Fluxer Heaters, induction heaters for Dynavap

Got my units today and the cherry wood one is my fave.
Looks so good and the craftsmanship is excellent.

Stoked. Now wish my batteries were charged.

Yay!!! So excited, I got my invoice yesterday and was able to process payment today. Can't wait to get this puppy! I got a 14mm coil, top mounted temp control and a green case. I like to wood option but I think I'd like to have this anyway for lighter and smaller and whatnot. Will be watching the mail!

Jethro said:

Yay!!! So excited, I got my invoice yesterday and was able to process payment today. Can't wait to get this puppy! I got a 14mm coil, top mounted temp control and a green case. I like to wood option but I think I'd like to have this anyway for lighter and smaller and whatnot. Will be watching the mail!

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Hi Jethro , lucky you I'm still waiting think I'm a few weeks away ordered on Jan 8th , do you mind me asking when you ordered just so I can guesstimate where I am . Thanks

I have found that if I grind finer and do NOT pack the Ti tip but rather tap on the tip and let it compact on its own that I can fit just about as much as when I grind course and pack. This works much better in my 14mm coil. I use my DV almost exclusively now and getting to know it becomes a relationship, lol.

Darr1 said:

Hi Jethro , lucky you I'm still waiting think I'm a few weeks away ordered on Jan 8th , do you mind me asking when you ordered just so I can guesstimate where I am . Thanks

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I got added to the list on January 4 and got my email yesterday.

Ubiquito said:

I got added to the list on January 4 and got my email yesterday.

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Hi @Ubiquito , thanks for letting me know must be close

Power Relay / MOSFET failure issue - UPDATE

Hi all,

The recent spike in power relay MOSFET failures has been driving me crazy. And some of you, too, unfortunately. This issue presents itself in one of two ways:

A. The heater doesn't work. The red LED may light up, but the circuit doesn't generate any heat.

OR

B. The heater begins to generate heat as soon as the power is turned on. The tactile switch has no effect.

Both are examples of the field effect transistors (FETs) failing internally. Unfortunately, I have not (yet?) been able to recreate either type of failure at will on my workbench.

The power relay issues began appearing in greater numbers after I introduced the 14mm coils. I can recall a few random instances of this sort of failure as far back as November, but the higher failure rate does seem to be tied to demanding more from the heater. The 14mm coils generate a lot of heat very quickly, and I think that pushes the MOSFETs in the power relay into an area where their performance is not 100% reliable.

With the 14mm coil, the heater can pull as much as 120W.

The Arduino-derived solid state relay uses two (2) AOD4184A MOSFETs:

http://aosmd.com/res/data_sheets/AOD4184A.pdf

They are rated to 50A with a power dissipation of 50W each (at 25°C), but their power dissipation falls precipitously as their heat index rises. At 100°C, each transistor can only dissipate 25W.

I think the 14mm coil pushes the heater right up to that zone, and some of the relay MOSFETs fail as a result.

I went looking for more robust MOSFETs to use for this role, and I think I found them in the
STD95N4LF3:

https://www.mouser.com/datasheet/2/389/std95n4lf3-955667.pdf

These transistors are rated to 80A, and can dissipate up to 110W each (at 25°C), so they have significantly greater power handling than the AOD4184A.

My initial tests with them have been very good, so I am going to begin using these MOSFETs on builds and repairs going forward. I'll keep you posted on this issue as these see some use.

Thanks, all. This has been a nasty bump in the road for some new Flux Deluxe owners, and I am trying hard to determine the root cause and resolve it for good. We'll see if these new MOSFETs do the trick.

Take your time and hopefully it will end up bomb proof.

Agreeing with @lookhigh on this.

Picking up on the thread the last couple of days, since my T-Break comes to an end after 8 weeks (next week) and I was curious what's going on.

I am really impressed what happened in those 8 weeks and what @mr_cfromcali accomplished in this short period of time. Great work, Jeff.

Already considering a second FluxDeluxe with another coil diameter. You make it tough to resist.

I also wanted to thank you again for the free care package with the new pyrex button. Outstanding customer service of yours and also very generous, considering you are not a big company.

I will chime in with the others to praise the FluxDeluxe after being able to join the party again next week.

Keep it up and best wishes from the old continent.

Are the MOSFETS only failing with the 14mm coils?

Moses Baca said:

Are the MOSFETS only failing with the 14mm coils?

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A high percentage of the 14mm builds have experienced power relay MOSFET issues. (And I am glad yours is still working OK, @Moses Baca !) However, the 14mm coils have also become the coil of choice since they were introduced - 8 of my last 12 builds have been with 14mm coils. This muddles the stats a bit, almost all of my recent builds have been 14mm coil heaters, but I'm willing to go out on a limb and say that there is a connection between the rapid and add'l power they need and their increased failure rate.

These new MOSFETs are very strong on paper, and they appear to be working great on the units to which I've added them so far. I wish I had a reliable means of causing the failures that FD users have reported, so I could properly test these, but so far I have not been able to make the stock relay fail on command. I think these new MOSFETs should have a lower failure rate, so I am going to move forward with that in mind, but I'll be checking my progress as I go and looking for any change in the failure rate - either up or down.

I am sure there will be more to come on this.

Thanks, mr_c, #027 is working great. No issues, we love it.

But I love wood and I've got to admit, a 15mm coil in a cherry box is calling to me. Umm...how long is that waiting list? Dang!

Hi!

Wouldn't it be easier and more reliable to use a simple electromechanical relay (without MOSFET)?

Oliv’ said:

Hi!

Wouldn't it be easier and more reliable to use a simple electromechanical relay (without MOSFET)?

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It's a fair question, @Oliv’ , and one I've asked myself more than a few times. There are trade offs with the solid state relay, and as we're seeing it has some vulnerabilities, but it also does some things very well.

The thin, compact footprint of this SS relay is also baked into the current design of the FD, and I'm reluctant to redesign the FD around a larger, harder to fit mechanical relay if I can make the solid state relay work reliably.

We'll know soon enough if the new FETs are more reliable than the previous ones. I think they will be, but I'm looking at other options if they aren't.

Cheers,

mr_cfromcali said:

Power Relay / MOSFET failure issue - UPDATE

Hi all,

The recent spike in power relay MOSFET failures has been driving me crazy. And some of you, too, unfortunately. This issue presents itself in one of two ways:

A. The heater doesn't work. The red LED may light up, but the circuit doesn't generate any heat.

OR

B. The heater begins to generate heat as soon as the power is turned on. The tactile switch has no effect.

Both are examples of the field effect transistors (FETs) failing internally. Unfortunately, I have not (yet?) been able to recreate either type of failure at will on my workbench.

The power relay issues began appearing in greater numbers after I introduced the 14mm coils. I can recall a few random instances of this sort of failure as far back as November, but the higher failure rate does seem to be tied to demanding more from the heater. The 14mm coils generate a lot of heat very quickly, and I think that pushes the MOSFETs in the power relay into an area where their performance is not 100% reliable.

With the 14mm coil, the heater can pull as much as 120W.

The Arduino-derived solid state relay uses two (2) AOD4184A MOSFETs:

http://aosmd.com/res/data_sheets/AOD4184A.pdf

They are rated to 50A with a power dissipation of 50W each (at 25°C), but their power dissipation falls precipitously as their heat index rises. At 100°C, each transistor can only dissipate 25W.

I think the 14mm coil pushes the heater right up to that zone, and some of the relay MOSFETs fail as a result.

I went looking for more robust MOSFETs to use for this role, and I think I found them in the
STD95N4LF3:

https://www.mouser.com/datasheet/2/389/std95n4lf3-955667.pdf

These transistors are rated to 80A, and can dissipate up to 110W each (at 25°C), so they have significantly greater power handling than the AOD4184A.

My initial tests with them have been very good, so I am going to begin using these MOSFETs on builds and repairs going forward. I'll keep you posted on this issue as these see some use.

Thanks, all. This has been a nasty bump in the road for some new Flux Deluxe owners, and I am trying hard to determine the root cause and resolve it for good. We'll see if these new MOSFETs do the trick.

Click to expand...

Mine may have a different failure mode going on. @mr_cfromcali we spoke about this a bit before but it had not done it again until yesrerday. I leave it on and come back to find it off but with the switch in the on position. Otherwise it’s working fine. Hasn’t done it again.

@mr_cfromcali

If they offer a walnut box I would like to purchase just the box ready to put the parts into. I have moved my LED inside the box as it was too bright for my liking on the outside. Now it just lights up enough inside to make the silver rings glow. An added benefit is that now it’s super easy to swap out boxes. Will it be an option to buy just a box with all of the holes?

Thanks man! Awesome work!

@slozukimc

The question kinda came up on the thread a page before this one. I hope this helps:

mr_cfromcali said:

I am happy to offer case swaps once these get here. There is some amount of custom fitment needed for each heater - the heater hole, for example, is individually located on each heater. And the DC power jack is custom aligned on each heater, so that its access hole is centered or very close. And I need to add a shim to the rear of the battery sled to make it fit well, but otherwise the internals are the same. I was surprised by how well the internals fit into these cases. Believe me, I was not going to do this is if required a lot of additional work on my end, as there's enough of that as it is.

I'm hopeful these will be as easy to add to the lineup as they appear to be. I'll know more once I have the first 10 of these on hand. I don't know when that will be yet, but I've paid for them so they should be here within a few weeks.

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Else @mr_cfromcali will most probably have the right answer very soon.

slozukimc said:

@mr_cfromcali

If they offer a walnut box I would like to purchase just the box ready to put the parts into. I have moved my LED inside the box as it was too bright for my liking on the outside. Now it just lights up enough inside to make the silver rings glow. An added benefit is that now it’s super easy to swap out boxes. Will it be an option to buy just a box with all of the holes?

Thanks man! Awesome work!

Click to expand...

Thanks!

The Flux Deluxe has seven drilled holes. Of these, two are individually fitted to each heater: the heater hole is custom placed on each heater lid, and the DC power jack is repositioned to align with its corresponding hole.

The heater hole is the more critical of these two, and because it's individually placed on each heater lid, I don't have a one-size-fits-all solution. These are hand made devices, and this is one area where the minor differences inherent in hand made construction are resolved. I have a small tool I use to help me find the spot to locate the center of each heater hole in the lid, and that's where I drill it. The lids will be shipped to me undrilled so I can continue to fit heaters this way, and my preference would be to have you send the heater to me for proper fitting.

I may be open to other ideas once I get the cases in house and can judge their consistency, but for now I believe I will be able to give new cases their best fitment if I have the heater in front of me.

I have been told the first run of 10 will ship by Friday, so I should have these in two weeks or so. I'll know more then, including pricing, which has not yet been finalized.

More to come on this subject. I do believe more wood options will be available from this vendor in the future, once we get through the first batch and firm up the details.

(Thanks to @AtomicPB for the assist w/this!)

BTW, this is how I've spent some of my weekend:



That's 23 PCBs, with their components installed, ready for coils and either temp controls or trim pots.



Cheers,

odc57 said:

Review FD #45
I have #45 FD, it has the 14mm with top mount control. I have only been using it for 4 Days and very Happy with Impressed with the FD. I am using
SONY VTC6 18650 3000mAh High Drain Flat Top Recharge Batteries.
I have noticed with Fresh batteries it "Clicks" in 4-5 seconds with the Temp Control on "Min". If you have the Temp Control on "Max" you will Char Product but no Combustion. As the Batteries wear down I adjust the Temp Control. I get 3 hits from one Cap. I am on Day 4 with the same Batteries. I'm glad I have the Temp Control on Top. Would hate to remove the Batteries every time I want to adjust the Temp Control. The thing with the 14mm it's hot and fast, I like the speed but you have to pay attention for the Click. 14mm works nice for me.
Bottom Line: Love it and consider myself Lucky to own one...
My Thoughts; It's such a Game Changer !!! Once you use the FD you will never want to go back to the Torch...
My Hat's Off to Mr C. Thanks Again Proud Owner of the Fluxer Deluxe #45

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Thank you, @odc57 , for taking the time to write that up! I am glad you are happy with it - you waited very patiently for it, so I'm glad it's finally in hand and working well for you

Darr1 said:

Hi Jethro , lucky you I'm still waiting think I'm a few weeks away ordered on Jan 8th , do you mind me asking when you ordered just so I can guesstimate where I am . Thanks

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Hey there, sorry I've been gone for the weekend. I got on the list sometime between Christmas and New Years I believe. And I just came home to see my Fluxer #60 in the mail!

FD #35 reporting in from canada. I have recieved my FD in a natural unfinished case, 14mm coil, no top mount control on Feb.17.

Been using my FD close to a month daily with no problems. in the first week i set off the fuse occasionally due to the excitement of my first IH. But now i have been accustomed to how fast and effective the heating is on my SS tip (i prefer the SS tip oven my ti tip).

Also in the first 2 days i played with the temp control, had it all the way up and i combusted very quickly with the ti tip. Really got caught off guard Lol. You ti tip user be mindful because it heats fasssst. FD 14 mm does not play around. So on the third day i quickly reverted back to the middle/default heating setting and left it as is. The performance is very good. The first hit only has little to no vapour. The 2nd and 3rd hit replicates single flame heating close to the bottom of the cap but more consistently. (Maybe if i had a top mount control id change the temp more often?)

Usage after the 1st week: 4 caps Mon-thurs, 6 caps Fri,sat. Usually none on sundays.

Battery life: while using LG hg2 batteries starting at full charge on mondays with 4 caps a day it will last me till thursday. Using the battery indicator thursday night it would be down to 1 light. I charge the set of batteries in my xtar vc4 external charger overnight. So if your a really heavy user you should get 2 sets of batteries. But for me 1 set works.

Overall: Ive used my dynavap way more often then before because the addition of the FD. It is simple, fast, and effective. You can also feel the click in your hands as the dynavap seems to jump.

Side note: with the natural unfinished casing you can see scratches and the rawness of the case bodes well with the dynavap lineup. It just seems right to use the vapcap with the FD

Thanks mr.c for your efforts. I am enjoying the FD more and more.

Thank you SO MUCH for writing that up, @HersheyStainz ! I'm so happy your heater is working well! That's certainly the user experience I hope everyone has with one of these. It's been rocky for a few users, unfortunately - MOSFETs! - but I am hopeful I have a handle on that issue now.

And your post reminded me that I still owe you stickers! D'Oh! Those will go in the mail today!

Thanks again for sharing your FD experience!

Are there any special requirements for the 18650's that I should look for in buying these things? Protected or unprotected? Flat top or button top?

Jethro said:

Are there any special requirements for the 18650's that I should look for in buying these things? Protected or unprotected? Flat top or button top?

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Yes:

• Flat top
• Unprotected

If you are going with a 14mm or 15mm coil, you may want to go with a battery with a somewhat slower discharge profile. Other users have said these coil sizes run hot, so choosing a designated "high discharge rate" battery may be overkill.

FWIW, I have been using these batteries lately, and have found them to be both long lasting and also friendly with 14mm coils:

https://www.illumn.com/18650-samsung-inr18650-35e-3500mah-high-discharge-flat-top.html

Your mileage may vary, as they say.