Journey into RDAs and Mechs! Advice needed :)

[Brittanicle]

Alright guys, I've been vaping for about 3 years. Started on the stick batteries then moved to an ego style. Decided I needed a bit more and went for a Silver Bullet. I recently got a MVP 2.0 and I love it. I've been using it for a couple months now and I have decided to make the jump to mech mods and RDAs. I have done weeks of research and it just seems like there's always something that I'm missing! Maybe I'm just being overly cautious. I have recently purchased a Nerd Box, 4 Samsung INR18650-25R 25000mAh betteries, a Nitecore Digicharger D2, a Plume Veil 1.5 rda, Kenthal and Organic Cotton. No matter how much research I have done, I just feel like there is still a ton of room for major error. I just wanted to ask those of you who are a bit more experienced, if there is anything that would help me as I venture out and if everything I have purchased to start my journey, is correct? If there is any tips or tricks that you could give me, they would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

 

[Susan~S]

Hello and welcome to the forum Brittanicle. Glad to have you here!

Do you have an Ohm Reader and do you know/understand Ohm's Law?

 

[Brittanicle]

Hello and Thank you! I'm glad to be here.
I do have a Ohm/Volt meter and I think I do! Haha. Seems like the deeper you get, the more you need to learn. But I feel pretty confident about my knowledge on Ohm's Law.

 

[astronomicals]

Anything in particular you're confused about?

 

[Brittanicle]

Not sure if I'm confused or just a little doubtful on the knowledge that I DO have. By biggest concern is battery safety. Is there anything that I should be particularly cautious about when building with the particular batteries that I have? I'm sorry that I'm being so broad! I just don't even know where to start lol

 

[sedition]

I think you're on the right track - the gear you have is perfectly fine. It's not important that you be able to recite Ohm's Law from memory, you just need to be respectful of electricity and the potential danger. Steam Engine is your new best friend - aside from the Ohm's Law calculator, it's a great for planning out a coil build.

I found RipTripper's videos on Youtube a great place to learn - both coil building and general safety. His earlier coil builds started with simple micros on a Kayfun and worked up from there. He doesn't skip any important points that I can think of. Follow what he's doing and you'll pick up proper building habits.

There's definitely heaps to learn, but it's a great journey. Don't be afraid to ask questions!

 

[astronomicals]

E-Cigarette Forum - Baditude - Blogs

sift thru those logs and youll find what you need

 

[Brittanicle]

That's great! I will definitely check all of that out. Thank you guys so much for your help I just needed a little reassurance.

 

[Susan~S]

Here's my Baditude in a box education post I often give to someone new to either mech mods and/or rebuildables (and has questions).

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

With a mechanical mod the only way to "fine tune" your vape is to build a new coil. With a high vv/vw regulated mod (and its buck/boost circuitry) you can "fine tune" with a push of a button. On a mechanical mod your voltage drops as you vape, with a regulated mod this does not happen. Your first hit is just as good as your last hit.

Here's a good read: My thoughts about sub-ohm and latest VV/VW devices...

**********

If you are new to mechanical mods and/or rebuildables I highly recommend you spend some time with Baditude (one of our resident battery experts) and visit his blogs. You are now 100% in control of your own safety (and others around you). Make sure you purchase an ohm reader and a voltmeter or DMM so you can measure your builds, check for shorts and measure the remaining charge on your batteries.

Baditudes Blogs. The blogs regarding mods and rebuildables are listed below:

BATTERIES

Battery Basics for Mods: IMR or Protected ICR?
* Another essential read to understand which batteries are safe to use in mechanical and regulated mods. Includes a frequently updated list of recommended safe-chemistry, high-drain batteries with their specifications.

Purple Efest Batteries not as Advertised
* A cautionary blog that reveals that the purple Efest batteries may not have the specifications advertised. Also includes a commentary on "continuous discharge ratings" vs "pulse discharge ratings" of battery specs.

OHM'S LAW

Ohm's Law for Dummies (Vapers)
* My attempt at explaining Ohm's Law in layman terms and how it relates to vaping.

Explain it to the Dumb Noob: Ohm's Law Calculations
* As simple as it is to use, some people have a tough time grasping the concept. Warning: Includes graphic photos of mod explosions.

MECHANICAL MODS & REBUILDABLES

Information Resources for Your First RBA
* An essential read and reference guide for someone new to rebuilding coils. Includes a multitude of useful links on battery safety, mod safety, coil meters, coil building, and the differences in the three types of RBA's.

Inexpensive Mechanical Mod/RDA Setup
* A response to the frequently asked question on how to get into rebuildable atomizers with a mechanical mod inexpensively. Includes a list of commonly used tools and supplies for rebuilding and where to find them.

BATTERIES - WHERE TO BUY

Only buy batteries from a reputable supplier (not ebay or Amazon) as there are many counterfeit batteries being sold. Here are several reputable battery suppliers in the US.

* RTD Vapor
* Illumination Supply
* Lighthound
* Orbtronics

 

[Wolfenstark]

Use ohms law or the steam engine site.
Want to make sure your build is not pulling more amps than the battery your using can handle.
Go into the battery drain tab on the steam site and fill in the info.
If your doing dual coils you need more watts to heat up the coils good and fast. So if your doing say a 0.5Ω build and your device only pushes out 15 watts it won't be so effective.

 

[Ezah]

Brittanicle <- if you are interested in please take a look at my step by step tutorial dripping for beginners . And here you can read something about resistance and mech mods...

 

[tj99959]

Everyone is free to set their own parameters, and I can only say what mine are.

I try to never exceed 50% of the CDL of a battery. So with your 20a batteries, that would be 10a.
This Ohm's Law Calculator tells me that a .4 ohm build is as low as I would want to use.

The reason that I place a 50% limit is because as a battery ages the mAh of the battery degrades, as the mAh degrades ... so does the batteries c rating. (amp limit) So down the road, your 20a battery may only be a 10a battery.

 

[Thrasher]

Ahh dont let it get to you lol. We have all been there.
as long as you understand what you are trying to do, understand the inherent dangers and follow safety precautions you just have jump in and get that experience. Its like anything new once you do it a few times You get it, and then start tuning everything so its even better next time.

Keep us updated and Make sure to post issues or questions in the rebuilding forums. Everyone will be happy to have another join the flock.

Good luck and enjoy I think your gonna dig it.

 

[Brittanicle]

Again, thank you guys so much! That's all helped more than you know. I do have a quick question though. My device runs the batteries in parallel and each battery has a discharge rate of 20 amps and a nominal voltage of 3.6 volts. So with that, does this mean that the amp discharge will double to 40 and my volts will still rest at 3.6? And with a device running in series, it would have a discharge of 20 amps but the volts will be around 7.2? Probably a newbie question but everybody has to start somewhere! Haha

 

[Susan~S]

A fully charged battery is 4.2v. Use that in your calculations for Ohm's Law.

Two batteries in parallel doubles the amps & mAh while maintaining the voltage of one individual battery.
Two batteries in a series (stacked or wired as such) doubles the voltage while maintaining the amps of one individual battery.

 

[DingerCPA]

As mentioned above, the mech mod power will drop as the voltage level of the battery drops. I'm kinda lazy and I want my mod to do some of my thinking for me, so I stick with regulated mods. I'm aware of my battery ratings (like tj says, I figure about 1/2 my CDR as my "safe zone") You have good gear in hand. Some specs read that you *could* build as low as 0.15ohms (at your own risk). If I had those goodies in hand, I'd probably not build below 0.5 and would feel safe.

Might want to consider a DMM (digital multi-meter) to measure the voltage on the batteries so you don't drain them too low before recharging.

Good Luck!

 

[Brittanicle]

Quick update! I wasn't a huge fan of The Nerd Box and all of it's unregulated goodness. I went ahead and got a Sigelei 150W and I am absolutely loving it! Have it paired with the Plume Veil RDA and so far everything is great. Just using a single coil at about 0.6 ohms. Best vape that I've had since starting! I just wanted to thank everybody for all of their help I am completely grateful for everybody on this forum and their willingness to help out with anything that anybody throws at them