My take on the Fistpack - DNA 20d powered WIP

[dr g]

I chose this enclosure before I even knew the fistpack existed, thank god it did because that writeup saved me a lot of grief. This should be a completed show-off post but unfortunately it is a WIP because I completely destroyed the screen while putting the cover on.

My design ideas were 1-Converting the USB port to the fire button, 2-Use of a multi-directional switch (jog "wheel") for up/down in the "test" switch location, and 3-Integrated dna charger using stock port hole. I was able to accomplish all three things and it functions great, but fitting the screen and board in is proving to be challenging. It doesn't help at all that the screen goes in the cover plate.



I ended up chopping up the stock PCB and mounting my components to it so I could use the stock screws. This is both good and bad, it makes everything clean and solid, but it takes up some precious vertical room in the thinnest part of the box. As a result I don't think it is possible to fit a 18650 battery the way I have things arranged. I switched to a turnigy 1200 round lipo. That helps and I think it will be possible to fit everything with that battery. Perhaps in the future if larger round lipos come out, I could replace it. A bit disappointed though, I am soooo close with the 18650. Maybe I could try a 16650.



So for now it's a blind/screenless dna device and works fabulously. But that empty screen hole is mocking me ...

 

[dr g]

Had a little refuse-to-fail moment and completely rebuilt the device with a working 20d I "borrowed" from my buddy. Ended up cutting space for the whole screen in the cover panel; will need to find a nice bezel. I have some of mamu's screen holders coming, maybe I could just use the bezel portion.

 

[jmarkus]

nice work mate, way to keep at it. i knew you could finish!! congrats on a wicked-nice mod.

 

[retird]

Great recovery......mamu's bezel should fix ya right up if the hole is not too long.....and......most of us 20d modders have a blind/screenless 20d mod and they work great even tho the display is blank.....

 

[dr g]

Ok done with this one.



Heavily fitted Mamu's screen bezel. The hole was indeed a little too big. Added screw reinforcement to the 510 connector epoxy setting. Was able to cram the 18650 back in there, yay. Improved the weight of the pack a lot, with the 1200 it was just too light.

While using the pack I ran into switch bounce issues, I was getting almost nonstop inadvertent 5x locks. On advice from brandon @ evolv, I added a small capacitor to filter the switch output. Works like a charm now.

Fit and finish is a bit lacking in some areas, but I learned quite a bit for my first mod. This is a nice enclosure but I don't think I would use it again as it is subpar in some areas. I do like the general form factor though, which bapgood has improved on for his compact mods, I will be looking forward to seeing if he produces those.

Oh and regarding the battery that came with this pack ... it's this: $7.60 18650 3.7V 2300mAh Rechargeable Li-ion Batteries 2-pack - with carrying case at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping

Which appears to be a "CJ" branded Chinese battery: CJ 3.6v 18650 2200mah li ion battery cell,View 18650 2200mah,CJ Product Details from Beijing Onlypower Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. on Alibaba.com

Tracking down the manufacturer for specs yielded this: http://translate.googleusercontent....eID=67&usg=ALkJrhjlgB3e34Ag9S6EY8-xbRjybl9qRA

Found some discussion of CJ 18650s which are found in some generic battery packs, along with testing here: Twelve NEW 2400mAh 18650s, under $30? | BudgetLightForum.com

Looks like they spec out as far as capacity, and are capable of up to 5.7A? In any event should be plenty for the kind of vaping I do. So far no problems.

 

[dr g]

Oh ... and through this process, my internal codename for the mod is the Pistpack

 

[jmarkus]

so great!! fantastic job man.

 

[mamu]

Awesomesauce dr!! It's cool you got everything to fit in that tiny case. LOL @ Pistpack

 

[asdaq]

Pistpack is a great nickname, it turned out really well. I missed earlier, but nice job on fitting the fire button to the usb slot. May it serve you long and well.

 

[bapgood]

Very nice recovery indeed!

Was the hole in the case where you put the screen existing or did you cut it out?

BTW where did you find the enclosure? I looked a little but couldn't find one, and all the fistpack links were no good.

 

[breaktru]

Came out very good. Congrats on the fix

 

[dr g]

Very nice recovery indeed!

Was the hole in the case where you put the screen existing or did you cut it out?

BTW where did you find the enclosure? I looked a little but couldn't find one, and all the fistpack links were no good.

I cut it out, a bit too large but I was being extra careful after my first screen incident.

I got it from ebay here: Brand New Naztech 2200 mAh Universal Power Bank Extended Charger Battery Pack | eBay

I don't know that i'd recommend it though, it's pretty thin and fragile, tight inside (wish that bottom corner wasn't wasted!), and costs too much. I opened the cover so many times one of the snap tabs just wore out, and I'm just waiting for one or more of the remaining ones to do the same.

 

[bapgood]

I wish it was made for the battery to be a tool less removal.

What are the dimensions?

 

[dr g]

I wish it was made for the battery to be a tool less removal.

What are the dimensions?

Yeah it's not designed to come open regularly.

Lemme break out the calipers ...

approx. 80.5mm x 40.25mm x 24.5mm (battery side) tapering to 15.25mm (ports side)

edit: these are the external dimensions