what's the difference in VV and VW

[mrjayd]

and when would you use one instead of the other?

 

[The Ocelot]

Hi

Here's some info copy/pasted from my growing library


This is a very simple overview of VV/VW, there are finer points (such as using dual coils) other members can advise you about.

Variable Voltage/Variable Wattage allows the user to increase or decrease the amount of power used by the heating element to vaporize the liquid; this affects temperature, throat hit and taste.

With Variable Voltage devices you manually set the voltage level based on the resistance (ohms) of the delivery system to produce the desired power level (watts).

With Variable Wattage you set the device at the power level you prefer (for example 8w) and the device will measure the resistance of the attached delivery system and automatically adjust the voltage to produce the wattage it was set at. (For example, if the delivery system has 2.0ohms resistance, the device will adjust to 4v to produce 8w; if the resistance is 3.0ohms, it will adjust to 4.9v to produce 8w).

Variable Wattage is popular among people who use a number of different delivery systems with different resistances, but prefer the same power level; basically, they can just set it to 8w and forget it.

Variable Voltage is popular with people who like different power levels for juices and devices and prefer to adjust the voltage manually.

 

[Mariss716]

VV = variable voltage (you can adjust the volts)
VW = Volkswagen ... kidding, variable wattage (adjust wattage)

Ohm's Law

Ohm's Law defines the relationship between power, voltage, current, and resistance. The various possible formulas for Ohm's law include the following:

Where
P = power in watts
E = voltage in volts
I = current in amps
R = resistance in ohms

P = E2/R
P = I2 * R
P = E * I

Power will determine how your juice tastes. So, VW will regulate the device and hit your target without you calculating Ohm's Law. The Vamo and Tesla for example are VW. This is a newer technology.

VV will attain the same goal. However, you are adjusting volts so that you will hit your target wattage/power. From the formula, you can see how voltage relates to resistance of the atomizer, to attain your target wattage. So, VV requires an extra step. The Provari and Ego Twist are VV, for example.

Devices that are VW are by definition also VV and the readout can be changed from VV to VW (current to power).

I just turned up my Tesla (VW) to vape a chocolate at a higher wattage, than when I had a fruit ejuice in the tank, which requires a lower wattage to not taste burnt. On my Provari, I would test the resistance of my atomizer, then adjust the voltage to hit the target wattage.

You can use this chart as a shortcut; it just won't tell you the sweet spot for your particular juice.

 

[junkman]

Hi

Here's some info copy/pasted from my growing library


This is a very simple overview of VV/VW, there are finer points (such as using dual coils) other members can advise you about.

Variable Voltage/Variable Wattage allows the user to increase or decrease the amount of power used by the heating element to vaporize the liquid; this affects temperature, throat hit and taste.

With Variable Voltage devices you manually set the voltage level based on the resistance (ohms) of the delivery device to produce the desired power level (watts).

With Variable Wattage you set the device at the power level you prefer (for example 8w) and the device will measure the resistance of the attached delivery system and automatically adjust the voltage to produce the wattage it was set at. (For example, if the delivery system has 2.0ohms resistance, the device will adjust to 4v to produce 8w; if the resistance is 3.0ohms, it will adjust to 4.9v to produce 8w).

Variable Wattage is popular among people who use a number of different delivery systems with different resistances, but prefer the same power level basically they set it to 8w and forget it.

For people who prefer different power levels for juices and devices, the feature isn’t very beneficial since they will have to change the voltage manually anyway.

Pretty good description, but to be clear, the last sentence should read -

For people who prefer different power levels for juices and devices, the feature is less beneficial since they will have to change the wattage manually anyway.

Basically, I think of it like this -

Voltage is measure of input. VV allows you to change the input. The output will depend on the ohms or resistance of the device.

Wattage is a measure of output. VW allows you to change the output without regard to the ohms (within a reasonable range).

 

[tj99959]

3ohms @5volts = 8.33watts ..... 3ohms @8.33watts = 5volts, see the difference?








OH WAIT, there ain't no difference

 

[The Ocelot]

Pretty good description, but to be clear, the last sentence should read -

For people who prefer different power levels for juices and devices, the feature is less beneficial since they will have to change the wattage manually anyway.

Basically, I think of it like this -

Voltage is measure of input. VV allows you to change the input. The output will depend on the ohms or resistance of the device.

Wattage is a measure of output. VW allows you to change the output without regard to the ohms (within a reasonable range).

Perhaps I should have made it more clear:

Variable Wattage is popular among people who use a number of different delivery systems with different resistances, but prefer the same power level (watts); basically, they set it to 8w and forget it.

For people who prefer different power levels (watts) for juices and devices, VV may be a better choice. The VW feature is less beneficial since they will have to change the voltage manually anyway to get to their preferred power level (watts), which may be different for different juices.

For example, I have a 2.0ohms carto, but I like one juice at 7w and another at 8w, so I will have to adjust the voltage (input) to get to my preferred watts (output).

 

[junkman]

Perhaps I should have made it more clear:

Variable Wattage is popular among people who use a number of different delivery systems with different resistances, but prefer the same power level (watts); basically, they set it to 8w and forget it.

For people who prefer different power levels (watts) for juices and devices, VV may be a better choice. The VW feature is less beneficial since they will have to change the voltage manually anyway to get to their preferred power level (watts), which may be different for different juices.

For example, I have a 2.0ohms carto, but I like one juice at 7w and another at 8w, so I will have to adjust the voltage (input) to get to my preferred watts (output).

ehh, still have the same issue with this comment.

1) you say that those wanting different wattage have to adjust the voltage, which for a VW device, they would be adjusting the wattage. It is a fine distinction, but for people who don't understand VV and VW they may think that they have to go in and make a change to the voltage setting on their VW device. The reality is they just have to up or down the wattage just the same as if they were using a vv device and changing the voltage. In other words, while they can leave it at a set wattage, they can change the wattage just as easily as changing the voltage on a vv device (in fact, often easier).

2) you say the VV may be a better choice if they prefer differing power levels, but this is not ture. As above, VW devices can be changed just as easily as VV devices (except for something unusual like a kick). In fact VW would be preferable in my opinion because you know it is in the ball park when you change an atomizer and the rest is fine tuning, whereas a vv device could be wildly wrong if switching between a high and low resistance device.

While VW may be "less" beneficial for people that like juices as different outputs, it is certainly not inferior in that instance.

 

[mrjayd]

OK bare with me people I am still a little confused on when you would change the voltage rather than the wattage? Doesn't either one change the heat level to produce more or less vapor? Sorry if I am not understanding this correctly.

 

[The Ocelot]

Volts are a measurement of input, ohms are a measurement of resistance and watts are a measure of output.

For example, I have cartos with resistances of 2.0ohms, 2.50hms and 3.0ohms and I like all of my juices at 8w. No matter which carto I put on the Variable Wattage device, it will detect the resistance and automatically adjust the voltage to get to 8w. VW devices also have a VV mode, so you can set the watts in one mode, or switch to the VV mode and adjust it like a VV device.

With Variable Voltage, I have a 2.0ohms carto, but I like one juice at 7w and another at 8w, so I will have to adjust the voltage (input) manually to get to my preferred watts (output).

It is the power (watts) that determines how a juice will vaporize, which is what affects throat hit and vapor. It seems intuitive that higher watts will give you more vapor, but some juices will burn if the watts are too high, whereas others aren't as flavorful if the watts are too low.

Whichever way you choose to get to the power level (watts) you want, is personal preference.

 

[junkman]

OK bare with me people I am still a little confused on when you would change the voltage rather than the wattage? Doesn't either one change the heat level to produce more or less vapor? Sorry if I am not understanding this correctly.

With VV you have to change the voltage if 1) the juice doesn't taste right 2) you are switching resistance of the atomizer/coil/device that sits on top.

With VW you have to change the wattage if 1) the juice doesn't taste right

In my opinion, VW is the superior method for power regulation, because you are adjusting the output power. VV is an adjustment of input power, and the output will vary depending on resistance.

Having said that, there are other considerations in choosing an APV that are likely to affect you satisfaction more than the power control scheme. Those would be: Reliability, Support in case of problems, Cost, Menu system/disply, and Size/Form factor.

Choosing solely based upon VV/VW is not optimal.

 

[edking66]

Wattage is what determines how warm/strong your vape is. With Variable Voltage, you need to know the resistance of your delivery device (atty/carto/clearo) to calculate where to set the voltage to get the wattage you desire. With Variable Wattage the power supply (Battery holder) does the calculations for you. You can "fine tune" your vape with Variable Voltage, as you can adjust in in 0.1 volt increments, Variable Wattage adjusts in 0.5 watt increments. This being said, I use Variable Wattage as it gets you in the ball park without having to make any calculations. Its basically a mater of how much of a perfectionist you are as to how warm/strong you like your vape.

 

[The Ocelot]

ehh, still have the same issue with this comment.

1) you say that those wanting different wattage have to adjust the voltage, which for a VW device, they would be adjusting the wattage. It is a fine distinction, but for people who don't understand VV and VW they may think that they have to go in and make a change to the voltage setting on their VW device. The reality is they just have to up or down the wattage just the same as if they were using a vv device and changing the voltage. In other words, while they can leave it at a set wattage, they can change the wattage just as easily as changing the voltage on a vv device (in fact, often easier).

2) you say the VV may be a better choice if they prefer differing power levels, but this is not ture. As above, VW devices can be changed just as easily as VV devices (except for something unusual like a kick). In fact VW would be preferable in my opinion because you know it is in the ball park when you change an atomizer and the rest is fine tuning, whereas a vv device could be wildly wrong if switching between a high and low resistance device.

While VW may be "less" beneficial for people that like juices as different outputs, it is certainly not inferior in that instance.

I don't recall saying "inferior." It is a matter of personal preference.

And I'm confused about what is incorrect about this statement from my first post:

"With Variable Wattage you set the device at the power level you prefer (for example 8w) and the device will measure the resistance of the attached delivery system and automatically adjust the voltage to produce the wattage it was set at. "

 

[junkman]

Wattage is what determines how warm/strong your vape is. With Variable Voltage, you need to know the resistance of your delivery device (atty/carto/clearo) to calculate where to set the voltage to get the wattage you desire. With Variable Wattage the power supply (Battery holder) does the calculations for you. You can "fine tune" your vape with Variable Voltage, as you can adjust in in 0.1 volt increments, Variable Wattage adjusts in 0.5 watt increments. This being said, I use Variable Wattage as it gets you in the ball park without having to make any calculations. Its basically a mater of how much of a perfectionist you are as to how warm/strong you like your vape.

However, two things 1) there really is minimal difference between 0.5 watts and 0.1 volts, in typical vape range we are talking about 0.5 watts equals 0.12 volts. You are unlikely to notice a 0.02 v difference. 2) some VW devices are adjustable to 0.1 watts, which is much finer than 0.1 volts. (admittedly, the cheap VW devices are 0.5 watts)

 

[mrjayd]

Thanks everyone. Starting to understand this a little more. I think I am going to grab a Vamo v2 and start playing around with this stuff.

Wattage is what determines how warm/strong your vape is. With Variable Voltage, you need to know the resistance of your delivery device (atty/carto/clearo) to calculate where to set the voltage to get the wattage you desire. With Variable Wattage the power supply (Battery holder) does the calculations for you. You can "fine tune" your vape with Variable Voltage, as you can adjust in in 0.1 volt increments, Variable Wattage adjusts in 0.5 watt increments. This being said, I use Variable Wattage as it gets you in the ball park without having to make any calculations. Its basically a mater of how much of a perfectionist you are as to how warm/strong you like your vape.

 

[junkman]

I don't recall saying "inferior."

I don't recall saying you did?

 

[MoonLit_Water]

Here is a link to another chart someone posted for Me on another thread, since it is math and what ever equals what always will, it's the same info but a slightly different format

About Resistances and Variable Voltage Devices

 

[The Ocelot]

I don't recall saying you did?

I apologize, I misread your post. When one device was called superior, I inferred the other was being called inferior. I didn't use either term.

 

[AttyPops]

Oh come on people...The answer is......"The 1st ends with a V, the 2nd with a W" and of course "When I wanted a 'Wah' sound, id use the VW". Also, VW could be a car manufacturer near and dear to tiburonfirst's heart...

Otherwise, as far as e-cigs are concerned..."not much" since you have to "adjust it till it works" anyway. However, if you like swapping atomizers/cartos/tanks all the time and not knowing what the ohms are and they all differ...sure...use VW and adjust it from there.

Others will vehemently disagree, but VW is a total gimmick to me. I adjust the dial until I like the vape. Simple dial. No numbers, no readout, nothing. I admit to using a multimeter to check ohms on newly wound coils or to verify dead stuff so ohms readout is handy, but otherwise...meh.

 

[EddardinWinter]

Well I am a big fan of VW. My device allows the adjustment to 0.1 Watt increments, which results in smaller than 0.1 volt increment changes. I truly find it saves a great deal of time and with thinner juices prevents that first pull flood that is possible with some bottom coil configurations when you hit the first hit with your voltage too low. If you are used to keeping up with VV, I can understand why it is nothing more than a gimmick like AttyPops says. It really is a personal preference thing.

Once you get used to it, it is a pretty cool thing if it strikes your fancy.

 

[Shreck]

Of everyone here that owns and uses a VV / VW device, how many actually use the VV, and how often. I think you will find the owners of these devices use VW almost exclusively.