Only Want Variable Volt, What Are My Choices?

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sailorman

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Hey John, Where did you hear that the kGos were using PWM? I think I've heard that before somewhere but I'm not sure where. I started thinking about that and don't really understand the point of using PWM in a fixed voltage setup. It occurs to me that it would be less complex and more cost effective just to use a decent regulation circuit. I dunno. I've seen a Twist metered on a cheap in-line voltage meter, which tells me that it doesn't use PWM, so why would a fixed voltage kGo? On Hoosiers site he's also using an in-line meter on an SLB kGo. Unless it's a very recent change but, again, what's the point?
 

SpicyMcHaggis

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I really like the joyetech Twist. Used with Smoktech 3.5ml DCT tanks fitted with properly punched or slotted Boge 2.0 ohm single coil XL stainless steel cartomizers, I think it's a great addition to just about anyone's collection of PV's.

Where is a good place to buy slotted cartos? I'm now looking at tank systems...lol
 

John D in CT

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Hey John, Where did you hear that the kGos were using PWM? I think I've heard that before somewhere but I'm not sure where. I started thinking about that and don't really understand the point of using PWM in a fixed voltage setup. It occurs to me that it would be less complex and more cost effective just to use a decent regulation circuit. I dunno. I've seen a Twist metered on a cheap in-line voltage meter, which tells me that it doesn't use PWM, so why would a fixed voltage kGo? On Hoosiers site he's also using an in-line meter on an SLB kGo. Unless it's a very recent change but, again, what's the point?

I'll have to look into it a whole lot more, and I don't fully yet understand the science behind PWM, but in crude layman's terms (which is what I am, a layman - and sometimes a crude one at that); it seems to me that it might be somewhat like the electronic equivalent of using an impact wrench to loosen a nut instead of one constant force of equivalent foot-pounds. Just like the impact wrench delivers many rapid blows, the PWM might do the same. Just as the many rapid blows that the impact wrench imparts to the nut just "get its attention" and start electrons moving - which is essentially what's keeping a nut "stuck" to the thing it's threaded on to - molecular bonds involving electrons - PWM might just "excite" a coil in ways that a constant flow of electricity just won't do.

This phenomenon - if it in fact exists - is at the heart of our debate about whether or not a Joyetech 3.4V battery (which I believe uses PWM) - might just produce more vapor on a given attachment than the constant 3.7 volts of an e-Power. Speaking of the e-Power, which I own and like, I hope you saw my recent post which gives it due credit. I have often said that the advantage of having a replaceable battery and a replaceable switch is an indisputable one. I think that the e-Power is "cool" enough that it arguably belongs in any given "arsenal" of vaping technology. Same with the Joyetech 18650 mod; as I sit here looking at mine - looking very much like a Mark 48 torpedo interbred with a killer whale, and with its very cool, rubbery, white, "clicky" button that slowly dims when you release it - I just admire it for its "coolness", and forgive it for being what is is, and not a VV device. Just like the e-Power, the eGo battery, the kGo, the Riva, the Smoktech Woo, the Volt, and a whole bunch of other devices that just have that "certain something" that makes me admire them and the people who designed them.

I just really love this whole field, and think that vaping is one of the coolest things ever. Insanely enjoyable, life-saving, a fun hobby, a great way to meet and interact with people, and just a blast in general. So many flavors and devices, and so little time to explore and enjoy them all. I guess it's a good thing whn your biggest problem with something is that death will separate you from it. Fortunately, were all extending our lives, and making them happier and healthier in the process.

And I am constantly amazed at the positive effects of the ingestion of a "therapeutic" amount of nicotine - which I have a feeling is around half of what I'm currently vaping - (around 6mg instead of the 12mg which I currently dare not change lest I start to feel like my "old", mopey self again). Nicotine without carbon monoxide and hundreds of toxins is a remarkable thing; I really do think that my memory and thought processes are better than they've ever been. As evidence of that, I offer the fact that you and I are agreeing more and more lately LOL.

I'll do some more digging on the PWM thing and post it when I can. Thanks for the great question Sailor, and for the tremendous contribution you make to this place.

***

Another thought; I think I saw in a video once some guy taking about a kGo battery to reveal - a Joyetech battery "innards". If it's the case that kGo batteries were non-PWM at the time that video was made, and are now - it could be that Joytech supplied the battery "innards", but not the circuitry that makes an Ego battery put out PWN. If it's true that kGo batteries now do employ PWM, maybe they've since bought, wooed, or otherwise cajoled the technology from Joyetech. Not 100% sure of any of this, just a semi-educated hunch at this point. I do love science and the scientific method, so let's both put it to use to try to get to the bottom of this - whay say?

*Handshake*

***

Final thought: it seems to me that a variable-voltage device once set to a particular output voltage might rightly be considered a constant voltage device a far as that setting s concerned, and then can just use PWM just like a constant-voltage device would with the output voltage determined by its regulated voltage level, or, in the case of an unregulated fixed-voltage device, by the battery voltage. If that's the case, that would IMO by why both a VV device and a CV (constant voltage) device could use PWM.

***

AFK for a while - gotta go to Staples and give Bill Gates another $199.99. My Vista has become so unstable and virus-ridden that I can't even Google any more, and can barely post anything here. I also piced up a very new-to-me kind of virus - it plays audio files - mostly commercials - that Staples says have been implanted right into my OS. If hackers devoted all that time and energy to vaping technlogy, we could all vape telepathically and not even need juice. I can't stand those buggers .... grrr.
 
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RickMc

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Not liking what I'm seeing with these mentioned. It's probably going to be a LavaTube or ProVari. Leaning more and more to the ProVari, budget be damned. :p I'll end up there anyways, might as well go for it now instead of spending money moving up, down and around. I already have a Pila charger and several 18650 batts from my flashlight fetish, so I just need the device and extra tailcap. I wonder if the Pila can charge those 18490 batts the ProVari v2 uses stock?

Thanks for the help folks.

The Pila will charge the 18490's, 1 spacer required per battery. Also, if you order a Provari standard you can get an extension that will allow you to use 18650's in it.
 

Startle

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I've settled on a Lavatube or Provari. Just debating the extra hundy the Provari will cost. I'm using Vision ego clearomizers on a Twist. I'm starting to believe I need another delivery system so I'm looking at a tank setup; probably a J-Tank if I don't change my mind. Don't think this wick system is gonna work for me.

Let me help you decide.

Provari all the way!

That was easy...

Vape On!
 

sailorman

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Where is a good place to buy slotted cartos? I'm now looking at tank systems...lol

Don't even bother with carto tanks and pre-slotted cartos. They're a pain, expensive, they color the flavor and can leak. Look at the Vivi Nova tanks. No cartos to buy or to change with each flavor swap. They have replaceable and rebuildable heads that last longer than cartos and don't cost any more. They don't color the flavor and they absolutely will not leak. You can re-build the heads in 5 minutes and a few cents worth of materials. These don't work like any other clearos you've ever tried.
 

tj99959

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    I have the Vision eGo's (stardust), Viva Nova's and all the rest of the ya-da--ay-da's, but the carto tanks are not going away anytime soon. As far as symplisity, nothing is easier than slipping a carto into a tank, and they never leak after you know what you are doing. J-tanks are the tanks that I use, and if you want, you can also get pre-punched cartos from electronicstix.com as well.For a J-tank on a VV APV you want the normal Boge SR (3 ohm) cartos.
    BLANK BOGE 2.0 OHM LOW RESISTANCE 510 CARTOMIZERS (STAINLESS)
    And these if you want to punch your own.
    BLANK BOGE STANDARD 510 CARTOMIZERS (STAINLESS)
     
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    SpicyMcHaggis

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    Don't even bother with carto tanks and pre-slotted cartos. They're a pain, expensive, they color the flavor and can leak. Look at the Vivi Nova tanks. No cartos to buy or to change with each flavor swap. They have replaceable and rebuildable heads that last longer than cartos and don't cost any more. They don't color the flavor and they absolutely will not leak. You can re-build the heads in 5 minutes and a few cents worth of materials. These don't work like any other clearos you've ever tried.

    I was looking hard at those but was getting a little skittish because of the Vision Ego clearomizers (Stardust) I've been using. Same wick type system by the same company and all. So with the Nova 2.5 I could use the same tank for diff juices?
     

    sailorman

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    I was looking hard at those but was getting a little skittish because of the Vision Ego clearomizers (Stardust) I've been using. Same wick type system by the same company and all. So with the Nova 2.5 I could use the same tank for diff juices?

    Yes, you can use the same tank for different juices. Just give it a quick rinse, shake out the loose water and refill it. With the short wick V2, you don't even have to let it dry out first. That's the beauty of it.

    It isn't anything like the eGo clearomizers. The heads look similar and that's the only similarity. The CE4s are prone to leaking, they give dry hits too often, the flavor is too muted, they come detached from their bases, and they're inconsistent. None of these things applies to the Vivi Nova. The flavor isn't like dripping, but it's way better than any cartomizer.

    Hear me now, believe me later. I have some V2s and a V2.5. I prefer the V2 for the shorter wicks. They seem to have better flavor and they wick just as well, if not better than the longer V2.5 wicks. It might have to do with the thicker diameter V2 wicks but, for whatever reason, they're a smidgeon better tasting.
     

    sailorman

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    .. As far as symplisity, nothing is easier than slipping a carto into a tank, and they never leak after you know what you are doing...

    How about NOT filling a carto, punching a carto, enlarging carto holes, matching hole sizes and numbers to juice thicknesses, keeping track of multiple cartos, changing cartos with each flavor change or slipping cartos into a tank?

    Would you carry a filled J-tank in a pocket, with or without a drip tip?
     

    sailorman

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    Okay, Sailor, you've convinced me. I'm gonna try the Nova, and I'm gonna fool around with a J-Tank just for ....s and whistles.
    If you use any plastic cracking juice, get a metal tank. Hoosier has the best prices on the V2. If you get the Gotvapes version, the plastic is supposed to be crack resistant, but I'm dubious of that claim until I get proof because I can't detect any difference at all between them. I can't even do an experiment to test them because I've mixed them up with the other tanks and they're indistinguishable from each other. The metal tanks are really nice though, for $4 and I know for a fact that they won't crack.
     

    tj99959

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    How about NOT filling a carto, punching a carto, enlarging carto holes, matching hole sizes and numbers to juice thicknesses, keeping track of multiple cartos, changing cartos with each flavor change or slipping cartos into a tank?

    Would you carry a filled J-tank in a pocket, with or without a drip tip?

    Let's see:
    Punching a new carto = 90 seconds
    filling a new carto = 60 seconds
    (need to do that about every 3 weeks or so)
    refilling tank = 30 seconds
    keeping track of multiple cartos = different color drip tips
    matching hole size = use the same holes for everything from 80-20 to 100% VG.
    Stove pipe cartos to change them
    I carry a tank in my pocket every day.
    Did I miss anything?

    All those problems you suggest sounds like cheap Smoktech tanks. Not all tanks are created equal.

    Have you tried changing heads in a Viva Nova while it's full yet?

    I also use the Vision Ego (stardust) instead of my Viva Nova because of the form factor.
    ATM my Vision ego has a viva nova head in it. Just change out the spike, otherwise the heads are identical.
    5853.jpeg


    BTW, I'm not saying one system is better than another, they are just different. So far I haven't found any law that says I can't enjoy them all.
     
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    sailorman

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    ....
    Have you tried changing heads in a Viva Nova while it's full yet?
    ...

    Yeah, actually I've done it a couple times just for yuks. It's sure easier than changing cartos with a full carto tank.
    Here's a little trick. 306 atomizers come with a little protective tube that fits over them to protect the bridge and coil. It works on Vivi heads like a little socket wrench.
     

    Warren D. Lockaby

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    AFK for a while - gotta go to Staples and give Bill Gates another $199.99. My Vista has become so unstable and virus-ridden that I can't even Google any more, and can barely post anything here. I also piced up a very new-to-me kind of virus - it plays audio files - mostly commercials - that Staples says have been implanted right into my OS. If hackers devoted all that time and energy to vaping technlogy, we could all vape telepathically and not even need juice. I can't stand those buggers .... grrr.

    Hey John D, if you wanna save yourself a couple C-notes you might look into this: Home | Ubuntu It's free, open source, isn't a virus magnet like *some* operating systems and has become very user-friendly of late. (I'm still running Vista myself but can & do boot into Ubuntu at times, re-acclimating myself after a couple years away from Linux. Viruses, Trojans, etc. don't seem to like Linux.)

    Cheers! :toast:
     

    Warren D. Lockaby

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    Have you tried changing heads in a Viva Nova while it's full yet?
    I've done this several times when I was in a bit of a hurry, it's a piece of cake with clean hemostats. Personally - and this is just me, I realize a lot of folks love cartos - I've never tried a carto tank because since I tried dripping with IkenVape atomizers, that flavor is the mark to match. So far *nothing* with filler in it is even in the game. I wouldn't bother with the best carto tank out there if I could get it for nothing, simply because it contains a carto, and I like the Vivi Novas for their possibilities & ease of use. But then again, different strokes....

    Happy Vaping! :vapor:
     
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