Engineer Builds DIY Battery Bank from 500 Discarded Vapes to Power His Home
In a groundbreaking blend of innovation and sustainability, a 32-year-old electrical engineer from Bengaluru has created a massive 15kWh battery bank using 500 discarded disposable vapes—enough to power his entire 2BHK apartment for nearly a day. This project not only demonstrates the untapped potential of e-waste upcycling but also offers a low-cost energy storage solution for areas plagued by power shortages.
The Visionary Behind the Project
Rohan Mehta, an engineer and sustainability advocate, came up with the idea while studying lithium-ion batteries. “Disposable vapes contain high-capacity batteries that usually end up in landfills,” he explained. “Repurposing them into a power bank seemed like the perfect solution.”
Over six months, Mehta collected used vapes from friends, vape shops, and recycling centers. After extracting and testing each 350mAh–600mAh battery, he wired them into a 48-volt system, creating enough storage to run his lights, fridge, and electronics—cutting grid reliance by 70%.
How the Vape-Powered Battery Bank Works
Mehta’s DIY energy solution involves four key steps:
- Battery Harvesting – Safely extracting lithium-ion cells from used vapes.
- Testing & Sorting – Checking each cell’s health and grouping by capacity.
- Assembly – Connecting cells in a series-parallel configuration for optimal voltage.
- Integration – Linking the battery bank to solar panels and an inverter for renewable charging.
The system stores solar energy during the day and powers the home at night, providing backup during outages.
Fighting E-Waste with Innovation
Disposable vapes are an environmental disaster—each contains a lithium battery and plastic that takes centuries to decompose. In India, millions are thrown away yearly, posing fire risks and pollution.
Mehta’s project tackles this issue head-on. “If more people repurposed vape batteries, we could drastically cut e-waste,” he said. His work has already inspired local NGOs to launch vape recycling drives.
Safety Warnings and Challenges
While revolutionary, the project comes with risks:
– Fire hazard from overheating or improper wiring.
– Voltage imbalances causing battery failure.
Mehta mitigates these with:
✔ Protective circuits to prevent overcharging.
✔ Fireproof storage for the battery bank.
✔ Regular voltage checks.
“DIY lithium projects need expertise,” warns Dr. Priya Sharma (IIT Bombay). “Standardized recycling is crucial for safety.”
Could This Be the Future of Energy?
Mehta’s invention highlights the potential for affordable, decentralized power in India, where 70% of rural areas lack reliable electricity. Startups are now exploring similar e-waste battery systems for off-grid communities.
The engineer hopes to collaborate with city officials to scale the model. “Imagine recycling hubs turning old gadgets into community power banks,” he says.
Final Takeaway
Rohan Mehta’s vape-powered battery bank proves that one person’s trash can truly be another’s power source. As the world battles e-waste and energy crises, such low-cost, eco-friendly hacks could pave the way for a sustainable future.
Would you try repurposing old batteries for energy? Share your thoughts below!
