Performance evaluation of a battery pack assembled from used Li-Ion cells of electronic vape for small-scale applications

Suhairi, Hanif and Abdullah, Muhammad and Tofrowaih, Khairul Amri and Toha @ Tohara, Siti Fauziah and Md Said, Mohamad Syazarudin and Ahmad, Salmiah (2026) Performance evaluation of a battery pack assembled from used Li-Ion cells of electronic vape for small-scale applications. Journal of Advanced and Sustainable Technologies, 5 (1). pp. 223-233. E-ISSN 2976-2294

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Abstract

Lithium-ion cells are well known for their low mass and high energy density. However, improper disposal of Li-ion cells from disposable vape devices contributes significantly to battery waste, even though many of these cells still retain substantial usable capacity. This study explores the second-life potential of such cells by assembling a 3P4S battery pack using reclaimed 13300-type Li-ion cells for low-power applications. Three configurations were tested: without a Battery Management System (BMS), and with two passive BMS units (BMS-40A-4S-E and HXYP-C47-MA18). The repurposed pack exhibited a nominal voltage of 14.8 V and a rated capacity of 1.2 Ah. Constant current discharge at 0.6 A showed high remaining capacity across all setups, with measured capacities of 1.199 Ah (99.9% SOH) without BMS, 1.255 Ah (100% SOH) with BMS-40A-4S-E, and 1.241 Ah (100% SOH) with HXYP-C47-MA18. Thermal testing revealed safe operating temperatures, peaking at 35 °C during 1.5C discharge. All configurations reached full charge within 67–69 minutes and managed to power a 28 W load for up to 40 minutes. Voltage uniformity, low thermal rise, and stable discharge curves confirm the feasibility of repurposing vape cells into reliable battery packs. While all setups demonstrated acceptable short-term performance, the inclusion of a proper BMS remains essential to ensure safety, protect against overcharge/discharge, and prolong pack lifespan for long-term usage

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Battery repurposing, Energy storage, Lithium-ion batteries, Second-life applications, Sustainability
Subjects:	T Technology > TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery > TJ212 Control engineering
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Engineering > Department of Mechanical Engineering
Depositing User:	Muhammad Bin Abdullah
Date Deposited:	31 Jul 2026 11:25
Last Update:	31 Jul 2026 11:25
Queue Number:	2026-07-Q4403
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/130138

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