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Why not - a charging question

Cloverangel317

Member For 2 Years
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So I've been watching dozens of reviews and vaping YouTube videos on vaping.... and I keep hearing that you should not charge your mod with the micro usb port, but rather take out the batteries and charge them in a charging station. But nobody ever says why.

I'm quite new to mod vaping (first and current mod is kbox mini-c) and was wondering why they say not to charge through the port.

Thanks!
 

KingPin!

In my defence, I was left unsupervised ^^
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Depends very much on the mod in question, how good the usb lead they provide you is, how good the solder joints are ... it’s chip programming and wiring ....it’s funny though the same could be said of the charger too right!

I’ve charged all of my mods via usb at least a few times to see how they get on ....some are a LOT better than others in terms of the end result, but some terminate early or take way too long, often there is a slight difference between the voltage as well even on the good mods

it’s good practice to change the batteries inside the mod and rotate them round as you’ll normally find draw will be on one more than the other(s) if you test them after low battery cut off ....this might be an oversight if you only bother using USB onboard charging.

Other points of using an external charger for me are:

Can see a lot more on screen information on a external charger Including on some controlling the charge rate

The external charger is designed to do that one job so more often than not it will go through a better charge cycle and terminate when it’s suppose to

Decent ones will independently charge each cell as opposed to worrying about balancing etc

batteries are out in the air which helps keep them cooler as some mods get pretty warm when charging especially at 2a

If there is a problem you can whip them out a lot faster than inside a mod

On either don’t leave it in overnight or unattended (going out)

Finally ....Im gonna need that USB on the mod functional if I want to do a firmware upgrade so continually using it for charging could cause wear and tear issues and it’s a lot less expensive getting a replacement charger than it is a new mod


One pro for onboard charging though is it’s gonna be less likely you will damage the wraps on the cells getting them in and out of the mod so it does have that going for it.


Just my 2 pence
 

Angrygod50

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Other than the obvious .. you may brake the USB port. In a single battery mod it's not a problem to charge in the mod. Lots of folks do. If the mod has a crappy charging circuit it could burn out the mod. Also If you use an external charger you can have a charged battery ready to go when the one in the mod needs charged so there's no vaping down time.

Multi battery mods should always be charged in an external charger because unless the mod has a good balanced charging circuit(most don't) the batteries may have different charges on them and be out of balance. If one battery reaches 4.2V the other may only be at 3.9 volts but the mod will stop charging thinking there fully charged. Also some mods don't fully charge the batteries to 4.2V.

That being said lots of people do but it's not good practice. Being that batteries and chargers are a cheap purchase considering that batteries last a long time if taken care of and I have a charger that's 4 years old. It may seem like an extra expense right now but if you figure what you spend on e-liquid in that amount of time it's down right cheap.
 

The Cromwell

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Also if not mentioned if you DO charge your single battery mod using the USB port use at least a decent 1 amp wall adapter and do not use your computers USB ports. You could damage your computer.
 

KingPin!

In my defence, I was left unsupervised ^^
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Also if not mentioned if you DO charge your single battery mod using the USB port use at least a decent 1 amp wall adapter and do not use your computers USB ports. You could damage your computer.

Very good point Cromwell ...make sure to check the specs and use the right wall plug for the onboard charging this goes for using a plug that’s designed to carry a higher amperage as well don’t want to overload the onboard circuit
 

The Cromwell

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Actually the little Kbox mini mods do seem to charge OK with the USB charging.
I and most will as well recommend an external charger though.

And a 2 amp wall adapter is better yet. The mod will only use what it needs from the wall adapter.
 
Last edited:

The Cromwell

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In my technical opinion the failure of the charging circuits in some mods is caused by not using a high enough capacity wall adapter causing lower voltage input to the mod and causing charging circuits to overheat.

Also some USB cables are only designed for maybe 1/2 amp max current and will cause issues.
I have run into this problem on cables used to charge Kindle fire tablets and such.
 

Cloverangel317

Member For 2 Years
Member For 1 Year
Thanks for the info everyone! I do have a charger, and I currently use both the charger and a usb for charging. However, I'm not quite sure I have a good charger... I bought these EBL batteries (don't actually use the batteries) that came with a charger and that's what I'm using to charge the 3 LG batteries I do use. Should I get a new charger?

But, I am getting a Smok Procolor next week, and I just wanted to ask so I know all the facts, and know what NOT to do.
 

Carambrda

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Member For 5 Years
Other than the obvious .. you may brake the USB port. In a single battery mod it's not a problem to charge in the mod. Lots of folks do. If the mod has a crappy charging circuit it could burn out the mod. Also If you use an external charger you can have a charged battery ready to go when the one in the mod needs charged so there's no vaping down time.

Multi battery mods should always be charged in an external charger because unless the mod has a good balanced charging circuit(most don't) the batteries may have different charges on them and be out of balance. If one battery reaches 4.2V the other may only be at 3.9 volts but the mod will stop charging thinking there fully charged. Also some mods don't fully charge the batteries to 4.2V.

That being said lots of people do but it's not good practice. Being that batteries and chargers are a cheap purchase considering that batteries last a long time if taken care of and I have a charger that's 4 years old. It may seem like an extra expense right now but if you figure what you spend on e-liquid in that amount of time it's down right cheap.
Some mods keep charging ALL the batteries until none of the batteries are below 4.2 volts, which is when the charging stops. Batteries may be overcharged as a result so it is actually even dangerous.
 

The Cromwell

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Thanks for the info everyone! I do have a charger, and I currently use both the charger and a usb for charging. However, I'm not quite sure I have a good charger... I bought these EBL batteries (don't actually use the batteries) that came with a charger and that's what I'm using to charge the 3 LG batteries I do use. Should I get a new charger?

But, I am getting a Smok Procolor next week, and I just wanted to ask so I know all the facts, and know what NOT to do.
Umm I would say no on the Procolor.
Been reading where they may burst into flames in a pocket....
ECR has threads on it.
 

SteveS45

Diamond Contributor
ECF Refugee
Member For 5 Years
I have multiple MOD's that have built in batteries so you cannot take the battery/batteries out to charge so that is moot. I have many other MOD's that have removable batteries that I have charged while away on vacation right in the MOD with NO Problem at all. I also charge my MOD's with the USB plugged into any of the USB ports in any of my PC's, the 4 Port USB adapter in my truck or the wall warts I have all over the place. There are times I need to charge more than 4 cells and only have a 4 port charger right now. If someone is so worried about the balanced charging remove the batteries and swap the positions. Done deal.
 

NineNine

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Member For 2 Years
Member For 1 Year
Unlisted Vendor
Depends very much on the mod in question, how good the usb lead they provide you is, how good the solder joints are ... it’s chip programming and wiring ....it’s funny though the same could be said of the charger too right!

I’ve charged all of my mods via usb at least a few times to see how they get on ....some are a LOT better than others in terms of the end result, but some terminate early or take way too long, often there is a slight difference between the voltage as well even on the good mods

it’s good practice to change the batteries inside the mod and rotate them round as you’ll normally find draw will be on one more than the other(s) if you test them after low battery cut off ....this might be an oversight if you only bother using USB onboard charging.

Other points of using an external charger for me are:

Can see a lot more on screen information on a external charger Including on some controlling the charge rate

The external charger is designed to do that one job so more often than not it will go through a better charge cycle and terminate when it’s suppose to

Decent ones will independently charge each cell as opposed to worrying about balancing etc

batteries are out in the air which helps keep them cooler as some mods get pretty warm when charging especially at 2a

If there is a problem you can whip them out a lot faster than inside a mod

On either don’t leave it in overnight or unattended (going out)

Finally ....Im gonna need that USB on the mod functional if I want to do a firmware upgrade so continually using it for charging could cause wear and tear issues and it’s a lot less expensive getting a replacement charger than it is a new mod


One pro for onboard charging though is it’s gonna be less likely you will damage the wraps on the cells getting them in and out of the mod so it does have that going for it.


Just my 2 pence
Thank you for your share, and learn a lot.
 

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