Need some info on Mechs and Personal Insights

[DeepSix]

I am considering purchasing a mech in the near future, and before I commit I am looking for some guidance and information before making the commitment. I have been using regulated devices since I have started vaping, mostly ego and MVP style batteries. I like the safety features and ease of use these devices provide.


I am looking at getting either a Nemesis or Stingray clone in brass, but I can easily be persuaded to another mech clone. I plan on using the following atomizers on the mech: Protank 2 (1.2 – 2 ohm), RDA (0.5 – 1.8 ohm), RBA (1 – 2 ohm). I would only consider sub-ohming with the drip atomizer (atomic clone) once in a while. The workhorse atties would be my Russian91 and KFL+. I do plan on purchasing an evolve Kick.


Question 1: If using a kayfun style atty, coiled at 1.5-2 ohms and using an 18650 battery and chain vaping, how long would a battery typically last before it needs to be swapped out?


Question 2: When using the mech and the voltage drops on the battery to where the vape quality is diminished, will the voltage still be above the minimum discharge level for the battery? If so, how much more can you vape using the depleted battery before the minimum discharge level is reached (typically)?


Question 3: I am looking to use an evolve kick with the mech to prevent over discharge and provide safety when using my RBA’s (Kayfun style). I know that the nemesis will not allow the use of an 18650 battery with a kick, but will the stingray allow this configuration? What other mechs would accommodate this setup?


To minimize the generic responses that are always brought up by those providing assistance:
I have done a ton of reading on this site,
I am well aware of the hazards of LIPO batteries (charging/discharging/storage),
I understand the types of batteries and the specifications that are required for mechs,
I am well versed in ohms law,
I am confident in building coils for both drippers and RBA’s,
I always check resistances of atomizer builds with an ohm meter before using them.

Thanks!

 

[blueGrassTubb]

1) That completely depends on your vaping habits. Do you have it hanging from your mouth or in your hand all day? Do you regularly switch MODs in order to get different flavors without the hassle of switching atties every time?

2) No idea. I'm .... about switching my batteries (I also typically use 18350 and 18500 batteries more often).

3) I don't think the Stingray can be kicked in 18650 mode (but I could be wrong - I own two different stingrays, black copper and brass, but I've never tried to kick it). I understand the appeal for a kick, but why use a kick rather than a regulated MOD like the Sigelei 20W, which is a more capable system? The only reason I can think of is the aesthetics of mech MODs are generally much better.

 

[FattyMcJ]

I am considering purchasing a mech in the near future, and before I commit I am looking for some guidance and information before making the commitment. I have been using regulated devices since I have started vaping, mostly ego and MVP style batteries. I like the safety features and ease of use these devices provide.


I am looking at getting either a Nemesis or Stingray clone in brass, but I can easily be persuaded to another mech clone. I plan on using the following atomizers on the mech: Protank 2 (1.2 – 2 ohm), RDA (0.5 – 1.8 ohm), RBA (1 – 2 ohm). I would only consider sub-ohming with the drip atomizer (atomic clone) once in a while. The workhorse atties would be my Russian91 and KFL+. I do plan on purchasing an evolve Kick.


Question 1: If using a kayfun style atty, coiled at 1.5-2 ohms and using an 18650 battery and chain vaping, how long would a battery typically last before it needs to be swapped out?

Well, I build the coils for my girlfriend & I at around .8 - 1.2 ohm's in our Kayfuns. Using 18650's WITHOUT a kick, we get about 6-7 hours of chain (desk jobs) vaping before noticing the hit just isn't as good. We typically use 2 batteries a day each. YMMV, but we're pretty heavy vapers at 6mg nic DIY eliquid that tastes DELICIOUS lol


Question 2: When using the mech and the voltage drops on the battery to where the vape quality is diminished, will the voltage still be above the minimum discharge level for the battery? If so, how much more can you vape using the depleted battery before the minimum discharge level is reached (typically)?

Again, we don't notice it for about 6-7 hours. Once we do, we swap batteries. By the time the second bat is low enough to notice, it's bed time.

Question 3: I am looking to use an evolve kick with the mech to prevent over discharge and provide safety when using my RBA’s (Kayfun style). I know that the nemesis will not allow the use of an 18650 battery with a kick, but will the stingray allow this configuration? What other mechs would accommodate this setup?

I wasn't aware that you can't use a kick with a nemesis. My girls clone came with a kick ring, but we don't use one...so... can't help here.


Thanks!

Answers in red.

 

[DeepSix]

Thanks for the responses...in particular FattyMcJ.

I have read that you can use the Kick in both mods, but not with an 18650 due to the tube not being long enough to accommodate both the battery and the kick module.

Sounds like you have the same vaping habits as I do. When do you typically change the battery, like after the very first weak hit? Is the drop off very pronounced or is there a fade?

 

[Cool-breeze]

I've got no experience to help you with 2 & 3 but I chain vape all day currently, using a regulated device, with 18650 batteries and 1 battery last me all day with a 2.0 resistance. btw I keep the volts at 3.7-4 on average and consistently get a solid day.

 

[Vaslovik]

I am looking at getting either a Nemesis or Stingray clone in brass, but I can easily be persuaded to another mech clone. I plan on using the following atomizers on the mech: Protank 2 (1.2 – 2 ohm), RDA (0.5 – 1.8 ohm), RBA (1 – 2 ohm). I would only consider sub-ohming with the drip atomizer (atomic clone) once in a while. The workhorse atties would be my Russian91 and KFL+. I do plan on purchasing an evolve Kick.

Well, I did the Protank on a mech thing, and it was a waste of time and money. I went through 1.8 ohm coils lickety-split, and found myself rewinding them ten at a time. It got old really fast. If you are going to use a mech you will wind up going sub-ohm soon enough. If you want to use a dripper it's your call. Have fun, but I tried that, and soon abandoned it in favor of my RSST built straight genny with 400 mesh and 26 kanthal.

There are plenty of dripping fanatics on these forums who will blast you with dripping propaganda, and you can listen to them if you like, but I tried the dripper thing and in my experience it doesn't come anywhere near up to my genesis built RSST. In my experience drippers were a hassle both to build and use. I can sit chain vaping on my RSST for hours without having to drip more juice in every two minutes and re-wick with cotton or silica all the time. My wicks last weeks, and so do my coils.

Drip if you like, don't say I didn't tell ya....

 

[K_Tech]

A Nemesis can be run in 18650 mode with a Kick. That's a kicked Nemesis in 18650 mode in my avatar pic.

I'd say that unregulated, it's a noticeable drop off, more because I'm having to take longer pulls to get a "good vape".

 

[edyle]

...


Question 3: I am looking to use an evolve kick with the mech to prevent over discharge and provide safety when using my RBA’s (Kayfun style). I know that the nemesis will not allow the use of an 18650 battery with a kick, but will the stingray allow this configuration? What other mechs would accommodate this setup?


...

You can use a kick in a nemesis with a 18650 battery if you get enough tubes:
take this one:

Power & Batteries
Maximum Supported Battery Length 85 mm
Supports Button Top Battery Yes
Supports Flat Top Battery Yes
FASTTECH SKU 1649200

the battery will be 65mm and the kick will be 18mm to 18.5 mm

 

[MrPlink]

A higher end Stingray clone would be my choice. I far prefer a magnetic switch and floating pin over the more conventional features of the Nemesis.

Get some good high drain IMRs (sony VTC or Purple Efest etc etc) and learn about coils and battery safety and you wont need a fuse or a kick.

 

[k2zs]

To be honest, you may like using a "kicked" mod better providing you get a genuine Evolve Kick 2. Evolve doesn't use pusled width modulation with their chipset and it will be a better burn than the MVP.

For an 18650 mod without a kick, you can use your ohms law to build a coil that vapes at the wattage you like. Most fresh batteries will start out at 4.1v +/- for a short time and then level off at between 3.8v - 3.9v for most of the charge and then fall off from there.

Knowing that, a 1.4 ohm coil in lets say your Kayfun should start off at 12+ watts and fall off to about 9 watts towards the end of the charge. Test that on your MVP to see if that's acceptable.

As far as battery life goes, that all depends on your vaping habits. I use a device with a DNA30 and 18490 batteries. I get around 6-7 hours a battery and that includes sometimes 3 hours of driving where I tend to vape a lot. I generally carry 2 extra batteries with me during my work day.

 

[DeepSix]

Thank you for all the replies, it is very much appreciated!

I think I am going to get the hcigar stingray...few other questions for those who have this mech:

1. Flat-top or nipple-top batteries? Does it matter which type to use in this mech when not using a Kick?

2. Is the Kick 2 the same dimensions at the original Kick? If not, will the Kick 2 still fit with the 18650 batteries (will flat-top or nipple type make a difference)?

 

[Bad Ninja]

Keep in mind, the kick won't fire atomizers with lower than 1.3 ohms (1.5 on kick clone).
It has protective circuitry.

I have a kick. Rarely use it.

 

[DeepSix]

Thanks Bad Ninja, that lil tidbit of info is good to know. I am planning on using the kick for when I am using my KFL style atties. I usually wrap my coils at 1.5 to 1.8 ohms.

I dont plan on using the kick when I am dripping. I am just looking for a little bit of protection when using the KFL style atties, especially when the mech is in a pocket when I am at work.

 

[Bad Ninja]

It should work great with a KFL at 1.5-1.8.
It will give you a smooth consistent vape throughout the work day

 

[FattyMcJ]

Thanks for the responses...in particular FattyMcJ.

Sounds like you have the same vaping habits as I do. When do you typically change the battery, like after the very first weak hit? Is the drop off very pronounced or is there a fade?

No Problem! And yeah, it's a bit of both really. It's gradual, until I realize I'm having to do like 15 second pulls just to get a good vape, then I realize it's time to change batteries.

Like I said, an 18650 usually lasts me all 8 hours of work, change when I leave work and charge it up when I get home, in case I stay up late...but that's rare lol And I have my MVP V2 as a backup if I happen to be out all day on a saturday riding the motorcycle & stuff.