Boxer Mod 200W with Evolv DNA200 Temperature Control

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Bow2King

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Go to page 13 of this thread. There's a link that was posted there that gives instructions on setting up Windows via virtualbox and I gave a couple pointers as well.

yea i know i tried using it and i got stuck installed virtual box and tried to run it but id didn't install windows for some reason?
 

Yozhik

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The main issue I had was that my Windows install didn't have the right Ethernet drivers to work with virtualbox, so I had to download the right drivers from Intel so it would work. That required figuring out some way to get the files into the virtual Windows environment, which I finally figured out could be done using a flash drive.
 

Landman

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Realizing part of the reason I bought the DNA133 was to swap batteries, but what are everyone's thoughts on just charging the 18650s through the USB port overnight? I would charge my Opus's LiPo overnight and that was fine because the dna balance charger tapers the charge to like .01A when it is fully charged. I just don't know anything about 18650s and in-device/USB charging. Also should I leave the battery cut off voltage in Escribe to 3.09 volts or up it to 3.19? I feel like my IPV4 would say low battery at like 3.4 volts?

Having used the Boxer for a few hours now, it is everything I hoped it would be. Real happy with it so far.
On the Bootlegger mod I built for the wife, I've had her charging the 18650's via USB overnight because it lasts her the whole day under normal vaping. But if she forgets to hook it up or happens to vape more than normal, the batteries are easily swapped out. And I did up the cutoff to 3.2v as well. I kept an eye on it the first night and it charges the 18650's same as the lipo... tapers and stops at max capacity, 4.20v for each cell. She's also vaped while the USB is plugged in without any issues.

I'm not worried about the USB port... it's not like Evolv said they'd only warranty the USB port for 3 months like another company did. If a person uses common sense and doesn't stress the port, I feel confident it'll be fine. I've charged and vaped while charging the Opus, Boxer, and Bootlegger and they all feel solid at the port. Now, if it was someone like, oh lets say my daughter, who has ruined the USB port in every phone she's had because she trips over it while plugged in, yanks the cord out by pulling from about a foot away from the port, and even dangles the phone by the USB cord while plugged in, then yes, that person should definitely stick with charging the batteries via charger! That's not the fault of the device though. ;)
 

Vlad1

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On the Bootlegger mod I built for the wife, I've had her charging the 18650's via USB overnight because it lasts her the whole day under normal vaping. But if she forgets to hook it up or happens to vape more than normal, the batteries are easily swapped out. And I did up the cutoff to 3.2v as well. I kept an eye on it the first night and it charges the 18650's same as the lipo... tapers and stops at max capacity, 4.20v for each cell. She's also vaped while the USB is plugged in without any issues.

I'm not worried about the USB port... it's not like Evolv said they'd only warranty the USB port for 3 months like another company did. If a person uses common sense and doesn't stress the port, I feel confident it'll be fine. I've charged and vaped while charging the Opus, Boxer, and Bootlegger and they all feel solid at the port. Now, if it was someone like, oh lets say my daughter, who has ruined the USB port in every phone she's had because she trips over it while plugged in, yanks the cord out by pulling from about a foot away from the port, and even dangles the phone by the USB cord while plugged in, then yes, that person should definitely stick with charging the batteries via charger! That's not the fault of the device though. ;)

I would take care charging with the DNA 200 unattended, I've had a couple occasions the device would pull 1 amp through the PC USB and not trickle down when the pack was full. I've not been able to reproduce what it is that causes this but here's a screen capture. A couple things I'll mention as stated by the Evolv forum admins 1.) The charge rate will trickle down when full to prevent overcharge. 2.) If the device detects data lines it will limit the charge to 500mA. Clearly there are data lines connected since this capture is from Escribe and it's pulling almost 1A and the pack is almost fully charged with each cell being at 4.2V and overall Pack at 12.59V so why it's pulling 1A through the USB with data lines and didn't trickle down I have no idea. When I noticed the charge rate I immediately disconnected and reconnected and in both situations the charge stayed under 500mA as it should have been to begin with. If there's a logical explanation for this behavior I don't know what it is and appears to disagree with what's been stated.

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Landman

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I would take care charging with the DNA 200 unattended, I've had a couple occasions the device would pull 1 amp through the PC USB and not trickle down when the pack was full. I've not been able to reproduce what it is that causes this but here's a screen capture. A couple things I'll mention as stated by the Evolv forum admins 1.) The charge rate will trickle down when full to prevent overcharge. 2.) If the device detects data lines it will limit the charge to 500mA. Clearly there are data lines connected since this capture is from Escribe and it's pulling almost 1A and the pack is almost fully charged with each cell being at 4.2V and overall Pack at 12.59V so why it's pulling 1A through the USB with data lines and didn't trickle down I have no idea. When I noticed the charge rate I immediately disconnected and reconnected and in both situations the charge stayed under 500mA as it should have been to begin with. If there's a logical explanation for this behavior I don't know what it is and appears to disagree with what's been stated.

View attachment 492908
Interesting... did you mention it on the Evolv forums? I wonder if they've seen this happen as well. Both times was it when you were in Device Monitor? Curious if it had something to do with that and if a plain USB charger would prevent the bug.
 

Vlad1

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Interesting... did you mention it on the Evolv forums? I wonder if they've seen this happen as well. Both times was it when you were in Device Monitor? Curious if it had something to do with that and if a plain USB charger would prevent the bug.

Yea, It's been posted on their forums. And yea both times I've seen it was through Device Monitor charging through my pc. Except for those times it's always charged at 500mA or under when connected via PC USB and has trickled down as I would expect when the packs getting full, just not always. I've messed around trying to reproduce it but haven't been able to at this point.
 

Yozhik

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On the Bootlegger mod I built for the wife, I've had her charging the 18650's via USB overnight because it lasts her the whole day under normal vaping. But if she forgets to hook it up or happens to vape more than normal, the batteries are easily swapped out. And I did up the cutoff to 3.2v as well. I kept an eye on it the first night and it charges the 18650's same as the lipo... tapers and stops at max capacity, 4.20v for each cell. She's also vaped while the USB is plugged in without any issues.

I'm not worried about the USB port... it's not like Evolv said they'd only warranty the USB port for 3 months like another company did. If a person uses common sense and doesn't stress the port, I feel confident it'll be fine. I've charged and vaped while charging the Opus, Boxer, and Bootlegger and they all feel solid at the port. Now, if it was someone like, oh lets say my daughter, who has ruined the USB port in every phone she's had because she trips over it while plugged in, yanks the cord out by pulling from about a foot away from the port, and even dangles the phone by the USB cord while plugged in, then yes, that person should definitely stick with charging the batteries via charger! That's not the fault of the device though. ;)

It's not an Evolv vs. Yihi thing, but rather that USB Type B is not great at handling perpendicular forces. Go ask any local vendor what one of the most common reasons people break their mods and USB problems will likely be at the top. Type C will be a major improvement in that regard, as the requirement doubles the amount of wrenching strength that may be applied before the port fails.
 

Landman

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It's not an Evolv vs. Yihi thing, but rather that USB Type B is not great at handling perpendicular forces. Go ask any local vendor what one of the most common reasons people break their mods and USB problems will likely be at the top. Type C will be a major improvement in that regard, as the requirement doubles the amount of wrenching strength that may be applied before the port fails.
Yeah, I wish everyone/everything would just get to Type C already, that's for sure. The rest has been debated enough... ask those people with broke mods how many of them were directly their fault, whether by accident or negligence. I'll take care when using it and take the odds of it being fine... and if it does happen to break, Evolv will still warranty the board.
 

Jeremy Schreiber

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@Jeremy Schreiber thanks for your first impressions! great stuff :thumb:

No problem. I've used it for an entire day now and still struggling to find anything wrong with it. I suppose you could say the price, but I think it was worth every penny. I realize I'll sound like an advertisement, but the Boxer is unique, shockingly small/tiny as a dual 18650 mod is going to get (and small even compared to most single 18650s I've seen), and has been performing every bit as I expected having already been used to a DNA200 mod (Opus 200). I'll have more to say in a week but I have to give an emphatic two thumbs up right now. Having a "3D printed" mod takes some getting used to and I'm still trying to get a feel for how durable the alumylon is but after a day going in and out of the case I put it in and the bag it goes in, it looks brand new (I take good care of my stuff but still can't protect it 100% and, like I said, good as new).

As far as battery life, after a full day of use on my VTC5s I'm at 50% battery life. I'm running a 75 watt preheat dropping to 55 watt setting at 460-480 degrees (generally the latter). I should note that after about two seconds the wattage stays around 35-45 to keep my temperature. That said, my Opus with the 1000 mah LiPo would be on the charger right now (not a knock on the Opus - it has really good run time and more than people give these 1000 mah LiPos credit for) but wow I forgot how nice the extra run time is on the dual 18650s.

Last note - at about 80% battery life last night on my Samsung 25R batteries, I charged the Boxer through the USB port. No problems. I must say that is a nice feature to have since I was used to an IPV4 where the batteries always had to come out. Sure, it's nice to swap batteries but being able to charge through USB and know the charger is balanced properly is a really nice feature for the rare occasions it is needed. Just in reference to the prior discussion about USB ports, I hope they are durable. I've had my Opus for maybe three months now (or at least two and a half?) and, being it can only be charged USB, I haven't had any problems and the USB port still seems solid. Like I said, I'm careful with my stuff and make sure that the USB is always plugged straight in and taken straight out, but the Opus has more use on that USB port than my Boxer will likely ever get.
 

seanol

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I took mine to work today all day as well. Started at 98% at 6:00am and ended up at 45% on the charger at 8:00pm. Really liking the battery life. I vaped an etire Goblin Mini and half of a Goliath! 480 degrees, 35 watts with a 75 watt preheat. Never missed a beat!
One thing I can say is I wish it had a bit more weight to it. When the Goliath is on top it is very top heavy. Mini is no issue at all.
Thinking of finding a way to put a little lead in the bottom but not a bunch of room.
 

Bow2King

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I took mine to work today all day as well. Started at 98% at 6:00am and ended up at 45% on the charger at 8:00pm. Really liking the battery life. I vaped an etire Goblin Mini and half of a Goliath! 480 degrees, 35 watts with a 75 watt preheat. Never missed a beat!
One thing I can say is I wish it had a bit more weight to it. When the Goliath is on top it is very top heavy. Mini is no issue at all.
Thinking of finding a way to put a little lead in the bottom but not a bunch of room.

@seanol what batteries are you using??
 
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