Boxer Mod 200W with Evolv DNA200 Temperature Control

[Croak]

My friend pointed out that only using the 18650s to 3.6-3.7 volts a day will greatly increase the 18650's lifespan instead of draining them all the way to 3.3 volts. I didn't think about that but he's right.

Yeah, but as cheap as quality 18650 batteries are these days, I'd MUCH rather have the longer run-time than the increased life-span.

Seriously, it's pennies in savings, at most maybe a dollar a year per battery if you "baby" your 18650s and don't drain them as deeply. False economy, really.

And there's no doubt in my mind that ~19 watt hours from dual 2600mAh 18650s in serial is superior to ~10 watt hours for a 900mAh 3S LiPo, and well worth the drop to 133 watts max power for a lot of folks, as is the ease of swapping out discharged for fresh without being tethered to a USB cable. Of course, the cost of this is a potentially larger mod, but this first round of LiPo-powered DNA200 devices are almost all ludicrously over-sized already (Vaporshark and maybe hcigar models being the exceptions), so even that's sort of a non-issue.

 

[IanDVaypes]

Yeah, but as cheap as quality 18650 batteries are these days, I'd MUCH rather have the longer run-time than the increased life-span.

Seriously, it's pennies in savings, at most maybe a dollar a year per battery if you "baby" your 18650s and don't drain them as deeply. False economy, really.

And there's no doubt in my mind that ~19 watt hours from dual 2600mAh 18650s in serial is superior to ~10 watt hours for a 900mAh 3S LiPo, and well worth the drop to 133 watts max power for a lot of folks, as is the ease of swapping out discharged for fresh without being tethered to a USB cable. Of course, the cost of this is a potentially larger mod, but this first round of LiPo-powered DNA200 devices are almost all ludicrously over-sized already (Vaporshark and maybe Hcigar models being the exceptions), so even that's sort of a non-issue.

It's well worth it to not have to carry extra batteries or being tethered to a charger. Believe it or not but there are actually quality 18650s. With that being said, I have a really good reason to say that 18650s are superior with MY vaping needs. I vape at 25 watts and my preheat only jumps to 40-50 watts even though it's set to 133. Not everyone tries to blow huge clouds all day at a consistant 200 watts you know.

 

[Yozhik]

Yeah, but as cheap as quality 18650 batteries are these days, I'd MUCH rather have the longer run-time than the increased life-span.

Seriously, it's pennies in savings, at most maybe a dollar a year per battery if you "baby" your 18650s and don't drain them as deeply. False economy, really.

And there's no doubt in my mind that ~19 watt hours from dual 2600mAh 18650s in serial is superior to ~10 watt hours for a 900mAh 3S LiPo, and well worth the drop to 133 watts max power for a lot of folks, as is the ease of swapping out discharged for fresh without being tethered to a USB cable. Of course, the cost of this is a potentially larger mod, but this first round of LiPo-powered DNA200 devices are almost all ludicrously over-sized already (Vaporshark and maybe Hcigar models being the exceptions), so even that's sort of a non-issue.

My experience with the 1Ah 3S battery is that it's pretty comparable to a single 18650, but with the LiPo one is looking at about a 50% bigger mod or more compared to a single 18650 mod.

 

[Yozhik]

It's well worth it to not have to carry extra batteries or being tethered to a charger. Believe it or not but there are actually quality 18650s. With that being said, I have a really good reason to say that 18650s are superior with MY vaping needs. I vape at 25 watts and my preheat only jumps to 40-50 watts even though it's set to 133. Not everyone tries to blow huge clouds all day at a consistant 200 watts you know.

Some people prefer to maximize battery cycle life, others like to minimize battery changes, no right or wrong so far as it matters to me. Just don't get so obsessed that you keep your batteries in the fridge when not in use, because people will think you're strange.

 

[Landman]

I finally got my alumylon lipo Boxer in yesterday and it's not been going well. It won't connect to the USB about 90% of the time. I don't know if it's just a bad board or if there was an issue with their install. The USB doesn't feel loose and I can't seem to make it repeatable with a specific action. Hoped that maybe reloading the firmware would help but it didn't. Pulling the battery out doesn't seem to affect it and disconnecting the lipo for a hard reboot doesn't help either. I just have to connect the USB multiple times and eventually it will work. Tried multiple USB cables/ports and it still acts the same way, yet the Opus and another DIY mod works fine, each and every time I hook them up.

I'm also a little disappointed in the way the lipo version sits. Without the fully flat bottom like the 18650 version, it can rock front to back slightly.

Oh well, guess I'll be sending it back to GV.

 

[Yozhik]

I finally got my alumylon lipo Boxer in yesterday and it's not been going well. It won't connect to the USB about 90% of the time. I don't know if it's just a bad board or if there was an issue with their install. The USB doesn't feel loose and I can't seem to make it repeatable with a specific action. Hoped that maybe reloading the firmware would help but it didn't. Pulling the battery out doesn't seem to affect it and disconnecting the lipo for a hard reboot doesn't help either. I just have to connect the USB multiple times and eventually it will work. Tried multiple USB cables/ports and it still acts the same way, yet the Opus and another DIY mod works fine, each and every time I hook them up.

I'm also a little disappointed in the way the lipo version sits. Without the fully flat bottom like the 18650 version, it can rock front to back slightly.

Oh well, guess I'll be sending it back to GV.

The USB is on the chip, so if it's not connecting regularly my guess would be that the chip is bad.

 

[Landman]

I think I've figured out the pattern. If it completely shuts off by not using it, and it's turned on and hooked up to USB, it works. But if the board is warm or you've been using it, it won't work when connected to the USB. It does still charge however. But if it's left connected to the USB while using it, like if you were watching it in monitor mode, it continues to work. Once it's disconnected though, that's it until it shuts off/cools down.

 

[Jeremy Schreiber]

I think I've figured out the pattern. If it completely shuts off by not using it, and it's turned on and hooked up to USB, it works. But if the board is warm or you've been using it, it won't work when connected to the USB. It does still charge however. But if it's left connected to the USB while using it, like if you were watching it in monitor mode, it continues to work. Once it's disconnected though, that's it until it shuts off/cools down.

Sorry to hear about that issue, but glad to hear that you have been able to figure out some sort of pattern with it. Have you been enjoying the device otherwise? What are you impressions of the alumylon?

 

[Landman]

Sorry to hear about that issue, but glad to hear that you have been able to figure out some sort of pattern with it. Have you been enjoying the device otherwise? What are you impressions of the alumylon?

The alumylon is nice. It's similar to the feel of a fine to medium grit sandpaper, so it's "grippy' and solid in the hand. I think it will still be subject to the similar effects alumide has where in specific lighting, you'll see scratches or marring of the surface, just maybe not quite as noticeable. However, the alumide 3D print I have seems to leave grit in your hand just from handling it and the alumylon didn't do that, so that's a plus. Not sure if I'd say it's worth the $25 cost increase... I think $10, maybe $15 at most, would be more appropriate but it is definitely different feeling from your typical mod, so there is that. I don't like how it rocks front to back due to the design of the new case, but it's very minor and subjective. I've already boxed it back up and sent a message to GV - still waiting to hear back though.

 

[Yozhik]

The alumylon is nice. It's similar to the feel of a fine to medium grit sandpaper, so it's "grippy' and solid in the hand. I think it will still be subject to the similar effects alumide has where in specific lighting, you'll see scratches or marring of the surface, just maybe not quite as noticeable. However, the alumide 3D print I have seems to leave grit in your hand just from handling it and the alumylon didn't do that, so that's a plus. Not sure if I'd say it's worth the $25 cost increase... I think $10, maybe $15 at most, would be more appropriate but it is definitely different feeling from your typical mod, so there is that. I don't like how it rocks front to back due to the design of the new case, but it's very minor and subjective. I've already boxed it back up and sent a message to GV - still waiting to hear back though.

The rocking doesn't bother me - it's very minor as you say and the base is more than stable regardless.

 

[mariocuzco]

Anybody with the DIY kit yet?

 

[seanol]

I have a DNA 200 LiPo on order now. Would it be worth changing it to a dual 18650 instead? Battery life is important to me. i was under the impression the LiPo would have a better battery life? I usually vape at 460f, 40w.
Thanks,
Sean

 

[Jeremy Schreiber]

I have a DNA 200 LiPo on order now. Would it be worth changing it to a dual 18650 instead? Battery life is important to me. i was under the impression the LiPo would have a better battery life? I usually vape at 460f, 40w.
Thanks,
Sean

I have an Opus with a 1000 mah LiPo like the Boxer DNA has. I vape at slightly higher wattages and between 440-480 depending on my liquid and have been going all day lately on a charge. Not sure if I have been vaping less or the battery is going longer (definitely has a break in period because there is a dramatic difference in battery life since I got it, but not sure if it is still improving). I have a dual 18650 Boxer DNA coming anyway although I've been much happier with the LiPo battery life. They say they are shipping it "approximately September 10th" or tomorrow so I can let you know what I think of the battery life difference if you want to wait On the other hand, I don't blame you if you don't want to wait, I probably wouldn't want to either. I decided to go with the dual 18650 in the end because it was smaller and I wanted something different in design than the Opus. LiPos aren't that bad! I do like the ability to easily swap and already had 18650s though.

 

[seanol]

That's funny I felt the same way about the shape of the 18650 version! That and the $250 for it. I like the fact that it is the Boxer design only longer. You give me hope regarding the battery life.
Thanks!
Sean

 

[IanDVaypes]

I have a DNA 200 LiPo on order now. Would it be worth changing it to a dual 18650 instead? Battery life is important to me. i was under the impression the LiPo would have a better battery life? I usually vape at 460f, 40w.
Thanks,
Sean

You would get much more useable battery life away from the charger off of 18650s. Plus it's smaller. Win win

 

[jjbuzz]

do the lipo boxer dna200s come with the lipo/is one included?

what lipos should i buy?

 

[Jeremy Schreiber]

Yes, the LiPo is included. Someone can correct me if I am wrong (which I probably am), but I would imagine that you would be able to use any LiPo that is the same size as the one that is included given the connector it has. That said, I am sure Ginger Vaper put some thought into what LiPo they chose and at 1000mah, I at least would be fine with that.

 

[dannyben]

This was just emailed to me from GV demoing the dual 18650 unit along with a wiring picture....

 

[mario23]

Thanks for this post. I really like the 18650 version but wonder about that battery sled setup...

 

[Yozhik]

Thanks for this post. I really like the 18650 version but wonder about that battery sled setup...

The battery sled works fine on the sx350j version. Keep in mind that the internal nylon divider is not shown in the above photos.