How to see if your atomizer is truly dead with a Voltmeter

[CJsKee]

Thanks for all the info here...but if someone could help me just a little more I'd surely appreciate it...

I got the little digital multimeter at Harbor Freight and it has a battery and is ready to go. The ohm settings start at 200, then 2000, 20k, 200k then 2000k. The instructions say to set it on 200, then when I flip the switch on the meter reads "1". Then they say to "short the test leads together"...I think that means touch the two silver spikey things together? They say it should read "0" but it doesn't...it just randomly flashes a bunch of different numbers.

I have 5 901s that won't work. On 4 of them when I touch the leads (black on threads and red on center) the meter jumps to a big number (like 148.9) then drops and stays on 1. Can I assume these are dead?

On the 1 atty the numbers flash around and then will stay around 4.3 to 4.5. So I'd say this one is alive, but not well.

When I measured 3 new 901s, they all read around 3.4. These are alive and kickin!

Then I have 2 J118 attys that work but run really hot (like they actually burn the juice...it turns brown). They measure in the 4.5 range. Again, alive, but not well. I've never had an atty that actually burned the juice .

If someone could confirm that my results are correct, or help me if they are wrong, I'd be grateful.

[Flitzanu]

CJ if i understood the instructions right, when it shows 1 you need to move it up one setting on the dial, like it can't display properly and the reading is higher than the current setting allows.

i had issues with that adapter going to 0 as well, i turned it off, touched the probes together, then turned it on and touched them again, it helped clear it to 0 like it was supposed to.

[happily]

yes......try turning it off............the 1--- means infinity and no loop or connection, but when you touch them they should head close to zero may be 0.8 or something. The 4.5 atty's are just half gone

the 200 setting is correct.....wiggle the probe connections

burnt juice sounds like a flooded atomizer.. blow it out and try it

[CJsKee]

Thanks for the responses guys...I'll try your suggestions.

[Stormynights]

No problem. Just wait till you get my bill. I hate to see people throw away good parts.

I don't remember if I mentioned it, but if you check all your attys this way, you don't have to light them up to test them. The factory primer will remain on them during storage until you're ready to use them.

Great tip.

[Wench]

I have to say thanks to Jim for all his help.
I found my husband's old Multimeter and can test my atty's . woohoo..
Hrm.. feeling froggy now, I may have to try some modding . Just got to remember where I put my torch and soldering iron stuff

[Jim Davis]

CJsKee;

4 ohms should be OK on the attys. Each brand of atty is different, and the ohms readings will vary.

[Jim Davis]

If ya'all would like pick up a good one like I use on my job, get the Fluke 125. If not, the one from Harbor Freight will work just fine for e-cigs. I think I'm going to pick one up myself just for my attys.

Fluke 125 scopemeter

[aspen]

If ya'all would like pick up a good one like I use on my job, get the Fluke 125. If not, the one from Harbor Freight will work just fine for e-cigs. I think I'm going to pick one up myself just for my attys.

Fluke 125 scopemeter

Hi Jim, shoot I have been meaning to do this for a while. At one point I bought from DealExtreme: $13.95 Multimeter Xiole DT9205A Yellow Black Large this multimeter with no manual. I know jack about this thing and have looked on youtube and googled it, I came to the conclusion that I am formidably challenged in this department, not to mention time constraints. I just wanted to check atty's but don't know what dials or settings to use. Could you steer me in the right direction to find info on this multimeter and how to use it for this purpose?
Thanks in advance for the response.

[Jim Davis]

Aspen;

First make sure the battery in the meter is good.
Plug the black lead into "Com"
Plug the Red lead into "VΩ".
Select the lowest Ω setting with the selector dial. (A number with "k" is x1000.)
Touch the Red Probe to the center disc on the atomizer.
Touch the Black Probe on the outer casing. (Threads are a good point.)

You should get a reading.