Multi-brand Vivant Alternate

Has anyone tried this vape with the Sanyo/Panasonic NCR18650GA 3500mAh cells? They might offer a little more use time compared to LG HG2's, depending on the current draw. I don't suppose anyone has measured the current draw from the battery during operation?

j9ett said:

Has anyone tried this vape with the Sanyo/Panasonic NCR18650GA 3500mAh cells? They might offer a little more use time compared to LG HG2's, depending on the current draw. I don't suppose anyone has measured the current draw from the battery during operation?

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i wouldnt use that battery as its only 10a max discharge.. i want to say a 20a was recommended back in the beginning of this thread but not sure.

i wouldnt use anything rated less than 20a for this vape personally..

xlr8shun said:

i wouldnt use that battery as its only 10a max discharge.. i want to say a 20a was recommended back in the beginning of this thread but not sure.

i wouldnt use anything rated less than 20a for this vape personally..

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Yepper....I think that's correct....20a minimum is what I recall as well.

@Vivant ?

I hope its ok to post a link


http://vaping360.com/top-5-18650-batteries-for-vaping/

But someone on this thread did claim to be using Panasonic NCR18650B's successfully; and they are only 7A max. rated.

gienkollo said:

I'm cycling through LG HG2's and sometime Panasonic NCR18650B's both are working but didn't measure those for endurance, Alternate can drain cell on pretty low voltage on 0% indication it is something about 3,11 V when cut-off sometime even less

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j9ett said:

But someone on this thread did claim to be using Panasonic NCR18650B's successfully; and they are only 7A max. rated.

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IIRC the NCR18650B is longer than a regular 18650. I am pretty sure @OF mentioned this although I don't remember exactly which thread.

What's a fair price for a replacement battery? Any recommended links if that's allowed?

DownWithTheDam said:

What's a fair price for a replacement battery? Any recommended links if that's allowed?

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https://www.imrbatteries.com/lg-hg2-18650-3000mah-20a-flat-top-battery/

xlr8shun said:

i wouldnt use that battery as its only 10a max discharge.. i want to say a 20a was recommended back in the beginning of this thread but not sure.

i wouldnt use anything rated less than 20a for this vape personally..

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Fat Freddy said:

Yepper....I think that's correct....20a minimum is what I recall as well.

@Vivant ?

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Hey @xlr8shun and @Fat Freddy,

I asked our engineers about this, and they said that while technically 10amp max batteries can be used in the Alternate safely, we do not recommend outside of the battery included in the kit, which is 30amp max. Using a 10amp max battery would likely extend the heat-up time, though it may also extend the battery life due to the smaller capacity.

The firmware of the Alternate is set up to detect the battery and will calculate the output wattage automatically. Basically, a 10amp battery is the very minimum for the Alternate.

-Gwen

Vivant said:

Hey @xlr8shun and @Fat Freddy,

I asked our engineers about this, and they said that while technically 10amp max batteries can be used in the Alternate safely, we do not recommend outside of the battery included in the kit, which is 30amp max. Using a 10amp max battery would likely extend the heat-up time, though it may also extend the battery life due to the smaller capacity.

The firmware of the Alternate is set up to detect the battery and will calculate the output wattage automatically. Basically, a 10amp battery is the very minimum for the Alternate.

-Gwen

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What is the resistance(ohms) of the heating element used? And what is the maximum power rating(watts) of it?

My vapes default room temp(like what it says its temp is at before turning on the heater)seems to be around 240 f. Just started acting like this. Doesn't really affect anything but Kinda odd.

squigger said:

My vapes default room temp(like what it says its temp is at before turning on the heater)seems to be around 240 f. Just started acting like this. Doesn't really affect anything but Kinda odd.

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Did you try removing the battery? Did you try with a different battery?

For a Totally different topic (same msg mods):

I think I figured out the situation where the battery drains by itself. @Vivant this is for you:

Put the battery in the Alternate use a session so the battery is not 100%.

Then, with the battery still in the Alternate charge the almost full Alternate. At any point remove from the charger and set in a drawer for a day or 2. Go to use: Battery empty.

@Vivant from the time I removed my old top until the time my new ones arrived was about a month. During that month I lost the green pick. Will this affect performance?

sickmanfraud said:

Did you try removing the battery? Did you try with a different battery?

For a Totally different topic (same msg mods):

I think I figured out the situation where the battery drains by itself. @Vivant this is for you:

Put the battery in the Alternate use a session so the battery is not 100%.

Then, with the battery still in the Alternate charge the almost full Alternate. At any point remove from the charger and set in a drawer for a day or 2. Go to use: Battery empty.

@Vivant from the time I removed my old top until the time my new ones arrived was about a month. During that month I lost the green pick. Will this affect performance?

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The green pick is just a add on to help stir the bowl ...tamp down ..etc.....I dont even have mine inserted....I find it a pain because it keeps sliding out.....in no way missing it affects performance

j9ett said:

What is the resistance(ohms) of the heating element used? And what is the maximum power rating(watts) of it?

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Hey @j9ett, the Alternate is a temperature-driven device, so there isn't an exact resistance value; the heat sensor tests the temperature of the device something like every 1/100th of a second, re-evaluates, and auto-adjusts the current power output accordingly (never exceeding 3.7V).

We only recommend Sony VTC4 18650s because Sony is the company we trust most to produce these high-power batteries. Please keep in mind that 18650s that are produced and sold unusually cheaply or by unscrupulous companies are much more likely to be unsafe for use, and we wouldn't like to see any of you guys in potential harm's way. Your safety is always first and foremost in our minds.

-Gwen

Vivant said:

Hey @j9ett, the Alternate is a temperature-driven device, so there isn't an exact resistance value; the heat sensor tests the temperature of the device something like every 1/100th of a second, re-evaluates, and auto-adjusts the current power output accordingly (never exceeding 3.7V).

We only recommend Sony VTC4 18650s because Sony is the company we trust most to produce these high-power batteries. Please keep in mind that 18650s that are produced and sold unusually cheaply or by unscrupulous companies are much more likely to be unsafe for use, and we wouldn't like to see any of you guys in potential harm's way. Your safety is always first and foremost in our minds.

-Gwen

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Ok, let's put it this way: how much current(amps) does alternate pull from a fresh/fully charged Sony VTC4 during heat-up? The actual current draw from the battery is what I'm interested in knowing, so I can go by the correct discharge curve when selecting new batteries.

sickmanfraud said:

@Vivant from the time I removed my old top until the time my new ones arrived was about a month. During that month I lost the green pick. Will this affect performance?

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I was so proud of not losing mine, but i literally lost it WHILE SHOOTING the freaking review video.

The Alternate looks like a great value vaporizer, I'm trully impressed about how efficiently it handles our favourite flower!

Never tried the Crafty/Mighty but understand better all the hype around if they are comparable to the Alternate hybrid heater.

Received it with a original mp (I must to ask but I think it's the updated mp) and a Crafty modded mp. Used the Crafty mp once since the Alternate mp seems sturdier. I check the mp after every session and still not noticed any crack or deformation. Plastic stays rigid even at +210°C.

Taste is above the average, no toxic taste/smell but there was an initial light factory taste which took me 2-3 sessions to dissipate (the unit is second hand but the previous user used it 5 or 6 times, he discarded it cause he didn't liked the taste....). To elaborate the taste is very intense but can get pretty quickly roasted cause the powerfull hybrid heater but since it handles even a pinch very well that's not a big issue for me. It is not designed for long sipping sessions imo.

Like the Swift, the Alternate feel very light and slightly "cheap" in hands, quickly forgotten after some nice pulls!

Maybe not a game changer but, all in all, it plays very well the game!

Hi
This is sunny, from India
THIS POST COULD BE LONG , CAUSE I AM HGIH

Am Thinking to buy this alternate from DHGate, In Hope that it would work 1/4 of what all the hype shown in youtube reviews

My Vaporizer History - Used few combustion-conduction based pens, were disappointed with the learning fact that there is more smoke than, if any vapor. But Surprisingly because of this electronic Pipe pen (cant call it vape pen again n again), I was able to use it as discreet and it was somewhat odorless (a lot of smoke get out when you are using Joints or any other medium) but this pens doest leak smoke it only let smoke that was getting into air was off my mouth ,, that smell goes away in 5-10 mints. Doest dissipate like vapor but smell does go away far quicker than when u lit a joint or take a bowl hit,.
Then came my Gpen Elite bought from aliexpress, yeah!!!! May be Knock off but when it came out of box , it blew me off. i think everyone with authentic g pen elite will agree that its good for tasting flavor in low temp but it has high draw resistance so on high settting it becomes difficult to use, Specially after all the resin or what not collecting inside. Worse part is my elite has started to break .. long story short lets wrap it to that gpen elite is over and am looking to get vivant-alternate to get nice vapor production comparing to old one i have (+ the air controller/pathway in this uinit ).

When i said i am from India, U need to know we dont have great choices in loose leaf (Yes u know wht am talking abt its still illegal here thanks to US and noble lord sob Harry Anslinger)

People who gone hate on me for buying possibly knock off
So Obviously we dont have vape stores (U know in india if i havet already mentioned twice-trice)here. Some Smoking stores do carry but no way of knowing authenticity (may be buy it then can check serial but not before buying ) ++China stores are providing free shipping,if not then in the least shipping is not more than 2 $.

So any authentic store's (Online) vape product and all shipping charge etc and etc will burn much bigger hole in Pocket. Now Imagine a Good branded Smartphone cost like 150-200 $ for example a Motorola g5, it might cost around 200 $. same with vaporizer Almost any good vaporizer's Cost + shipping charge and more cost means attraction to Custom Duty (i have no experience with how custom works cause it never needed to).
Probably buy an authentic one only if all other ways are closed or if they make budget friendly like vivant-alternate and if am living somewhere where delivery is free or u know if am super rich bitch


NOW Coming to why i registered and wanted to Connecect with you Guys

1. IN DhGate there are two seller name name HeavenGifts one username is heavengifts and one is heaven_gifts . anybody has any idea , are they same ?
2. There is two unit in there one is name "Hot Vivant Alternate Loose Leaf Vaporizer powered by a chargeable Li-ion 18650 battery Full convection hot air System 100% Original" and one is "Vivant Alternate Loose Leaf Vaporizer powered by a chargeable Li-ion 18650 battery e-cigs High efficiency heat exchanger 100% Original"....
   One is priced around US $ 37.07 - 41.41 and one is US $ 50.24 - 59.15
   This has done by seller/store "heavengifts", "heaven_gifts" and "vapeonly"
   Any Body know whats up with this ?
   i mean is there any diff ?????
3. Whats with this Mouth Piece issue ??
   Can Some Body tell me how can i distinguish an old mouthpiece/CU with new one ?? (can u describe so that i can make request to seller in advance )
   Does removing that green Thingy (i hope u are understanding)which protects us if blew back or something, which a lot of people preferred removed ..talking abt that green flap silicon thing ,, Does removing it from unit means there is less chance of melt/crack in Product.

_________________

Post is continutity of Fuckcombustion.com Threads Vivant Alternate Page-61 postCount -1132389
Now here coming some additional things i like to ask ..its off related to vivant-alternate

• I Dont have access to iso alcohol , i think vivant-alternate need 50 % only. But in India its not easy to find that. I am not sure that it is even legal to have pure alcohol... So my homemade wax plan is out of window
  My problem is what to use if Iso alcohol is not available ,surely i cant use other cleaning agent like petrol or kerosene (cause i usually use my vape to practice make out,that much of draw resistance with my current unit)
  
• One of my vape is broken , so the Piece that hold my vape's mouthpiece it has stated to Broke,,which is causing air to come while vaping . So guys there any glue or something which can fix ,
  may be like a Glue which will not melt (vape's temp goes till 220C, no IR heat gun to be sure abt)
  or some kind of clay or something which become solid once i give it shape and will hold on to that shape on above mentioned temp
  Currently i just hold a cloth or papper around my mouthpiece and air stop disrupting vapor like it was

My alternates heater is .51 ohms. There is a button combo that brought it up. But I assume its supposed to be a .50. so 7.5 amp max draw plus board losses. Just keep in mind it's a continuous draw vs a 10sec on draw. But with that said I don't think you can outperform a Samsung 30q lg hg2 or Sony vtc6.most 10 amp batterys are older chemistry or there voltage collapse at half charge.

Guys is there any visible difference between mouthpiece/CU
old vs new ?

Edit : okey thers's plastic ring in old one and in new we have stainless steel ring

No-one posting pictures of their unit?

Need more pretty picture .. Too much text for me

Taz4101 said:

My alternates heater is .51 ohms. ]There is a button combo that brought it up. But I assume its supposed to be a .50. so 7.5 amp max draw plus board losses.

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Thank you for clearing that up! So the current/power range for this device is gonna be between 6-8A and 20-30W. Therefor I'll be basing my battery comparisons on the 7A CC Discharge Characteristics.

Taz4101 said:

Just keep in mind it's a continuous draw vs a 10sec on draw. But with that said I don't think you can outperform a Samsung 30q lg hg2 or Sony vtc6.most 10 amp batterys are older chemistry or there voltage collapse at half charge.

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Well let's look at some curves!

http://lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/Common18650comparator.php

LG HG2($5.75**) 3000mAh vs Sanyo NCR18650GA($5.39) 3500mAh:



HG2: ~1-6% more power output ~50% of the way
Sanyo: (up to*) ~15% more capacity (depending on the low voltage cutoff voltage of alternate?)


Samsung 30Q($5.32) 3000mAh vs Sanyo NCR18650GA($5.39 3500mAh:



30Q: ~4-5% more power output ~90% of the way
Sanyo: (up to*) ~12.5% more capacity


Sony US18650VTC6($7.12) 3000mAh vs Sanyo NCR18650GA($5.39) 3500mAh:



VTC6:~ 4-6% more power output 90% of the way
Sanyo: (up to*) 8.5% more capacity


* What is the actual battery low voltage cut-off voltage for Alternate?
** fasttech.com prices

Overall, it looks like VTC6 is the best choice for alternate because of its clearly superior power output almost all the way and the 30Q is the cheaper option, not far behind VTC6 in performance. The Sanyo NCR18650GA is pretty much an extended runtime version of the LG HG2 for ~same price. Personally I'm going with the Sanyo batteries because I intend to keep my spare batteries in a 18650 power bank, and that sort of thing benefits from the higher capacity.

PS. For the cheapskates who just want best energy/$ without compromising quality, Panasonic NCR18650PF is a cheap $4 2900mAh 10A battery with decent performance: http://www.multicorepc.co.uk/mc_images/panasonic/ncr18650pf/ncr18650pf-10a.jpg

[/URL][/IMG] haha... I give up in posting a pic

Vivant said:

Hey @j9ett, the Alternate is a temperature-driven device, so there isn't an exact resistance value; the heat sensor tests the temperature of the device something like every 1/100th of a second, re-evaluates, and auto-adjusts the current power output accordingly (never exceeding 3.7V).

We only recommend Sony VTC4 18650s because Sony is the company we trust most to produce these high-power batteries. Please keep in mind that 18650s that are produced and sold unusually cheaply or by unscrupulous companies are much more likely to be unsafe for use, and we wouldn't like to see any of you guys in potential harm's way. Your safety is always first and foremost in our minds.

-Gwen

Click to expand...

These batteries last around 24 minutes at most...I've got 4 of them now that I don't use.

BTW: Just cracked my 4th revised topcap. Waited 5 weeks to get it from PIU. Lasted three 4 minute sessions. It has three cracks around the outer rim. This photograph, return, wait, retry, fail again cycle is getting ridiculous. I've got three cracked topcaps sitting awaiting pictures and returns.