OK, so I've become a modder and have a limited budget so I have to order parts a few at a time.
This causes a quite profound problem.
While I'm waiting for parts for one idea, another idea turns up and demands attention. ???
I built my first mod and asked people some market research type questions.
Using this I was going to build a few prototypes and perhaps get people to try them out.
I think the original mod (large dual 18650 in parallel with charger unit) with a few cosmetic modifications is sound (I use it everyday) so started planning others.
I have ordered some other box types in different sizes to try out ideas with.
While waiting I was researching variable voltage which is quite easy to do relatively speaking since you just need a box that can hold the circuit board and display that achieves this safely - no problem.
I also read lots of peoples opinions on variable voltage and came to a conclusion - completely variable voltage is perhaps not what is needed.
Loads of people like 3.7V and use low resistance attys to get the high voltage experience.
Loads of people also seem to think 5V experienced in passthroughs is a very nice experience.
Many also swear by 6V.
Only really fussy people seem to need the precise control of full variable voltage.
This leads me to building a device which has circuit switching (not as complex as it sounds).
I would use my big rounded box but move the battery contacts from the bottom upwards for twin 14500 batteries and separate the bottom contact so each battery was wired in individually.
For 3.7V you have the batteries wired in parallel, for 5 or 6V you wire the batteries in series with a voltage limitation on the circuit.
This can be achieved using a 4PDT switch and two sets of wiring, sounds complicated but in some ways is more reliable than a variable voltage circuit since the circuits should technically have better efficiency hard wired than run through a variable circuit.
This means you have a single master switch which acts as off, on 3.7V and on 5 or 6V - I would also wire a dual colour led in the circuit so you have a different colour for each voltage.
Ok, so it means two sets of wiring from the batteries which you will have to be extra careful wiring - but wires take up less space than a circuit board and I as I said before I think the efficiency will be higher thus you lose less power as if you run at 3.7V there isn't even a regulator limiting the circuit.
Also wiring the batteries this way would also allow for the possibility of having the charging circuit in there too since the parallel wiring would be present.
So does anyone out there in mod land have any suggestions, comments or ideas in relation to this ?
Would there be anyone interested in a 3.7 and 5V dual voltage device ?
I know it is not a great idea putting batteries in series but protected batteries are pretty good.
Please reply to this if you have any input to make - especially modders with experience since I am a novice in this type of thing.
