Li-Ion Battery – What is it in Vaping?

Definition

A Li-Ion Battery (Lithium-Ion Battery) is the rechargeable power source used in most modern vaping devices. It stores electrical energy and releases it to heat the coil that turns e-liquid into vapour. Compared with older lithium battery chemistries, Li-Ion cells deliver higher capacity, longer life-cycles and steady voltage, making them ideal for pocket-sized vape pens, pod kits and high-wattage box mods. Because they are lightweight, quick-charging and available in many sizes—18650, 20700, 21700 and integrated packs—they let Australian vapers choose anything from discreet mouth-to-lung setups to powerful direct-lung hitsub-ohm devices without sacrificing run-time.

Technical Details

Inside every Li-Ion battery, lithium ions move from the negative graphite anode to the positive lithium-cobalt oxide (or similar) cathode through an electrolyte while you vape. When you charge, the ions travel back, storing energy for the next lung hit. Typical vape-rated cells offer 3.6 V nominal voltage, 20 A–40 A maximum continuous discharge and 2500–3000 mAh capacity. The most common formats are 18650 (18 mm Ø × 65 mm), 20700 and 21700; larger numbers mean more milliamp-hours. Protected ICR variants have built-in circuits, whereas high-drain IMR/INR types trade some capacity for safer output demanded by low resistance coils. Always match the cell’s amp limit to your Resistance“>coil resistance to avoid overheating or leaking issues caused by excess heat thinning e-liquid.

Usage & Safety Tips

• Buy only authentic cells from reputable Australian vendors; counterfeits lack the tested amp rating.
• Keep wraps and top-ring insulators intact—nicks can cause hard shorts and venting.
• Store spare batteries in plastic cases; loose change in pockets completes the circuit, leading to thermal runaway.
• Use an external charger with over-current protection; while most mods charge internally, balanced standalone chargers extend cell life.
• Never exceed the manufacturer’s amp draw; divide battery wattage by minimum voltage to stay safe with sub-ohm builds.
• Watch the LED indicator: flashing red often signals low voltage—recharge promptly to prevent deep discharge damage.
• Recycle responsibly at local e-waste centres; Li-Ion cells must not enter household bins.

History & Context

Li-Ion technology, commercialised by Sony in 1991, migrated from camcorders to e-cigarettes when Chinese inventor Hon Lik needed a compact, high-energy power source for the first modern vape in 2003. As Australian vapers embraced variable-wattage mods, the industry standardised on removable 18650 cells, later shifting to 21700 for even greater capacity demanded by cloud-chasing sub-ohm tanks.