Important: Mechanical Mod Safety

Very good thread.
If I may add not in technical terms...
mech mods use the direct current supply capacity of the (battery) cell and shorts it with a resistor 'the coil' to promote heat energy to release the energy stored in the cell.
If i said it right.
if we short circuit anything storing energy heat will escape due to the molecules vibrating faster than its supposed to and if contained in a enclosure or covering enough ventilation is required to allow said heat to escape.In some cases we need to use a circuit breaker to cut the current if heat becomes to much or we face a meltdown.
If too much heat builds up Kaboom!!!
So we can look at the cells and say hey, this cell can hold 3000 mah of energy.
3000 mah is 3000 milli amps per hour so the cell can hold and release 3 amps in an hour,but its the way we release that current that makes the difference.
we can let it release slowly which means we can regulate its stored energy release by the coil slowly by the amount of resistance the coil gives to the circuit
or fast in the same manner.
but the heat generated by releasing it fast does not have anywhere to go,so we are pushing the limit when we release it fast in a circuit that does not have a circuit breaker.

That is where fuses come in play.Its main aim is to break the circuit to prevent an explosion.

Using a mech mod without a fuse can be safe of the stored energy is released slowly,
but releasing it fast without safety measures is pushing the limits.
It is like running a marathon with a tracksuit and no water and in a sprinting speed.Pretty soon your body will heat up and start breaking down and either you will collapse or go in a coma and maybe not come out of it if too much damage is done from heat retention.

Now the chemicals in certain cells don't give you a warning,the warning is heating up and because most chemicals is of a volatile nature they do not like to be contained and seeking the freedom they once new will try and break free from its straight jacket they were put in.

With that said, trying to pull all the current from the cell that it can hold in an instant without a way to release the heat generated within the cell will result in explosions.
Don't built coils that exploit the current limit of your cells and if you do give ample time in between to cool off.
cells are not bespoke they are mass produced and the chemical compounds within them don't get along too good.Theres no way of guaranteeing the one you are using is perfectly manufactured even with specifications being in place.So build safer coils compared to cell capacity.
I do hope this is helping at least one person as there will be people exploiting the limits.It happens everywhere,but for the most Do not build hand grenades please.

So be safe and Vape on
 
Well said @Resistance. When cells get too hot their electrolite vaporises and if contained in a confined space will go bang. Cells have a ‘safety’ by means of a rupture area designed to let go before pressures get to big bang teritorry. This is what happens when a cell vents. Ofcourse this means nothing if the mod has no vent holes also allowing pressure to be released.

The fireworks we see are in fact cells that went into thermal runaway. If the load is maintained, even during venting, or in the case of a short where venting accurs simultaneously with thermal runaway, the heat cases the cell to short circuit internally. This causes more heat causing more of a short and so on. Sufficient heat ignites the chemicals and their by products. All in a split second.

If thermal runaway occurs, even in a vented mod, there will be a spectacular bang! No amount of venting holes will safely dispose of these pressures.

Always treat your cells with care and respect. No matter the mod or build. The most importand thing to do is maintain your wraps and inspect them every time before and after you recharge.

Regards
 
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