If your VUSE vape is dead and the charger is missing, it is definitely an annoying situation. Most probably, your first impulse will be to find some quick way to fix it via the internet, but do-it-yourself charging methods are risky.
They can cause your gadget to be irrevocably damaged, can overheat its battery, and can also result in a fire hazard. We will make it very clear to you the dangers associated with improvised chargers and also show you the only safe and efficient way.
First, a Reality Check: The Official, Safe Answer
Do not use anything other than the Vuse's included charger to recharge your Vuse. All the other ways mentioned above carry a risk to the battery, a risk of destroying the Vuse, and a risk to your personal safety. Although I am listing these methods based upon my attempts to find a solution to the problem, I am not endorsing these methods; rather I am describing them as part of my learning experiences so that you may learn from my errors.
The "Creative" Methods: A List of Hacks.
These methods include using a USB port and finding a way to connect the power to the two magnetic charging contacts on the bottom of your Vuse.
Method 1: The "Bare Wires" Method (Most Risky).
This is a hack method you will see on questionable YouTube videos. I attempted this once, and it was a hair-raising experience.
Remove the end of an old USB cable and strip the red (positive) and black (negative) wires. Hold the positive wire to the positive charging contact on the Vuse, and the negative wire to the negative contact.
There is a huge difference between how theoretical applications work and how things really go down. USB ports produce 5 volts. Your Vuse battery is a very specific, very small lithium-ion battery that requires a controlled charge. In this case, you are completely bypassing all protective features.
- Connecting the wires is extremely difficult. If the wires slip, you run the risk of creating a short circuit. When this happened to me, I saw a small spark jump across the connections, and my heart skipped a beat.
- You don't know which pin is the positive pin and which pin is the negative pin. Guess incorrectly and you could destroy the internal circuitry of your Vuse. I was lucky enough to guess correctly, but it was simply by chance.
- There is no charge control unit. You are risking the possibility of overcharging the battery, which will cause the battery to overheat, swell, or worse. As soon as I charged my Vuse for approximately five minutes, the body of the Vuse began to feel warm to the touch. I pulled the Vuse out of the power source immediately and never used this method again.
Verdict: Don't do this. The risk of fire, damage to your Vuse, or serious harm to you is just too great. While there is certainly some convenience associated with attempting to charge your Vuse using this method, the potential risks to your Vuse and your well-being are not worth it.
Method 2: The "Bend a Paperclip" Method.
This is another flawed alternative to the first method.
Straighten two paperclips and put each into the positive and negative ports of a USB-A plug (which is usually secured with tape). Then bend the other ends to contact the positive and negative contacts on the Vuse.
While this method is safer than using loose wires solely because the paperclips are sturdier and less likely to come into contact with each other, it still suffers from the same fundamental flaws: there is no assurance of which pin is which, no mechanism for controlling the charge, and a fragile connection. I was able to establish a stable connection for a few minutes before the Vuse became warm and I couldn't bear the thought of leaving it unattended for even a second.
Verdict: While marginally safer than the method of using bare wires, this is also a terrible idea.
The Slightly More Elegant (But Still Risky) DIY Charger
If you are a tinkerer and have access to some spare parts, you can build a slightly more reliable (although still unofficial) solution.
Take apart an existing magnetic charging base from a broken or old Vuse charger. Next, use a USB cable to attach the red and black wires to the corresponding points on this base.
This is the "best" of the worst options. At least by using the original magnetic base, you ensure the correct polarity and a secure connection for the pod. I built this with a broken charger I had and it worked fine. However, you are bypassing any possible charge-control circuitry that was built into the original charger's cable. Essentially, you are providing raw 5V USB power directly to the battery.
Verdict: If you absolutely must attempt a DIY charger and you are skilled enough to do it safely, this is the least hazardous option available. However, you are still working outside the manufacturer's design parameters, voiding any warranty you may have and taking full responsibility for your actions.
Practical Solutions That Are Really Worthwhile
After my numerous close calls with electrical danger, I have developed a much wiser strategy for keeping my Vuse alive and kicking.
- Purchase an additional charger: An inexpensive charger is a wonderful piece of mind. I purchased two spares-one for my vehicle and one for my backpack. I would recommend purchasing a couple extra Vuse chargers for emergency situations.
- The Gas Station Lifesaver: If you find yourself in a bind, visit your nearest gas station or vape shop. They should sell Vuse products, and most importantly, they will probably have Vuse chargers as a separate item. Spend the $5-$10 and obtain the right tools for the job.
- Use a device with USB-C: For me, this was the long term solution. After experiencing one too many charger-related panic attacks, I switched to a refillable pod system that utilizes a universal USB-C cable. This effectively eliminates the problem entirely.
The Final Puff of Wisdom
After having actually experienced the sensation of a bad decision resulting in a potentially hazardous situation, my strongest recommendation is to avoid the DIY methods. The potential risks of damaging your Vuse, igniting a fire, or seriously injuring yourself are too great.
Your Vuse dying without a charger is an inconvenience. A malfunctioning battery is a hazard. Choose the inconvenience. Purchase a genuine charger, and purchase a spare while you are at it. Your non-panicked self in the future will appreciate the choice.