Variable voltage mod?

[bigblue30]

I have to ask a question….. Why are all (almost all) the mods I see ether fixed voltage ie. 3.7, 5, 7.4 or they use a switch to select a voltage from a 7.4 volt pack ie. 4.2, 4.5, 5.0,….?

I have been looking around the board for a few weeks and every time someone talks about making a variable mod or starts a thread about using the IC chip that will make a variable mod…..the thread dies a quick death.

I am not looking for info on how to do this. I already have a box mod that is variable from 2.5 volts to around 7 volts using (2) 14500’s

I am kind of new here and do not want to step on anyone’s toes. Any info will be appreciated.

 

[doots]

I think fixed voltage mods are cheaper and easier to make. The couple of multivolt mods like the joker are much more expensive than the fixed versions. Imo

 

[bigblue30]

Doots,

Thanks so much for the reply.

I agree that the 3.7 mods with a single battery are cheaper to make.

I have looked at some of the 5 volt ones that use a regulator and the one I made only adds a variable resistor (about $2 more) and a different single chip. It also needs two batteries to run it. I guess this would cost more then just a 3.7 volt mod.

I will take some pictures of this thing so you can see.

 

[roadrash]

Doots,

Thanks so much for the reply.

I agree that the 3.7 mods with a single battery are cheaper to make.

I have looked at some of the 5 volt ones that use a regulator and the one I made only adds a variable resistor (about $2 more) and a different single chip. It also needs two batteries to run it. I guess this would cost more then just a 3.7 volt mod.

I will take some pictures of this thing so you can see.

maybe not so much cheaper, probably easier for most of us. I have fiddled a little with different voltage mods, mostly cause I have the time and I can. I tried making a variable voltage mod and fried the regulator. another item for the E cig junk draw, which keeps getting bigger and bigger.
be interested to see your picks, what the heck, I can always make more room in the junk drawer or add another one.

 

[bigblue30]

maybe not so much cheaper, probably easier for most of us. I have fiddled a little with different voltage mods, mostly cause I have the time and I can. I tried making a variable voltage mod and fried the regulator. another item for the E cig junk draw, which keeps getting bigger and bigger.
be interested to see your picks, what the heck, I can always make more room in the junk drawer or add another one.

Roadrash,

That name brings back memories. I did a stupid thing once.... Shifting into 3rd on the bike I went over backwards......I could not sit down for months. double knit pants (yes it was the 70's) and cement do not mix.

I will get pics up ASAP. I have been hitting this thing "hard" for 4 days and it has not landed in the junk drawer yet.....lol.

 

[bigblue30]

Roadrash,
Here are a few pics. The next one will be better looking. This one is just a test one.

Cover side: The little blue hole is the adjust screw hole.to adjust the output from 2.5-7.0 volts

Case side:

Bottom: The little gold hole is a LED that lights to show the output is working.

Top: That is a D-1 connenctor:

inside: There is a 5X7 hole PC board under that.

 

[juicefreak]

Roadrash,
Here are a few pics. The next one will be better looking. This one is just a test one.

Cover side: The little blue hole is the adjust screw hole.to adjust the output from 2.5-7.0 volts

VERY nice work! my thoughts are this will be the new wave for modders. right now as far as i know there are only 3 commercial variable volt mods. I was reading one thread on another forum about how a POT should not be less than 3amps in one of these things, so I passed on the commercial ones for now.

for a little technical know how and a $3 part, i don't think it will take long before we'll all be able to have a multivolt mod.

 

[bigblue30]

Juicefreak,

Thanks. This is my first "box" type mod. I have made a few Variable voltage PT's with this same chip, but this is my first one running on batteries.

Oh... the variable in mine is only .5 watts

 

[Switched]

Nice box

The downside to this mod, the proprietary on/off switch will not stand up to 7-8 volts going through it. Burned mine out in 2 months. Replaced it with a 3A and all is well now.

 

[bigblue30]

Nice box

The downside to this mod, the proprietary on/off switch will not stand up to 7-8 volts going through it. Burned mine out in 2 months. Replaced it with a 3A and all is well now.

Switched,

Thanks I will change that on the "real" one I make. This was just a test "mule" to see if the regulator will hold up.

 

[BuzzKill]

Making a variable voltage mod is not for the faint of heart or NON DIYers IMO trust me I know !

Nice work Big ! , a fixed voltage mod is well , a battery holder. the main problem as you (I'm sure) have found is fitting everything into a small package.

Packaging is the key IMO ( for a device that you would sell that is )

You did a nice job BUT you will need a heatsink of some sort for higher current draw , I solder a piece of brass sheet to the IC this helps distribute the heat .

 

[roadrash]

Roadrash,

That name brings back memories. I did a stupid thing once.... Shifting into 3rd on the bike I went over backwards......I could not sit down for months. double knit pants (yes it was the 70's) and cement do not mix.

I will get pics up ASAP. I have been hitting this thing "hard" for 4 days and it has not landed in the junk drawer yet.....lol.

motorcycle accident 20yrs ago and still picking asphalt out of my behind.

 

[BuzzKill]

Man I was lucky, I rode for 25 yrs and never had a laydown ???

 

[speedemon]

The xhaler from nhaler,3.7-5-6volt good device.

 

[BuzzKill]

Sorry but the is not variable .

And I was never able to get mine to put out 5 volts ?? Delrin is an insulator .

 

[juicefreak]

Juicefreak,

Thanks. This is my first "box" type mod. I have made a few Variable voltage PT's with this same chip, but this is my first one running on batteries.

Oh... the variable in mine is only .5 amps

you did good. it looks nice and neat and if it works and doesn't overheat you're good to go

don't worry about your .5 amp one. it's easy to get to on your mod to replace. I think that's what the poster was referring to... in a pipe mod, it would be impossible to replace. easy access is good.

 

[bigblue30]

you did good. it looks nice and neat and if it works and doesn't overheat you're good to go

don't worry about your .5 amp one. it's easy to get to on your mod to replace. I think that's what the poster was referring to... in a pipe mod, it would be impossible to replace. easy access is good.

Thanks again juicefreak.

I think I was not clear when I said my ver. res. was only .5 amps....I should of said (.5 watts) The way my circuit works is the ver. res. is only in the control circuit not the output. In this setup .5 (Watts not) amps is overkill by a power of 10. If I find a smaller one I could use it.

I am going to put a temperature probe on the output regulator tomorrow to see what "heat" this thing runs at. So far as I can tell, the outside case of my carto has more heat then the regulator.

 

[BuzzKill]

Some regulators have an internal over temp shutdown feature .
Is the Regulator .5amp ? kind of low current output for a PV , look at the AP1084 its 5 amp and variable. But it does not have a shutdown pin !

or an LT1764 it has shutdown

 

[roadrash]

Man I was lucky, I rode for 25 yrs and never had a laydown ???

knock on wood Brother, I had 2 in 45 years.

 

[roadrash]

Thanks again juicefreak.

I think I was not clear when I said my ver. res. was only .5 amps. The way my circuit works is the ver. res. is only in the control circuit not the output. In this setup .5 amps is overkill by a power of 10. If I find a smaller one I could use it.

I am going to put a temperature probe on the output regulator tomorrow to see what "heat" this thing runs at. So far as I can tell, the outside case of my carto has more heat then the regulator.

if I am reading you right the .5 amp is just for control voltage for the regulator?
The regulator supplies or handles the higher voltage.