Mods

[Purplefowler]

Mods
Now this is where things get fun, but also more complicated! The next big step is the jump from egos to mods, and it can be quite a big old leap. It also covers a multitude of devices so Iʼll just try and give a brief outline. A mod is a big battery device (there that wasn't so hard after all!). It will consist of a mod “body” and a removable battery. The majority will come with a 510 connector as this is considered the industry standard. There are differentsized batteries for different devices so it is more a case of whatever takes your fancy. There are two main categories of mods.
1) Variable voltage/variable wattage These are highly customizable devices that allow the user to set the power from the battery. Once set (in either volts or watts) the device remembers the setting and will pump out a consistent power for as long as the battery will allow. They also have built in regulators so are considered safer and are great for learning where your personal sweet spot is. Many often have other features such as a battery charge reader and an ohms checker (which checks the coil ohms of the atomiser, cartomiser or tank, but we will get to that in more detail later).
2) Mechanical These are simpler devices but are considered more suitable to the more experienced vaper. A true mechanical mod (mech mod for short) will have no wires, circuits or built in safety devices, it is just a body with a switch and a rechargeable battery. You cannot use the device to alter the power so most users also prefer to use them with rebuildable atomisers so they can control the vaping experience that way. Whilst safety is ALWAYS important, it becomes essential when dealing with mechs. A good basic understanding of battery safety and mod maintenance are a very good starting point.

 

[Miss Pepper]

Mods

Now this is where things get fun, but also more complicated!

The next big step is the jump from ego style kits to mods, and it can be quite a big old leap. It also covers a multitude of devices so Iʼll just try and give a brief outline.

A mod is a big battery device (there that wasn't so hard after all!). It will consist of a mod “body” and a removable battery. The body, usually tubular, is just a battery holder and can usually get altered in height to take different size batteries; therefore it can be used in 'stealth mode' which usually means 'small enough to hide in the palm of your hand' or full size, depending on the configuration you use.

The majority will come with a 510 connector as this is considered the industry standard.

There are different sized batteries for different devices so it is more a case of whatever takes your fancy; 14XXX and 16XXX. The 14XXX are thin and the mod would almost be the size of the trusty ego style kit you are considering moving up from.
The 16XXX are a fair bit fatter and will be used by most of the members on the forum.

The great thing about these batteries is they can last up to several days on one charge, depending on how much you vape and what mod you are using.

There are two main categories of mods.
1) Variable voltage/variable wattage - These are highly customizable devices that allow the user to set the power from the battery. Once set (in either volts or watts) the device remembers the setting and will pump out a consistent power for as long as the battery will allow. They also have built in regulators so are considered safer and are great for learning where your personal sweet spot is. Many often have other features such as a battery charge reader and an ohms checker (which checks the coil ohms of the atomiser, cartomiser or tank, but we will get to that in more detail later).

2) Mechanical - These are simpler devices but are considered more suitable to the more experienced vaper. A true mechanical mod (mech mod for short) will have no wires, circuits or built in safety devices, it is just a body with a switch and a rechargeable battery*. You cannot use the device to alter the power so most users also prefer to use them with rebuildable atomisers so they can control the vaping experience that way. However, there is the option to add a 'kick' (INSERT INFO )

Whilst safety is ALWAYS important, it becomes essential when dealing with mechs. A good basic understanding of battery safety and mod maintenance are a very good starting point.

*Never leave a charging battery unsupervised

 

[vaporsizer]

Mods !

This is one unavoidable word in the vape realm & it will be seen in all corners, so WHAT is a MOD ?

Think MODIFICATION. Early mods were modified d.i.y devices, a torch perhaps with some modification makes a good battery holder. Add a connection for the atomizer on top & bingo ! A vaping device is born.

Some budding d.i.y'ers are still doing that to tobacco tins & other unusual devices & it can be a hobby, a passion or even a business.

What we are now met with though more commonly is a far more refined version of this & with the vast array of devices available & with new ones arriving all of the time you can be forgiven for being baffled by them. Which one should you buy ? Well that is entirely up your own motivations, tastes & wallet size indeed but here we will attempt to 'clue you up' on what's what exactly !

You might be familiar with those electronic cigarettes (Cig-a-likes) which kinda mimic the appearance of a real cigarette, what you're looking at basically is A) a battery, B) A coil & wick assembly within a case.

Those are the fundamentals of a vaping device & are what is needed generally for everything else to function.

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A MOD then is the same in principle but it has more to offer & each mod will have its own attributes. What you do need to know from the top is that there are some basic different types of mod & then there are variations within those types.


Type 1. A mechanical mod - This type is the more basic construction of mod in general. There are no electronics involved & without a battery inserted they are simply an empty shell/battery holder with a contact switch.

A basic construction - There is a tube (Most often) which normally has two removable ends, the 'top cap' & the 'bottom cap' or 'switch assembly'.
The tube might be constructed in more than one part. Some are made from opposing size tubes which screw together, one inside the other - A 'telescopic' assembly. (See image)
Some are made up from a number of different length sections of tubes, each the same diameter & those sections then attach/screw together. Different overall lengths can be achieved with this system for various length batteries. This is sometimes referred to as a 'modular assembly' (See image)

TOP CAP - The top cap will attach/screw onto the tube section. It has a hole drilled in its center, threaded for the attachment of an atomizer & will normally have an insulating washer imbedded on its underside. The insulator is for isolating the positive end of the battery from the negative end (Or vise-versa) . The insulator is also drilled in its centre & then there is a contact pin inserted. This is the positive connection contact pin & will touch the top/positive end of the battery & make contact with the atomizer. (See image)

SWITCH ASSEMBLY - A spring loaded, push button switch (Sometimes with magnets instead of a spring) is the more commonly seen type. It can normally be taken apart for maintenance & will consist of a few small parts. There is normally a threaded locking ring which is screwed left & right for locking & unlocking the firing button, this prevents the device from firing at unwanted times. (See image)
There is a contact pin within the assembly & this is the negative contact pin to connect with the battery. The whole assembly attaches/screws onto the bottom end of the tube section with a battery inserted & then that is the complete assembled mechanical mod.

Some other switch types will also be seen, usually side mounted on the device either near the top or bottom but they perform the same basic function as described above. When the switch is pressed the contact with the battery is made & a circuit is completed. That is what powers your atomizer, much like a torch being flashed on & off.



The mechanical mod offers no kind of voltage control or protection alone & lends itself best to more advanced atomizers, rebuildable types like dripping atomizers or genesis tank systems. The type or strength of vape then is governed by how the user adjusts the resistance of the coils they wrap to build into the atomizer. Protection can be added in the form of a fuse device that sits on top of the battery or an adjustable unit known as a 'kick' which allows some voltage control, this also sits on top of the battery. ventilation holes somewhere on the device itself are normally provided for the unlikely event of a battery venting or leaking, they are for pressure relief basically.
Before using a mechanical mod some homework is advised with regards to battery safety, battery type, size etc. Don't be put off by that but do use common sense or ask for advise.

I'll return to this (If ya fink it's lookin' alrite)

 

[vaporsizer]

Type 2. Variable voltage (VV) & Variable wattage (VW) mods.

If you imagine the mechanical mod, complete with a battery inside & then add some electronics with a user interface, you get one of these types of mod. Extra space is needed to house the electronic section but it's quite a small add-on. There is often a screen to read the parameters, normally a simple & user friendly interface.
Very popular among vapers who are upgrading from cig-a-likes or Ego type batteries & who want extra control over the vape flavour or temperature or want to purchase a bigger tank. You get extra control over your vape & some safety features built in.

There are quite a lot to choose from & it's another minefield to navigate but with so many well practiced vapers out there help is at hand choosing one. The POTV forum is a good place to start.
Some are the tube type again like mech mods but some are a box shape. There are also odd & unusual shaped ones to be found.

Variable voltage - The device will operate between two different limits. A lower limit & an upper limit.

Example - The device might be variable between 3.3 volts (Lower limit) & 5 volts (Upper limit) In that mode you can scroll through the voltage & watch the screen as you navigate through the voltage settings in increments.
You can then test your device by having a vape & deciding weather you would like more or less voltage power, then adjust it to suit. Wherever you like it the most is your sweet spot & it's mission accomplished.

Variable wattage - This is different to vv mode & an explanation is necessary.

In your atomizer/tank there is a wire coil which heats up. That coil resists power. Different coils can have different resistances.
When you switch to variable wattage mode (VW) you can set your device to operate at a specified wattage & you will no longer be in voltage mode.

Example - The device might be variable between 6 watts (Lower limit) & 11 watts (Upper limit) & you can scroll through the wattage in increments & watch the screen as you navigate through the settings.

The device is capable of knowing what the value of the coil resistance of your atomizer is & when you set the wattage, the device will adjust the voltage to suit that coil. There is a mathematical method of understanding that but for now it's best to just grasp the idea.

You basically set your wattage where you like it & carry on vaping. THEN, if you were to change your atomizer/tank & the new one had a different resistance coil in it, the device will read that value & adjust the voltage to suit it.
What that achieves then in theory is that you experience the same strength of vape from one coil to the next while your wattage power setting remains the same. The device does some of the work for you !

That makes variable wattage a favorite setting to use because you can just find your ideal setting & you're away.

These types of device with their safety features often will not operate if the coil is a resistance below a certain set value. Perhaps 1ohm for example but different devices have different settings. This makes them more suited to certain types of atomizers/tanks but many experienced vapers have success with advanced rebuildable tanks & use vv/vw mods all day.

I need some help with vv vw mods. Feel like i missed something out or didn't get it right.

 

[Purplefowler]

Wow, you have been busy! What we might need to do is use yours as the second stage section because you've put so much detail into it that it might be a little bit of an information overload for a new vaper. I believe the original guide premise was to have a brief intro section and then more in depth sub sections for which I think this would be perfect. I've learnt stuff from it too so nice work (although the original mods were, I believe, modified torches hence the name mods with tins coming along shortly after that but I could be wrong ).

 

[vaporsizer]

Wow, you have been busy! What we might need to do is use yours as the second stage section because you've put so much detail into it that it might be a little bit of an information overload for a new vaper. I believe the original guide premise was to have a brief intro section and then more in depth sub sections for which I think this would be perfect. I've learnt stuff from it too so nice work (although the original mods were, I believe, modified torches hence the name mods with tins coming along shortly after that but I could be wrong ).

Agreed & i realize about the torches, occurred to me later & in fact i'll go & edit. Thankyou. BTW, there's nothing here to say that any of my stuff has to be included, i don't presume. It's just my take & i won't be offended by whatever the outcome is. If i learn something here then there's a bonus alone.

 

[Miss Pepper]

Wow, you have been busy! What we might need to do is use yours as the second stage section because you've put so much detail into it that it might be a little bit of an information overload for a new vaper. I believe the original guide premise was to have a brief intro section and then more in depth sub sections for which I think this would be perfect. I've learnt stuff from it too so nice work (although the original mods were, I believe, modified torches hence the name mods with tins coming along shortly after that but I could be wrong ).

Im pleased you said about torches as ive wondered why a 'mod' is a 'mod' when it hasnt been altered from what i know to be its original format lol (modded car fan lol)

Vaporizer thats a great bit of work, hell of a lot of info

 

[Purplefowler]

Im pleased you said about torches as ive wondered why a 'mod' is a 'mod' when it hasnt been altered from what i know to be its original format lol (modded car fan lol)

@Vaporizer thats a great bit of work, hell of a lot of info

Sometimes it pays to have been around as long as I have mind you that's about the only thing I seem to be able to remember

 

[vaporsizer]

Im pleased you said about torches as ive wondered why a 'mod' is a 'mod' when it hasnt been altered from what i know to be its original format lol (modded car fan lol)

@Vaporizer thats a great bit of work, hell of a lot of info

Thanks you. Nice to cross paths again, tas been a while.