Picking up parts here and there.

[Applejackson]

Thinking of making a 5v mod, finding parts here and there. I'm having a bit of trouble finding a concrete answer without having to weed through a lot, so what is the best/smallest Vreg to make a 5v mod using 2 CR123 batts either 3.0v or 3.6v, and where do I get one? I've seen some posts about freebees from TI, but wasn't sure if these are the best to use. I'm willing to pay for higher quality, reliability, size, form-factor, whatever. I know little of electronics, but can put stuffs together realz good. Even if you can just give me statistics such as max Vin/min Vin--stuff like that--that the Vreg must and/or must not have without getting too technical, I can go find one that will work. Thanks in advance.

 

[nick76]

If you like to make a 5V mod, should check these links:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/modders-forum/30779-more-power-2.html#post491246
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/battery-mods/41703-easy-5v-3-7v-pv.html

I just ordered one of that flashlight yesterday for $19.99 shipped.

Nick

 

[Applejackson]

If you like to make a 5V mod, should check these links:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/modders-forum/30779-more-power-2.html#post491246
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/battery-mods/41703-easy-5v-3-7v-pv.html

I just ordered one of that flashlight yesterday for $19.99 shipped.

Nick

I'm not feeling the aesthetics or durability of those plastic mods. I've got a flashlight on the way that I think I can get looking pretty good, and a few more I have my eye on in case this one doesn't do it for me. I'm more concerned with the regulator right now. Does it mention the regulators in those threads? I'm assuming you've read through them. Other questions will follow once I get a regulator locked down.

 

[Nuck]

For a simple regulator you can use:

Linear Regulators - Single Channel LDO - UCC283-5 - TI.com

For a better solution you can using a switching regulator:

Plug-in Power Modules - Non-Isolated POL - PTR08060W - TI.com

For a really kickass solution you can use an 18650 and a DC boost convertor:

Plug-in Power Modules - Non-Isolated POL - PTN04050C - TI.com

If you go with 2 RCR123a bats I highly recommend the LiFePO4 versions. No worries about exploding bats or fires and they give much higher discharge.

 

[Applejackson]

For a simple regulator you can use:

Linear Regulators - Single Channel LDO - UCC283-5 - TI.com

For a better solution you can using a switching regulator:

Plug-in Power Modules - Non-Isolated POL - PTR08060W - TI.com

For a really kickass solution you can use an 18650 and a DC boost convertor:

Plug-in Power Modules - Non-Isolated POL - PTN04050C - TI.com

If you go with 2 RCR123a bats I highly recommend the LiFePO4 versions. No worries about exploding bats or fires and they give much higher discharge.

Thanks Nuck. I'm guessing that the last suggestion of the 18650 with boost converter would have a noticeably shorter battery life though, no? What's the difference between the first two suggestions? Sorry, I can't decipher much on those links, I kinda just need to know what to get so I can put it together, but I'd like to know why you think the second one's better?

 

[Nuck]

Thanks Nuck. I'm guessing that the last suggestion of the 18650 with boost converter would have a noticeably shorter battery life though, no? What's the difference between the first two suggestions? Sorry, I can't decipher much on those links, I kinda just need to know what to get so I can put it together, but I'd like to know why you think the second one's better?

The first one is a straight up voltage regulator that wastes any excess power and discards it as heat. Its simple and easy but not very efficient.

The second one is a switching regulator that only draws the power it needs so you get much improved battery life. It's a great 2 bat solutions.

The third is a booster that draws extra current in pulses and steps up the extra current into voltage. The use of capacitors on input and output smooths out the flow. The efficiency is very high (close to 90%). I get over a day out of a 18650 pushing 5.2v at full current.

 

[Bubo]

Wow Nuck - that is perfect info!
Now I just need to know which wire goes where, and be able to figure out what all of these symbols mean!

 

[Applejackson]

The first one is a straight up voltage regulator that wastes any excess power and discards it as heat. Its simple and easy but not very efficient.

The second one is a switching regulator that only draws the power it needs so you get much improved battery life. It's a great 2 bat solutions.

The third is a booster that draws extra current in pulses and steps up the extra current into voltage. The use of capacitors on input and output smooths out the flow. The efficiency is very high (close to 90%). I get over a day out of a 18650 pushing 5.2v at full current.

Perfect. Thanks for the simple answer. I think I'm going to go with the second one, but that link goes to 2 different ones. Which one should I get? PTR08060W or PTR08100W?

 

[Nuck]

Wow Nuck - that is perfect info!
Now I just need to know which wire goes where, and be able to figure out what all of these symbols mean!

I'm the same way..I struggle figuring that crap out.

Vin is obvious - its the 3.7 positive from the bat

Gnd is well..ground

Vout is where you pick up the boosted voltage

You dont need to put a resistor between the adj pin and the ground if you want 5v. If you want greater than 5v the value of the resistor is in a table on that same PDF. The resistor can be a small 1/8w one.

The caps are a bit trickier. You need to put a cap between vout and ground and you need to put the same cap between vin and ground. These ones work very well:

Digi-Key - 495-1529-1-ND (Manufacturer - B45197A2107K409)

It's a bit of work but definitely well worth it.

Edit: I looked at the pic and thought you were posting for the boost converter. This explanation is for that one..sorry for any confusion

 

[Applejackson]

Ehhh... gettin' a bit nervous about this project.

Meh, I'll figure it out.

 

[Nuck]

Perfect. Thanks for the simple answer. I think I'm going to go with the second one, but that link goes to 2 different ones. Which one should I get? PTR08060W or PTR08100W?

The PTR08060W is plenty. You'll never get close to using 6amp with ecigs. Even a 510 at 6v (worst case) only pulls 2.6a.

 

[Bubo]

I think I might just put a cart in my mouth, lick my fingers, and stick my fingers in an outlet..... Now THAT would be easy...

 

[Applejackson]

Posted this on another forum, cut and pasted to here for more exposur (the thread about mosfet switches is over there, so don't scramble to find it here):

"I'm g-r-a-d-u-a-l-l-y picking up the parts to build a 5v magnum style mod. So far I've got the flashlight and the switching regulator from TI that Nuck recommended to me. Looking for suggestions on switches. Durability and aesthetic are both important to me on that (as with everyone, duh). I do really like the switch Cisco used in his Hot Rod magnum, but for some reason that one seems like it might be prone to failure/require frequent replacement. Please correct me if I'm wrong and direct me to where I can get it. Also as far as batteries go, which set up do you think would work best/last longest with the switching regulator that I have? (it's this one: http://focus.ti.com/docs/prod/folder...ptr08060w.html )

EDIT: was looking at the thread about mosfet switches. So I could potentially just take the switch and mosfet out of a standard battery and use that? Is that correct? Or is there a better, similarly easy way to get a mosfet? Is there a certain type I'd need? Then I could pretty much use any switch and it should be able to hold up for much longer, correct? Please forgive my lack of knowledge on this subject.

I know these are common questions, which is what makes them so hard to use the search function with. As I get more parts, I'll have more questions and I'll try to keep them contained in this thread here. Also, any links to walkthroughs with detailed pics for building magnum mods would be appreciated. I'm looking for a better walkthrough than the "Detonator" vids as those are poorly shot, and there's no way I'm using that putty stuff for the top. I have an idea for a simple, clean-looking substitute for that which may or may not work, and if it does, I'll post it here too with pics. Also, with those vids, since they're not summarized or indexed, I don't know where to look for specific questons, so something that's easy to navigate would be great.

I can't do any machining or anything like that, so I gotta make due with other parts that can be modded with a drill or a dremel.

Technical stuff involving the electronics is good info, but it'll likely be over my head. So please try to keep everything as simple as possible, or break down the technical stuff into layman's terms after explaining.

Thanks in advance!"


P.S., Don't get me wrong, Robert. I appreciate the vids and the time you took to make them, they just don't work well for me, especially since I'm using some different parts than what you do.

 

[Applejackson]

Ok. I'm gonna go with the RCR123a's as far as batteries go (I see that they seem to be the same thing as 16340's, which I thought were different). Still would like any advice on the switches and/or a walkthrough.

 

[opuscroakus]

Where did you find a resistor that meets the TI specs? I have looked everywhere for one of these 267 OHM 1% 1/20W resistors and they are not in stock anywhere. That is the reason I have never tried with the TI chip you are using. If you can let me know where you found it I would be grateful.

 

[Applejackson]

Where did you find a resistor that meets the TI specs? I have looked everywhere for one of these 267 OHM 1% 1/20W resistors and they are not in stock anywhere. That is the reason I have never tried with the TI chip you are using. If you can let me know where you found it I would be grateful.

The what now? I know little of electronics. All I have is the switching regulator and a flashlight right now. I'm just getting parts together and figuring it out as I go here. What do I need a resistor for?

EDIT: Nevermind, found what you mean on the data sheet. Crap. Well, I guess I'll be looking for one of those too. Lemme know if you find one, please.

 

[opuscroakus]

The what now? I know little of electronics. All I have is the switching regulator and a flashlight right now. I'm just getting parts together and figuring it out as I go here. What do I need a resistor for?

EDIT: Nevermind, found what you mean on the data sheet. Crap. Well, I guess I'll be looking for one of those too. Lemme know if you find one, please.

This little resistor is a pain to find. Mouser and DigiKey don't have them in stock and the lead time is 10 weeks! I haven't given up yet.

 

[Applejackson]

Ok, so I've got mosfets and necessary resistors on the way, but am still in need of a decent looking switch that I can use with them. Could someone please direct me to a good place for them? I'll be happy to find a small round, black tact switch, but if there's a place with easily viewable options, that would be great.

I've also ordered some in line regulators from TI since I can't find the resistors necessary for the switching regulator and don't want to wait 8-10 weeks for them to come in. They seem to be out of stock everywhere. I figure if I'm still using the mod by the time they're in stock, I can just switch out those parts.

If I'm doing anything wrong here, please speak up. I'm learning as I go. Appreciate help and patience. Thanks all!

EDIT: Found some at digi-key. Would this switch ( http://parts.digikey.com/1/parts/978...1105f160q.html ) be ok to use with this mosfet ( http://search.digikey.com/scripts/Dk...153NT1GOSCT-ND ) and this resistor for between the gate and source ( http://search.digikey.com/scripts/Dk...F1/410KJRCT-ND )?