My first box mod :-D

[Ryan Cummings]

So I built my first box mod. Most of my parts including the box, batteries (2 14500 3.7v 900mah), connector, and circuit board were purchased from madvapes and got to me within three days of placing the order . The resistors, button, and capacitors were left over in my electronics junk drawer and the switching regulator was a free sample from TI. It can be found here. I just used it for a 5v mod because it was free. I plan to get more to use with a variable voltage design using multiple resistors and a multi-position switch in future designs.

Here are some pics I took at the bar tonight

The only issue I am having with this is I want it to last longer than 5 hours (that's with constant vaping). Is there any batteries I haven't come across yet that last longer and would fit in my mod? Or am I going to have to build a whole new one. My only conclusion so far is to build a whole new one.

Otherwise I love the way this thing vapes. It's even better than my passthru. All questions or comments are welcome. Thanks for viewing,
Ryan

edit: I just looked inside my mod and noticed the positive going to the 510 connector came loose so it turns out my batteries weren't dead. Will update further when I re-solder and recharge.

 

[Switched]

You should be getting more than 5 hrs out of them. The loose connection could have been a culprit dunno. I am easily getting a solid 7-8 hrs out of mine. I consider myself a heavy vaper 4-5ml a day.

 

[Skyway]

Are using that setup as a 5v I take it? If you were wanting to go with a 3.7v setup wiring the batteries in parallel you would get twice the life out of them. I can go a day and a half off of one 14500 900mAh 3.7v setup.

 

[rannox]

I would check the resistance across solder points, and the voltage of the batteries after a full charge. That TI board should be giving you 80%+ efficiency. Unless its stuck to your lips, id think you should get more than 4 hours.

 

[breaktru]

Probably was the solder connection.

 

[breaktru]

You should add a 200 ohm trimmer resister (potentiometer) with a 220 ohm resister in series to the control pin of the regulator for a 3.6v to 6.1v selection.
I bought 5 pots for $1.00 at: Mini 200 ohm Trimmer Resistor (Pkg of 5)-The Electronic Goldmine

Looking at your photo again, looks like there is little room, although the pot is tiny.

 

[CapeCAD]

You should also check the contacts to the batteries to insure a good connection. If there is a high resistance, due to poor contact, the battery closest to the output will be drained quicker.

 

[Ryan Cummings]

Thanks all for your replies. I should have explained better the wire that was soldered to the positive on my 510 connector came undone. I re-soldered and now everything works. It has been ten hours now vaping normally at 5v and batteries are still working so far so good. I mean sooooo good lol.

 

[Switched]

Thanks all for your replies. I should have explained better the wire that was soldered to the positive on my 510 connector came undone. I re-soldered and now everything works. It has been ten hours now vaping normally at 5v and batteries are still working so far so good. I mean sooooo good lol.

Cool, them poor solder joints will get ya every time.

 

[Ryan Cummings]

I decided to go with a more flexible wire so it could handle the springy action inside the connector when a carto gets screwed to it. Its holding up much better.