Cheap VV tube mod

[MickeyRat]

I see two problems with the lavatube. First the 2.5A limitation is too low for today's dual coils. I understand that there is a 3.0A coming soon and a 3.5A is in the works. The second is the plastic case is eventually going to crack especially the way I drop things. They coming out with SS versions to address that. Both of those changes will make it cost more. Right now, I think they are a good value for what they are but, it's not what I want.

 

[knivesout]

For the LT and ProVari, to get 5v under load, you'd have to set it at around 5.5v and you can't use LR 1.5ohm attys.

I'm not sure about the LT, but the Provari provides the exact voltage under load that it's set at. I believe the LT will provide *close* to the selected voltage under load, as long as it's within the 2.5A limit. On the LT, you should be able to use a 1.5 ohm atty/carto at up to 3.7v. With the Provari, you could use a 1.5 ohm atty/carto at up to 5.2v, but I would imagine that's getting into carto burning territory. LT=2.5A limit, Provari=3.5A limit.

 

[AZCraig]

You can also check out the Evo or 3go. Goes for about 50 bucks. It's not a true VV, you can set it from 4v, 4.5v to 5v. That's under load. Plus, you can use an LR atty/carto without any issues at 5v. I just got one, after trying a Lava Tube and the Evo, and I preferred the Evo. For the LT and ProVari, to get 5v under load, you'd have to set it at around 5.5v and you can't use LR 1.5ohm attys. I chose the Evo partly because of this feature (so I can simulate true HV vaping if I wanted), but moreso because I find myself a 4-4.5v vaper. I got mine for about $40 and I'm glad I didn't have to spend more just so I can use it from 4-4.5v.

Of course, it all depends on personal preference.

I'm pretty sure that you are incorrect about the ProVari. IIRC, PBusardo (spelling?) did a video review where he measured the output voltage of the ProVari under load and showed that it does in fact deliver the actual voltage you've set on the display.

The LavaTube, on the other hand, will not always match the output voltage under load to the display voltage.

 

[nuggetz]

I just picked up one of those lavatube clones at VapeBash and I'm pretty happy with it. However, like people said you dont know when you've exceeded the amount of voltage its going to put out based on what ohm carto/atty you have attached to it.

I'd like to know if there's a chart that shows what volts are achievable with different cartos/ohms.

 

[six]

I'd like to know if there's a chart that shows what volts are achievable with different cartos/ohms.

If it has a 2 amp limit, use an ohms law calculator to sort out which ohms will top out at what volts to achieve 2.5 amps.

 

[MickeyRat]

I'm not sure about the LT, but the Provari provides the exact voltage under load that it's set at. I believe the LT will provide *close* to the selected voltage under load, as long as it's within the 2.5A limit. On the LT, you should be able to use a 1.5 ohm atty/carto at up to 3.7v. With the Provari, you could use a 1.5 ohm atty/carto at up to 5.2v, but I would imagine that's getting into carto burning territory. LT=2.5A limit, Provari=3.5A limit.

Well yes and no. The Provari provides the voltage it's set at till it exceeds it's current limit and shutsdown completely. The Lavatube will run at the voltage you set it at but, when it reaches it's current limit, that's it for the votage regardless of what the display reads. The Provari should be able to go to 5.25V on a 1.5 ohm cartomizer but, as this video shows, it doesn't quite get there. The buzz pro does.

 

[dysfoundation]

Do your research there was one called the "mantis" I believe and it looks of a good quality housing. Besides that I can't tell you how well it stands the test of time

Posted using
Rooted galaxy s2 -blazer rom 1.45Ghz-

 

[AZCraig]

Well yes and no. The Provari provides the voltage it's set at till it exceeds it's current limit and shutsdown completely. The Lavatube will run at the voltage you set it at but, when it reaches it's current limit, that's it for the votage regardless of what the display reads. The Provari should be able to go to 5.25V on a 1.5 ohm cartomizer but, as this video shows, it doesn't quite get there. The buzz pro does.

Just a thought: I've always used low resistance atomizers and cartomizers on devices that CAN'T provide a good enough vape with regular resistance parts because the voltage (or wattage) isn't adjustable.

On my Provari's, LavaTube and Kick'd mods, I prefer to use 3.0 ohm atomizers and cartomizers. 5.5 volts with 3 volts gives me a good solid 10.08 watt vape and that is perfect for me.

For $50, the LavaTube with a 3.0 atty or carto, will make most folks very happy.

 

[six]

For $50, the LavaTube with a 3.0 atty or carto, will make most folks very happy.

Though I do tend to agree with that assessment, I think the point is that the LT is a little restrictive. One of the big reasons to buy a VV device is to be able to run anything you want on it. The ~1.5 ohm dual coil is a very popular cartomizer, and with good reason. It performs very well when getting in to the 8 watts per coil range... and that just can't be done with the LT. Not that it's anything to be ashamed of. There are lots of other VV devices that can't do it either (including the V1 provari). But it certainly is something to consider when trying to make a purchase decision for a device you might hope to use for a long time in to the future.

 

[Butters78]

Save up and get a provari or buzz pro.. I sold my LT like two weeks after getting it.

 

[knivesout]

Well yes and no. The Provari provides the voltage it's set at till it exceeds it's current limit and shutsdown completely. The Lavatube will run at the voltage you set it at but, when it reaches it's current limit, that's it for the votage regardless of what the display reads. The Provari should be able to go to 5.25V on a 1.5 ohm cartomizer but, as this video shows, it doesn't quite get there. The buzz pro does.

Hm, yeah I had heard something about that video, looked at it and noticed he's using dual coil cartos. I wonder if other people have experienced errors pushing SC cartos or atomizers closer to 3.5A? I haven't seen anything personally but it I don't know. I definitely did plenty of research on the provari to justify the price to myself and never saw it brought up, but I'm not really interested in dual coils either..

My saying the lavatube provided close to the selected voltage was just based on what I had seen in reviews, where within the 2.5A limit, it didn't always deliver the exact voltage at which it was set. It was usually +/-.1v so not far off, but not really reliably delivering the set voltage either. The buzz pro looks like a great mod too, I just liked a couple of the features the provari had, although they're not necessities. I would be disappointed to know that the provari's 3.5A limit actually falls short, but I hadn't seen it brought up really, and don't feel like burning an old carto to test

 

[sailorman]

I see two problems with the lavatube. First the 2.5A limitation is too low for today's dual coils. I understand that there is a 3.0A coming soon and a 3.5A is in the works. The second is the plastic case is eventually going to crack especially the way I drop things. They coming out with SS versions to address that. Both of those changes will make it cost more. Right now, I think they are a good value for what they are but, it's not what I want.

Who told yo the case is plastic? It's aluminum. There is a plastic plate attached to the metal bottom cap that is designed to blow off if a battery vents. Everything else is aluminum. The paint is actually very tough. I've dropped mine a couple times on concrete without scratching it.

The 1.5ohm dual carto thing is a non-issue for me. It'll do 5 volts with a 2ohm carto. 12.5 watts is all I need.

 

[sailorman]

Just a thought: I've always used low resistance atomizers and cartomizers on devices that CAN'T provide a good enough vape with regular resistance parts because the voltage (or wattage) isn't adjustable.

On my Provari's, LavaTube and Kick'd mods, I prefer to use 3.0 ohm atomizers and cartomizers. 5.5 volts with 3 volts gives me a good solid 10.08 watt vape and that is perfect for me.

For $50, the LavaTube with a 3.0 atty or carto, will make most folks very happy.

Exactly. It's nice to be able to vape at anything from 3 to 12 watts without having to having to keep track of 5 different carto resistances. If I want to vape at 18-24 watts I'll stack a couple 3.7V batts in the bullet and have at it.