Help me go mechanical the right way

[qfivenine]

I want to try mechanical mods and want to do it safe. Can you please point me in the right direction with the following questions?


1. Simple one: Tobeco Nemesis or Chi You?


2. Is sub-ohm every coil under 1.0ohms? Will I be safer with a 1.0-1.2ohms coil than say 0.7ohms, provided I have the right batteries?


3. Extending point no. 2: Is battery safety a matter of calculating your lowest ohms coil + battery voltage to get the maximum amperage that the battery has to provide?


4. Is a protected battery preferred?


5. Can I use my Nitecore 2-bay charger for protected ICR 18650's?


6. batteries that have a high mAh specification usually are ICR instead of lMR - are ICR still as safe? I want a 3400mAh or around that capacity.


7. Did I understand correctly that a mechanical mod will lose its voltage as the battery capacity drops? How are people going about having a smooth vape with the same ohms coil - even after the battery drops in voltage?


8. Does protected battery just mean it has electronics that prevent overdischarging?


9. With all my preferences and gear, what battery can you recommend?


I hope I didn't ask too much - please help me out there! Thanks a lot.

 

[Heavyrocker]

1.Nemmy
2.Yes,and yes.
3.n/a
4.No
5.Yes
6.No
7.Change batts at around 3.5 volts
8.NO
9.IMR safe chemistry.

 

[CloudZ]

1. Many think the Nemesis is a better design, but they both should be pretty good. I have a no-brand Nemesis I got on eBay and it works perfectly for me. I would get whichever one you think looks better.

2. You are right about sub-ohm, it is everything less than 1 ohm. If you are just getting started, 1+ ohm is preferred until you learn everything.

3. You'll want to get good high drain batteries to start, and technically the lowest resistance you can safely run is found by dividing 4.2 volts by the battery's maximum continuous discharge/amperage rating. For instance, if the batteries are rated for 10 amps, the lowest resistance you can run is 0.42 ohms. No one should ever recommend pushing a battery to its limits, especially for someone new, and even though I've been sub-ohming for quite a while I will not run a 10 amp battery below 0.7 ohms. I won't run a 20+ amp battery below 0.4 ohms... there is just no need IMO.

4. Never use protected batteries, they are not high-drain and do not have the safer chemistry of an IMR/hybrid.

5. Yes, that is a great charger.

6. I believe the highest mAh high-drain battery available is the Panasonic NCR18650PD (or PF). It is 2900 mAh and is rated for 10 amps.

7. Yes, you will learn to notice it getting weak when it gets down to 3.5-3.7 volts, then you charge it. Prior to learning that, just check it every couple hours. The "changing vape" thing isn't as much of an issue as you would think it would be.

8. Yes, except they also do not have safe chemistry and are not high drain. Don't use them.

9. See #6. There are plenty of other options for good high drain 18650 batteries around 2000 mAh. Smaller size high-drain batteries like 18350, 18490, 18500 should not be used below 1.2 ohms unless you know exactly what you are doing.

*** 10. Get a decent digital multimeter and learn how to use it to check battery voltage and coil resistance. ***

 

[qfivenine]

Great, thank you @Heavyrocker and @CloudZ. I will go buy a pair of Panasonic NCR18650PD batteries, use them with my 2-bay Nitecore charger and have a vape. How exactly do I know when to switch batteries - just that the vapour is getting really light? What would happen if I don't realise it for some reason and vape after it gets around 3.5 volts? Catastrophe? I hope not.

I will be running around 0.9-1.2 ohms on that Panasonic NCR18650PD 10 amps battery using 28-29gauge Kanthal D wire and 100% cotton. Do both the Nemesis and the Chi You have air-flow control and a lock switch? Which has the smoother button - are they all spring-loaded? Are magnetic buttons better?

Thanks so much!

 

[jffvera]

1. Spend the extra $10 and get an HCigar clone of the Nemesis.

2. Yes by definition every coil under 1.0 ohm is sub ohm. With the right battery you are very safe at 0.5 ohms. With the wrong battery you are not that safe at 1.0 ohm.

3. Sort of. A 30 amp battery can technically handle a build as low as .14, however I wouldn't recommend going that low. There are other factors that come into play, such as over discharging your battery. Do some more research.

4. Protected batteries are not preferred.

5. Yes

6. If you are interested in getting the highest maH batteris do not get a mech. When using a mech I choose higher amp limits over higher maH. Go with an IMR battery, not an ICR.

7. I change batteries when the dip below 3.5v. There is a decrease in performance but it's not like it's awful.

8. Research what a protected battery is, google is your friend.

9. I don't buy clones, but if you don't have the cash to go authentic, and don't want to go with something like a Smoktech Magneto then get an HCigar Nemesis. For the safest batteries currently available get at least two Sony VTC4.

 

[Heavyrocker]

If Your batt goes down to 2.5 volts you wont be able too recharge it again thats all will happen,at 3.5 you will notice less vapour,you can still use it safely below 3.5 but you will want to use fresh batt as it wont be as powerful.Air flow control on the mod is only used for non-genny tanks,the nemmy has one,dont know about the Chi.The brass nemmy has a smooth spring butoom,the Chi...dont kmow,ive herad some bad reviews on the Chi.Nemmy can take a magnet too in the switch and last longer.

 

[CloudZ]

It doesn't hurt the battery unless you drop below 2.5 volts, and I would say in general to keep them above 3 volts. You will definitely notice the drop off in vape by then, most likely sooner. And like I said, just check them every couple hours until you get an idea of the timing.

I'd get kanthal a1 rather than d. Don't remember exactly why it is better but that's what everyone prefers.

The button on my nemesis was kind of crunchy at first, but I did a little adjusting and polishing, and over time it has gotten better. Now I just clean it and add a little Teflon lube every few weeks and it stays smooth. Nemesis comes with a spring button and I think it is fine. Also has airflow control (which I don't use) and a lock ring. Not sure on the Chi, I know it has a lock though.

 

[qfivenine]

Wonderful. I will research Sony VTC4 vs. the Panasonic NCR18650PD.

 

[qfivenine]

Another question (editing post doesn't work for some reason; sorry for double-post): are hybrid batteries just as safe as lMR but with a higher capacity? Is the Panasonic NCR18650PD a hybrid one?

And the SMOK Magneto: is it just as good as a Nemesis clone, does it have a locking switch? Thanks so much everyone!

 

[jffvera]

Another question (editing post doesn't work for some reason; sorry for double-post): are hybrid batteries just as safe as lMR but with a higher capacity? Is the Panasonic NCR18650PD a hybrid one?

And the SMOK Magneto: is it just as good as a Nemesis clone, does it have a locking switch? Thanks so much everyone!

I don't know if a Smok Magneto is as good as a Nemesis clone. I'd say maybe, I am sure there are a bunch of threads on here about it. My friend has one as a back up and likes it just fine.

If you are looking for a mod that is going to offer awesome battery life, a mech just isn't for you. It's a totally unregulated device. The voltage the battery puts out is what you are going to get, the voltage is going to fall off after use. If battery life is your main focus, but you don't want a chinese made vv/vww device. I'd advise that you keep saving and get a DNA 20 device, Provari or Semovar. I know the DNA20 can fire coils as low as 0.6 ohms, and the Semovar will fire 1.0 ohm coils. I don't know about the Provari, but I am guessing if it won't fire 1.0 ohm it will fire 1.3 ohm coils.

Unfortunately there isn't some unicorn battery currently out that has massive maH and a 20+ amp limit. I think if there were a poll of mech owners here you'd see that 90% of them are either using Sony VTC4 or VTC3, AW IMR 1600, Efest 1600 or MNKE. Efest is turning out some new 35 amp cells and some 30 or 35 amp LG's are around too, but none of them are going to offer massive maH.

 

[Heavyrocker]

Nemmy, Poliac and or the Carevalla the one you want.

 

[qfivenine]

I see. Is the Sony Konion US18650VTC4 2100mAh in green the one I want? I will buy 2 of them to not worry about battery life. Should I get the flat top or the button top to use in a itaste SVD, Nemesis or Chi You clone? If I should for some reason run out of VTC4's, can I also use the AW IMR 18650 (10 amp limit) 2000mAh in my mechanical? I would not go under 0.9-1.0ohms at the beginning.

Also, the Sony VTC4 needs to be charged at a quite low amperage as far as I can see. Will the Nitecore i2 charger adjust automatically for that, too?

Thank you.

 

[jffvera]

I see. Is the Sony Konion US18650VTC4 2100mAh in green the one I want? I will buy 2 of them to not worry about battery life. Should I get the flat top or the button top to use in a itaste SVD, Nemesis or Chi You clone? If I should for some reason run out of VTC4's, can I also use the AW IMR 18650 (10 amp limit) 2000mAh in my mechanical? I would not go under 0.9-1.0ohms at the beginning.

Also, the Sony VTC4 needs to be charged at a quite low amperage as far as I can see. Will the Nitecore i2 charger adjust automatically for that, too?

Thank you.

I have been charging 4 VTC4's with the i4 for the last 3 weeks and everything is going great. I am pretty sure the i2 will work just as well.

I think the VTC4's are only available in flat tops. You won't have an issue using flat tops or button tops in the vast majority of mechs. Now what works in your SVD may be a different story.

Go to an ohms law calculator site or download an app for your phone and figure out if a 10 amp battery is safe to use with a 0.9 ohm coil.

 

[cantstopwontstop]

Sony VTC 4's are great, they're all I use. The tobeco Nemesis is a fine mod I own one but it's up to you if you want to spring for an Hcigar. The Charger you mentioned is a good one. Like every one mentioned before me buying an ohm meter is a must. Learn how amperage works Amps=voltage/resistance. Easy enough to calculate and figure out. You don't have to start out vaping sub-ohm coils right away, in fact I would recommend you didn't. Learn how all your gear works and with a thorough breadth of knowledge find what works for you. I personally have so many atomizers I have them wrapped at all different resistances and have found that 0.8-1.2 ohms is my best range for taste and vapor production.

I have to give you mad props for asking these questions as it is about the best way to learn about mechs and sub ohm coils. Alot of people just try to figure it out on their own and that's playing it a little on the dangerous side, Again awesome questions, just wish everyone went about this like you did. Best of luck!!!

 

[qfivenine]

Thank you @cantstopwontstop, I am glad to be so welcome despite my many newbie questions here on ECF (I do search other threads, too). I have another question! What is the voltage rating of a battery all about? Some are 3.7, some 3.6 - what does that number mean? And can I use the Sony VTC4 in my regulated mods and the currently-in-use AW lMR 1860 2000mAh (10 ampere limit) in my mechanical?

 

[CloudZ]

What is the voltage rating of a battery all about? Some are 3.7, some 3.6 - what does that number mean? And can I use the Sony VTC4 in my regulated mods and the currently-in-use AW lMR 1860 2000mAh (10 ampere limit) in my mechanical?

The voltage they list doesn't mean too much for our purposes. Your charger will charge it up to 4.20-4.25 volts, you'll discharge it somewhat quickly down to about 3.8 volts then it will plateau and discharge more slowly to around 3.5 volts. Not something to be concerned with.

The high drain batteries are preferred for both regulated and unregulated mods. The Sony will do just fine in a regulated mod. If I had a regulated mod, I would use the NCR18650PD for its high capacity since 10 amps is plenty for most of them. Likewise, the AW will work great in a mech. Just be mindful of the amp limit when switching batteries.

 

[Baditude]

BATTERY BASICS FOR MODS: IMR OR PROTECTED ICR?

DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF MOD BATTERIES

INFORMATION RESOURCE FOR YOUR FIRST RBA

Mechanical Mod Proper Usage Guide

 

[Firestorm]

Air flow control on the mod is only used for non-genny tanks,the nemmy has one,dont know about the Chi.

Airflow control on the mod is only used for atomizers that don't have independent airflow and draw air from the 510 connection. In addition to Genesis atomizers, many silica atomizers (like the KFL, Taifun, etc), and drippers have independent airflow. I think that the AFC on the Nemesis works well and I can't get any airflow on the Chi You even though it's supposed to have AFC.