ACDC v2.1

[TomCatt]

Finally got to put the ACDC version 2(.1) together . I usually try to save enough vacation to take the last two weeks of the year off. Did manage to do it this year and was looking forward to having some time to do some 'serious' modding. Well, a week and a half later, finally managed to do some modding .

Here is the ACDC v2.1. The '.1' is because, as is usual, things didn't work quite like I had envisioned. The ACDC v2.1 has similar circuit to my first ACDC mod; battery or AC adapter power selected using a toggle switch. I upgraded the toggle switch to ON-OFF-ON 3-position. Added a voltmeter with tact switch control. The box it is in is the more manageable RadioShack 4x2x1 project box. Used an eBay LM2596 module for VV. AA battery holder for 14500 batteries. 5.5mmx2.1mm DC jack for the AC adapter power option.

This was my first mod that included a voltmeter. And just for the record, I HATE you guys 'n gals who put those #$%#$!!! things in a mod and have them look soooooo nice I figured I'd use my beloved plumber's epoxy putty to 'frame' the voltmeter. Well.... I did .... sorta . At the moment looks like a 1st graders first clay project. I'll have to take my NEW DREMEL (yay!) to it and fix it up some.

Unloaded voltage ranges from 2.7 to 7.4V. At my usual 4.5V with a 2.8 ohm clearomizer, loaded voltage is 4.4V. Use the tact switch to turn on the voltmeter (thanks Mamu for the circuit for doing that!); one of the things that kept me away from an internal voltmeter was the thought of having it light up every time the fire button was pushed.

Here's a few pictures, thinking of doing a paint job on it, so I sanded the surface. (Actually sanded the "bumps" off of the face and then figured since I did that may as well 'rough up' everything else .) Tact switch for the voltmeter is just below the horn switch. At the bottom of the side with the switches is the DC jack. Pot screw access hole is between the switches and the DC jack. On the side opposite of the box at the bottom is the toggle switch. I don't drip, so that is a 'beauty ring' on the top, not a drip cup .

No close-ups of my crappy job with the voltmeter. If I get it looking even a quarter way decent, I'll post some new pics .

It may not win any beauty contests; but it VAPES!

[asdaq]

Nice work there Tom! The frame job looks just fine at that angle and in such large pics, whattya complaining about?

You are lucky to have sun too.....

[RippleInStillWater]

Nice job, dude!

[TomCatt]

Thanks guys.

asdaq - the reason I posted that pic was because you couldn't really see the VM

[Robert T]

I like it Tom! Looks very organized and neat inside.

Robert

[asdaq]

Yeah, but from what I can see its not so bad. Its been my experience that if you are going to be able to see it the dremel isnt the way to go. Too fast and unpredictable. Masking it off and going at it with a sanding block will give a much nicer finished look.

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[BJ43]

Looks great TomCatt, I know what you mean on the cutout for the meter, I finally framed mine with some pinstripe tape so I didn't have to look at each time the dremel slipped. Congrats and enjoy... Happy New Year.

[TomCatt]

@Robert T - Thanks! After about 5 Pucks, an Altoids tin, a RS 3x2x1 box and the ACDC v1; I am finally getting the ability to see the next step and plan accordingly . Hopefully no more 'ok I put that there, now I gotta run this wire all around to get there' .

@asdaq - just gonna dremel some of the epoxy off and try re-applying some new.


Thanks BJ!

[TomCatt]

I got some 1.5 ohm mega dual coil cartos in recently. Just popped one on this mod. Set at 4.4V unloaded, loaded voltage is 4.3V. Looks like the LM2596 can handle these. I'll put it thru some more rigorous testing tomorrow.

[P1NkY]

Good job, Tomcatt! I like it, I like it!
The innards look very cozy and well thought-out (better'n any of mine, for sure!).
I like the industrial, "worn" look on the outside; it has character!
If you're anything like me, you should go real easy on the Dremel at first.
I spent the first couple of days looking around the house for stuff that needed "dremelling".
That same stuff usually ended up needing "replacing" LOL

This would be me Dremeling my first mod:
I'll just get rid of some of these ugly "sharp" seams on the plastic case... Bzzzzzz... Whoops. Well, no big deal, I'll just sand the whole thing to make it look "even"...
Bzzzzzzzz... Hmm... Maybe I'll buff it a little, that oughta do it...
Bzzzz. bzzz. BZZZZZZ. . . .
.....................................
Honey? (Yeah, babe?) I'm gonna swing over to the hardware store; need anything? (You overdid it with the dremel thing, huh?) Nah, it's gonna look awesome, it just needs some finishing touches, that's all; BRB hon! ...
Let's see, body filler, paint, wet/dry sandpaper, oooh! 100 piece dremel attachment set!

Yeah, I have very little self-control with new toolz, lol!