A Somewhat Scientific Test of the electrial properties of different MODS

[madog]

Well here goes - I wanted to know some actual data on various mods -
The test were conducted with a 3 day old atomizer. At least 5 mins elapsed between each different mod test. The temp readings were taken as such - 5 drags were taken each 5 secs - 10 secs apart. So I took a 5 sec drag wait 10 secs and took another drag etc. Voltage drop readings were taken on the first drag and amperage reading were taken at the same time. All temps are in F and are with the probe inserted where the cartridge would go at a level right above the atomizer bridge to the side. The drawing device was a hand held basketball pump - One full draw in 5 secs.
Mods listed in order by nominal operating voltages - Highest first
Atomizer measured - 3.7 Ohms

Magnum Mod - (2 - CR2 Batteries in series)
Voltage 6.46 drop to 5.1 = 1.36 Total Voltage Drop Amp Draw 1.39
Temp 1st-104 2nd-115 3rd-123 4th-130 5th-138 Avg= 122

USB Mod - (Battery connector Hole Plugged)
Voltage 5.07 drop to 4.18 = .89 Total Voltage Drop Amp Draw 1.2
Temp 1st-104 2nd-111 3rd-116.8 4th-128 5th-126 Avg= 115

USB Mod - (Battery connector Hole OPEN)
Voltage 5.07 drop to 4.18 = .89 Total Voltage Drop Amp Draw 1.2
Temp 1st-98 2nd-102 3rd-107 4th-109 5th-111 Avg= 105.4

Regular Battery -
Voltage 4.17 drop to 3.62 = .55 Total Voltage Drop Amp Draw 1.12
Temp 1st-104 2nd-109 3rd-112 4th-145 5th-162 Avg= 120.4

CR123 Battery - (NON-rechargeable Lithium)
Voltage 3.28 drop to 2.98 = .3 Total Voltage Drop Amp Draw .8
Temp 1st-98 2nd-104 3rd-105 4th-107 5th-109 Avg= 104.6

Well take this all for whats its worth -

Findings -
1.) The temps ran lower with the battery hole open instead of closed (Makes sense)
2.) With a stock battery the atomizer got warmer than a USB mod with less than half the vapor production
3.)The Magnum ran at almost the same average temperature with at close to twice the Vapor production.

I wish I had a Vapor Density measurement device. Would have been an nice bit of info. Also I would like to see the difference in a rechargeable CR123 power source. Vapor produced on the exhale of the pump seemed to be most abundant with the first 3 mods - The last two seemed less and approximately the same. Would like to know if the vapor production goes up with a rechargeable CR123 over a non-rechargeable - Got some coming from DealExtreme will check this after they arrive.

 

[CaSHMeRe]

very very very interesting findings madog! thanks for posting!

 

[rattlerviper]

Why do you think this is Madog? Quicker heat up? That is the only variable that went unmeasured right?

 

[CaSHMeRe]

Why do you think this is Madog? Quicker heat up? That is the only variable that went unmeasured right?

Rattle, you mean, in the time it took to reach the temps listed? (not sure if that is max temp or average spread either ... or even at won't point that temp was taken)

It would also be interesting to see the temp range itself over that 5 seconds. May be able to tell something from that... good question viper

 

[Bastage]

Good info... the CR123 single battery setup runs 20 degrees cooler, have you ever considered using a single battery (3.7) instead of supplying 2 3 volt batteries in series at 6v? It would run a lot cooler. These 18650's are a little big, but still small enough to fit into a LED light case with a little compensation on the PCB board side, and would be perfect for this application. The capacity is huge. I'll try to get my mod done soon and post up some feedback. I'm not doing mine exactly the same way as yours but it's along the same lines, and I think using the LED flashlight case as a base for a power source is a great start! Easily removable batteries is a big plus. Will keep you posted.

 

[leaford]

Fantastic work, Madog! Truly impressive detail. And I wish I could come up with a vapor measuring device, too.

 

[madog]

rattlerviper - I am not sure I understand the question -
The basketball pump was hooked up to the atomizer - and the temp robe was put in the atomizer - I then turned on the atomizer and pulled air thru the atomizer on intake stroke of the pump - each draw took 5 sec. Waited 10 secs and did again. The temp is maxed reached at the end if each stroke for five strokes. I then averaged the five temps to get the average total temp.

Quicker heat up with a higher voltage is a fact.

Bastage - Vapor production was my concern with a single battery
on the exhaust stroke of the pump I disconnected from the atomizer and pushed out on the plunger and visibly noted the vapor. Granted the CR123 I used was a non-rechargeable ( I have ordered some rechargeables) and the vapor produced was significantly less than any 5-6 volt mod. The temp was definitely less But the USB mod or a 5 volt power source seems to be the sweet spot for temp and vapor production. I DO run my Magnum "wet" for a lack of a better term and only take a 1-2 sec drag most of the time and the Vapor production is that of a 5 sec drag with a reg. Battery.

 

[jdrancor]

Madog, thank you! Great details. So, I'm seeing that the findings point toward the USB mod! My mod is working great from the computer, but I'm not yet set up with a proper portable power source. I need to make a trip to radioshack and get battery holders to rig a portable 5-6 volt powersource.

I found it very interesting that the USB mod runs at a lower temp but with greater vapor production. This must be why my atomizers are lasting so long with the USB setup. I need to get going on the portable power source. Have you had any luck with ones available straight out of the box? Right now, I'm modding a MintyBoost kit.

Again, THANK YOU!

 

[madog]

Madog, thank you! Great details. So, I'm seeing that the findings point toward the USB mod! My mod is working great from the computer, but I'm not yet set up with a proper portable power source. I need to make a trip to radioshack and get battery holders to rig a portable 5-6 volt powersource.

I found it very interesting that the USB mod runs at a lower temp but with greater vapor production. This must be why my atomizers are lasting so long with the USB setup. I need to get going on the portable power source. Have you had any luck with ones available straight out of the box? Right now, I'm modding a MintyBoost kit.

Again, THANK YOU!

Just this one for USB Power Portable- http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/tips-tricks/3325-video-black-decker-powered-dse901.html It works great so I havent tried others.

 

[rattlerviper]

Rattle, you mean, in the time it took to reach the temps listed? (not sure if that is max temp or average spread either ... or even at won't point that temp was taken)

It would also be interesting to see the temp range itself over that 5 seconds. May be able to tell something from that... good question viper

Yes Cash I meant times to reach tje Max temp. My assumption is the quicker you reach whatever point produces vapor the more vapor you would get.

 

[rattlerviper]

rattlerviper - I am not sure I understand the question -
The basketball pump was hooked up to the atomizer - and the temp robe was put in the atomizer - I then turned on the atomizer and pulled air thru the atomizer on intake stroke of the pump - each draw took 5 sec. Waited 10 secs and did again. The temp is maxed reached at the end if each stroke for five strokes. I then averaged the five temps to get the average total temp.

Quicker heat up with a higher voltage is a fact.

Bastage - Vapor production was my concern with a single battery
on the exhaust stroke of the pump I disconnected from the atomizer and pushed out on the plunger and visibly noted the vapor. Granted the CR123 I used was a non-rechargeable ( I have ordered some rechargeables) and the vapor produced was significantly less than any 5-6 volt mod. The temp was definitely less But the USB mod or a 5 volt power source seems to be the sweet spot for temp and vapor production. I DO run my Magnum "wet" for a lack of a better term and only take a 1-2 sec drag most of the time and the Vapor production is that of a 5 sec drag with a reg. Battery.

Hmmm...Not sure how to explain, but I'll try. I assume the quicker the atomizer reaches the point of vapor production the more vapor produced. Your tests seem to show that max temperature is unimportant. Perhaps if we could regulate the temp to just above the vapor point we would have longer atomizer life? Heck if someone figured out a efficient way to do it that was affordable we could end up with longer battery life as well right?

Dunno know why, but I find the science behind the scenes fascinating.

 

[jdrancor]

Madog, So I got the MintyBoost kit working well. I affixed a 4 AA holder to it instead of the 2 AA holder it comes with. The whole thing fits into a regular altoid tin. It's easy and very portable. Probably doesn't last as long as your black and decker, but I've got 2 days of moderate usage, and still going strong.

 

[aaa]

Madog! You forgot to mention the effect of time on the atomiser current. How does it change by time?
What happens if you connect a device that compensates for that change in series with the atomiser? Am I right that the atomiser could then be operated safely from a higher voltage?
What if that device would overcompensate after a certain amount of time? Am I right that it could prevent overheating of the atomiser?
What device could it be?

 

[madog]

Madog! You forgot to mention the effect of time on the atomiser current. How does it change by time?
What happens if you connect a device that compensates for that change in series with the atomiser? Am I right that the atomiser could then be operated safely from a higher voltage?
What if that device would overcompensate after a certain amount of time? Am I right that it could prevent overheating of the atomiser?
What device could it be?

All great questions - Please get started right away and report BACK -
Yeah I agree time is a factor - the time on in this experiment everything was constant for each test - (or pretty close) - But if I am using a regular battery I take like a 5 sec hit to get half of the 1/2 a second to 1 sec hit with twice the vapor on my magnum - Hell a 5 sec hit on a Magnum would probably take off a head or too. I do confess I take a few NICE 2-3 sec hits in the morning - You know to get the pump primed etc.