VV Grand Power Questions

[super_X_drifter]

I would like to better understand how the stacked batteries function in the VV Grand. These answers to / confirmation of my understanding of how they function should help me:

1. My AW IMR 18350 batteries are coming off the charger in 4.1 - 4.2 range. I suspect that the lower numbers will creep up to the 4.21 range once they are broken in right?

2. Since the batteries are stacked, It is my understanding that the VV chip has access to the combined voltage of the batteries - ie. 8.2 v +/- to supply a regulated voltage within the specified output of the chip. Is this correct?

3. If the above is correct, does that mean that even when the batteries are depleted down into the 3.8 range, the chip still has access to 7.6 v to supply?

if the answers to 2 & 3 are correct, now I truly see the advantages and understand how vape time between battery changes is extended and by the VV grand. Damn. Thats pretty awesome.

Additionally, do you still pull your batteries out and recharge when the fall in the 3.8 range like on a grand? or can the be vaped down even lower and still supply 6+ V to the chip?

So far I am completely infatuated with the VV Grand! Thank you.

 

[Mudflap]

1. That depends on your charger. As long as both batteries are coming off the charger at the same level of charge, you're fine to use them stacked.

2. Yeah. The electronics step down the voltage to whatever voltage you have it set. (3.3 volts up to 5.5 volts)

3. The batteries will discharge to the point where the combined voltage can no longer support whatever voltage you have set. If you vape at low voltage settings (say, 3.7 volts or below) the batteries will discharge below 3.0 volts each before they stop firing. This isn't good for the longevity of your batteries. My easy preventative measure is the swap for a fully charged pair of batteries every 3mLs. That way I'm not discharging the batteries below 3.5 volts each before recharging them.

 

[rudy4653]

I would like to better understand how the stacked batteries function in the VV Grand. These answers to / confirmation of my understanding of how they function should help me:

1. My AW IMR 18350 batteries are coming off the charger in 4.1 - 4.2 range. I suspect that the lower numbers will creep up to the 4.21 range once they are broken in right?

2. Since the batteries are stacked, It is my understanding that the VV chip has access to the combined voltage of the batteries - ie. 8.2 v +/- to supply a regulated voltage within the specified output of the chip. Is this correct?

3. If the above is correct, does that mean that even when the batteries are depleted down into the 3.8 range, the chip still has access to 7.6 v to supply?

if the answers to 2 & 3 are correct, now I truly see the advantages and understand how vape time between battery changes is extended and by the VV grand. Damn. Thats pretty awesome.

Additionally, do you still pull your batteries out and recharge when the fall in the 3.8 range like on a grand? or can the be vaped down even lower and still supply 6+ V to the chip?

So far I am completely infatuated with the VV Grand! Thank you.

Not to get off the subject but now that you have a VV let me ask you anyways. I've been on the fence about looking into a VV or holding out until Rob comes out with something out of this world. Do you find that the VV is worth it considering the adjustments we can make to our vaping style with RBAs? I was under the impression the since I can regulate the ohms and vape with an RBA that it would be the same as a VV with regular atty. Am I missing an opportunity to experience even a BETTER vape than my mini/hornet combo? That's a tough combo to beat but would value fellow REOnauts opinions that have used both.

 

[super_X_drifter]

Not to get off the subject but now that you have a VV let me ask you anyways. I've been on the fence about looking into a VV or holding out until Rob comes out with something out of this world. Do you find that the VV is worth it considering the adjustments we can make to our vaping style with RBAs? I was under the impression the since I can regulate the ohms and vape with an RBA that it would be the same as a VV with regular atty. Am I missing an opportunity to experience even a BETTER vape than my mini/hornet combo? That's a tough combo to beat but would value fellow REOnauts opinions that have used both.

Rudy, I have had my vv grand for 26 hours, so please consider that when disseminating my response!

One word comes to mind. un be vulcan lievable. Period.

It is the epitome of vaping satisfaction bundled in a sleek, compact, familiar form factor.

Satisfaction elaborated: adjustable heat can provide for a cool vape to a juice sizzling, spitting out if the drip tip and anywhere-in-between adjustment at the turn of the little rotary wheel.

Combine that with the way the batteries function (in my OP) and the fact that it will hold your set voltage until the the total voltage of the stacked batteries drop off below your set voltage. This increases the duration of the satisfaction listed above.

A big plus to the flavor junkies (and me although I vape unflavored) is you can make a micro coil with 20 something windings ( 2+ ohm) and crank up the voltage to compensate for the increase in resistance and you're pumping some warm, tasty vapor.

The size of the vv grand is negligible over the grand, which is negligible over the mini. To me that small increase in size of the VV grand make it feel surreal in hand. I have pretty good size hands, and it just feels perfectly engineered for my grip.

The button is also notable. It's location allows for easy forefinger or thumb activation. It is not activated like a traditional REO (light pressure) but rather you can press it gently or hard and it fires when it fully depressed. I really like it.

I am still in awe with it. I am a big fan of all things REO because they so trusty, work flawlessly and provide a tremendously simple, yet high quality vape. With the grand and chalice i thought I reached the pinnacle of the perfect vape. I was wrong. Now I have.

 

[RiverNut]

Not to get off the subject but now that you have a VV let me ask you anyways. I've been on the fence about looking into a VV or holding out until Rob comes out with something out of this world. Do you find that the VV is worth it considering the adjustments we can make to our vaping style with RBAs? I was under the impression the since I can regulate the ohms and vape with an RBA that it would be the same as a VV with regular atty. Am I missing an opportunity to experience even a BETTER vape than my mini/hornet combo? That's a tough combo to beat but would value fellow REOnauts opinions that have used both.

The main advantage of regulated power is that the output is constant, giving you a consistent vape over the charge of the battery. Of course the trade off is a larger mod.

 

[JC Okie]

Rudy, I've got at least one of every REO out there, and I use my VV Grand(s) 100% of the time. I had to send my VV Grand in for a fix a couple of weeks ago and nearly died without it. Therefore, I ordered a second VV Grand so that'll never happen again. The ONLY down side is that it's not all mechanical so things CAN go out (like the switch or like the VV chip)....but as far as function, it's the best of the best. I will always have my Minis and my Grand because they're all mechanical and will always have my back. But for pure vaping pleasure everytime, all the time....the VV Grand is it for me. What super_X_drifter says about the switch, I agree with. The switch is on the side like your woodvils instead of up on the corner like the smaller metals. I find it perfect. When my VV Grand was in the shop and I went back to my Grand full-time for that week, I had to get used to the placement of the switch all over again.

Also, the VV holds your voltage steady....it doesn't drift off at the end of your battery life. Also, you don't have to be that careful about what ohm your coils are on the RBAs because you can compensate for whatever you end up with by just turning up the voltage a little.

Jan

EDIT: Rob is pretty close to the chest with news about the upcoming mod, but he does say it's not going to be VV or VW. So....I don't think a VV Grand will be redundant.

 

[rudy4653]

Rudy, I've got at least one of every REO out there, and I use my VV Grand(s) 100% of the time. I had to send my VV Grand in for a fix a couple of weeks ago and nearly died without it. Therefore, I ordered a second VV Grand so that'll never happen again. The ONLY down side is that it's not all mechanical so things CAN go out (like the switch or like the VV chip)....but as far as function, it's the best of the best. I will always have my Minis and my Grand because they're all mechanical and will always have my back. But for pure vaping pleasure everytime, all the time....the VV Grand is it for me. What super_X_drifter says about the switch, I agree with. The switch is on the side like your woodvils instead of up on the corner like the smaller metals. I find it perfect. When my VV Grand was in the shop and I went back to my Grand full-time for that week, I had to get used to the placement of the switch all over again.

Also, the VV holds your voltage steady....it doesn't drift off at the end of your battery life. Also, you don't have to be that careful about what ohm your coils are on the RBAs because you can compensate for whatever you end up with by just turning up the voltage a little.

Jan

EDIT: Rob is pretty close to the chest with news about the upcoming mod, but he does say it's not going to be VV or VW. So....I don't think a VV Grand will be redundant.

Thank you Jan and Drifter for your input. Now I have a dilemma, wait for Rob's new mystery mod, wait for 18490 Woodvils to get back into production, or save my pennies for a VV. Hmmmmmm...... Something to ponder now as I thought I was done looking for bigger/better having a mini metal going on 2 years old, mini woodvil ( thanks Jan) and both sporting Hornets!! Oh, brainstorm..... Father's day coming, present to me?

 

[Blix]

The battery life of my VV is still fooling me, it just goes on and on with the pair of AW 18350's. I have to say the vape does drift at the end of the battery life though. I found myself making a new coil and wick the other day because I wasn't happy with the performance, turned out it was the batteries being way drained...

 

[ltrainer]

The battery life of my VV is still fooling me, it just goes on and on with the pair of AW 18350's. I have to say the vape does drift at the end of the battery life though. I found myself making a new coil and wick the other day because I wasn't happy with the performance, turned out it was the batteries being way drained...

The Kick acts the same way. The watts go down right near the end of battery life. I get about 8 weak vapes then it goes shhhh.sshhhh. Shheee, pulsing rather than steady.

 

[JC Okie]

The battery life of my VV is still fooling me, it just goes on and on with the pair of AW 18350's. I have to say the vape does drift at the end of the battery life though. I found myself making a new coil and wick the other day because I wasn't happy with the performance, turned out it was the batteries being way drained...

I have noticed that the last few vapes are weaker...I can definitely feel the change and am finally learning that it's the battery, not the coil that needs to be changed. But it happens pretty quickly.....with the 18650s, and especially with the 14500s, they start losing steam all the way through. I can remember only getting about 15-30 minutes of GREAT (4.1 volts) vapes from a battery....clear down to 3.8 or so when I had to change them out. I used to LOVE a fresh battery. Now with the VV, it's almost all fresh battery with just a tiny bit of a drop off at the very end. Big difference. I have become very spoiled by VV.

 

[Big Hitter]

I agree but for me its the last 3 hits that feel "off" then it usually dies on the 4th
But since I've gotten used to the VV I don't let the batts get low enough to shut down on me anymore.
That was just a by product of me forgetting all about batts because the thing just goes on and on compared to me swapping grand batts at 3.8 because I'm bummed about declining vape.

But for the VV I usually go with an extra coil or two vs my standard woodvil. That puts me in the 1.6 range usually and I'm vaping about 4.2 to 4.6 volts depending on my mood.

Thats the great thing about VV ...... ya you can coil or switch attys with standard to get a good vape but with VV you can bump it up or down during the day depending on how things feel. Sometimes with my occasional evening scotch I really bump it up

Oh and back to the original post SXD .... you are correct. Thats why the battery life seems so stellar (especially if you keep it in the 4.x range). And how much longer they seem to last depends a lot on when you were no longer satisfied with you non VV batts. For me that was really 3.8 if I happened to be sitting by my battery stash and at 3.6 if I was out and about started making me sad

Oh and keep in mind its my understanding that VV voltage is the voltage under load ..... Correct ?????
That means setting it at 3.8 gives the same vape as a 4.1 batt on the non VV
(I might be wrong on that one its been a while)

 

[super_X_drifter]

Thank you Jan and Drifter for your input. Now I have a dilemma, wait for Rob's new mystery mod, wait for 18490 Woodvils to get back into production, or save my pennies for a VV. Hmmmmmm...... Something to ponder now as I thought I was done looking for bigger/better having a mini metal going on 2 years old, mini woodvil ( thanks Jan) and both sporting Hornets!! Oh, brainstorm..... Father's day coming, present to me?

Rudy, I was thinking the same thing...wait for the new REO that will step up the ease, quality and dependability of your current vape. But I couldn't help but to listen to the vets speak so highly of the vv grand. So I figured "..., REOs will sell or trade for what you paid for em, what risk is there"

I also know I will purchase at least one of the p68's regardless because I know it will be off the chain.

That said, the next level of my vaping game was just reached by the acquisition of this vv grand. As impressed as I am with it, I would say a 2 level increase - as in "what could possibly be better than this?"

I felt the same sense of "I don't need no better cause this is so damn good" from the first time I hit a mini 18490 with a carto on it. And again with an RBA. Then again with a grand and a chalice. Then again with the micro coil.

I have found that the vv is well worth the asking price in because of all things REO about it + this sweet little dial, button and the custom fit feeling it has in my paw.

You will not be disappointed. These babies are keepers.

 

[rudy4653]

Thanks for your input. Much appreciated.
I just need to get over this sudden "itch"! Once I do I'll be fine with my current setups until the next new development.
Enjoy your VV it sounds like a winner! I would pull the trigger if did't have that voice in the back of my head asking "what's the new REO going to be like?"

 

[super_X_drifter]

Thanks for your input. Much appreciated.
I just need to get over this sudden "itch"! Once I do I'll be fine with my current setups until the next new development.
Enjoy your VV it sounds like a winner! I would pull the trigger if did't have that voice in the back of my head asking "what's the new REO going to be like?"

Thanks Rudy!

THE voice up in Maine says it is gonna be incredible. This from the guy who makes the already incredible line of REOs.

But my voice said, there already exists another incredible REO I didn't own. Damn glad I got to experience. There will definitely be at least one more vv in my near future as well as at least 2 P68's, P69's , etc. if its good enough for Rob, it's more than enough for me.

I'm all in on this vaping thing. I don't see any reason to ever quit. 2 more liters of 24 mg in VG should be here tomorrow. That combined with my current stash, RBA's and REOs and the regulators can kiss my ... for at least 6 years.

Again, a risk free sublime vape is sitting in the mod shop awaiting a new home. You deserve it bro. I mean seriously, you quit freakin smokin! you owe that and more to yourself!

 

[XeniaMike]

Super_X - I got my VV Grand the same time you did and I echo everything you said. It's the perfect vaping experience an hassel free since I added an atomizer instead of a carto. Also, as a society that's had cheap plastic things thrown at us for the last 30 years, it's nice to actually hold something built like a 1954 Cadillac. Worth every penny. Nice solid hunk of metal, and the paint job is top rate. I love it!

Also, I have the same battery setup you do. I got a really good charger awhile back for my 18490's and it's compatible with the 18350's as well. It stops when the battery is fully charged, so when I charge both at the same time it will charge them equally. So far I haven't had them stop on me and I got almost a full day's vape out of two. I ordered a backup pair to have just in case. Seemed like my mini 18490 would discharge a battery pretty quick - about 4-5 hours then I'd have to get a fresh one. No biggie unless you're a fan of a warm vape like I am.