The 12 tips below discusses how batteries are made, how they work, and what damages them. From this understanding, you will be able to formulate some pretty clear rules to keep your batteries in tip top condition.
Practical Battery Safety Tips
- Know your device. Every device has specific power requirements and the batteries for the device should meet or exceed those requirements.
- Do NOT make modifications to the device including those which could block any ventilation holes or slots. Those holes or slots remove heat and/or allow venting gas to escape safely.
- Buy high-quality batteries from a known source – cheap batteries and seconds have poor internal quality and could fail sooner.
- Buy only batteries rated for your device. Beware of re-branded batteries claiming to have ‘High Output' – many of these are counterfeit and will fail. If in doubt seek well-known brands like Sony, LG, Samsung, etc., and buy from a dealer that knows where they came from.
- Store batteries in a protective case or sleeve, to prevent them from shorting or being damaged. Vape Oil Direct has battery cases available in our store here.
- NEVER exceed the rated capacity of the battery – pulse ratings are high-stress ratings, batteries are meant to rest after stress.
- Do not drop batteries. If they are dropped they should be inspected very carefully. Any sign of damage on the outside could mean damage on the inside.
- Do not subject batteries to extremes of temperature. Leaving them in your car could freeze the electrolyte causing it to crack. Overheating the electrolyte will cause it to dry out prematurely and crack. Cracked electrolyte is a key point of failure for thermal runaway.
- If, when using a battery, it gets hot, STOP! Batteries may get warm to touch, but they should never get hot. Immediately put the battery in a fire-safe place such as a dry sink or outdoors away from people or pets.
- Use a quality charger designed for lithium batteries – using cheap chargers can result in overcharging, or charging them too fast. This weakens the separator and causes the electrolyte to dry out and crack making the battery unsafe.
- Batteries should be replaced after at least 1 year of use – more often under high-stress applications like vaping. If you notice that the battery is taking longer to charge, seems warmer while using, or doesn't seem to hold a charge as long, it is time to replace it.
- Never use a battery whose wrapper is damaged! The opportunity for shorts is higher, and damaged wraps may indicate internal damage.