My First Battery Mod

[Huffheinz]

This may be a little remedial for the folks around here...but I cranked out my first battery mod (NicoStick) so I though I'd share some pics.

I picked up a 2xAA battery box and momentary switch at Radio Snack. I got the battery connector and a protected trustfire 14500 from madvapes and a charger from batteryjunction.

• I used CA (superglue) to hold the connector and battery contacts in place...we'll see if it lasts.
• I had to take some wire clippers and needle nose to remove a portion of the center rib (that separates the batteries) to make room for the switch retaining nut.
• It was pretty easy to unsolder and re-solder the wires on the battery contacts to a more desirable position.
• I filled the center hole of the connector with solder then re-flowed it and inserted the wire. This should plug that hole and keep juice from dripping inside the box.
• Trouble happened when I tried to strip the short positive wire from the connector to the switch, instead of stripping back a little bit, the whole sleeve started coming off, which exposed a lot of wire down by the connector. I coated the exposed wire with CA (superglue) to insulate it, which is a trick I use in radio controlled modeling...should work here.
• The polarity of the battery is opposite of what's molded into the box. I know it's no big deal, but I think I'll add some +/- labels next time I charge the battery.

I might go back and add a master on/off switch, but I don't think I'll mess with any LED's.

This was much easier than I had anticipated and I'm pretty happy with the results. If anyone out there sees anything I screwed up, I'd really appreciate a heads up.

-Huffheinz

 

[5cardstud]

I think you did a great job It is very clean and organized looking. I too still have the LED I bought from the first order I ever made on mod parts in a box with other parts. I've built 4 and it still remains unused. I would be proud if I was you because you did a great job.
PS Just make sure you remove the atty before storing it or putting it in your pocket because of the Master switch thing.

 

[redrhino]

Not a mechanical guy at all.... So can't comment on whether you need to add something or missing something,or anything else for that matter when it comes to making mods....BUT to me it looks like you did a great Job for your first MOD.....Congrats

 

[Huffheinz]

Thanks guys...I've been rocking this little mod for a few days now and I'm loving it. It lasts so much longer than the standard 510 batts and the size is really nice. I remove the atty and cart before transport as a kill-switch and because I'm a little worried about the glue holding the connector. (So far, the glue is rock solid, but I don't want to take any chances.)

The only problem I'm having with it, is that I now have to carry separate pieces (box and atty and juice). I'm thinking about making another out of a slightly larger box to see if I can make room inside for the atty+cart and a 3ml bottle of juice. That way I have an all-inclusive kit that I can just grab and go.

Random thought: The only real reason I would want an LED on this thing would be to tell me when the battery needs recharged. Surely there is some sort of circuit I could build based on voltage...hmmm...I'll have to do some more research.

 

[Jason365]

Good job thats how you do it.

 

[SmokinScott]

Great job.

For your mod, I do not believe polarity matters.

 

[5cardstud]

The only problem I'm having with it, is that I now have to carry separate pieces (box and atty and juice). I'm thinking about making another out of a slightly larger box to see if I can make room inside for the atty+cart and a 3ml bottle of juice. That way I have an all-inclusive kit that I can just grab and go.

You can get a 3 or even a 4 AA bow and have all kinds of storage. You probably already know MadVapes has those boxes. Good luck and great day to ya.

 

[Huffheinz]

You can get a 3 or even a 4 AA bow and have all kinds of storage. You probably already know MadVapes has those boxes. Good luck and great day to ya.

OK...the following is just a proof of concept.

The 510 atty+cart fits perfectly in a AA battery slot:

...and so does a 3ml dropper bottle:

The spring seems to hold just the right amount of pressure to hold both items in nicely...so I shouldn't have to worry about them rattling around or falling out when I remove the cover.

I'd love to hear from someone who has used an empty AA slot for atty storage. How did it work out?

I think I'll put together a 3xAA box with a single 14500. It'll be basically the same thing I've already built but with another battery slot to store the atty. I'm not sure if I'll like the size of the 3xAA box, but I'll give it a shot.

I'm pretty sure that the 4xAA would just be too big...although it would be nice to carry my all-day portable vaping needs in just one box. For now, if I can get the atty stored in the box, I'll just keep on carrying juice in my pocket.

Well...my wife isn't around...I guess it's time to hop over to madvapes and place another order (tee-hee).

 

[Connman]

Great job on your first mod and already heading towards another. Welcome to our sickness it`s to late to run.
I sure love the longer battery time off these mods.

 

[quasimod]

UNPAINTED HUFFHEINZ!

(I've been waiting for that opportunity since the first time I saw your sig )

 

[Huffheinz]

UNPAINTED HUFFHEINZ!

(I've been waiting for that opportunity since the first time I saw your sig )

Wow, Quasimod! I've been using Huffheinz for my internet username since 1999 and you are THE first person to know where I got it from. Kudos to you and your taste in film. Finally someone who gets me...or my name aint Nathan Arizona.

 

[redeyedancer]

Nice clean work

 

[WillyB]

Well a few observations. To anyone building one the RS 2XAA box does not have a rear catch (or catches), the screw has to be used to hold it closed... a pain. With most other boxes the cover simply slides on and snaps in place.

Get some epoxy and reinforce the atty connector and the surrounding plastic (on the inside of the case). Over time (and with the help of the liquid which will eventually leak there) the CA will give out.

 

[Shortstuff116]

Very good work!

I'm not sure about the electronics involved with adding an LED to let you know when the battery needs to be recharged, but after having built a few NicoSticks myself I can tell you this; I use at least one LED in each of mine that lights up every time I push the button to vape. I always use protected batteries which will not charge over 4.2 volts (+/- .2v) or under 2.75 volts. When the battery has been used up the LED will only light for 1.5 seconds then go out and no vapor produced, so that's when I know the battery needs to be changed and charged.

I have added a second bright white LED to a couple of NicoSticks so that I can see what I'm doing when I refill my carts in dark areas. This white LED would light up using an additional small tactile switch.

You've been bitten by the mod monkey! Now the wheels start turning and all kinds of neat ideas start popping into your head. As others have said you can go with a larger 3 or even 4 AA battery box (I would highly recommend them with the built-in on/off switch). That way you would be able to carry extra gear like a spare battery, atty, cart and even juice.

Anxious to see your next mod!

 

[Huffheinz]

To anyone building one the RS 2XAA box does not have a rear catch (or catches), the screw has to be used to hold it closed... a pain.

Yeah...this screw has been a bit of a pain. I keep a driver by the charger so it's no big deal for charging...but it's been a pain to take the cover off on the fly when explaining vaping to someone or showing off my handiwork.

Get some epoxy and reinforce the atty connector and the surrounding plastic (on the inside of the case). Over time (and with the help of the liquid which will eventually leak there) the CA will give out.

Dang...I was afraid you were going to say that. I'm really afraid that using epoxy will detract from the clean look. Hmmmm...I wonder if you could use a jam nut and washer. I'll check the OD of the connector tonight to see if it will accept a fine thread die.

Thanks for the feedback, WillyB!

 

[Huffheinz]

I use at least one LED in each of mine that lights up every time I push the button to vape. I always use protected batteries which will not charge over 4.2 volts (+/- .2v) or under 2.75 volts. When the battery has been used up the LED will only light for 1.5 seconds then go out and no vapor produced, so that's when I know the battery needs to be changed and charged.

Brilliant! I love it. What a perfectly simple solution. Thanks!

I have added a second bright white LED to a couple of NicoSticks so that I can see what I'm doing when I refill my carts in dark areas. This white LED would light up using an additional small tactile switch.

Great idea. I'm a dripper...so I don't know if an LED on top of the box would make seeing that drop any easier in dark areas. It would be easy enough to run a little test though...hmmm. I have one of those keychain LED lights I got free with my order from batteryjunction.com.

You've been bitten by the mod monkey!

You aint lying!