901 auto switch failing?

[miketr]

I have two 901 auto switch batteries, and one of them seems to be going out. It appears to hold and maintain a charge fine, but the atomizer is not getting warm enough, and there is very little vapor and flavor, and no hit.

I tried some different things out, and I noticed I can get the performance back up to normal by holding my finger over the intake hole for a second or two as I begin my drag. This would seem to imply to me that the problem lies in the auto switch, that it is a pressure switch, and that it is beginning to fail.

Would this be a fair assumption, and are there any ways to remedy or accommodate this problem since the battery portion does seem OK in all other respects?

[souporvapor]

901 Batteries are unpredictable and inconsistant... and meant to be disposable/replaced.
Not sure how it can be 'ok' in all other respects if it is not doing the job intended.

People will suggest -
tap in on a hard surface
poke a pin in the connector
spin it 3 times to the left, turn it upside down - say 5 hail Marys over it - turn it rightside up and then blow into the connector end while holding one hand over your heart.

If that doesn't work, punish it fiercly by boiling in your choice of:
water - everclear - cola - metal cleaning solution - and drip dry while you wait for your new batteries to arrive in the mail. (meant as sarcasm... and yes, this advice has been given by someone claiming the method to be appropriate)

Sorry - I couldn't resist.
901 batteries are disposable - period.

30 years of smoking...
Vaporized by my DSE 901 with dependable batteries ---- in a ScrewDriver

[kinabaloo]

901 Batteries are unpredictable and inconsistant... and meant to be disposable/replaced.
Not sure how it can be 'ok' in all other respects if it is not doing the job intended.

People will suggest -
tap in on a hard surface
poke a pin in the connector
spin it 3 times to the left, turn it upside down - say 5 hail Marys over it - turn it rightside up and then blow into the connector end while holding one hand over your heart.

If that doesn't work, punish it fiercly by boiling in your choice of:
water - everclear - cola - metal cleaning solution - and drip dry while you wait for your new batteries to arrive in the mail.

Sorry - I couldn't resist.
901 batteries are disposable - period.

30 years of smoking...
Vaporized by my DSE 901 with dependable batteries ---- in a ScrewDriver

Would be a very bad idea to boil a battery! Or even to immerse it in liquid.

[souporvapor]

actually that IS some of the advise I've seen given.
Couldn't believe it myself.

I will edit original post to make the point clearer.

thnx

[kinabaloo]

I have two 901 auto switch batteries, and one of them seems to be going out. It appears to hold and maintain a charge fine, but the atomizer is not getting warm enough, and there is very little vapor and flavor, and no hit.

I tried some different things out, and I noticed I can get the performance back up to normal by holding my finger over the intake hole for a second or two as I begin my drag. This would seem to imply to me that the problem lies in the auto switch, that it is a pressure switch, and that it is beginning to fail.

Would this be a fair assumption, and are there any ways to remedy or accommodate this problem since the battery portion does seem OK in all other respects?

I think your diagnosis is probably correct. You can try the procedure described here:

Things that might go wrong - and how to fix them

where it discusses stuck automatic batteries. It can help; done it myself.

[kinabaloo]

actually that IS some of the advise I've seen given.
Couldn't believe it myself.

I will edit original post to make the point clearer.

thnx

I realise it was in jest, but someone might not realise, or half remember it later. Are you sure they were talking about high-tech e-cig batteries, not footbal socks?!

[miketr]

SoupOrVapor, I agree with you, attys, batteries, each of the items are throwaway replaceables; and in fact I do have some new batteries and a passthrough coming in the mail at the moment. By saying it's OK in other respects, I only mean that the battery portion is taking and retaining a charge in the normal manner, not that it is in proper working order. For example, if the battery were completely dead and unchargeable, I would just assume that was truly it and no remedy was possible. And I love your comedic comments as well, thanks for the response.

But if I can extend the working life of a part easily through some method, I'd like to try to do so - I'm just calling on the collective wisdom of the forum community. It is really partially curiousity and exploration, a desire to learn more about how these fascinating devices work that is driving me, not just some obsessive penny-pinching mentality.

Kinabaloo, thanks so much for the link, that is very helpful and I will look into that! fluid buildup is a possibility because I am a new user and have overfilled on multiple occasions.

[kinabaloo]

SoupOrVapor, I agree with you, attys, batteries, each of the items are throwaway replaceables; and in fact I do have some new batteries and a passthrough coming in the mail at the moment. By saying it's OK in other respects, I only mean that the battery portion is taking and retaining a charge in the normal manner, not that it is in proper working order. For example, if the battery were completely dead and unchargeable, I would just assume that was truly it and no remedy was possible. And I love your comedic comments as well, thanks for the response.

But if I can extend the working life of a part easily through some method, I'd like to try to do so - I'm just calling on the collective wisdom of the forum community. It is really partially curiousity and exploration, a desire to learn more about how these fascinating devices work that is driving me, not just some obsessive penny-pinching mentality.

Kinabaloo, thanks so much for the link, that is very helpful and I will look into that! fluid buildup is a possibility because I am a new user and have overfilled on multiple occasions.

I dont think I overfill - not noticed that - but still it can get in there; it only takes a little bit. I just mentioned this in case you had no spare. Although these things are disposable, no need to dispose when a simple thing can solve the problem.

Wipe over the contacts too after (both atty and batty).

[souporvapor]

Yes -Mike
I used to do everything (not including the Hail Marys... or boiling) in attempt to keep my 901 bats working.

On a serious budget- 7 fatalities in a month were a bit more than I could handle....I got tired of every 'symptom' imaginable before total, unrevivable death.
I got to the point I just couldn't do the 'is it soup???? or is it vapor???? any more.

My personal solution (since even the passthrough only lasted a month) was to go with a battery mod. (no I don't sell them - nor get comission on sales )

If you're handy with tools the modder's forum can walk you step by step through building your own
If you're open to buying from someone who is - check the classifieds.
OR
if you have a charge card (or funds not earmarked for things like food/rent) You might even do a bit of research on the 3.7 battery mods that will allow you to keep using your 901 and cut your ongoing battery costs with rechargeable 'regular' bats.

By the way - I'm not much on football - though boiling football socks would seem to be more intelligent than boiling batteries....

Glad you got the best tips available from Kinabaloo!

All the best and Happy Vaping

30 years of smoking....
Vaporized by my DSE 901 atty attached to my ScrewDriver

[miketr]

I think your diagnosis is probably correct. You can try the procedure described here:

Things that might go wrong - and how to fix them

where it discusses stuck automatic batteries. It can help; done it myself.

I followed the instructions, used a syringe to partially fill the hole in the battery contact (with pure grain alcohol, PGA), shook it for about a minute, shook it out, did that 3 times, set it upright on a paper towel for an hour, put it on its side for an hour, and I am amazed to report that this procedure appears to have worked perfectly. It's like magic. I just vaped a full cart and it is completely back to normal.

I'll post back if it blows out in the next few days or something, but I'm happy with the results right now. Thanks so much, kinabaloo; it was really easy, and I learned something about the auto battery pressure switch in the bargain!

I promise, I have been on many forums over the years, and this is far and above one of the most practically useful and well behaved ones I've ever seen. Thanks to the moderators and collective users for keeping it that way.

And ya know, every once in a while I actually manage to learn something despite all the odds.

Thanks again,

miketr