OK, we got a bunch of new users just poking their heads into the thread and more surely to come, so ... it's probably time for something like this. I think it covers just about everything, but updating is easy, so here goes:
The Billet Box FAQ
(Version 1.0, April 2013)
CARTOMIZER QUESTIONS
Q. What type of cartomizers does the Billet Box use?
A. The Billet Box uses standard 35mm, 510 connection, metal-bodied cartomizers.
Q. What resistance of cartomizer should I use in the Billet Box?
A. The Billet Box is designed primarily for use with 3.0 ohm cartomizers to provide the best combination of versatility and battery life. However, higher or lower resistance cartomizers may be used according to your taste.
Q. Can I use dual-coil or low resistance cartomizers in the Billet Box?
A. This is largely a matter of taste but yes, low-resistance/dual-coil cartomizers may be used in the Billet Box. However, low-resistance (below 2.0 ohm) dual-coil cartomizers can result in shorter battery life, and may run too hot even at the lower end of the Billet Box voltage range.
Q. Will my <insert brand here> cartomizers work in the Billet Box?
A. If they are standard 35mm 510 cartomizers, then yes. Boge, IKV and some Kanger cartomizers have been reported as working well. However, some batches of Kangers have been identified as being too short to make the required electrical connection with the brass ring on top of the Billet Box.
Q. What if I really, really want to buy <insert brand here> cartomizers but no one knows if they work?
A. Seriously? If you are unsure, buy a 5-pack or single cartomizer to test before investing in a case of Brand X.
Q. Does the Billet Box require "punched" cartomizers?
A. Yes, being a tank system, the Billet Box requires punched or slotted cartomizers in order for liquid in the tank to wet the fill material of the cartomizer. You may buy pre-punched cartomizers or punch or slot your own.
Q. Where should I punch or slot my cartomizers?
A. At home, at work, whereever ... Billet Box Vapor recommends punching a hole about 8-11mm above the bottom edge of the cartomizer body.
Q. What if the recommend punch/slot location doesn't work for me?
A. Depending on the thickness of your e-liquids and/or density of cartomizer fill material, you may require more or larger holes or slots. Try the recommended punching/sloting location first. If you are not happy with the results, try again a little higher or lower, or with more holes or slots, until you find what works for your cartomizer and e-liquid of choice.
Q. Can I use "Mega" or "XL" cartomizers?
A. No. These are usually much longer than 35mm and too long to use in the Billet Box.
Q. Can I used flanged cartomizers?
A. No. Most flanged cartomizers are "Mega", "XL" or "DCT" cartomizers and too long to use. Even if a 35mm cartomizer were flanged, once inserted in the Billet Box tank either the cartomizer leading to the top would be too short, or the atomizer connection at the bottom would be too long, or both.
Q. How does the cartomizer screw into the Billet Box?
A. It doesn't. When the brass ring on top of the Billet Box is screwed down it contacts the top of the cartomizer to make the ground connection, and the positive post of the cartomizer is pressed down on to the positive atomizer connection (at the bottom of the tank compartment). So a standard, screw-in type 510 connection is not required.
Q. Can I use cartomizer-sized clearomizers or clear cartomizers?
A. By design, no. The Billet Box uses the cartomizer body as part of the electrical path so it must be conductive (generally, metal).
TANK QUESTIONS
Q. What is the Billet Box tank made out of?
A. The Billet Box tank is made out of strong, food-grade materials. The body is Delrin, the clear face is Polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), the gasket is silicon and the screws are stainless steel.
Q. Will the tank hold up to strong/acidic e-liquids?
A. At this time there have been no reports of Billet Box tanks being damaged due to e-liquids. Due in part to the materials and in part to the flat surfaces of the design, cinnamon, citrus, and other strong e-liquids that tend to damage or crack traditional cylindrical tanks made of lesser materials should not be a problem.
Q. How much liquid does the Billet Box tank hold?
A. The tank holds about 5 ml of e-liquid. The cartomizer holds about 1 ml, for a total capacity of about 6 ml.
Q. How do I install a cartomizer in the Billet Box tank?
A. First, Billet Box Vapor recommends filling the cartomizer with 20-25 drops of e-liquid before installing it in the tank. This is to ensure the fill material is thoroughly wetted before use.
Slightly wet the upper and lower o-rings with a drop of e-liquid for lubrication.
Insert the top of the cartomizer into the bottom of the tank and push it in. This may require some effort at first.
There is a slight ledge near the inside top of the tank; if you wiggle the cartomizer a bit to position it to sit on that ledge, it will easily push through the upper o-ring.
Push the cartomizer in just until the bottom of the cartomizer body is flush with the bottom of the tank.
Q. How do I install the tank in the Billet Box?
A. First, ensure the brass ring at the top of the Billet Box is backed out several turns.
With the cartomizer installed, simply drop the tank into the space provided for it.
Tighten down the brass ring until it snugs up against the top of the cartomizer.
Q. How do I fill the Billet Box tank?
A. There is a small hole blocked by a spring-loaded black ball in the upper left face of the tank that the included, plastic 20 ga luer dispensing needle will fit into.
Place the tip on the end of your syringe and fill it with e-liquid.
Carefully use the tip of the plastic dispensing needle to push the ball down and out of the way until the tip of the needle is inside the tank.
Slowly push the liquid from the syringe into the tank. Generally, leaving a little bit of an air bubble in the tank is recommended.
When done, pull the dispensing needle out of the hole. The black ball will block the hole again.
Wipe any e-liquid residue from the ball or face of the tank.
Using a finger, gently push on the clear face of the tank several times to ensure the black ball has fully seated in the hole. This will ensure the tank does not leak.
Q. Too many words. Got video?
A. Yes. Go to billetboxvapor.com and select "Videos". The rest is left as an exercise to the reader.
Q. Do I have to fill the tank through the filling hole in the front?
A. If the tank is installed in the Billet Box and you don't want to remove it, then yes.
If the tank is not yet installed or you don't mind removing it, you can fill it just like any other cartomizer tank - for example, by pushing the bottom of the cartomizer in and filling from the bottom, or using tank-filling tool or extended drip tip to push the cartomizer down and fill it from the top. Life is about options.
Q. Do I have to use the included dispensing needle to fill the tank?
A. If you are using the filling hole in the tank, it is highly recommended. The ball is made of soft nitrile and can be easily damaged by metal tips, even blunt tips. A damaged ball may not seal and could result in liquid leaking from the tank.
Q. Where can I get more 20 ga dispensing tips?
A. eBay is a good source, especially if buying in bulk. More online vaping stores are beginning to carry them as well. An online search for "20 ga plastic dispensing needle" will turn up a fair number of sources.
Q. Can I use the Billet Box tank on other mods?
A. Well, you could, on a mod with a 510 connection that extends out long enough, but ... why?
DRIP TIP/BRASS RING QUESTIONS
Q.Can I use my own drip tips on the Billet Box?
A. Yes. Most standard 510 drip tips should fit inside the brass ring. If the tip is slightly too small, it can often be made to fit with larger replacement o-ring or by removing the o-ring, wrapping a bit of unflavored dental floss around the o-ring slot, and replacing the o-ring.
Q. What should I use to back out or tighten the brass ring?
A. A standard U.S. quarter or nickel coin is ideal. These will fit right into the slots on the brass ring and provide more than enough leverage.
Q. What if I don't have the required coinage?
A. Some folks have found that their drip tip fits in tight enough to loosen or tighten the brass ring, no coin required. Just don't tighten it down too much to easily remove later.
Q. How much should I tighten the brass ring?
A. The brass ring should be tightened down just enough to make contact with the cartomizer body. Too loose, and the cartomizer will not fire. Too tight, and the cartomizer might damage the silicon gasket around the atomizer connection.
BATTERY QUESTIONS
Q. What kind of batteries does The Billet Box use?
A. The Billet Box is designed to use 3.7 volt, AW IMR 16340 (Red) or AW ICR 16340 (Black), button-top batteries.
Q. How long do the batteries last in the Billet Box?
A. Short answer: until they die. Long answer: Most users report anywhere from 1/2 to a full day of vaping with a freshly charged pair of 16340 batteries and a 3.0 ohm cartomizer. Depending on your cartomizer resistance and how you vape, YMMV.
Q. Can I use other brands or types of battery?
A. The Billet Box battery compartment is very specifically designed for AW IMR/ICR batteries and has very tight tolerances. However, any 16340 or RCR123A battery that is no longer than 34.2mm (including the button) or larger than 16.6mm in diameter should fit.
Q. Aren't RCR123A batteries lower voltage than 16340's?
A. Observant little bugger, aren't you? Yes, RCR123A batteries are 3.0 volt batteries. The Billet Box will work with them but the upper voltage range will be limited to 4.8 volts (no matter how much higher you turn the dial). They can be used "in a pinch" but probably should not be used as your primary batteries.
Q. The batteries fit in there awfully tight. How do I get them out?
A. The recommended method of removing the batteries from the Billet Box is to remove the back plate and smack the battery compartment over the open palm of your hand. Done properly, at least one battery should drop out allowing easy removal of the remaning battery. Prying them out with a tool is not recommended as it could damage the protective covering of the battery.
Q. Can I charge my batteries inside the Billet Box?
A. No. Batteries must be charged in a dedicated battery charger.
Q. What battery charger should I use?
A. Many users have recommended the NITECORE Intellicharger i2 or i4, but any charger capable of handling 3.7 volt 16340 batteries should work.
POWER QUESTIONS
Q. What is the voltage range of the Billet Box?
A. The Billet Box has an adjustable voltage range of 4.0 volts to 5.5 volts.
Q. What is the amp limit of the Billet Box?
A. 3 amps.
Q. What kind of power protection does the Billet Box provide?
A. The Billet Box is protected against over-voltage up to 12 volts, over-current above 3 amps and reversed polarity. Also, in the event of a major battery failure the body of the Billet Box is designed to vent through the air intake (on the side) and the seams of the back plate.
Q. With the tank on the inside, are the power components of the Billet Box protected against liquids?
A. Yes. The compartment containing the power regulator is sealed with a gasket.
Q. Does the Billet Box have variable wattage (VW)?
A. No. Unless you count the ability to vary the voltage as the ability to vary the wattage, in which case the answer is Yes.
But really, no - you cannot set a specific wattage for the Billet Box to automatically maintain.
MISCELLANEOUS QUESTIONS
Q. Does the Billet Box come with any spare parts?
A. Yes. Your Billet Box should come with a baggie containing spare o-rings for the tank and spare silicon gaskets for the atomizer connection.
Q. Do I have to use cartomizers? Is there a rebuildable atomizer option?
A. Without modification the Billet Box only works with cartomizers. A rebuildable atomizer tank design is being considered but is not yet in production (as of April 2013).
Q. The carbon-fiber panels are cool, but are there other options (wood, rubberized, etc.)?
A. As of April 2013, carbon-fiber panels are the only option. It is possible (indeed, likely) that other materials will be availble in the future. Check
Billet Box Vapor Inc. for updates!
Q. When should I replace the tank o-rings or silicon gasket for the atomizer connection?
A. The o-rings or gasket should last quite a while under normal use, but should be replaced whenever they are obviously nicked or damaged. Even if damage is not obvious, replacement may be indicated if:
O-rings: Liquid drips or drains from top or bottom of the tank.
Silicon gasket: Excessive liquid "condensation" is consistently found behind, under or on top of the tank.[/QUOT
Vaping since Jan 2014...... Australia.
