The Ultimate Beginners Guide To Vape Batteries
What are Vape Batteries?
Made from Lithium-Ion, vape batteries supply power to heat up e-liquids and produce flavourful vapour, making them an essential component in any vaping device. Unless you own a vape pen or starter kit that includes built-in batteries, it’s vital to ensure that you are using the correct external batteries for optimum performance as well as safety.
Rechargeable and removable, external batteries function similarly to those found in common household appliances, and while larger in size, the scientific principles stay the same. When a battery is activated, the chemicals inside act to produce energy which is then converted to power, or heat in terms of a vape kit. Both internal and external vape batteries function by activating a vaping device’s firing button. This passes energy, or voltage to the coil in your tank, where current is then drawn from the vape battery to heat it and produce tasty vapour.
The most common external batteries for vaping devices include 18650, 20700 and 21700. They are named as such due to their width and height. As an example, the most commonly used vape battery size, 18650, is 18mm in diameter and 65mm in height. It’s important to note that the larger the battery, the higher the output and capacity will be.
- 18650 batteries are considered to be the most popular choice of removable battery due to their versatile power and output advantages for both small and large vaping devices.
- 20700 batteries are larger in comparison to 18650s, and are able to support higher power outputs for longer, such as what is required with sub ohm devices. They’re also available to use in either single or dual 20700 batteries.
- 21700 models are the largest vape batteries, offering enhanced power and capacity. These batteries support sub ohm and high wattage vaping.
External batteries haven’t always been around for vaping - they were introduced as a convenient solution to allow vapers to quickly replace drained batteries without having to wait for them to recharge.
How do volts, amps and ohms work in the vaping experience
To start vaping safely, it’s best to ensure that you fully understand a few basic electrical facts. You’ve no doubt have heard of volts, amps and ohms before, but how do they work in terms of vaping exactly? Let’s quickly delve into the science behind it all:
- Voltage (volts, V). On average, a fully charged vape battery will read around 4.2V. This is simply a measure of how much energy is passing electricity through your coil and vaporising the e-liquid in your tank.
- Current (amps, A). The faster the current of electricity flows, the hotter the coil will become. The hotter the coil, the faster the e-liquid can be vaporised. A higher current will result in more powerful vapour production.
As high speeds of power (current) will in turn decrease the day to day life of your battery, it’s best to keep spare external batteries with you while vaping on the go. Vape devices with variable wattage and voltage features can allow vapers to increase or decrease the electrical current flowing through the coil to improve flavour and vapour production. - Resistance (ohms, Ω). Ohms, or Ω are a unit of resistance. A lower ohms resistance will produce greater vapour production, while a higher ohms resistance can intensify e-liquid flavour and preserve battery life. If you’re a practiced vaper who plans to use more advanced devices or build your own customised coils to increase voltage and resistance levels, you’ll need a good working knowledge of Ohm’s Law to do so safely.
- Power (Watts, P, W). Electrical power (P) is measured in Watts (W). In a circuit, this simply refers to the amount of energy that is being used or produced. Vaping at a higher wattage allows the coil to heat up quicker, helping to produce larger, warmer and more flavour filled vapour clouds.
- mAh Capacity Rating This is otherwise known as a capacity rating. mAh is a measurement of milliampere-hour, which translates to the amount of energy a battery can deliver within the time frame of one hour. For instance, a 1000mAh battery would be able to output one amp of power for an hour before it becomes fully drained.
What is Ohm’s Law?
In simple terms, Ohm’s Law is the relationship between voltage, current and resistance. Vapers who use customised coils will utilize this handy formula to understand how much power their coil consumes, and whether or not it is safely compatible with their device’s battery.
Which Battery does my Vape Device Need?
When purchasing a new device, most vape kits will include information on which battery is correct for the device if they are needed. To help beginner vapers out, we have listed the compatible batteries within all the product descriptions for our vaping mods and vape kits, meaning you needn’t look any further for this information! However, it is beneficial for your own personal knowledge to familiarise yourself with the basics of different vape kits and batteries.
Sub Ohm / Direct to Lung (DTL) Vaping Devices
Sub ohm or DTL devices have a coil resistance of below 1.0 Ohm, meaning they require a higher wattage battery to efficiently heat and vaporise your e-liquid. Once it has achieved this, you can expect larger, warmer cloud production than MTL devices. To maximise your vaping experience with a sub ohm / DTL device, we recommend choosing a battery with a high Amp output.
Mouth to Lung (MTL) Vaping Devices
As mouth to lung devices have a higher resistance of 1.0 Ohm or above, they produce less vapour, boost e-liquid flavour, and can even offer long-lasting battery life. When vaping with a mouth to lung device, we recommend always using a lower Amp output battery.
How do I Charge My Vape Battery?
Internal batteries are charged by micro USB cables, while external batteries require a high quality battery charger. For best results, always follow your product’s manual to find out which charger will be compatible with your device.
External Battery Chargers VS USB Chargers
Most if not all vape kits come ready with a Type-C USB charger, however we best recommend using an external battery charger where you can. There are multiple advantages to powering up your vape with an external charger, including increased battery life and faster, even charging. Using an external battery charger can also prevent overcharging which is a safety hazard.
The Do's and Don'ts for Vaping Battery Safety
Understanding how to power your device safely and effectively is a number one priority when it comes to vaping. While most battery chargers and vaping devices will have short circuit and over charge protection, you should still keep the following battery safety tips in mind at all times:
- Do not use phone chargers to power your vaping device. We recommend charging using a 1/2a output plug.
- Always store external 18650 batteries in a battery box and avoid placing them loose in pockets.
- Avoid leaving your batteries unattended while charging.
- Always turn your vape off when placing it into compartments such as pockets or bags.
- Never expose your battery to extreme hot or cold temperatures.
- Always replace batteries that are showing signs of damage or degradation.
- Keep loose batteries away from conductive materials such as coins or keys.
