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SINGLE 18650 MOD safe to USB charge? & What battery for these MODs?

vapesmooth1234

Member For 4 Years
I've read the reason you shouldn't charge via USB is because multiple (not single) batteries can be a problem for cheap chips (or anything besides the DNA basically). When we only had Ego Twists and stuff with a single internal battery, everyone USB charged and passthrough vaped with no worry. Or people just used an external because it was quicker.

Anyway for some reason I hate removing batteries and charging in an external, so I spend the extra $100 or whatever for DNA mods only after asking around about this.
I've been using a Wismec Reuleaux DNA 200 for over a year. Same 3 LG browns. Purposely never rotated them once for the test I knew I would eventually run. I tested the batteries about a year later with a $500 analog multi meter and a cheaper digital meter and they were all the exact same voltages at full charge. So yes I do trust the DNA chip to USB charge.

Side note - the sketchy mods (basically everything besides DNA if I'm not mistaken) which you shouldn't USB charge multiple cells with, if I'm not mistaken, they're also just as unsafe to vape on (dis-CHARGE batteries) because it's not balanced charging and therefore not balanced discharging which could lead to a difference too large in voltage between each of the multiple batteries and cause explosion etc. - but people think "just use an external charger and you'll be safe" even though vaping the thing is just as unsafe as USB charging it.


so anyway just noting that but my question is:
My Wismec Rolo triple 18650 is just too big... So I'm searching for a dual 18650 DNA 133W+ MOD (definitely getting DNA for the dual 18650), plus a single 18650/26650 MOD.

So does the single cell MOD have to be DNA if I'm going to safely USB charge it (and passthrough vape it)? I have no problem spending a little more for a DNA single 18650/26650 but I don't want to limit my choices to only DNA because I want that single cell MOD to be as compact as possible or maybe some other small feature that would make me maybe prefer a non-DNA MOD over a DNA one.


Last side note, I have read "in short' the reason you shouldn't USB charge is because e cigs get hot and heat can damage the chip that regulates safe charging (unlike a cell phone or something which is safe to USB charge however those are single-celled batteries anyway). And that some mods don't do this as good as others but that kind of sounds wrong. I mean I think the main thing is the exact balancing that the DNA does but others don't. Maybe some newer chips are just as safe as the DNA but I really trust the DNA and I'm sort of already familiar with escribe to change to max battery life vs max puffs or vice versa etc.


-----------------------------

And then I'm just gonna chime back in after this with VERY short question of which batteries I should get for how I vape with the 2 or 3 new MODS I'll be getting after learning your inputs on if I can safely USB charge a single 18650/26650 Non-DNA MOD. Thanks in advance.
 

gbalkam

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Member For 4 Years
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Charge according to manufacturers instructions using the charger for that specific mod. (one computer usb charge cable is the same as the others if they fit the same, avoid wall hubs)
External chargers are safer, since they have built in protections that the usb doesn't have, and they charge faster, which is why many prefer external chargers. I am currently running 3 mated pairs of batteries in rotation. 2 in the mod, 4 on the charger. (which has over charge protection).
HGLG2 (probably what you have now) are fine. 20A 3000mah are good for up to around 75w per battery, although higher wattage will raise the amps for a short time on the front chip controller, it will not be enough to over heat the cell. If you are in a panic about it, use a higher amp CDR and put up with the shorter run time.
 

SMOKIE

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Not sure where you heard that it is not safe to charge bats in a mod with a USB cable. I, and others have been doing it for a very long time with different MFG mods. Most chips have protection from over charging, and never had a chip burn out from that. Just a bunch of Hype about the DNA chip being safer.

The only exception are 3 battery mods since only 2 batteries will fully charge using a cable unless rotated during the charge.

Example

VooPoo Drag 157W TC Box Mod - VooPoo

  • Dimensions: 90mm by 54mm by 24mm
  • Dual High-Amp 18650 Batteries - Not Included
  • Wattage Output Range: 5-157W
  • Min Atomizer Resistance: 0.05ohm
  • Temperature Range: 200-600F
  • Supports Ni200 Nickel, Titanium, and Stainless Steel Heating Elements
  • Comprehensive TCR Adjustments
  • Highly Advanced 32-Bit GENE Chip
  • Decorative Carbon Fiber Inlay
  • Intuitive OLED Display
  • Oversized Firing Button
  • Magnetized Battery Door Cover.
  • Short Circuit Protection
  • Over-Temperature Protection
  • Battery Reverse Protection
  • Output Over-Current Protection
  • OVercharge Protection
  • Over Discharge Protection
  • Low Battery Warning
 

vaporscout

Member For 2 Years
Member For 1 Year
single battery mods are fine to charge via usb so your good there, just make sure its not hot to the touch, if it is get the battery out asap and then get an external charger. Having a DNA mod should be safe though
 

vapesmooth1234

Member For 4 Years
single battery mods are fine to charge via usb so your good there, just make sure its not hot to the touch, if it is get the battery out asap and then get an external charger.
Sort of besides the point but I forgot to mention I'll be using high quality batteries, not $1.50 ebay china "8,000 mAh" (yea sure)ones.

Not sure where you heard that it is not safe to charge bats in a mod with a USB cable. I, and others have been doing it for a very long time with different MFG mods. Most chips have protection from over charging, and never had a chip burn out from that. Just a bunch of Hype about the DNA chip being safer.
The only exception are 3 battery mods since only 2 batteries will fully charge using a cable unless rotated during the charge.

sup smokie from joisey! I remember catching some of your videos. Anyway, I read many times people recommend not to usb charge especially multiple cells. I shoulda checked my previous posts first because now I'm pretty sure I already asked this exact question a couple years ago. I used a DNA30 clone for about 18 months or so with a single 18650 and only ever usb charged and pass through vaped it with zero hiccups but it was 1 battery.

Charge according to manufacturers instructions using the charger for that specific mod. (one computer usb charge cable is the same as the others if they fit the same, avoid wall hubs)

When I got this rolo DNA200 triple 18650, I also got the RX chip cheaper version as back up but sold it new because I read a lot about people using a multi meter to verify the RX was causing a sizable difference between each battery's voltage. I don't remember but I think it specifically said something shady from the manufacturer like "can usb charge but highly recommend to use an external". After all that I decided DNA-only for me because I like to just pop the usb in and done.


But that's cool I can definitely safely usb charge a mod with basically any chip if it's a single cell. I think most chip manufacturers have caught up with balanced charging and being safer in the past year or so, but just maybe not as efficient at battery life as a DNA (the DNA200 was %85 efficient and the newer 250 is %97, and now can charge at 2 Amps, plus also reverse battery protection in case someone puts the positive on the negative). I'd still rather play it safe and pay the extra $50 or whatever for a DNA chip dual/triple cell mod, better re-sale value also.

now to sift though giant list of favorite'd mods and pick 2 or 3. Every year or so I have to catch up with everything before purchasing new stuff!

thanks again.
 

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