Mechanical Mods and Safety


In this article we will talk talk about the proper use and safety of Mechanical Mods.

This article is intended for new vapers who want to get their hands on their first mechanical Mod. The first thing we must distinguish the difference between a mechanical and an electronic Mod Mod.

A good and well-designed e-Mod has a built-in board (Microchip) on the unit itself acting as a protection circuit that prevents things we want to avoid, so using any electronic device that typically want to avoid is overloading the apofortisi and short circuit.


Because of embedded security features, electronic Mods are inherently safer than fully mechanical Mods. Some popular electronics Mods is ProVari, the Lavatube and iStick.

The problem with mechanical Mods, however, is that apparently does not have a built-in chip that can monitor the "things" such as short circuits discharges etc. A short circuit and / or an over-discharged without going into too much technical analysis essentially makes battery unstable to the point that can overheat and catch fire or explode.

That is why we created this article, so we can show you what you can do to compensate for the lack of protection circuit mechanical Mods.

We have compiled a list of things to remember when dealing with mechanical Mods.

  • Regularly check the resistance to short circuits.
  • Do not use the battery when it is fully discharged.
  • Avoid installing the batteries in series.
  • Prevent your mechanic Mod accidental firing by being always locked before releasing your hands
  • Always use safe chemistry batteries and never batteries safely because they are unsafe and dangerous 
  • Do not place the batteries in reverse polarity (upside down) in your Mod.
  • Do not over-charge your batteries
  • Make sure your mechanic Mod has ventilation holes.

For some of the above, it is understood that you can get any kind of a multimeter to know the resistance and condition of Mod. In essence, if you choose to buy a mechanical Mod, forcing to get a good and reliable multimeter.

Let's go into detail


1. Regularly check the resistance to short circuits.

Unlike ProVari or Lavatube, a fully mechanical Mod will work even if shorted. A short technical means zero or near zero ohm resistor, but most electronic Mod will not function with resistance lower than 1.5ohms. This is to ensure that no stressful batteries especially if low rating C.

If you use am atomizer with new resistance, be sure to check the resistance you first before screwing your mechanic Mod.

If using a repairable atomizer, and you making very low resistances in ohms as some batteries (especially those with very low rating C) can easily cause stress with very low resistivities (below 1.0ohm). For beginners we recommend to start with simple resistors of about 1.8-2.8ohms, for greater security until gain the necessary experience.

Short not only happens in a steamer, but it can happen anywhere else in the body of Mod, so it is advisable to check regularly throughout the Mod, and to maintain it regularly. To do it with multimeter, remove your battery and the positive terminal of the multimeter touch the positive terminal of the Mod and the negative terminal of the multimeter to touch the body of Mod. If the multimeter shows any kind of resistance, then it means that the current flows and have a short somewhere.

When checking the resistance using a multimeter note multimeters have their own internal resistance.

In some cheaper multimeters market, we have seen these internal resistors can reach up to 0.6ohms. Touching both terminals of the multimeter with usually will show how much resistance is internal multimeter. So to make a correct measurement should know since the internal resistance of the multimeter to subtract from the measurement result of the resistance and thus we find the true resistance.

Thus, if the resistance measurement finishes 2.0ohms, then actually it is only 1.4ohms since the internal resistance of the multimeter is 0.6ohms.


2. Do not use the battery when it is fully discharged.

Another reason that a battery can be damaged or even catch fire, is when it is still discharging and has gone beyond it's limit.This happens when we continue to use the batteries after they are exhausted.

Typically a Li-ion battery has a capacity of 4,2 volt when it is 100% charged. As the battery is used, this voltage drops.

Depending of course on the quality and the manufacturer, usually the batteries can be used safely until the voltage drops to 3.6 - 3.3 volt (or even lower in really good quality batteries).

About being in the safe side when the battery reaches 3,6 volt, just consider the license (as could well be), then right is to stop using it and recharge it as soon as possible.

If you are not familiar with your batteries, it is advisable to use a meter (voltmeter) to check your batteries often. So you can calculate how long it normally takes use the battery to get from 4.2 to 3.6 volts. This will help you calculate how much battery you even when you have no voltmeter with you.

Note that as the battery ages, the time needed until completely emptied will be reduced, and this is due to increased internal resistance of the battery.


To be continued ....