Can You Explain Temp Control Vaping to an Old Fart ?

[Bronze]

Here was my write up on temp control in another thread back in August...

So since I have been using TC exclusively for the last several weeks I guess I am now a temperature control vaper. I do like it marginally more than power mode because it has a top end that prevents overheating the vape. Kind of like a restrictor plate in NASCAR or a governor on a mini bike. Keeps you from killing yourself (so to speak) without having to think about how to keep yourself from killing yourself. Does that make sense? It is comparable to letting off the fire button and reapplying it a few times while taking a puff in power mode. So instead of manually controlling the heat in power mode, temp control does it automatically. In other words, TC takes regulating one step further (and probably spares your fire button some wear and tear.). It's the difference between driving a stick shift versus an automatic transmission. Both get you to the same place but an auto trans is just less work and less thinking.

For those who do not use Temp Control you are not really missing out on a better quality vape IMO. But you are missing out on the benefits I described...how small or how great they are. The cost of switching to temperature control is the wire and a learning curve (and since wire is cheap it boils down to the learning curve). Once past the learning curve there is no cost because building a TC coil is no more work than building a kanthal coil. For those who are NOT old and set in your ways you should give it a try. For those who are old and set in your ways then proceed as is because it's not like you're missing out on a game changer.

And for the record I am not disparaging those who are old and set in their ways because I am known to be a part of that segment.

 

[stols001]

I was pretty fired up for TC since I read The Thread. With that said, I am kind of neutral on TC. I use it with some of my vapes, but not all of them. There are other benefits to that thread, I have to use max VG and best practice (TC wise) is to add 10% distilled water. I was pretty shocked at the difference in my vape, and I definitely prefer it. Even chain vaping, my tanks are getting nowhere near as hot as they used to. I also (when non-TC) try my best to rotate mods so I am not chain vaping, and use lowest wattages possible.

Once I did finally get to TC, I did notice the vape was very smooth and consistent, and I liked that. There is no need (IMO) to get a DNA chip mod right out of the gate. Certain mods (the Aspire speeder, the Tesla Steampunk Nano 120-- the one I mostly use) do pretty well with TC without needing a special DNA chip. I'd agree the DNA chip mods are more precise, but I find that there are other, less expensive mods that will give a pretty good TC experience, regardless. I don't know that I'd use nickle or titanium in non-DNA chip mods, but I use stainless steel, and that doesn't give off anything harmful if accidentally overheated, and I can also switch modes to wattage if I want.

TC isn't that difficult if you build coils. I'd recommend starting with a less expensive mod that still has a good rep for TC and that you can experiment on and see how you like it. I do enjoy TC, but there are plenty of tanks that I really love (e.g. the Kabuki) that just do better with wattage mode and non-TC coils, but I try to strive for a cooler vape overall and that is what I enjoy in any case. TC can help get you there, and in my opinion it's worth trying, but it's certainly not for everyone....

Best of luck,

Anna

 

[tj99959]

Vapin at it's finest

 

[PapawBrett]

Nice work Bronze. Is this the JAC Series B ?

 

[Bronze]

Nice work Bronze. Is this the JAC Series B ?

Yes. It can be got for around $65 shipped. It's a DNA 75 chipset by Evolv. Recognized as one of the top temp control chipset manufacturers. Evolv have since released the DNA75c which has a more user friendly interface (and more $$ too).

 

[HauntedMyst]

Please keep in mind I have been a strait mech user (Reos) for years.
My Variable Volt experience is limited to the 15W Buzz Pro chip from 'back in the day', and an occasional use of Pro Vape gear.
Or in other words, this would be a big leap for me...

My question is, if you been a straight mech user and have been happy with it, what are you hoping TC will bring you? As a burgeoning old fat myself, every time I try some new vape tech it doesn't vape any better, just hotter.

 

[stols001]

I don't think TC is for everyone. Really, there are some things l like about it, the first being safety of my vape, and it does appear that monitoring temperature can be beneficial (there are certainly other ways to do that and I USE those methods in my non-TC tanks) but that is what made me interested in it. It did get me building my own coils, which is... cool when it's not frustrating as all get out, but you already do that.

With that said, I think a TC vape just feels a bit smoother, and I enjoy the consistency of the vape. It is noticeable (to me) but I will say that most of my RTAs are set up for TC, so it's certainly possible that what I'm experiencing is just an RTA instead of drop in coils, which is a different vape anyway.

If you are hesitant about it and unsure of the benefits it would bring you, I'd suggest starting with a less pricy TC mod-- the Aspire speeder gets good TC reviews but it's not a DNA chip. I use the Tesla Steampunk Nano board, that ALSO gets good reviews for TC, and I think the Wye has the same board (I could be wrong on this). I wouldn't jump in with an insanely expensive DNA mod if you are unsure of the benefit it will bring you. I've never vaped a mech mod so I can't offer a comparison, but I do plan to vape one at Some Point.

I don't think, however, that TC has to vape HOT, in fact it seems to do the reverse. You are in control of the temp of your vape and the wattage preheat, and I run mine at rather puny temperatures. It was a cooler vape-- for me-- until I began implementing OTHER best practices in my non-TC setups, in which case the vape became more similar.

You won't get dry hits, but as an experienced mech user, I imagine you already don't.

Anna

 

[Coastal Cowboy]

For those who do not use Temp Control you are not really missing out on a better quality vape IMO. But you are missing out on the benefits I described...how small or how great they are. The cost of switching to temperature control is the wire and a learning curve (and since wire is cheap it boils down to the learning curve). Once past the learning curve there is no cost because building a TC coil is no more work than building a kanthal coil. For those who are NOT old and set in your ways you should give it a try. For those who are old and set in your ways then proceed as is because it's not like you're missing out on a game changer.

And for the record I am not disparaging those who are old and set in their ways because I am known to be a part of that segment.

I may be getting old, but being "set in my ways?" Nahh... things are getting better.

I agree that TC isn't a game changer. It's an incremental improvement, with the benefit attributable to improvements in harm risk reduction and consistency. It is costlier, so there's a decision to be made on incremental benefits vs incremental costs.

Minor nit: It's generally accepted that Kanthal is no good for TC because its resistance doesn't change with temperature. That's not true. It's more accurate to say that measuring Kanthal's resistance change with temperature is beyond the capability of today's devices. All metals are conductors and all conductors' resistance changes with temperature. Some more so than others.

 

[PapawBrett]

My question is, if you been a straight mech user and have been happy with it, what are you hoping TC will bring you? As a burgeoning old fat myself, every time I try some new vape tech it doesn't vape any better, just hotter.

Just curious at this point. Just like I was curious about the ProVari (bought a P3) and the Kayfun (some sort of V2 clone). I was also curious about 200W Box mods (didn't go there), Dual coils sub-ohming (tried, thanks but no thanks), the Pro Vape box mod (nope), the eLeaf squonker (no, but helped my son set up his), etc.....
I can remember vaping video reviews claiming the VV eGo as "a Game Changer !" (Anyone remember the "Drunken Vaporess" ? The one who intentionally wore low cut blouses ?) I really liked the VV eGo and the T3, but I kept breaking them. Then Classwife referred me to Reos Mods.
Still a faithful Reonaut. Never hurts to ask around, just be careful which answers you listen to.

 

[PapawBrett]

Why is the ECF kicking out my Reos mods banner ?

 

[stols001]

Someone's modifying something it appears, all the text fonts are different...

Anna

 

[Beamslider]

I may be getting old, but being "set in my ways?" Nahh... things are getting better.

I agree that TC isn't a game changer. It's an incremental improvement, with the benefit attributable to improvements in harm risk reduction and consistency. It is costlier, so there's a decision to be made on incremental benefits vs incremental costs.

Minor nit: It's generally accepted that Kanthal is no good for TC because its resistance doesn't change with temperature. That's not true. It's more accurate to say that measuring Kanthal's resistance change with temperature is beyond the capability of today's devices. All metals are conductors and all conductors' resistance changes with temperature. Some more so than others.

Haven't tried any of them but there are some devices out there that claim to do TC on kanthal. Such as this one

Limited Edition Hohm Tech Hohm Slice 101W TC 26650 Box Mod

 

[Beamslider]

Someone's modifying something it appears, all the text fonts are different...

Anna

The fonts at least for me just got a lot bigger

 

[Beamslider]

My question is, if you been a straight mech user and have been happy with it, what are you hoping TC will bring you? As a burgeoning old fat myself, every time I try some new vape tech it doesn't vape any better, just hotter.

I get a completely consistent vape once I have it set up for the coil the way I like the vape to be. I also don't have the issue of getting a dry hit even if the tank runs all the way out of juice. It just stops putting out vapor without burning the wick when it gets empty.

 

[HauntedMyst]

Just curious at this point. Just like I was curious about the ProVari (bought a P3) and the Kayfun (some sort of V2 clone). I was also curious about 200W Box mods (didn't go there), Dual coils sub-ohming (tried, thanks but no thanks), the Pro Vape box mod (nope), the eLeaf squonker (no, but helped my son set up his), etc.....
I can remember vaping video reviews claiming the VV eGo as "a Game Changer !" (Anyone remember the "Drunken Vaporess" ? The one who intentionally wore low cut blouses ?) I really liked the VV eGo and the T3, but I kept breaking them. Then Classwife referred me to Reos Mods.
Still a faithful Reonaut. Never hurts to ask around, just be careful which answers you listen to.

Understandable. Been there myself. Just never found anything I like as much as a mech mod with a centered single coil rta/rda. I happen to like the flavor changing power curve of a mech rather than the flat line of a reg device. But something will always make us wonder if we should "upgrade." I can just picture this forum in 60 years where a new user is asking if it's normal to go through 14 gallons of juice a day and why his new nano jet powered 90 megawatt mod/atty caused 3rd degree burns the back of his throat. Some experienced old user will ask if they had the required nano ceramic heat tiles installed on the back of this throat and will provide a link to the newest Joyetech replaceable nano ceramic heat tiles that come in a 5 pack. I'll giggle. Well, I won't giggle. My brain will because my body will be dead and my brain will be alive in a jar with a fiber optic connection to the net.

 

[ScottP]

Minor nit: It's generally accepted that Kanthal is no good for TC because its resistance doesn't change with temperature. That's not true. It's more accurate to say that measuring Kanthal's resistance change with temperature is beyond the capability of today's devices. All metals are conductors and all conductors' resistance changes with temperature. Some more so than others.

That is true. It would be more accurate to say that the Kanthal resistance changes with temp changes is non-linear so a TCR value will not work since the TCR value itself will need to change as temp changes. It would take a pretty intricate TCR curve and even then slight variations in the makeup of the wire could throw accuracy way off. It is just so much easier to say "it doesn't work" though.

Personally I find that SS316L tastes better than Kanthal anyway, with Kanthal tasting better than the rest. SS316L just seems cleaner when using fresh wire compared to fresh Kanthal. I would never use Ti wire due to the way it oxidizes plus you can't dry burn to clean it either for the same reason.

 

[ScottP]

Haven't tried any of them but there are some devices out there that claim to do TC on kanthal. Such as this one

Limited Edition Hohm Tech Hohm Slice 101W TC 26650 Box Mod

BUT does it do it well? That is the real question. If it uses a single TCR value for it,the answer is going to be a resounding NO.

 

[ScottP]

Understandable. Been there myself. Just never found anything I like as much as a mech mod with a centered single coil rta/rda. I happen to like the flavor changing power curve of a mech rather than the flat line of a reg device. But something will always make us wonder if we should "upgrade." I can just picture this forum in 60 years where a new user is asking if it's normal to go through 14 gallons of juice a day and why his new nano jet powered 90 megawatt mod/atty caused 3rd degree burns the back of his throat. Some experienced old user will ask if they had the required nano ceramic heat tiles installed on the back of this throat and will provide a link to the newest Joyetech replaceable nano ceramic heat tiles that come in a 5 pack. I'll giggle. Well, I won't giggle. My brain will because my body will be dead and my brain will be alive in a jar with a fiber optic connection to the net.

My concern is that drip tip bores keep getting bigger. It's getting harder to find tanks that use a 510 tip with so many moving to 810. In 60 years you are going to have to have your jaws surgically altered to become disjointed like a snake to open your mouth wide enough to fit the drip tip in. It may not even take 60 years to get there.

 

[Coastal Cowboy]

Haven't tried any of them but there are some devices out there that claim to do TC on kanthal. Such as this one

Limited Edition Hohm Tech Hohm Slice 101W TC 26650 Box Mod

I think somebody at Hohm Tech got carelessly aggressive (or aggressively careless) with how they wordsmithed the features list:
Product Features:

• 10 to 101W Output Range
  • 0.000001 to 3 ohm Atomizer Resistance Range
  • 0.1W (10 to 49.9W) Increment Adjustment
  • 1.0W (50 to 101W) Increment Adjustment
• 200 to 700 Degrees Fahrenheit
  • Kanthal Support
  • Ni200 Nickel Support
  • Nichrome Support
  • Ceramic Support
  • Tungsten Support
  • Titanium Support
  • Stainless Steel Support

Even rounding to the nearest ten-thousandth, that's a short circuit. I think they threw in Kanthal with the wire materials supported, not really caring if we interpreted that to mean they can do TC with that material.

 

[VictorViper]

I think somebody at Hohm Tech got carelessly aggressive (or aggressively careless) with how they wordsmithed the features list:
Product Features:

• 10 to 101W Output Range
  • 0.000001 to 3 ohm Atomizer Resistance Range
  • 0.1W (10 to 49.9W) Increment Adjustment
  • 1.0W (50 to 101W) Increment Adjustment
• 200 to 700 Degrees Fahrenheit
  • Kanthal Support
  • Ni200 Nickel Support
  • Nichrome Support
  • Ceramic Support
  • Tungsten Support
  • Titanium Support
  • Stainless Steel Support

Even rounding to the nearest ten-thousandth, that's a short circuit. I think they threw in Kanthal with the wire materials supported, not really caring if we interpreted that to mean they can do TC with that material.

Their battery marketing is... something else too.

Snake oil is powerful stuff