The first VX2 battery that dies = FUN 4 ME!

[The Doc]

I have 5 manual batts, 1 auto batt & 1 USB passsthrough for my VX2's.

The very first battery that dies will be carefully dissected and I will probably make a RECHARGEABLE PASSTHROUGH UNIT out of it. I'll use some kind of FORMIDABLE rechargeable battery pack (at least 2000mA) and an LM338K/NTE935 variable voltage regulator chip (5 AMP RATED) to adjust for correct atty input voltage.....it will last for MANY HOURS and will go ANYWHERE I GO. It will look like a longer version of the USB passthrough and it will have a wire coming out where the LED was removed. The wire will lead to a rechargeable battery pack...which will last at least ALL WEEKEND LONG. This will be only but one of HUNDREDS of similar retrofit projects I've done. It should be fun. I've already tested the voltage of a freshly charged automatic battery and it peaks at 4VDC on my Wavetek 27XT DMM, using the MAX HOLD function. I just connected the DC test leads and blew into the air sensor/switch several times. Peak was 4VDC each and every time. Surprisingly enough, the center battery contact is actually the NEGATIVE lead...while the threaded outer barrel is the HOT/positive + lead....very interesting indeed. This should be a very EASY thing to fabricate....when time allows.

 

[nephillim]

I've tested 8 VX2 Batteries, and every one of them have come up positive lead on the interior and negative on the anterior. So you might want to check that out again.
Oh, and you'll probably want a pipe cutter and/or dremel with a cutting wheel. The battery connector is press fitted in and is a beast to fight with, trying to push it out will cause you to crush the pressure sensor can, and thats after you pull the board and tiny 0.81Wh Lithium Battery. I'd post pics of the guts, but I'm not sure where I should upload said pics.

 

[The Doc]

LOL...yes, my initial measurement was more of a curious probing to get a general idea of operating voltage; by no means anything to base any fabrication plans upon as of yet. Did not even take the time to ensure the DC polarity was correct when attaching test leads to my DMM in that very quick and curious scenario.

As far as the pressure sensor can, it is a feature that can very likely be bypassed anyway.......ESPECIALLY if using a manual switch in my portable rechargeable passthrough (which is highly likely). The ONLY component that will really matter to salvage as intact will be the threaded battery connector itself. Everything else is quite Non-essentail. There is a vast array of items that may be used as the passthrough connector base.

Another way to ultimately simplify the entire matter would be to simply plug my original USB passthrough into a custom made rechargeable power source with a regulated DC output of 5.0VDC, utilizing a 5VDC USB jack to simply plug the USB passthrough into. I can even utilize a standard plastic "AA" or "C" battery holder, mounted in an enclosure with an output voltage regulator and very small main power switch. I could simply use some good quality high capacity rechargeable NiMH cells. Then again, I could use a small gel cell. The possibilities are numerous.

 

[joedirt]

I'd post pics of the guts, but I'm not sure where I should upload said pics.

You can upload a bunch at once to imageshack.us and copy and past the links back here.

I would be interested if you had a close up pic of the PCB with the microcontroller and the backside with the power fet (and maybe a regulator?)

It would be much appreciated. (or if you can read the letters off the chips)

 

[The Doc]

You can upload a bunch at once to imageshack.us and copy and past the links back here.

I would be interested if you had a close up pic of the PCB with the microcontroller and the backside with the power fet (and maybe a regulator?)

It would be much appreciated. (or if you can read the letters off the chips)

Sorry, I discarded that stuff.....maybe next time I do some workbench dissections of VX2 batts & passthroughs.

 

[nephillim]

Here's a picture of the top half of the controller, I'll get you a shot of the back when I have access to my camera.

 

[The Doc]

Here's a picture of the top half of the controller, I'll get you a shot of the back when I have access to my camera.
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To be honest about it, I discarded the OEM surface mount control board for the following reasons........I really don't have much love for ANY of the OEM passthrough control circuitry, because it just seems to limit the power consumed by the atty; which is one of the performance limiting factors (vapor & throat hit) I intended to escape by assembling my homebrewed contraptions...that and the actual elapsed run time, in the case of my battery powered contraptions. Do an advanced SEARCH on all threads posted by me (The Doc) and you'll quickly see what I mean....

 

[Lalesa]

Hey Doc - Would a PT powered by 2 AA batteries last long enough to be worth while bothering with? I found this little DIY kit and was just wondering. It looks simple enough for me to try. (which doesn't say much for me, I know!)

MintyBoost Kit [v2.0] - $19.50 : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits

 

[The Doc]

Hey Doc - Would a PT powered by 2 AA batteries last long enough to be worth while bothering with? I found this little DIY kit and was just wondering. It looks simple enough for me to try. (which doesn't say much for me, I know!)

MintyBoost Kit [v2.0] - $19.50 : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits

HELL YES IT's WORTH DOING!!!! BUT you need 4 AA NiMH batteries. I'll be starting my own threads and services for CHEAP mods very soon, so just STAY TUNED.....

There are rechargeable NiMH AA cells out there now that are rated for about 3,000mA.......That's THREE AMPS OF CURRENT!!!!! I run VX2's on a 4 x AA battery holder with a manual switch and 4 NiMH cells rated at 2,650mA (2.65 AMPS). It last a NICE LONG TIME and blows WACKY VAPOR at 4.8VDC!!!! Just gotta be quick on the switch to maintain flavor and take smaller hits due to the increased voltage and vapor. The vapor & throat hit is sometimes TOO MUCH and it will make me cough/choke if I try to take long hauls......it's NOTHING like vaping with a stock / OEM 3.7V battery!!!!

 

[Lalesa]

HELL YES IT's WORTH DOING!!!! BUT you need 4 AA NiMH batteries. I'll be starting my own threads and services for CHEAP mods very soon, so just STAY TUNED..... Maybe I don't have to learn those things after all! LOL

There are rechargeable NiMH AA cells out there now that are rated for about 3,000mA.......That's THREE AMPS OF CURRENT!!!!! I run VX2's on a 4 x AA battery holder with a manual switch and 4 NiMH cells rated at 2,650mA (2.65 AMPS). It last a NICE LONG TIME and blows WACKY VAPOR at 4.8VDC!!!! Just gotta be quick on the switch to maintain flavor and take smaller hits due to the increased voltage and vapor. The vapor & throat hit is sometimes TOO MUCH and it will make me cough/choke if I try to take long hauls......it's NOTHING like vaping with a stock / OEM 3.7V battery!!!!

You had me at "HELL YES IT's WORTH DOING!!!!" You lost me at "There are rechargeable NiMH AA cells out there now that are rated for about 3,000mA......." LOL
LMAO This is what I comprehend:There are rechargeable AA cells out there. I run VX2's on a 4 x AA battery holder with a manual switch . It last a NICE LONG TIME and blows WACKY VAPOR !!!! Just gotta be quick on the switch to maintain flavor and take smaller hits due to the increased voltage and vapor. The vapor & throat hit is sometimes TOO MUCH and it will make me cough/choke if I try to take long hauls......it's NOTHING like vaping with a stock battery!!!!

mA, amps, VDC, OEM.... Not in my vocabulary...yet!

 

[The Doc]

You had me at "HELL YES IT's WORTH DOING!!!!" You lost me at "There are rechargeable NiMH AA cells out there now that are rated for about 3,000mA......." LOL
LMAO This is what I comprehend:There are rechargeable AA cells out there. I run VX2's on a 4 x AA battery holder with a manual switch . It last a NICE LONG TIME and blows WACKY VAPOR !!!! Just gotta be quick on the switch to maintain flavor and take smaller hits due to the increased voltage and vapor. The vapor & throat hit is sometimes TOO MUCH and it will make me cough/choke if I try to take long hauls......it's NOTHING like vaping with a stock battery!!!!

PM me if you ever want my help and I'll be glad to assist.