I'm melting my mod

[mcraig]

I'm making an altoids mech mod with 2 18650(in series). I've completely melted a set of battery springs. I went to the electronics store and got a battery box with a heavier spring but that also started to heat up when I fired it. I also tried a piece of copper pipe bent into a springlike shape and that worked better, but I don't really like that solution(because the only way I have to hold it on is with hot glue). Anyone know why this is happening and what can I do to help the situation? I've never heard of this problem from anyone(maybe you guys know better than to do it).



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[Baditude]

First of all, let me ask you what batteries are you using? IMR or ICR batteries? What brand name?

Batteries in series means you are stacking batteries. This is not recommended; batteries used in parallel is much safer. Stacking batteries can be dangerous if you don't know what you are doing and requires painstaking methodology to do correctly if you are going to do it with any amount of safety.

Melting springs means the batteries are being over-worked and stressed. You are putting too many watts through that setup. If allowed to continue, they can go into thermal runaway, venting gas or at worse vent flames or even explode.

My advice is to postpone your little project until you learn more about safely making a homemade mod.

BATTERY BASICS FOR MODS: IMR OR PROTECTED ICR?

DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF MOD BATTERIES

 

[happydave]

yeah i suggest you just stop right now.

if you don't know what your doing, things could go very very wrong.

 

[*deleon517*]

If the springs keep melting, im pretty sure there is some type of over powering/shorting occurring with in the device. once you reach 5 post you will have access to other area of the forum's. the modders section would probably be a better place to get the help your looking for.

 

[NealBJr]

I would check exactly where the heat is coming from. If the springs are cheap, chances are, they have resistance themselves, and are essentially being one huge heat coil. That's bad for two reasons... one, you're loosing some current that goes to the actual coil, and two, it drains your battery faster, which could cause your batteries to go into thermal. Get an ohm meter and see if there's resistance between the top and bottom part of the coil. If there is some resistance, either get a better spring, or buy a gold plating kit.

<Added after thinking a bit more> Also, how are you connecting it to the box itself. If you have weak connection between the box and the spring, It could be heating up there. Again, If the ohm meter doesn't show resistance, try soldiering it to the box for added connection (make sure you use lead free soldier) </added>

Instead of using hot glue, which is a real bad because any heat would re-melt the glue itself. You said you used a piece of copper piping bent to be a spring, have you thought about drilling a hole through it and the altoids box and using a small screw and nut to hold it on?

 

[mcraig]

Won't the screw short out to the outside of the box?


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[mcraig]

Btw I'm using sony 2100 mah 30A


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[*deleon517*]

regardless of the battery you are using, uncontrolled power from a short can kill even the best batteries can only be pushed so far before crap hits the fan. If its getting hot and melting springs there is a issue that needs to be addressed.

 

[venceremos]

Stop what you are doing now. You'll shoot ur eye out with that thing!

 

[mcraig]

regardless of the battery you are using, uncontrolled power from a short can kill even the best batteries can only be pushed so far before crap hits the fan. If its getting hot and melting springs there is a issue that needs to be addressed.

I understand there's a problem. I just wanted some input.


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[Baditude]

I understand there's a problem. I just wanted some input.

What was your intent or expectation for stacking the batteries (in series)?

Generally speaking, stacking batteries increases the overall voltage from 4.2 volts (single battery) to 8.4 volts (two batteries). If your intent was to get longer battery time, this is not the way to go about it, you are doubling the voltage but not the overall battery duration. Did you really want to vape at 8 volts of power?

Using batteries in parallel will increase the battery duration, but not increase the overall voltage. I suspect that this is what your intention was in the first place.

I believe your design scheme for battery power is flawed by stacking batteries in series instead of using them in parallel.

 

[AttyPops]

Use a multimeter and check for shorts. You have a multimeter, right?

If not, stop now....you don't know enough yet about what you're doing and don't have the tools.

Also, what ohm coils are you using? It shouldn't short at all if no coil is on it.

What button/electronics are you using? Are there electronics, or is this a "mech"?

 

[mcraig]

Use a multimeter and check for shorts. You have a multimeter, right?

If not, stop now....you don't know enough yet about what you're doing and don't have the tools.

Also, what ohm coils are you using? It shouldn't short at all if no coil is on it.

What button/electronics are you using? Are there electronics, or is this a "mech"?

I have a multimeter and I haven't found any shorts. So far the only current I have coming through is in the 510 when the button is pushed. I'm running 1.3ohm dual coils on an igo-w. If I'm running 7.5V under load. I'm at 5.8A.
I have an electronic switch not a mechanical. I'm using a 5A switch, so if I'm not mistaken I'm like 1A over the switch limit. Would that do it?



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[Baditude]

I have a multimeter and I haven't found any shorts. So far the only current I have coming through is in the 510 when the button is pushed. I'm running 1.3ohm dual coils on an igo-w. If I'm running 7.5V under load. I'm at 5.8A.
I have an electronic switch not a mechanical. I'm using a 5A switch, so if I'm not mistaken I'm like 1A over the switch limit. Would that do it?

You are pushing more amps through the switch than what it is rated for. What do you think?

I'm still wondering why you are using such high voltage and using a low ohm atomizer.

Did you come up with the electrical design of your mod yourself? I'm still concerned about your using batteries in series, and not parallel. Maybe go simpler and just use ONE battery.

 

[AttyPops]

7.5V at 5.8A is 43.5 watts.

Whatever circuitry you're using...better be able to take that heat. lol. I'm surprised you didn't release the "magic blue smoke".

First off, try a single coil (at 2.6 not 1.3). Or secondly, reduce the voltage!

Maybe don't use coat-hanger for coil wire and you can get within normal wattage ranges (I'm joking and guessing here.)

What gauge wire are you using? Also...what voltage regulator? or is it a power FET?

 

[mcraig]

I'm only using a small coat hanger(twisted 28). I'm not using a voltage regulator. I think you guys are right about the ohms in the RDA. I really I want bigger coils but I don't have an extra dripper to make that happen yet. I'll finish it and make a 2ohm coil next time I test it and I'm pretty sure that's the issue.

Thanks


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[ericm12121977]

I am just trying to find the purpose for this build? Each time the question is asked, the answer is avoided. To each their own, but when it blows up in your face and you are digging shrapnel out of yourself please don't jump on youtube, the news or report to your local hospital and blame vaping!

 

[tj99959]

The coil build that you described 'should' work just fine with a single battery. It doesn't stand a chance in hell with stacked batteries. I would say that you need to rethink your whole project.

There was a time that stacking batteries was needed to get a good vape, that was because all the heads out there were around 3 ohms. Those days are long gone. There was a day that we liked sub ohm coils, those days are also long gone.
So you are trying to combine two antiquated technologies that were each designed to do the same thing.

 

[AttyPops]

I'm only using a small coat hanger(twisted 28). I'm not using a voltage regulator. I think you guys are right about the ohms in the RDA. I really I want bigger coils but I don't have an extra dripper to make that happen yet. I'll finish it and make a 2ohm coil next time I test it and I'm pretty sure that's the issue.

Thanks


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twisted into a double coil....sounds like trouble for you right now.

What you really want is either
A) single coil and one battery to start with
B) thinner wire

For a HV vaping (which is what you have with stacked batteries...but you're not using a voltage reg...but said 7.5 volts....) you'd want 4 to 5 ohms. You're not going to get that with 28 ga wire unless it's monster long. Thinner wire...sure...but not thick wire like that. Plus thinner wire heats faster too. Thick wire requires too many watts for your rig. And twisted thick wire....even worse.

You're mixing up SLR and HV...and it's getting dangerous...melting stuff. Use caution!

 

[snork]

Yowza! I can't believe I just read what I read.