Chip – What is it in Vaping?
Definition
A chip is the tiny electronic brain inside most modern vape mods and pod systems. Also called a vape chip, PCB board, or control board, it reads your button presses, regulates battery power, and keeps every puff safe. By measuring coilresistance many times per second, the chip adjusts voltage or wattage so your cotton stays perfectly saturated and you get the flavour or cloud chasinghit you dialled in—without overheating or dry hits.
Technical Details
Most chips run an 8- or 32-bit ARM processor that samples resistance at 100–1000 Hz. Firmware stores user settings (wattage, temperature, puff counter) in EEPROM and limits output via MOSFETs rated for 20–60 A. Entry-level boards deliver 5–80 W with ±0.1 Ω accuracy, while DNA, YiHi, and Aussie-loved Custom boards reach 200–400 W, ±0.02 Ω, and feature boost-buck converters for 0.5–9 V output. Protections include reverse-polarity, short-circuit, over-temperature, and 10-second cut-off. Some chips offer curve modes to ramp power through Clapton coil mass or auto-detect cartridge resistance for nic-salt pods.
Usage & Tips
- Keep firmware updated via manufacturer software to patch bugs and add new coil materials.
- If resistance jumps or “Check Atomiser” appears, remove the tank, clean the 510 pin, and re-seat the coil; dirty threads confuse the chip.
- Stay within the board’s amp limit: divide wattage by battery voltage and keep below the cell’s CDR.
- Avoid pocket-firing—lock the device or use a chip that auto-locks after 30 min.
- Never exceed 45 °C board temperature; hot chips throttle power and shorten battery life.
History & Context
The first mass-produced vape chip, the 2010 “Darwin,” introduced variable-wattage to Aussie vapers used to fixed-voltage eGo batteries. Chinese makers soon released affordable boards, turning mech-mod cloud chasing into regulated, safer sub-ohm culture. Today’s chips integrate Bluetooth, puff trackers, and eco-modes, reflecting Australia’s push for harm-reduction tech.