VV mod on the cheap

[billherbst]

One thing I've found out already though is that you don't want to vape this thing hard. One of the components gets really hot and has actually melted the box a little bit on the side between the atty connector and the button. So far it hasn't affected anything other than cosmetics.

the little melted spot is a thin part in the plastic box that the hot glue seems to like

hoog

I've had my VV box for three days. I don't remember if the surface of the box was smooth and unblemished when I first got it, but I do notice two places where the box's front face is now "indented" with little valleys. As cskent says, one is between the atty connector and the firing button. The other on mine is just to the left of the adjusting dial. You can see them both in the attached pic.

Linear VV regulators convert excess voltage into heat, which is the reason we're seeing more VV mods built now with "evercool" switching regulators. In practice, the linear regulators are cheap, efficient enough, apparently reliable, and seem to work fine. I own two Big Brother version 1 VVs with linear regulators and a Big Daddy VV with an evercool switching regulator, but I don't notice any real world difference in vaping quality.

I'm not altogether sure what hoog means about the hot glue that encases the connector (and perhaps the voltage dial) "liking" the thin part of the box. My guess is that he's implying that the indentations are the result of the hot glue "pulling in" the thin plastic (thus, causing a tiny depression), rather than indentations being melted from burning or caused by a chemical change in the box's plastic.

I'll keep monitoring this issue, but I'm not inclined to worry about it too much, since I haven't felt any heat at all on the surface of the box during use.

 

[cskent]

I hadn't noticed it until you pointed it out, but I'm getting the same one near the pot too. The one near the atty on mine is on the side not the face, and it's getting bigger even though I've quit chain vaping it. It's that big now that there's a gap between the back and the front of the case when it's assembled. So far there's no problem with function though. I'm not exactly sure what hoog is saying either but maybe he'll come back and explain further.

 

[Silversmyth]

Same here with mine-meltdown on side between 510 connector and fire button.

 

[billherbst]

Update (as of May 9th):

I've been using my Madvapes VV Box as part of my arsenal of PVs (I change juice flavors moment by moment, so I keep a whole bunch of PVs at my desk and bedside, each loaded with different juices) for almost two weeks now, and the "indentations" on the front and side of the plastic box haven't changed (meaning worsened). They're the same as they were when I first noticed them. I've also experienced no heat issues at all with the box in spite of its using the less efficient Fairchild linear regulator. In addition, I bought a 2nd MV VV Box last week, and it had the front indentation between the switch and firing button when it arrived.

All of this tends to confirm (or at least support) my lack of concern about the "melting box" worries. Basically, it seems to be no big deal, and---in my case at least---a non-issue.

Given all the variable voltage mods now available, from the $300 soon-to-be Eclipse and $229 Darwin on down, this little Madvapes VV Box is the hands down grand price winner for el cheapo, skinflint VV on a budget. It vapes just as well as my six other more expensive VV mods. Although hand-built on a workbench, it seems sturdy enough, and I love the ergonomic small size of the 3xAA box.

The only real question is how long it will last, but that question is relevant for just about every plastic box mod, and even for many considerably more expensive factory-built, precisely-machined tube mods as well. The nice thing about the Madvapes VV box is that if I get a year's use out of it and then it breaks or fails, I'll either fix it myself or toss it out, but I'll still feel that my modest investment was well worth it.

 

[fray]

Does the regulator have a heat sink??
Maybe look into this. They are like $3 at radio shack.

All of my 5v mods I have made have the same mark at the top. The 510 connector gets a lot hotter than you would think.

 

[JWebb]

Are these mods from madvapes working or are they full of problems?

 

[coolone1]

I bought 2 about 3 weeks ago and no problems at all. Great cheap VV box Mod.

 

[cskent]

My experience with this little vv boxmod is similar to what billherbst reported. After using mine for a couple of weeks now I can say that the melting spots have not gotten any worse than last in my last post. It was a concern initially because the spots got progressively larger however it seems like everything has stabilized. Other than causing a slight cosmetic blemish it seems like it will be a non-issue. Performance is great and I've tried it with 3 different resistance ratings of atty' and also with carto's. It's easy to just turn the voltage up or down to suit taste, or measure it if I want a precise wattage output with the atty in use.

As I stated in an earlier post, these are great for anyone who is on the fence about whether vv is worth their time and effort. If you purchase one, you'll have a decent working mod at a great price. If you upgrade to a more refined vv mod, you'll have a backup in the boxmod.

 

[billherbst]

Are these mods from madvapes working or are they full of problems?

Both of mine work very well.

 

[MickeyRat]

I got mine last week. Tried it for a bit with a standard 510 atomizer. I'm not so sure VV is for me which is why I got it instead of something more expensive. The device is fine but, I wasn't all that crazy about VV. I have some 4.2 ohm attys coming to give those a try with it. I will say I don't see this thing holding up as a primary vape long term but, that's not what I bought it for.

 

[fsroq]

I got mine a month ago. Amazing boxmod. works very well with everything. Right now I am about to order another, to have a back up.

 

[LMP]

I've had mine for about a mouth and have not had any problems. The only thing I can see that may be a problem is juice leaking and getting into the electronics or eating the glue so I put an Empire Drip Shield on my atomizer to eliminate the potential damage.

It's light and comfortable to hold, I like it better than my big heavy tube mod.

 

[dupont]

I just got one in the mail today too. It's my first vv and also my first mod. To date, all I've vaped are automatic super mini's. I'm waiting for the batteries to charge up so I can give it a try.

 

[cskent]

I got one of the first batch back in April and have been using it quite a bit ever since. I haven't had a problem with juice getting onto the circuit board since it seems to be encased in RTV or something similar. When it does leak the excess liquid just runs down the groove on the side and comes out the bottom. I've found that if you vape it hard it'll get pretty hot. Mine has melted a bit in a couple of spots but it keeps on kickin. I'm thinking about a spare too but am considering making my own which would use 18650's so it'll go a lot longer between charges. You can buy the VV board kit for less than $10 so it would be pretty cheap to do.