VapCap Induction Heater for Desktop and in Car Use

[rz]

If I didn't already have a PortSide on order ..
Could it be added as an aftermarket upgrade?

Not really an aftermarket upgrade. TBH, this thing is still far from leaving my work-bench. I have no intentions of actually making them, rather that I'd be more than glad to contribute to development of a portside 2.0. Induction heating the VC is awesome and @Pipes is leading the way, so enjoy your 1.0 while it's hot out the door! Hope I didn't cause any confusion..

 

[GreenHopper]

Not really an aftermarket upgrade. TBH, this thing is still far from leaving my work-bench. I have no intentions of actually making them, rather that I'd be more than glad to contribute to development of a portside 2.0. Induction heating the VC is awesome and @Pipes is leading the way, so enjoy your 1.0 while it's hot out the door! Hope I didn't cause any confusion..

No confusion at all bud, I suspected as much.

I like the idea and I wanted to show some enthusiasm for the concept.

If further down the line there's a 2.0 or even better a 2.0 kit (skeletor) that I can cram into my 1.0 with the aid of a dremel, goggles, hammer, bigger hammer, soldering iron, etc... , then I'd definitely be interested.

 

[Diggy Smalls]

Oh my gosh somehow I've been sleeping on this thread. I really don't have expendable money right now cause I'm saving to go to Cali, but I really want to get one of the Skeletors (I think that's right) to put in my own small enclosure.

I really love the different options, so awesome. Jarhead still looks really cool. Anyway, I'm over here just dreaming of this. Thanks for all the photos mates, they really inspire me.

 

[Kalessin]

@Pipes haven't read all of the thread, only after about page 8, so I hope I didn't miss the answer to this but I was wondering about how replaceable the batteries are on the Portside? I'm assuming it probably won't be an issue for some time, but I am curious if it would be possible for someone with no real electrical skills to do

 

[Pipes]

Nope, that was never asked and is actually a very good question.
A phillips screw driver will be needed along with the 3 each, "flat top" 20 Amp minimum drain batteries.
Fastest method will be to remove the two screws on the left on the front and the opposite two screws on the rear. The right side will slide forward along with the front plate leaving the main stuff and rear panel behind. The battery holder will then be directly accessible once pulled 1/2 way apart. I am going to mark the polarities, as the molded markings are more for parallel configuration and can be confusing. But nothing will work until you get it right anyway, thanks to the protection.

BTW, have made a slight mod to the Skeletor and will post a bit later.....

 

[Pipes]

Portside:



Skeletor:



I have made a minor change to the Skeletor unit. It is configured in the smallest way possible for overall real-estate. However, to make the top of coil slightly protrude over the battery holder height, it had to be lifted higher above the driver board. So I added a spacer "of sorts" under the coil driver board. The needed height ended up being very close to the measurements of a Tic-Tac container. I think the end user can figure out a use for the extra space. I did have to trim about 5mm from around the top of container.

Here's some shots of the the Skeletor from different angles. I have felted over the bottom as well, so can be used as is without fear of scratching the table.




If some re-configuring is needed, there is no problem as it is all held together with high quality double sided adhesive tape. It can be gently preyed apart if needed.

The Portside will still be a few weeks away but these can be made upon request. Just have to pick up more Tic-Tacs...

 

[jambandphan03]

I'm just finding all of this need to get my hands on a VapCap still... looks really cool Pipes

 

[dorkus_molorkus]

wow, utterly amazing.

well done @Pipes

the ingenuity of this community boggles the mind.

 

[PPN]

Is this induction system will work with the Vaponic?

That's amazing @Pipes !

 

[Andreaerdna]

Is this induction system will work with the Vaponic?

That's amazing @Pipes !

I tryied

Vaponic glass is not heated by induction unfortunately.

I tryied the concentrate screen too but it isn't working either.

Have a cylindrical steel tube I want to try (heating metal by induction and heat outer vaponic glass by conduction/radiation) but had little time to play these days

 

[PPN]

Thanks for the fast reply.... I remenber somebody posted one of the @Pipes ideas to heat the Vaponic ...although it wasn't induction in fact...

 

[Hippie Dickie]

Vaponic glass is not heated by induction unfortunately.

you could wrap the glass with a metal foil, eh? magnetic type.

 

[Pipes]

A quick FYI. I've updated my signature to have a link to a Induction heater FAQ page.
Click the Jarhead to access. Same as the Eraser and SF. Others link to different slide shows.

Also, enclosures are in Canada as well as the power switches. Fiber cable is a different story but will figure something out. Should receive the main stuff in a few days. A couple weeks assembly time and we should see some Portside movement.

Also, welcome @jambandphan03! Being a while. You will enjoy the VC.

 

[virtualpurple]

@Pipes I think you know that I'm an automatic buy-in. You are the man!

 

[Alexis]

I think I will be very interested in a heater for my Omnivap. I gave up on it recently because I have some issues with my hands and wrists and pick up repetitive strain injury and tendonitis from both using a torch llghter, and twirling the vapcap.

Could anybody please reference me to the best pages to get an idea of what, if any of the models are available so far?

And if they ship to the UK? I intend to read this thread through, but just trying to see if this will be a goer for me first.

 

[GreenHopper]

I think I will be very interested in a heater for my Omnivap. I gave up on it recently because I have some issues with my hands and wrists and pick up repetitive strain injury and tendonitis from both using a torch llghter, and twirling the vapcap.

Could anybody please reference me to the best pages to get an idea of what, if any of the models are available so far?

And if they ship to the UK? I intend to read this thread through, but just trying to see if this will be a goer for me first.

Sorry to hear about the RSI, I know how that feels.

Best post to check out for model details and shipping costs is: 228 Page 10.

There maybe a few JarHead models available: 203 Page 9 (requires a high wattage 120w/10a 12v power supply, you'll have to supply your own).

The PortSide has been prototyped and @Pipes is working on the first batch now, he can let you know if there are still units available in batch 1. (requires 3x flat top 18650 batteries High Discharge 20 amp minimum, you'll have to supply your own).

The install in your own case 'Kit' 218 Page 9 (requires a high wattage 120w/10a 12v power supply and a case to install it into, you'll have to supply your own).

"International will be up to the buyer to pick but seems $20 slow boat without tracking will be the norm as jumps like crazy after that. $30 Air and $40 Air with tracking." - @Pipes

 

[Pipes]

Yep, Greenhopper has it about right.
With one exception, I do have power supplies for EU plugs for the Jarhead, and still have some.
The 12.6v charger, for the battery supplied units, I only have with US plugs but will work on 220v, so an adapter is required.
If the user can find and get their own with EU plug, I'll knock a few bucks off to cover the difference.

The Portside has being serving me well. Being using every night for around 8 loads or so and need to charge about every 3-4 days. Charging only takes a couple hours. I have also confirmed you can use right away while on charger as well. So if starts cutting out, you can plug in the charger and it will stop cutting out right away. BTW, that's how it seems to die out, it starts to cut out until it just stops. All the BMS circuits are working as expected.

Received the main power switches today and they fit very nicely.

 

[grokit]

I can vouch for the jarhead, it's a beast that significantly opens up the vapcap experience and makes me want to start collecting them. I wanted a dynastash but now glass and omni are moving up the list

 

[Alexis]

Thankk you so much @GreenHopper for that very helpful response and links. All this technical stuff completely bamboozles my philosophical brain, I have utmost repsect for you all, @Pipes and co for being so inventive and adept in this field.

I will use this links provided and read through this thread now to get a better idea of what I think will be best for me.

I have serious allergy problems and tolerate my vapcap much better through water. So I may only need a home heater without batteries, which I think is a bit cheaper as well?

Saying that I could also appreciate the option of on the go. I will give it some thought. Thanks guys.

 

[GreenHopper]

Yep, Greenhopper has it about right.
With one exception, I do have power supplies for EU plugs for the Jarhead, and still have some.
The 12.6v charger, for the battery supplied units, I only have with US plugs but will work on 220v, so an adapter is required.
If the user can find and get their own with EU plug, I'll knock a few bucks off to cover the difference.

The Portside has being serving me well. Being using every night for around 8 loads or so and need to charge about every 3-4 days. Charging only takes a couple hours. I have also confirmed you can use right away while on charger as well. So if starts cutting out, you can plug in the charger and it will stop cutting out right away. BTW, that's how it seems to die out, it starts to cut out until it just stops. All the BMS circuits are working as expected.

Received the main power switches today and they fit very nicely.

Awesome I didn't realise you had multi-national power supplies. Nice, is that true of the PortSide charger? I was looking at this one '12V 1A AC/DC Adapter Power Supply Charger UK Plug' for £6.99 if not.

I'm definitely going to stick with the PortSide though.

Good to hear it's getting well tested

Thankk you so much @GreenHopper for that very helpful response and links.

You are more than welcome buddy, figured it would help collate some of the info and save @Pipes from having to do it...so he can get on with building more cool stuff

 

[Pipes]

Awesome I didn't realise you had multi-national power supplies. Nice, is that true of the PortSide charger? I was looking at this one '12V 1A AC/DC Adapter Power Supply Charger UK Plug' for £6.99 if not.

I've been asked this a few times now. Going to clarify in the FAQ as well.
Answer is absolutely NOT. These are 4.2 volt cells and in series you need 12.6v dead on. And it's a charger, NOT a power supply. It has built in intelligence that slow downs and stops charging at the full charge mark. It has an indicator LED on it that goes from red while charging to green when done.
Using a supply will pump 12 volts at it's max output into the cells with no intelligence as to when they are full. Which they'll never reach because of low voltage. The big danger is say one plugs this into a car plug with almost unlimited amps. It will try and charge at super high amps, this would not be a pretty sight. The BMS offers no protection for charge rate a will allow up to 35 amps to pass.

BIG WARNING: Only used supplied charger. (or 3 cell 12.6v charger)

They do have the EU plug units at AliExpress And the one for the car was posted back a bit from Amazon.

 

[GreenHopper]

I've been asked this a few times now. Going to clarify in the FAQ as well.
Answer is absolutely NOT. These are 4.2 volt cells and in series you need 12.6v dead on. And it's a charger, NOT a power supply. It has built in intelligence that slow downs and stops charging at the full charge mark. It has an indicator LED on it that goes from red while charging to green when done.
Using a supply will pump 12 volts at it's max output into the cells with no intelligence as to when they are full. Which they'll never reach because of low voltage. The big danger is say one plugs this into a car plug with almost unlimited amps. It will try and charge at super high amps, this would not be a pretty sight. The BMS offers no protection for charge rate a will allow up to 35 amps to pass.

BIG WARNING: Only used supplied charger. (or 3 cell 12.6v charger)

They do have the EU plug units at AliExpress And the one for the car was posted back a bit from Amazon.

Cool got it, will stick with what you send

Cheers bud.

 

[grokit]

And the one for the car was posted back a bit from Amazon.

Was that a usb car charger? Would those work with portside? Would .5 or 2.1v matter?

edit: I'm guessing no/not, and that this is the car charger for portside.

 

[Pipes]

Yes, that's it. You had me for a sec...

 

[Alexis]

First off, thanks to you all for your help and advice. Is it me, or are vapcap users generally some of the friendliest, most open vaporists around?

Next, a huge respect to @Pipes for your amazing work and genius. So many of you vaporizer and accesory manufacturers also come across as such decent and caring people who do what you do first for love and second for money.

I am always humbled when I see someone doing such a good task and achieveing so much while busy life goes on around.
I have been very ill for 12 years due to Lyme Disease and multiple other infections and problems. My condition is so debikitating, and managing my allergy symptoms is so demanding, I am unable to achieve anything except washing, getting meals, and managing my symptoms round the clock.

I barely make it put of the house or get anything done at home. So it always blows me away when I see the work you guys do. I have the utmost respect.

Moving on, I have really enjoyed my omnivap the last 2 days. I have missed it. However it is already causing serious issues with my hands and wrists. If I am going to want to use my Omnivap a lot, I will certainly want one of these chargers.

I just need to decide which model. @GreenHopper 's links have been very helpful. I have read throuh a lot of the thread. However my brain function and memory is severely compromised due to health issues. So I have struggled to get a totally clear view of all the ins and outs, pros and cons etc.

At first I thought the jarhead will be sufficient. Partly because it is a bit cheaper. And partly because I tolerate the vapcap vapor much better through water.

And It would be nice to be able to use in a car as well.
Im not clear which of the models can work off of a car yet (I know the portside will).

Ideally I would like to use a wall connection at home, and batteries away. The portside sounds like it may be sufficient for all needs though, without longevity of the batteries being an issue (both short term charge holding, and long term for recharging purposes), although I do wonder how often batteries will need repacing, so as to factor costs.

I'm also trying to get clear on the additional costs for each model. For the portside we just need to get the batteries right? Except Pipes said also the charger will need an EU adapter, unless we find our own charger for a cost reduction.

As Pipes said he still has some EU power supplies for the jarhead, Im assuming the power supply is included in the package, so no additional cost for the jarhead?

Im not yet clear on the skeletor yet, if it can work off a car cigiarette lighter etc.

So if Ive got it right, the jarhead total cost with slow boat shipping is $85? Nothing else required?

The portside will be $115 slow boat shipping, plus the battery cost as well?

If correct, I think the jarhead is the only option really due to lower costs. Im just thinking aloud really, no need for anyone to address all of these points unless I have something mistaken.

My thumbs and wrists are buggered already from 6 loads the last 2 days. Im going to a chiropractor now and she will adjust everything, there is no way I can continue to use the vapcap and torch.

That's all. I will keep reading to get a better idea of the details. Big love going ou to the whole community here at fc, and a special thanks to the vapcappers for your warmth and recepriveness.