Battery Safety Guide for E-cigarettes
Lithium-ion batteries are safely used in literally millions of devices every day. However, there are some risks associated with such high energy devices that users should be aware of.
This guide will give you information on how to safely use your e-cigarette batteries. Following this information will help to ensure that there will be low risk to your personal safety and should lead to a long battery life.
About Lithium-ion Batteries
Batteries can present a fire risk when short-circuited, over-charged, submerged in water or if their cases are damaged. Although many Lithium Ion batteries are “protected”, the following cautions are still relevant, as the protection circuit is a potential safety mechanism rather than something that should be relied on. Li-Mn batteries (“IMR”) present safer chemistry and less fire-risk but are capable of delivering very high power in a short burst. If short-circuited, the metal causing the short can get hot very quickly, which may lead to other damage or secondary fire risks.
Following the points below should lead to long battery life and extremely low risk to personal safety:
- Always buy from a reputable vendor that is proud of the quality of their goods. Our online vape store only provides quality products, and all of our products are TRPR compliant.
- Check that the product or packaging displays the correct `CE` safety mark and the distributor can prove their authenticity by providing appropriate certification if required.
- Do not mix a battery from one supplier with a charger from another unless compatibility is specifically confirmed.
- Always ensure batteries are charged using a suitable power source. Batteries and chargers should be used in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions.
- Do not leave a charging battery unattended. Battery units that can be turned off should always be turned off when not in use.
- Always charge the battery on a hard surface away from flammable materials, and ensure battery/charger connections are kept clean.
- Never allow your batteries to come into contact with metal items, e.g. loose change or keys in a pocket or bag. This can result in a short circuit of the battery. Loose batteries should always be stored in a protective case.
- If a battery is in any way damaged (including torn insulation), leaking or ceases to function normally, it should not be used.
- Do not expose the battery to extreme heat, cold or direct sunlight and never allow contact with water.
- Batteries should be recycled or disposed of in accordance with your country’s appropriate legislation.
How to charge e-cig batteries
It is important to know exactly how to recharge vape kit batteries, not just to ensure a long service life but more importantly for safety reasons. All vape kits sold at The Electronic Cigarette Company MUST be charged using the correct equipment, from USB cables, external chargers and wall plugs. There are mainly two types of batteries available; built-in and removable. Learning how to charge each of these is crucial, no matter how much vaping experience you may or may not have. Below, we have a breakdown of these different vape battery types and how best to charge them.
Built-in Battery
A built-in battery must be charged by using the on-board USB charging port. In most cases, you will be able to use this kind of battery while it is on charge. This is called 'pass-through' charging and is convenient when you do not have another e-cig to use as a spare in the meantime.
Insert the USB cable into the charging port located on the battery. Once a proper connection has been formed, either a light will begin flashing to indicate a charge, or the screen (if applicable) will light up and show a battery icon to confirm a charge is being received.
Once your battery has been charged, the light will go out or the battery screen icon will display as full. Gently remove the USB cable and check the battery is functional before tying to vape. Most vape batteries will take between 3–6 hours to charge, depending on the battery size and type of charging cable used (batteries that have USB-C charging tend to be ready more quickly). We advise only to charge a battery once its charge has fully depleted to maximise its lifespan.
Remember: Every e-cig is slightly different, so we do advise checking the user manual supplied with each device to be aware of charging indications.
Removable Battery
Removable batteries offer a convenient way to continue vaping when a recharge is needed (if you have spares, that is). Most vape mods with removable batteries will have a USB charging port located on the device itself which can be used in the same way as a built-in battery, however we strongly recommend that any removable battery is charged externally using a separate charger.
Firstly, ensure the charger is connected to an appropriate power source. Place the batteries inside the charger, taking note of the correct positive and negative ends before inserting. The charger should light up and indicate a charge on the screen.
Once your battery/batteries are charged, the charger screen should display a fully charged battery icon, or 100% depending on the make and model. This means you can now remove the batteries and reinstall them in the vape mod. Depending on which charger is used, it should take between 3–4 hours for a full charge, and it is recommended that batteries are only charged when fully depleted to maximise lifespan.
Remember: Always remove your batteries once they are fully charged.
By following the above guidance, you will ensure the longest battery life, the best performance and minimise any risks through misuse. Check out our other support pages for more information on how to care for your batteries and how to maximise their lifespan.