Battery care.

[RichJr]

Since the first charge of my Titan batteries I've always let them drain all the way before charging. How does everyone else charge them. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to bad if I forgot one home and the one with me dies I charge it halfway just to use it for a few puffs then throw it back on..
I cycle mine using one until it dies then use the next while I charge the dead one.
How many do you have and how do you charge them?

[DeaDPooL]

I have 3. I fully discharge and grab the one that was charged least recently of the two others. That way it is always a cycle of 1-2-3-1-2-3-etc.

I don't think I've gone through more than 2 batteries in 1 day, so 1 swap seems so easy I can't imagine a need to top off

[Killjoy]

I've got three Tornado batteries.  I don't always rotate them evenly, so one usually gets less use than the other two.  Most of the time, they're fully discharged before I plug them in, but sometimes I'll just grab a fully charged one because I've been using the current one a while and don't feel like carrying a spare with me just in case it dies while I'm out

Li-ion batteries are pretty forgiving as far as when you charge them and how much, they don't have the "charge memory" that alkaline and some other rechargeables do (where you can lose capacity by not charging fully or charging before dead), so not a big deal if it's not fully discharged when you plug it in or if you unplug it part way through

[Brucez1958]

I usually let mine run all the way down before recharging...Barreties are funny though.  Some will last for 3-4 months, and others 1-2 months.  I actually have one that I got back in November that is still working fine!

[8Ball]

I have quite a collection I've acquired in the last two yo-yos.  I've got 11 Tornado batteries, down from 13 (one died (actually, a port on the charger was bad and I think it took out the battery), and I lost one (fell out of my pocket while on holiday)).  Of the 11, 4 are Mega Tornado batteries, and I am currently using about 8 batteries at a time, so there are usually 3 charging or charged and ready to go (I also picked up a 10 port charger in the yo-yo).  I usually use a battery until it's flat, then swap it out with one that's on the charger and has finished charging.  Since CraigHB posted that it's ok to partially charge a battery, or to charge it if it's not completely flat, I'm not too bothered about when or how I charge them (Thanks Craig).

[CraigHB]

How does everyone else charge them.

e-Cigs typically use Lithium Cobalt batteries, one of several Li-Ion battery chemistries found in cell phones, tablets, laptop computers, and even electric automobiles.  It really makes no difference at all how you charge them.  You can charge them halfway and use them, recharge them all the way when they're only halfway down, run them all the way down and recharge them fully or whatever.  You don't even have to charge them when you get them new, just start using them.  That's one of the advantages of Li-Ion battery technology.  Li-Ion batteries have their down sides, but the lack of any charge regiment is one of their advantages.

To answer your question, I rotate 4 of them through a 5 slot charger.  I typically place one on the charger when it's fully discharged and grab a fully charged one, though I may put one on the charger before it's fully discharged when I want to go out with a couple three fully charged batteries. 

I usually unscrew them a turn or two when they're done charging to disconnect them from the charger.  It shouldn't matter, but I do it anyway just as a safety measure.  Just tonight, my wife's friend told her one of her e-cig batteries vented.  That makes two vapers I know this has happened to.  Definitely don't want to be careless with these batteries.

[Horsemen]

I have 6 batteries.  I have numbered them (on the end cap) 1-6.  And run them all the way down and use them in order.  Have been using the same 6 for 8 months now.  All seem to be well

[CraigHB]

I had to replace my wifes's set of Tornado batts after about 6 months.  She was rotating three of them.  They got to where they would only run on a charge about half the length of time compared to new.  I thought these batts were good for 300 cycles which means they shouldn't hit the halfway point until 250 cycles at the least.  With the 3 of them for 6 months that would only be around 100 cycles.  Oh well, they're cheap enough.  I bought a new set of 4 and so she's back to one charge a day.  Hope these ones hold up better.

[Fad]

one of her e-cig batteries vented

What is that exactly Craig. regarding batteries ?


I gave my 4 small ones to my sister - she finds them easier to transport, so just use the 4 large ones I have now and rotate them irregularly with a full charge/discharge cycle each.
I don`t bother keeping track of which is which - if they`re going to go, they`re going to go regardless so I just use them randomly.

[8Ball]

one of her e-cig batteries vented

What is that exactly Craig. regarding batteries ?


I gave my 4 small ones to my sister - she finds them easier to transport, so just use the 4 large ones I have now and rotate them irregularly with a full charge/discharge cycle each.
I don`t bother keeping track of which is which - if they`re going to go, they`re going to go regardless so I just use them randomly.

Hey Fad.   Well, Craig is our battery guru so I'll let him make with the tech stuff, but basically it's a violent chemical reaction.  Google it and you can see some vids.  What you should take away is don't ever short your batteries, and treat them with respect.  I don't think it's that common of an occurrence if you don't abuse your batteries, and I don't lay awake at night worrying about it.

I'm with you on the rotation subject.  I just grab whichever charged battery is to hand, and I put a batery on the charger when it starts flashing at me (or if vapor production drops to an intolerable level).

[Fad]

Thanks, I couldn`t find anything particular about these batteries venting but did see one catching fire...I guess that`s it. 

How would you even short one...accidentally or otherwise ? (a Tornado battery for example`s sake)

would that happen if something small and metal got lodged in the top hole between the connector and the thread ?

[Killjoy]

would that happen if something small and metal got lodged in the top hole between the connector and the thread ?

That could short it if you pushed the button while that connection was made

[8Ball]

would that happen if something small and metal got lodged in the top hole between the connector and the thread ?

That could short it if you pushed the button while that connection was made

Yup.  I'd be careful about tossing loose batteries into a bag (purse, backpack, laptop bag, whatever).  If it's in there with any other metal object that might end up shorting across the connector, and the battery gets in a position where the button gets depressed... well it could be the makings of a bad day.  Unlikely??  Well, maybe, but perhaps you've been introduced to a gentleman by the name of Murphy a time or two?  And I've found he tends to pay a visit when it's least convenient.

[JohnEAngel]

does anyone know if they can explode?  I have a battery that even though I'm not pressing the button, it was firing my cartos.  I pulled the carto out when it wouldn't stop crackling.  I tried pulling the button out a little and it wasn't lit anyway.  Kind of gave me the willys. 

[8Ball]

does anyone know if they can explode?  I have a battery that even though I'm not pressing the button, it was firing my cartos.  I pulled the carto out when it wouldn't stop crackling.  I tried pulling the button out a little and it wasn't lit anyway.  Kind of gave me the willys. 

Hi JohnE.  Craig would probably be better at answering this than me, but I'll give it a shot and he can come in behind me and clean up the mess .  I don't know if it's an explosion by the technical definition, but if not, you probably won't know the difference.  It's a chemical reaction and a rapid expansion of gases, and if it's got no way to vent then it's going to explode whatever is keeping it from venting.  Even with a vent path, it's going to be a violent event (vent... event... get it? ).  I wouldn't want to be around when it happened (never seen one go off in person, but you can poke around with Google and find some YouTube vids of it).  I'm not trying to alarm you, but I think this is something we all need to be aware of, and we need to treat these devices with a bit of respect (ever use a butane lighter?).

I had one battery that kept flashing continuously after I took it off the charger (I think I had a bad port on the charger that took out the battery).  I put it in an empty 55gal. steel drum outside and left it for a few days just to be on the safe side.  I had one battery that had a bit of a sticky switch on it, and it wouldn't fire sometimes.  And it did stick in the on position a couple of times.  I managed to get it to turn off by taping on the switch until it shut off.  The LED was lit when it stuck though, so I knew about it.  I'd just keep a close eye on it if I were you and make sure it shuts off every time you use it.

[RichJr]

does anyone know if they can explode?  I have a battery that even though I'm not pressing the button, it was firing my cartos.  I pulled the carto out when it wouldn't stop crackling.  I tried pulling the button out a little and it wasn't lit anyway.  Kind of gave me the willys.  

Hi JohnE.  Craig would probably be better at answering this than me, but I'll give it a shot and he can come in behind me and clean up the mess .  I don't know if it's an explosion by the technical definition, but if not, you probably won't know the difference.  It's a chemical reaction and a rapid expansion of gases, and if it's got no way to vent then it's going to explode whatever is keeping it from venting.  Even with a vent path, it's going to be a violent event (vent... event... get it? ).  I wouldn't want to be around when it happened (never seen one go off in person, but you can poke around with Google and find some YouTube vids of it).  I'm not trying to alarm you, but I think this is something we all need to be aware of, and we need to treat these devices with a bit of respect (ever use a butane lighter?).

I had one battery that kept flashing continuously after I took it off the charger (I think I had a bad port on the charger that took out the battery).  I put it in an empty 55gal. steel drum outside and left it for a few days just to be on the safe side.  I had one battery that had a bit of a sticky switch on it, and it wouldn't fire sometimes.  And it did stick in the on position a couple of times.  I managed to get it to turn off by taping on the switch until it shut off.  The LED was lit when it stuck though, so I knew about it.  I'd just keep a close eye on it if I were you and make sure it shuts off every time you use it.

I'm an electonics buff and a CPU hardware software tech. Not to brag but I can help.   well maybe a little brag. LoL
Sounds like he might have it a little mixed up, I'm not sure yet. If the light is off the batt is off, considering your not pressing the button it's off all your hearing is the after burn of the liquids. If you press the button and no light comes on it's a faulty light/indicator and the button could possibly be stuck depressed. If it's pressed and then light comes on then indicator is ok. And if light goes of when depressed the button is ok. Of course there is a slight chance of many other defects which maybe the button sticks but slowly pops back up hence making it burn for longer after you release the button and light goes out before atty discharges. You will know for sure if the batt life is half or less than whats expected because it would be on the whole time. They don't normally explode from high drain which would be permanently on.
When you take I off the charger and hook up an atty does it start right away?
When you disconnect it and set it aside when you return to see it later is it dead even tho it should have a charge even if just a little?

(edit) if it is stuck on!, put it in a pan "metal" and cover (outside) so it won't ruin any of your things, It wont literally explode violently but a nice flame could protrude for a few seconds or more and leak liquid from inside if it shorts out.

[CraigHB]

If it's in there with any other metal object that might end up shorting across the connector, and the battery gets in a position where the button gets depressed... well it could be the makings of a bad day.

It's actually charging that poses the biggest risk.  Shorting can also cause a battery to vent, but it more commonly occurs from a charging fault.  Most e-cigs have protections to keep that from happening.  So do protected cell batteries.  This should normally eliminate any risk due to shorting or over-charging, however, that doesn't mean it can't happen.  Both of the times I've personally heard of e-cig batteries venting, it was on the charger.  It's an unlikey event, so I wouldn't worry too much about it.  Just be aware that it can happen and don't charge your batteries near anything flammable or next to anything hot like an oven.  I have my 5 slot charger fastened to the table with mounting tape so if one of my Tornados does go, I expect the end cap will simply pop off and it won't go flying accross the room spraying hot electrolyte on everything. 

The Tornado batteries and many other e-cig batts have a microcontroller (processor) to manage all aspects of operation, including safety features.  When it fails, you can get some strange things going on with the button light.  It might flash indefinitely, behave indeterminately, or stop working altogether.  If the microcontroller fails, it also means all of the protections have failed.  If a battery is suspect, immediately discard it in a safe manner.  Don't mess around with it.  Also do the same if a battery gets unusually hot at any time.

[8Ball]

If it's in there with any other metal object that might end up shorting across the connector, and the battery gets in a position where the button gets depressed... well it could be the makings of a bad day.

It's actually charging that poses the biggest risk.  Shorting can also cause a battery to vent, but it more commonly occurs from a charging fault.  Most e-cigs have protections to keep that from happening.  So do protected cell batteries.  This should normally eliminate any risk due to shorting or over-charging, however, that doesn't mean it can't happen.  Both of the times I've personally heard of e-cig batteries venting, it was on the charger.  It's an unlikey event, so I wouldn't worry too much about it.  Just be aware that it can happen and don't charge your batteries near anything flammable or next to anything hot like an oven.  I have my 5 slot charger fastened to the table with mounting tape so if one of my Tornados does go, I expect the end cap will simply pop off and it won't go flying accross the room spraying hot electrolyte on everything. 

The Tornado batteries and many other e-cig batts have a microcontroller (processor) to manage all aspects of operation, including safety features.  When it fails, you can get some strange things going on with the button light.  It might flash indefinitely, behave indeterminately, or stop working altogether.  If the microcontroller fails, it also means all of the protections have failed.  If a battery is suspect, immediately discard it in a safe manner.  Don't mess around with it.  Also do the same if a battery gets unusually hot at any time.

And there you have it.  Thanks for bailing me out (again) Craig.   That "flash indefinitely" thing is what happened to me.  As soon I realized that it wasn't going to stop I headed for the burn barrel out back and chucked it in.  Closest thing I had to a bomb shelter.

[CraigHB]

I don`t bother keeping track of which is which - if they`re going to go, they`re going to go regardless so I just use them randomly.

That's not the optimal approach with these batts.  Li-Ion batteries not only degrade over charge cycles, but they also degrade over time.  A Lithium Cobalt batt stored with a full charge at room temperature will lose 60% of it's charge capacity in 3 years just sitting on the shelf.  So, you don't want to buy more than you're going to use and you want to rotate them so you get the most charge cycles and time out of them.  I normally rotate 4 of them for my wife.  She's an average vaper.  When I was using Tornados exclusively, I was rotating 6.  I'm a heavy vaper.

[RichJr]

Am I a ghost

(edit) not many stars huh  

[JohnEAngel]

Rtsjr

This is what happened.  I had my battery hooked to my carto and had been chugging away as I am wont to do on any given day.  I let my finger off the button but the carto kept on sizzling.  I quickly pulled the carto off and checked the button.  It was not lit.  I waited a minute then put the carto back and it started sizzling again.  I thought maybe the carto went crazy so I put on a different one and the same thing happened.  It is an 1100 eGo.  That was 24 hours ago.  Just now I put another carto on it and nothing.  Then I put it on the charger, green light turned to red but button did not flash.  I'm guessing it's toast.  Anyway I'm assuming the battery was in the 'on' position all that time and just drained.  Oh well, on to other batteries.  Must consume eliquid to ensure the preservation of society.

[RichJr]

Yea sorry to pout lol
It sounds like the electronics fried. He pretty much nailed it. Myself I'd pull everything out of the casing and mess with it (i dont recommend this unless you have experience but it could just be a faulty wire which I have had happen and fixed it with a small solder iron!), but if it's under warranty get it replaced for free.

[8Ball]

Am I a ghost

(edit) not many stars huh  

  Sorry mate.  Didn't ignore you on purpose.  Craig is our resident electronics wiz/battery dude.  I was just doing a quick scan of the threads, saw his reply, commented on it and moved on (sort of a drive-by posting if you will ).  I think you'll find the number of stars next to your name isn't too important here (and fortunately for me neither is the level of one's insanity! ).

Ghost huh?   Might could have it's advantages though.  We've got a few members who have that worked out in chat, or so I've heard.

[efrenchy]

Since the first charge of my Titan batteries I've always let them drain all the way before charging. How does everyone else charge them. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to bad if I forgot one home and the one with me dies I charge it halfway just to use it for a few puffs then throw it back on..
I cycle mine using one until it dies then use the next while I charge the dead one.
How many do you have and how do you charge them?

I have 4 and run them until they die.  Sometimes I wonder if they will all die at once!!! LOL

[RichJr]

Craig is our resident electronics wiz/battery dude.

Competition! I'm a spotlight hog. I have a tick. I'm mad.. crazy. Give me that mic..
Is it on?!
Check one two.
"throws the mic down"
No loud enough.
Megaphone please!
HELLOOOOO
That's better.
NOW LISTEN TO MY SILENCE_{....................}
Jk I can share. _maybe

[8Ball]

Craig is our resident electronics wiz/battery dude.

Competition! I'm a spotlight hog. I have a tick. I'm mad.. crazy. Give me that mic..
Is it on?!
Check one two.
"throws the mic down"
No loud enough.
Megaphone please!
HELLOOOOO
That's better.
NOW LISTEN TO MY SILENCE_{....................}
Jk I can share. _maybe

Sorry.   Say again please, we didn't catch that.   I think your mic O.N. switch was in the O.F.F. position.

[HillBill]

NOW LISTEN TO MY SILENCE_{....................}

Phew I thought I'd gone deaf for a minute there! 

[RichJr]

'looks back and forth repeatedly' where am I and who are you...
Vaped two carts and I just woke up! I'm a bit discombobulated. Which way to the John?

[Brucez1958]

Craig is our resident electronics wiz/battery dude.

Competition! I'm a spotlight hog. I have a tick. I'm mad.. crazy. Give me that mic..
Is it on?!
Check one two.
"throws the mic down"
No loud enough.
Megaphone please!
HELLOOOOO
That's better.
NOW LISTEN TO MY SILENCE_{....................}
Jk I can share. _maybe

That's actually quite funny.....

[8Ball]

'looks back and forth repeatedly' where am I and who are you...
Vaped two carts and I just woke up! I'm a bit discombobulated. Which way to the John?

For you?... West.