This article is especially for those who are new to the world of Mechanical Mods (also known as Mech Mods).
Note: If you are just starting to learn about vaping, you should not start with a mech mod, because this type of device does not have the battery safety mechanism like starter kits and requires users to have some knowledge about using and controlling lithium batteries.
What is Mechanical Mod ( Mech mod )?
Mech mod is a vape device with an extremely simple structure and shape. Mech mod is usually in the shape of a tube, inside there is a battery and below there is a start button. When the start button is pressed, electricity will be sent directly to the atomizer without going through the circuit board. Mech mod has no wires, solder joints or electronic circuit boards.
Why did you choose Mech mod?
One of the reasons why veteran vapers choose Mech mods over Box mods, apart from their beautiful appearance, is the durability of this device line. With a Box mod that relies heavily on an electronic circuit board, if just one part breaks, repairing it will be extremely troublesome. There are even some Box mods with internal batteries, which can no longer be used after the battery life has run out.
Although the Mech Mod has a simple structure, the body is very durable and can withstand strong impacts. Because there are no wires or electronic circuit boards inside, repairing errors is also very easy.
Some vapers prefer to use Mech mods because of their ability to run extremely low resistance that no Box mod can do. But of course, this way of using is also much more dangerous than devices using normal resistance, so you also need a certain amount of knowledge to ensure your safety.
Are Mech Mods Safe?
With such a large amount of power contained in the tiny form of a lithium battery, no device using this type of battery is 100% safe.
Box mods are generally safer than Mech mods because they have built-in safety mechanisms to prevent things like short circuits. However, a high-quality Mech mod in the hands of an experienced vaper is relatively safe.
Safety Tips When Using Mech Mod
The following tips will help you stay safe when using a Mech mod.
1. Buy a multimeter
A multimeter is a useful device when using a Mech mod and you can easily buy them from electronics stores. With a multimeter, you will be able to monitor the voltage of the battery, the resistance of the atomizer and detect short circuits in the machine.
2. Battery type and battery quality
Don’t be too careless with the type of battery you use in your Mech mod – your safety should be a priority over saving a few extra bucks. Old batteries and batteries with torn or visible damage should not be used.
And you should choose the right type of battery to use with your Mech mod. ICR (lithium cobalt oxide) batteries should not be used in Mech mods because they are prone to overheating. The best type of battery for Mech mods is IMR (lithium manganese oxide).
3. Charger
The quality of each charger is different and choosing a standard charger is important. A poor quality charger will cause the battery to overcharge, become unbalanced and increase the possibility of overheating, gas discharge, and even lead to fire and explosion.
A fully charged IMR battery will have a voltage of around 4.15 to 4.20V. Exceeding this value will shorten the battery life and reduce the quality of use, and if the value exceeds 4.5V, it is a recipe for disaster.
4. Battery voltage drop
Unlike electronic box mods that will stop when the voltage drops to a minimum, Mech mods will run the battery continuously until it is completely drained, which is not good for lithium batteries – this is why you need a multimeter. Charge the battery immediately when the battery voltage drops to 3.6V or when you notice a decrease in the amount of smoke produced.
5. Check resistance
The burner should be checked when first purchased and the resistance should be noted after long-term use to ensure that there is no short circuit when the resistance is too low.
6. Air vent
A Mech mod should have a vent system in the machine so that the gas can be released when the machine overheats. Without a vent, the Mech mod is a time bomb that can explode at any time.
7. Start button lock
Most high-end Mech mods have a power button lock, which is operated by turning a gear counterclockwise.
Conclude
All of this may seem like a lot, but after using a Mech mod for a while, you’ll naturally follow these guidelines. An experienced vaper won’t ignore these guidelines – they’ll be extremely safety conscious, knowing the consequences of faulty or substandard devices.
