Apex Alpha Switch

[N8T]

Greetings,

I thought it would be good to post a video going over the Apex Alpha Switch, it's parts, and the discussion on the forum. Admittedly, the video is dry, but hopefully it answers your questions about the switch, post, bushing, pellet, and spring-



Cheers!

Nate

 

[atavanhalen]

I think that you mentioned this in another thread but I think it is worth mentioning here. If you activate the switch with force while there is no atomizer connected, the pellet can actually pop out. While the alpha is assembled it is pretty tough to make this happen but if you have the switch assembly taken out and press the brass plunger hard enough, it will release that pellet. The reason I mention this for two reasons, first is so people do not think that they have a faulty switch, and the second is because that pellet is pretty small and if popped out it could potentially be lost.

@N8t This switch design really is pretty genius, I am bummed that there is a patent pending because I would like to see it on other mods. One of the best things about it that is far above a lot of other switches is the ability to crank the atty down all the way without worrying about pushing in the positive contact on the atty. When I first started vaping, I almost had a couple battery mishaps because of overtightening atties and this is a great solution especially for people new to vaping. Thanks for such a new and unique design. Now I want one in Stainless Steel. I know that steel is probably not necessary but I love the weight and durability.

 

[N8T]

I think that you mentioned this in another thread but I think it is worth mentioning here. If you activate the switch with force while there is no atomizer connected, the pellet can actually pop out. While the alpha is assembled it is pretty tough to make this happen but if you have the switch assembly taken out and press the brass plunger hard enough, it will release that pellet. The reason I mention this for two reasons, first is so people do not think that they have a faulty switch, and the second is because that pellet is pretty small and if popped out it could potentially be lost.

@N8t This switch design really is pretty genius, I am bummed that there is a patent pending because I would like to see it on other mods. One of the best things about it that is far above a lot of other switches is the ability to crank the atty down all the way without worrying about pushing in the positive contact on the atty. When I first started vaping, I almost had a couple battery mishaps because of overtightening atties and this is a great solution especially for people new to vaping. Thanks for such a new and unique design. Now I want one in Stainless Steel. I know that steel is probably not necessary but I love the weight and durability.

Thank you Sir! -and I knew I forgot something!

Yes, the pellet can be dislodged by the post without an atomizer installed. This is by design, and required to access all contact points.

My concern was that the device could be dropped in the water, snow, jello, etc and get contamination in the inner switch area. Corrosion/oxidation is accelerated when any metal is wet and has electric current passing through it. For this reason the pellet had to be removable so that it can be inspected when trouble shooting the device years down the road.

The only thing to keep in mind is that the beveled end of the pellet faces the atomizer.

As for the patents, I am totally open to licensing the technology, so no worries there.

Cheers and thanks again!

Nate

 

[pAth77]

+1 on stainless steel!!!

Another thing that I did notice on the faulty switch is that I had a small amount of juice leak down along the sides of the center post. I think that this happened because of the loose fit, and I'm sure that this won't happen with the "in spec" switch (which is arriving today). I'm pretty religious when it comes to wiping down and cleaning my PVs so the juice never made it all the way down to the battery, but I figured that it's something I should let everyone know about.

 

[Technonut]

Received my replacement switch today via Express mail.. Impressive service. I swapped out switches, and the replacement is working and firing nicely.

Thanks for the fantastic service...

 

[SleepHater]

Received my replacement switch today via Express mail.. Impressive service. I swapped out switches, and the replacement is working and firing nicely.

Thanks for the fantastic service...

Anytime, we pride ourselves in the quality of our products and the warranty that backs them. Glad your Alpha is running smooth again.

Cheers,

SH

 

[atavanhalen]

Thank you Sir! -and I knew I forgot something!

Yes, the pellet can be dislodged by the post without an atomizer installed. This is by design, and required to access all contact points.

My concern was that the device could be dropped in the water, snow, jello, etc and get contamination in the inner switch area. Corrosion/oxidation is accelerated when any metal is wet and has electric current passing through it. For this reason the pellet had to be removable so that it can be inspected when trouble shooting the device years down the road.

The only thing to keep in mind is that the beveled end of the pellet faces the atomizer.

As for the patents, I am totally open to licensing the technology, so no worries there.

Cheers and thanks again!

Nate

No problem at all and that makes total sense. Did you notice another person is on board with stainless steel idea. Is there any chance of that ever happening. Its not that I think that the nickel plated aluminum is bad, I just hate to polish and that is the one small complaint I have is the tarnish, I have only had my alpha ultra for a couple days and it already needs to be polished. Is there any type of clear coat that you can suggest that would help prevent this?

+1 on stainless steel!!!

Another thing that I did notice on the faulty switch is that I had a small amount of juice leak down along the sides of the center post. I think that this happened because of the loose fit, and I'm sure that this won't happen with the "in spec" switch (which is arriving today). I'm pretty religious when it comes to wiping down and cleaning my PVs so the juice never made it all the way down to the battery, but I figured that it's something I should let everyone know about.

about the juice leaking through, I have not had any leak through so I am sure you will be good when you get your new one.

 

[SleepHater]

No problem at all and that makes total sense. Did you notice another person is on board with stainless steel idea. Is there any chance of that ever happening. Its not that I think that the nickel plated aluminum is bad, I just hate to polish and that is the one small complaint I have is the tarnish, I have only had my alpha ultra for a couple days and it already needs to be polished. Is there any type of clear coat that you can suggest that would help prevent this?




about the juice leaking through, I have not had any leak through so I am sure you will be good when you get your new one.

I think you'll find once you give the Alpha a good polish (which takes just a couple of minutes) it is more resistant to future tarnishing, not that it won't, it will just take longer and be lessened.

We avoided anything in the finish that would reduce the conductivity of the device, such as clear coating or anodizing. The solution would be stainless steel (I wanted Titanium) however, the price of the Alpha would double. Give the Cape Cod cloth a go on the Alpha, it polishes up quickly. Just avoid the section where you put your finger to activate it on the inner sleeve.

Regarding the juice leak, that will not happen with the new switch, I have been using my Ultra for several months and not so much as a drop of leakage, and I am an overfiller, plus I am inpatient do I routinely drop liquid down my drip tip and then blow it into the RES.

Cheers,

Noah

 

[pAth77]

...Regarding the juice leak, that will not happen with the new switch, I have been using my Ultra for several months and not so much as a drop of leakage, and I am an overfiller, plus I am inpatient do I routinely drop liquid down my drip tip and then blow it into the RES.

Cheers,

Noah

I received my new switch yesterday, and just as I suspected (and as Noah pointed out) there is no problem with leaking. The leak in the faulty switch was simply because both the center post and brass disc were loose. My tendency to overfill caused juice to slip past the disc and down the center post. The new switch has a much better seal, and I don't foresee any juice ever getting through.

As for stainless steel, any chance of doing a special edition or special order SS version? I'd definitely be willing to fork over the extra money, and something tells me that atavanhalen would be on board too.

 

[SleepHater]

I received my new switch yesterday, and just as I suspected (and as Noah pointed out) there is no problem with leaking. The leak in the faulty switch was simply because both the center post and brass disc were loose. My tendency to overfill caused juice to slip past the disc and down the center post. The new switch has a much better seal, and I don't foresee any juice ever getting through.

As for stainless steel, any chance of doing a special edition or special order SS version? I'd definitely be willing to fork over the extra money, and something tells me that atavanhalen would be on board too.

There is definitely a chance, I want one myself... they will be costy. I keep you in the loop. N8T and I have some more stuff in the pipeline, SS Alpha's are on the list.

Cheers,

Sh

 

[atavanhalen]

There is definitely a chance, I want one myself... they will be costy. I keep you in the loop. N8T and I have some more stuff in the pipeline, SS Alpha's are on the list.

Cheers,

Sh

Thanks noah I will give it a polish and see how it goes. I like the sound of your last post, even if it was special order only, I would be fine with that. Also path is correct that I am on board.

 

[SleepHater]

Thanks noah I will give it a polish and see how it goes. I like the sound of your last post, even if it was special order only, I would be fine with that. Also path is correct that I am on board.

I know, stainless would be epic. It will happen, sooner then later. I want one, N8T of ofcourse wants one, there's 4 already....

 

[pAth77]

I know, stainless would be epic. It will happen, sooner then later. I want one, N8T of ofcourse wants one, there's 4 already....

So I guess we can start a SS Alpha waiting list?!?

1. SleepHater
2. N8T
3. atavanhalen
4. pAth77

LOL

 

[SleepHater]

So I guess we can start a SS Alpha waiting list?!?

1. SleepHater
2. N8T
3. atavanhalen
4. pAth77

LOL

Put me down for 2, Ultra and UltraMax both with RES ofcourse Plus I will by one for Mark and one for Tony (they deserve it, what other company will answer the phone at 10pm on Sunday?) So that is +4 for me. Put it on N8T's tab .

 

[N8T]

So I guess we can start a SS Alpha waiting list?!?

1. SleepHater
2. N8T
3. atavanhalen
4. pAth77

LOL

Oh god, what is happening here! If we're going to do a special edition it might as well be titanium. But please, patience is key here because I'm already running the machines at 100%..

The fire suppression system on Tsugami SS-32 is also key here. Titanium runs so fricken hot that it can make the coolant go from liquid to gas faster than a pig on ......

 

[SleepHater]

Oh god, what is happening here! If we're going to do a special edition it might as well be titanium. But please, patience is key here because I'm already running the machines at 100%..

The fire suppression system on Tsugami SS-32 is also key here. Titanium runs so fricken hot that it can make the coolant go from liquid to gas faster than a pig on ......

I wanted to initially build these only out of titanium and SS, but was not sure how a $400 base unit was going to go over!

 

[pAth77]

Oh god, what is happening here! If we're going to do a special edition it might as well be titanium. But please, patience is key here because I'm already running the machines at 100%..

The fire suppression system on Tsugami SS-32 is also key here. Titanium runs so fricken hot that it can make the coolant go from liquid to gas faster than a pig on ......

I wanted to initially build these only out of titanium and SS, but was not sure how a $400 base unit was going to go over!

I can just picture Nate freaking out over manufacturing a special edition model. I love my SS mods so if there is ever a SS Alpha, I'll definitely be picking one up no matter how much it costs...and a titanium version would be just "over the top" and definitely worth it. Sorry to burst your bubble Nate, but vapers as a whole focused on immediate gratification so your request for patience is completely and utterly absurd!!!

 

[SleepHater]

I can just picture Nate freaking out over manufacturing a special edition model. I love my SS mods so if there is ever a SS Alpha, I'll definitely be picking one up no matter how much it costs...and a titanium version would be just "over the top" and definitely worth it. Sorry to burst your bubble Nate, but vapers as a whole focused on immediate gratification so your request for patience is completely and utterly absurd!!!

Agreed, that is why we just straight launched the Apex Alpha line, pre-orders make me want to murder someone.

 

[Stownz]

SS would be nice, but it is heavy. One of the great thing about the Apex Alpha is how light it is. 8)

 

[atavanhalen]

I wanted to initially build these only out of titanium and SS, but was not sure how a $400 base unit was going to go over!

I work delivering pizza for a living but I really would pay 400 if it was titanium. It would last for fricken ever and would look sweet while doin it. LEts get it done!

@path, that was a great post about instant gratification.

@Stownz, yeah ss is heavy but in my opinion, that is not a bad thing, I like the extra heft, I am especially hard on mods and to have this in titanium or stainless would make it as close to perfect as it gets.

@N8t So nate what is the time line on the titanium special edition, I will be able to place my special order within a few weeks. Just messin, but I will be bringing it up on a somewhat regular basis because that is how to get things done right?