USB Mod for Dummies

[Bastage]

The worse that could happen is the switch burns out. Did you happen to notice those tiny wires that are the main + and - leads for the 901 batteries? Or the tiny wires they use to jumper everything inside the battery case? I'm sure those wires aren't up to "spec" so why put an oversized switch or added circuitry in there when all the stock parts are tiny?

[Grumpysanta]

The worse that could happen is the switch burns out. Did you happen to notice those tiny wires that are the main + and - leads for the 901 batteries? Or the tiny wires they use to jumper everything inside the battery case? I'm sure those wires aren't up to "spec" so why put an oversized switch or added circuitry in there when all the stock parts are tiny?

Yes, and that pathetic autoswitch in the video also makes me wonder. What I would say in some defence is that those tiny wires are solid as apposed to multistrand so they would handle more current, but that switch, its a wonder they ever worked, or maybe they decided that the battery would never last long enough to worry about it burning out.

[PeteMcArthur]

The really worst thing that could happen is the switch could "weld" itself on. I've had this happen (not in e-cigs)

Apparently e-pipes have a similar setup to santas. Pressure switch drives solid state relay which feeds the atomiser.

[Grumpysanta]

just an update on the electronic switching method. I finally completed the mod for the adaptor. Eager to try it I was most disappointed by its performance. I sat and thought about it for a while as it seemed to work ok the last time I tried it. So I upped the volts from 3.6V to 4.8V - an extra battery and ....... WOW does that beast work or what. The atomiser can get a little hot to the touch but loads of vapour and loads of kick . And to make sure it wasn't just my atomiserI decided to use one that had bearly seen service for a week (friend of mine tried e-cigs and was not happy so I bought the stuff off her - she didn't like the taste) and that also worked very well. BTW it was a generic without a brand label.

Conclusion, The atomiser is working hotter in comparison to a straight 3.6V but vapes well. I'm having to moderate my vaping slightly on fresh batteries due to the extra heat which is not a bad thing and I expect its running hotter like Bastage's USB version. Anyone using the standard e-cig battery just does not know what they are missing coz once you've tried using a proper power source you would never go back to those weak little batteries again.

[Grumpysanta]

Made another one tonight for a friend, currently using it (testing) so he should be getting his one tomorrow. Thought I'd use it while reading the forum, Thanks again to MadDog for the video on dismantling the original battery, it's so much easier when you have seen it done. Also thanks for all the ideas that have been posted by Bastage and everyone else. I think a DSE901 atomiser / cigar is the next project.

[Bastage]

Cool Grumpy, good to see people doing more mods. On the voltage, I'm hoping the 3.7v from the 18650 will be sufficient since I'm used to the USB. If I recall the screwdriver uses a single 3.7 and it doesn't seem to have any issues producing vapor. I'm hoping I'll get that same performance from 3.7 volts. This battery should last quite a bit longer than a single or double 123A setup.

[Grumpysanta]

3.7 Volts should be OK as you are only using a direct switch, I found that was OK until I introduced the MOSFET, after that it was a bit Whimpy. 4.8 Volts with a MOSFET is almost too much but I have no intention of putting a resistor inline so I'll just have to watch the heat, I suspect this is the same running from USB.

[Bastage]

Yes you can get it too hot from USB because you're using 5v and there's no limit on how long you can apply power. Just using it normally even with USB it's fine.

[sagicorn62]

i have built a different type of power mod for my 901. i do not use a computer at work, so, i used a 1300mah variable power adapter. i gutted a bad battery and soldered it together with a small flat pressure switch. i have the voltage set at 4.5 v. been using it for nearly a month with no problems. smokes alot better than with the normal batteries.
i started a new thread explaing what i have done.
usb vs. power adapter

[Grumpysanta]

Yet another update, after 7 days use I have had to change the batteries. Those 2500mAh AA batteries last quite well. Lets see, 7 days use as apposed to 3 hours, not much difference in it - LOL