Lizard Brain Vape

[lizard.brain]

Hey all!

Ive always loved vaped, but nothing on the market tickled my fancy, and besides, I wanted to make my own

Over the past month or so Ive been putting the base of my vape together. Still very much in test stage.

Test Bed Specs

Wanted a robust and powerful test bed that was over-designed for testing the mechanical section.

Power: 18650 2S config. Designed around the VTC4 for a peak output of over 200W peak at nominal voltage.

Control: Basic PID control using a K type thermocouple, not really impressed with heating coil temp sensing.

Switching: Single power MOSFET in PWM (Currently rated at 60A, just for robust test bed). Wanting to avoid using switch mode PSU completely. [The second MOSFET is reverse battery protection]

Storage: SPI bus has been broken out for possible SD card datalogging to tune the PID

I was hoping to use logic level on the MOSFET, but it was running really hot, so added the dodgy signal amp to the back


Mechanical

Kinda just winging it, the glass is made out of test tubes, and the metal is just aluminum, plan to machine it out of SS once ive got a design down.

The middle coupler holds the screen and will also have the thermocouple just under.

PIX!

https://imgur.com/a/fLQy4

 

[Abysmal Vapor]

Love the name ! The concept looks cool too,where does the heating coil sit ? Outside the glass or in the airpath ? The construction reminds me of those which i dont know how are called but are used in brewery and are available in SS316.

 

[RastaBuddhaTao]

Hey all!

Ive always loved vaped, but nothing on the market tickled my fancy, and besides, I wanted to make my own

Over the past month or so Ive been putting the base of my vape together. Still very much in test stage.

Test Bed Specs

Wanted a robust and powerful test bed that was over-designed for testing the mechanical section.

Power: 18650 2S config. Designed around the VTC4 for a peak output of over 200W peak at nominal voltage.

Control: Basic PID control using a K type thermocouple, not really impressed with heating coil temp sensing.

Switching: Single power MOSFET in PWM (Currently rated at 60A, just for robust test bed). Wanting to avoid using switch mode PSU completely. [The second MOSFET is reverse battery protection]

Storage: SPI bus has been broken out for possible SD card datalogging to tune the PID

I was hoping to use logic level on the MOSFET, but it was running really hot, so added the dodgy signal amp to the back


Mechanical

Kinda just winging it, the glass is made out of test tubes, and the metal is just aluminum, plan to machine it out of SS once ive got a design down.

The middle coupler holds the screen and will also have the thermocouple just under.

PIX!

https://imgur.com/a/fLQy4

Nice work on being safe and doing a laptop version to prove things out first.

In a past life I worked it the food and beverage industry but used mostly sanatary fittings. Very steam punk looking... love it!

 

[lizard.brain]

Love the name ! The concept looks cool too,where does the heating coil sit ? Outside the glass or in the airpath ? The construction reminds me of those which i dont know how are called but are used in brewery and are available in SS316. /QUOTE]

Thanks

The element will be on the inside, I want really fast heat up time, after a little testing yesterday, Im starting to think I may have to go down the boost converter PSU after all.

 

[Hippie Dickie]

I was hoping to use logic level on the MOSFET, but it was running really hot, so added the dodgy signal amp to the back

i had a super hot MOSFET until someone schooled me on how to read the data sheet: i re-spec'd the MOSFET and raised the gate voltage to 4.5v and now it stays at room temperature ... my heater ribbon is .3 ohm with a 2S power pack, so pulling about 20 amps ... it gets to 400F in about 15 seconds, but still takes 60 seconds more to heat soak and melt the trichome wax ... nichrome 80 ribbon heater is outside the vapor path. i use a k-type thermocouple, too.

 

[lizard.brain]

i had a super hot MOSFET until someone schooled me on how to read the data sheet: i re-spec'd the MOSFET and raised the gate voltage to 4.5v and now it stays at room temperature ... my heater ribbon is .3 ohm with a 2S power pack, so pulling about 20 amps ... it gets to 400F in about 15 seconds, but still takes 60 seconds more to heat soak and melt the trichome wax ... nichrome 80 ribbon heater is outside the vapor path. i use a k-type thermocouple, too.

Im way to impatient to wait 60 whole seconds!

 

[Flower of empathy]

Nice project !
Don't kow if i got the temp sens placing right - in the air stream under the screen?
Well, i come more from the theoretic side but my on TC loops is to make them as 'short' as possible, meaning further away placing of the sensor from the heat source is like adding a spring to the loop wich results in a bit more oscillation range of the temp, that can't be compensated by PID values...
I would only measure bowl temp for calibration, but It will work either way have fun

 

[lizard.brain]

Nice project !
Don't kow if i got the temp sens placing right - in the air stream under the screen?
Well, i come more from the theoretic side but my on TC loops is to make them as 'short' as possible, meaning further away placing of the sensor from the heat source is like adding a spring to the loop which results in a bit more oscillation range of the temp, that can't be compensated by PID values...
I would only measure bowl temp for calibration, but It will work either way have fun

Ive had a stab at TC and PID before, I work in control systems

Being dissappoited with a few heating element trials, I deiced to you know, actually check to make sure what Im trying to achieve (rapid > 2s heat up time) is even possible

https://www.onenote.com/webapp/page...wogSI_94SDTvz3iwb-FGjk0&id=636530405444558717
So it looks like heating the air seems reasonable, as we all know, that's good! So now focusing on the heating elements.

Using a Halogen bulb : assumed all the mass was glass, 2.8s heat up time, at 200W, there is no halogens that fit my form factor / voltage at that power, so that's disappointing.

Kanthal wire: about 2g of wire, what that works out in time of length, ill have to find my little scale to check, but seems rather high.

Need a bit more playing.

 

[Flower of empathy]

Hm, looks like an Aromed bulb could fit, but it's only rated 50W@12V, so 200w in that tiny form factor is probably not usable in common halogen lamp applications, guess there are thermal limitations... - pretty shure u have already grilled a few ? (most desktops use less peak power )
Those halogen vapes always remind me of my first TC praktika at university .
The calculations seem plausible, i love those classic engineering weapons: pen and paper (ok i'm still a mostly real paper dinosaur). Those 2,8s seem a bit 'sharp' calculated, with a few Kelvin overshooting needed i'd say at least 3,5s (as i am waiting 3 minutes for the plenty to load 20kJ heat for comparison )

 

[Squonk]

Ive had a stab at TC and PID before, I work in control systems

Being dissappoited with a few heating element trials, I deiced to you know, actually check to make sure what Im trying to achieve (rapid > 2s heat up time) is even possible

https://www.onenote.com/webapp/page...wogSI_94SDTvz3iwb-FGjk0&id=636530405444558717
So it looks like heating the air seems reasonable, as we all know, that's good! So now focusing on the heating elements.

Using a Halogen bulb : assumed all the mass was glass, 2.8s heat up time, at 200W, there is no halogens that fit my form factor / voltage at that power, so that's disappointing.

Kanthal wire: about 2g of wire, what that works out in time of length, ill have to find my little scale to check, but seems rather high.

Need a bit more playing.

Hi lizard.brain. You assume 250 ml of vapour. Where does this come from?

 

[GreenCheese]

Hey all!

Ive always loved vaped, but nothing on the market tickled my fancy, and besides, I wanted to make my own

Over the past month or so Ive been putting the base of my vape together. Still very much in test stage.

Test Bed Specs

Wanted a robust and powerful test bed that was over-designed for testing the mechanical section.

Power: 18650 2S config. Designed around the VTC4 for a peak output of over 200W peak at nominal voltage.

Control: Basic PID control using a K type thermocouple, not really impressed with heating coil temp sensing.

Switching: Single power MOSFET in PWM (Currently rated at 60A, just for robust test bed). Wanting to avoid using switch mode PSU completely. [The second MOSFET is reverse battery protection]

Storage: SPI bus has been broken out for possible SD card datalogging to tune the PID

I was hoping to use logic level on the MOSFET, but it was running really hot, so added the dodgy signal amp to the back


Mechanical

Kinda just winging it, the glass is made out of test tubes, and the metal is just aluminum, plan to machine it out of SS once ive got a design down.

The middle coupler holds the screen and will also have the thermocouple just under.

PIX!

https://imgur.com/a/fLQy4

Honestly, you got a good idea running. Considering the cool name and design I think you should just do you. Looks great!

 

[mixchu69]

Hey all!

Ive always loved vaped, but nothing on the market tickled my fancy, and besides, I wanted to make my own

Over the past month or so Ive been putting the base of my vape together. Still very much in test stage.

Test Bed Specs

Wanted a robust and powerful test bed that was over-designed for testing the mechanical section.

Power: 18650 2S config. Designed around the VTC4 for a peak output of over 200W peak at nominal voltage.

Control: Basic PID control using a K type thermocouple, not really impressed with heating coil temp sensing.

Switching: Single power MOSFET in PWM (Currently rated at 60A, just for robust test bed). Wanting to avoid using switch mode PSU completely. [The second MOSFET is reverse battery protection]

Storage: SPI bus has been broken out for possible SD card datalogging to tune the PID

I was hoping to use logic level on the MOSFET, but it was running really hot, so added the dodgy signal amp to the back


Mechanical

Kinda just winging it, the glass is made out of test tubes, and the metal is just aluminum, plan to machine it out of SS once ive got a design down.

The middle coupler holds the screen and will also have the thermocouple just under.

PIX!

https://imgur.com/a/fLQy4

Good shit. I like all the innovation on FC these days.

 

[lizard.brain]

Thanks for all the kind words guys, Ive had to go back and do a re-think, I dont think I will get the performace I want out of a 2S (7v nom.) configuration.

So it's looking like Ill have to run a high voltage to get the heat up time I want.

So now Im looking how to get 48v out of 18650s. It's not a trivial exercise, the stepup ratio for a boost converter is very steep, so looking at interleafed boost, or maybe flyback converter.

The plan for now is to design the heating element based around a 48v PSU (48v being Extra low voltage, IIRC below 100vdc is also the same category, but it's hard enough getting past 10v)

In the mean time Im also about 80% done with a lighting project, here's some eye candy for ya

 

[lizard.brain]

Hi lizard.brain. You assume 250 ml of vapour. Where does this come from?

I go through this is my working linked on the 1st of Feb

 

[FlyingLow]

Sounds cool, watching along with interest!

In the mean time Im also about 80% done with a lighting project, here's some eye candy for ya

Now this is cool. I can't really tell the scale from the video, what is the dimension and weight?
I want to fly one around like a chandelier! What are you putting that in?

 

[lizard.brain]

Sounds cool, watching along with interest!



Now this is cool. I can't really tell the scale from the video, what is the dimension and weight?
I want to fly one around like a chandelier! What are you putting that in?

100mm^3, the base will cover all the bottom electronics, but I designed it so the bare PCBs to be exposed.

 

[Mulchmaker]

Could you assemble your vape inside that lightshow contraption? Because if so, you should. That would be amaaaaazing.