5 Simple Battery Rules You Should Follow

The 18650 battery is by far the most common cell used in the vape industry and powering over 90% of e-cigarettes for sale. These cells are compact, great-value and simple to look after but like any electronics should be used carefully and responsibly.

We think that it’s important to discuss what you should and shouldn’t do in order to keep vaping a safe experience for you and those around you. There have been a few stories circulating about exploding e-cigarettes but cases like these are extremely rare and 100% avoidable. Here’s what you need to know about vape battery safety.

#1. Buy from trusted UK suppliers and not reseller websites like eBay & Amazon

A high-quality vape is a good investment to make as it greatly reduces the risk of explosions which are common in cheaply made products. If you’ve purchased a new device that doesn’t come with a built-in battery, you’ll need to choose your own. Most box mods do not include batteries, so buying high quality rechargeable 18650 batteries for them from reputable suppliers is crucial.

#2. Don’t mix different battery brands and specs.

It’s a bad idea to use a different cable to charge your battery than the one it came with. The charger you are using may have a higher voltage than your battery can handle and this could cause the cells to dangerously overheat. It’s also important not to mix batteries from different manufacturers as they won’t always have the same chemical composition. This difference can create a resonance which could result in unsafe discharge rates one the either of the cells.

#3. Don’t put them in your pocket with keys and loose change

It’s crucial to always carry your extra batteries in a case and not to leave them loose in your bag or pockets. If batteries come into contact with metal objects such as coins or keys, a hazardous explosion can occur as the interaction can complete a circuit between a positive and a negative. The answer is to put your batteries inside a battery case. These are available in plastic, silicone or other materials and cuts the risks of carrying around charged batteries by protecting those discharge points.

#4. Don’t rewrap damaged batteries

The normal wear and tear of transporting and using your e-cig may take its toll on your batteries and the plastic casing around the cells may fray. You’ll find “experts” online that recommend buying new plastic wrappers and replacing the coating, but this can be dangerous if not done correctly. If there appears to be fault with the cell, if the wrapping is damaged or frayed, or your battery fails to keep charge then dispose of the battery immediately and replace it with a brand new cell from a trusted seller. Never purchase used batteries from reseller sites.

#5. Don’t leave batteries in chargers overnight unsupervised

Explosions can occur due to overcharging or rapidly discharging batteries. A smart charger offers more safety features than charging directly from the USB cable provided with most devices, but not keeping an eye on your vape while it’s charging is a safety risk. Most mods have a cut-off point where they stop charging when they are fully charged but you should never rely on this. In order to avoid overcharging your battery, make sure you check it regularly and never charge at night while you’re sleeping.

There you are – easy! If you follow our advice on battery charging, storage, and maintenance, you should be set. We offer a wide variety of e-cigarettes, e-liquids, batteries and other accessories to keep your vape working smoothly.

We stock a wide variety of 18650 batteries and they are all sourced from trusted and reputable suppliers within the UK.

If you do require any further help, please do not hesitate to get in touch with one of our friendly support staff!