Any inexpensive mods support single 21700 and decent TC?

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GeorgeS

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    Well THAT was disappointing to say the least.

    The new SX-Mini SL seemed off. I switched the tank to a Wismec TC100 I had handy and the vape was more like I'd expect - slightly warm and not overpowering.

    I switched the tank back to the SL (after cooling off) and there it was, hitting hard and overpowering like it was before. Adjusting the temperature by even 50F did not seem to change it, so I reduced it all the way down to 230F and low and behold, I was getting a vape like I'd expect (and get from other devices). Odd, very odd.

    While it is usable with this "work around" I'm not in the least bit happy with this device.

    g.

    (now returning to INEXPENSIVE TC mods...)
     

    AussieGeek

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    Eleaf USA warehouse has the mod only (no battery) on sale for $22.49 after 25% discount with code FALL25. Shipping is about $8 but free for orders $50+.

    Edited to add: Coupon expires in 13 hours

    Eleaf iStick Pico 21700 Battery Mod
    I grabbed one off a friend last night to see if it reads resistances more accurately. It already has arctic fox installed though and I really wanted to compare to stock performance. If I can get a run out of it I will post results in temperature control sub and try to post back, as there is a 21700 version (max?) that could meet the OP's requirements.
     

    UncLeJunkLe

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    I grabbed one off a friend last night to see if it reads resistances more accurately. It already has arctic fox installed though and I really wanted to compare to stock performance. If I can get a run out of it I will post results in temperature control sub and try to post back, as there is a 21700 version (max?) that could meet the OP's requirements.

    Is it possible to flash the eleaf firmware after AF is used on a mod?
     

    AussieGeek

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    Well THAT was disappointing to say the least.

    The new SX-Mini SL seemed off. I switched the tank to a Wismec TC100 I had handy and the vape was more like I'd expect - slightly warm and not overpowering.

    I switched the tank back to the SL (after cooling off) and there it was, hitting hard and overpowering like it was before. Adjusting the temperature by even 50F did not seem to change it, so I reduced it all the way down to 230F and low and behold, I was getting a vape like I'd expect (and get from other devices). Odd, very odd.

    While it is usable with this "work around" I'm not in the least bit happy with this device.

    g.

    (now returning to INEXPENSIVE TC mods...)
    My mate has one that I was going to test but I havent been able to see him to test it since COVID started. Hopefully soon. I had a couple toots on it just before COVID and it did feel hot on stock settings (using an atty I am not familiar with so it could have been airflow related too), but only the tests will tell. It did seem quite different to the G Class or VK530. The interface was much improved I thought but I didnt really get stuck into it other than tweaking temperature and power etc. so thats disappointing that it was a bugger to get running how you wanted, and more disappointing it needs workaround.
     

    AussieGeek

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    I have two different SXMini dual 18650 mods that killed the batteries when left in them. (no, they did not vent but they were less than 3.0V) Now they sit battery less. :)

    Mail here shows up between 2-4PM. I bet I'll have it up and running in less than 5min.


    g.
    YiHi mods have a known high parasitic draw in standby. I also have killed more pairs than I would like to admit leaving cells in YiHi mods. I have been talking directly with them about it and VapeyMcGyver has been gathering data on it for a while (see his posts for some amazing lab tests on power, charging and efficiency etc.) - they reckon they have resolved it in the next batch of boards coming to market but only future testing will tell. In the meantime the trick is not to leave cells in your YiHi mod when youre not using it, which is almost impossible to remember to do when you move onto another setup in my experience...
     

    UncLeJunkLe

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    Yeah we talked about this about 1 or 2 pages ago. It's an old problem that I had the pleasure experiencing with the SX130.

    I had a battery vent, and it tripped the diaphragm inside the battery. Numbnutz that I am, I look at some video and was able to push it back (that's not really a good thing to do lol). I didn't know why that happened then. It happened again about 3 months later and I looked into it. I got rid of the battery that time. It was in an IPV Mini 30W mod. I still have that mod but I also have and still use the Sigelei Mini 30W mods that with the same PCB.

    I never leave a battery in those mods if I plan on not using them for a while.

    I'm half surprised the problem still exists with Yihi boards, but actually not really lol
    But seriously, how hard or costly would it be to eliminate or severely reduce the problem in future boards once they got so many complaints?
     
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    Mordacai

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    @GeorgeS, if you press and hold the joystick you'll reread the resistance.

    You can set TCR by pressing the fire button quickly 5 times in a row and selecting the TCR option in the menu.

    And I assume that you know that joules are equal to watts in TC.

    I also like the 4 different modes that change the ramp of coils, which is useful when you are using a larger heavier lower resistance builds.
     

    AussieGeek

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    NOT OFFICIAL: prliminary sloppy just woke up first run of Eleaf iStick Pico Latest Arctic Fox Stock SS 316L testing - Looks like this is not freaaaaakin baaaaad for a tiny cheap mod. Please note I will re-run all of these test because it was super sloppy, and will publish an official report, but the OP might want to look at a 21700 pico with AF if their vaping style is covered here and looks good to them.
     

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    AussieGeek

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    Greetings,

    while I have a YiHi SXmini SL Class SX485J 100W Box Mod inbound I was wondering if there are any less expensive (~$50-75) single 21700 mods that do decent TC (with user changeable TCR value) out there?

    It seems that all I have these days are 21700's and 26650's.

    g.
    Please see the test results I just posted for eleaf istick pico with arctic fox firmware...looks like you could consider a 21700 pico...remarkable result for this very cheap mod.
     

    UncLeJunkLe

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    Thanks for that!

    I ordered 5 direct from Eleaf.

    thanks again,

    g.
    Please see the test results I just posted for eleaf istick pico with arctic fox firmware...looks like you could consider a 21700 pico...remarkable result for this very cheap mod.

    He just bought 5 today. In fact, he bought one 2 days ago but vendor canceled, so he bought elsewhere today.

    Eleaf USA warehouse has the mod only (no battery) on sale for $22.49 after 25% discount with code FALL25. Shipping is about $8 but free for orders $50+.

    Edited to add: Coupon expires in 13 hours

    Eleaf iStick Pico 21700 Battery Mod


    Thanks for that!

    I ordered 5 direct from Eleaf.

    thanks again,

    g.
     

    GeorgeS

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  • May 31, 2015
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    @GeorgeS, if you press and hold the joystick you'll reread the resistance.

    Thanks for that, the manual that came with it mentions nothing about this.

    You can set TCR by pressing the fire button quickly 5 times in a row and selecting the TCR option in the menu.

    I did find that one. Wonderful menu.

    And I assume that you know that joules are equal to watts in TC.

    I also like the 4 different modes that change the ramp of coils, which is useful when you are using a larger heavier lower resistance builds.

    While most of my YiHi mods are near antique now, I'm aware of their Joules designation.

    On the good side, rereading the resistance now makes the mod operate as expected. Now as long as I stay away from that joystick I should be good to go. :)

    In the mean time, I unpacked one of the Pico 18650's to play with an mounted a new Kayfun v5 clone on it. Even with winding a coil I was up and operating in less than a 1/2hr or so. I got these clones from a different seller as Fasttech no longer carries them. The air flow this batch of clones is more restrictive than the earlier ones I had gotten from Fasttech. :(

    So inbound I still have the inexpensive GeekVape Aegis Max and Pico 21700's.


    g.
     
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    AussieGeek

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    Thanks for that, the manual that came with it mentions nothing about this.



    I did find that one. Wonderful menu.



    While most of my YiHi mods are near antique now, I'm aware of their Joules designation.

    On the good side, rereading the resistance now makes the mod operate as expected. Now as long as I stay away from that joystick I should be good to go. :)

    In the mean time, I unpacked one of the Pico 18650's to play with an mounted a new Kayfun v5 clone on it. Even with winding a coil I was up and operating in less than a 1/2hr or so. I got these clones from a different seller as Fasttech no longer carries them. The air flow this batch of clones is more restrictive than the earlier ones I had gotten from Fasttech. :(

    So inbound I still have the inexpensive GeekVape Aegis Max and Pico 21700's.


    g.
    TC is not good on Aegis Max I dont think...I have one here (in the queue for testing), but I dont think it has the Nuvoton controller, and only the Geekvape mods with Nuvoton are any good at TC based on my testing so far.
     

    Mordacai

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    GeorgeS

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    @GeorgeS, I've had my SL Class rattlesnaking as they call it while using TC.

    Which is fun the first time that you hear it, not.

    But glad that we've managed to get it to behave for you, but don't forget about those modes as well.

    And may this be of interest to you?
    ULTON KF 5² KF 5 Square SE 25mm Style 316SS RTA (Special Edition) - Silver

    Over the years I've had one of my SX mods rattle snake once. Can't explain why it started doing that and equally can't explain why it stopped. Surely alarming when it does that. :(

    As expected, with the coil resistance now set and the mod dialed in with TCR=404, Temp=400F and 35J (50J is the only higher option on the menu) the mod operates as expected, much like countless others that I have in service. A nice smooth vape from start to finish and no differences when I chain vape or leave it sitting for a spell. (unlike that icky 'power mode' others use)

    While I like the 5ml capacity and semi-restricted DL hit (on highest setting) that the v5-25's provide (along with top fill) after my last order of 22mm clones I'm a little put off on purchasing more KF clones. The last batch is just to restrictive for me even on the highest setting.

    The all black Pico 18650's I just got in almost scream to have a black +2ml top fill 22mm tank fitted to them (matchy-matchy) and I'm currently unsure about the Pico 21700's that are inbound, if I'll simply swap them in if and when mods in current service die or if I'm going to get them their own tanks. We'll see.

    Here's my current KF v5-25 alternative in service:
    50427977616_884cff21ea.jpg


    a bit big and heavy for a Pico and (as noted by others) the grub screws will likely need replacing (I'm not a fan of the drip tip but its growing on me) for me it hits well and clicks all the boxes that are important to me. It works+looks good on my Dani 25mm tube mod. (its one of my go-to setups while on the clock).

    While the tank can't be purchased any more (long out of production) here's my solution for the black Pico 18650:
    50445689772_fbc8273eeb.jpg

    3.2ml capacity, top/side fill, dual coil and fairly unrestricted DL air flow.

    (Note the label on the tank. This is from the days where I was experimenting with different wire types and could not remember what type of wire I had used on what tank so I put labels on them.) :)

    I'm going to juice this puppy up and blow some clouds! :)


    g.
     

    GeorgeS

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  • May 31, 2015
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    For those interested, here is my current work-a-round for the Pico 18650's I have:

    50445952252_d0aef64c64.jpg


    Goblin Mini clones. Seems to be dual coil, AFC lever, 3ml capacity and top fill. (it might be a PITA to service the coils) Did I mention that they are dirt cheap?

    PS: it looks like it might be a ROYAL PITA if that lever ends up in the wrong place when attached to a Pico!


    g.
     
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