Can lithium batteries be used as vape batteries

Counterfeits in these sensitive products could mean a huge hazard for users. These counterfeit products do not meet safety requirements and aren’t tested to check their quality so they could cause dangerous and even fatal accidents. To identify them there are a few tricks you need to know.

1.The battery wrapper

Counterfeit producers can’t use the same wrap for their lithium-ion batteries. The difference could be noticed in color, material, and printed code. The original batteries have deep colors while others are bright. The material difference could be noticed by touching the lithium battery, counterfeits will be hard while originals are soft to touch. For the printed code, there are major differences in size, position, text…

2.Date code or serial number

this information is written on the battery by the manufacturer. As shown below you can Identify the fake product by checking the 4 digits code written below the brand’s name like in the following Samsung SDI product. The trick is to check that code on any battery as it should mean the following:
● 2 is Samsung internal identification
● F means the year is 2016 (2012=C; 2013=D; 2014=E; 2015=F, 2016=G, 2017=H, and so on…)
● 3 is the month: Batteries are made in Korea or Mal aysia, the month code is different in each of them.  JAN=1; FEB=2; … SEP=9; OCT=A; NOV=B; DEC=C. JAN=P; FEB=Q; March=R … OCT=Y; NOV=Z; DEC=0)
● 4 is the Week

If the code makes no sense in this identification it’s not an original battery.

3.The top cap

It’s an easy way to identify a lithium-ion battery manufacturer, each brand has its own signature which is hard to imitate by counterfeiters who use cheap methods in production.

4.Size and weight

Famous brands have very strict standards; their products have to meet the specs in the datasheets. So, if you suspect a lithium-ion battery’s provenance just check its weight and compare the result with the datasheet. The difference should never be significant (just a few grams and that could be tolerated ± 1 or 2 grams). An original 18650 battery weighs about 42 to 45 grams and some brands can go up to 50 grams. Counterfeits weigh lower than that average so they can be detected easily.

5.Defects

Any defect in an original product could never be tolerated, well-known brands can’t allow defective products out of their factories. If you notice a visual defect on a lithium battery, it means it’s counterfeit.

Can I use aa batteries in my vape

Ordinary aa or aaa batteries used for electronic devices can’t be used to power a vape for different reasons. The rechargeable aa batteries are the most commonly used battery type in portable electronics, but vape require more powerful vape batteries so the aas can’t provide enough current to run them. One vape would use multiple aas which is practically impossible as it will require bigger space.

Even aa rechargeable batteries can’t power a vape properly. They may be used for small models but they will discharge very quickly and wear out.

Vapes usually use 18650 lithium-ion batteries, they are powerful enough and have great capacity. Also, aa batteries can only provide 1,5v, 18650 lithium batteries have a voltage of 3.5v. Using other types than lithium ion vape batteries on vapes could have bad consequences as they may overheat and damage the vape. Try to follow manuals and consult professionals.

Reason why vape batteries blow up

In general lithium-ion batteries are designed to be safe for users in all applications from vehicles to computers and smartphones to vapes. But even with tests and research to improve safety, there are some conditions that could lead to explosions. These include:

① Counterfeit lithium-ion batteries, these products don’t meet minimal safety standards. Their manufacturers do not conduct enough tests to check their suitability to consumers. Quality and defects aren’t verified properly which may cause a malfunction leading to an explosion.

② Overcharging vape batteries can cause overheating especially if it’s repeated and the battery is left plugged for long periods of time. This will damage the batteries and shorten their expected lifetime significantly.

③ Lithium-ion batteries are made to withstand extreme conditions; but if left exposed to sunlight they may overheat. If the temperature exceeds 60°C it could explode. However, most electronic cigarettes on the market are equipped with smart chips, which can prevent overheating and overcurrent to a certain extent.

④ In some situations, contact with metal keys and coins can also be the reason for fires.

⑤ All vape have specific lithium-ion vape batteries designed to run it smoothly. Trying to change the specs by adding a different coil or setting the vape to produce more smoke can have negative effects. That may lead to overloading the battery and extreme overheating. These conditions may cause permanent damage to the batteries.

⑥ Seriously damaged lithium-ion vape batteries become unstable, they may catch fire or explode. Replacing damaged batteries will keep you safe.

How to avoid vape batteries fires

Vape batteries can catch fire or explode in certain circumstances. However, simple actions could prevent that risk and preserve the batteries and the vape. This also ensures the safety of users is maintained.

● Avoid using counterfeit products as they may have unpredictable behavior and may be dangerous. Saving money on cheap vape batteries is not really a good deal as results could be disastrous.
● Try to keep loose lithium-ion vape batteries in special plastic cases to avoid any contact with metal objects.
● Use a dedicated lithium battery charger to prevent any overcharging or overheating by using an inconvenient fast charger. Earning some time could damage the lithium batteries and have bad consequences.
● Keep the vape and the batteries away from sunlight, flammable products, and heat sources. Even if they are not in use, lithium batteries can ignite due to high temperatures exposure. Remember, each product has safety limits you don’t want to go beyond them.
● Try to use the appropriate coil, and don’t mess with the vape’s settings without consulting the manufacturer’s manual. Wrong settings or using the wrong battery could lead to serious discharge above its capacity. This situation causes overheating and potential fire in case the temperature rises above reasonable limits.
● If lithium batteries are damaged or wet, you need to get rid of them in a safe way. You should seek help from a professional lithium-ion battery manufacturer. Faulty batteries should be put in special containers and not thrown in nature or mixed with domestic waste.
● Never let the vape or the spare vape batteries in a car. When a vehicle is parked under sun for a while the temperature could rise in an excessive way.
● Verify that the batteries are interchangeable between models. Even though they fit in the vape some batteries could not power the device.
● Even if you use vapes and know about them, reading the manufacturer’s manual carefully is a good idea. Companies conduct tests and make recommendations based on that, they also know the exact limits and capacities of the products.

How long do vape batteries last

Depending on their capacities and the way they are used lithium-ion vape batteries can last for hours without being recharged. Vape batteries can last about 1500 to 4000 cycles. All durations mentioned above actually depend on many factors. Using the Lithium battery dedicated charger is the most important thing to maintain the charge in short term and in long term preserve the lithium battery’s health. Protecting the batteries from high temperatures and overheating make them last longer.

How much does a vape battery cost

Lithium vape batteries can cost between 10$ and 40$. The price depends on the brand, the battery type, and the capacity. Well-known manufacturers always have higher prices but when safety and performance are in question it’s the right choice. Buying cheaper counterfeit products can save some money but when they cause trouble the expenses will be higher than buying a brand-made battery.

To sum it up

Vapes are a great replacement for ordinary cigarettes, they cause less pollution, have a lower effect on health, save money, and can fix addiction to nicotine. These devices are equipped with batteries allowing them to be lightweight and very easy to manipulate carry and use. In order to guarantee their good functioning users should take some precautions to maintain their health and prevent potential accidents like fires or explosions.