Custom Mod – What is it in Vaping?
Definition
A Custom Mod is any vaping device that has been modified, built from scratch, or heavily personalised beyond factory specifications. Unlike off-the-shelf vape kits, a custom mod allows the user to choose the exact battery configuration, chipset, wiring, outer shell material and aesthetic finish. The purpose is to fine-tune power output, ramp-up time, battery life and ergonomics to match individual cloud chasing styles, preferred coil resistances or flavour profiles. Custom mods range from 3D-printed enclosures with basic wiring to CNC-machined billet aluminium boxes housing DNA or YiHi chipsets. They can be mechanical (purely conductive, no circuitry) or regulated (micro-processor controlled). In short, a custom mod is the personalised heart of an advanced vaping set-up, giving complete control over every electrical and physical parameter.
Technical Details
Inside a custom mod you will find a removable battery sled sized for 18650, 20700 or 21700 cells wired in series or parallel to achieve the desired voltage and amp headroom. Regulated versions use a small printed circuit board (PCB) that reads Resistance“>coil resistance via a 510 connector, then pulses power to maintain the user-selected wattage (1–400 W), temperature (100–315 °C) or voltage (0.5–9.5 V). High-end chipsets such as the Evolv DNA250C or YiHi SX550J offer 97 % efficiency, reverse-polarity protection, and upgradable firmware. Mechanical mods omit circuitry; the fire button completes a direct circuit from battery positive through a solid copper or silver-plated tube to the 510 pin, demanding extremely low internal resistance (<0.01 Ω). Enclosures are commonly aluminium (light), stainless steel (durable) or delrin/wood (heat-insulating). Variations include squonk mods (with built-in juice bottle), series box (higher voltage), parallel box (higher amp limit) and tube mechs (cylindrical form).
Usage & Tips
Before firing a custom mod, always verify that your coil resistance exceeds the theoretical amp draw: divide battery voltage by resistance, then add 20 % headroom. Secure all MOSFETs and wiring with heat-shrink; loose strands can short and vent cells. When installing a new Clapton coil, pulse at 20 W to work out hot-spots, wick with high-grade cotton, then re-insert the cartridge or RDA. If the mod fails to fire, check the 510 pin for e-liquid build-up and clean with isopropyl alcohol; ensure the battery wrap is intact—nicks can cause arcing. Never leave a mechanical custom mod unlocked in your pocket, and always transport batteries in insulated cases. Australian vapers should only use cells with valid IEC62133 certification and observe local nicotine regulations.
History & Context
Custom mods emerged in 2008 when Australian vapers, limited by weak cig-a-like batteries, repurposed flashlight tubes and box-shaped battery holders to power larger atomisers. The movement accelerated overseas with the “Box Mod Craze” of 2013–2015, but Aussie makers like Broadside, Armageddon and ZNA quickly earned reputations for precision machining and hard-hitting copper tubes. Today, local Facebook groups and vape expos continue to trade bespoke stab-wood DNA mods and limited-run mechanical tubes, keeping the custom spirit alive despite strict federal nicotine import rules.