The Voltage Keeper

[EveryDayAmnesiac]

Been a while since I checked in, so I thought I'd... check in.

I've had my mini-VK since April, and it continues to work flawlessly. No quirks, no send-backs, no issues, just perfect performance. I don't really think about it anymore because I know it's just going to work whenever I need it to, and for however long I need it to.

When my name comes up again on the HI list, I'll need at least one more vvps, and I'm pretty sure at this point whom I'll be asking to make me one...

 

[VoltageKeeper]

Hey all, just thought I'd post an update since the website is currently down for maintenance right now. I'm having my server upgraded and doing some other various maintenance while I'm at it, so it might be another couple of days until it's all back up and working again.

However, I'm still here! I'm still getting through some of my backorders, but progress is being made. I'm nearly ready to begin production on the first batch of battery VK back-orders once those are done.

It's looking like the final design is going to be 3x 18650 cells. It'll likely required protected cells still, as has always been the recommendation with the VK, however, you won't normally need to remove or even touch the cells as it will still charge them via the input jack as the existing battery VK's have. In fact it's really no different from the other battery VKs, just different cells. You'd only have to take out the batteries if they were weak and aged, or if you wanted to pre-charge a bunch of batteries and swap them out, however, that sort of thing would require a screw driver and opening the VK, so it's not going to be a super casual activity and I'm probably going to advise against it for most casual users.

I'm expecting the battery life to be over 3 hours still, but i won't know for sure until all my parts are here. I'm hoping to use genuine panasonic cells, with protection circuits added on. Still not sure what vendor I will go with quite yet, but I likely won't be ordering any batteries until payments have been placed, as they will be one of the largest expenses.

 

[Snappo]

Hey all, just thought I'd post an update since the website is currently down for maintenance right now. I'm having my server upgraded and doing some other various maintenance while I'm at it, so it might be another couple of days until it's all back up and working again.

However, I'm still here! I'm still getting through some of my backorders, but progress is being made. I'm nearly ready to begin production on the first batch of battery VK back-orders once those are done.

It's looking like the final design is going to be 3x 18650 cells. It'll likely required protected cells still, as has always been the recommendation with the VK, however, you won't normally need to remove or even touch the cells as it will still charge them via the input jack as the existing battery VK's have. In fact it's really no different from the other battery VKs, just different cells. You'd only have to take out the batteries if they were weak and aged, or if you wanted to pre-charge a bunch of batteries and swap them out, however, that sort of thing would require a screw driver and opening the VK, so it's not going to be a super casual activity and I'm probably going to advise against it for most casual users.

I'm expecting the battery life to be over 3 hours still, but i won't know for sure until all my parts are here. I'm hoping to use genuine panasonic cells, with protection circuits added on. Still not sure what vendor I will go with quite yet, but I likely won't be ordering any batteries until payments have been placed, as they will be one of the largest expenses.

Looking forward to my next-gen batt VK order fulfillment!!! The best!!!

 

[mestizo]

Looking forward to my next-gen batt VK order fulfillment!!! The best!!!

Me too, glad to hear things are going well.

 

[Nugg]

Thanks for the update @VoltageKeeper. Just hit me up when you need payment.

 

[VoltageKeeper]

The website is back up! Hopefully will have some progress on battery units soon - I just got in the 3x18650 holders the other day and it looks like they're going to work fine.

 

[VoltageKeeper]

It's been a while since I've announced anything new, but here's something. The first high powered VK. This one is a 3A unit. I think I mentioned before I can possibly do a 5A unit as well. This is the same size case as the battery VK. However, this one's black body with a clear lid, and tinted/see-through lid, which is probably what took me so long to finish it! However, I think the result speaks for itself...

The tinting definitely makes it a bit more dull, as you can see here, although now the flash is drowning it out!






On an unrelated note, here's a bit of a teaser of another project I'm working on:

I'll give ya a hint, it's not a battery VK! But those are batteries you see inside....

Do NOT try this with your standard VK! Yes that's right, 3 Log vapes off of one VK! Over 2A Draw. You need the high power VK to power anything this intense!

 

[VoltageKeeper]

so, here's what the "black with clear lid" option looks like, this one with double green screens, with and without flash:

 

[u bwade wunner]

Oh man that 3A should be mine tomorrow

thanks for the excellent design & build of this project VK.its been easy throughout & a pleasure doing business.

I will report back here on receipt of my VK with a mini review in a month or so once its arrived down here.

 

[Nugg]

I really like the look of the tinted lid! The red and blue looks good shining through.

 

[VoltageKeeper]

VK DNA 40 box mod? Sure why not.

 

[VoltageKeeper]

The order for the cases for the first batch of battery VKs just went in. If you've been on the waiting list, I'm hoping to start taking payment in the next few weeks. I will order the batteries after I have a few payments in.

After everyone's been given a few weeks to pay up, they will then go up on the website for anyone to order. At that point - it's first come first serve based on whose paid up!

If there's any interest in a 510-connector VK Box mod like the one I posted above, let me know! I can do more of a pure mechanical style one too. In either case, price will likely be in $150-250 range depending on size/features/etc.

 

[DevRev]

Wow, exciting thread and product VK! Definitely going to be purchasing at least one of these for my log vapes soon.

I've got an HI that hasn't quite reached it's potential and I was guided your way. Looking forward to reading this whole thread and learning more

 

[DevRev]

Just got a VK works Love the idea of being able to tell my log is drawing power, it cools down so fast if it's disconnected and can take an hour to warm up completely.

Hoping this helps run it a bit warmer and steadier!

 

[VoltageKeeper]

So, I feel like I've been working on everything but VKs! And to those who've been waiting with orders in from last year, alas, your orders will be shipping now! Again, apologizes to those who've been waiting forever! I've been occupied by a few things and a few new projects to say the least....the biggest of which being this...The VK Nail!

While the pictures may speak for themselves, I’ve put in a lot of time and effort to make this stand out a bit from some of the competition. And of course, it’s got that VK styling, with controls in the front, jacks/switches on the back. Some other stand out features on this ‘works’ model VK Nail include a small size high quality PID with dual displays, dual switches, circuit breaker for safety, full size 5-pin XLR and IEC C14 power jack, in a narrow case (for an enail anyway, it’s about the same width as a battery VK, and slightly longer, making it rectangular and sort of reminiscent of a scaled up VK)

It will come with kevlar or flexible stainless tubing (not mesh) coils in 16mm, 20mm or flat style. A bundle with a 20mm quartz banger may be available as well, I’m really fond of this particular product and am hoping to bundle it at a competitive price. Final pricing will vary depending on options but likely in the $300-450 range depending on the options selected and whether you get a nail, coil, or just the controller.

The coil switch on the side and the circuit breaker are optional extras as as well, and the standard model will still be protected with an internal fuse. I will be building one of those models next in black, so stay tuned!

 

[Chicken Charlie]

New to the VK experience (thanks Higher than Pterodactyl). This is an exquisite instrument and has enhanced my vaporizing experience exponentially. Could members kindly share their optimal voltage settings based on history of use and experimentation. My log vaporizers include a UD in concert with a Mobius Clear, and two HIs (glass and ss).
Thank-you.

 

[CaptainDave]

It all depends on what kind of stem you are using ( stainless steel tip or glass). If you are using a water tool ( most people up the voltage when using a WT). And the log you happen to be using ( some run hotter than others). With my ash UD twig and using stainless steel tip stems I run about 11.8 volts. When I use my glass stem I run about 12.2 volts. If I have concentrates in my glass stem I might go all the way to 12.7. It all depends on how big of a hit do you want. I think you'll just have to do some trail and error research and see how you like it!

 

[EveryDayAmnesiac]

Using a HIbrid...

10.65 in the morning.

11.00 in the afternoon.

11.35 in the evening.

But I'll often just use 11.35 all day. I can hit it slow and lazy, and never see any too-dark bits in my ABV. It is as thoroughly vaped through as I'd ever want it at that point - after no more vapor from that voltage, or when it starts tasting like poodle ass.

No matter how slowly I pull at that voltage... nothing too dark. 11.35 is my sweet spot.

 

[VoltageKeeper]

11.75v is one I'd always go back to for most of my stainless core stuff. Most VK's are probably shipped set to around that temperature leftover from my testing, haha.

I also totally agree it depends on the bowl/stem, and even the herbs you are roasting. Some stuff is more dry or more wet, dry stuff will combust a lot easier too and needs much lower temperature in general. It's something you have to tweak as you go at times, although you will find your sweet spots I'm sure. I typically use glass GonG style roasting bowls.

Also, the glass HI stays >12v most of the time, and I'll even turn it up to 13v at times. Totally different beast, though, as it loses temperature much more quickly and can also be jammed right up against your herb without risk of combustion, so setting it at a higher temp and letting it cool as you draw works pretty well on those. I also have a log vape with a 10w heater in it and that doesn't need nearly as much voltage, something in the 10v range was often enough with that one.


What i'd really like to do some day is jam a thermocouple into a log vape and control it with my VKNail. You'd be able to set specific temperatures, instead of voltages, but right now the main issue is mounting a temperature probe inside a log vape and putting a connector on it for the extra signals needed for it all. It's also 120v, so i was really going to try it with my GTV at first for simplicity sake, but I can make a low voltage version for log vapes too, it would just be specific to that purpose which is a pretty costly proposal, needless to say, it might only happen as custom one offs if it ever happens at all, as the cost will probably be crazy, and it requires a modded log vape, but man it'd sure be cool!

 

[Chicken Charlie]

Thank-you @CaptainDave, @EveryDayAmnnesiac, and @VoltageKeeper for taking the time to help me navigate the learning curve of this fine product.

 

[CaptainDave]

Glad I could help! Looking forward to getting my own VK soon. I used to have a tattoo power supply that was very touchy. It died just after the holidays. I have my walwart plugged into a light dimmer I bought from the hardware store. Looking forward to having that 10 turn knob and a digital display!

 

[SSVUN~YAH]

I am in the market for a VVPS was wondering a few things first. Is the turn around still likely to be 2-3 months? Also looking to power multiple UD's, what cords/splitters/etc. do you reccomend to accomplish this? The works is calling my name besides these slight hesitations. TIA!

 

[VoltageKeeper]

Hi,

Current wait time for a new order placed today is probably going to be 1 - 2 months.

Main reason now is that I'm low on screens and pots at the moment. All the remaining parts I have on hand are reserved for the battery vks and my standard VK's that are in progress, so any new orders coming in right now will be waiting on my next batch of parts to come in. The parts order is already placed, but they take a good 20-30 days to come. I've got a lot on the way though, so hopefully this will have me covered for a while.

I don't typically recommend you drive multiple UD's from the same VK, unless you really have a reason for this? While I have demonstrated my high power unit can certainly do this, that unit was not actually made for that purpose, rather, it was made to power a customer's custom high-powered vaporizer, and this was the only way I could really simulate the equivalent load. You can probably drive 2 vapes off a standard VK though, with a 2.5-4A wall adapter.

Not sure if you could make it out in the photo, but I've got a few custom adapters I've made that bring the VK output to banana jacks. That kind of turns it literally into a portable lab supply. The nice thing about the banana plugs is you can just stack them together, so I make a bunch of cables that have a barrel jack on one end and banana jacks on the other, and I can chain as many as I want with ease. I can certainly make you a set of cables like that if you wanted. You'd need a minimum of 3 of such cables to power two vapes, one to go to the vk and another two to chain onto it and go to the vapes.

I think half the fun of having multiple vapes is having them all set at different temperatures, so you start off a bowl with the cooler one, finish it off with the hotter one, and so on. That said, I've almost considered making a "double vk" in one unit for having such a duo kind of setup. Although honestly, for sake of speed, I'd say just get two VKs, for that experience, custom jobs usually take me longer anyway.

 

[VoltageKeeper]

Battery chargers are on the way now too, and the batteries finally cleared customs, we're getting there! I'm hoping I get the first batch of batteries this week, and I have a second set coming as well with enough to hopefully have extra for one or two more battery units. Needless to say, these units should start getting some serious moment shortly.

All the long standing VK orders are out now, a few orders from Jan/Feb are in queue and another one or two more of those will go out very shortly, the waiting list for standard VK's isn't super big right now, but I am still waiting for more screens/pots/etc....they are shipped and on the way, so I'll divy up what remains based on the order people paid, and everyone after the cutoff wlil get in on the next shipment.

 

[Vapor Loop]

Good to hear man. I can't wait to try it out on my Poplar Dog, This one will be for my H.i when it's ready tho. I just could not resist the sale they had over there at U.d, plus i knew my V.k would be ready before the H.i and would wan't to play with it immediately.