How to Use Vape Batteries Safely

Vaping devices that use external batteries offer several advantages. The most obvious one is that you can swap out a depleted cell for a freshly charged one on-demand, but external batteries also extend the longevity of your device since it’s not dependent on the natural life cycle of an internal battery, which will lose its ability to hold a charge over time.

While these advantages are great for vapers and the environment, it’s important to remember that the batteries we use in vaping are powerful tools. Like any tool, they should always be treated with respect. So, how can you use vape batteries safely?

Buy legitimate batteries from a trusted supplier

Battery safety starts with choosing the right battery for your device and purchasing it from a well-established supplier.

There are hundreds of brands to choose from, but the best place to start is the big-name electronics brands like LG, Samsung, Sony and Molicel. Molicel has specifically endorsed their batteries for use in vaping devices, unlike the other listed brands, so they are perhaps the most legitimate option on the market currently.

Fortunately for the vaping community, engineer Battery Mooch independently tests the performance of many external batteries and regularly updates a list of recommended batteries for different wattages and specifications.  

Use an external charger

Although all Innokin devices feature a wide range of industry-leading battery safety protections, it’s best to use a dedicated battery charger to charge external batteries.

External chargers can charge multiple batteries rapidly and display useful data, such as estimated capacity, resting voltage and battery health, depending on the model you choose.

Reputable brands for external chargers include Xtar, Nitecore and Gyrfalcon. Whether you want an affordable single bay charger or a feature-rich 8-bay charger, there will be a model to suit your needs.

In addition to the wide range of features, external chargers offer, they also make your vaping experience more efficient, as you can charge spare batteries while using your device. You should never leave batteries charging in an external charger unattended.

Always check battery wraps

All external batteries are covered by a “wrap” which insulates the cell. The wrap needs to be fully intact, as a tear may expose the battery and cause a short circuit.

Over time, battery wraps may become damaged, so it’s important to check your batteries each time you use them. If you see any problems with the battery wrap, it’s easy and affordable to apply a new wrap. Check out this video from Mike Vapes on how to re-wrap a battery.

Keep your batteries in a case

External batteries should always be properly stored when they’re not in use. You should never carry external batteries without a protective cover or case. Doing so risks accidentally discharging or damaging them. For example, if you carry an external battery loose in your pocket with coins or a set of keys, this could create a dangerous circuit.

Battery cases and covers are very affordable, and many vendors even include them with the purchase of a battery. Using a cover protects the batteries from discharging, keeps the battery wraps protected and is a convenient way to store multiple batteries.

Avoid extreme temperatures

The batteries we use in vaping devices are not designed to be kept in extremely hot or cold environments. This means you should always store your batteries in a cool place, away from direct sunlight.

You should never store your batteries in environments that are likely to get extremely hot, such as the inside of a car, for extended periods of time.

Use “married” batteries

If your vaping device uses two or more batteries at once, it’s important to “marry” your batteries. This means using the exact same model of the battery together and charging them at the same time.

This process ensures that the batteries you use together have undergone an identical number of charging cycles. This helps balance the performance of your batteries, which is particularly important if you tend to use high wattages when vaping.

Replace old batteries

High-quality external batteries last for a long time, but they are designed for a limited number of charge cycles. After this, performance will decline, which can eventually lead to instability in extreme cases.

If you discharge and charge your battery once per day, it’s a good idea to replace it after a year’s use, as a rule of thumb. If you charge and discharge your batteries more frequently than this, you should adjust your replacement cycle accordingly.

Once an external battery has reached the end of its life cycle, it should be disposed of responsibly at a battery recycling point. You can often find these at supermarkets, convenience stores and even some vape shops. Using a battery recycling point is the safest option and helps reduce e-waste.