Vaper's ABCs
Interest in vaping is gradually reaching more and more people. Some are interested in new technologies, others are attracted by fashion trends, while others are trying to get rid of the harmful habit of smoking.
Regardless of vaping experience, every vaper, when first acquainted with a gadget, is interested in how to use such a device and how to set up an electronic cigarette in such a way as to ensure high-quality, safe and at the same time pleasant vaping.
Before you figure out how to properly set up an e-cigarette, you need to find out why it is so important to properly organize this process.
An incorrectly configured device will not only not provide high-quality and proper vaping, but can also negatively affect the health of the vaper.
After all, an incorrectly adjusted tightening force or the volume of steam that enters the lungs can lead to both discomfort during vaping, and to the development of certain lung diseases and respiratory tract. Perhaps this is the greatest danger electronic cigarette, whose settings do not meet the user's needs.
In addition, an incorrectly configured device can simply break due to overload. If the vaper takes a deep puff and the mod’s power is not enough, the e-cigarette will either immediately fail or, what is much worse, explode right in the user’s hands.
As you can see, you need to set up an electronic cigarette as soon as the vaper is interested in this device as a device for vaping. The safety of the mod user and the quality of vaping depend on the correct adjustment of the device.
First acquaintance: how to turn on the electronics?
Congratulations, you have become the owner of your first electronic cigarette. Without exaggeration, your life will change in the near future.
What does a vape consist of and how does it work?
In the meantime, you need to make sure that you have everything you need for quality use of an e-cigarette:
- battery pack;
- clearomizer (atomizer, evaporator, steam generator) - this part is often sold complete with a battery (this kit is called a “starter kit”);
- Charger(most chargers are equipped with a standard micro-USB connector);
- bottle with liquid for vaping.
Inexperienced vapers should pay attention Special attention to the atomizer. If you purchased a Starter Kit, it fits perfectly with the battery pack. If you want to purchase a clearomizer as a separate part of an electronic cigarette, you need to make sure that the type of connector on it matches the type of connector on the battery pack housing of the vaping device.
In addition, it is necessary to find out the possibility of servicing the atomizer (on a serviced evaporator, you can change the winding on your own, while for unserviced ones, you will need to replace the old coil with a new, purchased one).
Don't know how to properly assemble a vaping device? With the help of further step by step instructions Anyone, even an inexperienced vaper, can assemble e-cigarettes on their own:
- First of all, you need to make sure whether the atomizer is equipped with an evaporator (bowl with a wick).
- Next you need to fully charge the battery pack.
- After this, unscrew the atomizer, turn it over and fill it with vaping liquid through a special hole.
- Finally, you need to install a steam generator filled with liquid on the battery pack.
That's it, your vaping device is fully charged and ready for vaping. It is extremely important to monitor the battery charge level and charge it in a timely manner. Otherwise, the battery pack may fail very quickly.
The charging frequency of an electronic cigarette directly depends on the capacitive characteristics of the battery pack. On average, every 1000 mAh is enough for about three hundred puffs. When the battery pack has a passthrough function, the vaper will be able to vape from it even while charging, without waiting for it to complete.
Setting up the mod to work correctly
This process largely depends on the model of the gadget used. We cannot know what kind of electronic cigarette you are using: a simple miniature “eGoshka” or a multifunctional, modern box mod. But be that as it may, be sure to read the information below on how to set up an electronic cigarette and implement vaping.
Adjusting an e-cigarette involves setting one or several parameters at once:
- Power supplied to the steam generator (spiral winding).
The larger the spiral (or the greater the number of spirals), the greater the power required to implement the tightening. The greater the power, the greater the amount of steam and the sooner the battery pack will discharge (the rate at which the battery discharges depends on its power). - Varivolt (VariVolt or VV).
The ability to manually regulate the voltage, and the power depends on the winding resistance of the steam generator. The voltage is directly proportional to the volume of inhaled vapor. - VariWatt (VW).
Possibility of adjusting power when changing resistance. This is a part with the help of which resistance is monitored and, depending on it, the voltage changes. With such a “function” in an electronic cigarette, there is no need to manually adjust the voltage. You just need to set the desired power. - Thermal control
An automatic function that can also be added to an e-cigarette. With the help of this chip, the temperature of the steam generator is monitored, due to which, in fact, its regulation is realized. The presence of thermal control is characterized by a timely decrease or increase in the temperature of the evaporator, which greatly simplifies the use of the device for vaping.
In the first couples, you need to set the voltage based on your taste. To make adjustments, we will use the control buttons located on the battery pack. Experts recommend focusing on the desired amount of steam and ensuring that the liquid in the cartridge does not hiss or burn with a characteristic burnt taste.
Do you also need to be able to soar?
Additional article about vapes.
So, the vaping device is assembled, charged and configured. You can finally try and find out what vaping is like, which makes many people so delighted:
- Turn on the electronic cigarette. To do this, you need to press the button located on the battery pack. The battery will supply voltage to the spiral winding and after a moment you can already inhale the first puff. True, there are also modern mods that turn on without a button. In such devices, the mechanism is activated when the steamer takes a puff.
- We hold the electronic cigarette in a vertical position or at an angle with the mouthpiece up. If you hold the device in a horizontal or upside-down position, it will not function at all.
- If there are small holes on the body of the electronic cigarette intended for air exchange, it is not recommended to close them with your fingers while inhaling. These are incorrect actions that can lead to overheating and damage to the device.
- The tightening is done simultaneously with pressing the button (this applies exclusively to “push-button” electronic devices and mods).
- If you have just joined the ranks of vapers and do not know how to inhale steam correctly, then at first it is recommended to take a puff that is not too long (no more than 5 seconds). Between inhaling the vapor from the vape, short pauses are made - about 5 seconds. Let the atomizer cool down. He will thank you for your care with a longer service. In addition, this approach will ensure timely cooling of the coil and, thereby, prevent its overheating.
- You need to tighten it smoothly. Vaping is different from regular smoking, which is why it is not recommended to take several puffs at once without a pause. Failure to follow this recommendation will result in liquid leakage through the steam generator and overheating of the coil.
- When you are finished vaping, be sure to lock your e-cigarette before putting it in your pocket or bag. The locking method, as a rule, consists of pressing the button five times (although locking a gadget largely depends on its model and on the settings that were provided by the manufacturer).
Let's talk more about the advantages of vaping over smoking.
So, the first experience has been successfully obtained, the device has passed the first test, and you are ready to actively continue learning the basics of vaping.
When vaping, you should stick to the same intensity as when smoking regular cigarettes. Simply put, experienced vapers, as well as experts in the field, do not recommend taking more than 20 puffs at a time. The e-cigarette has no end, so in the early stages of the debate, an overdose of nicotine substances present in the vaping liquid is especially dangerous.
It is recommended to take breaks between cigarette breaks throughout the day. If used too often, the storage tank will dry out very quickly in the part that comes into contact with the steam generator. During a break of an hour or two, the liquid has time to be evenly distributed throughout the cartridge.
If you can’t stand such long breaks, you can purchase a replacement cartridge. By the way, it will also be useful to the vaper when the vaper wants to change the taste of the liquid or its strength.
After all, there is always a little underused liquid left in the evaporator, so when using a new e-liquid of a different taste, they will mix, which is not the best in the best possible way will affect the taste of the steam.
The most appropriate way to avoid this precedent is to use a separate clearomizer for each flavor.
Vaping with pleasure
If you do not take a powerful, but long-lasting inhalation of steam, it will flow abundantly into the lungs. While too deep or sharp puffs can lead to the formation of excess fluid in the clearomizer, which can leak through the threads into the battery pack. Hence the malfunction of the gadget and, as a result, its breakdown.
In addition, many models, when taking strong and sharp puffs, begin to emit sounds uncharacteristic for this process: whistling, hissing. Do you need some extra noise? Thanks to long puffs, a large volume of steam enters the lung cavity, which means saturation will occur much faster than with small and abrupt puffs.
It is advisable to tilt the device for vaping slightly downward, then the liquid from the storage tank will flow into the steam generator gradually and evenly.
Experts strongly recommend monitoring the amount of liquid in the cartridge. It is highly undesirable to allow the filler to be empty during tightening. This may cause the wick to overheat and break. But at the same time pour the liquid over required level It is also not recommended, this entails leakage of the atomizer.
In addition, the steam generator of an electronic cigarette needs regular cleaning (at least once a month). This procedure is not complicated and can be easily organized at home without the involvement of more experienced vapers.
It is enough just to disassemble the upper part of the device into its components and rinse the winding, bowl, wick, cartridge under running heat
oh water. In case of serious contamination, you can wash the parts of the electronic cigarette in alcohol solution. But it’s better not to run the state of your gadget.
The frequency of replacing the atomizer mainly depends on the intensity of use of the vaping device. As a rule, experienced vapers change their vapor generator 1-2 times a month.
In addition, there are several rules that are considered good manners among vapers. For example, it is prohibited to leave an electronic cigarette unattended in the presence of children. And you can soar among people only with the consent of others. Taking a puff from a vape while driving vehicle– dangerous and not entirely reasonable. In a word, all the advice offered by experts and experienced vapers is quite logical and understandable without unnecessary reminders.
By following the rules for using a vaping device described above, you can significantly extend the life of the device. Proper vaping is more reminiscent of smoking a hookah than a regular cigarette. So just try it, learn how to use an electronic cigarette and enjoy vaping. Soar with pleasure!
A complete cigarette, from scratch - from the evaporator to the quick connection of the battery with the atomizer
(and: the evaporator design is improved, including a battery charger) - using available components.
I have been using this design for quite a long time and can fully recommend it to everyone who wants to quit smoking tobacco cigarettes!
Personally, I haven't smoked one in almost four years. tobacco cigarette!!! And I did it calmly, without any discomfort. The result is that the cough has completely gone away and now I’m even annoyed by the smell of tobacco smoke (this is after 45 years of smoking experience!). I can afford to “float” in my apartment: bedroom and in any other room, without causing any inconvenience to others at all! I made two options: home and pocket (outdoor) options, and during this time I did not find any “leaks” that users of branded atomizers (evaporators, which are far from cheap) write about.
The device does not include any scarce components and only requires care during manufacturing and further
handling it.
Materials and components:
1. Nichrome wire diameter - 0.15 mm.
2. Silica cord diameter - 2 mm. (I order nichrome and cord from the online store of electronic cigarettes "Pipiroska")
3. 20 ml syringe.
4. 3 ml syringe. 4a - finished atomizer body from this syringe.
5. Cap from a disposable e-cigarette "PONS".
6. Tube from an indoor telescopic antenna diameter - 2.5 mm.
7-8. Rubber inserts.
9. The tube from the indoor telescopic antenna has a diameter of 4.5 mm.
10. A piece of power cable. Outer diameter of insulation: 4.2…. 4.5 mm.
11. Contact plate from an electromagnetic relay or any other suitable elastic plate.
12. Orthophosphoric acid.
13. The body of the disposable e-cigarette "PONS" (metal).
14. Rubber of a car inner tube with a thickness of 3....3.5 mm.
15. Collapsible plug "Tulip".
16. Collapsible plug "Tulip" (socket).
17. Battery size 18650 (U= 3.6….4.2 v.)
18. To assemble the atomizer: 3 ml syringe piston holder rod. and body ballpoint pen, outer diameter - 8 mm.
19. Syringe for refilling (any).
20. Glue "Moment"
21. HB thread.
Photo 1 The most the hard part An electronic cigarette is an atomizer (evaporator). Let's start with him.
We make the body from a 3ml medical syringe. We cut it on both sides so that the length is approximately 55 mm. We carefully process the sections, wash off the applied marks (by the way, they are easily washed off with diesel fuel).
Photo 2 Using the sharpened edge of the body of a disposable cigarette "PONS" we cut out two inserts from the rubber of the car inner tube.
Photo 3 Using a tube from a telescopic antenna with a diameter of 4.5 mm, we cut out the central holes on both inserts, and on one of them we pierce two holes with a syringe needle for the leads of soft conductors from the heater.
Photo 4 From the same tube we make a central air duct about 35 mm long. On one side we make a figured cutout shaped like a keyhole.
Photo 5 The heater is a nichrome wire with a diameter of 0.15 mm, the ends of which are wound and soldered to soft stranded conductors with phosphoric acid. The working section of the heater must be 26 mm long. (selected empirically).
Photo 6 Carefully wrap it around the silica cord.
Photo 7 We pass the ends of the bends into the punctured holes of the liner and stretch them to the base. We cut off the remaining cord around the circumference of the liner. Then (this is important!) with a syringe needle we “ruffle” the edges of the cord near the soldered contacts so that the fibers in these areas are on top of the nichrome winding. If we do everything carefully and correctly, then when the brass tube of the air duct is seated, it will not “short-circuit” the heater coil. Silica is an excellent insulator!
Photo 8 Now carefully insert the tube into the insert. I would like to note that this process requires accuracy and a certain skill.
I’ll be honest: I didn’t succeed the first time!
Photo 9 After this, you must check this area with the device. If we did everything “cleanly”, then the resistance should be
1.8….2.0 Ohm.
Photo 10 Now we assemble the other end of the tube. Remove a piece of insulation from the power wire. Its outer diameter should be 4.3...4.5 mm.
We insert it about halfway into the tube (it should fit quite tightly), and put the second liner on the remaining part.
This is done so that when inserting the assembled structure into the atomizer body, the liner does not “slide” along the tube.
Photo 11 We insert the assembled assembly into the body of the former syringe. To facilitate this process, it is better to lubricate the circumference of the liners with refilling liquid.
Photo 12 When inserting, it is better to apply pressure on the central part, where the edge of the shaped cutout of the tube is located. To do this, you can use the piston rod from the same syringe with side slots for the exit of soft conductors.
Photo 13 Drill an air hole with a diameter of 1...1.5 mm,
Photo 14 We solder the leads of the conductors to the “Tulip” plug, having first shortened the “negative” lead,
Photo 15 We put a cap from “PONS” on the “mouthpiece” side, cutting a hole with a diameter of 1.5…2.5 mm in the center and the atomizer is ready.
Photo 16 Now the power supply block. At the “Tulip” connector socket, we completely remove the negative terminal.
Photo 17 We solder the positive terminal of the connector to the positive contact of the battery, as accurately as possible in the center (for aesthetic reasons). Be careful not to short-circuit it to the battery negative! Nearby is the edge of the body (minus).
Photo 18 Since the positive terminal of the connector does not have high mechanical strength, I do this. I wrap the already soldered terminal with cotton thread quite tightly, periodically lubricating the area with Moment glue until it is filled, until the winding is equal in diameter to the threaded part of the connector.
Photo 19 Our switching will be carried out via the negative circuit. Therefore, I chose the simplest and most reliable method.
We solder a springy brass strip to the battery body. Since it is made of iron, it must be soldered with phosphoric acid. Then we cut the strip and make a bend in such a way that when you press it, it ensures reliable contact with the outer cup of the inserted atomizer.
Photo 20 For appearance You can wrap it with adhesive decorative film or use heat-shrink tube with a diameter of 20 mm. up
Home engineering is the process of improving or changing the parameters of an electronic cigarette to suit your needs. No matter how hard manufacturers try to provide for all the wishes of vapers, experienced e-smokers have their own opinion about each model and are always ready to make them better.
Important! Any interference with the “insides” of an electronic cigarette will void your warranty. Also, when working with batteries, you need to exercise maximum caution, since experiments with them are extremely dangerous for property, health and even life. If you are not well versed in the subject, leave engineering to more experienced vapers. In the end, manufacturers already select the optimal parameters of cigarettes for the needs of “ordinary” e-smokers.
Construction and repair of evaporators
upVaporizers for electronic cigarettes are, in fact, a fairly simple device. Many professionals do not want to pay extra for a replacement heater, so creating their own evaporators and repairing those that have already exhausted their service life is a very common type of engineering.
It is easy to create your own evaporator, but for safety and better bonding of parts it is recommended to use a used heater as a base. By careful disassembly you need to get to a spiral consisting of a silica cord and nichrome wire. If these elements have already served their purpose, then they can simply be replaced, but in most cases you can simply remove the old wire and accurately recreate the spiral from a new skein. After this, it is enough to assemble the clearomizer and check the resistance to make sure that it is closest to what your e-cigarette is designed for.
Invention of mods
up
Mods - modified cigarettes are the future of vaping. All the innovations that e-smokers are already accustomed to initially appeared in mods. Russian craftsmen love to work with mods: they increase the power of the battery, screw on more capacious flasks, increase the voltage of the evaporator, which increases the amount of steam.
Today, there are electronic boards that allow even people without special technical knowledge to create their own mods. By simply resoldering the contacts and screwing in a larger battery, you can achieve the desired result with their help. Professionals, on the basis of such boards, assemble their own e-cigarettes with new functions. For example, it was in mods that a display showing “smoking statistics” first appeared.
Steam adjustment
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More vapor and flavor is one of the main goals of modders. There is a kind of "branch" electronic smoking called Cloudchasing is a modification of a cigarette under maximum amount pair. Craftsmen suggest using a mechanical or box mod to assemble such a cigarette. The first option is suitable only for professionals, since this mod lacks any “foolproofing”. It's essentially just a metal pipe without any electronics. The box mod is more “advanced” in this regard and has protection against incorrect actions. Because of this, it accelerates worse and costs more.
Let's look at an example of creating a Cloudchasing cigarette based on the Mirandus mechanical mod - it is cheap, reliable and beautiful. Since this mechanical mod comes complete with three “pipes” different sizes, different batteries will fit it. Professionals advise using an 18650 battery, as it achieves the most optimal steam performance and battery life.
Next, select a drip atomizer that matches the mod, has two coils and good airflow. This will help generate more steam. Atomizers from the companies Mephisto, Dark Horse, Stillare (pictured) are suitable for these indicators. We will choose the latter because of the simply huge blowing hole - more steam!
After this, a high-capacity battery of 1600 mAh is selected. Please note that mech mods typically use “high current” batteries of 30-35 amps. The use of “weaker” power sources can lead to unpredictable consequences. In our case, for example, Sony VTC4 and Efest 35A are suitable. But beware of fakes! These batteries are “champions” in terms of the number of counterfeits. It is also worth choosing a charger, for example, Nitecore I2, I4, Nitecore D2 and D4 Luc v4 are well suited to these “batteries”.
When assembling the drip atomizer, mechanical mod and battery, you should use an ohmmeter. In the box mod, by default there is a display that will notify you about the resistance. This is needed for the next step - assembling the evaporator, which is created from a silica cord and nichrome wire. When winding the wire, you should check with an ohmmeter with each turn to see if the resistance shown corresponds to what the selected battery “holds.” Otherwise, the homemade product can easily be burned.
To improve the taste and amount of steam, it is recommended to assemble the evaporator from cotton wool (instead of silica cord) and kanthal - cheap substitute nichrome. However, you can also use nichrome. You need to use thick wire, for example, with a diameter of 0.3 or 0.5. Smaller ones will not work, but thicker ones can be used, but winding will be difficult. On a small roll of cotton wool you need to wind the kanthal layer by layer, checking each roll with an ohmmeter. You should definitely choose non-sterile cotton wool - this way there will be no “medical” taste. And if you are willing to pay for the pleasure, you can use Japanese Koh Gen Do cotton - according to “pro” reviews, it perfectly conveys the taste and makes it richer.
Creating your own mixture
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This is partly a continuation of the previous point, since using a special mixture you can achieve more steam. It is easy to create your own mixture based on a liquid with a high content of glycerin and propylene glycol. It’s easy enough to buy these ingredients on any specialized resource. They are inexpensive and will even help you save money in the long run. Do not use glycerin from the pharmacy! IN best case scenario the mixture simply “will not work”; at worst, it can harm your health.
The mixture is mixed in a proportion of 80 ml. glycerin and 20 ml. propylene glycol is a pure base into which you can add flavor as desired. This ratio will give a lot of steam and taste, but, of course, you need to find “your” proportion yourself. The percentage of glycerin is responsible for the abundance of vapor, the fullness of the mixture’s taste and how strongly it “hits the head.” It is recommended to use this mixture on the above described homemade e-cigarette, since in “budget” options the liquid will not be able to reach its potential.
In such a mixture of nicotine you need very little, because due to the power of vaping its effect will be maximum. For 100 ml. 1 mg is enough. nicotine, but you can do without it altogether. Nicotine can be bought in the same place as glycerin. Nicotine produced by Shaanxi Tianzi enjoys success.
Nutritional supplements are the final element of the vaping mixture. You can either buy them in e-smoking stores or use “improvised” flavorings. Among the specialized ones we can highlight Exotic flavors: white tea, lime, orange and others. And from the “available” ones, you can use homemade spices: cardamom, star anise, cloves, but be sure to pour the mixture into the clearomizer through a sieve or gauze so that the spices do not get into the tank and damage the evaporator. The proportion of the additive will need to be selected by trial and error, since specific dosages depend on specific flavors.
Reading time: 4 minutes.
Every vaper sooner or later has to face such a task as repairing electronic cigarettes. Often you can repair a device yourself, but first you need to familiarize yourself with its structure.
Design
So what parts are included in a vape? An electronic cigarette has a vaporizer (atomizer) and a battery pack (mod). The atomizer supplies liquid to the heating element (in most cases a coil) through a special cotton wick. Vaporizers come in several types and vary in capacity, amount of vapor, flavor potential, and ease of maintenance. It should also be noted that a number of types are classified as maintenance-free. They do not require the user to independently replace the wick and rewind the coil and require the purchase of consumables.
The evaporator is connected by a thread to the battery pack, which is responsible for powering the atomizer electric shock. The battery can be either built into the mod or replaceable. The mods themselves can be divided into two main types: mechanical and VV/VW. In the first case, a voltage-controlling microcircuit is not used and the current is supplied directly to the heater; in the second, the user can control the voltage through the microcircuit. Functionally, battery packs differ in capacity, presence of charge indication, type of control and a number of additional functions. What to do if the electronic cigarette does not work? Let's consider possible ways troubleshooting.
Problems and solutions
The list of the most common problems with an electronic cigarette looks like this: the cigarette has stopped working (“does not smoke”), the quality of the vapor has become worse, the amount of vapor has decreased. Practice shows that in such cases the electronic cigarette evaporator needs to be repaired.
- It is necessary to unwind the vape, thus separating the atomizer from the mod.
- We disassemble the evaporator to remove the coil and cotton wool.
- If there is carbon deposits on the spiral, you need to get rid of it. It will be much easier to do this by pre-warming it on gas.
- We replace the cotton wool with a new one and carefully put the evaporator back together.
- We connect the mod and the atomizer and check the result.
If, when disassembling the evaporator, you find a broken element (for example, a spiral), then it will have to be replaced. If the electronic cigarette does not unwind at all, you will have to clean or lubricate the threads. But the vaporizer is not always the only reason why an e-cigarette does not work.
Why doesn't the device work even though all the above steps have been done? Perhaps the problem lies in the battery pack. If you do not monitor the condition of the battery, it may fail. When your e-cigarette flashes, it indicates that the battery is running low (unless the flashing occurs when the atomizer is connected: it could be broken, try replacing it).
Read also: Let's figure out how to make more vapor in an electronic cigarette
If you encounter power problems, you may have to replace your entire mod if the battery is not removable and/or the electronics are burned out, or you may have to change the battery or chip individually. You will need to spin up the device. You will not be able to repair the battery yourself, and it has no practical meaning.
If everything is fine with the atomizer, the battery is charging, and the operation indicators are functioning, the problem lies in the mod's chip. Unwind the vape, disassemble the battery pack and check if the microcircuit contacts have come loose.
It is worth adding that an electronic cigarette may stop “vaping” when there is no contact between the atomizer and the unit. Always make sure the threads are fully tightened.
Sometimes the vape can experience leaks, short circuits, and other minor failures that can cause the device to malfunction. Luckily there are a couple simple methods, which should be tried every time before you try to repair the electronic cigarette yourself.
