Honest question - unregulated mods

[BreilaRose]

I'm fairly new to the world of advanced vaping, and I'm still trying to wrap my head around coils, batteries, all of that. I recently ordered the materials for building my own coils, and am reading everything in my quest to make sure I do it right and don't blow myself up.

It seems like (and I could be wrong) that the real danger of battery venting comes from unregulated, or mechanical mods (are they the same thing?).

If that is the case, what are the advantages of these mods over regulated ones? I have no intention of going there anytime soon, but I am curious.

 

[nyiddle]

It used to be (about a year ago), there were no regulated mods capable of firing sub-ohm coils. The only way to play with sub-ohm and get that kind of vapor production was to go unregulated. So like, a year ago, you could argue that this was the benefit of going with an unregulated/mech mod.

Nowadays, regulated mods are capable of pushing the same power as an unregulated mod with the added benefit of a chip that will detect resistance. When using a mech mod, you need to be very cautious of not introducing a short (if a coil gets jostled or is touching some metal) or building too low of a resistance (which could result in your battery discharging/venting). With a regulated mod, it should, assuming the chip is working correctly, detect a short or too low of a resistance and will refuse to fire it. For regulated mods with screens it'll usually display a message, "Check atomizer" or "Low resistance" or something. Even in the worst case scenario with a regulated mod, you'll likely burn out the chip before the batteries discharge.

Don't get me wrong, if you really really tried, you could still vent batteries in a regulated mod. It's just far, far harder to do, and would need to be spurred on by a faulty chip or bad internal batteries or something like that.

 

[Alien Traveler]

Hobby, as I understand it.
For now it is just a hobby.

 

[BreilaRose]

Thanks for the explanation, that makes sense.

 

[Baditude]

I agree with ryiddle's and Alien Traveler's explanations.

The vast majority of mechanical mods today are not designed to handle a venting battery. There's no processor with protection circuitry to prevent a battery from going into thermal runaway. Batteries are designed to vent from their top (positive end); but most mechanical mods have vent holes (if they have any) in the bottom, or have vent holes not large enough to vent hot gas to prevent them from becoming a pipe bomb.

Mech mods could be designed to be a little safer in the case of a venting battery, but that would increase production costs which would be passed on to the consumer (adequate sized vent holes near the top of the mod, a "hot spring" which would melt if the battery reaches a critical temperature and break the circuit to the atomizer, a built-in safety fuse, elimination of bottom firing fire switches).

Advancing Up the Vaping Ladder

Battery Basics for Mods

Deeper Understanding of Mod Batteries

People who prefer mechanicals over regulated mods (with protection circuitry) like the simplicity of mechanicals (simple battery holder), their appearance (some are quite beautiful to the eye), and their durability (no electronics to fail and generally built tougher).

 

[BreilaRose]

I agree with ryiddle's and Alien Traveler's explanations.

Batteries are designed to vent from their top (positive end);

Aha, is that why the positive is on the bottom on my Kbox? That makes sense.

 

[snork]

...what are the advantages of these mods over regulated ones? I have no intention of going there anytime soon, but I am curious.

The main advantage for me is reliability. Sure there are rare times when a mechanical mod can quit working optimally or at all, but they can be fixed quickly and easily with parts on hand. A regulated mod can suffer from the same mechanical difficulties with the extra element of failing electronic components. A failed or malfunctioning board means a dead mod which is not easily serviceable and there are countless examples of such failures.

 

[AndriaD]

The main advantage for me is reliability. Sure there are rare times when a mechanical mod can quit working optimally or at all, but they can be fixed quickly and easily with parts on hand. A regulated mod can suffer from the same mechanical difficulties with the extra element of failing electronic components. A failed or malfunctioning board means a dead mod which is not easily serviceable and there are countless examples of such failures.

This right here is why I consider mechs "vapocalypse insurance" -- I really prefer regulated mods and their nifty lil screens of info, but I have 2 mechs, just in case the sky falls and I can't replace electronic mods that fail -- and all electronics do eventually fail, it's just a matter of time. If that vapocalypse does eventually come to pass, then I may be very glad to have a couple of mods that are mechanical and thus could be fixed fairly easily, should anything go wrong with them. I do use a Kick with mechs, always, because I want a regulated vape -- same from first hit to last -- but I also procured some extras of those for vapocalypse insurance, in case I ever do really have to depend on my mechs, just to be able to vape.

Other than that, gimme regulated -- if you've ever taken a hit and then wondered 'what the heck is wrong with this?' you should understand the allure of that informative screen. With a mech, about the only option is take it all apart and then put it back together, and hope that fixed whatever it was.

Andria

 

[snork]

I agree with ryiddle's and Alien Traveler's explanations.

The vast majority of mechanical mods today are not designed to handle a venting battery. There's no processor with protection circuitry to prevent a battery from going into thermal runaway. Batteries are designed to vent from their top (positive end); but most mechanical mods have vent holes (if they have any) in the bottom, or have vent holes not large enough to vent hot gas to prevent them from becoming a pipe bomb.

Off the top of my head, it seems to me that there have been more reports of regulated mods failing "catastrophically" than unregulated. Like iSticks auto-firing unattended with no atomizer attached and the thing flaming out, that sort of thing. It doesn't make sense to me to make a safety distinction between mechs and regulated.

 

[tj99959]

It can be tough to teach an old dog new trick sometimes. There are a lot of us that started using mechanicals before regulated mods came to market.
I can remember when that "overpriced" (it cost $139-199 back then) Provari started taking over for the GG mechanical stuff (it only cost about $300)
So there are a lot of us that full understand how to use a mechanical, and enjoy them. All a matter of what you become use to.

No different than here in the US a Mercedes is a status symbol, in Europe it's a TAXI .
There's a lot of different ways to vape, some are a status symbol, and others a taxi.

 

[bluecat]

Many batteries vent from improper charging. People were using the cheap chinese cables thinking any cable would charge. That was not the case, even a "regulated" device "exploded".

Next came the hybrid mechs. These do not have a 510 charger yet people still use a 510 connection with them. It is like playing Russian roulette.

So it is not necessarily the mechs fault. It is the human interface between the device and battery. Of course a chip eliminates a lot of the human element, yet chips do fail. Normal people think a battery is a battery is a battery. That is not the case.

 

[Rule62]

The only mods I use are unregulated Reos. However, anyone considering using unregulated mods should take some time to educate themselves, first. A working knowledge of Ohm's Law, and thorough understanding of battery safety and limitations will reduce chances of an accident.
Personally, I have no interest in regulated mods. I like the reliability of unregulated mods, and the fact that a properly cared for Reo, which is my mod of choice, will last a lifetime.

 

[Baditude]

Off the top of my head, it seems to me that there have been more reports of regulated mods failing "catastrophically" than unregulated. Like iSticks auto-firing unattended with no atomizer attached and the thing flaming out, that sort of thing. It doesn't make sense to me to make a safety distinction between mechs and regulated.

I have my own issues with regulated mods which use LiPo batteries in regulated mods, but that's another topic for another thread.

Mech mods are by design much more likely to be less safe than any regulated mod, and with far worse consequences. Mechanical tube mods are literally potential pipe bombs should they not have adequate ventilation for a venting battery. IMR batteries, because of their chemistry, are far safer than ICR or LiPo batteries. However, any battery can vent gas, and if that gas does not have an escape route, the accumulating gas pressure turns a metal tube mod into a pipe bomb.

There was a vape blast at Vape Blast

 

[snork]

I have my own issues with regulated mods which use LiPo batteries in regulated mods, but that's another topic for another thread.

Mech mods are by design much more likely to be less safe than any regulated mod, and with far worse consequences. Mechanical tube mods are literally potential pipe bombs should they not have adequate ventilation for a venting battery. IMR batteries, because of their chemistry, are far safer than ICR or LiPo batteries. However, any battery can vent gas, and if that gas does not have an escape route, the accumulating gas pressure turns a metal tube mod into a pipe bomb.

While I appreciate your graphics, I would certainly put my faith in my own expertise than a $30 Chinese electronic trinket.
I think we do a disservice to new vapers in leading them to believe "regulated" means "safe".
Now if you were specific and said a ProVari is safer than a Cherrybomber, I'd go along with that.

 

[Baditude]

While I appreciate your graphics, I would certainly put my faith in my own expertise than a $30 Chinese electronic trinket.
I think we do a disservice to new vapers in leading them to believe "regulated" means "safe".
Now if you were specific and said a ProVari is safer than a Cherrybomber, I'd go along with that.

You present some very good points, and can't argue with any of them.

But from a general perspective, for a new vaper, a regulated mod should be considered safer than a mechanical.

 

[Rule62]

While I appreciate your graphics, I would certainly put my faith in my own expertise than a $30 Chinese electronic trinket.
I think we do a disservice to new vapers in leading them to believe "regulated" means "safe".
Now if you were specific and said a ProVari is safer than a Cherrybomber, I'd go along with that.

I fully agree. Telling new vapers they are safe, by using a regulated mod, is like telling a new motorcycle rider they are safe, if they wear a helmet.
'Safer', maybe; but unforeseen accidents happen. Personally, I'd rather place my trust in the simplicity of a non regulated device, and my experience, than an unknown electronic safety net, which may or may not work.

 

[MattyTny]

Some really well thought out information here!

You won't have much to worry about as long as you ask questions like you are now. Reading and researching about products you are interested will be the best thing to do before buying.

I find its best to learn on a regulated device that takes 18650s before going to a unregulated device. You'll get a feel for battery maintenance and cleaning contact points and connections. Make sure that first regulated device has a good standing in the market, as others said, they can act funky too.

 

[tj99959]

I fully agree. Telling new vapers they are safe, by using a regulated mod, is like telling a new motorcycle rider they are safe, if they wear a helmet.
'Safer', maybe; but unforeseen accidents happen. Personally, I'd rather place my trust in the simplicity of a non regulated device, and my experience, than an unknown electronic safety net, which may or may not work.

But first a person needs to gain that experience. Staying safe while learning is what we should keep in mind.

 

[snork]

But first a person needs to gain that experience. Staying safe while learning is what we should keep in mind.

Safe-r. More safe. Safier. Whatever it is.

 

[Bad Ninja]

Now if you were specific and said a ProVari is safer than a Cherrybomber, I'd go along with that.

Now that depends totally on the vaper using it doesn't it?