Three Months and Mech Mod Firsts

[Burn_notice_fan_NY]

Preface: I know I'll probably get a lot of warnings on this. Please know, I wish to be safe but need to calm my nerves before I go any further with my mech mod transitioning period.


So I just completed my three month free from cigs and decided to go up to the next tier from my current MVP2. My order came in the mail today... Three VTC4s, one ehpro nemesis, one 510/ego adapter, one smok kick, one 2 battery storage case, one nitecore i2 charger... And went with a $40 grab bag from madvapes as it would result in free shipping (secretly hoping to get another mech) and received a smok Telescope, three acrylic vivi novas, one ag-126 li-ion charger and two liquids.
In anticipation of this order, I have watched numerous videos, read blogs (baditude and State o' flux) and did some preliminary research but I still have a wide array of questions regarding the mech mods. I have respect for the devices and batteries and as such have almost a crippling fear of using them. I will be still using my MVP2 as my go to until I learn enough, become proficient enough in order to feel safe regarding their use. Then I will decide which is a better fit for me. So I'm looking for some pointers/tips and answers to my questions before I proceed. I have used the kick with the nemesis clone and was happy with it and felt safe with the chip to provide some safety but was uncertain about a few other things. I did build my own coil just to experience the vape on an RDA as well at .6 and this is as low as I plan to ever go for now and have since put it away until I am much more comfortable.
My questions:

Kick questions:
1) Must I use a kick with my clearos if they are 2.5 or below in ohms?
2) will I notice the voltage drop if I use the kick?

Battery questions:
1) I have three batteries but foolishly only bout a two battery storage. Can I store a battery for a length of time in a mod if the lock is on?
2) Can I store a battery temporarily in a cardboard box by itself safely until I get another container?
3) Is .6 ohms safe for a first build on a mech? Normally I build a single coil at 1.2-2 ohms.

Mech mod and in general questions.
1) I noticed a hotter vape than usual on the RDA and really got a warm and strong vape on my 18 mg... Should I drop mg? I just dropped from 24 about two weeks ago
2) any other tips/advice/guidance for me? Please remember I'm trying to be as safe as possible while I transition and will continue to read but am looking to dip my feet into the water a little. I feel comfortable with my coil abilities and don't say to go too low yet. I learn best by reading, doing and experimenting so I knew I had to get a mech if I ever wanted to transition from vv and vw devices.

Thanks!

 

[Blackboar]

I can't answer the kick questions since I don't have any experience with them. But I'll try my hand at some of the other ones.

Batteries:
I rotate 4 AW 18350's for my Provari and 4 Sony 18650 VTC5's for my mech. I have a battery case for the 18350's and usually carry 2 spare batteries when I'm out and about with my Provari+tank. My Sony's are usually always at home and I just stand them up in a small wooden box that is designed to file index cards in. In that box is also my 4th charged 18350. I always keep the mech mod with the battery in it, so when I get home from work, it's ready to vape. So storing a battery at home, not in a case, in a cardboard box, is ok as long as no one messes with it and they are not warm to the touch. Just keep it out of direct sunlight and stand them up.

The VTC4's that you have should vape a a 0.6 ohm build fairly easily. With a fully charged cell at 4.2 volts, you're only pushing 7 amps, which is less than 25% of the VTC4's capacity of 30 amps.

Mech mod questions:
An RDA with a 0.6 ohm build, with a fully charged 18650 at 4.2 volts will give you a 29.4 watt vape!! (Not counting any voltage drop). That's like maxing out a DNA30!! It's gonna give you pretty intense flavor and vapor. 18mg is really, really harsh to drip with in that scenario. I normally vape 18mg in my tanks, but only drip 6mg. Now mind you, because of the intensity of the vape, I can actually drip 6mg on a newly charged battery and be quite satisfied. The nic delivery is more intense.

Other than that, a piece of advice I'd give a new mech mod user is to change your battery as soon as you notice a slight drop in performance. Since there is no safety cut off and battery level indicator, you want to be careful to never drain your battery down too far. For me, when my battery reaches 3.7v or less, I can taste the difference. That is when I put a new cell in and let the used one rest for about 1 hr and plop it in my Nitecore i2 charger.

 

[jamie0516]

I was as worried about mods as you are originally, so i may still be overly cautious. I don't know about a kick but...
Battery question:
1- I never keep my battery in my mod when I'm not using it. Its just a precautionary thing though.
2- It should be fine in the cardboard box it came in. I have mine standing in the middle of a table away from things
3- Single or Dual coil?

General questions:
1- Absolutely! I use 8-12mg on my mech mod. 18-24mg on mvp
2- Make sure you check your ohms and battery volts until you can physically tell when your battery loses charge

 

[volume control]

Kick questions:
1) Must I use a kick with my clearos if they are 2.5 or below in ohms? nope, you should use a kick on higher ohm, around 1.8 and above. Lower ohm just run battery (and DO RESEARCH ON BATTERIES, i suggest AW IMR 18650)
2) will I notice the voltage drop if I use the kick? kick is a voltage/wattage booster (the dial is wattage but higher wattage=higher voltage)

Battery questions:
1) I have three batteries but foolishly only bout a two battery storage. Can I store a battery for a length of time in a mod if the lock is on? Yes, but make sure that lock is ON
2) Can I store a battery temporarily in a cardboard box by itself safely until I get another container? Yes if you keep it dry
3) Is .6 ohms safe for a first build on a mech? Yes, but again, make sure you get a GOOD battery

Mech mod and in general questions.
1) I noticed a hotter vape than usual on the RDA and really got a warm and strong vape on my 18 mg... Should I drop mg? I would try dropping to 12mg for lower ohm builds yes
2) any other tips/advice/guidance for me? Focus your research on batteries, get an ohm tester (or use one of your VV mods if it has one built in, always check, every rewick, every build, check check check that its not shorted.)

Thanks!

Answers in bold in quote

 

[Burn_notice_fan_NY]

I was as worried about mods as you are originally, so i may still be overly cautious. I don't know about a kick but...
Battery question:
1- I never keep my battery in my mod when I'm not using it. Its just a precautionary thing though.
2- It should be fine in the cardboard box it came in. I have mine standing in the middle of a table away from things
3- Single or Dual coil?

General questions:
1- Absolutely! I use 8-12mg on my mech mod. 18-24mg on mvp
2- Make sure you check your ohms and battery volts until you can physically tell when your battery loses charge

Thanks for the input. Did the .6 on a dual coil.

 

[Burn_notice_fan_NY]

Volume control: I am using the Sony VTC4 rated at 30 amp continuous discharge, recommended for subohming from what I've seen. I also do use a multimeter, along with double checking the build on the mvp2. Plan to continue reading, but wanted to be certain that I am being safe right now.

 

[Burn_notice_fan_NY]

Wanted to bump this once to see if anyone else would be so kind to provide additional guidance. Thanks.

 

[Tom Fuller]

Maybe I am missing something but over 7 or 8 watts and all I get is burnt taste on cotton or silica. Not sure why someone wants to go to 20~ watts.


Live Long and Vape!