The Voltage Keeper

VoltageKeeper

Well-Known Member
Accessory Maker
vkgroup.jpg


Here is the group that is going out now! Two new items in the photo above. The most obvious new one is the double VK! As you can see it's got two of everything! Two knobs, two switches, two output jacks, and of course, just one input jack to drive it all. I'll probably have these on the site soon at a similar price to the battery VK.

The other new item is the 5A high power unit, on the bottom left. I've previously done a 3A high power unit, but this one is even greater than that. Like the 3a unit, it also gets built with heavier gauge cabling and in this case, the board was so big I had to go for top-mounted screens, similar to the battery VK.

Another never before seen unit, the red battery VK, in top mount. I really do like how that one looks. Mostly just a new variation, also the owner has requested an extra switch on it and I'm still figuring out that bit, so it might have some changes yet.
 

VoltageKeeper

Well-Known Member
Accessory Maker
I was tempted to do the screens a few different ways, but they ended up only fitting nicely the one way, and that's basically so the top row of screens is the first unit on the left side, and the bottom row of screens is the second unit on the right side.

I probably could do all sorts of crazy color variations with 4 screens! Though I imagine it could get pretty crazy looking!
 

Seren

Away with the fairies
I just wanted to drop by and sing the praises of my lovely VK. I'm so glad I decided on a VK rather than a cheaper Chinese substitute. Not only does it look amazing and perform consistently and exactly as it should, I have every confidence in its reliability. It's so well made - it just oozes quality.

It's been a while since I visited this thread, but I absolutely love the look of the red Battery VK and the double VK :luv: ....... Keep up the awesome work @VoltageKeeper! :rockon::bowdown: :clap:
 

VoltageKeeper

Well-Known Member
Accessory Maker
Thanks for all the praises! I'm still trying to get out a few international orders, but most of my local orders within the US are out now. The list isn't too bad right now, I've got most of the parts for the next set of battery units minus the batteries and chargers which should be here in the next few weeks.

I've also finally tracked down a car charger that will work with the battery VK. The problem is it's not the cheapest thing in the world, so I'm trying to see how many people are interested in it so I can get an idea of how many to order. We're looking at something like $30 + shipping. If anyone's interested please let me know!
 

NickDlow

Log Hog
My battery VK and 2in1 VK came in right before my Maine trip. It was perfect! I took my pup for a hike to check out some waterfalls. It was great having that little guy by my side.
tiAAlLb.jpg


My 2in1 held the fort down at the hotel room. Not really a glamor shot but here's a shit of the table in our room we had.
WsbyijS.jpg


Thanks @VoltageKeeper, you did a hell of a job once again!
 

RUDE BOY

Space is the Place
I've a question about what power supply the Multi turn VK uses, and if VK sells the 'em along with the VK.

Right now my vaping station doesn't lend itself well to using thicker AC style cords(like my cheap vvps uses or the thicker ac power cords on my EV2 or HA or VM heating station :() i take it from the little reading I've done of this thread that they use a wall wart power supply with a thinner DC style cord. Am I correct? And where do you all pick up your PS if it's not included with the VK? I really want one of these if it'll work for me.

Thanx much for any replies.
RB

:rockon:


(edit; Placed an order for one regardless But would still like to know the answers to my questions concerning the Power supply that's needed to run one of these, Thanx Again.)
 
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VoltageKeeper

Well-Known Member
Accessory Maker
You're correct that they are DC powered and use the thin DC style cords. It is a modular DC power supply, so you can provide it DC from any number of sources, wallwarts, batteries, etc...

Most people re-use the adapter that came with their vape, which works fine as long as it's DC and wired center-positive. Some vapes have been occasionally provided with AC wall-wart adapters, and those won't work with a normal VK (though I have built low-voltage AC-wall-wart compatible VK's for an extra fee...)

Typically any DC adapter between 9 - 16v is fine, as long as it's got enough amperage, and in that regard, anything between 1-2A is usually fine.

I usually only provide the wall-adapter for the battery units, as they require special chargers. Multi-turn and works units don't typically come with an adapter, but I can provide some links to compatible ones that are affordable. I occasionally have used/recycled ones available that I get from my electronics store.
 

VoltageKeeper

Well-Known Member
Accessory Maker
3 more VK's coming off the line now, I got a messed up shipment of voltmeters which put me behind a little further than I hoped to be, I'm still waiting to get that corrected, but I also might be moving in the next month or two, so that is definitely going to mean some delays while I get settled in. However, I'm moving into a much bigger place and will finally have a dedicated work area for my VKs!

I've got one more battery vk as well as 2 small n shorts left to do, including the first top-mount small n short.

In other news, I had a few minivk cases leftover, and well, the main reason I didn't want to keep making that model is due to the lack of multi-turn pot. Well, as of now I've solved that dilemma, meet the 3.5 turn minivk:

3halfturnmini.jpg


I'm still not sure I will reintroduce the minivk, as there's other challenges with it, mainly, the spacing of the jacks and switches on the back is a little too close for my comfort. This one may sit in my prototype collection for now, but it's still quite a feat that I was able to find a multi-turn (3 1/2 turns) potentiometer that fits in such a small spot. The other issue is that it's not exactly a cheap or easy to find part, I ended up buying it off ebay.

Still, as much of a tease as that was, the top-mount small n short that's coming shortly is really cool! It's basically done minus the screens, so as soon as they fix my order, expect an update on that unit!
 

VoltageKeeper

Well-Known Member
Accessory Maker
Looks like I will be moving into a new house soon! Not sure exactly when, but it might make shipping / receiving things a little bit funny for the rest of december. If you do need to send me anything or for me to ship you anything - please get in touch with me before using my old address so we can make arrangements!
 

VoltageKeeper

Well-Known Member
Accessory Maker
So the move was pretty much successful, although all my VK related parts and tools are still in boxes scattered around the house.

That said, there's only 3 people in queue right now, and I have most of the parts minus screens, so once I get the workshop back together again I should hopefully be able to get moving again, but I suspect it might be another few weeks until I'm able to get everything setup again.
 

Chicken Charlie

MicroDose Cognoscente
Superb customer service! Feared the worst when my VK deemed itself inoperative. I PM'd the Voltage Keeper (New Years Eve no less); and got a response the very next day. It turned out to be a faulty DC extension cord. The VK is at the very heart of my vaping repertoire...I was operative this morning.
Thank-you Jordan!
 

VoltageKeeper

Well-Known Member
Accessory Maker
Sooo...I ended up just ordering more screens from another supplier tonight.

I's been so long since they screwed up that previous order, and with me moving in-between that happening, it all just fell off the earth.

I'll still try to get that old order fixed eventually, but for now I've got new parts coming from a completely different supplier. That said, I'm hoping the two remaining orders in my list get shipped within the next 2-3 weeks. The units were pretty much done other than the screens, so they should ship within a day or two of the parts arriving.

Admittedly things have slowed down a bit, rightfully so as i'm almost too busy to even keep up with this anymore these days, but, rest assured, I am still making them! I'm really pushing to get these done now so i can say I've got nothing left on my plate!

I do have most of my soldering equipment unboxed and back together now as well, so I'm ready to start making things again! I've already been working on a few small home projects since the move. Bought myself a little butane soldering pencil to do some cordless soldering in some tight places as well, always something new in the toolbox. I'm not sure what the future of VK holds right now, I've been going off in numerous directions lately, not all vaping related. I guess we'll see! I feel like a cnc machine or a 3d printer could really change things completely for me....the prices are coming down on that stuff as well.
 

VoltageKeeper

Well-Known Member
Accessory Maker
Still waiting on the screens - they're about the only parts I get that are from overseas and they always take forever. I expect another week or two at the least. Fortunately nearly everything else I can get within a few days.

One sad piece of news I learned since my last post is that my local electronics parts store in Boulder apparently went out of business, evicted none the less. Sad news in a world where radioshack sells more cellphones than electronics parts and can't stay in business either, but what can you do. The internet has likely taken it's toll on some of those small businesses....Needless to say, nearly every VK made was probably made with something from that store, whether it be something simple like solder, or some of the circuit board mounts, the LED's and resistors in the battery VK's, to the tip on my soldering iron, you name it. Nothing that I couldn't get elsewhere, but, still...that amount of selection in a local store...it will be missed.

Been debating if i should introduce a newer cost cut model to replace the minivk and/or get myself back into a lower price point. Still not sure where i'm going to go. I like the VK for what it is currently - so it's really just a matter of simplifying my processes. Once I get back into the next batch of units I may start playing around with some new ideas as well.
 

VoltageKeeper

Well-Known Member
Accessory Maker
Oh wow, looks like you added another battery VK to that already impressive collection! I can take a good guess at who's that was (that curled white wire is hard to miss!)

I thought you replaced the vernier on the blue unit for a second, but looking at it again, did the shroud fall off? A dab of super glue is usually all you need to fix it, but I kinda almost like how it looks all black against the blue....makes me wish i could get the verniers in all black...

I'm still looking to find better quality verniers one of these days, but the latest batches i've been using for a while are the best I've found so far....i'm on the 3rd different kind now I think? needless to say i've tried a few, but none of them seem as cool as those vintage ones you can find on ebay...they just don't make things like they used to anymore.

That's still the only double VK to date. Glad to see it's still going strong. Still looking good too. That's probably the best looking tinted unit I ever made. They usually turn out kind of crappy which is why I've stopped doing it....

Another double VK has finally entered the waiting list, so there will be a 2nd one soon enough!
 
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VoltageKeeper

Well-Known Member
Accessory Maker
OK so i finally got some screens in which should be enough to complete my older long standing orders. I've taken forever on those and I can only apologize. I'm going to get through as much as I can over the next few weeks, as well as get the parts moving for all the recent orders that have come in...anyhow, just wanted to give an update that things are still moving over here in VK land.
 
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