First Box Mod Advice

[The Thinker]

Hey everyone,

I have been reading and browsing the forums, and have decided to build my first box mod. I am pretty new to all of this, so want to gather advice and knowledge from you guys before starting this build.

Current Plans:
- LM2596
- 510 connector
- Battery: Either 7.4v 2s 30c lipo ZIPPY Flightmax 5200mAh 2S2P 30C hardcase pack (ROAR APPROVED) or 2 18650's, whichever has the better bang for buck. I already have 2 of the Flight max batteries and a very good charger, which is why I am trying to work them into my build. The dimensions of the flightmax are L=5 3/8", W=1 13/16", H= 1".
- Potemtiometer between the board and 510 to vary voltage
- Voltage indicator display connected to the 510 to show output voltage
- Some housing for this all

This is my first build, so I am trying to keep it as low budget as possible. I do not know what atomizer, housing, or pot to use (however the entire build is pretty much from the seat of my pants and what I have read online). I want to use this mostly for vapor, but I don't want to use an rda that I need to add drops too every 3 hits. This is why I am leaning towards a carto, however if you have any suggestions on what to use I will happily take them.


Apologies in advance for the ultra newbiness
-TT

 

[SupplyDaddy]

As long as you're not looking to be going over 3 amps, you'll do fine with the LM2596.
A 2k ohm pot will give you a range of about 2.75 to 7 volts. The LM2596 already has a 10k multi-turn pot on it. Remove it and wire the pot to your chosen location

 

[The Thinker]

What kind of performance should I be expecting from this build? Is 3 amps adequate or should I be looking for a higher output board?


Thanks,
-TT

 

[SupplyDaddy]

Don't try to emulate Mt. St. Helen's and you should be fine.
Seriously, Keep the ohms real, 1 and above ohms, on your build and you'll have a good system.

 

[The Thinker]

I'll try to control myself. Based on the charts I have been looking at, it seems a good place to start is 4v @ 2.2ohms. Now my next main problem is how to pick an atomizer, as I really have no idea what I should be looking for.

Any pointers are appreciated!
-TT

 

[The Thinker]

So when I was out today it hit me that I wouldn't have a low voltage cutoff in this build. If I were to add a 5.6v diode between the positive battery lead and the positive "current in" contact on the LM2596, would that act as a suitable low voltage cutoff?

-TT

 

[rhelton]

Does that board have a remote switch? if so between switch and board would do the job for sure that is how I have wired my raptor mod.

edit

If its between the board IV and battery yah. But im not sure about the amp limit you have to account for that also.

 

[The Thinker]

The board does not have a remote switch, so I will need to put the switch and diode inline from the battery to the board.

I was thinking that I could splice this into the battery/board connection, taking care of the low voltage problem and indicating the voltage at the same time: Vktech 1S-6S LED Low Voltage Buzzer Alarm Lipo Battery Voltage Indicator Checker Tester - - Amazon.com

In this case, I can use it with my batteries because they have balancing connectors on them, but if I use a different battery in the future without the connector, I don't really know how to wire it up.

-TT

 

[rhelton]

Yah that would work for yah

 

[The Thinker]

I ended up getting one of these: http://www.amazon.com/DROK-Adjustab...ie=UTF8&qid=1412972646&sr=8-1&keywords=lm2596

Everything is on its way, but I still haven't found a box to hold this all in. I am aiming to use my RC battery for this build, but I don't know how much extra space will be needed in the box for the board, switches, and wiring.

Any advice?
-TT

 

[The Thinker]

So I have recieved the board, its much smaller than expected. My problem is that to use my RC battery, I would need a very long, rectangular enclosure. Every enclosure that is long enough is much too wide. My only options are to either find a smaller battery of find an enclosure that will work. After a lot of searching, I am coming to you guys for help. I would like to keep the mAh at 2000 or above, as battery life is a main point of this build.

I found these batteries Amazon.com: 4Pcs 18650 3.7V 5000mAH Rechargeable Lithium Battery Yellow: Electronics which are marked for low discharge. The thing is since I wont be drawing more than 3 amps, I was wondering if these would suffice.

Any info is appreciated,
-TT

 

[SupplyDaddy]

So I have recieved the board, its much smaller than expected. My problem is that to use my RC battery, I would need a very long, rectangular enclosure. Every enclosure that is long enough is much too wide. My only options are to either find a smaller battery of find an enclosure that will work. After a lot of searching, I am coming to you guys for help. I would like to keep the mAh at 2000 or above, as battery life is a main point of this build.

I found these batteries Amazon.com: 4Pcs 18650 3.7V 5000mAH Rechargeable Lithium Battery Yellow: Electronics which are marked for low discharge. The thing is since I wont be drawing more than 3 amps, I was wondering if these would suffice.

Any info is appreciated,
-TT

NO! NO! and NO!

Do Not Use those batteries!!!!

1st Warning. 5000mAh BS! Double BS! 2nd Warning. BRC batteries marked for low discharge - You need High Drain, not low discharge.
3rd Warning. Price!

Do not skimp on Batteries! Do not buy from unknown Amazon/Ebay dealers. Do Not buy batteries made for flashlights!

Ok, get that? While I normally don't speak up about batteries, I have to throw the flag down when I see something like this. It would be best if you could find IMR batteries or at the least (and someone will complain about these too) ICR batteries. You're only going to really get about 3100mAh in the best of batteries, and it's going to cost you some for that.

Use a reputable vape shop or online vape store for your batteries. Or someplace like orbtronic.com. Panasonic or Sony, even Sanyo, are your best bets for brand.
Personally, I would tell you to use these for your LM2596 box.. High Drain 18650 2900mAh NCR18650PF Hybrid Li-ion Rechargeable Battery Panasonic - Flat Top - They are low cost, yet will provide you the power you need.
I would also advise you to use fuses for the batteries.

 

[The Thinker]

Hey everyone, its been a while.

So I have finally finished my build, but my main problem is that the LM2596 isn't cutting it as far as vapor production. I have read that the board can handle 5a loads for short bursts, but the thing is that even at 3a the chip would get so hot that I could feel it through the side of the box.

I went on ebay and purchased one of these: New DC DC Step Down Adjustable Power Supply Module Converter Max 5A 0 8V 24V 30 | eBay
and this: 5pcs 11x11x5mm High Quality Aluminum Heat Sink for Memory Chip IC H26 | eBay

It uses the XL4005E1 chip which is rated for 5a, and I think I could push it to 7-8a for short bursts, which would give me the vapor I seek. The board works fine however when I screw in my atty it doesn't fire and no voltage is coming through. The second I unscrew the atty the board works fine. The build I was trying to use it on was around a 1.5 ohm build.

For now I am just running the box as a mechanical mod with my 2s lipo, which means I need some really high resistance coils to prevent me from burning my lungs. Right now I am running a dual coil setup that is coming out to 2.1 ohms, but at 7.4 volts this is still too hot for my liking.

One other option I was considering was limiting the voltage to 4 volts somehow, but I am not sure how this can be done without using a board like I originally planned.

Thank you, and happy holidays!
-TT