How To Use A 510 Battery
If you’ve ever bought a medical marijuana vape cartridge, you may already be familiar with a 510 battery. Also called a vape pen battery or simply a vape pen, a 510 battery is the device you need to vaporize this concentrate best seller. Learn more about how these devices work and some tips for keeping your battery in top shape.
How does a 510 battery vape pen work?
Rechargeable 510 batteries work by increasing the temperature of a heating element found inside an attached vape cartridge. This heat transforms the extract into vapor, which is then consumed through the cartridge’s attached mouthpiece.
510 battery features and benefits
• What are vape pens? Vape pens are used to consume medical marijuana oil. The most common type of vape pen is a cartridge attached to a rechargeable
battery that features a 510mm thread; these are aptly named 510 batteries. You may also find disposable vape pens, single-use devices which contain both the battery and the medical marijuana. These are designed to be thrown away once the contents are consumed or the battery is drained, but you’ll find some rechargeable options as well.
• How to use a vape pen: When a vape pen is activated, the battery supplies electricity to a heating element in the cartridge. As that element heats up, it converts the medical marijuana from its liquid form into a vapor. This is usually done by pressing and holding a button on a 510 battery, while most disposable vapes are simply activated by inhaling on the mouthpiece.
• Maintenance: Vape pens are low maintenance and do not require intense cleaning like other devices. You may occasionally need to use a cotton swab with isopropyl alcohol to clean the contacts of the battery and cartridge, but otherwise maintenance requirements are limited. Store the vape pen battery and its charger in a safe place when not in use.
Portable vaporizers
• Small: Named for their long and slender shape (with some exceptions — we’ll get into that later), 510 batteries are among the easiest consumption devices to carry with you.
• Simple: With a single button and no bells and whistles, 510 batteries are among the most straightforward ways to consume medical marijuana.
• Universal: The ubiquity of 510 thread cartridges means that you’re likely to find a compatible product in nearly any licensed dispensary
510 battery variations
At its core, each 510 battery functions in a relatively similar way. However, there are variations in features and appearance that can influence your buying decision. Here are some of the features you should look out for as you shop at a licensed dispensary.
• Button power vs. auto draw: Most 510 batteries get to work when you press its power button. Others work on auto-draw, which automatically heats up your concentrate as you consume.
• Single temperature vs. variable voltage: The simplest 510 batteries have one temperature setting. Others allow you to cycle through several settings, known as “variable voltage.” These settings don’t always correspond to a certain degree, but are instead classified as low, medium, or high voltage variations.
• Preheating: Some brands may offer a preheat option that helps with more viscous concentrates. Consult your device’s packaging or manual for more information on this feature.
• Battery shape: While commonly sold as long, skinny, and pen-like (hence its name), you’ll find other shapes on the market as well. There are many colors, finishes, and shapes to choose from, and you can select the one that most appeals to your tastes. Common shape variants include a square or a rectangle that fits in the palm of your hand.
• Battery size: The larger the battery capacity, the longer it will hold a charge. You may want to look for batteries with higher milliampere/hour (abbreviated at mAh), which indicates the battery’s capacity. You’ll see this figure listed on the box or in the device’s manual.
What about disposable vape pens?
Disposable vape pens work in a similar fashion to 510 batteries: They contain a battery used to heat up medical marijuana concentrates. There’s a crucial difference, however: disposable vape pens arrive as one complete unit, with both battery and concentrate built into a single device. If you opt for a
disposable vape pen, keep in mind that you won’t need to buy a separate cartridge and attach it to the battery. You’ll just recycle the whole unit once it’s depleted.
Two other differences to keep in mind are in operation and battery charging. Many disposable vape pens are auto-draw and do not have a button to hold down. Additionally, they will arrive pre-charged and they do not need to be charged before use. Simply open the disposable vape pen package, and your medical marijuana is ready to consume.
How to use a 510 battery, step by step
• Attach the cartridge of your choice. Look for a cartridge with a 510 thread, which is the connector used in nearly all vape cartridges that aren’t part of a proprietary system like the Pax Era Pro. Remove the protective cap or plug from the bottom of the cartridge and attach it to the battery by gently screwing it into the connector until tight. Read the Ethos guide to vape cartridges to learn more about how to buy these products.
• If you have a variable voltage battery, select your temperature. Follow the directions that came with your device to change the temperature. Typically, this is done by pressing the power button a certain number of times; nearly every 510 battery operates with one button.
• Enjoy. Press the button on your device and it will be ready to use. On nearly every 510 battery model, you’ll have to hold down on the power button to vaporize the material for consumption.
How to care for your 510 battery
Caring for your 510 battery is simple. There are no connectors or chambers to clean. All you need to do is store your 510 battery properly in a temperature-regulated area, preferably in a case. If your battery gets dirty, you can wipe it down with a soft cloth. Don’t submerge your vape pen into water or isopropyl
alcohol to clean. For further instructions, consult the manual that came with your device.
Ethos tips for getting the most out of your 510 battery
• Be gentle. These devices can break easily. Even though they’re portable, stashing them into a pocket or bag may mean trouble. Consider carrying your 510 battery in a case to keep it safe.
• Remove cartridges when you’re done consuming. For all their convenience and portability, vape cartridges have a reputation for breaking and leaking. Avoid a mess — and potentially breaking your 510 battery — by removing your cartridge and replacing its cap or plug when not in use.
• Charge only from a regulated power supply. Our staff recommends recharging your 510 battery with a regulated power supply, such as a USB port on your computer. These power supply sources regulate the voltage that flows to your device, keeping it in better shape for longer and preventing it from burning out.
As you’re learning more about your vape pen, we at Ethos are here to help you out. Speak with a dispensary associate at any of our locations if you have any questions about attaching your cartridge, changing the temperature, or storing your 510 battery when not in use.
