My latest mod, inspired by all of you.

[kinabaloo]

Those switches are pretty darn big. So well done for getting it in!

I like the feel of the tact switches (like on keyboards). With right glue, would be possible to attach a 'button' onto a tact switch so more sleek. Or a roller switch (to be totally high current safe), if a suitable attachment as the 'button' could be designed/made.

 

[Deadmau5]

THAT IS AMAZING!

any chance u can make me one and sell it to me

 

[kinabaloo]

By tactile switch, I mean these:

Low profile, small travel and tactile feedback.

Some existing caps are quite good, such as those shown here:

By mounting inside case the cap can be flush with the case surface; or just above/just below as preferred.

 

[ApOsTle51]

Just made another one so took some piccys of how its wired before i placed it in the battery box.

I went for the tactile switch this time rather than the press to make switch, Dunno which i prefer tbh, the tactile switch works better but the little maplins miniature push to make switch is more robust.

They may be helpful to some

 

[TnA]

Nicely done, ApO. Will be interested to hear how the tactile switch works out. I just put together a NicoStick and find the regular switches to feel cheap and they stick out waaaaay too much, so I'm definitely looking for a different switch. I also decided to use another poster's (can't remember who) suggestion and wire in an led....too bad I forget to verify the polarity before I wired and epoxied everything in. Now I need to desolder and try again. Oh well....I've got nothing but time while I wait on my batteries to get shipped in.

 

[KoS]

I realy like the look of the tactile switch but like you said I wory about how long they last. at like 300-400 cycles a day aprox. 15puffs/cig aprox 20 cigs/day apox 300 button cycles/day.

How did you mount your tacktile Nico? Epoxey from the bottom?

 

[KoS]

Those switches are pretty darn big. So well done for getting it in!

I like the feel of the tact switches (like on keyboards). With right glue, would be possible to attach a 'button' onto a tact switch so more sleek. Or a roller switch (to be totally high current safe), if a suitable attachment as the 'button' could be designed/made.

Ya it was a close fit. I realy like it though. Has a great feel when pushed, feels very durable, easy to replace and looks great on the box. I want to see how Iemo made his adjustable switch when my GG gets here.

I am actualy impressed with the performance of the NiMH batterys. I didn't expect the vapor output and battery recovery like this. Still can't wait to replace 3 batterys with 1 .

 

[kinabaloo]

Excellent pics - shows really well the layout and construction.

 

[nicowolf]

Kos, I just set my tact switch in place and then smothered it in epoxy when everything was done. The epoxy holds it quite nicely. I don't believe that the tact switch is going to hold up all that well either, so I won't be using it anymore.

Apo, great idea taking pics of the wiring outside of the box! Why didn't I think of that. Is your box opposite mine? I like that you put the tact switch on the negative side of the circuit too. It shows that there is room for variation if you understand the circuit concept.

All, I plan to redo the NicoStick thread. After some of the feedback I have gotten here and in PMs, I am thinking I have a responsibility to include some safety information and cautions if I am going to give a step by step How To. With a little outside help, I have done up a size AA box and used a protected 14500 battery and a much larger switch (the same one that Kos was showing on his/hers). I have already talked it over with Sun Vaporer. The new thread will replace the old one, containing the same information plus a little more about the safety aspects. It seems important as there are more and more people with little or no post count asking me for this mod (post count infers to me that you have spent a little time here researching and asking questions, that is all). I am reluctant to put the mod or the instructions in the hands of some stranger who will run right out and make it with the tiniest switch they could find, bypass the kill switch because it is inconvenient, and use an unprotected cell, then tell the Fire Marshall they were only following the instructions online. Literacy does not always mean possessing common sense. I have REALLY learned that lesson recently. So, don't be alarmed when you see the old thread replaced. I am giving advance notice right now so you can copy and compare if you choose.

 

[Wildsky]

Can I use the enclosed AA battery box and use the little green ultra fire batteries (tr15270) ?

(I can't believe I'm going to try make this - LOL)

 

[nicowolf]

Can I use the enclosed AA battery box and use the little green ultra fire batteries (tr15270) ?

(I can't believe I'm going to try make this - LOL)

That battery would just barely fit in terms of width, but you would need a spacer, like some rare earth magnets stacked up, to make it long enough to touch both ends of the box where the contacts are. Honestly, the safest and simplest way to do this mod is with the 14500 protected battery. DealExtreme has them for about $5 for a pair. To me the price is well worth the wait since the few places in the states that carry them generally charge $7 each plus shipping. The protection circuit really is an important safety feature. It prevents the battery from draining so low that crystals create a short inside the battery where you can't see it and causing an explosion or fire when you put it on the charger. That simple little PCB can save thousands of dollars, and perhaps save a life - for the cost of maybe a dollar. It is well worth it.

 

[Multisync98]

Kinko -

Where did you get your switch man? That's what I've been looking for! That'd be a much better switch than what I'm currently using. Please help a fellow modder out?

-Jim

 

[Tone]

This place has a few nice tacts
Browsing Dip/Tactile

 

[franklyspeaking]

This place has a few nice tacts
Browsing Dip/Tactile

I haven't seen that place before. They also have some cool momentary rocker switches.

Browsing Store - 30-16751 <I> V Style Rocker (Momentary On)/Off SPST 15A-125V .250" </I>

A nicostick with a rocker might.... well... rock.

 

[kinabaloo]

Kinko -

Where did you get your switch man? That's what I've been looking for! That'd be a much better switch than what I'm currently using. Please help a fellow modder out?

-Jim

Jimko - I just the site for its pictures. Tact switches can be found in so many places. And there is a wide choice of cap (or just glue on something you like).

 

[Wildsky]

That battery would just barely fit in terms of width, but you would need a spacer, like some rare earth magnets stacked up, to make it long enough to touch both ends of the box where the contacts are. Honestly, the safest and simplest way to do this mod is with the 14500 protected battery. DealExtreme has them for about $5 for a pair. To me the price is well worth the wait since the few places in the states that carry them generally charge $7 each plus shipping. The protection circuit really is an important safety feature. It prevents the battery from draining so low that crystals create a short inside the battery where you can't see it and causing an explosion or fire when you put it on the charger. That simple little PCB can save thousands of dollars, and perhaps save a life - for the cost of maybe a dollar. It is well worth it.

Thanks Nico, I might have to wait a bit to order the batteries 8-o

 

[ApOsTle51]

Nicely done, ApO. Will be interested to hear how the tactile switch works out. I just put together a NicoStick and find the regular switches to feel cheap and they stick out waaaaay too much, so I'm definitely looking for a different switch.

Thanks TnA, This nico stick is going to another lucky UK member so I would know the longevity of the switch first hand, but I'm sure I'll find out if it stops working. Saying that though , I've been using it exclusively the last 3 or 4 days and its going great atm.

Excellent pics - shows really well the layout and construction.

Cheers Kinabaloo, I only took the pics as an afterthought. I had it all ready to glue in then the thought struck me , that piccy's might be usefull

Apo, great idea taking pics of the wiring outside of the box! Why didn't I think of that. Is your box opposite mine? I like that you put the tact switch on the negative side of the circuit too. It shows that there is room for variation if you understand the circuit concept.

.

Thanks Nico ,
the My nicostick is the same orientation as your one, don't forget the pictures of the wiring are upside down if you looked at them in the same way as your initial pics show

Feel free to use any of my pics for the re-write if you feel the need btw ...

 

[KoS]

AI am reluctant to put the mod or the instructions in the hands of some stranger who will run right out and make it with the tiniest switch they could find, bypass the kill switch because it is inconvenient, and use an unprotected cell, then tell the Fire Marshall they were only following the instructions online. Literacy does not always mean possessing common sense.

Ah to true. Great idea to include some safety info. This isin't brain science but does take a mesure of common sence and ( if you don't have a background in basic electronics) a little research. Especialy when messing with lithium battreys. Any power source for that matter And those of us who have and share knowledge have to show some resposibility. At least with disclaimers of try at your own risk. Unfortunatly we live in a blame another for my own stupity socity.

 

[kinabaloo]

Can I use the enclosed AA battery box and use the little green ultra fire batteries (tr15270) ?

(I can't believe I'm going to try make this - LOL)

Well done for giving it a go. It will be more special for being your own work, especially if this is the first time you've done anything like this.

If I remember correctly, Nicowolf was a techno-novice too just a month or two ago; how things change!

Nicowolf - apologies in advance if I've misremembered. And good luck with the write-up; hope more and more will make their own vapestick.

 

[Multisync98]

Jimko - I just the site for its pictures. Tact switches can be found in so many places. And there is a wide choice of cap (or just glue on something you like).

Jimko? LOL!!! Thanks for the info!

-Jim