Difference Between Single and Dual Battery Configurations

[sleeper1023]

Hello everyone! I'm thinking of buying a mech and I've narrowed it down to two choices:
1. A 26650 Tube mod
2. A Dual 18650 Box mod

I have one question, however. I have yet to explore more about vaping, so please excuse the newbie in me. Would there be a difference with how these mods perform, aside from battery life? I really wouldn't mind charging a lot, but if the dual 18650 can hit harder than the tube, then I'm going for the box mod.

Thanks in advance!

 

[roxynoodle]

The dual 18650 would allow for very low subohm builds. Most 26650 batteries have a 20A continuous discharge rating (beware of them saying its higher than that; not true).

 

[nyiddle]

Howdy!

What do you mean by "hit harder"? It sort of depends on the box mod you're looking at.

If you're looking to build something super-low resistance, I'd suggest going with a regulated box mod, preferably something that has some built-in protection so you don't risk frying the chip (or worse, frying your batteries). I've heard the IPV3 works down to .15 ohms, not 100% sure how low the Sig150 can go. I have a Sigelei 150W and I love it. With 2x 18650's it easily lasts me all day.

Keep in mind that battery life depends on a load of variables. If you're putting a 1 ohm build with a 26650 battery you're going to get a solid day or two of battery life. If you're using a .3 ohm build with the same battery you might not be able to get more than a full day (solid 8 hours).

In general, I recommend regulated/protected mods over any mechanical mods these days. I started out on mech mods because that was my only choice, there were no regulated devices capable of firing sub-ohm. Nowadays every device (even the low-wattage ones) are capable of firing sub-ohm coils. Some people argue "you can't get the same wattage out of a regulated mod that you can out of a mech," and depending on circumstance I suppose they're right. That said, I'm not one to go super-super-sub-ohm. The lowest I build to is around .36-.4. My ADV coil is at .6 ohms and it hits like a champ at 80W.

The protection exists, why not take advantage of it?

 

[sleeper1023]

The dual 18650 would allow for very low subohm builds. Most 26650 batteries have a 20A continuous discharge rating (beware of them saying its higher than that; not true).

I don't have much knowledge with 26650 batts. I was just about to research on that, but I'll probably keep on digging... and contemplating on buying another mod. Lol!

 

[sleeper1023]

Thanks for the input! Earlier, I just thought of buying a mech because a local vape shop had some awesome ones on display.

Howdy!

What do you mean by "hit harder"? It sort of depends on the box mod you're looking at.

If you're looking to build something super-low resistance, I'd suggest going with a regulated box mod, preferably something that has some built-in protection so you don't risk frying the chip (or worse, frying your batteries). I've heard the IPV3 works down to .15 ohms, not 100% sure how low the Sig150 can go. I have a Sigelei 150W and I love it. With 2x 18650's it easily lasts me all day.

Keep in mind that battery life depends on a load of variables. If you're putting a 1 ohm build with a 26650 battery you're going to get a solid day or two of battery life. If you're using a .3 ohm build with the same battery you might not be able to get more than a full day (solid 8 hours).

In general, I recommend regulated/protected mods over any mechanical mods these days. I started out on mech mods because that was my only choice, there were no regulated devices capable of firing sub-ohm. Nowadays every device (even the low-wattage ones) are capable of firing sub-ohm coils. Some people argue "you can't get the same wattage out of a regulated mod that you can out of a mech," and depending on circumstance I suppose they're right. That said, I'm not one to go super-super-sub-ohm. The lowest I build to is around .36-.4. My ADV coil is at .6 ohms and it hits like a champ at 80W.

The protection exists, why not take advantage of it?

 

[itskohler]

Well, depends on how the 18650s are set up. In parallel will give you better battery life, series will give you more power. I would go regulated, as others have stated.

 

[roxynoodle]

There are reasons I have and use mechs. No chip or electronics to fail. You can wash them in the sink, lol! I enjoy designing a build that works well on them because I'm a math geek who likes to make things.

But, yes, something like a Sigelei 150W will work great for you, and have protection against shorts, etc. I think it can fire down to 0.1 ohm?

 

[Wraith504]

With the high power regulated devices available, there is no reason NOT to grab a dual 18650 regulated box. Mechs are where I started and for pure aesthetics, design, etc. They are top notch. But you can easily get a 260w box mod that has doofus protection and cloud all day long with a significant decrease in the chance of blowing a hole in the side of your face

 

[itskohler]

Huh? The first part sounds contradictary.

 

[Wraith504]

Huh? The first part sounds contradictary.

Better? LoL

 

[LobsterGoD]

Well, depends on how the 18650s are set up. In series will give you better battery life, parrallel will give you more power. I would go regulated, as others have stated.

you got that backwards, series increases only voltage, parallel increases MAH and also splits the amp load across the batteries (in a perfect world equally). Parallel configuration will also decrease voltage drop a bit, usually .1v per 2x the batteries

 

[Hitcat44]

Dittos and +1 to ALL Roxy has posted.
IMO:
Dual 18650 over single 26650.
UnReg dual 18650 Mech Box Mod (I prefer Side or Top/Side angle-placed Button over Top Button for ergonomics of usage).
Minimum 25A Rating on the 18650s.

However, as others have correctly said; Do Your Homework and Know What You Are Doing First. Check & Double Check what you do/did before firing as well.
Sorry if you already know and do the above. You didnt state so just being sure.
If you don't trust yourself or not ready to really get into the Mechanics of it all yet, then definitely stick with a VV/VW Reg/Protected Mod.

Actually, to use a VV/VW Box really requires more know-how to get all the facets and pieces of the Vape Equation right in order to "Be All it can Be" and perform optimally.
If a Newber (no offense as we all were at one time) then you may find a Mosfet or Chip Protected Device to be a necessary plus.

Eventually you will now or later (you may already be there) desire more, gravitate toward, and evolve into an RDA/RTA so you will need to research, learn, and know the Science/Mechanics of it all anyways.

Be Safe & Enjoy whatever you choose.

 

[Completely Average]

Well, depends on how the 18650s are set up. In series will give you better battery life, parrallel will give you more power. I would go regulated, as others have stated.

You have that backwards.

Series = Double Voltage. No increase to mAh.
Parallel = Double mAh. No increase to voltage.

The reason a series mod like the Sigelie 150W can put out such high wattage is because it can draw off the combined voltage of both batteries at once. The reason a parallel mod like the iStick 50W has such a high mAh rating but only 50W is because it's doubling the mAh, but only draws the voltage of a single battery. You'll get longer battery life out of a Parallel Mod than a Series mod, but you'll get more power out of a Series mod than a Parallel mod.


I much prefer regulated mods over mechs. Mechs are old school, but they're totally outclassed by regulated mods these days when it comes to power delivery. Back when I started vaping the best regulated mods on the market could only hit 12-15W and couldn't fire a coil below 1ohm. These days you can get regulated mods putting out 200W or more and can fire coils down to 0.05ohms which would be dangerous in ANY mech mod. Plus new regulated mods are coming with temperature control which opens up a whole new aspect of vaping with the elimination of dry and burnt hits and maintaining safer operating temperatures.

 

[itskohler]

Whooooops. I'm staring ay my raptor box, and I know why I am confused. The dude that made it wired it funky, looking like a series, buts its a parallel. My bad all, original post changed.

 

[sleeper1023]

Read through the thread again. Appreciate everyone's input! I ended up with a dual-battery in parallel.

 

[thatdude33]

What specific box mod did you end up getting? The Sigelei 150W is being sold now for under $100, but I won't get into it if you already bought a box. I have the Sig 150 and I stopped using all my other mods entirely.

 

[Hans Wermhat]

I've been using mechs since I got away from the ego's. I'm looking into a regulated mod and am just about sold on the Sig 150. I have a 2x26650 now and it fires my .2-ish ohm drippers just about all day on one charge, but it's parallel and I want to try building on a regulated mod with higher voltage.

 

[RandyF]

Read through the thread again. Appreciate everyone's input! I ended up with a dual-battery in parallel.

Be sure you marry (at least) 2 new batteries to that specific mod. If you want to use the mod while those 2 are charging, then you are going to need 4 new batteries for that one mod. It is important to use and charge the same 2 batteries in a dual battery device. Most people label them and then number them 1 and 2. It is also advisable to rotate the position of the 2 batteries after every charge, that way the same battery isn't always the one taking the brunt of the amp draw.

 

[sleeper1023]

What specific box mod did you end up getting? The Sigelei 150W is being sold now for under $100, but I won't get into it if you already bought a box. I have the Sig 150 and I stopped using all my other mods entirely.

I got the Nookie by Vapebreed!