Basic Mod Power Circuit Questions

[Bo56]

I am working on a mod right now and am having some trouble with the power circuit. I've read all the how-to's on madvapes.com and still have some questions.

Basic Part specs:
Single Type 18650 3.7V Li-Ion protected battery
Simple horn switch rated for 12V/5 Amp
510 connector

1) Is there an issue with just making a vape mod with a simple switch circuit? (battery+ to switch terminal 1, switch terminal 2 to vape connector, vape connector to battery-) eg. is it dangerous to use.

2) What is the purpose of a regulator on a circuit with only one battery, or is it unnecessary?

3) Is there a need for a resistor since there is no LED?

4) Is a master switch necessary?

Any help you can provide would be appreciated. I just want to make it safe for me to use.

 

[Seebs]

1) Should not be an issue. As long as you don't short something out; you should be ok.

2) From what I know; regulators are either step-down (think your LM2596 unit) or step-up (think something like the kick). If all you want is to vape at 3.7V; there should be no need for them.

3) No need for a resistor if you're not using a LED.

4) Purely necessary? NO. Immensely advisable? YES. You don't want the fire button to get stuck and have whatever you have screwed on to the mod blow a coil, or worse yet... Have a battery vent/explode on you.

 

[Bo56]

4) Purely necessary? NO. Immensely advisable? YES. You don't want the fire button to get stuck and have whatever you have screwed on to the mod blow a coil, or worse yet... Have a battery vent/explode on you.

I appreciate the response, especially this one. I will treat your advice like gold. My hand is worth more than a $2 switch. Do you have any good recommendations? I have seen that the madvapes ones are not the strongest for in circuit wiring.

 

[MattBott]

When making a simple mod like this, i have two things to note:

First, Make sure the switch can handle the amps you are going to push through it.

Second, when a battery is fresh off of the charger, it will be around 4.2 volts, get down to 3.7ish, then slowly go down until you won't be able to fire your atty. You can get a 3.7V regulator (think mad vapes) so the output will be 3.7 when the battery is between 4.2 to 3.4 (or 3.2?).

These simple mods are similar to a mechanical mod, except there is probably a little more voltage loss from wires and a lot lower of an amp limit. You are limited in amps by the wire gauge and button.

 

[Seebs]

I can't tell you anything about the madvapes switches as I've never used one.

I usually buy all of my components from sites like newark or digikey... Sometimes, when in a pinch - just one or two parts - I go to sparkfun.

Just look for switches rated for 12V - 5A. I'd suggest sliding or rocker type switches in SPST (single post single terminal) configuration. Those are the easiest to wire up as you just stick it betwen the battery and the fire button and you're done.

Example: This switch is what I plan on using as a "Master" when I build my mod box.

 

[Mike36609]

Seebs... nice switch and a good price, but, as is the case with all of the rocker switches I have been able to find, the thing is pretty large. I've seen smaller rockers in electronic devices, but damned if I can find just the switch to buy. If anybody out there has a source for smaller rockers, please post a link to the source... Thanks!

 

[Seebs]

Seebs... nice switch and a good price, but, as is the case with all of the rocker switches I have been able to find, the thing is pretty large. I've seen smaller rockers in electronic devices, but damned if I can find just the switch to buy. If anybody out there has a source for smaller rockers, please post a link to the source... Thanks!

I'm on the same boat. Been looking for rocker switches in about 1/2 the diameter of these, but haven't been able to find any. I will update here if/when I find some.