Vaping is daunting: Newbie Questions

[Beowulf]

You know, I went through ECF several nights before the purchase of my new toys. This place is a goldmine, but still, the size of ECF makes searching for some specifics difficult if not impossible. My 510 came with some instructions, and most of the rest of everything was easily uncovered on ECF. This Bolt is a different story.

Question One: I have a Bolt with two 18650 Ultrafire batteries, an extension, and an AG-126 Multi-Function Intelligent Charger. No instructions with the charger. I went through ECF and found an *inference* in a post that it would be alright to charge a single battery on this double battery charger. Is this fine?

Question Two: How do I know when to charge these big batteries? Do they weaken noticeably on the vape? Do I need a multi-meter to keep checking capacity? Do I need a multi-meter for other purposes other than to check for charging time?

Question Three: Was the Bolt worth the money? I could have gotten a Silver Bullet for a bit more. The SB seems to have a fancier vent, and a much nicer/hardier switch and a nicer exterior. Is the SB safer than the Bolt?

I didn't want to get a Provari because I thought it would be overkill for a new vaper. I am also not entirely sure the VV stuff is what I need. A tube mod seemed good, something, anything to keep me from charging 3 times a day and something to give me some choice in attys and etcetera.

All answers appreciated.

Cheers

 

[Flyer]

You should fine with the bolt and 18650. The juice system you choose will play an even bigger role. But your questions-

1) Yes
2) A multimeter is very handy in vaping if you don;t have a PV that will measure resistance. At some point, you'll probably have a mix of cartos and such and will forget what they are. Multimeters are also helpful for the inevitable trouble shooting. You will probably not need one right away though.
3) The bolt is a solid fixed-voltage PV. Spending more money on another fixed-voltage PV would not significantly improve your vaping experience.

I would though recommend you stay away from dual coil cartomizers. Stick with single coils below 2.5 ohms and you should get good results.

 

[durgidog]

I agree with Flyer, I've got a bolt and I love it, tough little bugger. I did drill 3 small additional vent holes in the bottom (and I'm painting it tonight, but that's another story.) Good vape with low resistance stuff, especially 1.7 resurrectors and I'm not generally a carto person. You will notice when the battery needs changing when the vapor and flavor production slow down - it's best for the life of the batteries not to drain them down all the way anyhow.

 

[Bahammut]

I definitely noticed when my batteries were weakening. I have a kicked bolt with the 18650 Panasonic hybrids, now I don't experience any change in my vaping, but b4 the kick and battery change I would switch out the batteries when the performance dropped, aside from keeping my vaping experience consistent this also saved me from worrying about over discharging my batteries

 

[Eagle Talon]

VV is better than the pipe mod! built-in electronics because not afford to draw too! worth even a beginner too! if the ProVari expensive, or may seek Vmax or LavaTube. i use charger XTAR WP211
http://www.manafont.com/product_inf...146501634017670185001865018700-eu-plug-p-8351

 

[NGIB]

I came real close to getting a Bolt myself but I read a lot on here that the switch is kind of "delicate" and can fail. I went with a Joye 18650 mod and it works very well, it would be a good backup for you and not very expensive and uses the same batteries. A multimeter is a good thing to have in general as one thing I do is check batteries coming off the charger to make sure it's acting right. You'll get used to when you need to charge the battery as you'll notice the vape changes a bit. You don't want to run the battery to far down so swap them when you feel a difference.

As far as VV, I have them but use my simple mods much more often myself...

 

[ukeman]

Don't worry about it being any less of a device than another that takes what the battery gives straight to the atomizer / cartomizer coil.
Your only concern is with the atomizer or carto of choice. There are so many to choose from and you need to stay within the LR to low SR range of resistance.
For atomizers I'd go with 1.5 to 1.8 Ohms for best vape.
Cartos can go a bit higher.
IMO the vape is not better on a VV i.e. 4.0 Volts with a 3.0 Ohm atty or carto. A lot of people like having VV for versatility, but many end up using the same configuration as what you have most of the time; 3.4 to 3.7volts with a 1.5 to 1.8 Ohm atomizer.

 

[wv2win]

.................. A lot of people like having VV for versatility, but many end up using the same configuration as what you have most of the time; 3.4 to 3.7volts with a 1.5 to 1.8 Ohm atomizer.

There are just as many people who prefer vaping between 4.5 and 5.0 volts for the warmer vapor and better throat hit. It's not called the "sweet spot" for nothing. Plus you aren't limited to LR attys/cartos and how they degrade.

 

[ukeman]

Many call it "a" sweet spot, which is my point. Depending on which resistance the coil in the atomizer/carto is, there is a corresponding voltage that makes the "sweet spot". The vape is optimal.

What you are saying is there is some differences between the two. Point taken, although not my preference.
In this case for the OP, not sure about needing a VV, there are battery options for higher voltage to give that a shot. (Although I'm not sure what batt configs the Bolt can take).

There are just as many people who prefer vaping between 4.5 and 5.0 volts for the warmer vapor and better throat hit. It's not called the "sweet spot" for nothing. Plus you aren't limited to LR attys/cartos and how they degrade.

 

[MickeyRat]

The silver bullet is more respected than the Bolt but, they are both unregulated mods that can use an 18650. I have a Bolt and I've had no trouble with it, I even got an extra extension and use it with an 18650 and a kick. Working fine so far.

I think you'll be happy with it.

 

[ukeman]

I never got into this, but isn't there a 4.8v 18650 batt that will work with it?

 

[the_vape_nerd]

Others have answered your questions so I won't repeat them.

On the Silver Bullet versus the Bolt, I think the additional money would have been well spent. I do not own a Silver Bullet but by all accounts that device is very nearly indestructible.

 

[MickeyRat]

I never got into this, but isn't there a 4.8v 18650 batt that will work with it?

If there's a 4.8V 18650 batt, it'll work with it but, this is the first I've heard of a 4.8V 18650. You could use two 3V or 3.7V CR123As and get 6 or 7.4V.

Edit:

Never mind. There is a 4.8V NiMH battery that will work. Madvapes has them here. You'll have to get a special charger.

 

[bobbavet]

I'm hearin ya mate, the whole e-cig adventure is confusing. Infact I have been put off for 2 years trying it because of that fact.

I had already quit, well 1 sneaky pack every 2nd week of 1mg analouges and was just sick of the smell. So thought "F it" I'll have ago.

Even though I was disappointed with my initial Ego kit, it gave me something "hands on" to look at and understand the parts people were talking about.

Be prepared to shell out cash in your adventure, but what ever way ya look at it it's majorly cheaper than a Cig habit.

 

[wv2win]

Many call it "a" sweet spot, which is my point. Depending on which resistance the coil in the atomizer/carto is, there is a corresponding voltage that makes the "sweet spot". The vape is optimal.

What you are saying is there is some differences between the two. Point taken, although not my preference.
In this case for the OP, not sure about needing a VV, there are battery options for higher voltage to give that a shot. (Although I'm not sure what batt configs the Bolt can take).

If one wants warmer vapor, getting it from a regulated VV battery has big advantages over trying to do the same thing with a lower resistence atomizer that starts to degrade the minute you start vaping it. With regulated VV power you have much more consistency.