Discussing the NicoStick

[nicowolf]

There have been some issues using the non-rechargeable 14500 from RS. If you have a multimeter or volt meter, you can try an alkaline battery and just check for voltage at the connector where the atomizer threads on. If the power is getting through there to that point, it narrows the problem way down.

 

[tdstrike]

nice avatar nicowolf, I met drew barrymore once and she's as cute as a box of speckled pups.

 

[stevej21]

There have been some issues using the non-rechargeable 14500 from RS. If you have a multimeter or volt meter, you can try an alkaline battery and just check for voltage at the connector where the atomizer threads on. If the power is getting through there to that point, it narrows the problem way down.

I've got 3.6v at the fitting where the atty screws on. atty works with a standard 901 bat. Could it be the center pole not making contact with the atty?

 

[crazyhorse]

3.6v isn't much power for a new battery. I put mine on the charger before they're that low.

 

[stevej21]

i've ruled out the theory of the center pole not making contact with the atomizer. built it up with solder to the point that some broke off when i unscrewed it. i'm guessing the battery is garbage. what voltage reading should i get with a new battery? is there some place i can get one without having to order online? again all the help is appreciated.

 

[stevej21]

i just tested a fully charged standard 901 battery and it read read about 4.1v. i geuss i need to order an ultrafire 14500 and see if it works.

 

[LuckySevens4U]

I am the proud owner of an original NicoStick and this thing just ROCKS. I love it so much! It's so nice and tiny and small, protected batteries, and an on/off switch. What more can you ask for. It's just so cute and perfect! Consistent vaper and throat hits. Wooo hooo!!!! Thanks for all your hard work Nico on helping people here and sharing. You are the best!

 

[seminolewind]

Nico, I have my first Nicostick, and it is fabulous. I love it, and best of all, it doesn't leak like my 801. Wildsky made it and it is a work of art, and soooo reliable. I've been going over your tutorial over and over, and I think I'm ready to do my own, (2 is better than 1, LOL). Best of all, it doesn't look like an analog, and there are some plusses to that as well. Thanks for your very large contribution to the members here.

 

[rejoice]

Well I have tried to make the Nicostick and already have a problem. I am at the step to make the holes. I made my first hole for the switch too big and it looks tacky.
So I am going to try again with another box. I bought several of the boxes.
Is there a easier way to make the holes. I am using a cordless drill. To make the holes is going to be the hardest thing for me. I need a better tool or something. Any help out there? I have a rotary tool and used it also with the drill and no good luck. Need something to make a more perfect hole.

 

[nicowolf]

Lately I have been using one of the filing bits for the rotary tool to clean up the holes once they are almost the size I want. By filing bit, I mean one of the grey ones that feels like pumice stone. It does quite a nice job. So basically, I drill the hole with my largest drill bit, bore it out a little bigger with the same bit (until I can fit the filing bit in the hole), and then file it with the rotary tool from there.

 

[crazyhorse]

So I am going to try again with another box. I bought several of the boxes.
Is there a easier way to make the holes. I am using a cordless drill. To make the holes is going to be the hardest thing for me. I need a better tool or something. Any help out there? I have a rotary tool and used it also with the drill and no good luck. Need something to make a more perfect hole.

You may find it easier to begin with a very small hole and use progressively larger bits until you reach the final size. Use the point of a razor knife to mark the center of your desired hole location. Rotate the point a few times to make an indentation that will receive the first bit and prevent skating.

 

[seminolewind]

Rejoice, you might want to try drilling with the thinnest bit you have and make a tiny hole, then go to bigger and bigger bits till you get the size you want. The "guide holes" will keep your bigger drill bits in the same spot.

 

[seminolewind]

Sorry Crazyhorse, I should have read all the posts before posting mine.

 

[jangler]

This is my second mod. The first one is a bust (slobish solder messed it up). This time my solder was dead on, tested all contacts. The only different thing I did is run the momentary switch on the negative instead of the positive. I don't think that should matter.

OK all the holes are there, switch is secure, and the wires soldered. So now I get my tester, checked continuity from negative battery terminal (spring end) to first solder joint of the leg of the switch (beeb) kay that's fine. Next checked that leg and the opposit leg while pressing switch (beep) kay that's fine. Next test that leg and outer body of connector (beep) looking good. Next checked outer body to center of connector (quiet) YES!! no short, now checked center and positive terminal (no spring battery contact) (beep)... OK we've got one fine continuity, right? So now check the charger if battery is ready to go... NICE, all green. Took the AA trustfire with pcb, snapped it in the box. Checked contact of battery with tester again, all is well. Last step is glue the connector right? But wait lets test the vape first. Got a working atty (tested that with original battery) put it on and NOTHING... WHAT??? BUT BUT BUT...

OK breath and think for a minute before I toss this out. So now what else is there? Last connection is the connector to atty. OK check continuity from outer body of connector to body of atty (beep), well that's not it. Last, see if it the center of the connector is actually touching the center of the atty. I taped the switch down temporarily so I get current, pushed the center post up from behind the connector with a tooth pick and THERE it is!!! I see vapor, darn... I was sooo close.

So now how on earth do I make it so that the center of the connector don't slip off and stay firm when I put an atty on? I did put back all those plastic things that came with it.

Anyway at least this post will help someone trouble shoot if something goes wrong for them as it did for me. I'm a complete noob, but thanks to all who took the time teach I learned so much and managed to understand how to put together and trouble shoot a circuit like this. Back to the drawing board... I'll report back when I get this to work.

 

[MrKrinkle]

My version of the NicoStick.... Thanks Nico for the idear & I hope you aprove...

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/battery-mods/20299-my-version-nicostik-manual-510-a.html

 

[jangler]

It's done, I'm an idiot... My connector (from an old battery) had 2 plastic gromets (when you remove the center from the outer casing). I had put them back in the wrong order. Once I figured that out and put it back together the center of the connector now does not push back when connecting the atty. Everything is working beautifully. Once again my alt gratsi to all moders who posted and shared their knowledge. Nico, this is one sweet vape battery doodad... Nice and compact, and great how-to instructions. Your how-to is complete, clear and I did not find myself wanting for more info. Everything was there. For those having a hard time putting in holes, I used an exacto knife. I was just going to use the knife to start a pilot hole and finish off with the drill but found that I can just cotinue on and finish with it. The case is easy to bore with it. I just used it (carefully) like a screw driver until I had the desired diameter.

 

[Kelemvor]

well, how about heating the end of an old 801 atomizer with a lighter and melting the hole?

i saw one modder who made nice exactly holes this way.

but watch your fingers, it may get a little hot

 

[jangler]

I saw that too. I think he used his solder iron to do this. I was thinking of doing just that but decided against it. Doesn't that hurt your soldering iron? The fumes of burning plastic detered me from doing it as well. If you have great ventilation and don't care about your iron, it's probably quite easy to do it that way.

 

[Kelemvor]

no, the guy i mean used a cigarette lighter or little butangas flame to heat up
the tube of an 801 atomizer, with that you can melt the perfect hole.

sorry, if my explanation is not that good to understand, i could spell it better in german

 

[rejoice]

Got my holes done and thank you all for the advice. The holes look good.
I have all my supplies except the helping hands thing. I will receive it ,sometime next week. I think I will practice with the solding iron until than.