LavaTube Output Voltage Tests

[WA3PNT]

BACKGROUND: I have two LavaTubes which I used for about a month, and then ordered a Provari, which has become my main PV. I use various tanks on my PV, and usually a 1.7 Ohm dual coil Cartomizer. I normally vape tobacco liquids, but enjoy a sweeter juice (Cherry, Bananna, etc.) from time to time to break the monotony. So I loaded up a tank with some Cherry and put it on the LavaTube so it would be handy when I wanted the change.

Going back to the LavaTube, set at 4.0 Volts, something just didn't seem right, so I decided to run some tests to find out exactly what the difference was.

TEST SETUP: I used an in line digital voltmeter, with the Tank attached for the proper load on the devices. For each test I used a freshly charged AW IMR 18650 Battery. I fired the LavaTube three times at each voltage setting, and found the readings within .01 Volt (slight battery drain).

TEST RESULTS:

LavaTube #1
Voltage set to 3.0. Output to the Tank 2.97 Volts
Voltage set at 3.3. Output to the Tank 3.28 Volts
Voltage set to 3.5. Output to the Tank 3.43 Volts
Voltage set to 3.7. Output to the Tank 3.50 Volts
Voltage set at 4.0. Output to the Tank 3.57 Volts
Voltage set to 4.5. Output to the Tank 3.53 Volts
Voltage set to 5.0. Output to the Tank 3.57 Volts
Voltage set at 5.5. Output to the Tank 3.59 Volts
Voltage set to 6.0. Output to the Tank 3.60 Volts

LavaTube #2
Voltage set to 3.0. Output to the Tank 2.82 Volts
Voltage set at 3.3. Output to the Tank 3.10 Volts
Voltage set to 3.5. Output to the Tank 3.33 Volts
Voltage set to 3.7. Output to the Tank 3.41 Volts
Voltage set at 4.0. Output to the Tank 3.47 Volts
Voltage set to 4.5. Output to the Tank 3.49 Volts
Voltage set to 5.0. Output to the Tank 3.53 Volts
Voltage set at 5.5. Output to the Tank 3.56 Volts
Voltage set to 6.0. Output to the Tank 3.59 Volts

So basically I could not get the output of the LavaTubes to go much above 3.6 Volts no matter how high I set them.

As an aside, the same tests on the Provari showed the output to the Tank to .02 Volts below the Provari setting. i.e., When set to 4.0 the output to the Tank was 3.98 Volts.

An eye opener for me.

George

 

[invididual]

its designed not to go above that using a 1.7 oHm cartomizer

 

[trepalium]

Correct you'll need to use a single coil Carto to get tithe higher voltages. I'm vaping with 3ohm single coil DCT replacement Carto. Vaping at 5 volts. No issue.

 

[panachronic]

The logical explanation is that the LT is equipped with a current limiting circuit. That's perfectly sensible, unless you would prefer to blow up your low resistance atomizers.

If you repeat your testing with more robust hardware (i.e., a 3 ohm atomizer), you will get very different results. Or, you could just watch this video review, where the reviewer does precisely that:

A PBusardo Review - VZ VV Tube Mod (AKA Lavatube) Full vs. Mini - Vaping Zone - YouTube

The voltage testing starts at about 21:00.

 

[ChrispyCritter]

You're hitting the 2.5a limit a Provari V1 would do pretty much the same. BTW this is pretty well known in these forums..if someone doesn't know just a little searching and they will know..I knew about it before I bought my LT and I don't use dual coils anyways...

 

[unloaded]

4v and 1.7ohm should draw 2.35 amps. The LT should do that. Most cartos are rated with +/- 0.2 ohm so it sounds like yours is 1.5 or slightly less if it's maxing out at 3.6v Did you meter the carto to confirm its at 1.7?

 

[charmgraphics]

I feel like I’m in a time capsule. The old lavatube volts have been hashed out forever here.
I do know I hit the button and it hits really well for the most part. But with a little research I knew to use a 3.0 on it.

WA3PNT there is also a new LT coming out probably this week that will pretty much do what that provari does I guess.
May be a eye opener for some also!

 

[WA3PNT]

I just measured the Cartomizer, and it is in fact 1.5 Ohms. Package was marked 1.7.

George

 

[MASTER0FDAMPF]

Voltage (E): 4.0 Volts (V)
Resistance (R): 1.5 ohms (Ω)
Current (I): 2.66667 amps (A)
Power (P): 10.66667 Watts (W)

4v with 1.5 carto/atty ~2.7A - more than the tube should be able to produce. There have been quite a few fried switches, and perhaps it is the 1.5 ohm range that is allowing it to over draw.

 

[Lost Boy]

I feel like I’m in a time capsule. The old lavatube volts have been hashed out forever here.
I do know I hit the button and it hits really well for the most part. But with a little research I knew to use a 3.0 on it.

WA3PNT there is also a new LT coming out probably this week that will pretty much do what that provari does I guess.
May be a eye opener for some also!

New LT!!!! more info or a link or something!!!! Pleeeese !

 

[nosmok]

Mine fried with a 2ohm boge set at 3.9 volts.
Sometimes things just happen.

Voltage (E): 4.0 Volts (V)
Resistance (R): 1.5 ohms (Ω)
Current (I): 2.66667 amps (A)
Power (P): 10.66667 Watts (W)

4v with 1.5 carto/atty ~2.7A - more than the tube should be able to produce. There have been quite a few fried switches, and perhaps it is the 1.5 ohm range that is allowing it to over draw.

 

[MASTER0FDAMPF]

I agree, sometimes there is just a fault. I KNOW mine will push just over the 2.5A limit with a 1.7 carto on it....I have not tried to take it higher than that.

 

[iKN0WaGH0ST]

What cartos are you using? If you're using DC cartos, they don't play well with lavatubes.

 

[jamentertainment]

Deff feels like a 4G over 3G cell phone commercial.."that was so 42 seconds ago"

 

[MASTER0FDAMPF]

I use DC's on mine all the time, mostly 2.5's (around 5v) though. some juices just don't seem to taste right on a single...

 

[DaveP]

It had to be the limiting circuitry that kicked in when you reached a voltage/resistance combination that exceeded 2.5 amps. That's a safety feature that prevents us from over driving the battery and blowing the MOSFET or the switch. Try a 3 ohm atty coil if you want to vape at 5 volts and higher.

The Provari just upgraded to 3 amps with V3.

This chart will let you compare the wattage at different voltage and resistance combinations. Click the chart for a larger, more readable display.

Safe Vaping Power Chart

These formulas will let you convert the voltage and resistance into amperage for reference. Voltage/resistance is probably the easiest. Power in watts/voltage also yields amps.

 

[ChrispyCritter]

It had to be the limiting circuitry that kicked in when you reached a voltage/resistance combination that exceeded 2.5 amps. That's a safety feature that prevents us from over driving the battery and blowing the MOSFET or the switch...

More than likely the limit is to protect the device because from reading around the batteries that come with the kit might have a 20a continuous discharge rate and might be able to handle 30a max in bursts..at the very least they are 15a continuous discharge rate and the device doesn't even get close to that. So either the wires..chip..switch or something in the device probably can't handle more than 2.5a output. I'm sure whatever it is will be more heavy duty in the newer versions because I'm sure they know people want more amps to run things like dual coils...

 

[MASTER0FDAMPF]

Holy jeebus...nice chart, but I think that might confuse some...the simple method:
Ohm's Law Calculator

and the ProVari is only on V2 and has a 3.5A max.
http://www.provape.com/provari-variable-voltage-ecig-s/36.htm

It had to be the limiting circuitry that kicked in when you reached a voltage/resistance combination that exceeded 2.5 amps. That's a safety feature that prevents us from over driving the battery and blowing the MOSFET or the switch. Try a 3 ohm atty coil if you want to vape at 5 volts and higher.

The Provari just upgraded to 3 amps with V3.

This chart will let you compare the wattage at different voltage and resistance combinations. Click the chart for a larger, more readable display.

Safe Vaping Power Chart

These formulas will let you convert the voltage and resistance into amperage for reference. Voltage/resistance is probably the easiest. Power in watts/voltage also yields amps.

 

[nuggetz]

So is there a way to replace what I'm assuming is a transistor of some sort with something that supports higher amperage's?

 

[mikkey9]

IT`s the switch, the button you press, its only rated to 2.5 amps, so they put a current limiter in, if you try to go over 2.5 amps it drops the voltage automatically.