Poor man's Pro Vari

[carlko]

I've been vaping about 1.5 years. About 1 year ago I started using the mini variable passthrough like you can get on ebay for about $15.00. I use a 5 volt 2 amp power supply. I cut the USB connector off and added wires so I could use power supplies that didn't have a USB. This works well, and it also worked with my lap top.

I just found a better way to use it. I took a 2AA battery box with 2 Efest limn 14500 batteries in series and hooked it onto the mini. The internal regulator of the mini produced the following results - the voltage is calculated as I can't get a read on the loaded voltage - but the amps are from my multi meter

Blue - 3.61 V 1.57 A 5.67 W
Purple 4.6 V 2.00 A 9.20 W
Red 5.18 V 2.25 A 11.64 W
Green 6.03 V 2.62 A 15.79 W

This was using a 2.30 ohm Vivi - and this is the first time I took amp readings which were steady, and the first time I got over 2 A. I've decided to use higher resistance heads and keep the amps down to about 2, but the vape is great. Here's what I got with the same Vivi using a 5V 2A power supply :

Blue - 2.3 V 1.00 A 2.3 W
Purple 2.99 V 1.3 A 3.89 W
Red 3.68 V 1.6 A 5.89 W
Green 4.37 V 1.9 A 8.3 W

What a difference. BTW, it will work with 1 14500, but will not go above purple, I think because red and green need more volts.

 

[drummerskey]

I hope you are a licensed electrician/electronics professional/electrical or mechanical engineer. That is the scariest post I have ever read

 

[Southern Tina]

I don't even understand that post so that's way over my head.

 

[Dogeggs]

Some pics would be great.

 

[sneakerpimp]

About 1 year ago I started using the mini variable passthrough like you can get on ebay for about $15.00... I cut the USB connector off and added wires so I could use power supplies that didn't have a USB... I took a 2AA battery box with 2 Efest limn 14500 batteries in series and hooked it onto the mini.

i must see this.

 

[Dogeggs]

Warning ITT

 

[p.opus]

This must be the same guy who made the poor man's electric guitar...

 

[klynnn]

Why not just get a zmax, so much less trouble with 18650 batteries.

 

[p.opus]

Why not just get a zmax, so much less trouble with 18650 batteries.

Why not just get a ProVari. You'll only need to make that purchase once......

 

[klynnn]

LOL been there done that, but don't think he's in that market yet.

 

[Southern Tina]

Why not just get a ProVari. You'll only need to make that purchase once......

Lol. Ruh roh.

 

[sneakerpimp]

Why not just get a ProVari. You'll only need to make that purchase once......

costs less than a trip to the burn center... slightly less.

 

[Southern Tina]

costs less than a trip to the burn center... slightly less.

Lol, not for me. My insurance pays 100% but I get your point.

 

[drummerskey]

"Please insert response from me that breaks ECF rules"

 

[carlko]

Thanks for the replies. I posted this to get some feedback. The concern seems to be that I might get shocked. I would really appreciate why people think this might be a danger. The batteries in series are performing nicely, no issues - I leave the box cover off so I can monitor them and they don't show any sign of warming or anything else, all normal. When using a power supply, of course I don't modify anything with it plugged in - I just cut the two wires from the supply and put connector on, then tape up so no exposed wires - what's the issue? Thanks again.

 

[Dogeggs]

It's just that most of us on here are well aware of the dangers of electricity because of having to learn battery safety for low ohm coils etc. Your setup sounds dangerous is all, please post some pics to put minds at ease, or maybe get some useful advice of what you're doing wrong.

 

[carlko]

I'm not an expert but have read books on house wiring - I had to do some major line work on my mobile home and have had no problem - so I'm very aware of the danger of electricity. I've been fooling with box mods for over a year, simple ones without regulator or pot, and though I'm not good at soldering, I've got a pretty good idea of how they work. I've been building my own computers for 20 years so I do have at least a beginners understanding. What I'm doing with the mini doesn't require any more that 8 volts dc - the only ac involved goes into the power supply and comes out dc - the same thing you use when charging batteries, powering a lap top, etc.

My main concern was with the batteries, not the electricity, though all input is welcome. Since I'm mostly using li mn batts I assume they are safe. I do use li ion sometimes, but always leave the cover off the box so I can monitor them. The mini itself has a very good pcb - the first one I had I accidentally reversed polarity and the mini immediately died. I rebuild my own heads and a couple times attached ones with shorts to the mini, and it just flashed then turned off - it still worked with a good head but would not operate one with a short. When I've connected a shorted atomizer to my box mod (only one or two times) the power supply shuts down - it doesn't break, it just has internal volt and amp regulation that won't exceed the specs.

Edit: I will try to post some pics - not very good at doing it. Are there instructions on the site about how to do so?

 

[Dampmaskin]

I think this project sounds interesting.

My main concern was with the batteries, not the electricity

You seem to know what you're doing. But I'm going to say this anyway: Stacking Lipo batteries is generally considered unsafe. If I were you, I'd consider using one battery only, if you can do without the highest voltage setting.

If you're going to stack anyway, there are a few extra precautions you have to take:

* Use new, quality batteries. Both batteries should be the same make, model, and ideally production run.
* Mark both batteries so that you know they belong together.
* When you charge them, always charge both batteries together, in the same charger, for the same amount of time. No exceptions.
* When you use them, always use them together. No exceptions.

The reasons for this is because putting two different Lipo batteries in series, at some point down the road, one battery is going to be weaker than the other, and then the other will kill it (by in effect applying reversed voltage to it). This may result in much noise, heat, and severed fingers.

Using two batteries that are as close to identical as possible, will reduce this risk. But it will not completely eliminate it, because no two batteries in this world is exactly the same, and at some point in the future one will run empty before its twin does. Using near-identical batteries will postpone this catastrophic failure point quite a bit, hopefully.

 

[carlko]

Thanks. I did try an efest li mn with a trustfire li ion and it worked fine but when the vape dropped a little and I checked the voltage the efest was about 2.4 - don't know yet if it's dead, but I won't do that again. I'm going to experiment with this for a few weeks and if all goes well (it doesn't blow the mini and I still have both sets of fingers intact) I will invest in a few more efests. I really like the performance - not only more vape but a LOT more flavor. If I give it up I will probably have to buy a vamo, new batts, charger, etc - I can't give up this flavor, had no idea what I've been missing.

Edit: I should clarify something. The mini has a long cord, about 6 ft, so the power is well away from my face and hands. Even if the batts start to overheat or flame out I don't think I would be at risk.

Edit: Oh yeah, I do have a box mod that will use 1 batt but the mini doesn't work well that way and 1 batt doesn't give enough watts to the box mod - down on flavor and vape.

 

[PGR-Scooter]

I was trained as a Radar technician in the Marine Corps. and don't really see a problem given the precautions you are taking.
I have been thinking of doing something similar for when I'm riding.
I plan to get one of the USB units like yours but connect it to one of the Anker portable USB charging units.
Something like this: Anker Astro E5 15000mAh External Battery. It has a maximum output of 2 amps and 5 volts.
I have to do some more research but so far it looks like it will work.