First time vaper, first time builder

[CactusSam]

Hey vapers!

I've been looking at box mods for a few months and, after watching some tutorials, decided to build my own.

I built it off of a Hammonds 1591A project box with twin LG 18650 batteries, a DNA30D chip, and a KangerTech clearomizer. It took me a few days to do everything, but I finally got it done, and it's vaping nicely.

I do have one small question, though... Other than waiting to see, how do I know if the usb charger is working? The display on the dna doesn't show anything discernable that charging is occurring; the only thing I noticed was the little red light that lit up on the usb board.

I had some issues with solder joints breaking when I was packing all of the wires into the enclosure, so I wasn't certain if the red light would come on regardless of whether the wires were correctly soldered to the board or not.

Attached are some pictures of the build and the final product [emoji3]

Here's the enclosure after painting (I did the custom paint scheme using the "hydro drip paint swirl" technique)

Wiring the parts together. I originally had battery sleds for the batteries, but they ended up taking up just too much room so I couldn't get them to fit with the other components and had to solder wires directly to the battery terminals.

Checking to make sure the display functioned.

Packing (carefully and after several tries) all of the wires and parts into the enclosure.

And, the completed project [emoji2]

The first, glorious puff

Sent from my ONE A2005 using Tapatalk

 

[suprtrkr]

Nice looking project, well done. To check your charger, note the battery level on the DNA30 screen, plug it in and charge it for a couple hours, and see if it moves. Once you have that done:

A) Remove the batteries and the charger board from the mod.
B) Install a dual 18650 battery sled.
c) Get two more batteries and a good battery charger.
d) Convert the thing to a removable battery mod.

Or not, you make the call. It's your mod. But that's what I'd do. Nice job, and welcome to the board.

 

[CactusSam]

Nice looking project, well done. To check your charger, note the battery level on the DNA30 screen, plug it in and charge it for a couple hours, and see if it moves. Once you have that done:

A) Remove the batteries and the charger board from the mod.
B) Install a dual 18650 battery sled.
c) Get two more batteries and a good battery charger.
d) Convert the thing to a removable battery mod.

Or not, you make the call. It's your mod. But that's what I'd do. Nice job, and welcome to the board.

I appreciate the feedback!

I'll do removable batts on the next mod, this one's going to stay as it is [emoji6]

Sent from my ONE A2005 using Tapatalk

 

[BrotherBob]

Welcome and glad you joined.

 

[suprtrkr]

I appreciate the feedback!

I'll do removable batts on the next mod, this one's going to stay as it is [emoji6]

Sent from my ONE A2005 using Tapatalk

Lol, I don't blame you. That's a really pretty 1590, BTW. For a first mod, that's very well done indeed

 

[ColbeWan]

The DNA boards don't show any indication of charging. The only indicator is that little red light that you saw on the usb board. It will turn green when it is fully charged. The only other way to tell if it is charging is to leave it charging for a while and see if the battery indicator has moved.

 

[CactusSam]

The DNA boards don't show any indication of charging. The only indicator is that little red light that you saw on the usb board. It will turn green when it is fully charged. The only other way to tell if it is charging is to leave it charging for a while and see if the battery indicator has moved.

Yep, came home to a green light. Many happies [emoji2]

Sent from my ONE A2005 using Tapatalk

 

[Starset]

I swear that looked like a bomb lmao. Good job man!

Sent from my LG-VS450PP using Tapatalk

 

[Frenchfry1942]

I bought a custom 1591 w/DNA30D & dual batt mod about 2 years ago. The maker did a great job. I think DNA30s are still available. It is now my back-up in the car.

Sometimes I just take a filled topper with me and use that.

 

[ColbeWan]

Great job on the build by the way! You have inspired me to break out the soldering iron and put together another build I'v left of the shelf for months now. And another tidbit of advice, if you are planning on taking the mod out (shoving in your pocket, and or cupholder in your car) I would suggest putting a clear top coat on that beautiful paint job. I built a very similar mod in a hammond 1590G. I sanded it, put 2 coats of primer and finished it with some spray on truck-bed lining, after a week of light use it already has scuff marks.

 

[CactusSam]

Great job on the build by the way! You have inspired me to break out the soldering iron and put together another build I'v left of the shelf for months now. And another tidbit of advice, if you are planning on taking the mod out (shoving in your pocket, and or cupholder in your car) I would suggest putting a clear top coat on that beautiful paint job. I built a very similar mod in a hammond 1590G. I sanded it, put 2 coats of primer and finished it with some spray on truck-bed lining, after a week of light use it already has scuff marks.

Yeah, did a couple clear coats on it for that very reason. Put a couple small scuff marks on it during assembly, but you wouldn't see them United got were really looking. Next DIY project, make my own e-juice, but I'll wait to do that until I've found some flavors that I like.

Sent from my ONE A2005 using Tapatalk

 

[ColbeWan]

I would suggest trying out mtbakervapor.com I have been using them over the past few months. They have cheap juice, plus the sell flavors. When I first started with them I used to order a bottle of their juice to see if I liked the flavor, then I would order the flavoring for the juice and make it myself. On that note, they do make some juices that they don't sell the flavors for. Sadly their whole gwar line is in that category So before you try a juice, make sure they have the favoring for that juice. Blu bacco is one of the favorites!

 

[CactusSam]

I would suggest trying out mtbakervapor.com I have been using them over the past few months. They have cheap juice, plus the sell flavors. When I first started with them I used to order a bottle of their juice to see if I liked the flavor, then I would order the flavoring for the juice and make it myself. On that note, they do make some juices that they don't sell the flavors for. Sadly their whole gwar line is in that category So before you try a juice, make sure they have the favoring for that juice. Blu bacco is one of the favorites!

More good advice, thanks!

Sent from my ONE A2005 using Tapatalk

 

[CactusSam]

Recharged the batteries today for the first time since building. VERY happy with the battery life, lol.

Sent by means of the electric internet

 

[CactusSam]

10 days between charges (with CONSTANT use) ain't bad ;-)

Sent by means of the electric internet

 

[Two_Bears]

Hey vapers!

I've been looking at box mods for a few months and, after watching some tutorials, decided to build my own.

I built it off of a Hammonds 1591A project box with twin LG 18650 batteries, a DNA30D chip, and a KangerTech clearomizer. It took me a few days to do everything, but I finally got it done, and it's vaping nicely.

I do have one small question, though... Other than waiting to see, how do I know if the usb charger is working? The display on the DNA doesn't show anything discernable that charging is occurring; the only thing I noticed was the little red light that lit up on the usb board.

I had some issues with solder joints breaking when I was packing all of the wires into the enclosure, so I wasn't certain if the red light would come on regardless of whether the wires were correctly soldered to the board or not.

Attached are some pictures of the build and the final product [emoji3]

Here's the enclosure after painting (I did the custom paint scheme using the "hydro drip paint swirl" technique)

Wiring the parts together. I originally had battery sleds for the batteries, but they ended up taking up just too much room so I couldn't get them to fit with the other components and had to solder wires directly to the battery terminals.

Checking to make sure the display functioned.

Packing (carefully and after several tries) all of the wires and parts into the enclosure.

And, the completed project [emoji2]

The first, glorious puff

Sent from my ONE A2005 using Tapatalk

I NEVER charge 18650 batteries in a mod. If the batteries have issues I would rather they wreck a charger than my mod.

 

[NancyR]

Yep, came home to a green light. Many happies [emoji2]

Sent from my ONE A2005 using Tapatalk

Please never charge batteries when you are not there or sleeping, any cell can fail and vent. If not there and one does you might find you don't have a home to come back too.

 

[daviedog]

It's inconvenient to monitor a 3 hour charge, at least for me.
I use a military surplus ammo can. Drill a hole, put batts & charger inside.
Ahh freedom..

 

[CactusSam]

It's inconvenient to monitor a 3 hour charge, at least for me.
I use a military surplus ammo can. Drill a hole, put batts & charger inside.
Ahh freedom..

Yeah, my charge took the better part of 7 or so hours yesterday. I'll definitely be very mindful of charging though, to make sure that if the batteries ever do vent, it's contained if not monitored. With everything I had read about the lg 18650's, I didn't even realize that could ever be an issue.

Sent by means of the electric internet

 

[NancyR]

Yeah, my charge took the better part of 7 or so hours yesterday. I'll definitely be very mindful of charging though, to make sure that if the batteries ever do vent, it's contained if not monitored. With everything I had read about the lg 18650's, I didn't even realize that could ever be an issue.

Sent by means of the electric internet

That can be an issue with ANY battery, including cells phones, computers, and the batteries we use in vaping.

Battery safety should be something we follow every day, as on top of the risks for normal use, we put extra stress on our cells to start with. Even being within the specs for the cell they were not designed for how we use them or the stress we put on them.