its also swamped with completely unsuitable 18650's too.
Its not a case of buying the cheapest on ebay or going for the highest output. Its actually those types that will probably cause you the problems.
So first up are my recommendations of 18650 cells that will be completely safe and work in almost every vaping device you care to put them in.
Batteries to buy
These are among the best mainstream high output 18650's
The best quality 18650 cells are generally manufactured by five big electronics companies. These are Sony, Samsung, LG, Panasonic and Sanyo.
Cells such as Efest are rewraps of the aformentioned companys. There are many other brands who don't make their own cells but buy them in and re-skin them. Its common practice in the e-cig vaping world.
Most quality vaping batteries have a flat top positive terminal
At the time of writing this post the highest capacity of a single 18650 cell is around 3600mAh. The vast majority of the cells that I own are only 2500mAh or 3000mAh capacity. A higher capacity cell doesn't always equate to a longer lasting cell though. In my experience the higher 3000mAh cells tend to discharge at a faster rate.
A continuous current draw of 20A is suitable for most devices
The Efest battery in the picture above is basically an LG or Sony 3000mAh cell with a purple wrap on it. The pulse current draw says 35A and its maximum continuous discharge is 20A. Its the continuos discharge figure you want to be looking out for as you use the cell continuous when you press the fire button on your vape device.
20A should be the absolute lowest you want from your cells as your vaping mod will want to draw that from the cell in most cases.
A good all round 18650 to buy would be the Samsung 25R. They have a maximum capacity of 2500mAh and a 20A discharge.
I must have about twelve 25R's knocking about and none have ever let me down.
Samsung 25R's are reasonably priced if you buy them online. The cheapest i have bought them at is 3.00 each but they can cost a fiver each on ebay.
They certainly won't break the bank in any case!
Batteries to avoid!
A rogues gallery of shite right there!
It goes without saying that not everything is what it seems.
As mentioned in the previous section the highest 18650 capacity is still under 4000mAh. This is due to the size constraints of 18650's and the current chemistry used in electrolitics.
So don't be fooled by any cell claiming to have 4000mAh, 4200mAh, 5000mAh or in some cases 9000mAh! these kind of figures are not physically possible right now.
Also don't be fooled by the cells which have a button on the top. I'm yet to find a suitable vaping cell that has this button on the positive terminal.
The top positive button seems to be a throw back to flashlights and flashlight batteries.
Beware the printed bullshit
Another thing to watch out for in a shite cell is the often spurious chinglish written down the side of the wrap. No they are not protected cells, No they don't have a PCB onboard and no they don't have 'Sheef life'.
Oh look, button tops
The Truth
These type of cells can be bought on ebay for as little as a quid each but its a false economy. They never come anywhere near to their stated capacity. Most top out at under 1000mAh due to the amount of lithium wraps inside. They feel as light as a feather as they are mostly fresh air inside.
Would they explode if you tried to draw a high wattage/current from them?
Personally I very much doubt it.
A regulated mod would refuse to fire the coil if the battery couldn't muster the required amps.
These weedy underpowered tubes of crap would just dissipate and flatten.
To be fair to these cells though, they are OK for using in flashlight. They don't last long mind you but they do work. Flashlights are no where near as current hungry as vape devices and so popping in a cheapo ultrafire would do the job.
The button top found on these inferior cells help with connection in some of the flashlights but they just wouldn't fit right in a mech mod or regulated mod anyway.
Best avoided.
#2 - Storage
Buy yourself a twin battery box - they only a quid!
Genuine 18650 cells are more powerful than you might think. have you ever seen one venting?
The 18650 cell is designed in such a way that the negative pole runs all the way from the bottom of the cell, up the side and to within a few millimeters of the positive pole. The only thing to keep the two apart is a white cardboard gasket ring resting on the top of the cell.
If something goes wrong with your top of your cell, the wrap comes away and the gasket fall out then you could be in trouble - especially if you are stupid enough to put a piece of metal across it. Get a tear along the side of the cell and make a connection with some loose change and the positive pin and the result is much the same.
So its advisable to buy a battery box or similar to stow the cells if you plan on transporting them in a bag or pocket. They cost peanuts to buy and might save you a few painful skin grafts.
Single cell rubber container - isolating both poles
#3 - Damaged Battery Wraps and Rewrapping
A badly torn Samsung 25R
Its inevitable that one day your cells will pick up a nick or two along its wrapping.
Just the inserting and removing of cells from your device can put a tear in the wrap however careful you think you are.
Its not a good idea to continue using a damaged cell especially in an all metal battery holder (like a mechanical mod) Its not a good idea to put a short across the cell in any circumstance so what do you do about it?
Remove the old wrap and keep the insulator
- Buy some battery wraps off ebay
- Carefully peel off the old wrap and keep the white ring insulator
- Slide the bare cell cylinder into the new wrap -it should fit snuggly
- Get a hairdryer and switch it on at the highest setting
- Starting at the top, slowly heat the wrap all the way down
- DONT forget to put the old ring gasket in the top before you heat it!
- that's it, all done, as good as new!
Apply a new wrap using a hairdryer
Regularly keeping an eye out for rips and tears on your cells is the right thing to do. as complacency could spell disaster.
Battery wraps cost pennies so there really is no excuse for sloppy maintenance!
Conclusion
I think i have kept this post down to a minimum? I could go on for hours but I don't think it would add much more to the general message here.
Its a simple message too..... Buy the right 18650 cells for what you plan on doing and look after them when you do.
Best of luck!
