There are probably hundreds of different models of vape cartridges on the market today, and there’s a very high level of design variability from one model to the next. Some cartridges are a little light on the vapor production and only really shine when you pair them with a 510-thread battery that can supply a little more oomph. Other cartridges, meanwhile, are pretty powerful out of the box and can produce unpleasant burnt flavors when they’re given too much power.
That’s exactly why variable-voltage 510-thread batteries exist – because you’re not going to have the ideal experience with every vape cartridge if you’re using a battery that only operates at one voltage. A variable-voltage battery allows you to get a more potent cloud when you need one, and it also allows you to dial things back a bit if the experience starts to become too intense.
So, should your next vape battery have the ability to change its voltage? Although variable-voltage 510-thread batteries do have a few downsides – we’ll discuss those in this guide – the answer for most vapers is going to be a resounding “yes.” You’re about to learn why.
How Do Variable-Voltage Vape Batteries Work?
Vape batteries contain lithium-ion cells, and a battery cell doesn’t have the ability to vary its voltage on demand. To do that, a bit of extra circuitry is required. A 510-thread battery can address the issue of power delivery in three different ways.
- Bypass Mode: A vape battery that uses bypass mode for power delivery will always output the battery’s full available voltage, which will gradually drop as the battery’s charge is depleted. A lithium-ion battery typically operates at 4.2 volts when it’s fully charged, and it’s dead at 2.8-3.0 volts. A battery that uses the bypass design will produce very large clouds when it’s fully charged, and the vapor production will drop as the charge is depleted. Because 4.2 volts is often a bit too much power for some cartridges, though, 510-thread batteries rarely use this design.
- Regulated Power: A vape battery with regulated power delivery operates at a consistent voltage – typically 3.6-3.7 volts – throughout the duration of its charge. Essentially, it “saves some power for later,” reducing the output when the cell is fully charged and increasing it when the cell’s voltage drops below the regulated voltage. A vape battery that has no button or other control method probably has regulated power delivery since, as mentioned above, bypass operation isn’t common for this type of vaping device.
- Variable-Voltage Power: A variable-voltage vape battery uses a buck-boost converter to convert the cell’s voltage to another voltage selected by the user. A buck-boost converter has the ability to step the voltage up or down – almost like the transformer in a switching power supply – to provide a wide range of possible power levels. To keep things simple, though, a variable-voltage vape battery will often have “High,” “Medium” and “Low” settings in lieu of a more complicated system that allows you to select an exact voltage.
How Do You Change Voltages?
A variable-voltage vape battery usually has a physical button for controlling the device, and you can generally toggle between the available voltages by pressing the button either two or three times quickly. You should consult the instruction manual for your device to confirm this because some vape batteries use their fire buttons for different functions. For example, your device may have an automatic preheating mode that turns on when you press the button twice, and pressing the button three times may change the voltage.
Instead of using a one-button control system for all functions, some vape batteries have separate controls for making voltage adjustments. In this case, the device’s main fire button won’t change the voltage. These types of vape batteries may have “+” and “-“ buttons for making voltage changes. They may also use switches or dials.
How Do You Know What Voltage You’re Using?
If your vape battery has a single-button control scheme, you can tell what voltage you’re using by looking at the colored ring around the button. For example, the light may turn blue for the low mode, white for the medium mode and red for the high mode. Once again, you can confirm this by consulting your device’s instruction manual.
How Can You Tell if the Voltage Is Too High or Too Low?
This one is easy – if you’re enjoying your experience, your battery’s voltage is probably just right. If you’re not having a good time, though, a voltage adjustment may be in order.
- If the voltage is too high, you’ll find the experience overwhelming and unpleasant. You may even experience a harsh “burnt hit.” If that happens, you need to lower your device’s voltage right away.
- If the voltage is too low, your vape battery will produce very small clouds, and you won’t find the experience potent or satisfying enough. Your cartridge may even make a gurgling sound because it isn’t vaporizing the oil efficiently.
Does a Variable-Voltage 510-Thread Battery Die More Quickly?
A variable-voltage battery will die more quickly than a standard regulated battery if you use it at a higher voltage, assuming the capacity of the cell is the same. Suppose, for instance, that you have two vape batteries with capacities of 1,000 mAh. One of the batteries is regulated to operate at a constant 3.6 volts, and the other is a variable-voltage battery with a maximum power of 4.0 volts. If you use the variable-voltage battery at the maximum power level, it will die more quickly.
Do Variable-Voltage Vape Batteries Have Any Drawbacks?
For most people, buying a variable-voltage 510-thread battery makes perfect sense because the added flexibility of having multiple available power levels is a good thing for just about everyone. Before you jump up and buy one, though, there are a few potential drawbacks that you should know about first.
- Variable-voltage vape batteries may be slightly larger and less discreet compared to standard regulated batteries. However, some manufacturers like Rokin Vapes offer variable-voltage batteries that are barely larger than their single-voltage counterparts.
- Variable-voltage vape batteries may cost a little more than regulated devices, although 510-thread batteries are so affordable that you’ll probably hardly notice the difference.
- The cleaning requirements for a variable-voltage battery may be slightly more stringent than they would be for a standard battery because if a cartridge leaks, you have to make sure that the oil can’t get through the crack around the edge of the button and contaminate the device’s internal electronics.
This content is brought to you by the FingerLakes1.com Team. Support our mission by visiting www.patreon.com/fl1 or learn how you send us your local content here.