Fluxer Heaters, induction heaters for Dynavap

david8613

Well-Known Member
I was thinking, if there is room, is there anyway to stick that small induction heater engine inside a portable Bluetooth speaker? that would be the perfect beach/camping/picnic etc. gadget. just have the induction heater work off the same battery of speaker, with a little hole on top of speaker, poke your dynacap in the hole to activate induction heating while listening to your favorite tunes. I was also thinking can they make the unit small enough with just a usb plug to plug into a portable battery or phone to get juice? that would be cool...
 

WelshBrok

Well-Known Member
My flux deluxe heater may have gone missing during the delivery process :doh:.

According to usps it landed on Sunday and was on its way to the destination.

According to Royal Mail it started leaving it’s originating country on Saturday and is presumably still in the air.

:shrug: I hope they haven’t lost it but it’s not looking good.
 

mr_cfromcali

Accessory Maker
Accessory Maker
My flux deluxe heater may have gone missing during the delivery process :doh:.

According to usps it landed on Sunday and was on its way to the destination.

According to Royal Mail it started leaving it’s originating country on Saturday and is presumably still in the air.

:shrug: I hope they haven’t lost it but it’s not looking good.

Hang in there, @WelshBrok . I have seen these go "missing" in various postal systems before, and they have always reappeared. Let's hope yours finds its way to you (or at least to the surface) soon.
 

pxl_jockey

Just a dude
@WelshBrok What @lookhigh said, my friend. Have had quite a bit of USPS post over the years and you’ve got to be a little zen about the tracking information. In fact, my newly rebuilt FD dropped off the USPS map for about a week and about the time I was really getting nervous, it popped up out of nowhere!

Just saw @mr_cfromcali has shared his experiences, it seems unanimous. Hang in there mate, I’m pretty certain that nobody is playing with your new toy. I call upon the powers of The Collective Good Vibe to carry each Fluxer to its rightful fucker* wherever they may be!



*of combustion
 

WelshBrok

Well-Known Member
Hang in there, @WelshBrok . I have seen these go "missing" in various postal systems before, and they have always reappeared. Let's hope yours finds its way to you (or at least to the surface) soon.

:lol: Thanks @pxl_jockey and @mr_cfromcali, hopefully it’s just got to customs and they’re just sat there trying to work out what it is so they can work out if I owe them money

This also means it was less time to make my heater (from finalising my choices to it starting it’s journey) than it was for it to travel it’s last <30miles :rofl:.
 

Chandler

Well-Known Member
if you haven't tried adjusting the temp trim pot yet, you should do so. It comes set to full power (full counter-clockwise), so you can try dialing it back a bit. Min power is full clockwise.
Indeed. I turned this bad boy down the other day. The turn on the dial is very slight. Extremely slight. I realized quickly I better stop cranking either way before I break it! Turned all the way down, I'd say now my 15mm coil acts more like my psm. I think I like the more relaxed session. Two big clicks, pleasant vapor. Find myself running my avb alot darker than normal, but I like it!
 

mr_cfromcali

Accessory Maker
Accessory Maker
How is production going @mr_cfromcali?

Are you meeting your two heaters per day target?

Hi! Thanks for asking - Production is going very well and I have been hitting my 2-per-day goal. :rockon:

I am on the door-step of Flux Deluxe #100 (I shipped #99 today), and am
putting together a post with some news about an upcoming improvement/simplification to the design that should improve flavor, extraction, reliability, and production speed!

All true. :brow:

Sorry to tease, but the post isn’t quite ready to go yet, and I have some plans tonight.

I will finish the post later tonight, as I want to get this info out to you before inviting the next group to confirm their orders. And more Order Confirmation invites coming very soon!

Cheers,
:leaf:
 

fishbrine

Member
Note to those that don't know (like me until recently):
Careful when turning your beautiful baby (that's your new Flux Deluxe, I'm talking about) upside down with cover off. Battery compartment seems to want to fall out.
 
fishbrine,

mr_cfromcali

Accessory Maker
Accessory Maker
Note to those that don't know (like me until recently):
Careful when turning your beautiful baby (that's your new Flux Deluxe, I'm talking about) upside down with cover off. Battery compartment seems to want to fall out.

:ugh:

Is everything OK? I assume it is or I believe I would have heard from you separately, but if it isn't please send an email or PM. Sorry for the scare. I hope it is otherwise working well for you...
 
mr_cfromcali,

fishbrine

Member
:ugh:

Is everything OK? I assume it is or I believe I would have heard from you separately, but if it isn't please send an email or PM. Sorry for the scare. I hope it is otherwise working well for you...
Everything is perfect. It was just a scare, yes. Apparently I still have the reflexes of a young cat. I assumed it was attached in there and it started to slide out but I caught on quickly to what was happening.
 

Terpenetime

Well-Known Member
Hi! Thanks for asking - Production is going very well and I have been hitting my 2-per-day goal. :rockon:

I am on the door-step of Flux Deluxe #100 (I shipped #99 today), and am
putting together a post with some news about an upcoming improvement/simplification to the design that should improve flavor, extraction, reliability, and production speed!

All true. :brow:

Sorry to tease, but the post isn’t quite ready to go yet, and I have some plans tonight.

I will finish the post later tonight, as I want to get this info out to you before inviting the next group to confirm their orders. And more Order Confirmation invites coming very soon!

Cheers,
:leaf:

Well done Mr_C, I’m delighted to hear that you’re meeting your targets. I got on the list at the end of March so I guess I’m still some way off hearing from you but it’s great to know that things are progressing nicely now. On the plus side at least I’m going to benefit from your latest updates, which I look forward to hearing about.
 

mr_cfromcali

Accessory Maker
Accessory Maker
Flux Deluxe S/N 100 - up next! :rockon:

Hi all,

I am right on the doorstep of making Flux Deluxe #100, so it seems like a good time for an update on the project.

It's been about a month since I began making new heaters again, and about six weeks since I changed to a more reliable heater MOSFET. In that time have been busy making and repairing heaters. These have been performing well with the new parts, so yay! It was a rough Spring, but Summer is here and my stuff is working; all is well in Fluxerland. :wave:

With that as a prelude, I have an exciting update to the project: As I promised in last night's post, I am introducing a change to the heater circuit that enables it to deliver better flavor, extraction, and reliability, while ALSO being simpler for me to build and troubleshoot. "Simpler to build" should translate into increased production, too.

This is the change: I am deleting the solid state MOSFET relay and its associated control circuitry - a past source of trouble - and replacing it with a sealed, analog, electro-mechanical relay.

Like this:

IMG-8361-private.png


The new relay is on the left, circled in green. The parts it replaces are on the right, circled in red.

So what's the difference?
The power relay provides the high current to the circuit and functions as its gate valve, in effect metering the power that passes through it.

The solid state relay flows power quickly.
The analog relay flows power a bit more slowly.

The effects of the new relay are both subtle and not-so-subtle.

Subtle effects: Although this setup is not adjustable (apart from coil size), when powered by the analog relay, the heater ramps up more slowly than it does with the solid state relay, and the heat it makes penetrates more deeply. It adds approximately 1-3 seconds of heating time to each coil size, and this is especially evident in "the time between the clicks," - aka, the place where flavor and extraction live - which is extended with the new relay.

The hits with the new relay are smooth, flavorful, and vapor-filled. The slower heating time gives you a little more control. It's still quick, but what took 2-4 seconds now takes 3-7 seconds. I am not promising a revolution here, but I do think it works at least as well as before, if not better.

Smaller coil sizes are still more aggressive than the larger coil sizes. With the deeper heat penetration afforded by the analog relay, that means that each coil size performs a bit "better," where better = hotter and with better penetration. Keep this in mind if you are considering the 14mm coil, especially if you are a flower-only Dynavaper. The 14mm is great, but it will heat aggressively on each heating cycle, and on heating cycles 2+ of a given load you may need to pull it before the 2nd click. You can refer back to my original sports car analogy, where some folks enjoy taming this sort of aggression, while others don't. The 15mm and 16mm sizes are also great, and may be a bit smoother for flower-only users. It's also easy to do a coil swap later, if you want one.

I am looking forward to the user reports on the new relay, as I think most people will be very happy with the way it performs. (I never predict 100% satisfaction w/anything :rolleyes:)

The battery performance with the new relay is good, but there are some differences between the analog and solid state relays, most notably the way they handle low battery situations: The analog relay has a higher voltage threshold and will stop working when the voltage falls below ~10.3V. The solid state relay will continue to function at these lower voltages (for a time), although operating at such low voltages is hard on your batteries and not recommended. In practical terms, the new relay works reliably and its battery life should be very acceptable to most users. (Again, I never predict 100% satisfaction w/anything...)

Not so subtle effects: It works at least as well with the new power relay as it did with the more complicated relay devices, IMHO!

No power relay MOSFETs to fail!

The new relay greatly (!) simplifies the circuit, making it easier for me to build and troubleshoot. I estimate this new relay saves me ~30 minutes of actual, hands-on labor per build, which is significant! These devices are very labor intensive to make (no :shit:, :sherlock:), so finding a way to save this much real labor while also improving the device across the board is a massive win. :nod:

A moment of honesty: These devices require A LOT of labor to build. I enjoy it, but when I add it all up, the current design barely pencils out. Changing the circuit in this manner does a lot to correct this imbalance.

So what does this mean for you folks still waiting, and how does this change affect prices, options, etc?

Production speed: I am very hopeful that the new design will translate into quicker builds and higher output. My current output is pretty limited, so any improvement in production speed is going to be welcome! And since I am not in a position to add employees, simplifying the design seems like the best way to do this.

Pricing: Because of this change, the prices will remains the same, with the exception of the Top Mount Temp Control option (now $60), which requires the solid state relay and additional parts and labor to install. I am still going to offer this as an option for the folks that want it, as it works well and it's still a cool circuit, but I need to charge more for it as it does cost more to make, install, and maintain.

Current Flux Deluxe Pricing, as of July 2019:

Flux Deluxe Analog Relay base price: $135 + shipping, batteries not included, as before.*
Included options:
- coil size (choose one from 14mm, 15mm, or 16mm)
- mains charger (choose one from US/North America, EU, UK, AUS/NZ, or 12V)

Options that cost more money:
Underglass LEDs: $10*
External Switch: $10*
Built-in Battery Meter: $15*
Top Mount Temp Control and Solid State Power Relay: $60
Cherry wood case: $30 bare; $35 rubbed oil finish*
Cherry wood case w/Fluxer Logo: $40 bare; $45 rubbed oil finish*
Cherry wood case with custom art: $65+, some intellectual property restrictions apply*

*Price unchanged

Thanks, all, for your continued support! I am very hopeful the new circuit will be well received.

I will be sending out a new round of Order Confirmation invites tonight and tomorrow, to kick off Flux Deluxes numbers 100+! I am looking forward to making heaters for as many of you as I can.

Cheers,
:leaf:
 
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Extrapunkt

Member
Just want to confirm because there is only a quick mentiom of this in your update @mr_cfromcali

The new circuit does NOT allow any temp adjustment, correct?

Only if the top mounted trim pot and the old circuitry is added we can get this feature? That would also mean the little trim pot under the batteries is gone in the newest update?

I think its good that you charge more now, the Fluxer was underpriced for the amount of effort that went into the device, especially considering the waitlist and that it is a handcrafted item.
 

lookhigh

FC member
So less to go wrong can only be a good thing right?
Interesting Question, can one still order a unit with the old solid state mosfets?
How much do these new ones affect battery life?
 
lookhigh,

mr_cfromcali

Accessory Maker
Accessory Maker
Just want to confirm because there is only a quick mentiom of this in your update @mr_cfromcali

The new circuit does NOT allow any temp adjustment, correct?

Only if the top mounted trim pot and the old circuitry is added we can get this feature? That would also mean the little trim pot under the batteries is gone in the newest update?

I think its good that you charge more now, the Fluxer was underpriced for the amount of effort that went into the device, especially considering the waitlist and that it is a handcrafted item.

So less to go wrong can only be a good thing right?
Interesting Question, can one still order a unit with the old solid state mosfets?
How much do these new ones affect battery life?

Both of these posts are correct. I was not trying to speed past these points in my earlier post, but I will expand on them a bit here.

The new design does not currently have a trim pot or other means of adjustment, apart from coil size. I looked into adding one, but this design would require a voltage regulator capable of dissipating ~80W of power, which is a lot. That's no small feat, and one I am not undertaking at this time.

Yes, one can still order the device exactly as it was last week, with the solid state power relay and the top mount temp control (or under battery trim pot, if someone prefers that). I need to charge more for them, however, because they take additional time to assemble, so those elements will now add $60 to the price. I am still happy to include them if you would like them, and also happy to combine them with any of the other options.

I will say, though, that I have been using both devices side-by-side in the shop for the last month, and I find myself reaching for the new design more frequently than the old one due to its better heat penetration. Although the new circuit is not adjustable, I think it is every bit as good, if not better, than the circuit it is replacing.

As for battery life, I think it will be similar, but the new relays may shut down a bit sooner due to their higher voltage requirements. I mentioned this in my previous post:

"The battery performance with the new relay is good, but there are some differences between the analog and solid state relays, most notably the way they handle low battery situations: The analog relay has a higher voltage threshold and will stop working when the voltage falls below ~10.3V. The solid state relay will continue to function at these lower voltages (for a time), although operating at such low voltages is hard on your batteries and not recommended. In practical terms, the new relay works reliably and its battery life should be very acceptable to most users. (Again, I never predict 100% satisfaction w/anything...)"

I have been revising my web site a bit to include the circuit changes, and that took longer than I thought. That's finally done - whew.

I will be sending out the next round of Order Confirmation emails later today. Thanks for your support, all! I am hopeful the new circuit will be a winner, and its reliability and performance will make a lot of people happy!

Cheers,
:leaf:
 
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mr_cfromcali

Accessory Maker
Accessory Maker
OK, just sent out the latest batch what I call "Order Confirmation invitations." This batch now includes everyone who signed up for the FD waiting list on or before February 3!

Woo hoo, I have finally reached out to all of the people who signed up in January! :rockon:
 
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