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Are mechs safe around the water?

Fudgey Finger

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Since there is no chip to fry I was thinking a mech might be an option for me to use when I am on the ocean. Would I be in any danger if the mod got wet?

Just to be clear I'm not talking about completely submerging the mod, but water may incidentally splash the mod a couple times throughout the day and I would handle it with wet gloves.

I assume the answer here is "hell no that wouldn't be safe!" But a guy working at a local b&m shop told me a much would be a good option for me when I'm on the boat.


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UncleRJ

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As a rule, I don't trust anything with any kind of a power source coming in contact with water.

Especially Salt Water.
 

AndriaD

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I'd go with that new Aegis; supposed to be waterproof (and shockproof, in case you're prone to the dropsies).

Andria
 

JuicyLucy

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Since there is no chip to fry I was thinking a mech might be an option for me to use when I am on the ocean. Would I be in any danger if the mod got wet?

Just to be clear I'm not talking about completely submerging the mod, but water may incidentally splash the mod a couple times throughout the day and I would handle it with wet gloves.

I assume the answer here is "hell no that wouldn't be safe!" But a guy working at a local b&m shop told me a much would be a good option for me when I'm on the boat.


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Unsafe to use when wet (don't ask me how I know this - but I do, lol)

The advantage comes in that the mod will not get ruined if it gets wet

Andria's suggestion is probably a good one :)
 

Fudgey Finger

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Ok thanks. I already have an Aegis but its kind of a POS. I'm using an aimidi tank t2 right now and it's a little better. I was just really hoping I could find a way to squank while working.

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SteveS45

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The HotCig R150 has a Water Proof chip and is demonstrated on the Website being powered on and firing with water running across the exposed batteries.

upload_2017-11-23_19-43-48.png
 

The Cromwell

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The voltage in a single battery mod is not dangerous to you.
The risk is shorting them out and the heat generated burning you or the venting which can go 2000 deg.
 

Fudgey Finger

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Corrosion will be an issue around salt water.
I go through new batteries pretty frequently. As soon as I see one speck of rust/corrosion on the negative end of the battery I retire the pair.
The HotCig R150 has a Water Proof chip and is demonstrated on the Website being powered on and firing with water running across the exposed batteries.

View attachment 97215
I was curious when that came out. I looked into it a month or so ago and the only information I could find was that it has a waterproof chip. I was under the impression the rest of the mod wasn't waterproof. So why not just get a mech and avoid the chip altogether. A mech would probably fire under the same conditions wouldn't it?

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Fudgey Finger

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The voltage in a single battery mod is not dangerous to you.
The risk is shorting them out and the heat generated burning you or the venting which can go 2000 deg.
How could the batteries short? Assuming I am not firing the mech when it's submerged.

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The Cromwell

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How could the batteries short? Assuming I am not firing the mech when it's submerged.

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Just a general statement about batteries not having enough voltage to harm you.
But if shorted the heat will hurt you.

Corrosion will be the biggest issue with vaping around salt water.
And if regulated most boards will die pretty quickly from salt water/air.
 

Fudgey Finger

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Thanks for sharing. My thought though is that I could just skip the chip right? If it's not dangerous to do what he is doing in that video, then it must not be dangerous to use a mech in the same conditions right?

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SteveS45

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That is a person demonstrating how the R150 is Water Proof. Now personally I would not want the vents in my batteries filled with water but it they vent I am pretty sure they will dry out real fast.
 

Fudgey Finger

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So am I correct in saying that the danger in using a mech on the boat comes from corrosion and damage over time? That there is no immediate risk if I don't fire it while submerged?

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SteveS45

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So am I correct in saying that the danger in using a mech on the boat comes from corrosion and damage over time? That there is no immediate risk if I don't fire it while submerged?

I am not experienced enough with Mechs to even offer an opinion but the MOD I showed you is water proof so you will not have to worry about corrosion since all electrical parts (?) are insulated except for the batteries of course. Also I know the chip is protected but not sure if the wiring or switches are. From working in a Marine Industry I know that water proof switches are made.
 

The Cromwell

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So am I correct in saying that the danger in using a mech on the boat comes from corrosion and damage over time? That there is no immediate risk if I don't fire it while submerged?

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I think that would be a safe assumption.
I doubt that salt water is conductive enough to short out the battery unless it corrodes it's way inside the battery.
 

dcarpentier

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Would vaping in salty air start coating the coil in salt and change the resistance ?
 

Fudgey Finger

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Would vaping in salty air start coating the coil in salt and change the resistance ?
I've been doing it with my waterproof regulated mods since I started vaping and I haven't had an issue with that. I dry burn and clean my coils every day though because I vape such sweet juices they are always gunked up.

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Time

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So am I correct in saying that the danger in using a mech on the boat comes from corrosion and damage over time? That there is no immediate risk if I don't fire it while submerged?

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I've ran 40amps through salt water @ 12 volts to convert water into Hydrogen and Oxygen.

I don't think your lower voltage battery for a mech could push enough current through a salt water conductor to exceed a 20 amp rating to short the battery into thermal runaway and cause a vent. But, I have not tried. A very small gap between the contacts of the switch(fire button) that if wet with salt water might allow a good amount of current through to short the battery so a mech mod with a larger gap in the contacts of the switch(fire button) would be best for safety. But I don't think it matters much. the voltage is low enough on a single battery it shouldn't be able to push enough current through salt water to short the battery.
 

Fudgey Finger

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I've ran 40amps through salt water @ 12 volts to convert water into Hydrogen and Oxygen.

I don't think your lower voltage battery for a mech could push enough current through a salt water conductor to exceed a 20 amp rating to short the battery into thermal runaway and cause a vent. But, I have not tried. A very small gap between the contacts of the switch(fire button) that if wet with salt water might allow a good amount of current through to short the battery so a mech mod with a larger gap in the contacts of the switch(fire button) would be best for safety. But I don't think it matters much. the voltage is low enough on a single battery it shouldn't be able to push enough current through salt water to short the battery.
Thanks. I think I'm misunderstanding something here though. If water did get between the switch contacts and it was able to conduct, wouldn't that just fire the atomizer the same as if I manually pushed the button to make the connection?

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The Cromwell

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Thanks. I think I'm misunderstanding something here though. If water did get between the switch contacts and it was able to conduct, wouldn't that just fire the atomizer the same as if I manually pushed the button to make the connection?

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If the circuit board and switches are not sealed good then salt water can corrode the circuit board shorting out parts of it that would make in either fire all the time or be non functional. Pins on those little SMT chips are incredibly close together. And even high resistance corrosion based shorts can mess up things on them.
 

Time

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Thanks. I think I'm misunderstanding something here though. If water did get between the switch contacts and it was able to conduct, wouldn't that just fire the atomizer the same as if I manually pushed the button to make the connection?

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Yep. Shorting the switch completes the circuit.

So, initially it would not be a big deal. But in theory, if it fired for a prolonged amount of time it could overheat the battery. That's a big "but" though.

I think it is doubtful that you'll have any major problems due to wet conditions with a mech mod.
 

HondaDavidson

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Since there is no chip to fry I was thinking a mech might be an option for me to use when I am on the ocean. Would I be in any danger if the mod got wet?

Just to be clear I'm not talking about completely submerging the mod, but water may incidentally splash the mod a couple times throughout the day and I would handle it with wet gloves.

I assume the answer here is "hell no that wouldn't be safe!" But a guy working at a local b&m shop told me a much would be a good option for me when I'm on the boat.


Sent from my LGL64VL using Tapatalk


IMO id would rather depend on a mech over something with circuitry.... Especially in a mod that will see severe duty... Salt water and salty air are rough on averything ...... But it's easier to wipe a mech down with a rag and swap the battery than it is to dry out a PCB covered with gizmos.
 

AndriaD

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I have one, as I stated above. I wouldn't recommend that mod to anyone who likes to vape above 50w.

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That's a relief! I never vape over 10w. :giggle:

Andria
 

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