A SMPL Explosion.

[Lessifer]

This is the part that sickens me.

This thread is full of blame-the-OP when he/she simply followed the irresponsible recommendation of someone believed to be more knowledgeable on the most reputable pro-vaping site on the Internet.

Why anyone still uses or recommends a mech of any kind baffles me. It's like arguing that you don't need a GPS on your phone or navigation system in your car because a paper map will get you there.

Back on topic, this situation could have been a lot worse for the OP and I'm very glad that it wasn't.

If someone goes hiking and has a smart phone with built in gps, I'm still going to suggest they take a compass with them. How many isticks have blown up so far? It's NOT the mech that is the issue. It's insufficient information on how to use this particular mech properly, and I have no idea who is to "blame" for that, if we need to blame someone.

I have a 4nine clone, similar mod to the smpl, and I did A LOT of research before using it. It did not come with any warnings, but I knew all of this before I started using it.

An authentic mod that has the potential for issues like this should probably come with some warning. Expecting a clone to come with it is a bit silly. Not that I know if this was a clone or not.

 

[WharfRat1976]

Deleted by me with nothing good to say. God speed all.

 

[Mr.Mann]

Read the quote above ...

That's unfortunate that he was recommended this device with (apparently) not much other info on what to be careful of. Man, you really have to always do your research!

 

[inswva]

At the risk of not having read this entire thread, I'll put forth a couple of comments:

1. This malfunction was due to user error. There are plenty of devices, vaping or otherwise, which require knowledge and care during use or a dangerous condition may occur. The blame does not lie with the design of the device, but rather the user. Just the way it is.

2. Anyone condoning regulations relative to this or a similar situation is misguided at best, counterproductive to our cause at worst.

I am truly thankful the OP didn't suffer a more serious injury. However, the onus is on the user of any product to fully understand the proper operation and precautions necessary to mitigate the potential for harm.

 

[englishmick]

And I just know emergency rooms full of missing fingers is ultimately going to infringe on MY right to vape, and I would prefer to hold someone's hand if need be (while they still have one) so that doesnt come to pass

Right. It happened to a fairly experienced vaper. It could have happened to me, I know quite a lot now but I don't know how much I don't know. I didn't know about this stuff until today (thanks OP by the way). If this were to happen tomorrow to a 14 year old the antis would go nuclear on us. Talking about personal responsibility or different types of vaping equipment would be shouting at the wind at that point. Kids blow themselves up every day with all kinds of things, but those things aren't currently being evaluated by the FDA. We are in a vulnerable position. It's not right or wrong, it just is.

Not that there's a lot we can do about it. Getting the message out is a good start.

 

[ReigntheGamer]

Right. It happened to a fairly experienced vaper. It could have happened to me, I know quite a lot now but I don't know how much I don't know. I didn't know about this stuff until today (thanks OP by the way). If this were to happen tomorrow to a 14 year old the antis would go nuclear on us. Talking about personal responsibility or different types of vaping equipment would be shouting at the wind at that point. Kids blow themselves up every day with all kinds of things, but those things aren't currently being evaluated by the FDA. We are in a vulnerable position. It's not right or wrong, it just is.

Not that there's a lot we can do about it. Getting the message out is a good start.

I knoright what about the children?

 

[zoiDman]

This will be my last post on this thread - it's my bedtime anyway. I could have said nothing about this incident and no one would have been any wiser. But I did.. and the first thing I asked was - was it my fault? and then asked for advice. If I were to tell the whole story, I bought the SMPL on the advice of someone here in an open thread visible to all. I don't remember who it was and even if I did I wouldn't mention them. I'm sure they meant well. But again no one said anything about this not being usable with all atties.

I admit I was stupid. Now after all the discussion I still have a burnt thigh but I am a little less stupid. I'm not blaming the mod. I'm not blaming anyone but myself.

I hope that makes everyone happy. Goodnight from me and have a nice evening.

Someone I Respect Immensely once told me...

"Any Mistake that you Can Learn from is NOT a Mistake. It is an Opportunity to Learn and to be a Better Person."

I am glad that you Posted what Happened to you. Because I know that there were Hundreds who Learned something from this Thread.

Night Papillon.

 

[VHRB2014]

If someone goes hiking and has a smart phone with built in gps, I'm still going to suggest they take a compass with them. How many isticks have blown up so far? It's NOT the mech that is the issue. It's insufficient information on how to use this particular mech properly, and I have no idea who is to "blame" for that, if we need to blame someone.

I have a 4nine clone, similar mod to the smpl, and I did A LOT of research before using it. It did not come with any warnings, but I knew all of this before I started using it.

An authentic mod that has the potential for issues like this should probably come with some warning. Expecting a clone to come with it is a bit silly. Not that I know if this was a clone or not.

I just got a 4nine. I did`nt get it until I had been vaping for 11+ months and already had the SMPL. I did`nt get it early on simply because I did not know what I was getting into. Its like a SMPL but with the added "issues/potential danger" of a magnetic switch. Now that I have it (and know what I`m doing with it), I marvel it is simplicity, its durability, all the things that make it such a unique mod.

 

[Dampmaskin]

The blame does not lie with the design of the device, but rather the user. Just the way it is.

In today's consumer market, physical compatibility implies electrical compatibility. This particular connector is incompatible with many 510 atomizers, and the mode of failure is catastrophic. Therefore, in my opinion, the quasi-hybrid mod 510 connector is an inherently unsafe design.

I once had an external hard drive that had a PS/2 plug for the power supply. After moving my PC, I connected everything, and when I tried to plug in the PS/2 keyboard to the motherboard, I accidentally connected the power supply instead. Pop it went, and the motherboard was fried. Yes, it was my own fault, but I still think the design of the power supply connector was very poorly thought out.

The quasi hybrid 510 mod design is equally poor, but in this case you don't just risk ruining a few hundred dollars worth of hardware. This time around, it is a threat to the health of the user, and to other people nearby.

 

[Jman8]

After reading this thread, I've come to the conclusion that there are 15 million things I could say.

At the top of that list is: I'm very glad the OP is alive and mostly well.

 

[cindycated]

Sucks this happened to you, but you're lucky in the sense of what happened when it did occur. I used to have the Godfather which didn't have a positive pin or top cap. So you needed an RDA, pretty much no tank at all honestly, with a pertruding pin. This is the picture from their instagram, but I received this paper when I ordered mine from them. It shows exactly what was needed with this style of mod. I never liked the type of connection, but I was trying to support the maker at the time. It had magnets at the bottom and the atty just screwed on and would touch the battery when the button was pushed. I only shorted one battery, but I was holding it. I knew enough to take it apart and all,

Wow, great pic! All of these types of mods should come with something like that.
Just one thing to add though, it's not enough just to visually check it. You actually have to make sure that the pin is in that position securely, and won't push in when you tighten the switch or hit the fire button. Sometimes there's just an o-ring in there that gets squishy, sometimes it loosens up and there's play somewhere. And while you're out, make sure the pin doesn't wobble.

Love my SMPL by the way. One of my favorite mods! But of course, mods with actual top caps with pins in them are always safer.

 

[Vapenstein]

This was a bad deal that ended well. No one was seriously hurt and the OP came by some knowledge through a negative experience. I am not going to blame or beat up on the OP.

The SMPL is a nice mod, and there is nothing inherently wrong with it or mods that share a similar design. However, this is a hardcore piece of gear meant for hardcore users. To use one you have to know what is going to cause a short, what your battery is capable of, exactly what resistance your build is, and if I ask you you should know without hesitation how many amps you're asking of your battery on a full charge. Shame on us for blithely recommending these on forums, and shame on shops letting people who don't know anything sell them to people who don't know anything.

 

[FOG clouds]

Sorry this happened. However, thanks for sharing as to help prevent future incidents for others. I only use regulated mods designed to fit 510 threaded atomizers. I have no desire to have my atomizer touch the battery. I know that every one has their preference but from a safety standpoint it may be something to consider.

 

[inswva]

In today's consumer market, physical compatibility implies electrical compatibility. This particular connector is incompatible with many 510 atomizers, and the mode of failure is catastrophic. Therefore, in my opinion, the quasi-hybrid mod 510 connector is an inherently unsafe design.

I once had an external hard drive that had a PS/2 plug for the power supply. After moving my PC, I connected everything, and when I tried to plug in the PS/2 keyboard to the motherboard, I accidentally connected the power supply instead. Pop it went, and the motherboard was fried. Yes, it was my own fault, but I still think the design of the power supply connector was very poorly thought out.

The quasi hybrid 510 mod design is equally poor, but in this case you don't just risk ruining a few hundred dollars worth of hardware. This time around, it is a threat to the health of the user, and to other people nearby.

I'll preface the following comment with the statement that I truly appreciate your opinion and, more importantly, your informational contributions to the vaping community.

I am still of the opinion that the end user ultimately bears the responsibility of knowing how to safely use any consumer product. This is perhaps a poor analogy but there existed an outcry against Glock handguns due to the lack of any external safeties. However, the handling and use of a Glock by an educated and responsible user renders it no more dangerous to the end user than any other handgun. To wit, I own six Glock handguns and I've yet to negligently discharge a round. Similarly, I've owned a half dozen hybrid 510 mechanical mods and have yet to vent a battery. What do these scenarios have in common? An educated end user.

I'm just not a proponent of legislating the mandated use of "user proof" products. To do so is a very slippery slope.

 

[cindycated]

I have several mods that use "hybrid" top caps. I have an Ant by Holyland Mods that uses a washer with an adjustable center screw to isolate the battery top from grounding out on the attys 510 threads. For my cheaper hybrid clones that don't have such protection, I bought a half dozen of these:

They're a cheap (usually around a buck) item that's used to convert a flat top battery into a nipple top. It's simple, cheap protection and I only need them with atty's that don't have a prominent center pin in their 510...

@k2zs I've been looking for these. Who has them now?

 

[themightyturtle]

Glad you're ok. Some good info here regarding hybrids!

 

[Bootiewootsy]

So glad you are ok...

 

[dallyllama]

man sorry this happened, its pretty scary stuff, but im super glad your ok

 

[Rocketpunk]

This isn't ad hominem, but this is going to keep on happening. Twelve or so months ago the warnings were being thrown out there.

Has anyone seen the pictures of the guy who allegedly shot a blank into his mouth trying to commit suicide? It's all over the vape pages in the midwest. Someone tried to attribute it to vaping.

 

[ENAUD]

I'll preface the following comment with the statement that I truly appreciate your opinion and, more importantly, your informational contributions to the vaping community.

I am still of the opinion that the end user ultimately bears the responsibility of knowing how to safely use any consumer product. This is perhaps a poor analogy but there existed an outcry against Glock handguns due to the lack of any external safeties. However, the handling and use of a Glock by an educated and responsible user renders it no more dangerous to the end user than any other handgun. To wit, I own six Glock handguns and I've yet to negligently discharge a round. Similarly, I've owned a half dozen hybrid 510 mechanical mods and have yet to vent a battery. What do these scenarios have in common? An educated end user.

I'm just not a proponent of legislating the mandated use of "user proof" products. To do so is a very slippery slope.

If it fits, it should work. This is the understanding of an average consumer. A 510 thread on a hybrid mod is in my opinion, an accident waiting to happen. Let's take the Glock for example, what if it could accidentally discharge if a wadcutter or semi-wadcutter round was chambered. In this make believe scenario, it was intended for hardball ammo only, it is the users responsibility to know this beforehand? I'm not proponent of legislation by any means, but looking at the Zen hybrid for example, great measures were taken to insure that only a compatible attie could be affixed to it. Taking the let's make everything work with this concept was foolhardy at best, reckless at the extreme. It just seems like a bad idea to me.