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Replaceable vs internal batteries for mods

levander

Member For 4 Years
it's getting time to buy a new mod. Last time I bought a Vaporesso Attitude that uses as a battery one replaceable 18650 battery. And you can charge the battery inside the mod via USB.

Now, I thought that would be the best of both worlds. Because I could either change the battery while it's inside the mod via USB or I could just change the battery. But the thing is, when I charge the mod via USB, the battery doesn't seem to last nearly as long as when I just replace the battery.

Are pretty much all mods that take replaceable batteries but can also be charged via USB like that? You're much better off just replacing the battery and not charging via USB?

For my lifestyle, I've already got USB chargers all over the place my my phone and tablet, so I'm no doubt better off for day to day use with a mod that charges via USB. And if the mods that take replaceable batteries don't charge very well off USB, I'm probably better off with a mod with an internal battery.
 

eSMOKA

Silver Contributor
Member For 5 Years
re pretty much all mods that take replaceable batteries but can also be charged via USB like that? You're much better off just replacing the battery and not charging via USB?

Yes and yes. I don't know if any higher end, expensive mods have better charging circuits, but for the most part the charging circuits are not great on mods. Also, it's best not to use the charging ports, IMHO as it could be detrimental to the board. Just my experience.

And if the mods that take replaceable batteries don't charge very well off USB, I'm probably better off with a mod with an internal battery.

A good 18650 charger can be had for under $30. You could also buy a battery case for $1 and carry a couple extra 18650s with you.

Also, you could buy an internal battery mod for those times when it's more convenient for you and use the 18650 mods other times.

The choice is yours, but for me I'd rather have an 18650 charger, a battery case and a bunch of batteries and be able keep my mods for a long time.

Of course, if you are a high wattage vaper, then I can understand it is annoying as your battery will die much quicker and more frequently. But I don't have that problem as I vape at 15-18W and 1 18650 battery can last me all day, depending.
 
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AndriaD

Yes, I DO wear a mask! I'm vaccinated, too!
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Diamond Contributor
ECF Refugee
Member For 5 Years
I love mods that offer that best of both worlds -- replaceable, but with a USB charger. With my Minibooks, I typically just swap out the batteries, because it's got that very nifty "opening book" battery door, makes it really easy -- but, back during xmas shopping, when I discovered that my mod was about to die because I'd forgotten to put in a fresh battery, I was really glad that it had a USB for charging, and that I still had my old USB charger from my old phone in the truck.

With my iPV Minis, and the SX Mini M class I just got, I like the USB charging for a different reason: the battery doors are HUGE pains in the ass to deal with, so it's easier by far to just use the USB charging and use a different mod while those are charging. But I'm also a low-wattage vaper; with my 9.5w vaping, a 25R or an HE2 lasts me TWO days, or even 3 if for some reason I'm not vaping much, such as with my recent headcold.

I do have 4 original Coolfire4's, which use internal integrated batteries; I like those mods, but when those internal batteries die... that mod is toast.

Andria
 

fraleywp

Silver Contributor
Member For 4 Years
I never use device based charging. I would rather not add more stress to a board that is subjected to heat already.
 

HondaDavidson

Gold Contributor
Member For 4 Years
For me it about that tiny USB port..... the more you use it the sooner it going to fail....... and if is your data access?

I like having the ability to charge on-board. ... BUT HAVE history of the USB port being the first thing to fail on any USB device I have I prefer to charge my battery externally...if possible.. besides I don't have to switch mods when the battery is low and I cant be 3 feet from electricity. Much better to just swap in a new battery.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk
 

Synphul

Gold Contributor
Member For 4 Years
I've used onboard charging for both mods I have. Both are dual battery mods and had been thoroughly reviewed by people like djlsbvapes to handle onboard charging well (balanced charging, full charging etc). No issue on either with the usb port but I tend to be careful with the micro usb ports due to their size.

My mom had her mod crap out on her and I had an istick crap out on me. The other side to having an internal battery die and render a mod useless is to have a mod die and render the battery useless. In both cases the external 18650's lived to play another day and was only out the mod.

Charging off a charger would likely be a better option rather than in the mod. I'm finally breaking down and buying one, it will be nice to charge multiple sets of batteries (now that I have more than one set). IMR's running a sale on a few different models, 4-6 bay chargers can be had for $20-25. More basic ones are around $11-15. They've got some efest's, nitecore and xtar there in that price range. I ordered a luc v6 a few days ago, hopefully will be arriving this week.

https://www.imrbatteries.com/chargers/
 

eSMOKA

Silver Contributor
Member For 5 Years
Also, if you are using the USB port on your mod to charge your batteries, try not to vape it much while charging. While most mods today are designed for "pass-through charging/vaping, I have killed mods buy vaping while charging. However, these were older mods back during the 30W mini mod wars lol.
 

The Cromwell

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Member For 4 Years
Yeah pass thru...
Drawing 10 amps on the coil and the charger will do one amp?
Hmm something is gonna be stressed a bit.

I never recommend vaping while charging unless at about 10W or less.
 

conanthewarrior

Gold Contributor
Member For 4 Years
Yeah pass thru...
Drawing 10 amps on the coil and the charger will do one amp?
Hmm something is gonna be stressed a bit.

I never recommend vaping while charging unless at about 10W or less.
That is a very good point, and something that had never come to my mind before.

When mods offer pass thru, is it a genuine pass thru, or do the majority stop charging and get power from the battery, then revert to charging after firing? As I imagine this would not be great for the batteries, and if it is genuine pass thru like you say just 1A input is not good.
 

The Cromwell

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Diamond Contributor
Member For 4 Years
That is a very good point, and something that had never come to my mind before.

When mods offer pass thru, is it a genuine pass thru, or do the majority stop charging and get power from the battery, then revert to charging after firing? As I imagine this would not be great for the batteries, and if it is genuine pass thru like you say just 1A input is not good.
I don't know. I suspect that the charging continuues while firing but the firing current is coming from the battery?
But seems like it might stress the charging circuitry as well.
Would have to study a schematic of the device to say for sure.
 

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