Although the modern e-cigarette was produced back at the start of the millenium, commercial explosion happened around 7-8 years later. Back then, battery technology flaws we’re more significant and cost was higher as well. Although good quality batteries had good lifespans, they had higher failure rates, and required regular repairs, or maintenance. Today’s best-selling electric cigarettes offer much better lithium-ion batteries with good life cycles.
Most of my favorite, tested e-cigs have tested on average 200-300 charge cycles. This usually translates to a bit over a year. Batteries that fail much earlier are deemed faulty and almost all reputable brands offer warranties that will cover the replacement free of cost ensuring you have a battery life of a full year at minimum with general e-cigarettes, differences may apply to personal vaporizers and different types of e-go cigs. However, we’re here to tell you that we often squeeze many more charge cycles out of our batteries. Here’s a few tips to help you achieve longer battery life;
Proper Battery Storage
Batteries are sensitive to extreme temperatures. It is essential to keep them stored at room temperature. The car glove compartment during cold winter climates or hot sunny days is no place to store your e-cigs. Being careful not to leave your battery on top of a heater or A/C unit or outside is just obvious advice, but sometimes we just forget.
We have heard of someone that stored his batteries in the refrigerator thinking her was doing them good. That was the end of those, which brings us to our next point. Moisture and humidity. Once again, common sense is to never plunge your battery in water or let it get soaking wet, showering and vaping is a no no! Just like the refrigerator idea, it’s never good to store your battery where condensation can form. Once humidity permeates the cell, it will quickly lose lots of its power.
Storage is simple, always leave your batteries in a dry place at cool room temperature. For safety, ensure it is out of reach of children and animals. If you have a storage case, use it and simply try not to forget them in the car or on your porch on a rainy day and you should be fine.
Frequent Charging
Keeping your battery topped off is the way to go. There is lots of misconception on this topic. Here is why; older generation of lithium-ion batteries had something called ‘battery memory effect’. The battery would remember charging habits and would sacrifice a portion of its capacity permanently if not completely drained before charging. Early cellphones all had this misfortune, but this is no longer the case with today’s batteries.
The technology is much better now, allowing you to actually benefit from frequent charges. The battery works less to charge itself when only a quarter way down, than from a trickle bottom point. This prolongs your battery life more than you think and most manufacturers suggest the same. It is important to read the instructions provided by each brand as some differences may apply.
Frequent Usage
Electronic cigarette batteries are designed for daily usage. Just like cellphones, laptops and other daily technological tools, the lithium-ion power packs are designed to perform and last in stressful operational loads. This simply means the battery was made to be used daily and often. Because of this, the battery will have a longer lifespan simply if it is continuously used regularly as opposed to being stored away for long periods.
There is no gain from keeping batteries un-used to use at a later time. The battery is made to be used from day one and although it can still retain some shelf life when stored optimally, it’s not made to do that and would be a waste of your money.
Cleaning Dirty Batteries
Your battery can and usually will get dirty for many reasons. Accidents can happen, drop food or have it fall into something. Storing e-cigarettes upside down in your pockets can also cause small e-liquid leaks. Additionally, just using it will get it dirty. On the outside as well as on the threaded contact. When you hear squeaking while screwing on your cartridge, it’s usually a sure indication of it being time to clean the threaded contact.
Periodically, you should clean your contact threats with a small dry brush. A toothbrush does a good job. Once brushed down, a bit of paper towel needs to be used to pick up as much grime off the contact as possible. Applying pressure with your fingers while twisting the paper towel usually helps to get between the threads.
Because of the sensitive nature batteries to water, it is also not suggested to use very damp cloths or sponges to clean the exterior. Overtime, batteries collect dirt and grime and need a good cleaning, especially white colored batteries. We suggest using a minimal amount of humidity on a cloth and drying it off instantly and letting it sit before usage. However, even better is a cleaning eraser sponge, usually will disinfect and clean much easier as well.
Some more important tips to follow are;
- Unscrew Cartridges When Not In Use
- Always Fully Charge Battery Before Storing
- Ensure Using A Case When Carrying Manual Button Press Battery
With a little bit of maintenance, traditionally designed electronic cigarettes do not require much attention or work and even if batteries already come with a good lifetime cycle and warranty, keeping them for almost twice as long is never a bad thing for your wallet.