When it comes to vape hardware, one of the most overlooked components is the battery. Most of us take the battery of a vaping setup for granted, as it’s the piece that requires the least amount of maintenance and doesn’t need to be configured in any way for us to vape successfully. Vape batteries, though, are actually significant, as they not only allow your device to operate smoothly but choosing the wrong battery with which to use your device can be downright dangerous.
How Should I Store My Vape Batteries?
How you store your vape batteries is actually extremely important in terms of safety and longevity. Failing to store your batteries can be dangerous, and at the very least, it can cause your batteries to lose their ability to function properly.
When those vape batteries are not inside the device, they should be kept in a designated battery container. In fact, many battery manufacturers make containers that are specially for vape batteries, which hold them securely while they’re being stored. The reason why this is so important is that debris can develop on the connection of the battery, which can interfere with its ability to supply power to your device. In turn, the battery must work harder to make that connection, which can cause the batteries to burn out sooner.
Furthermore, your vape batteries can be ruined if they make contact with certain metals which interfere with their charge. Not to mention, batteries that have become damaged could end up leaking, which is enormously dangerous.
Are AA Batteries the Same as 18650?
Before we started vaping, most of us were best acquainted with AA batteries, which power the large majority of household devices including remote controls, clocks, kitchen devices, and more. The batteries used in standard vape devices are 18650 batteries, which are extremely different from AA batteries. In short, AA batteries and 18650 batteries are two different types of batteries entirely and cannot be used interchangeably.
What is a 18650 Battery?
A 18650 battery is a lithium-ion rechargeable battery that gets its name from the fact that it measures 18 by 65 millimeters. Besides the fact that they are rechargeable, another distinctive feature is that they are extremely powerful compared to AA and AAA batteries that many of us are used to. Therefore, they can supply high-wattage vaping devices with adequate, long-lasting power to satisfy our needs.
Can You Use AA Batteries in a Vape?
You cannot use AA batteries in a vape. This is extremely dangerous and should never be attempted under any circumstances. The power demands of a device will overwhelm AA batteries, and using incompatible batteries with any vaping device can result in bodily harm.
What Batteries are Safe for Vaping?
The best vape batteries are the ones that are 100% safe to use in a vaping device. 18650 batteries are standard in the vaping world and are compatible with any box mod device. They can vary in terms of capacity, which is why it is best to buy your vape batteries from a vape shop, either in person or online, which will only carry battery configurations that are ideal for the unique needs of vape mods.
It has been established that IMR batteries are the safest vape batteries of all, which utilize lithium-ion manganese, as opposed to ICR batteries that use cobalt. ICR batteries, simply put, struggle to handle the high-power output of today’s popular mods, which can go above 150 watts. This is because their amp limit is low compared to IMR batteries. IMR batteries are more stable when exposed to the high demands of today’s powerful mods, meaning that they are not associated with any real risk of danger while vaping, or simply the risk of burning out.
Because it’s so important, we need to reiterate that you should never, ever use batteries with a device that are not actually made for vaping. This can cause your device to explode, which can cause permanent bodily damage. If you are unsure as to which batteries are appropriate for your device, ask a vape shop employee to guide you through the process of choosing the best batteries.
How Often Should You Replace Vape Batteries?
Many people ask how often you should replace vape batteries altogether, and that answer ultimately depends on how heavy of a vaper you are. Most vapers find that buying new batteries once every six months is the way to go because even the most expensive batteries on the market will not last forever. Eventually, you’ll notice that your batteries are not holding their charge like they once did, resulting in you having to charge them more frequently. Once this is happening, it is time to consider buying new batteries to replace the ones that you have. Like we mentioned, you can find the best vape batteries in a vape shop that’s either in person or online.
Of course, if your batteries are damaged in some way, you should replace them sooner. If your batteries are not making a proper connection to your device, or if they are leaking, then it’s dangerous to use your batteries, and you should simply throw them out immediately and use new ones instead. Before you do, however, make sure that any connection issues are not caused by leaked vape juice that has created a film of gunk over the connection. If juice gunk is the issue, this can simply be wiped off with a damp cotton swab and given a few minutes to dry.
You may also need to replace your batteries if you have been using ICR batteries with a lower-wattage device and have recently upgraded to a high-powered device. As we said, IMR batteries are more suitable for the high-wattage mods that are more accessible on today’s market, and they are widely available in places where vaping hardware is sold.