Man seriously hurt from exploding 18650 - how a vape shop can prevent this from happening October 27 2015, 11 Comments
The lithium ion battery inside this man’s electronic cigarette exploded, causing him very serious injuries.
His device was a mechanical mod, not a regulated mod. If you do not clearly understand the difference, please take a few minutes to get these points down.
What’s the difference between a mechanical mod and a regulated mod?
A mechanical mod is as simple as it gets, and is dangerous for newbies
- The top cap of the mod connects with the positive end of the battery, and the bottom cap connects with the negative end of the battery.
- Most mechanical mods have a locking mechanism, which separates the bottom cap from the negative terminal. To complete the circuit you must unlock and press a button.
So when does it get dangerous?
Since there is no protection circuitry, a user can easily stress the battery in terms of:
- over-voltage
- over-discharge
- over-amperage
- over-temperature
All of which, can cause a battery to smoke, fire, or explode.
A regulated mod is more complicated, and much safer for newbies
- If it is not a mechanical mod, it is almost certainly a regulated mod
- They have internal circuitry to shut down the device in case of most battery problems
This is the actual mod from the incident, captured by WINK news
What happened in this particular explosion?
A man in Naples Florida was burned both externally and internally by an exploding battery. The lithium-ion 18650 battery was inside of his mechanical mod. He was vaping as normal - when it exploded.
His sister found him not breathing, with a badly burned neck and face. The mouthpiece of the device possibly shot down his throat and exploded again (however this is not confirmed, just a possibility at this point.)
This particular mod did not have any protective circuitry that could have prevented an accident like this.
How can a vape shop teach about battery safety to prevent accidents?
First, before selling a device the vape shop owner must clearly assess the level of expertise the end-user has. An unregulated device should only be sold to expert level users.
A vape shop owner must use their own discretion when assessing the ability of and end-user. Some helpful questions to ask are:
- How long have you been vaping?
- Do you know the difference between a mechanical mod and a regulated mod?
- What are some things that cause a battery to malfunction?
- Do you know how serious a battery malfunction can be?
After assessing the ability of the end-user, the vape owner should spend several minutes going over the details of battery safety. Spare no expense. This will not scare off your customers, it will do the opposite - create trust and a sense of authority for your shop. Preventing accidents should be any vape shop’s number one priority, always.
You may also ask Battery Bro about our safety booklets. If your shop would like to start add battery-safety as part of your customer experience we would love to send you 50 free safety booklets.
Comments
Me on December 23 2018 at 12:05PM
Matt,
Common sense is a fallacy. It is neither common, nor a sense. Common sense is where knowledge and experience meet. Expecting someone to know something they do not know, or having experience with something they never experienced is a bit extreme.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-power-prime/201107/common-sense-is-neither-common-nor-sense%3famp
David on October 27 2017 at 10:04AM
Unprotected batteries in pockets with change = Not Good/Stupid!
Let me be clear… I would wish no one harm and am sorry they were injured, however, people cut them selves all the times and do they blame it on the Knife? Pretty sure they knew it was sharp. The same goes for batteries in there pockets.
Additionally, Almost every vape shop sells carrying battery cases, if the battery didn’t already come with one already… And probably had warnings everywhere which no one reads. They have those for a reason.
The fact that these people are saying they thought the batteries were ‘dead’ lets you know they already knew it was dangerous to put batteries in their pockets with change.
I’m guessing they are looking for info on how to sue the companies? Not sure. Vape Safe!
Jay on September 09 2017 at 05:43PM
Two days ago, I had a battery die on me, so I changed it out with a freshly charged battery while walking to the store. About 15 min later the battery that I had taken out of my mod exploded in my pocket, it shot fire for several seconds and I ended up in the ER with 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree burns on my legs and hands. Now, other than a wallet and about 37 cents in change there was nothing else in that pocket!
Ummm…a battery in your pocket with loose change? I’m surprised it took 15 minutes and not 15 seconds. Dangerous move!
justin on July 06 2016 at 01:11AM
About 3 years ago when i was a new, new vapor with a zmax that i barely understood how to use, a vape shop who knew me very well as a regular sold me a mech mod. The guy told me just wrap this wire 6 times around a drill bit to make a coil and go to it. that was it. I used it for the weekend and noticed the mod was getting so damn hot that i could barely hold it in my hand. i mean it was HOT! when i went back to the shop and asked about it they had no idea what the problem was and gave it right back to me. i just threw it away and thought oh well mechs are a waste of money. Thank the gods my dumb ass didn’t hurt the kids while using the thing. If you’re new to vaping stay the hell away from these things and don’t just assume that the guys at your local shop know everything.
matt on April 06 2016 at 03:15AM
If u put a battery with loose change in your pocket u deserve to lose your leg common sense goes a long way u wouldnt smoke a cig backwards would you?? Ive been vaping for quite sometime and with common sense and a little knowledge you to can operate batterys saftley
Jon on March 20 2016 at 08:57AM
Look, these batteries can be extremely dangerous! I Vape, been vaping for several years now… Started with a e-go before they even had an e-go twist. I still use a Mechanical Mod, mainly one that uses an 18650.
Two days ago, I had a battery die on me, so I changed it out with a freshly charged battery while walking to the store. About 15 min later the battery that I had taken out of my mod exploded in my pocket, it shot fire for several seconds and I ended up in the ER with 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree burns on my legs and hands. Now, other than a wallet and about 37 cents in change there was nothing else in that pocket! That battery was only a couple weeks old, and had no visible damage to the wrapping.
I’m very careful with fully charged batteries, but didn’t think much of a discharged 18650. That’s a mistake that could have cost me my leg. If it would have been facing inward, instead of outward, I could have lost my leg. As it stands, the battery blew a 4-6" hole in my Carhardt work pants, nearly tearing the rivit off as it ripped through both layers of material. (Carhardt work pants are some of the toughest mAterial out there, so blowing through two layers required a lot of force in the initial blast). As Inwas walking, my hand was swinging (as in normal walking) and was near the area of the explosion. Shrapnel sliced my hand open in several spots and left one small piece of steel imbedded in my lower thumb.
So, feel free to say that people that this happen to are idiots, or doing things wrong. But I’ve seen everyone that I know our depleted batteries into pockets. This is common practice. Nobody ever told me that this was a possibility. No warnings at the Vape shop(s) I frequent, no warning in the batteries either. But; it’s dangerous! And it happens!
Ari m davies on February 08 2016 at 10:13PM
This is what happens when a person misuses a manual vape device to vape an alcohol based cocaine or meth solution. Or liquid incense!
They get high overheat the rig and the thing explodes in your face!
Ed on January 15 2016 at 11:59PM
The mouthpiece of the device possibly shot down his throat and exploded again. That’s not going to be possible as a mouthpiece has no means to explode and why does it say “again”. What explodes is the battery not a mouthpiece. The picture must be a fake. If his exploded, why is the one in the picture intact? .The picture just looks like an 18650 battery hooked to a mouthpiece and I thought the mouthpiece ended up in his throat and had possibly exploded.
Looks like this is not well thought out. A scarce tactic by someone against vaping.
Tyson on January 06 2016 at 11:08AM
It’s not about whether or not you understand ohms law. I do not believe anyone should go mechanical (experienced or not). You can get one full power hit and from there its downhill. As the battery drains, the more unsafe it is to vape.
If anyone is looking into going the full mechanical authentic route I would suggest to them instead either the DNA200 or the RX200 version of the JayBo and Wismec Reuleaux. It is a 200w (full 200w) device that has temp modes (Ni, Ti and SS316) and the DNA200 is completely customizable, as long as you know what you’re doing.
If you get something like the Reuleaux, or any good regulated device (Evic VTC Mini, Sigelei 150W TC) it simply won’t fire the atomizer if its resistance is too low. The Reuleaux goes down to .05 in any mode, the VTC .15 in Kanthal and .05 in temp, and the 150 tc I believe is .1 kanthal and .05 in temp mode.
If the batteries become too low in voltage, a “battery low” notification displays and you won’t be able to fire your atomizer. There’s TONS of protections on a true, good regulated device and I can almost guarantee if you use authentic batteries you will not have this issue whatsoever.
Vladimir Parfenov on December 20 2015 at 08:44PM
Hello,
I noticed in one line above it says that “a regulated device should only be sold to expert level users.” Should this say UNregulated device instead? Since the regulations in a regulated device are helpful to prevent accidents resulting from amateur use.
Thank you.
Best,
Vladimir.
Wayne on November 24 2015 at 11:34AM
Its stupidity that always ruins safe great things, it’s all the yahoos who do learn and don’t understand bolts and ohms laws period