Looking for a well-made 3.7ish volt passthrough

[Janet]

After 3 years of vaping, I have found the best vaping experience for me - a Smoktec Dual Coil Carto on a Riva or eGo battery. Problem is I do most of my vaping at home in one place. I was happy with V4L's passthrough used with their CoolCarts, but now I really want just a plain, no inline battery, 510 passthrough. The dual coils will work on the V4L passthrough with an adapter, but they get way too hot, the flavor is a bit washed out for me, and they don't last very long using them at 5 volts. Those adapters seem to complicate the way they work too.

I am getting a 3.7 volt mod (I think I ruined 2 Riva and one eGo batt after using them for 2 months with the dual coil cartos). So for when I'm out and about, the 3.7 volt mod should take care of that. But when I'm at home, I really would like a dependable 3.7ish volt passthrough that works with 510 dual coils. Nothing fancy - just one that works consistently with a sturdy cord that will last for a few months.

Is there someone who can build a couple for me? I'd be willing to pay 15 - 20 dollars for one. Manual vs. Auto really is not an issue. I just want it to work consistently.

Or if anyone knows of a site that sells a passthrough like this, I sure would appreciate knowing where I can buy them.

Another solution could be a higher resistance dual coil carto, but I haven't found any yet.

I use passthroughs with a 2 amp wall adapter and I like having it "tethered" - I never lose them and I don't have to keep charging batteries for them.

 

[lolady]

If I am not mistaken, the "2nd Generation" of the KR808d-1 flavor has exactly that number of electricity globules.

This is hailed as a great blessing by people who love the KR808d-1, but were enjoying the milder, gentler sensations afforded by the wireless ones more than when they were plugged into the wall.

But do not take my ignorant word. Here is a link to the thread where kind and knowledgeable Leading Experts attempted to explain this to me, and you will also see the names of them, and the links of Forum Suppliers who have them, and they are within your budget. (I looked at them, but personally I'm the opposite! I prefer the 5 electricity lumps of the 1st generation to the wireless!)

 

[Janet]

All this e-cig stuff is very confusing - even to someone like me who has been using the things for over 3 years. I am not your average "veteran." Most vapers (and I'm sorry, but that word is still very strange to me) usually graduate very quickly to higher voltage MODs. I am not one of them. I really don't know what the 1st generation KR 808s were, but I suspect I got one with an order a long time ago, before V4L was even a company. My supplier at the time just sent me a battery, a charger, and some prefilled cartomizers to try. They had no brand. But, when I tried them, they were so much more consistent than what I had been using - a penstyle with an atomizer and cartridge.

There were also cheap passthroughs for the penstyles and I used them all the time when they came out. They wouldn't last very long because they were, well, cheap! The cable wasn't very sturdy and the little wires inside probably just broke after too much handling. I didn't mind though, because they would last at least a couple months. I am fairly certain these were not 5 volts, but I plugged them into an iPod charger (they worked the same plugged into that thing as they did when plugged into my computer). I could be wrong - I am very electricity challenged.

Then I moved on to V4L and they had a very durable passthrough. The first one I had lasted 7 months. These were definitely a big improvement and I liked their higher resistance CoolCarts best on them. I didn't have much luck with their batteries though. Sometimes they would fire and sometimes not. So I kinda gave up on their batteries, but continued using their passthrough.

I needed a "wireless" e-cig for when I was out and about and used regular 510 batteries and regular 510 cartomizers for a while, but those batteries don't hold a charge for very long. Then I got a Riva kit (like the eGo). I was very happy with them, but I didn't want the eGo passthrough since it didn't seem to be as sturdy and it had an inline battery. So I settled on using Riva or eGo batteries with low resistance cartomizers (2.0 ohm) when I left the house, and V4L passthroughs and their CoolCarts when I was at home. I only need to have one passthrough plugged in at a time. I never cared much for pre-filled cartomizers, so I bought blank ones and filled them with e-liquids that I made myself or bought pre-made bottles of e-liquid from companies that sold them.

About 2 months ago, I tried the dual coil cartomizers and those things became my favorite, and I used them on my Riva/eGo batteries.

Then I began hearing about Bloog and since Leaford (whom I regard as an expert) was all gaga over them, I wanted to try them. When I went to their site, all I wanted to buy were some cartomizers, but I just couldn't justify the cost, especially with their shipping and handling charges. So I waited.

Volt came on the scene and I was convinced these were the same as Bloog and their pricing was a lot better. So I got a kit with a passthrough. Well, their 1st passthrough was 5 volts and their cartomizers, although good on their little stock batteries, were not so great on Volt's first passthrough. (When I used Volt's cartos on that thing, my throat really hurt and the higher voltage pretty much washed out all the flavor.) I talked to the owner of Smokeless image about this and was told they were aware of the problem and would be getting passthroughs that worked better with the cartos. I exchanged my 5-volt Volt passthrough for their new passthrough, which is supposed to be rated at 3.7 volts. It's not bad, but after using it for over a week now, I've decided it still hits too hard when used with their cartos. I don't think I will be ordering any more Volt stuff for a while. I'll wait to see if they adjust the resistance, or better yet, make more than just one resistance carto. I'd like to see a variety of about 4 levels of resistance in their cartos. Another way around this problem (for me personally) is for them to offer an even lower voltage passthrough. The owner of SmoklessImage told me they are working with the manufacturer on this, but it may not be possible. So, we'll see.

All this e-cig stuff is changing so fast now, it's very difficult to keep up. Shoot, when I first joined ECF, it wasn't nearly so big and I could skim through the forum and find answers very quickly. Most members' names I recognized. Now, with so much information, it's just mind-boggling.

Those dual coil cartos really spoiled me and I wanted that same taste. They also provide very good vapor and throat hit for me anyway. Taste, vapor, and throat hit are all important to me, but I don't really care if there are clouds and clouds of vapor and my throat gets "hit" - I just want to feel it and taste it and see some vaper - I really don't want it to hurt. The volt cartos are made a little differently and I do think their performance lasts longer than V4L's cartos. The KR 808 or 510 cartomizers are probably the best for a new vapor. They are easy. I still think dependable passthroughs should be available for both and provide a consistent, quality vape.

Now, finally I am getting a 3.7 volt MOD. And just today, I even found a supplier who makes 3.7 and 5 volt passthroughs. So I ordered a couple 3.7 volt passthroughs and more 1.5 ohm dual coil cartomizers. Hopefully this will keep me happy for a while. I also found some 1.5 dual coil 808 cartomizers, ordered a couple, and will see how those behave on my Volt 3.7-volt and my V4L 5-volt passthroughs.

 

[Boodle]

Electronicstix .com sells a PT that you're describing for $15. I don't love it, I prefer one with an inline battery but it sounds like that's what you're searching for.

Also, the KGO can take on your LR dual coil cartos. More voltage and 1100 mAh. Breeze smokes $40 for the kit/2 batts and charger. Atty is disappointing that comes with them but most are.

 

[Joe_Atlanta]

And just today, I even found a supplier who makes 3.7 and 5 volt passthroughs.

Is it a secret or will you share a link with the rest of us?

 

[Janet]

Thanks so much for the replies everyone. Here is where I found the 3.7 volt passthrough: Model 510 Pass-through 3.7 & 5.0 Volt
(Sorry I don't know how to create a link with a blue word that you can just click on.)

I just copied and pasted the URL and it turned into blue words all by itself!

 

[Joe_Atlanta]

Thanks for the link ( and now you know how to create one!).

 

[Janet]

Got my passthroughs today. Testing one of them now. It works fine, however, it is definitely not the sturdy kind - you know - the ones with a thicker cable and reinforced where the cable connects to the passthrough. These are like the very first passthroughs. They were fine, but because of the wimpy cable and connection, they were prone to stop working after a month or so of use.

One way to prolong these kind is to tie two knots, snugged up close to the passthrough. When I used these kind, I also wrapped electrical tape around the knots and the bottom part of the passthrough. I don't think the electrical tape is necessary though. It didn't seem to make any difference to me, but tying the knots did seem to improve their longevity.

Oh well, at least I found a 3.7 volt passthrough. I'm still looking for one that is comparable to V4L's 5 volt passthrough. Or, if someone makes a carto that provides the flavor of a 1.5 dual coil that can be used at 5 volts, I'd like that too. (I know the 1.5 ohm dual coils will work at 5 volts, but they sure don't last very long!)

 

[Joe_Atlanta]

Thanks for the report, I believe I'll order one and see how it works with the hotter kr808 cartos. BTW, I've found heat shrink tape or (pricier) rescue tape to work well for reinforcing cable stress points without using knots. Knots tend to work harden the wire leading to breakage (or so I've been told).

 

[Janet]

I also broke down and ordered the eGo Passthrough/Battery and received it yesterday afternoon. It works much better than the ones previously mentioned. It seems to have a bit more power and consistency. I thought since it was a battery, its passthrough abilities would die when the battery could no longer be recharged. I read somewhere that it will keep working, even if it can't as a stand-alone battery. Also, the cable end that plugs into the passthrough/battery seems to be quite sturdy. And if the cable goes bad after a period of wear and tear, it can easily be replaced. It's just a generic cable, like the ones you use for charging Blackberries and such.

I'll keep the ones from Indy Vapor Shop as a back-up, but if I would have known the eGo Passthrough/Battery worked so well, I would have spent the money on a second eGo Passthrough/Battery instead. I got it from Liberty Flights and with their 20% discount, it was $20.79. I also got a couple eGo Mega dual coil cartos to try (from MadVapes) and have been using one non-stop for over 13 hours. These things are great!

And while I was ordering from MadVapes, I noticed they had 808 dual coils, so I got a couple to try. They will work on the Volt Passthrough, but not very well. I get a very weak hit using them on the Volt Passthrough. I tried it on an 808 5-volt passthrough and it wouldn't even work. I didn't bother fiddling with the center post because it looks like it should connect. Anyway, 510 dual coils will work on a it with an adapter, but I think it gets too hot and washes out all the flavor. It also burned through the juice very quickly. IMO 5 volts is too high for dual coils.

Thanks Joe, for your tip about reinforcing stress points. That is good info to keep in my back pocket. If you haven't ordered the Indy Vapor Shop ones yet, I think you'd be happier with the eGo Passthrough. Either way, you're gonna have to use an adapter if you want to use 808 cartos. The Volt from SmokelessImage has a simple, well-made 3.7-volt passthrough that you might be happier with. (It has an 808 connection.) I've been playing around a little with the Volt, and their cartos seem to be very well made. They still hit a little too hard on their passthrough for me though, and work best on their stock batteries. They will work on V4L's stock batteries, but since their resistance seems to be lower than either of V4L cartos, they're still better used with Volt's stock batteries. I think either V4L or Volt or Bloog or 510s used with stock batteries are probably the best devices for a new vaper.

If it weren't for the dual coil cartos, I'd probably still be using V4L's CoolCarts on their 5-volt passthrough. The other carto they offer has a lower ohm rating and hits too hard for me on their passthrough.

It's times like these (when the carto hits too hard or too light) that a variable volt device would be nice.

 

[Joe_Atlanta]

glitch, double post, delete

 

[Joe_Atlanta]

Thanks for the update. I like how you put in the details of the whole story, it really helps to make the information a bit closer to objective than the two line "reviews". I'm glad the eGo battery/passthrough is working out, I've read good things about them.

Depending on the day, I do 50-100% of my work at home. Like you, I love Cool Carts on the 5v V4L passthrough and although a KR808 fresh off the charger comes close, after about 10 hits it starts seeming weak (in comparison to the PT). I even tried switching to WOW cartos as the battery weakened, bu they still burn too hot for me. At this stage in the game I'm using the metal CE2s when I'm away from the house and they give me a satisfying vape, even when the batteries weaken. With technology changing so fast, I kind of want to hold what I've got and see what develops (although ultimately the split between 808s that charge to 4.2 and the newer regulated batteries is going to force me to make a change). What I really want is a cigarette sized and shaped battery that puts out like my 5v passthrough.

BTW, I was reading last night that someone (Joye?) has come out with a variable PT, (eGo Variable Pass-Through (sold out already). Unfortunately, the only report I've seen so far is from someone who can't get theirs to work.

 

[Janet]

Yeah, Joe, it's becoming more difficult these days to know what to buy. There are so many choices, but I've learned to refrain from buying what may be the next improvement concerning hardware. It's very easy to waste a lot of money on e-cig stuff, trying to find that perfect combination of battery voltage and carto ohms. I'm tempted to try a bottom feeder, but I can see that kind of device easily causing a mess. I never did like dripping and this way of vaping with some kind of feeding system may very well turn out to be my favorite, but I can also visualize extra e-liquid ending up where it shouldn't be.

I've managed to stay away from the CE2s, but am curious enough that I may try one. Don't you have to fill those with a syringe? If so, that would be the deciding factor if I ever were to use them. I don't want to fill a carto if I need a syringe to do it. Isn't there a version 4 now? I've also read about problems with leaking and with how they wick. If there really is a version 4, maybe those problems are fixed now.

Anyway, I think you are smart just holding on to what you currently have, if it's working for you. I was also reading about an eGo gadget that attaches to the battery and allows VV. I think it goes up to 4.7 volts. I might get one of those if I can find a US site that carries them. A Variable eGo passthrough sounds great - and then I saw a pic of the wimpy permanent cable, so I'm gonna wait to see what happens with these.

I really like the flavor the 510 dual coils provide without giving a very harsh throat hit, and if you want a 5-volt experience, dual coil cartomizers will give you that at 3.7 volts, but you can't use them on "stick" batteries (the little ones about the same size as a regular cigarette). At first they were only available with a resistance of 1.5 ohms. Now it seems they are coming out with a couple other choices in resistance. I'd like to try some with a bit higher resistance because they do tend to get hot and burn through e-liquid quickly. I imagine they are harder on batteries too. Some vendors say to not use them on eGos because they might damage them (something about the mofset - and I don't know what that is). There is a carto called the "eGo Resurrector" and I think it is rated at 1.7 ohms, which would obviously be safer to use on an eGo battery. I think they only have one coil though, which is not a bad thing. I'd like to compare it to the 1.5 dual coils I've been using.

So far and it's been 5 days now, I'm really liking the eGo passthrough/battery. No telling though how long it will last though.