aluminum DNA 20 box

[d9mel]

Used a Hammond 1590g die cast aluminum box with a plexiglas door, 2x 1100mah 10c li-po batteries for a total of 2200 mah 20c, dna 20, dna usb charger, 300g dome actuators for the on board digital pot and a 12mm metal push button switch.

Performs great at my ranges 7-9 watts, and I haven't had a chance to really measure the battery life but its more than one day. I tapped holes around the dome switches and the 510 connector for the epoxy to fill and add support. The board has a simple interface and has been performing flawlessly so far.

 

[glauserjg]

Very nice!!

 

[Dougiestyle]

Be sure to have extra ECF cards in your wallet if you take that outta the house. Looks like a bomb right out of a Hollywood movie! All of us may recognize it, but to the uneducated masses of non-vapers, well, it looks suspicious!

Nice build tho! Question: why wouldn't you just go with the Panasonic CGR18650CH (2250mah 10C)?

 

[d9mel]

Be sure to have extra ECF cards in your wallet if you take that outta the house. Looks like a bomb right out of a Hollywood movie! All of us may recognize it, but to the uneducated masses of non-vapers, well, it looks suspicious!

Nice build tho! Question: why wouldn't you just go with the Panasonic CGR18650CH (2250mah 10C)?

I took it out last night to a bar and every person that saw it asked questions... alot of questions.

I used the li-po's for the profile, they measure 55mm in height and even though the DNA 20 is small it was tough to get it in and set. I acctually had to change from 24ga to 28ga wire for the switches, stayed with 20ga for 510, battery and charger.

I'm probably going to do some light tint on the plexi, the oled screen is bright enough to shine through

 

[jmarkus]

really nice mod man, true about the bomb look...haha.

im loving my tiny dna 20d mod, 9 volt battery box with an aw18490. amazing we can build our own versions of the amazing darwin. just awesome.

 

[d9mel]

Thanks Jmark, what has your battery life been like? I keep it in stealth mode and haven't run them all the way down yet, I took it off the charger yesterday @ 8am vaped all day till 11pm just got up and still have well over half the charge. Gonna try to run them all the way down today.

Im going to pick up another board sometime and try to embed the components in a cast resin mod instead of a box. I figure I can get everything in a tight package that way.

 

[Skyway]

Very nicely done. I can't wait till they come back in stock. Been wanting to make a dna20 for some time.

 

[jmarkus]

i literally just finished my build yesterday, but so far ive gotten some great battery life. i figure i can just bring 1 extra 18490 with me and id be good for at least a full day, but probably more. ill have a better idea of battery life in a day or so.

 

[d9mel]

Turns out I need to practice my tint skills, but I'll get it perfect next time. Not sure what grade tint it is, got it as scrap from a local tint shop, looks damn cool though.

 

[jmarkus]

once you work out those bubbles itll be amazing, really good anyway.

 

[d9mel]

once you work out those bubbles itll be amazing, really good anyway.

Its been years since I've done tint, worth a shot though.

I saw some pics of your 9v box, looks really cool!
What did you use for pot control?

 

[jmarkus]

Its been years since I've done tint, worth a shot though.

I saw some pics of your 9v box, looks really cool!
What did you use for pot control?

thanks man, i just used 2 tactile switches mounted on the back of the box. super low profile, and nice n clicky. this board is so sic!

 

[mamu]

What a cool idea and a cool mod mel! I like it both ways - with and without the tint, but I think the tint gives it some pizzazz... and the bubbles give it character.

 

[d9mel]

Thanks mamu! Doesn't some close to the lexi though. As soon as I save up some more$ I'm gonna give it a shot with a 1590A and 1x 1100 mah li-po, try to get a little more compact and maybe a little less bubbly character.

 

[Dougiestyle]

The tint really makes the mod better. If you want to work out the bubbles, try pricking the film with a needle (tiniest little hole) then mash the air out. *old school tint trick

 

[bapgood]

D9, maybe you tried this but using something like windex can really help. Just spray some on them apply the tint and use a squeegee or fingers to work out windex/bubbles working from the middle out.

 

[d9mel]

The tint guy gave me a 2'x1' chunk o tint and I have plenty of plexi to practice with, I'll try the Windex next time.
Bap,
I know your the rc guy, you have any leads on branded lipo batteries? I got mine shipped from HK and want to do another build but would rather go with more dependable batts.
Have you found an enclosure for your build?

 

[Dougiestyle]

Don't use windex to apply the film. The ammonia can interfere with the adhesive, as well as break-down the color (cause fading. Instead, fill a spray bottle with water and add a couple TBSP of liquid dish detergent. Spray this on the adhesive side of the film, as well as the plexiglass, then squeegee the liquid out. As small as your box is, you could use the edge of a credit card or your driver license as a suitable squeegee. Start in the middle and work it out the sides.

 

[bapgood]

The tint guy gave me a 2'x1' chunk o tint and I have plenty of plexi to practice with, I'll try the Windex next time.
Bap,
I know your the rc guy, you have any leads on branded lipo batteries? I got mine shipped from HK and want to do another build but would rather go with more dependable batts.
Have you found an enclosure for your build?

On tint/windex -
Lowes/Home Depot has some tint kits with a install spray, squeegee, etc. Not sure the cost, I have had good luck with windex.

Lipo's -
I have used all sorts of brands and overall have had great luck with all batteries that I have bought from Hobby King, the Turnigy Nano-Tech's have been great for RC and because of their low internal resistance make a good choice for PV mods. However in most aspects they are overkill any lipo with mah/c rating for 7amp continuos use or higher will be more than sufficient. But from what I have found the Nano-Tech's are hard to beat for the price/size/internal resistance. There is probably smaller size lower c rating lipos available somewhere, I'm just not familiar with where.

Build/Enclosure-
I just got back from vacation so I haven't had a chance to do much. I got one of my 2S 1700mah tore apart, I'm going to try using just one of the cells. Going to try to get some time on the lathe today to make the housing female 510 connector. I haven't looked for an enclosure, I'm thinking I will just make a sheet metal enclosure for now.

 

[bapgood]

Don't use windex to apply the film. The ammonia can interfere with the adhesive, as well as break-down the color (cause fading. Instead, fill a spray bottle with water and add a couple TBSP of liquid dish detergent. Spray this on the adhesive side of the film, as well as the plexiglass, then squeegee the liquid out. As small as your box is, you could use the edge of a credit card or your driver license as a suitable squeegee. Start in the middle and work it out the sides.

Its been a while for me and I had forgot about the dish soap.....probably a better choice than windex.