Well, you guys convinced me..... I just purchased the EGO-CC starter kit. Next payday I'll be getting a larger battery (or two) since this is coming from my "motorcycle parts fund". Anything else I should be looking at financially, aside from trying liquids?

You probably won't need them for a while, but future expenditure would be the atomizer heads.  These kits usually come with 2 Ego-CC Type  A atomizer heads.  Generally, they cost about $5 a piece, but the one the kits comes with should last you awhile.  I probably wouldn't purchase more until the first one goes out.

Edit: A tip for longevity of your atomizer heads/coils is to try to stick with clear or mostly clear juices - atomizers last considerably longer with most of these juices vs. darker blends

- Bboy

Something to keep in mind: the mix you should get depends on what you want. PG for throat hit and flavor, VG for vapor production. "V is for vapor". I'm personally going with 80/20 VG/PG, as would like more vapor with a little less TH. Making your own wicks, if possible, can also reduce expenditures, as you can expand the life of an atty. There's plenty of info out there about cleaning and rewicking attys.

Speaking of which, I'll let you guys know how this steel mesh works out. I'm hoping if I roll it right, I can get some good capillary action going. The mesh should be in at least by Monday.

Good info Bock, thanks. I think even if I break even after it's all said and done (cost of vaping compared to the cost of smoking analogs), I'll still be ahead of the game because of getting away from all the tar and garbage. I just don't want to be surprised and SOL and have to switch back to analogs.

I ordered the Ego CC kit today with a 10ml of Joyetech liquid to get me started. I'll start dabbling in other liquids and hardware as time goes on though.

Thanks guys! You're a huge help.

Fascinating. A high-tech nicotine addiction.
You outlaw GS500 bikers are into "vaping" ?
Jeez, what's next, a "show us your tattoo" thread? 

Was a nicotine addict from about 1972 to about 1998.
Smoked Newports.
Loved the damn things. And yeah, even after all these years I still miss em'

Cool technical thread on vape hardware. Glad I found it.

Yup. Outlaws on our antiquated commuters lol.

So, I had a chance to play around with the mesh. I keep getting a burnt flavor with waaaay too much throat hit. Kind of makes me think it's not wicking fast enough? I tried it on a new atty as well with the same result. I guess I'll just have to play around with it. Maybe it'll work better with less VG...

Any ideas, BBoy?

Yeah sounds like it isn't wicking fast enough. Less vg/more pg would help with wicking faster. What size mesh are you using?  I found the larger mesh sizes were better for thicker juices/ higher vg, and the smaller mesh were better with thinner juice/ higher pg.

Also, I had trouble with hotspots when using SS mesh if I didn't oxidize the mess out of it - hot spots will instantly give a harsh flavor. The coil would sort of short with the mesh in a spot and give a really low resistance that would heat up in that spot, so the mesh had to have a nice layer of oxidation from a hand torch to prevent it. You can use a regular lighter but it just takes longer. I had mini torches around from my cigar days, and it was much easier to do with those.

- Bboy

I have 316L #400. I thought I oxidized the daylights out of it. I heated it to bright red and quenched 3 times, then did 3 burns with juice.

Hmm, sounds like you did right.  I also used 400 mesh, but I was using 65/35 vg/pg at the time.  Do you know what resistance you built?

- Bboy

That's the funny part lol. I'm playing around with the Joyetech Type A heads. The silica works alright, but it's still a little slow for 80/20. I thought about building a setup, but I have money in other places right now. I'm just trying to find a way to take longer drags with this mix. Maybe I'll try 70/30 next.

Edit: Woohoo!! Apparently I needed more capillary action. I just rolled another slightly longer and almost solid wick. It works like a charm! It actually keeps up with the 80/20 better than the stock silica did, with no burnt taste at all.

Oye so far over my head lol, was an analog for nearly a quarter century. From 16 til not too long ago. Til it kinda destroyed my lung capacity. Never understood thw mods in vaping, or what makes what etc. But hey if it works, then why not Eh?

Well, I am a vaper.  Been doing it since June 2012.  I started with the Ego twists, and worked my way up to a ProVari and use a Kayfun Rebuild able atomizer.  I build the coils with 30 gauge kanthal wire and organic cotton. 
I've even rigged a rubber hose on the tip so I can vape at stoplights with my full face helmet on.

Roaring via Tapatalk.

Heck ya!  Very popular combo, and hard to go wrong with that setup!  I LOL'd at the hose, haha.  I keep my PV in my tank bag, and will pull it out if I'm stopped at a train or just decide to pull over to stretch/rest or similar.  I think I'd have to use a tank system to pull that hose off though, lol.  Might be hard to fill the atomizer with juice just at a quick stop with gloves on, and still get a vape in.

- Bboy

I was actually looking at a Kayfun. I recently moved up in the world to a Prometheus with a Nemesis mod. Currently on a 1.3 Ohm dual microcoil build made with 28 gauge and steel mesh. No Provari for me... I'm too poor lol.

I'll definitely have to think about that hose idea lol. There have been many times on the bike that I just wanted a hit or two.

Its a 4" long section of hose that we use to take pressure readings/duct traverses, etc.  A nice improvisation, if I do say so myself.  It fits nicely into my interior jacket pocket, so if I have 30 seconds at a light, I drop to neutral and take a couple of puffs.

Roaring via Tapatalk.

Can anyone explain the moddings of various types and why its done?

I think what is confusing about the term 'mod' when it comes to ecigs is because its used to mean two different things. 

1st:  Usually when a vaper says 'check out this mod'... they are talking about the battery holder of at least a 2nd generation and above vaping devices also know as an APV (Advance Personal Vaporizer).  2nd gen vaping device is one that has either a larger rechargeable battery or removable rechargeable.  1st gen vaping devices have the battery built in and most are disposable - most people think of these 1st gen devices when they think of ecigs.  3rd generation adds on another element with rebuildable parts and/or juice delivery system to the atomizer.

The reason battery holder are called 'mods' is because back during 1st gen, folks would literally 'mod' the ecigs into a more powerful and satisfying product - which gave birth to early 2nd gen devices.  Since then a more powerful battery or removable rechargeable battery has been called a 'mod' - because in essence, the entire device had been modded.  Technically, its inaccurate to call them 'mods' now because they are manufactured to be this way now, but the term has stuck.  Manufacturers of 2nd gen and above devices mostly call them APV as mentioned above.


2nd:  Modding - People mod all kinds of things on 2nd gen devices, which has gave birth to the 3rd gen devices we are into now.  I suspect it will continue to happen given the trend  lol.  People mod them to make them better, more efficient, more reliable, more satisfying.  The entire concept of vaping is still just a baby - there are serious flaws with nearly every device on the market.  Some do work well, yes... but its a question on reliability and how long they work well.  Leaking, dry hits, battery life, safety, are all big topics that modding addresses.  I think modding is overall a very good thing for the industry because it forces manufactures to improve their products.  The market changes so fast like this... what's consider the top devices today, will not be even a month from now.  This doesn't mean an aging device doesn't work well for any particular person - they figure how to make them work them, and it keeps them off analogs - which is the whole point of vaping - so there is nothing wrong with not being into the next biggest thing, or modding your own. But every 2nd gen vaping device and above that exists is because people modded it first.

The topic of 'rebuilding' sound like modding, but really, many of the devices that you 'rebuild' are designed for this - so let me explain how we got there.  3rd gen devices use rebuildable atomizers.  Rebuilding refers to making coils and wicking inside the atomizers.  With these you can completely customize the vapour your device produces.  Some are better at this than others - and this is changing most rapidly right now.  Rebuilding didn't just start to customize your vapour though - its started because disposable atomizers go out and you have to buy new ones - that gets expensive fast - some last a week two, and others last a day or two - quality has always been a problem in this area.  So folks originally were rebuilding atomizers that died to save money - then they found out you could get better results many different ways by rebuilding, which gave birth to 3rd gen rebuildable atomizers, which are designed to build your own coils and wicks.

The device I use (REO Grand) has technically been around since late 2010 - which should make it an absolute dinosaur in this industry - but it has been improved and 'modded' by the maker himself, over and over to keep up with the times.  What's amazing is that is the same overall design and principal, which says something serious about it in this rapidly changing industry.


Hope this clears some of it for you! lol

- Bboy

ETA:  For those who may read and already have some of this knowledge... I only used 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gen in order not to confuse it too much... the generations have technically been broken down further to separate classes/levels of vaping devices that have evolved over time - basically what exists 3rd gen and up are reiterations built upon the last that deal with variable power output.  We are currently on the 5th generation of vaping devices.

Soon as i get a look at the one ive got will let you know what it is. Its bone stock. Oi use mod meaning modify or built to improve over stock. I know noth poo ng about this field .......... Yet. If memory serves me albeit not to well due to he a lth, the removable batery says something like ego cc or something of the like

Thread resurrection!!

Just an update on my stuff. I moved from the CC to a mini Protank 3, which is my carry everywhere device so I can beat it up without too much regret. However, I also got a Prometheus RBA clone with a Nemesis clone ($40 for both, cause I'm cheap). It's FANTASTIC. I'm currently running .8-.9 ohm dual micro coils with cotton. I tried the mesh, but it just didn't work out as well. It was a PITA to build it right, though. It took me about 7 rebuilds to finally get it right.

BBoy, you are a waking encyclopedia for vaping. That was a lot of good info. That REO is a box mod, correct? How do you like it? I was looking at getting the new Vamo v8 as a VW for subbing. I was looking at the box mods, too, but I don't know how I feel about that form factor.

Oh, he moved to a ProT3... I would say your next move is a nautilus mini, but you've got a mech and rda... so If you figure out how to really dial it in, you'll be stuck in the RBA world.  Since you were so dedicated when working on the SS mesh, I imagine you'll get the hang of the RBAs well. Some folks drip at home and use tanks while out - due to the hassle of dripping.. so keep in mind that nautilus mini though  

I know exactly what you mean about form of box mods... I was really against the whole idea of a box mod... Honestly, I don't even know why.  Once I had the REO in my hand, the shape and everything just makes sense.  They actually stay put when you set them down, don't fall over by themselves or roll of the table, fits in your pockets (and doesn't look like a 'flashlight'), fits your palm, compact.  Its weird how my REO has 6mls of juice on board and its still seems smaller than my Nemesis!  REOs remove the hassle of dripping, its a simple bullet proof design, and is backed by outstanding customer service.  I sound like I sell em or somethin', but I just really like em and highly recommend them.



- Bboy