Got a mechanical! battery drop-off suggestions? :(

[treehead]

Hey everyone I finally made the decision to buy an unregulated mechanical so I can PUSH THE LIMITS BRO! lol Just kidding, I'm doing it safely but I've been desiring the need to be free. I was using my mechanical with an 18650 and I started to notice my girl was starting to skimp out on the power after 45 minutes, it was very slight but annoying nonetheless (I'm pretty picky/perceptive when it comes to vaping) I hadn't even gotten through two episodes of black flags darnit and I was already distracted by my battery giving out. Granted I was vaping a 1ohm nano-coil at 15 watts but I get through a day easily on my VW/VV vamo v5 (cheap and amazing btw) because of the kick allowing me to abuse that puppy until I'm outta gas. I can see this mechanical only being brought out for the "cloud competitions" at my favorite local vape lounge, however I'm probably going to try some higher ohm setups before I give up/put her on the shelf as eye candy.


-Any advice on helping with the dropoff would be greatly appreciated, maybe there's a tip I'm oblivious of. (If it helps it's the jd-tech stingray, man it's beautfully crafted...)
View attachment 314754

*APPRECIATION EDIT: Thanks everyone for the amazing help (I'd expect no less from ECF), I've gotten alot of mind-blowing tips that make me and and the stingray very happy! This was the perfect ....-kick into the mechanical world, and I can definitely see the hype reasons. Thanks for allowing me to utilize alot of hard-earned money *

(And ignore the clone attachment below, it's not a clone I was just a dipstick and thought that was the best pic without reading , and I don't know how to delete it lol)

 

[Baditude]

This is the major downside to using a mechanical mod. That, and no built-in protective circuitry against hard shorts and over-discharge of the battery. Not much you can do about it other than be sure to use a high quality battery.


Using a Kick will regulate the battery output so that there is no drop off.

Switch batteries often.

 

[MorpheusPA]

Batteries drop fairly quickly from their charged voltage of 4.2 to the nominal 3.7 V or so. That explains your quickly noticing the vape dropping off--it's because it did drop off. That's the major down side of mechanicals, they have no moderation so can't do anything other than deliver whatever the battery voltage is.

A Kick would moderate that, as Bad noted.

 

[retrox]

Have you metered the drop on that Ray clone? Some mechs eat up quite a bit of current, so you might not be taking advantage of the full range of your battery's power. Which leads me to wonder, what battery are you using? What brand and mAh rating?

I can usually go all day with a 2900mAh batt at around 1 ohm before I notice any dropoff, but I'm not what I would consider a constant vaper. If you're chaining that sucker, then yeah... get a plastic case and keep a spare or two on hand.

 

[pdib]

Well, when it's just a metal tube and the battery. I'd imagine, at some point, the conversation would turn to "which battery". What battery are you using? Did you know there's an immense difference in quality, punch and longevity between brands and models of batteries? I'm vaping at ~.4-.5Ω and swapping my 18650 battery once a day. One battery, 24 hrs. I'm not a chain vaper, but I vape all day long . . . .. 4-5 nice long tucks every 15 minutes or so. So what battery are you using?


ADDIT: too late. what ↑ retrox said.

 

[Rickajho]

Inquiring minds still want to know what battery you are using.

I want to know if you have cleaned the threads & switch contact points.

 

[sawtoothscream]

I must vape alot less. my mech with a .7 micro doesnt drain my battery as fast as my z max and the performance is pretty much the same from 4.2-3.8.

 

[Vwls]

Just like anything else in life, with freedom comes responsibility. Mechanicals give you a range of truly stunning equipment to choose from, and the freedom to drop your ohms, so long as you are using the right batteries, meter your coils, and keep everything shiny and clean.

Simple protocol and it's oh so worth it:
1) Buy a high quality, aesthetically beautiful mechanical mod with a miniscule voltage drop.
2) Buy four top shelf batteries with the power to handle what your coils demand, keep 'em on the charger, and rotate through them as you vape. The minute you notice the vape isn't as good as you want it, switch to a fresh battery.
3) Clean your contacts and dab with Noalox every time you clean. Polish and rub down your mod inside and out - it does make a difference in performance as well as appearance.

 

[treehead]

Have you metered the drop on that Ray clone? Some mechs eat up quite a bit of current, so you might not be taking advantage of the full range of your battery's power. Which leads me to wonder, what battery are you using? What brand and mAh rating?

I can usually go all day with a 2900mAh batt at around 1 ohm before I notice any dropoff, but I'm not what I would consider a constant vaper. If you're chaining that sucker, then yeah... get a plastic case and keep a spare or two on hand.

Wow thanks for all the interest guys, it's a top of the line good ol (18650) Sony VTC4 2000mah 30A battery, the only batteries I buy.
Manufacturer’s Specs:

Dimensions: 65.0mm (L) x 18.2mm (D)
Weight: 45g
Typical Capacity: 2100mAh
Min Capacity: 2000mAh
Max Continuous Discharging Current: 30A
Discharge cut-off voltage: 2.5V
Voltage: 3.8V
Full Charge Voltage: 4.2V

And I'm ironically "kicking" myself for completely brainfarting on the kicks you can buy, however do they have a limiter of any kind? The drop isn't terrible at all, it's still kicking some serious ...., it's just for someone like me that freaks out when the smallest imperfection happens it's a minor annoying distractor, but I'm totally happy with the performance that first 45 minutes was magical (And I always have 3 sister batteries a charging while ones in use) and unlike regulated by far. It's still going strong and I haven't switched yet.

-Thanks for all the help guys! And sorry this is an authentic stingray, straight from the phillipines, man the magnetic button on this is seriously like a touch-screen, I can't even feel it click (unless I adjust it). I'm thinking about getting two 18350's

 

[Ryedan]

Hey everyone I finally made the decision to buy an unregulated mechanical so I can PUSH THE LIMITS BRO! lol Just kidding, I'm doing it safely but I've been desiring the need to be free. I was using my mechanical with an 18650 and I started to notice my girl was starting to skimp out on the power after 45 minutes, it was very slight but annoying nonetheless (I'm pretty picky/perceptive when it comes to vaping) I hadn't even gotten through two episodes of black flags darnit and I was already distracted by my battery giving out. Granted I was vaping a 1ohm nano-coil at 15 watts but I get through a day easily on my VW/VV vamo v5 (cheap and amazing btw) because of the kick allowing me to abuse that puppy until I'm outta gas. I can see this mechanical only being brought out for the "cloud competitions" at my favorite local vape lounge, however I'm probably going to try some higher ohm setups before I give up/put her on the shelf as eye candy.

You're going to get power drop off no matter what you do with a mechanical mod. What I do is set up my atty so it is just a little hot with a fresh battery but perfect at say 3.9V. It goes from 4.2V to 3.9V pretty quickly and then spends a long time between 3.9V and 3.7V when I change batteries. If I get it a bit wrong and there is to much power on a fresh battery I have the option of pulsing the switch a bit while taking a drag. If I set up too low in power, I recoil higher.

I consider fresh battery power after voltage drop of around 29 watts with dual micro coils, 24 watts with a single Geny or dripper coil and about 16 watts with a Kayfun perfect for me. But that's me, you'll have to find your own sweet spot.

There is no way to avoid the power drop without bringing in circuitry. This is one reason mechanical mods are not the best deal for everyone.

 

[Ryedan]

Wow thanks for all the interest guys, it's a top of the line good ol (18650) Sony VTC4 2000mah 30A battery, the only batteries I buy.

I have a couple of those and they are great. Low voltage drop and great staying power

-Thanks for all the help guys! And sorry this is an authentic stingray, straight from the phillipines, man the magnetic button on this is seriously like a touch-screen, I can't even feel it click (unless I adjust it). I'm thinking about getting two 18350's

Watch out for the amp limits with 18650s 18350s. I think about 0.9 ohms is the lowest you should go with them.

The kicks will limit your power. I think around 15 watts is max, but there are a few different modules out there and they are different. They also give you a bunch of other battery protection features. It's a good deal if you can live with the power limitation.

 

[Baditude]

I'm quite sure that Ryedan was thinking 18350 but typed 18650. Those 18350 high drain batteries only have a 6 amp limit, so you can't do sub-ohm builds with them.

Another thing about using a Kick is that it takes up some room in the battery compartment of your mod. With most 18650 mods you have to drop down a battery size to an 18490/18500 battery.

 

[Ryedan]

I'm quite sure that Ryedan was thinking 18350 but typed 18650.

Thank you sir

 

[suspectK]

Those 18350 high drain batteries only have a 6 amp limit, so you can't do sub-ohm builds with them.

Efest Purple 10.5amp 18350 - 700mah - 101 Vape

 

[icebat]

Efest Purple 10.5amp 18350 - 700mah - 101 Vape

Thanks for pointing that out. I'm planning on picking up an 18350 mech eventually, and I didn't know those batteries were available.

 

[p.opus]

Isn't that the modus operendi for using a pure mechanical? You are limited by the actual discharge curve of the battery. A Kick2 (as others have mentioned) will regulate the battery for you, but they have limits of their regulation.

If you want to push the envelope on the battery, you have to deal with the voltage drop and lag that occurs with repeated use, or you need to deal with a regulated mod or kick 2 and keep your battery regulated.

 

[Vwls]

Watch out for the amp limits with 18650s 18350s. I think about 0.9 ohms is the lowest you should go with them.

Yep. Except now they have new 18350s that you can build a lot lower with... Efest Purple 10.5amp 18350 - 700mah - 101 Vape

Not too many tests on these yet so I'm approaching with caution.

Edit - just saw someone beat me to posting this

Anyone try these yet?

 

[Ryedan]

Yep. Except now they have new 18350s that you can build a lot lower with... Efest Purple 10.5amp 18350 - 700mah - 101 Vape

Not too many tests on these yet so I'm approaching with caution.

Edit - just saw someone beat me to posting this

Anyone try these yet?

Yes, they claim 10.5A, but it is Efest. I have my doubts about that. As you say, approach with caution.

Have you seen this test on the Efest 30A 18650; Sony US18650VTC3 30A vs Efest 30A shootout. I know it's not the same battery, but it seems to me that Efest may be starting to make false claims on their batteries. I don't know for a fact that test was good but no one has refuted the claim either.

 

[treehead]

You're going to get power drop off no matter what you do with a mechanical mod. What I do is set up my atty so it is just a little hot with a fresh battery but perfect at say 3.9V. It goes from 4.2V to 3.9V pretty quickly and then spends a long time between 3.9V and 3.7V when I change batteries. If I get it a bit wrong and there is to much power on a fresh battery I have the option of pulsing the switch a bit while taking a drag. If I set up too low in power, I recoil higher.

I consider fresh battery power after voltage drop of around 29 watts with dual micro coils, 24 watts with a single Geny or dripper coil and about 16 watts with a Kayfun perfect for me. But that's me, you'll have to find your own sweet spot.

There is no way to avoid the power drop without bringing in circuitry. This is one reason mechanical mods are not the best deal for everyone.

Thanks so much Ryedan, this is what I was looking for. After a little research I found out that it spends most of it's time at 3.9, so I'm making my coil how I want it at 3.9 , solution thanks to you brother, problem solved! I also have a kick on the way because they are so cheap anyway, and I love the way this stingray looks, feels, performs etc. I've also cleaned it good as many have mentioned but It came pretty clean, and I did anyway with no difference.

-I thought they had a gradual dropoff such as 4.2 for 20 mins, 4.1 for 20 mins, 4 for 20 etc. that's nice to know where it spends most it's time. Like I said, I'm definitely a fan of mechanicals now because they let me do what I want, I just had to figure out how they put out

 

[treehead]

I'm quite sure that Ryedan was thinking 18350 but typed 18650. Those 18350 high drain batteries only have a 6 amp limit, so you can't do sub-ohm builds with them.

Another thing about using a Kick is that it takes up some room in the battery compartment of your mod. With most 18650 mods you have to drop down a battery size to an 18490/18500 battery.

Crap...oh well like I've said I've cleaned her, set up my coil to run at 3.9/3.8, have 3 sister batteries, and I'm very happy now. I actually enjoy the extra math/tinkering this causes. My stingray does have an adjustable bottom button/battery spring, I'm hoping that'll give me just enough room to fit an 18650. If not no biggie, I'm a mechanical fan

-I do still wish I had a screen to JUST tell me the current/volts/amps without any limitation, that would be sweeeeet!

-Again thanks errbody!