The Making of a 3.7 Volt Boxmod 101

[asnider123]

This is a boxmod for the beginning PV modder. Not very sophisticated, But it works great and lasts for hours on a charge.

Tonite I built a 3.7v basic boxmod for my Granddaughter's Mother-In-Law (not sure what that makes her to me???) .. who wants to quit smoking and start vaping. I know there are a bunch of companies out there that make these things, but they are so easy and cheap to make, why would I wanta spend the money for someone else to make it?

I started out with a standard 2-AA battery box with master switch (a buck on Ebay)


I removed and relocated battery connectors to make it a 1-14500 box with the other battery position for my circuitry


I drilled holes for the horn button, LED and Atomizer connector


I then placed all the components into their positions, just to see that they fit alright


I next made all my solder connections


I installed a battery and tested the unit to make sure all my connections were good


To make sure the components were snugly installed, I used clear hi-temp hot glue to anchor them (hard to see, love that clear hot glue))


Here is the finished product


And does it work? yabetcha it does !!


Since I made it for a girl, I put in a pink LED :

Let's see, how much did it cost to make?

Battery box, $1, Ebay
Horn Button, $1, goodprophets.com
LED and resistor, .10, Ebay
510 Battery Connector, $1, Goodprophets

Total (not including battery): 3 bucks

Time to assemble: about an hour

Retail for finished PV: $20-25 (depending on brand)

Hey, that's about $22 per hour labor!! Maybe I am in the wrong business!

 

[aziffel]

Good stuff man!

 

[jj2]

Came out better looking than my one and only!!!

 

[KrisBKream]

Thanks for the post! This is the type of thing us newbies need to study to get into modding. I really appreciate it

 

[asnider123]

Thanks for the post! This is the type of thing us newbies need to study to get into modding. I really appreciate it

Hope it helps you be successful

 

[asnider123]

Hey Kris, are you the one who was gonna make a mod out of a candy tin? How did it work out?

 

[webbcm127]

Nice 101 but may I add a suggestion.. Maybe tell the noobs what drills they need for standard bat connectors, horn switch ect. Once again here your good nature shining!-))

 

[36tinybells]

Thanks! Always nice to have it layed out simple with pics and where-to-buys.

 

[KrisBKream]

Hey Kris, are you the one who was gonna make a mod out of a candy tin? How did it work out?

That's me! Great of you to remember! I'm actually still waiting for Friday's paycheck before I can order the goods, so I won't be putting it together til next week. Nothing too fancy though, just a 5v I'm putting in an altoids tin. Got some helpful suggestions in another thread, but still having issues figuring out how I'll mount a master on/off switch inside the tin. No worries though; I've still got lots of time to think about it

Maybe I'll get Electronics for Dummies for my kindle on Friday too...

 

[Shadow102]

Love seeing these quick and simple modding 101 posts, especially from someone who pretty much mods anything you can put a battery into.

 

[ScroungerLee]

You might want to include a diagram? Not really necessary but it might help someone

 

[asnider123]

That's me! Great of you to remember! I'm actually still waiting for Friday's paycheck before I can order the goods, so I won't be putting it together til next week. Nothing too fancy though, just a 5v I'm putting in an altoids tin. Got some helpful suggestions in another thread, but still having issues figuring out how I'll mount a master on/off switch inside the tin. No worries though; I've still got lots of time to think about it

Maybe I'll get Electronics for Dummies for my kindle on Friday too...

If it will fit inside, a 2-AA battery box with built-in master switch (like the one I used to build this mod) would give you a master power switch. Just open the box and flip the switch

 

[asnider123]

You might want to include a diagram? Not really necessary but it might help someone

This is basically the diagram I used. I just left out the optional USB charger. Diagram from ECF archives. Also please note I put the LED resistor on the negative side, because it was handier.

By asnider123 at 2011-09-11

 

[asnider123]

Nice 101 but may I add a suggestion.. Maybe tell the noobs what drills they need for standard bat connectors, horn switch ect. Once again here your good nature shining!-))

With each hole, I drilled the holes slightly smaller than I needed, then used a round chainsaw sharpening file to slowly increase the size of the hole until the component fit tightly. Whenever possible, I use Forstner bits (search Harborfreight.com to see what I am talking about). They cut really clean holes in wood or plastic. Each mod will be a little different, depends on the size of the 3 holes you need (different switches, LEDs etc).

Hope that helps.

 

[KrisBKream]

If it will fit inside, a 2-AA battery box with built-in master switch (like the one I used to build this mod) would give you a master power switch. Just open the box and flip the switch

The only boxes I've seen have had the switch on the opposite side, though, which would face the bottom of the tin. I could make a cutout certainly, but I refuse to give in I'll probably just end up mounting it to a board. I'd credit the person who gave me that seemingly simple idea, but I don't remember

 

[asnider123]

The only boxes I've seen have had the switch on the opposite side, though, which would face the bottom of the tin. I could make a cutout certainly, but I refuse to give in I'll probably just end up mounting it to a board. I'd credit the person who gave me that seemingly simple idea, but I don't remember

It's time to think Outside The Box (so to speak) .. don't glue the box inside, glue the lid in (or better, double-stick tape). Then load up the box and slide it, upsidedown, onto the lid. Snap!! It's in place and you have your master switch accessible!!

Heck, you could even mount your atty connector to the box, just have the switch mounted to the Altoids box instead of the plastic batt box. Then bore a hole in your Altoids box large enough to recess your atty/carto.

Gee, that sounds so easy, I think I'll make one myself if I can find a nice big Altoids box LOL

 

[KrisBKream]

I love it! The recessed atty (or carto in my case) is an especially great addition! If you finish it up, I sure wouldn't mind a pictorial cheat sheet