Extreme Condition Vaping

[revco]

What about 2 of the 7000mAH solar devices on the Amazon page I listed? That gives 14000 total but also provides some backup if one gets broken.

The match seems correct, but it could be slightly less efficient than pure math would indicate. I would be happy with 10 charges out of 15kmAh.

I would absolutely be happy with 10 charges from 15kmAh as well. I was reading on the Q&A of that solar charger, though, that one user took a MONTH to charge a 16KmAh battery to completion. Hahaha. When you'd run out of food before you can re-charge your e-cig, you gotta reevaluate your priorities. Nonetheless, the battery option (with maybe emergency solar as a backup) isn't a half cocked idea.

10 days would be my target, don't see myself staying out longer than that, plus maybe a little wiggle room just in case. Doing the "fuzzy" math here, if I could get 10 charges using a 15kmAh battery on an 1100 , which averages a day per charge...that would get me to where I want to be alone with 2-3 eGo style batteries. (Around 12-13 days, assuming fully charged start when I head out.) Reasonably lightweight and compact solution, it would seem, and rechargeable in the field in the event of an emergency. Compared to two mods, 6-8 3400mAh batteries...but no real great option for charging in the field.

I think what I need to do is figure out the weight/size of 2 mods plus 6-8 3400mAh batteries and compare it to three eGo 1100's, a larger battery and maybe a solar system. The solar setup would be optional if I could truly get 10 charges from a large battery, IMO. So I think I'll order up a couple 3400's to see my performance levels with them and a large battery to see how it performs with recharging a couple eGo's. I'll research the batteries sometime tonight and figure out what looks good.

 

[ScottP]

I would absolutely be happy with 10 charges from 15kmAh as well. I was reading on the Q&A of that solar charger, though, that one user took a MONTH to charge a 16KmAh battery to completion. Hahaha. When you'd run out of food before you can re-charge your e-cig, you gotta reevaluate your priorities. Nonetheless, the battery option (with maybe emergency solar as a backup) isn't a half cocked idea.

10 days would be my target, don't see myself staying out longer than that, plus maybe a little wiggle room just in case. Doing the "fuzzy" math here, if I could get 10 charges using a 15kmAh battery on an 1100 , which averages a day per charge...that would get me to where I want to be alone with 2-3 eGo style batteries. (Around 12-13 days, assuming fully charged start when I head out.) Reasonably lightweight and compact solution, it would seem, and rechargeable in the field in the event of an emergency. Compared to two mods, 6-8 3400mAh batteries...but no real great option for charging in the field.

I think what I need to do is figure out the weight/size of 2 mods plus 6-8 3400mAh batteries and compare it to three eGo 1100's, a larger battery and maybe a solar system. The solar setup would be optional if I could truly get 10 charges from a large battery, IMO. So I think I'll order up a couple 3400's to see my performance levels with them and a large battery to see how it performs with recharging a couple eGo's. I'll research the batteries sometime tonight and figure out what looks good.

Good luck. I hope you get it all figured out. Once you do, let me know. I have been meaning to test out some solar powered stuff for a "Hurricane kit". When we get hit we can expect to be without power for around 2 weeks. Solar power is more of an option in the south during the Summer hurricane season since sunlight is more direct then. I do have a gas powered generator to keep the refrigerators going often enough to keep my food from going bad but I don't run it constantly and since it takes about 6 hours to charge my batteries that could get costly in gas.

 

[ScottP]

Oh check out this site too, they have lots of high end solar stuff designed for hiking, camping, hunting, etc.

Portable Solar Battery Charger | Portable Solar Panels | Off-Grid Solar Generators | Goal Zero - Extreme Portable Power

 

[Myrany]

I have a different smaller 5000 mah solar panel. When I first got it it had no charge. I set it on a Windowsill and plugged in one of 1000 mah ego batterys. It was a partly cloudy day. It took 8 hours to charge the dead ego from solar. It took about 3 days to fully charge the battery attached to the solar panel BUT the solar panel can be precharged before you leave via electricity too (at least on mine).

As I said mine is for my hurricane kit so it is a slightly different premise than camping. Do some hunting around there may be better setups out there for you.

 

[ScottP]

Definitely not cheap, but the site I linked above has a Device called the Sherpa 50 power pack (50Wh) for $199. If you also get the Boulder 30 Solar Panel $239 it can charge that power pack in 4 to 8 hours. So it can completely recharge daily.

Now looking at what i would need for my family to make it daily we would need to charge:
2x 1300 mAh Vision Spinners (one for me and the wife)
2x Samsung Galaxy S3
1x HTC Wing (daughter's phone)

If I did the math right, those total up to only 33.14Wh so the 50Wh from that kit would be more than enough to recharge everything at least once daily.

I may even consider getting a couple of panels (you can use multiple panels for faster charging) and maybe the Yeti400 (400Wh) and see if it could also keep a cable modem and wireless router on a good bit of the time to get news and such. OH and a fan!! I still need to check the math on that though.

 

[revco]

Definitely not cheap, but the site I linked above has a Device called the Sherpa 50 power pack (50Wh) for $199. If you also get the Boulder 30 Solar Panel $239 it can charge that power pack in 4 to 8 hours. So it can completely recharge daily.

Now looking at what i would need for my family to make it daily we would need to charge:
2x 1300 mAh Vision Spinners (one for me and the wife)
2x Samsung Galaxy S3
1x HTC Wing (daughter's phone)

If I did the math right, those total up to only 33.14Wh so the 50Wh from that kit would be more than enough to recharge everything at least once daily.

I may even consider getting a couple of panels (you can use multiple panels for faster charging) and maybe the Yeti400 (400Wh) and see if it could also keep a cable modem and wireless router on a good bit of the time to get news and such. OH and a fan!! I still need to check the math on that though.

I started taking a look at some of this gear...and you're right, expensive! But it definitely looks like field grade gear, which I generally find value in and have a fair bit invested into all ready. I haven't set a price yet on what all this is worth to me, but it's worth a fair bit because I'd rather just avoid the tobacco (snus, even) entirely if I can. Besides, they tell me vaping is cheap...right?

Looking it over, I think they're being honest about the expected charge times/chargability of their products. I see these 15kmAh+ batteries and I wonder how legit they really are. I also really like it because it gives me options for both 5V and 12V systems. Of course, my next purchase would need to be a horse to bring all my vape gear in. I'll run the numbers when I get a chance, too, see what it's looking like for watt hours, since that's what they're using.

Oh, and thanks Myrany for the stats on solar charging. That's exactly what I wanted to know. I'll have to give some thought as to whether that would work. It'd be fine if I'm sitting around camp for a day or a few, but on a typical backpacking trip, I go in for 2-3 days, spend about 1-3 days exploring what I came to see and then another 2-3 days out. Most of the time, as you can see, is spent on the go. That's where I'm really liking the battery idea, but if I could do both...well, then, now we're talking!

 

[ScottP]

By the way to convert mAh to Wh, first convert the mAh to Ah by moving the decimal two places to the left. So 1300mAh = 1.3Ah then multiply by the Voltage. So a 4.2V 1300mAh battery needs 4.2 * 1.3 = 5.46Wh to charge. I would allow for some variance based on battery degradation, and any loss from regulators/convertors that may be in the device. Also when you calculate for phones, you will need a bit more if you plan on leaving the phone on while recharging.

 

[Butters80]

Thanks for this thread!!! I'm an avid skier and have been doing the handwarmer in the ski jacket pocket with success(only to -16 though). The tips on solar power will work out great this summer for camping. There goes more tax return money. Haha.

 

[ZoltanZee]

I think this might help ....http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...easability-vaping-external-battery-packs.html

 

[ScottP]

I think this might help ....http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...easability-vaping-external-battery-packs.html

That looks like directly vaping from a battery pack. Though they can also be used to recharge PV batteries, they still require some way to charge themselves. In the OP's case he would have to carry a ton of those to last 7-10 days with no way to recharge them. For pure medium to long term wilderness applications really the only two options are going to be solar or thermal.

 

[LunchusBoxious]

The cold I can handle... its the changing of batteries while I'm in the middle of the river with my fly rod in one hand and my PV in the other....lol... I have only lost one mod this way... RIP VAMO V2...

 

[revco]

That looks like directly vaping from a battery pack. Though they can also be used to recharge PV batteries, they still require some way to charge themselves. In the OP's case he would have to carry a ton of those to last 7-10 days with no way to recharge them. For pure medium to long term wilderness applications really the only two options are going to be solar or thermal.

Yeah, I was hopeful for the link. Not exactly easy to search for the term "battery" here and get relevant results. It would have been nice if that had pure recharge statistics. I'm particularly interested in the recharge performance of 15kmAh+ batteries, to know how many charges one could theoretically get from one. I know there will be loss in the transfer, so it's not one-to-one mAh's, but I don't know how much. I may put a PM into that poster to see if he'd mind testing charges with that gear he all ready bought.

Edit: I'd probably be willing to spare about 16oz for a deep country solution, maybe a bit more for the "right" solution. Snus would probably weigh a few ounces at most, so that is appealing. At the heaviest, my packs are usually in the 55-58lb range, I try to keep it under 60lb no matter what. That's just bringing on the pain.

The cold I can handle... its the changing of batteries while I'm in the middle of the river with my fly rod in one hand and my PV in the other....lol... I have only lost one mod this way... RIP VAMO V2...

Oh no! That's a lot going on! I'm not sure yet if vaping is going to kill my lucky streak, but it seemed every time I fired up a smoke to take a break...it was fish on.

 

[revco]

On another front, I've combed the web and this is the largest, non-specialized USB battery I could find. It's 22400mAh, seems to have a few issues with some devices and comes in just under 16oz. People were reporting 10+ charges from most phones, 1-2 charges for an iPad (I'm assuming the v2 with 11kmAh+ battery rating?). It's only $50ish...may just get one in to play with, it at least seems to have functionality for a couple few days, maybe. Could work for weekend jaunts or whatever, plus could charge phones. I have no idea whether it works for eCigs or not, but can't find out without trying?

 

[A17kawboy]

If you are interested...the Xtar WP6 II is a six bay, good quality charger. It comes with a car charger plug.

 

[revco]

If you are interested...the Xtar WP6 II is a six bay, good quality charger. It comes with a car charger plug.

Nice, that's one I'll keep in mind for when I replace my current 2-port version for sure. I haven't decided whether to support mod-based 18xxx batteries or the eGo style fully for the field. Both have advantages and disadvantages in my eyes. It's probably going to take another round of testing once I get some additional gear in to test with.

From what I could tell from the specs, the Xtar WP6 II can't charge all six at full rate, at least on DC. It has a 2A limit, 600mA per battery...so it'd be about 330mA per battery @ 2A and a full bank might take twice as long to charge. Something to weigh in the decision, anyway.

 

[ScottP]

On another front, I've combed the web and this is the largest, non-specialized USB battery I could find. It's 22400mAh, seems to have a few issues with some devices and comes in just under 16oz. People were reporting 10+ charges from most phones, 1-2 charges for an iPad (I'm assuming the v2 with 11kmAh+ battery rating?). It's only $50ish...may just get one in to play with, it at least seems to have functionality for a couple few days, maybe. Could work for weekend jaunts or whatever, plus could charge phones. I have no idea whether it works for eCigs or not, but can't find out without trying?

Another thing to remember is that batteries are affected by temperature...especially extreme temps. So if you are going to test charge times for really cold weather, you might try testing the charge time in a freezer instead of just in a room of your house.

 

[ScottP]

Nice, that's one I'll keep in mind for when I replace my current 2-port version for sure. I haven't decided whether to support mod-based 18xxx batteries or the eGo style fully for the field. Both have advantages and disadvantages in my eyes. It's probably going to take another round of testing once I get some additional gear in to test with.

From what I could tell from the specs, the Xtar WP6 II can't charge all six at full rate, at least on DC. It has a 2A limit, 600mA per battery...so it'd be about 330mA per battery @ 2A and a full bank might take twice as long to charge. Something to weigh in the decision, anyway.

For device choice in the wilderness...to me...I would probably go with spinners or Twists. I would definitely not want to take a high dollar device only to lose it or drop it somewhere impossible to retrieve.

 

[revco]

For device choice in the wilderness...to me...I would probably go with spinners or Twists. I would definitely not want to take a high dollar device only to lose it or drop it somewhere impossible to retrieve.

I agree with that and lean more towards the eGo style in the wilderness. It's a more convenient system and offers redundancy natively by design. Plus, if I break/drop/drown/etc a $15-$20 battery, it's not a big deal. Would hurt to kill a $50 mod. But, the mods allow relatively small/lightweight batteries to increase capacity, which is nice too.

On the cold topic, I understand that. I use hand warmers to keep my gear warm, but want to build a custom pouch to retain heat better than just sitting in my pocket or a stuff bag, particularly because I want to make it waterproof, or at least highly resistant. (I've been known to wade across rivers from time to time.) My goal is to NOT let the batteries freeze/get cold at all, ideally. Those little handwarmers work pretty good for me...they pump out a fair bit of heat for 6-10 hours or so. My only concern with a highly enclosed space is they might get too warm...may have to figure out some venting in my design, not sure until I build a prototype and test it.

On another note, I just put in an order on the Anker 15000mAh E5 battery backup for testing. Amazon had a lightning deal on it for $40, couldn't pass up such a timely deal...plus, the more I thought about a solar recharging option for the "big" battery, the more it made sense than anything else. It's 11.2 ounces and "threoretically" has enough power to do 10 or so charges, I'd think. Worth testing, at least...and worst case, it'll get used for other purposes. Once I get it in, I'll exclusively dedicate each type of eGo e-Cig I have to charge from it and document the results. I'm thinking I'll test a single e-cig and dual e-cig to see if one or two simultaneous charges affects the overall ability of the battery.

 

[ScottP]

On another note, I just put in an order on the Anker 15000mAh E5 battery backup for testing. Amazon had a lightning deal on it for $40, couldn't pass up such a timely deal...plus, the more I thought about a solar recharging option for the "big" battery, the more it made sense than anything else. It's 11.2 ounces and "threoretically" has enough power to do 10 or so charges, I'd think. Worth testing, at least...and worst case, it'll get used for other purposes. Once I get it in, I'll exclusively dedicate each type of eGo e-Cig I have to charge from it and document the results. I'm thinking I'll test a single e-cig and dual e-cig to see if one or two simultaneous charges affects the overall ability of the battery.

Please post your results. I am sure many others would find such data invaluable. Good luck.

 

[revco]

Please post your results. I am sure many others would find such data invaluable. Good luck.

Will do. The testing begins! Lookie what arrived yesterday, charging my Kanger EVOD VV like a champ!

So far, it works fairly well. Most impressive? When the charging is complete, the unit shuts off completely. This will be great if I'm charging and away, or it's in my pack...I won't have to worry about the battery being run down. I'm able to get a full charge on my VV eVOD's in about 3.5 hours, so pretty close to AC. I'm tracking the number of charges I get, so I'll update when I run the battery down. I'll also provide results from my 1100mAh non-VV's as well.