Ascent Vaporizer by DaVinci

[AJS]

Sure, I've already posted the important information several times. It's not something you can rush out and build after learning to solder, however. It involves programming the processor (Arduino, picked because it's designed for students/beginners and is cheap) as well. IIRC, Pipes built one from a kit of parts I sent him? At least that's what I think happened. But Pipes is, as you no doubt know, an exceptional chap with wide skill set.

He didn't see the volume of customers needed when Air came out. I'm not sure Solo, Ascent, FlowerMate, Summit and other such vapes don't provide enough potential customers, but that's not my call. The parts, exclusive of PCB, are under ten dollars a unit. The prototype PCBs I made for the Pilot run are expensive. 3 boards, each making 3 units, were about $70. That cost should come down to about 1/4 or less once they are 'laid out' to final configuration and sent to a production PCB maker. The maker I used will make small volumes (25 IIRC) of the current version for about five dollars each IIRC.

As you can see, it's set up for an assortment of connectors and switches (open, unused holes upper right and lower left). Put the right connectors on it and it runs just fine on 9 VDC (use the factory Assent 'wall wart'). Or 12 VDC (for Solo, etc) or 5 VDC (for the 'USB capable' vapes) with no further changes (including the program for the processor). Another couple of advantages to the Gadget. It beeps to tell you the charge is done, and it cuts 20 minutes to half an hour off each recharge......all while protecting the battery.

There are lots of solutions, I first built a straight analog one (no processor). It too does the job with less electronics skill needed (but still a fair bit). Like the original version of the processor program, it involves setting the level for each vape/charger. You turn the knob to one end, start charging on a 'medium discharged' battery and turn the knob up until it trips out then back it down (half a 'notch' in the case of the one I made).

You can also put a current meter in the charge line and simply stop when the current starts to taper off from the peak. When you can charge from USB ports you can use a plug in USB meter liike this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/LCD-USB-Cha...309649?hash=item51da639291:g:-0wAAOSwxN5WWCTR

If someone wants to package and produce the current version (or similar for that matter), PM me? I'm happy to help in that, but it does take some skills on the other end?

OF

This sure interests me a great deal. I need to take a class on how to assemble things like this. I've always been very interested in how boards like this work (not sure the proper term besides looking like a board, lol).
Electricity, transferring of energy, batteries...all something in my interests but something that I have absolutely no knowledge about.
I can figure out Psychology just by thinking through it...electronics not so much. I'm not built like that.
I envy your education and knowledge of this subject.

Ascent has always looked good to me. It was a tough choice between the AAir, Ascent, and the Haze. I'm sure many of us have been stuck between the portables in that price range, all offer something so cool. Haven't followed the ascent thread much, so I'm not really sure what separates it from the Air besides the retractable stem and digital temp. I guess I know the outside differences, no clue about performance or taste or efficiency or simplicity comparisons. I'll read more I spose!

 

[OF]

This sure interests me a great deal. I need to take a class on how to assemble things like this. I've always been very interested in how boards like this work (not sure the proper term besides looking like a board, lol).
Electricity, transferring of energy, batteries...all something in my interests but something that I have absolutely no knowledge about.

In this case you're really in luck. I intentionally used this class of microprocessors because they are designed to be a teaching tool for students in other disciplines. So artists can put movement and flashing lights and stuff in their works. And students can learn.

Arduino, specifically the UNO is ideal here. You can get a 'piggy back' board to hold the few parts needed to make a full project (basically 10 or less as seen in the above photo aside from the reduced size processor. The transistor, resistors, start switch, beeper and so on go on the project boards and connect with 'pins' (numbered terminals) on the processor. You program it with an intentionally easy to learn language on your computer and download through the USB port. Complete tutorials and programs for free. PM me if it interests you.

I built my first ones that way, very easy to refine.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arduino

https://www.arduino.cc/en/Guide/Introduction

Lots of good example built into the program, you'll find some of my code comes from those examples.....no a LOT does.
https://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/HomePage
https://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/BuiltInExamples

Seriously, you can build a working one this way.....betcha.

OF

 

[AJS]

@OF
Very much appreciate this. Very much.
The reading sure is hefty...considering how I have no background knowledge in the slightest of electronics.
Will do my best to find the basics of all this and I'll shoot you a PM for possible projects and whatever you wish to offer.
It truly is difficult for me to wrap my head around and understand all this. A very foreign world for me. Thank you for the time, and sorry for the off topic.

I hate walking into head shops, with the majority of the time having the ascent being one of the first vapes on the shelf, only to have the owner give me no information on the vape. "yeah like it's got a digital display and gets to temp at a good speed and the stem comes out".
Thanks for that, really helping me out bro.

If only everyone vaped....

 

[OF]

@OF
Very much appreciate this. Very much.
The reading sure is hefty...considering how I have no background knowledge in the slightest of electronics.
Will do my best to find the basics of all this and I'll shoot you a PM for possible projects and whatever you wish to offer.
It truly is difficult for me to wrap my head around and understand all this. A very foreign world for me.

Again, it's designed specifically for folks that know nothing about electronics. Very English language like programming, no need to know Volts, Amps and so on. You pick a pin (say to turn charging on) by number, tell the program whether it's an input or output (output in our case), analog or digital (digital), give it a name (like 'charge') and what conditions must be met for it to be true (charging). In our case after the button is pushed until the current drops far enough. The current information comes from the resistors to a pin as an analog input this time. It comes out in 256 counts you use the analog input from the adjustment to tell it how many 'counts' are too low.

Just like the old joke about eating an elephant (one bite at a time) each step is spelled out in examples in the tutorial. It's intended to be as simple as possible, IMO it is.

Read a couple of the examples and see how easy it is to control stuff with these guys. Lots of excellent support on their use group, I'm happy to help you if you decide to go with it. You can probably get enough stuff to get a solid start for about $30 if you have a computer.

OF

 

[AJS]

Again, it's designed specifically for folks that know nothing about electronics. Very English language like programming, no need to know Volts, Amps and so on. You pick a pin (say to turn charging on) by number, tell the program whether it's an input or output (output in our case), analog or digital (digital), give it a name (like 'charge') and what conditions must be met for it to be true (charging). In our case after the button is pushed until the current drops far enough. The current information comes from the resistors to a pin as an analog input this time. It comes out in 256 counts you use the analog input from the adjustment to tell it how many 'counts' are too low.

Just like the old joke about eating an elephant (one bite at a time) each step is spelled out in examples in the tutorial. It's intended to be as simple as possible, IMO it is.

Read a couple of the examples and see how easy it is to control stuff with these guys. Lots of excellent support on their use group, I'm happy to help you if you decide to go with it. You can probably get enough stuff to get a solid start for about $30 if you have a computer.

OF

Very Very cool. Understood this much better as a general idea of what's going on.
Will get on it soon.

 

[OmniForge]

Hello again. I recently had to send back my Ascent to get it checked out, and I would like your thought's on what went wrong. The battery seemed fine it would hold a charge, but it eventually became harder and harder to charger. I would need to wiggle the charger around until the display indicated it was charging. Is this a problem with the battery or the charging port itself? I tried a different charger, and I had the same problem with both.

 

[OF]

I would need to wiggle the charger around until the display indicated it was charging. Is this a problem with the battery or the charging port itself? I tried a different charger, and I had the same problem with both.

It sure sounds like the connector or it's leads to me, a common failure. Those sorts of connectors are not very good at stresses to the sides, as can happen sometimes.

The other common failure point is the cable as it enters the male connector, often where the strain relief ends (go figure). These failures are generally wear over time, your test with a fresh cable/charger points away from this.

I'm sure it'll come back in good trim (or replaced) this is the sort of failure it's easy to diagnose as a root cause.

OF

 

[Davinci_vaporizer]

Hello again. I recently had to send back my Ascent to get it checked out, and I would like your thought's on what went wrong. The battery seemed fine it would hold a charge, but it eventually became harder and harder to charger. I would need to wiggle the charger around until the display indicated it was charging. Is this a problem with the battery or the charging port itself? I tried a different charger, and I had the same problem with both.

Unfortunately it sounds like you have a loose connection somewhere. We should be able to take care of that for you quickly and get you a repaired unit very soon! Feel free to PM me if you have any questions or concerns throughout the warranty process.

 

[OmniForge]

It sure sounds like the connector or it's leads to me, a common failure. Those sorts of connectors are not very good at stresses to the sides, as can happen sometimes.

The other common failure point is the cable as it enters the male connector, often where the strain relief ends (go figure). These failures are generally wear over time, your test with a fresh cable/charger points away from this.

I'm sure it'll come back in good trim (or replaced) this is the sort of failure it's easy to diagnose as a root cause.

OF

I thought it might be a problem with the connector and not the battery. It sounds like one should be careful to not put much sideways strain when connecting the Ascent to the charger. I actually made a charging dock for my Ascent to help with loading the bowl and to keep it in place while charging, perhaps I need to be more gentle when placing my vape in it's dock.

Thanks DaVinci for offering to answer any questions I might have about the warranty process

 

[Davinci_vaporizer]

We just had an awesome few weeks here in Vegas! The American Glass Expo and CHAMPS Trade Show were both in town. Did anyone here have a chance to go and check out all the new stuff?

 

[hitmeman]

We just had an awesome few weeks here in Vegas! The American Glass Expo and CHAMPS Trade Show were both in town. Did anyone here have a chance to go and check out all the new stuff?

No but what happened to the glass spacers. Not on website

 

[OF]

No but what happened to the glass spacers. Not on website

Probably out of stock again. IIRC last time it happened that was why? I waited to order my second set until 'they came back'.

The yield is/can be very low we've been told. Hard to hold tight specs on tiny molded glass pieces as they cool, and we had issues with them sticking in Ascents due to size problems. This is why they cost so much, they cost a lot to make.

OF

 

[CalyxSmokr]

Have an Ascent on the way but have a few questions. First one is out of the way as I too noticed no spacers on the website. Maybe it would be better to have "out of stock" than a 404 page not found but whatev.
I do already have glass jack screens so I guess that is what I will be using. My question is how much to fill and how long it will last. For example can you load it pretty full with a drop of wax in the middle and get two good sessions? Seems like it might be a good way to utilize the large oven but not sure if it all gets cooked in the first cycle and the second is no good. Also does the wax lead to the internals getting gummed up very quickly? Should I just stick to the dry herb?
I actually like a small bowl but since I can't get spacers and the oven is so large - I wonder if multiple sessions works. I am thinking like using it on a car ride - do a small session and then turn it off and then fire it back up a little later to finish it off. Is that how anyone is using it?

 

[KeroZen]

I use between 0.05g and 0.15g, just filling the bottom of the bowl and then I tamp the load with a flat tool to create a small puck. The puck stays in place if you don't draw too hard or don't shake the device too much. Other members prefer to add glass flowers to fill the bowl and increase vapor production for small loads.

Re-heating a load never feels satisfying to me so I prefer to do multiple but smaller loads. I never filled the Ascent bowl fully as it's just way too much for me alone.

 

[sickmanfraud]

Have an Ascent on the way but have a few questions. First one is out of the way as I too noticed no spacers on the website. Maybe it would be better to have "out of stock" than a 404 page not found but whatev.
I do already have glass jack screens so I guess that is what I will be using. My question is how much to fill and how long it will last. For example can you load it pretty full with a drop of wax in the middle and get two good sessions? Seems like it might be a good way to utilize the large oven but not sure if it all gets cooked in the first cycle and the second is no good. Also does the wax lead to the internals getting gummed up very quickly? Should I just stick to the dry herb?
I actually like a small bowl but since I can't get spacers and the oven is so large - I wonder if multiple sessions works. I am thinking like using it on a car ride - do a small session and then turn it off and then fire it back up a little later to finish it off. Is that how anyone is using it?

Please remember, if you use concentrates you should always use the oil jar.

I use my Ascent out of the house mostly, and I can tell you how I try to conserve.

First, I have my Ascent set to 185C, 195C and 205C each for 5 minutes. Frequently I will start at 180 C for a few hits and then turn it off. Later with more time / privacy I start the longer session.

I have had success with the ascent using the spacers and glass flowers or creating a puck on the bottom.

If there are no glass flowers in my Ascent then I am likely to set the Ascent to 180 use for 4-5 minutes and then later stir and go through my 15 minutes.

for folks who must have big clouds, the best way I have found to produce MASSIVE clouds is to vape outside when it is 40 F or below. Exhaling the warm vapor creates visible clouds to rival must plug in units.

 

[CalyxSmokr]

Please remember, if you use concentrates you should always use the oil jar.

I use my Ascent out of the house mostly, and I can tell you how I try to conserve.

First, I have my Ascent set to 185C, 195C and 205C each for 5 minutes. Frequently I will start at 180 C for a few hits and then turn it off. Later with more time / privacy I start the longer session.

I have had success with the ascent using the spacers and glass flowers or creating a puck on the bottom.

If there are no glass flowers in my Ascent then I am likely to set the Ascent to 180 use for 4-5 minutes and then later stir and go through my 15 minutes.

for folks who must have big clouds, the best way I have found to produce MASSIVE clouds is to vape outside when it is 40 F or below. Exhaling the warm vapor creates visible clouds to rival must plug in units.

I thought the consensus was that the oil cans were a bad idea. Maybe it is that concentrates are better in another unit.
I like your process and think I will be using it similar to that.
I am not a cloud chaser - more want to maximize efficiency and keep the taste decent.

 

[priestsmiler]

When using my Ascent my preferred method is to use around 0.2-0.3g average grind and use a folded metal screen to tamp down and use as a bowl size reducer. The herbs are compacted in nicely and this improves heat conductivity imo. I start my temps around 340°f (pure flavonoids and terpenes) and gradually build up to around 400°f making stops around these ranges 355-362 (flavour hits), 365-372 (high effects), 378-385 (sedative effects) and 390-402 (to extract most other beneficial ingredients). I only use my Ascent as a heavy hitting device. It seems to get less overall hits from loads (than the other vapes that I use) but I assume this is because it extracts everything quicker with the bowl shape and convection used in the heating method. I used to use smaller amounts of herb in the glass oil cannisters as a capsule system for different strains for a few hits, straight at top temps but didn't find this to be that effective compared to the metal pipe screen method.

 

[Davinci_vaporizer]

It seems to get less overall hits from loads (than the other vapes that I use) but I assume this is because it extracts everything quicker with the bowl shape and convection used in the heating method.

What convection heating method are you referring to? The Ascent is definitely a conduction device.

 

[priestsmiler]

My bad, I meant conduction not convection. I was rambling 'post ascent session'. My point was the bowl shape seems to heat more of the material to the designated temperature at a single time as more of the material is next to the ceramic heating chamber. (Obviously conduction and not convection). This seems to give a larger hit although the material doesn't last for quite as many hits say as with my arizer air or Pinnacle pro. This is a good thing when instantaneous stronger hitting effects are required. Also I do like the free flow of air through the device from the small air intake at the bottom. I believe good air flow should be a mandatory element for a vaporizer.

 

[Davinci_vaporizer]

My bad, I meant conduction not convection. I was rambling 'post ascent session'. My point was the bowl shape seems to heat more of the material to the designated temperature at a single time as more of the material is next to the ceramic heating chamber. (Obviously conduction and not convection). This seems to give a larger hit although the material doesn't last for quite as many hits say as with my arizer air or Pinnacle pro. This is a good thing when instantaneous stronger hitting effects are required. Also I do like the free flow of air through the device from the small air intake at the bottom. I believe good air flow should be a mandatory element for a vaporizer.

Yeah, the elliptical shape of the bowl really does wonders! There are loads of vapes out these days with ceramic bowls but the temperature control software is what really makes the difference in the experience. That also might be why you've noticed a difference in session lengths comparing the Ascent to other vapes.

 

[kim95843]

My experience, and experiments, has me using either the glass flowers or factory spacers to counter the 'drop in temperature' issue. Independent of this, fast draws are a loser since they pull in useless cold air that robs heat that would otherwise make vapor. More volume, but thinner, is all you can hope for. And there will be more thinning that increase in volume. That is less real THC in a faster hit all else being equal.

A key lesson is that it takes time to recover. Conduction has to move heat from the walls into the center of the load again to 'recharge' things. That takes time, lots of it. My experiments showed you want half a minute at a minimum, a full minute is not out of line.

So that's my drill. Dry herb, medium to fine ground. Either between spacers (flats to the herb) or with seven flowers, two on the bottom on their sides, layer of herb over that, 3 on their sides covered by the other half of the herb. The last two flowers go stem down through the load 'thumbtack style' which also anchors the load and helps keep the stem holes clean. Then slow, gentle hits at 390F with at least 45 seconds between.

OF

Where do you get the flowers?

 

[CalyxSmokr]

Where do you get the flowers?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1MMN93W2YA0S6M1X8Y88
although I am surprised I can't find them on dhgate. Seems like just the kind of thing would come from their suppliers
http://www.ebay.com/itm/200-Small-G...ed-Pyrex-Flower-Smoking-Screens-/181444119370
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Box-of-200-Glass-Daisy-Style-Pipe-Screens-/300709197377

 

[kim95843]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1MMN93W2YA0S6M1X8Y88
although I am surprised I can't find them on dhgate. Seems like just the kind of thing would come from their suppliers
http://www.ebay.com/itm/200-Small-G...ed-Pyrex-Flower-Smoking-Screens-/181444119370
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Box-of-200-Glass-Daisy-Style-Pipe-Screens-/300709197377

Thank you so much!!! I'm a newbie vaporizer user!

 

[sickmanfraud]

Where do you get the flowers?

The glass flowers are important for clouds. I like the spacers to conserve medicine.

I myself questioned the price, but @Davinci_vaporizer said how hard it was to make them.

Depending on the cost of your medicine, you could save enough $ to pay for the spacers in a few days or weeks.

 

[OF]

The glass flowers are important for clouds.

Yes, they act as reservoirs of heat to support the production of vapor. Like a battery, they need to be 'recharged' between hits. This means it's important to give it time between hits to recover the heat. I'd suggest starting out at half a minute and experimenting a bit?

OF