How is wattage better than voltage?

[CigmundFreud]

I hear people saying that wattage is better than voltage. The argument goes something like: you can keep the same wattage no matter what resistance you get and still have the same vape. But with voltage you have to adjust it if you get a different coil resistance in order to keep the same vape.

But that makes no sense to me. Voltage equals current times resistance. Wattage just equals current squared times resistance. Therefore resistance AFFECTS BOTH wattage and voltage.

Is there something I'm not getting? What makes wattage better? Aren't they both susceptible and in need of tweaking if you change your coil resistance?

 

[amoret]

Variable wattage devices are designed to maintain the same wattage when the resistance changes, and they do this by changing the voltage applied. Variable voltage devices put out the same voltage no matter what, so the actual wattage will be different if you change the resistance.

 

[defdock]

going outside of math-----think of Watts as an "experiance"

a 2.2 coil at 7W will be a similar experiance as a 1.8 coil at the same 7W - same clouds, same th

now try a 2.2 coil at 3.7V it will be "experiance A", swap the coil for a 1.8 staying on 3.7V and you notice how its abit warmer vape then the 2.2 (this is experiance B)

 

[CigmundFreud]

Variable wattage devices are designed to maintain the same wattage when the resistance changes, and they do this by changing the voltage applied. Variable voltage devices put out the same voltage no matter what, so the actual wattage will be different if you change the resistance.

So variable wattage devices put out the same wattage by changing the voltage, while variable voltage put out the same voltage by having a different wattage. What does any of this mean? They both obviously are changing something when the resistance changes.

 

[defdock]

So variable wattage devices put out the same wattage by changing the voltage, while variable voltage put out the same voltage by having a different wattage. What does any of this mean? They both obviously are changing something when the resistance changes.

VW devices will keep the same W(that you set), by checking resistance and changing the voltage AUTOMATICALY FOR YOU - to keep the same "experiance"

VV devices are less sophisticated and do nothing except change the V manualy - leaving you to do the math yourself to find the right Watt(experiance)

 

[CigmundFreud]

Alright. I was never good at electricity when it came to physics. I'll take your guys words for it.

 

[defdock]

I was never good at electricity when it came to physics..

neither was i, this was how it was explained to me when i started, the more into vaping i got the more clear things became

 

[stevegmu]

I think VW is better for new vapers who haven't learned to adjust voltage for different juices and toppers, so that they can still get a decent vape.

 

[IrishJuice]

You can get devices that are variable voltage and variable wattage (Innokin VTR) and play with both VV/VW to get the vape your looking for.

 

[mix1983]

Wattage can be more convenient if you change out tanks/coils often. The mod will adjust to keep the same wattage and (give or take) experience across different attys. If you set voltage, that voltage may be great on one but not so great on something else. This is my understanding, anyway. I stick to wattage myself.

 

[spaztick]

This really explained a lot!! Thanks everyone

 

[Woofer]

Volt describes the potential difference between conductors, sometimes described as being like water pressure.
Watt describes a rate of energy conversion in our case heat (over time).

In simple terms I`m interested in how hot my coil is (watts). I don`t care what the volts are as long as i have as many or few as needed to get the wattage I like.

 

[Katya]

It's all about wattage. Wattage (heat, power) = voltage (of your battery) squared divided by resistance (of your atomizer). You can't have one without the other.

More on the subject:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/new-members-forum/617843-watts-volts-better.html#post14458591

 

[IMFire3605]

So variable wattage devices put out the same wattage by changing the voltage, while variable voltage put out the same voltage by having a different wattage. What does any of this mean? They both obviously are changing something when the resistance changes.

This is the simplest explanation I tell total new vapers trying to wrap their heads around the VV and VW(VP) methodology. (Voltage X Voltage (/)divided by resistance = Power or ending wattage at the coil).

Here is the analogy, coil resistance equals the road outside your home, it has hills (higher resistance) and valleys (low resistance) and flat areas (even resistance). Variable Voltage and Variable Power (Wattage) devices do the same thing, increase output in voltage to get to a desired wattage (speed limit). VV is like a stock Chevy Compact, you are taking a holiday to Kansas city to visit relatives, as you are driving down the road, when you climb a hill (resistance increases) you step down on the throttle yourself (increasing voltage output), going down hill you let off the throttle to coast (decrease voltage). VW/VP is the same Chevy Compact, only, add a cruise control module, get on the highway, set your speed limit into the cruise control, let your foot of the throttle pedal, and the computer adjusts the throttle up or down depending on increased or decreased resistance automatically for you.

 

[zapped]

VW devices will keep the same W(that you set), by checking resistance and changing the voltage AUTOMATICALY FOR YOU - to keep the same "experiance"

VV devices are less sophisticated and do nothing except change the V manualy - leaving you to do the math yourself to find the right Watt(experiance)

Less sophisticated?

Or do you mean less complicated?

Wattage is simpler to use for those just starting out in vaping.

Thats because they can use a variety of different juice delivery devices with varying resistances and dont have to worry about adjusting up or down each time they switch.A lot of vaping is trial and error and trying all sorts of different devices until you find what works best for you.

It also appeals to people who like to vape one juice at 2.5ohms and another at .8 ohms and a third at 1.7ohm etc etc.

For whatever reason, some people choose to make vaping complicated and need a device to make it less complicated for them. Thats the appeal of watts.

For those of us who have already determined our ideal resistance and juice delivery device and know what works best for us, wattage simply isnt needed.

I vape all of my juices in carto tanks with 3ohm cartos at 5.2 volts. My variable wattage device is my finger as I put those cartos into my shopping cart. I try to make vaping as uncomplicated as smoking was.

As far as the math goes, resistance plus 2 isnt that hard of a formula to figure out to start with.

2ohms plus 2 equals 4 volts etc etc.

 

[Cool-breeze]

I think the math and theory has already been said sufficiently well. I will add in I personally believe watts is also being pushed as a marketing gimic. 5 volts at .5 ohm will give you 50 watts. If you are buying new gear and no nothing about electricity which sounds more appealing 5 volts or 50 watts? Kinda like our batteries showing 3400 mah vs 3.4 amp hours. Same thing but 3400 sounds bigger to most ppl.

 

[VapinMark]

I normally use the watts setting on my MVP, though I still find myself raising or lowering the watts based on the juice I'm using or equipment. My day to day use doesn't involve the science, it's just a setting I use. Usually I'm at 8 watts but for two of my current juices this is too hot. Also I am currently using an assortment of aspire tanks and coils all 1.8ohms (bvc and bdc). The BVC coils in my nautilus seem to need at least 9-10 watts to perform. This leads me to conclude that watts settings are not a one size fits all but closer to one size fits most.

 

[tj99959]

With a set resistance (the coil in your atomizer) you have to set the voltage to get the power (wattage) you want.

So now think of VW as driving a car with an automatic transmission. You set the wattage you want, and the PV adjusts the voltage.
Now think of VV as driving a car with a standard transmission. You adjust the voltage you want, and the PV adjusts the wattage.
With a PV that has a set voltage, you change the resistance to to get the power (wattage) you want.

Ohms law is a circle, and there are always three ways to get from point A to point B.

 

[Norrin]

Lets make it super simple
A VV device changes the voltage
A VW device changes the Watts Sorry you can't directly change the watts you need to measure the resistance and then change the voltage to get the watts.

So a VV device is like a manual where you change it to get the right vape and VW is an Automatic which does the changes for you.

 

[TFL!]

Watts? Volts? don't make no difference. Start low with either and work up to get the taste you like. If it tastes burnt back off a little.