My DIY - DSE901 - MAGNUM POWER

[nicowolf]

If you want to reduce the voltage without wasting power, use a 'power diode' such as the IN4001. One will drop the voltage about 0.7v, 2 by about 1.4v. This is far superior to using a resistor and simpler than a voltage regulator.

ps: you can't use a LED for this; either the LED will blow out or the atomizer will not heat properly depending on the LED type. Power diodes are very cheap.

OMG this is exactly what I have been trying to figure out how to do. I want to use 2 lithium cells in series (7.2 volts) to go higher than the standard 3.7 volts, but I need to bring the voltage back into range to keep from killing atomizers, so around 5-6 volts. This range is easily achieved with NiMH or Alkaline, but requires 4-5 heavy cells.

So, how do I know which diode to use and how much it will step back the voltage? Does it have a definite orientation (one end can only be power in and the other can only be power out, like a one-way valve for water) or can it just be wired in without a care about which end is which? This is just the beginning of my questions.

I found this at the Radio Shack site. Is this the part you were referring to?
1N4001 Micro 1A Diodes - RadioShack.com

They had other diodes as well.

 

[kinabaloo]

Nicowolf - the voltage drop should be about 0.7v for 1 diode and 1.4v for 2 in series. To be sure, try three first and measure the voltage across the atomizer; that should result in a drop from 7.2v to about 5v.

There is a white/silver line marking the negative end but no harm will come of connecting it the wrong way around (unlike with most LEDs), there will simply be no current flow.

That's the right one at RS but it's a bit expensive there ($1 for only 2).

 

[panderson01]

So, what do you do with the ones that come with the spring? Do you toss it, put it under the circuit board, on top?

I'm in the middle of the mod and was wondering.

Thanks,
Paul

 

[nicowolf]

So, what do you do with the ones that come with the spring? Do you toss it, put it under the circuit board, on top?

I'm in the middle of the mod and was wondering.

Thanks,
Paul

Paul, I am not sure I understand your question. Are you working on the Magnum Mod? Are you talking about the spring on the positive end?

 

[panderson01]

This one.

The spring came in the Harbor Frieght flashlights.

Also, what keeps the pcb from floating up when the batteries are installed?

BTW, I had no choice but to vote for Spikey, keep posting Nic

 

[nicowolf]

This one.

The spring came in the Harbor Frieght flashlights.

Also, what keeps the pcb from floating up when the batteries are installed?

BTW, I had no choice but to vote for Spikey, keep posting Nic

Ok, I used a different model of flashlight from Harbor Freights. This is the 3 1/2 inch model. I used the 4 inch model. My advise would be to toss that spring into the junk drawer to use for something else later.

I cut a groove in the plastic part that used to hold the leds in place, just big enough for my switch body. I then used it as a spacer (it is plastic, so won't conduct and short anything out) to keep the pcb from floating up under the pressure of the springs and batteries. I ended up with a little extra room in there, so I used some craft foam (Foamies, you can find it in the craft section at Walmart for less than a dollar a sheet) and folded it to take up some of that space. You may not end up with that space since your flashlight is a little smaller in length.

 

[panderson01]

Thanks Nic!

I will have to keep my eye out for something a little longer, I would like to make one that will hold a couple of CR123's to see if that will last longer.

Paul

 

[nicowolf]

Physically, 2x cr123 can be easily done. I have seen mods here on ECF made from plumbing parts (both PVC and copper). Cutting those to length is simple enough. Be careful with the voltage on that though. 2x cr123 is generally 7.2 volts or more with the rechargeables (primaries are 3v each, rechargeable tends to be 3.6 or 3.7). Kinabaloo posted recently about using power diodes to safely reduce voltage without wasting power. That might help.

 

[breakfastchef]

Also, what keeps the pcb from floating up when the batteries are installed?

Pretty much the same principle as when this was a flashlight. The round part with the atomizer connection wedges into the case and keeps the innards in.

 

[2kool2]

Thanks Nic!

I will have to keep my eye out for something a little longer, I would like to make one that will hold a couple of CR123's to see if that will last longer.

Paul

I would stay with one. I found that 2 CR123's was just to much for the 901's.

 

[panderson01]

I would stay with one. I found that 2 CR123's was just to much for the 901's.

I'm actually using the mod for the pen style.

I have a 901 as a backup for supplier shortages on pen stuff, but can't handle the low juice capacity of the 901 compared to the pen.

btw, I finished the mod today and am using some non rechargable CR2's and have 6.5 hours on it as we speek.

Now, I do have some sort of technical issue with it. I seem to have some connection issue between the atomizer and the mating connection. I have to bend, so to speak, on the atomizer against the battery to get it to vape sometimes. I think it maybe the shallowness in connecting the atomizer.

I have ground down the atomizer threads to get a better connection, but I still seem to have some kind of sporadic issue?????????????

After my last bend about an hour ago, it's seems to be fine now, but I don't want to take it apart to check connections, as this thing kicks ..... Vaping for over 6 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, I needed to shim up the pcb a bit so the led housing would be centered on the switch, so I drilled a 5/16" hole in the lens that came with the flashlight and set that on the inner lip of the flashlight.

I also wanted to keep the inside of the atomizer connecter from touching my switch, so I set the big spring that came with the flashlight on top of the led housing then press fith the atomizer connection on top of that to finish it off.

This helped keep the lower portions in place, wich allowed me to keep the atomizer connection as high as I needed to keep it from contacting the switch.

So, the assembly order was, from bottom to top:

Original lens (with hole drilled for possitive spring clearance)
PCB
led housing
spring
atomizer connection

I located the switch centered at 7/16" from the top of the flashlight and used the Radio Shack 275-1571 Submini Pushbutton Switch N/O.

Also, I did not put in the led feature. I didn't feel I needed the light to know I was getting nicotine, but will probably put it in for the hell of it later on for revision 2 or 3.

If this doesn't make sense (as I'm 5 or 6 beers into the evening) and someone really wants to know, I will draw a sketch, scan and upload the pics.

Thanks everyone for the ideas, input and tips.

Ninight!

Paul

 

[Dragon]

madog, Thanks for sharing the information for the MAGNUM! I started vaping about two weeks ago, but I needed more than the NJoy and DSE901. I was going to order the Screw Driver. Now I have four MAGNUMS!!! I love these things! Just wanted to thank you!

 

[RayJ1]

I've been using a 4AAA nimh set-up in my mod, and when fully charged they put out 5.65 volts. Under load they drop about .5 volts, and the atomizer still see's about 5 volts. The AAA's recover pretty quickly, but I wanted to reduce the voltage into the mid to high 4 volt range. I found using just one of these 4N001's on drops the volatage by .35volts. Just thought I'd let people know. I used to in series and the voltage drop is .7volts. Now my atomizer seems very happy, and the harshness of the higher voltage seems to have been abated. Okay...thats just my obeservation.

 

[Roadkill]

Very pleased to hear about the IN4001 diode!! Pen style was okay but I missed the density of smoke, vaping works but just not satisfied yet. Built a magnum and fried my atty after one day but LOVED the heavier vapor! Will modify with diodes. I have also made a magnum style holder and using an old cell phone charger for in car use. Cell charger only puts out 650 ma at 5v and would like 1000ma so I am looking for another charger to use, dealextreme SKU 13283 looks good so I will try it. Pen batts norm current is 800-840ma. I really appreciate this forum and all of the hard work and ideas that show up here.
YOU PEOPLE ROCK!! Extra special thanks to MADOG for the Magnum design. Smoke free for 4 weeks and counting!

 

[breakfastchef]

Built a magnum and fried my atty after one day but LOVED the heavier vapor! !

I would like to comment on high-voltage vaping. There is no doubt you can fry an atomizer with a Magnum device. I killed six of them. What is needed is a set of best practices for high voltage vapers so they do not risk burning out their atomizers. When I sent one of my Magnums out on loan - http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...-do-you-want-try-out-801-magnum-mod-free.html - I sent the following message.

• If using a cartridge, keep it moist by topping it off after every 4-6 draws of vapor.

• If you drip, put no more than three drops on the atomizer bridge after every 4-6 draws of vapor.

• Do not take more than 6 draws in a minute. The atomizer is going to get very hot.

• Let a hot atomizer cool down for a minute or two BEFORE dripping or taking another draw.

• It is a good idea to vape on another device and intermittently use the 801 Magnum for a few hits, then go back to the other device. This gives the 801 Magnum a chance to cool down.

• This device may damage or burn out an atomizer if it is allowed to get too hot, too often or if you run the atomizer too dry. Dripping onto a hot atomizer is a sure way to burn it up. (Don’t ask how I learned this three times.)

• This device may make you addicted to high voltage vaping!!

I found out the hard way that high voltages can destroy an atomizer if you do not adhere to some simple rules.

 

[RayJ1]

All of his points are very accurate using a 6v magnum mod. I have been using my atomizer at a higher voltage for quite some time with no failures following most of the hints he gives above. One of the most important being keeping the atomizer wet.

 

[2kool2]

I have found that keeping them wet doe's help but I did burn out five atts(901) when I was running two 3.7 CR123 1000mah .In a week at that so I went back to one 3.7 battery. Seem's to work the best , not to burn out the atts.

 

[kinabaloo]

Interesting - sounds like the IN4001 diodes are no longer pure silicon (0.7v drop) but are now doped with something to give that lower drop of 3.5v. It's still a simple way to drop down a volt or two without wasting power.

 

[THICKFOG]

I've been using a 4AAA nimh set-up in my mod, and when fully charged they put out 5.65 volts. Under load they drop about .5 volts, and the atomizer still see's about 5 volts. The AAA's recover pretty quickly, but I wanted to reduce the voltage into the mid to high 4 volt range. I found using just one of these 4N001's on drops the volatage by .35volts. Just thought I'd let people know. I used to in series and the voltage drop is .7volts. Now my atomizer seems very happy, and the harshness of the higher voltage seems to have been abated. Okay...thats just my obeservation.

The IN4001 diode will read about a .3v drop when you are checking the voltage without a load on it.. there is a .7v drop, per diode, with a load on it - Rick

 

[Vegatron75]

Need some help here PLEASE!!! First off thanks to Madog for the tutorial. I built a magnum using madog's plan. I used a 801 batt connection for my penstyle atty.
Finally got it all together w/ non rechargable cr2 batts. I used the magnum about 5 times then nothing. Heard a sizzle and then no more vapor. I was dripping and not using a cart. I took the atty apart and the coil is black but still looks like it's in one piece.
So I then try the possibly burnt atty on my 1 good battery. Now the battery won't work either!!! The battery was working fine up until I put the bad atty on it. Has anyone dealt with this before?
I tried the 801 battery on a friends known good atty and it didn't work either. But the led on the end of the battery is lighting up.
So I had a 801 penstyle w/ 1 good batt and 2 atomizers. Now I have 1 magnum mod making 5.8 volts when the button is pushed, 1 good 801 atty and no 801 batts. Damn it!!!!! I'm afraid of modding the good atty for fear of burning it up!
Has anyone dealt w/ anything like this before?
Is there any way to check the 801 battery for failure? When a battery die does the led normally not work? Also when I plug the battery into the charger the green led lights up not the red{needs charge}light.
Sorry for so many questions. My guess is the atty dried up and died. That's my fault. But I don't understand how my battery got jacked up too.