I turn to you Experienced Modders for newbie help !

[vereybowring]

I am very new to vaping and I have happily modded my CE2r4 XL's into 4ml tanks, but my next idea is a biggie.
I apologise for this rambling post but really need help.

I am very happy with my Riva XL 510 but realise that batteries have a finite life and are quite expensive in relation to performance but that big batteries, especially 18650's, can be bought quite cheaply in comparison.
I have looked, and been tempted, by the current crop of tubes like the Icon V3, GG etc. but do not have nearly the amounts of cash to buy one.
I do have lots of free time though being long term ill, but still capable of building stuff at home.

So I want to build my own tube mod but haven't done any electrical/physics stuff in a couple of decades so need a fair bit of guidance/help so I don't blow batteries or atomizers to hell.

In a quirkiness outbreak I am going to base the unit around two 18650 batteries but wired in parallel not series, if this is possible, giving enormous usage potential away from home if it can be done.
Here is a very basic wiring diagram (not standard notation I'm sure).



Now from the diagram we see the two batteries 4 Protected 18650 3000mAh li-ion rechargeable battery A on eBay (end time 25-Apr-11 17:21:17 BST) (great deal), wired in series with a push to make switch Low Profile Switch Push to Make SPST Red on eBay (end time 15-Apr-11 15:03:16 BST).
This then runs to the 510 connector and separately to an led Pk 5 - 5MM Standard Diffused Lens Blue LED on eBay (end time 11-Apr-11 17:32:31 BST) in series with a resistor.
Then the atomizer and led/resistor are connected to the negative terminals.

Will this work ? I am unsure of the layout of led and resistor and the size of resistor needed for such an led.

I am going to put the batteries into holders 5 x Box 18650 Rechargeable CELL Battery Holder Storage on eBay (end time 30-Apr-11 18:00:24 BST) to make a removable battery pack but didn't put this on the diagram for simplicity - going to use good old 9V push connectors for that.
I have also found a place on ebay that sells stainless steel tubing to precision sizes so a casing should be relatively easy too.
I have all the tools I need apart from a multimeter (last one broke) but have one coming and otherwise just need some guidance from you lovely experienced modders with excellent electrical skills.

Thanks In Advance !

 

[asdaq]

Sounds good right up to the part with the battery holders and then SS tubing to hold it all. Since you want to do parallel, the batts wont be end to end, but the tube traditionally requires this. To avoid a package that might be to long, might I suggest a 26500 or 26650 to meet your high mah wishes?

 

[Rockproof]

I know this might not be what you want but as a first time modder my humble opinion is start simple. Ya want to start with somethig REAL easy using an 18650 check this out: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/modders-forum/175281-my-take-copper-mod.html


Took me about 10min to build and hits super...

 

[vereybowring]

asdaq
Not familiar with the 26650 type battery are they Lithium 3.7V, I think I've only seen 3.2V.
My diagram may not be clear but you can have the batteries end to end the batteries just don't touch, you just need to wire the holders properly which is a cinch.
I can probably wire the battery holders together and make a battery pack which is approx. 150-160mm, adding the switch, led and atomizer connection as well as some air space should mean the device will be approx. 190-200mm long but only about 24-26mm wide

Rockproof,
Yeah, I saw that one and I might be using copper as the tube - but I am aiming for a lovely PV of my own that will last me (hopefully) a very long time.
The device I propose may sound a bit complex but actually shouldn't be - just different.
Assembly time is not really an issue as I have plenty, and basic soldering, drilling, cutting, etc. are skills I've used since I was 7 or so - just the wiring of the led and resistor I am unsure of and whether or not parallel battery set up is viable at all.

 

[Para]

Looks like that switch is coming from the U.K....if so, that's a mighty expensive switch

 

[VpnDrgn]

That would be a very long tube. A 26650 would be a better choice if you are dead set on a tube mod and would give you
a lot of mAh to work with. ( don't forget, use protected batts ) My 2 cents would be to go with a box mod. You could get
18650 batt holders from Digikey that would make it very easy to wire together. As far as your drawing goes, it is laid out
properly ( though I believe the resistor goes on the positive side of the LED ), but by the time you made room for the
holders and switch and atty, you would have a tube as long as a full size flashlight.

 

[vereybowring]

Thanks guys,

Parallex2
I'm in the UK too and that switch is the best option I found so far.

VpnDrgn
Don't really want a box as I like the aesthetics of a nice tube.
Looked at 18650 batteries as I found a cheap deal on the batteries in china but haven't seen a similarly cheap deal on other common lithium rechargeables as competitive.

 

[asdaq]

26xxx's are 3.7v, I believe the shorter is an aw imr high drain batt and the longer one is just standard li-on. Not only is it going to be a long tube, but the weight is also a factor, and when combining the length and weight the leverage is going to make it seem even heavier and unwieldy in the hand. I did see some copper fittings for 28mm diameter pipe that ought to hold a 26mm batt. Perhaps not the pipe, but the fittings at least.

 

[vereybowring]

Already I find it really difficult to find decent metal tubing with end caps that is not copper. ???

Also realise the tube probably needs to be 30mm diameter at least.

Two parallel batteries in a tube might be too heavy unless I can find lightweight cheap materials that are durable.
However alloys tend to be expensive and plastics are tacky.

Might have to go with just one battery but would still run wires for the connections for better circuit and still use battery holder which could slip out for battery change.

Sounds more complex but I don't think so and I'm fussy.

 

[vereybowring]

Might have found a single 18650 capable metal tube !
12 LED police Lamp Torch Flashlight Light + Holster BL on eBay (end time 01-May-11 20:11:00 BST)

Anyone got any thoughts on using this for a mod ?

 

[VpnDrgn]

CR123's are 16mm, 18650 is 18mm, I doubt the inside diameter on the flashlight is going to be much bigger than what is needed for the CR123's.

 

[vereybowring]

How about 7 Watt Luxeon White LED Light Torch Flashlight +Holster on eBay (end time 13-Apr-11 12:41:03 BST)

 

[Gummy Bear]

I know that a few of us are going to give this tube a go. If you do decide to go with a single 18650 this would be a good start. and there will be plenty of room in it if later you want to install a booster for higher voltage. http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ingle-18650-electronics-help.html#post2914493

 

[vereybowring]

Since I am having trouble finding cheap tubes made of nicer material that doesn't cost a bomb, I am going with a box after all.
Someone brought this to my attention which allows parallel and already has connectors plus space for the other parts.

Now I just need other general advice.
I found a switch which rates at 3A 250V which should be fine.
The 510 connector is easy.

The led I am going for is red 1.9V 25mA.
I know the supply voltage should be 3.7V (unless the batteries actually charge higher say 4.2V).
I am looking at red ultrafire protected 18650 3.7V 3000mAH batteries and don't know what their maximum V would be just in case

So led has current 25mA, 1.9V forward, 5V reverse which shouldn't matter so I'm thinking the resistor would be 82Ohm 1/8W at 3.7V Supply, but 100Ohm 1/8W if the battery gets as high as 4.2V.
I am mildly confused just now and need someone to tell me which to use ?

 

[vereybowring]

On to the next iteration of design !

New diagram -

Going to use a project box with 18650 battery compartment already fitted - this one I ordered 2 of them in case I screw one up.
Batteries will be Ultrafire red protected 18650 3.7V 3000mAH, of which I am ordering 4.
The push to make switch is 3A 250V capable.
The LED is a red 3mm diffused type 25mA 2.0 to 2.4 V.
The resistor will be 100Ohm 1/4W.
The 510 connector of course.
The new addition of a PCB carrying a premade USB Charging circuit which charges at 4.2V 400mA, it is protected and sports an indicator led.

Due to these additions and after some other concerns I thought I would add fuses in the circuit too for each of the batteries to protect the equipment further since there can be issues if one of the two batteries fails and I have added the charger part as well.

My calculations lead me to a 1.5 - 1.6 amp fuse and I found some polyswitch surface mount ones that are in this ball park.
Have I calculated right with the amperage ?
Do I even need these fuses ?
Are polyswitches a suitable choice ?
I don't know for definite hence more posting.

Bits will start arriving over the next couple of weeks - can't wait.
Once I have parts I can start working on the internal layout and where to fit 510 connector, USB and LED.

Please feel free to comment - especially if you have spotted an error !

 

[satelliteguy]

good luck, I too have bought 4x 18650's from ebay, I built a simple box mod using 2x18650 in parallel hoping for days of vaping, but it only vaped at the sweet spot(around 4v) for a few hours before it started getting normal again, I plan on using this to build my 18650 vv, but its prewired for parallel if thats what you want.

18650 battery case 2 x parallel connection DIY case For Sale

I ordered it a while back, still haven't received yet though. Its coming from china and i'm in the us.

hey it looks like we ordered the same thing.....