Accus, batteries. Which batteries to choose for your electronic cigarette?
Battery guide: how does it work and which ones to choose?
Are you getting into the vaping trend and you don’t know which material to choose? Welcome to our guide to batteries, understand “ accumulators ”. True sources of energy for electronic boxes, batteries are nothing but batteries that must be carefully chosen according to need.
What is an accumulator?
More commonly called ” batteries “, these small batteries are essential to the proper functioning of the boxes and Mods found on the vaping market. Sold without the boxes and electronic mods for which they are intended, the batteries are rechargeable and often found in a cylindrical type shape.
Five parameters present on the technical sheet of each of the batteries characterize and differentiate each of the products:
The chemical composition
IMR, ICR, IFR, INR … Whatever the references indicated on the Lithium batteries that you will find on the market, those recommended and regularly found in the world of vaping are the IC / ICR Lithium-Ion and IMR batteries with Lithium-Manganese. Efficient and secure, these batteries guarantee a powerful and long-lasting experience.
The dimensions :
The selected battery diameter is represented by a row of five digits. For example, for a battery on which there would be the mention ” 18650 “, the diameter would be 18 centimetres, the length of the battery would be 65 millimetres and the 0 would state the shape of the battery, knowing that the zero represents the cylindrical shape.
Rated voltage:
The nominal voltage value is expressed in volts. The most commonly found nominal voltage is 3.7 volts, but this can vary depending on the chemical composition of the battery chosen.
Energy storage:
The energy storage capacity proves to be one of the essential criteria for the choice of the battery. Calculated in milliamps per hour, this data determines the autonomy capacity of the battery in question. It varies by model and is often between 500 milliamps per hour ( mAH ) and 4,200, or even beyond.
The technical sheet scrutinized
To better understand the data sheet of the battery and the details that compose it, it is essential to go over point by point the different elements that can guide the undecided consumer until the final choice.
Battery chemistry
To return to this essential detail, know that there are several distinct models.
The Lithium-Ion battery:
One of the most common chemical compositions remains the IC/ICR battery with Lithium-Ion chemistry. It generally works with a nominal voltage of around 3.7 volts. However, this type of composition requires a few securing points such as a PCB-type controller. The latter proves to be of essential use since it prevents the battery from… exploding in the event of an overload! However, the battery with the Lithium-Ion chemical composition is very popular thanks to its attractive capacity/weight ratio.
The Lithium-Manganese battery
On the other hand, there is the IMR battery, which is to say, operates with Lithium-Manganese chemistry. More regularly found in MOD-type vapes, this chemical composition allows for obtaining rather high discharge currents, unlike Lithium-Ion chemistry.
discharge currents
High discharge current for IMR batteries, rather low for IC/ICR batteries … But then, what do these discharge currents mean? Called CDC, for “Continuous Discharge Current”, this data is indicated in Amperes on the battery casing. Thus, for a 18650 type battery, for example, you can find the mention “35A” on the battery. This means the CDC is 35 amps. More clearly, the intensity of the electric current of your battery is 35 amps during the discharge.
There is also the CDM, that is to say, the “Maximum Discharge Current”. This criterion provides information about the maximum capacity of the battery. For security reasons, this data is indicated to constitute a limit not to be exceeded. For example, for an 800 mAH battery with a maximum CDM of 2C, the calculation is simple: 800 mAH x 2C therefore 800 x 2 = 1,600. This means that the battery will be able to provide 1.6 amps or 1600 mAH. Good to know: the higher the maximum capacity, the faster the battery will discharge.
Energy storage capacity
The number preceding the mAH on your battery designates the number of mA, that is to say, milliamps, that the battery can restore over an hour. By calculating the playback capacity, you can then tell how long the battery life can potentially last. Let’s take an example: if you have a battery operating at 4,200 mAH, but we are not using it at maximum intensity, you can enjoy it for example for 2 hours at 2,100 mAH, for more than 4 hours. at 1000 mAH, etc.
How to guide your choice?
The type of device desired
– Electronic MODs and boxes
Do you want to stick to all electronics and boxes? Never mind, but accompany your device with batteries adapted to your desires.
Unlike mechanical MODs, electronic MODs have an integrated circuit to balance the sending of the current. When the charge of the battery becomes too low, a message will then be displayed on your box to notify you of the error, especially if you are using rebuildable atomizers.
The advantages: easy to use, electronic MODs allow you to take advantage of your settings. You will therefore choose your batteries according to the desired vape experience.
The disadvantages: vaping in electronics leaves more room for breakdowns since the devices are regulated and composed of a suitable electronic circuit.
The right battery: as electronic boxes tolerate an intensity ranging, on average, from 5 to 7 amps, it is advisable to choose batteries of this capacity.
– Mecha MODs
Are you a seasoned vaper and want to switch to a completely mechanical MOD? In this case, all the elements that make it possible to regulate the device when it takes advantage of all electronics will then be absent. The current is then sent continuously from the battery and up to the level of the resistance as soon as you press the button provided for this purpose. Thus, it is up to you to choose the battery and the atomizer that will form the ideal pair to meet your needs.
The advantages: the experience is more balanced in the sense that the vape cycle is more direct: the button is pressed, the battery communicates instinctively with the resistance and the smoke comes out smoother. Furthermore, breakdowns are, in fact, much rarer than when it is a question of an all-electronic device.
The disadvantages: you only have control over the value of the resistance that you choose to accompany your atomizer.
The appropriate battery: as the mechanical model does not have the safety features enjoyed by electronic devices, it is preferable to avoid the risks of degassing and exposure as much as possible by choosing batteries with a rather high CDM. Thus, coupled with fairly low resistance (then requiring a high intensity from the battery ), the set will offer you a pleasant vaping experience and, complete safety!
What about Sub ohms?
The Sub Ohm is a practice appreciated by a large number of vapers. Hot and abundant steam and a reducible nicotine level in the eLiquid: the practice of Sub Ohm offers an experience close to the cigarette itself.
The battery suitable for this kind of practice would be the IMR chemistry battery type 18500, 18650 or even 18350.
How to charge your battery?
The charge cycle is very important, and so is the battery charger. If it is not respected, the mistreated battery will lose its capacity and will no longer offer the complete and efficient autonomy for which you had precisely chosen it.
What tips for best handling the charge of your battery?
Tip number 1: don’t wait until the last moment to recharge your battery. Above all, do not wait until the battery is completely discharged. The ideal would be not to go below 50% charge.
Tip number 2: do not leave your battery in a state of charge if the battery is full. As soon as the battery is at 100%, separate the battery from its charging element.
Tip number 3: although many cases allow charging using a micro USB cable, this is not the most recommended charging system. This type of connection is more suitable for e-cigarettes whose battery is directly integrated. When the battery can be removed from its case, it is preferable to charge it using a charging base provided for this purpose only.
Tip number 4: be sure to respect the maximum charging currents according to the model of your battery (see below).
Maximum load currents
The battery, which is nothing more than a battery for e-cigarettes and MODs, collects electricity when it is charging and releases it when the e-cigarette or MOD is in working order. . Thus, when the e-cigarette is not used, the electricity is stored inside the battery. However, there are a few essential rules that must be respected if you want to take advantage of the performance and full capabilities of your battery. Indeed, if you do not respect the charging cycles and capacities, your battery will be put to the test and will deteriorate little by little, much faster than expected.
For 18350, 16340 and 14500 battery types: the maximum charge current should be approximately 0.25 amps
For 18490 type batteries: the recommended current is approximately 0.5 amps
For 18650 type batteries: the recommended current is approximately 1 amp
For information, the higher the maximum charge current, the shorter the charge will last. However, it is essential not to exceed the maximum threshold, for safety reasons. For example, you can choose to push the charge intensity of your 18650 battery to its maximum, that is to say, 1A, and the charge will not exceed 2 hours. However, you can choose to reduce the maximum current and, in this case, the charge will simply take a little longer.
Security measures
As with all things, it is essential and even imperative to learn about safety measures and precautions of all kinds, to avoid an accident.
Dispose of damaged batteries:
A deteriorated battery – whether damaged, with a torn envelope, oxidized or even simply deformed – can present a potential danger. However, the batteries being batteries containing energy, you cannot throw them away anywhere: drop them off at a collection point provided for this purpose such as a battery or battery store which will collect your product. free. Batteries should be stored away from heat, direct sunlight, and cold and in an airtight container.
Transport your batteries safely:
The question of transport is as important as the rest. Indeed, you must transport your battery (ies) in silicone containers and a box dedicated to the products. Contact with metallic-type objects could cause a short circuit.
Choose the right material:
Negligence could radically transform the vaping experience. You have just offered yourself a powerful MOD, you accompany it with quality batteries but do not invest in a good battery charger and now the batteries are flat and lack efficiency… The tone is set: use adapted and quality equipment to enjoy the vape in all serenity!
Check your hardware
When you equip yourself with a substantial device such as a good MOD with quality batteries, it is necessary to regularly check the condition of your equipment. Indeed, if you just vape hoping that everything works normally, without worrying about anything, you could have bad surprises and it can even turn out to be… dangerous.
To avoid any inconvenience here is a little advice: if you use a mechanical MOD, remember to check the condition of the resistance and make sure that there is no short circuit at the level of the atomizer. If this were the case, the battery used could suffer from this inconvenience and the entire device would present a risk of degassing and even… of explosion.
However, rest assured, MODs and electronic cigarettes do not present any danger if the entire mechanism is maintained regularly.