Potentiometer?

[freaknormal]

Hi Everybody,

I'm pretty new to modding, but a hilarious post over in the atomizer mod section got me wondering. Has anybody tried to use a potentiometer allow for adjustable voltage in an e-cig? I'm curious as to how a light dimmer switch might hold up to vaping. I would assume that since it can handle 120vac that it would probably be ok with 6vdc max. Any thoughts or experiences?

 

[mnealtx]

Tapped into a variable boost or regulator circuit (where adjustment values can vary over hundreds of ohms), it may work. I don't think it would work solely to 'sink' a couple volts, as you're looking at a small ohm value for that.

 

[breakfastchef]

A potentiometer would vary voltage, but would also vary resistance. Ideally, you would want a variable voltage, fixed current circuit for an e-cig. Here is a link to a circuit I have not had time to build. I was planning to use it as a desktop power source at home. I do not know if it can be tweaked to provide constant current, though.

Electronic Equiptment - DIY LM317 power supply

 

[Scottbee]

Modern light dimmers (120VAC) are not simple potentiometers. They are Triac based "chopper" circuits that modify the AC waveform. They won't work on DC (battery voltage).

 

[freaknormal]

Hmmm. . . thanks for the info. Looks like I'm back to multiple circuits to isolate different batteries with a slider switch. I like the idea in the schematic, but I really tend to be a less is more type of guy when it comes to electrical parts. Maybe one of these days I'll get bored and go for it. I was hoping that I had come up with some ingenious solution with the light dimmer idea. Yet another glimmer of brilliance stomped out by higher knowledge =). Thanks!