Safe Vaping w mechmods

[Imfallen_Angel]

But what about Ego's? Are they not considered regulated as well? What most encourage people to start out with because the are easy to use and safe? I've heard several more reports about them blowing up because of people using the wrong chargers than I've heard of any mech's blowing up.
I get mech's aren't for YOU. I get YOU don't like them and have no need for them in YOUR life. That's fine. But you are coming off that they are ALL unsafe and dangerous in anyone's hands and that is incorrect. If you don't want one, don't buy one, that is your choice, but to deem them all unsafe and dangerous would be like me saying all regulated mods are dangerous because I once watched a VMax go into thermal melt down because the board fried in it and blew the battery up! I don't make that claim.
I'll respect your opinion, I hope you can do the same with mine, but lets try not to make exaggerated claims, please.

Hmmm. no, Egos aren't really regulated mods, they're barely a step different to mechs... I've had many, took quite a few apart.

Most that were in the news, were mostly stories where they were left in a car/sun and made to overheat.

If you actually read my posts, you'd see that what I've said...

1) "Know what you're doing, research, etc. mistakes could be costly".

2) I've stated that the mech mods people that have been happy and safe, it's great...

3)it's the people that don't approach it properly that I don't "like". because for every one of them that end up making all vapers look bad, it makes it harder with the laws that are being brought up to try and kill
off vaping for everyone.

Because I stated that they aren't for me, you assume things and make these false accusations? Come on, let's not get nasty here and make stuff up.

 

[sawlight]

According to this list
E-Cigarette Explosions: Comprehensive List
There have been 50 major incidents this year alone and that's just the ones which make the news.
They also go on to say
"It is interesting to note that the nature of e-cigarette explosions has changed over the years. The FEMA document cited above suggests that approximately 80 percent of e-cigarette explosions happen during charging. In addition, most e-cigarette explosions that occurred before early 2015 involved no reported injuries. However, people began to experience different types of e-cigarette explosions when sub-ohm vaping and mods with removable batteries became more popular. More than ever, e-cigarettes explode during use. Explosions resulting from people carrying spare batteries in their pockets are also far more common. Regardless of the circumstances, e-cigarette explosions are far more likely to cause injuries today than they were in the past."

So I disagree with your ego theory, it is not comparable with the type/severity of injury we are seeing with incorrect mech mod use today. I feel experienced/knowledgeable vapers on this forum should act responsibility when advising new to mech mod vapers, much more so if they are new vapers period, and do our part to help minimize this from continuing to happen. A mech mod in the hands of an new/inexperienced/un-knowledgeable vaper has a much higher potential for these severe incidents to occur.

Good find! Thank you for that insight!
If you look in the veterans section I started a thread about this fear years ago! That was at the start of "sub ohm vaping" and I saw this coming with all the new members coming in cloud chasing without wanting to put in the work, or get the information/knowledge needed to do so safely.
In fact, if you go back a couple of years ago, you will see myself and Badittude spent a considerable amount of time in the new member area trying to educate new users on battery safety and how to use Ohm's law safely!
I'm by no means advocating everyone jump right in with both feet! The OP in this thread actually showed resolve, asked intelligent questions, and understood the answers enough to ask even more detailed questions. That led me to believe they may be diligent enough to follow safe guidelines and proceed. I don't make that recommendation often, or lightly!
Believe me, I'm all about doing this in a safe, babystep manner, and I've seen many members that I've personally discouraged from buying a mech because I didn't feel they had the aptitude to do it safely!
My point is this, there are inherent problems with any vaping device, you and you alone are responsible for what you buy and how you use it. Are you willing to put in the time to get educated and proceed safely, get a mech. If you aren't, stick with a regulated mod! Easy.

 

[OldBatty]

Saw this yesterday evening too late to reply. Have two mechanical mods, a 4nine clone which I hate (bottom button) and a Phantus Mini clone which I enjoyed playing with occasionally up until a few months ago when this current round of explody stories started.

Should I drill vent holes in them? If so, how many and how big? Have a drill press, bits and countersinks to de-burr the sharp edges. Not like it will ruin the value since they are both clones. Oh, probably need to drill both ends? Even though I know which end goes where other folks may not.

 

[sawlight]

Look the mods over, most all mods made today already have a vent hole drilled in them, usually in the bottom. It doesn't have to be a large hole, and multiple holes aren't necessary, it's just a matter of letting the gasses out so they can't build up pressure. It's the pressure from the gasses that cause the explosions, when/if they do happen.

 

[Baditude]

Should I drill vent holes in them? If so, how many and how big? Have a drill press, bits and countersinks to de-burr the sharp edges. Not like it will ruin the value since they are both clones. Oh, probably need to drill both ends? Even though I know which end goes where other folks may not.

• Sealed metal tubes will probably explode if a battery vents violently.
• The battery itself may physically block gas from escaping to the bottom of the mod.
• Small vents at the bottom of the tube are useless, only very large gas vents near the top have a good chance of preventing an explosion.

-- Rolygate, ECF administrator and battery expert​

If there are no vent holes in the upper 1/3 of the mod, my recommendation would to drill at least two 2 mm holes. Location is important, because vent holes located near the bottom of the mod may not work. Batteries are designed to vent gas from the positive end of the battery...this is where the gas will accumulate. If you look at pictures of mech mods which have exploded, they blow their tops off.



This is because either they had no vent holes at all, or had vent holes near the bottom. Batteries have been known to swell in size when they go into thermal runaway, so the battery itself may block any pathway for the gas to escape to bottom-located vent holes.

The below pic shows the ideal location for vent holes. Where the top of the battery makes contact with the atomizer's battery connection.

 

[daviedog]

But what about Ego's? Are they not considered regulated as well? What most encourage people to start out with because the are easy to use and safe? I've heard several more reports about them blowing up because of people using the wrong chargers than I've heard of any mech's blowing up.
I get mech's aren't for YOU. I get YOU don't like them and have no need for them in YOUR life. That's fine. But you are coming off that they are ALL unsafe and dangerous in anyone's hands and that is incorrect. If you don't want one, don't buy one, that is your choice, but to deem them all unsafe and dangerous would be like me saying all regulated mods are dangerous because I once watched a VMax go into thermal melt down because the board fried in it and blew the battery up! I don't make that claim.
I'll respect your opinion, I hope you can do the same with mine, but lets try not to make exaggerated claims, please.

You trumped my ace..

 

[OldBatty]

Look the mods over, most all mods made today already have a vent hole drilled in them, usually in the bottom. It doesn't have to be a large hole, and multiple holes aren't necessary, it's just a matter of letting the gasses out so they can't build up pressure. It's the pressure from the gasses that cause the explosions, when/if they do happen.

Thanks to both of you! Looked them over a bit more closely and the 4Nine has two .050" holes in the top end cap. I had assumed they were drive lugs for machining and / or a way to use a tool if the brass cap seized in the stainless steel body. Not much room to enlarge these with out getting into the threads. Can drill more and stay further from the threads and easily fit 2 mm (.079") without harming anything.

The Phantus Mini has six cleverly hidden holes under the locking ring in the top cap. When it is locked down and can (no strikethrough?) should not fire it also can not vent. No easy way to measure them without disassembling the top assembly, but they appear larger so probably are at least 2 mm. May add at least one more horizontal holes near the top so it can vent even if locked. And several at the bottom...

Being recessed it is like taking a tube mod and folding it in half, so in order for the positive terminal to contact the center pin of the tank the battery has to go in upside down. When I first got it, Googled for which way to insert the battery and there are widely differing opinions on what is correct. Apparently the more correct way is not the safest way until I add vent holes at the bottom. Probably be mid week on my days off before I can work on this. Stay tuned.

 

[conandw]

Can i use rta on mechs?

Sent from my GT-I9060I using Tapatalk

 

[sawlight]

Can i use rta on mechs?

Sent from my GT-I9060I using Tapatalk

Sure! Just know the Ohm's of the coil you build, know the amp limit of the battery you are using, and stay below that. I suggest around 20% under the maximum discharge of the battery. Say a 20 amp battery, stay below 17 amps for safety sake.
I run rebuildable drippers and tanks on my mechs all the time. But I'm a low wattage vapor for the most part, most of my coils are around 1.2 ohms.
Download an ohms calculator for your phone, or bookmark one in your web browser. Just be safe while doing it, and it will be fine.

 

[jcash74]

Can anyone recommend a good device for checking amps for my batts and reading ohms of my coils?
I use my sigelei currently for ohms but I can't check the amps accurately and I have a mech on the way.
I'm using mostly vtc4's and r5's so I know my batts are good I just want to be MORE sure.
Thanks!

stand up and fight for your right to vape!

 

[sawlight]

I'm not familiar with anything that will load test batteries (amperage) that we would consider affordable for home use, most of those devices, that work properly, cost thousands of dollars! That's why you see so little information about actual battery current ratings (amperage) and why @Mooch has been such a valuable source for this information!
As for testing ohms, I recently got a 521 tab from Coilmaster that makes a great build deck and allows me to burn in coils as well. We're I to do it again, I'd save the money and buy the Geekvape 521 tab. The added cost for the half a..d designed added features on the Coilmaster aren't worth it!
You can also purchase a DVM (digital volt/ohm reader) at most hardware stores or Radio Shacks for under $20 that will work fine for rebuilding coils.

 

[Imfallen_Angel]

Can anyone recommend a good device for checking amps for my batts and reading ohms of my coils?
I use my sigelei currently for ohms but I can't check the amps accurately and I have a mech on the way.
I'm using mostly vtc4's and r5's so I know my batts are good I just want to be MORE sure.
Thanks!

stand up and fight for your right to vape!

The VCT (Mod) actually shows the AMP load as your vape.
eVic-VTC Mini - Joyetech

To do various tests for your coils, and your mods, you can look into getting the TAB 520 which can show you the Voltage load on your mod with the coil you'd be building.
http://www.coil-master.net/product/coil-master-521

or alternate (clone) - Pilot
$29.67 Authentic Pilot Vape Atomizer Combo Tester (Ohm Meter + Volt Meter) - 0.01-9.99ohm / 0.3-9.99V / USB powered or battery powered at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping

But you should be certain of what you're doing before playing with a mech mod, use the e-steam calculator, etc.

 

[Imfallen_Angel]

As for testing ohms, I recently got a 521 tab from Coilmaster that makes a great build deck and allows me to burn in coils as well. We're I to do it again, I'd save the money and buy the Geekvape 521 tab. The added cost for the half a..d designed added features on the Coilmaster aren't worth it!

The Geekvape doesn't have the add-on clips that let's you test the wire even before you cut it off the spool, just for that it actually does makes the Coilmaster (or Pilot) well worth it.

But it also lets you test the voltage output from your mods, so again, a feature missing from the Geekvape that I consider somewhat essential of not at least very handy to have.

 

[sawlight]

The Geekvape doesn't have the add-on clips that let's you test the wire even before you cut it off the spool, just for that it actually does makes the Coilmaster (or Pilot) well worth it.

But it also lets you test the voltage output from your mods, so again, a feature missing from the Geekvape that I consider somewhat essential of not at least very handy to have.

Have you used those leads? I have, they are JUNK! I need to make a trip to RS and see if a set of banana plug test leads cleans it up, but so far that feature, the only reason I chose it over the Geekvape, has been useless!
I OWN and USE one, that feature was the reason I purchased it, so I could use my Fluke meter for what it was intended for, but there is so much variance in the reading it's absolutely useless for this purpose!

 

[Imfallen_Angel]

Have you used those leads? I have, they are JUNK! I need to make a trip to RS and see if a set of banana plug test leads cleans it up, but so far that feature, the only reason I chose it over the Geekvape, has been useless!
I OWN and USE one, that feature was the reason I purchased it, so I could use my Fluke meter for what it was intended for, but there is so much variance in the reading it's absolutely useless for this purpose!

I went and got the Pilot due to the LED lights switching colours for when you're in testing mode (blue) and fire mode (red), as a safety feature in case I'd not notice that I might have switched it.

I've used my leads a lot and no issues at all. The only "modification" I had to do was squish the pincers/clips to flatten them to hold the wire better.

The biggest problem I had with it was the mod tester add-on, I over-tightened the mod and getting it off was a really bad time, I had to break it apart to get it off, then re-solder and reglue the parts back together.. I learned to be very gentle now, but I don't test my mods much as I only use regulated ones (but it's a good thing to have, especially with mech mods).

You probably have a bad contact/solder in your cable?

 

[sawlight]

I dunno, it's zero one second, then without changing a thing it's 3-5 ohms, then 20 ohms, then .5 and so on. It's so all over the place I can't trust the leads at all!
The 510 section is pretty accurate and I use the burn option a lot. But to do it again, I'd save money and buy the Geekvape and enjoy it not sliding around the table!
Needless to say, I'm dissapointed with that aspect of the Coilmaster.

 

[Imfallen_Angel]

I dunno, it's zero one second, then without changing a thing it's 3-5 ohms, then 20 ohms, then .5 and so on. It's so all over the place I can't trust the leads at all!
The 510 section is pretty accurate and I use the burn option a lot. But to do it again, I'd save money and buy the Geekvape and enjoy it not sliding around the table!
Needless to say, I'm dissapointed with that aspect of the Coilmaster.

That really sounds like a bad connection in either the wires/leads or inside the device. If the deck is working fine, then it's just a connection between them, as it's simply a secondary connection to exact the same circuits.

Shouldn't be very hard to test if you have a multimeter and figure where the issue is.

Sucks, but you just got some bad wiring somewhere, but shouldn't be a huge thing to fix.

For the sliding... just put some rubbery feet stickers, dollar stores usually have something that would work.

 

[sawlight]

Yes, I can/could fix it, but I probably won't. I'm over it, I bought it new and sealed, I've heard other users with the same issue, and I shouldn't have to fix it!

 

[Imfallen_Angel]

Yes, I can/could fix it, but I probably won't. I'm over it, I bought it new and sealed, I've heard other users with the same issue, and I shouldn't have to fix it!

Sorry to hear it.. I guess I'm glad to have gone with the pilot instead.