Tempest Cap

Tempest Cap

Had a few extra parts from my beta and was able to order the piece I needed to make a full cap. Now I have a silver to keep a different ball type and use with a torch, and my og beta for the induction heater. Thanks for making it possible!

The Cap has the Ball Retaining machined screen, the Ball media, the Induction/heat sleeve, and the VI housing.
It has 3 different female threading connections for: Bowl, BR screen and VI housing.

BR screen (11mm diameter) is for keeping secure the balls inside the Tempest Cap.
It's common sense that users should regularly check if the BR screen is still screwed to the Cap threads, particularly with heavy use, drops, shock, thermal expansion...
Threads have a slight angle, so it is normal that one side of the RB screen looks a bit bent, when correctly installed.

2.5mm ø zirconia balls (stock config) are used for absorbing, storing heat and releasing convective hot air through the Bowl, when the user starts to inhale.
Changing the size or the type of ball material will change the heater performance: air restriction, heat absorption, heat retention, flavor profile...
Stock config gives great flavor, a slower heat absorption, enough heat retention (~45sec) and airflow restriction (RDL).

Made from stainless steel, the Induction sleeve is the heat receptor and the airflow controller for the Tempest heater.
The sleeve is a thin cylinder, it can be slightly bent to make the airflow from the Tempest heater stiffer to adjust.

The airflow from the Cap is useful for creating some restriction, to help the user control his draw strength, essential for any convection vaporizer.
It can also compensate for the dry/water piece airflow restriction.

The Induction sleeve is the only part of the Cap that is designed to be directly heated.
The space between the two lines is the perfect spot for single flame torch heating.
Heating the Induction sleeve a bit closer to the bowl will induce a late thermal lag from the temp indicators. Stop heating earlier.
Heating the Induction sleeve a bit closer to the airflow on the Cap will induce an early thermal lag from the temp indicators. Stop heating later.

The Visual Indicator housing is where the temp indicators (VI and click discs) are installed. A small flat head screw keeps the VI housing, the Induction sleeve and the Cap together.

Please, don't heat the VI housing directly and watch out for possible dust/particles/anything, who could enter inside the Visual Indicator housing and make the VI not function properly.
Also, keep in mind when cleaning, that the VI spring and the click discs are more subjects to flash rusting.
Dry them with a slow Tempest heat cycle, and don't let them in a high humidity air environment for long-term storage.

The Tempest heater design shape favors almost no radiant heat transfer, without inhalation from the user.
The true convection experience is awesome for this format, and the temp indicators give control and consistency to involved vaporists.
Heating time, heat retention and performance are optimal with the Wand IH, Tempest is built around it. Of course torch results are also excellent, but it's just more handling work.

Overall I like this design, it didn't thread-lock once, and the fact that the hot Cap can be separated from the stem/bowl, makes heat management and consecutive loads easy.
It has the right balance between heat efficiency and retention, and cooldown speed. Airflow, flavor and vapor quality are impressive for a metal TED, a nice durable convection option.

The handfree heating experience with the Wand is very convenient to make the Tempest a daily driver.
Reload V2 is also recommended for daily use, but even the Leather case can handle the workflow pretty well.

Stock Tempest configuration give me three optimal ways of extraction, with Mouth To Lung or Restricted Direct Lung draws:
-Half bowl one aggressive heating cycle, high temp extraction, better for consecutive fast/fresh bowls 320 to 360°C Wand timer
-Full bowl position not fully loaded, two gentle heating, easy control for low/medium temp extraction 200 to 300°C W" "
-Full bowl fully loaded, gentle multiple heating, temp stepping session extraction 200 to 320°C W" "

Some specs:
Tempest heater total length is 47mm, and 42mm when installed to a stem

Tempest Cap is 34mm length and 11g weight with 2.5mm zirconia balls
Tempest Cap is 12mm diameter at the Induction sleeve and 13.5mm at the widest

Tempest Bowl is 22mm length and 2.5g weight and has 8x 0.8mm side holes
Tempest Bowl is 11mm deep at full bowl and 10mm wide on the inside

There is about 2.5mm of space between the top of the Bowl and the Ball Retaining screen inside the Cap.

Picture shows a Tempest Cap with ~150 loads with Wand IH. Zirconia balls did get a discoloration, but balls aren't sticky. No flavor or performance change either.