Introduction
This is the ORIGINAL IH made for VapCaps personally by myself “Pipes” to replace the use of a flame type lighter to heat the VapCap Vaporizer line up. Going strong since 2016!
I currently make a desktop unit, which requires proximity to mains power and a portable unit as well as two portable units. I also offer DIY Bare Bones driver assembly where the end user designs their own enclosure and picks a home or portable configuration.
All my drivers take zero standby current flow as they use an analog activation circuit and have no AI circuits powered for monitoring. My belief is simple works best.
Also, all drivers come with a spare wooden heat-shield and friction pad. The friction pad goes under the heatshield and friction is adjusted by offsetting the pad some. The wooden disk can also serve as a spacer to raise the cap. To use this configuration, the spacer will reside on the bottom under the heatshield and friction pad.
To remove the heat-shield from the tube, you need to use a long pin or something to push on the side of the heatshield to flip it on its side. Then it can be removed with tweezers.
Products
HTTPS://PIPESAFTERTHOUGHTS.COM
The Caldron | |||
This is the basic BareBone driver modular encased in an enclosure that is identical to the PortSide Mini but is cut to 68mm tall rather than 100mm which is the length of the PSM. This unit does NOT contain a battery and is designed for an external power source. It requires an external 12 volt high current 8 amp power supply which comes with the package. The power is fed through a 5.5X2.1mm standard DC connector which is detachable at the side of the unit. To activate the heater, you simply press the VC straight into the hole until you feel/hear the tactile switch engage and the LED light goes on. Once the VC clicks, remove and inhale. Depending on preference, additional seconds may be required. Note: I provide NO external battery options. Comes with a 12 volt 8 Amp Supply. Optional Caldron AccessoryHeavy Duty Car Adapter for the accessory outlet. Please ensure your outlet jack is in good condition to use this adapter. It needs to be well inserted. If there isn’t a good connection at the tip, it will get hot and melt the tip holder rendering the unit useless. No warranty on melted tips.
The Brute is a portable version Induction heater. It is a very basic unit that features dual charging methods. The Brute comes with both a home charger that can charge the Brute in under an hour as well as a USB charger that will trickle charge. Reliability is the Brute strong point and can survive drops and abuse.It has a 100% extruded aluminum enclosure with all parts securely inside. The battery capacity is 800 mAH, which is the same as the HS and PSM and is more than enough for an evening out and about. There is no option for a larger internal battery. The battery is replaceable. Replacement links are below. Ships with the included battery at 30% charge, please charge to 100% before first use. New Lithium batteries must be FULLY CHARGED and FULLY DISCHARGED 2 to 3 times, before being FULLY CONDITIONED. Please remember that a new Lithium battery's full performance and longevity is only achieved after 2 to 3 complete charge and discharge cycles. After you go through 2 to 3 cycles, you'll never have to condition your battery again! | |||
Bare Bones Components | |||
This is the DIYist’s unit that comes ready for assembly into the owners’ dreams. The end-user is responsible for purchasing their own 3S RC grade of battery. Choose from a huge assortment of 3S batteries with either a JST type plug or, with the use of an XT60 adapter, a more standard type XT60 plug. An example of huge battery type is this 3000 mAh battery which will rival the best 18650s configuration. A smaller 800 mAh battery can be used without an XT adapter. This is equivalent to the battery in the PSM. It’s also worth noting that the setup will run very well by just using the 4 pin balance cable without hooking up the load wire at all. To help you decide on a size, the math works out to approximately 80 mAh per bowl. So, the 800 mAh battery provides 10 bowls and the 3000 mAh would be around 35 bowls. However, the physical size is very large. | |||
BareBones/Replacement/Optional Components
Item and Description | Price | Photos |
Driver Modular Needed for both | $40 | |
Home Harness For home (AC) unit | $5 | |
Battery Harness For portable (battery) unit | $20 | |
Home Supply for Home unit | $20 | |
Car Supply for Home Unit (12V) | $10 | |
12.6V Charger | $10 | |
12.6V Car Charger | $10 | |
XT60 Adapter | $5 | |
“T” Adapter | $5 |
Pricing (USD)
Caldron
$80 (Power Supply Included) + shipping
Caldron NO POWER Supply
$55 + shipping
Brute
$120 (USB cord and quick charger included)
Hotshot
$110 (Charger and USB cable included) + shipping
Replacement Home Charger and Supply
12 Volt Power Supply for Caldron - $20
12.6 Volt Home Charger for PSM or Brute - $10
5V 3A USB Charger - $5
Car Options
12.6 Volt Car Charger for PSM or Brute - $10 Optional Accessory
12 Volt Car Adapter for Caldron - $10 Optional Accessory
Shipping
I only ship any portable (battery powered) units to USA and Canada.
International shipping provided for desktop units only to UK, European Countries, Australia and New Zealand ONLY!
Shipping is a flat rate of $20 USD for USA and Canadian orders. Caldron orders are $22 USD. Tracking provided for USA and Canada only and International orders are shipped via AIR without* tracking. I cannot guarantee packages get delivered due to unforeseen problems as there is no insurance on the packages.
If shipments take beyond a month, please contact me to verify the shipping information. If the postal system has deemed non-deliverable for whatever reason, the postal system should return to the sender. A replacement will be then sent out once the package is received back.
Pricing based on one unit or working system, additional items may raise shipping costs.
How to Order
Pipes afterthoughts Website or email me at pipes@pipesafterthoughts.com for accessories and multiple items.
Canadian Orders
Interac Bank Transfer
Log into your online banking and use afterthoughts@bell.net as email. The payment will be automatically transferred to my account. You can use Pipes as a name. And put your FC alias into the comments. You will receive a tracking number shortly after funds are received. Note that pricing is in USD dollars and conversion is needed to CAD dollars. Money Converter Shipping within Canada is $15 USD.
Warranty
90 Day Full Defective Part Replacement including shipping to the customer. If the unit needs to come back for repair, the customer is responsible for shipping the defective unit back for repair. Cosmetic parts are not covered.
FAQs
Can the Caldron or PSM be tuned down in Power?
Please see my post here.
What is the packet of discs that come with the unit?
The wooden disc is the “heatshield” which can double as a spacer and the heat-resistant rubber cushion is a “friction pad” which is attached to the underside of the heatshield to keep it from falling out of the tube if inverted. The pad is affixed offset to the disc so some protrudes along the side. This protrusion acts as a kind of hinge by pressing against the tube pushing the wooden disc against the tube on the opposite side. The pressure is adjustable by increasing/decreasing the offset by peeling away the pad and reseating it.
To use the wooden disc as a spacer, it should be installed under the heatshield/cushion pad combo so it resides closest to the actual switch.
To remove the heatshield from the tube, you need tweezers. Push down on the side of the wooden disc closest to the glass tube. The disc should flip up enough to be able to grab with the tweezers and remove. To re-install, push down evenly with a VC cap.
Charging Issues?
If the unit doesn’t charge, please check the battery connector to ensure all the pins are pushed in tight. Sometime one or more can slide back in the whilte molding to not make contact.
How can I tell if the HS is charged 100%?
The charging circuit in the HS gets quite warm while charging. This warmth can easily be felt on the rear around the USB connector while charging. It will stay warm for the duration of the charge cycle and go cool when complete. Note that if the connector is not feeling warm after 5 minutes, it is not receiving a charge and investigation is needed.
My HS charger buzzes while charging, is this normal?
Yes, this is normal but can vary between chargers. Generally caused while under heavy load and coil winding are oscillating causing a buzz.
The orange cushion has come loose or is keeping my IH jammed in the “on” state.
A: This is actually an easy fix. There will be too much friction between the orange cushion and the glass tube. You need to fish it out with a long pin or something to get between the glass and cushion to flip it on its side, then pick it out. Now just use it like an eraser and smoothen off the highest spots on the sides of the cushion. Doesn't take much as the trick is to maintain enough friction so it doesn't fall out by itself but switch activation is clean.
You should be fine afterwards. You can find my announcement post here.
Everything is plugged in but no heat or lights.
A: Make sure you are pressing the tactile switch in the coil until you feel/hear it click.
Ensure the light is on in the power supply and if not, push the AC power cord tight into the cube as they need a deep insertion. This cord may also be the culprit if no light is showing on the supply.
Can I use a 12 volt power supply to “charge” the unit?
A: Absolutely NOT. These are 4.2 volt cells in series, you need 12.6v dead on. A charger is needed and provided, NOT a power supply. It has built-in intelligence that slows down and stops charging at the full charge mark. The charger has an indicator LED on it that goes from red while charging to green when the charge cycle is complete.
Just installed a new battery and the unit seems dead.
A: The BMS has gone into protection mode while batteries are inserted. Plugging the charger into the charge port will reset the protection circuit.
The power supply for my Caldron doesn’t turn on.
A: Check the mains cable going from wall to supply. The supply end is a very tight fit and can need more pressure to make a good connection.
My Caldon seems hotter than my other IH, can I slow it down?
One method is posted here. A DC extension cord (lowers voltage) or adding a spacer to raise the VC height can also affect timing.
How do I know when it’s charging?
A: The supplied smart charger has a status indicator LED which is red while charging and turns to green when the charge is completed. Note that the Kill switch needs to be turned on to charge. The HS does not have a charge indicator but when charging the connection plug as well as the area around the charge plug will get warm until the unit is charged.
Do I need a power adapter for my country?
A: Cord or adapters for almost all hydro standards are supplied. (UK, EU, US, AU)
Just received my Portside Mini and it doesn’t seem to be charging?
A: Ensure the power switch is in the “on” position for charging.
I just received my PSM and it’s not working. I read through the FAQ and no luck. What can I do?
A: Please contact me via a PM through the initial request PM you contacted me from. Follow the simple 4 step troubleshooting techniques from the PSM Troubleshooting guide and relay the results onto me for further diagnostics. Replacement parts will be dispatched ASAP.
There is smoke coming from the tube and smells like rubber.
A: The tactile switch on some vintages of the trigger mechanism has a rubber bushing around it to secure the rhinestone top to the tactile switch. This may get pulled up if VC is inserted without its cap. Please check my Rhinestone Vintage Maintenance document for the correction procedure.
Can I use the Caldron with a battery?
A: The Caldron has no battery protection circuits and if a battery is to be used, a safety circuit needs to be incorporated. This could be as simple as a 10 amp fuse but not overly recommended as the Portside Mini is designed to be the portable unit and all high current flows are contained within the unit.
My heat shield fell out of my heating tube. What can I do?
A: First off, pull away any shrink wrap that may still be there. (Older units)
Mix a very small amount of the JBQuick and apply a tad on the top of the Tactile switch being careful not to have it touch anything else. This small amount is just to ensure the next dab will stick to the switch. Wait until the mixture is not runny but still pliable. It is a very small window for this. Scoop up a pea size amount and place it on top of the tactile switch where you put the first small amount. If the timing was correct, it should settle enough to provide 1-2 mm of a heat shield and not run off the side of the button. Basically making it the same as the missing pearl piece. If having a hard time with the pea-sized dab, a smaller amount can be used and more added in a second mix.
I broke my glass tube, what can I do?
A: This depends on whether you can manage to get the broken piece out. Use rubber gloves and twist and pull to remove. A drop of water between the tube and glass will act as a lubricant to help. A new tube can be purchased here from Fasttech. Once the broken piece(s) have been removed, be very careful as the tube is the backbone to the bottom switch. Start the new tube into the coil and again use a drop of water as lubricant. Twist and push until it goes all the way in.
Re-install O'Rings with the cap from a pen or sharpie and push down. Again moisten the rings first to lubricate.
The battery indicator on my PSM shows right up until it goes empty.
A:The battery indicator should be observed while a VC is heating.
PRECAUTIONS
Only use the supplied charger. (or a 3S 12.6v equivalent) for Portable Unit Only
Only use supplied power supply as it has the proper protection rating for the desktop unit.
Do not put any other metal material into the heater other than the VC as can overdrive the unit and cause it to fail.
Do not rapidly repeat clicking of the activation switch as this may cause the unit to fail.
Avoid inserting VC without the cap on it as it can cause damage to the activation switch.
Do not continuously keep the unit activated for over 30 seconds as the work coil will get hot. If left activated for extended time, things will overheat until the unit fails. Allow some cool down time if multi-users are using at social gatherings.
Video Disassembly
Video Link to Disassembly of the Portside Mini
DIY FET Replacement Video Link
Note that: LiPo batteries are shipped with a 30% shipping charge and should be fully charged before first use.
Component
Component Dimensions
Driver with FET - 55 X 40 X 45mm
Coil - 75 X 28 X 28mm
PSMini Battery - 55 x 26 x 25mm - 850mAh
*Previous to April 2019 - 55 x 30 x 25mm - 800mAh
Jarhead Dimensions
70 X 70 X 100mm Height
Caldron
66 X 43 X 68mm Height
Portside Mini Dimensions
66 X 43 X 102mm Height
Brute Dimensions
66 X 33 X 91mm Height
Main Parts List
16mm Glass Tube or Alternate Link
RC Battery for PSMini and HS or GetFPV or RCBattery or Banggood
#012 O Ring (inner tube) for button protection Lower 3 rings.
#109 O Ring (Inner Tube) for button protection Upper ring
#113 O Ring (Tube top) for upper coil protection
Female JST Charge Cabling Select the 3S cable
9mmx2mm Diametrically Magnetized Magnet
12 volt Power Supply or Alternative
Car Adapter for Caldron (Optional)
Automotive 12.6 Volt Charger (Optional)
Other Parts
¾” shrink tubing for attaching Tact switch to the glass tube, 1/4” shrink tubing to attach dowelling, 1/4” dowelling for the top of tact switch, and good quality double-sided rubber adhesive tape.