So, you have decided to start vaping, congratulations! Vaping hardware can be very daunting at first glance especially when dealing with charging and maintaining your batteries for your new vape. Today we look at how to charge your vape pen, for beginners.
Different Types of Vape Pens
There are two main types of vape pens.
- Internal battery
- External/removable battery
Which one you chose will be based on your needs. If you are vaping a cartridge, then you only need a small internal battery device. But if you are using more power and looking to blow clouds, then an external battery vape device is for you.
Vape pens come in all shapes and sizes. Most shop employees will know exactly what type of device you need. If you are ordering online or you are not sure where to start, you can check out our Resource Page for beginners! Our guide will help steer you in the right direction, no matter what your needs.
How To Charge Your Vape Pen: Internal Battery
An internal battery vape pen is probably the most common. These devices are great for beginners and have the battery built right into the device. This is ideal for a beginner as they are very easy to maintain and use.
These vape pens have many different uses and can be used with most 510 threaded cartridges. There are hundreds of companies that make these vape pens, but they all function the same. especially when it comes to how to charge your vape pen.
These internal battery vape pens usually come with a charger that operates by USB. Some you have to screw the vape pen into the charger and plug it up to a USB charging block. Others simply come with your standard USB cable and plug up to your vape pen like your phone!
Companies like JUUL have small magnetic USB chargers. There are so many different chargers, yet they all have one thing in common: they use USB technology. Chances are, you already have tons of USB cables for your home devices.
There are very important things to remember about using an internal battery device. You want to always be safe with your vape pen and take precautionary measures. These batteries can be dangerous if misused or mistreated, so safety first!
There are a few simple rules to consider with charging your vape pen:
- Never leave the vape pen alone. Monitor it while it is charging
- Do not leave your vape pen charging overnight
- Make sure that your vape pen isn’t getting hot to the touch
- Never leave your vape pen in a hot car or garage
If you find that your vape pen is not charging then there may be an issue with the device. Never try to force your vape pen to charge. Internal battery vape pens are often inexpensive. So it is easier to replace the device than to try and fix it yourself.
Some vape pens can be used while charging. This is called “pass-thru” charging and it is a very desirable feature for many users. Personally, I think the best practice is to just let your vape pen charge, and only use it while the USB is disconnected.
My recommendation comes from the type of battery that is installed in your internal battery vape pen. These lithium-ion cells have a lifespan that usually allows you to discharge/charge your vape pen up to 500 times. Using “pass-thru” charging will weaken your lithium-ion battery and make its life significantly shorter.
Internal battery vape pens are great for low wattage uses like CBD Cartridges. But what about the bigger devices?
How To Charge Your Vape Pen: External Battery
You have probably seen plenty of people blowing big clouds of vape using these devices. They are similar to the internal battery vape pens in design and function. They usually differ because they are only used for nicotine-based liquids.
Using a vape pen that takes an external battery is usually the choice of experienced vapers, but also many beginners. Since these vape pens have more power, they require a more powerful battery. These are usually a 18650 Battery. One of the most popular is the Uwell Nunchaku Vape pen, seen below, with a battery:
Most vape pens that take an external battery have a USB port on the device. This is one way of charging your vape pen. The same safety rules apply to these external battery vape pens, as their counterparts.
Many of these larger vape pens have an LED indicator light that lets you know if your device is charged. Some have a visual battery percentage display on the more advanced models.
When using the USB charger, never leave your vape pen unattended. Always monitor the device while charging using the USB. This way of charging is great if you on on the go, or in the car. But the best method of charging your battery is an external battery charger, seen below:
There are tons of reasons to use an external battery charger. We have a full guide for choosing a good battery charger here. These chargers are usually not very expensive and are by far the safest way of charging your vape pen with an external battery. The pros definitely outweigh the cons!
- Using a charger is safer than USB
- Extends the life of your external battery
- You can have more than one battery
- Chargers can hold 2, 4, or even 6 batteries at once
- Most chargers automatically cut off when done charging
Battery safety is key with these devices. But with more power, comes more responsibility! An external battery has to be taken care of in a different way. When using an external battery always follow these guidelines:
- Inspect your battery and make sure there are no tears in the wrapper after each use
- Always store your battery in a plastic case when not in use
- Never leave a battery in a hot car
- Use a name brand, authentic battery
- If your wrapper has a tear, re-wrap the battery
- If you have any concerns about one of your batteries, do not use it!
Which One Is Right For You?
The one you choose should be one that you are most comfortable with. Some vapers only use internal battery devices due to the ease of use and the convenience of charging on the go. They may not be comfortable with using an external battery.
Others prefer external battery devices because they are more experienced, or they simply prefer the extra power you get with a larger battery. You can also charge multiple batteries and have them ready at all times.
Whichever you choose, remember to always be safe when charging your vape pen!
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