Cuboid Issues

[Phassat]

I just bought a Cuboid to replace my Evic VTC Mini and so far I think Evic VTC Mini is superior in terms of the build of the product.

Here are my issues with Cuboid:
- The Door! It has many issues from the beginning. When I inserted the batteries and close it until the click sound, sometimes it does not register the battery until I repeat the process or try to push the closed door couple of times. At times, also it would say weak battery although it is already fully charged until I push the door for the device to re-register the battery.
Anyone has this issue and and tips and tricks to fix this?
- Sticking Fire Button! It is not a big problem (yet) for now but I have once case (after owning this product for 1.5 days) where it sticks a bit although it spring back by itself almost immediately. But it should not happen... and I am worried that later on it might sticks there a bit longer
- The finish of the Cuboid won't last long... I own the black one and the paint on the bottom started to scratched already. Although I think this was the same case as Evic VTC Mini
- I have concerned with my married battery. It is LG HG2 and I bought it fresh and use them together. The Cuboid battery bar register different % although it was fully charged. When I check the voltage using Cuboid, One cell is 4.16V and the other 4.26V... Then checking with Evic VTC Mini for the voltage, each battery shows 4.2V... I need to repeat this process to see if it keeps happening.
I might have to invest in a decent external charger (all this time, i choose convenience on my evic vtc mini by using the usb on-board charger). However, looking at those fresh batteries, it looks like they want to file a divorce already.
I had an incident when I just upgrade the firmware because I forgot to reduce the Wattage from 200W while using it on 0.29 ohm SS316 on TC Mode at 380F. It was only like less than 1 secs as it made me cough and cry a lot! Will this 1 secs good enough to destroy the LG HG2? I would think that it might not damage it too much as it was only a very pulse situation while in TC mode.

Thanks.

 

[Phassat]

To Add... just test the married battery voltage again with the same method of using both Cuboid and Evic VTC Mini.

Cuboid reads:
Cell 1: 3.99V
Cell 2: 4.06V

Evic VTC Mini reads:
Cell 1: 3.98V
Cell 2: 3.99V

Funny thing is... I tried to switch the battery on the Cuboid... Cell 1 became Cell 2 and Cell 2 became Cell 1, but the voltage reading remain the same... Cell-1 3.99V and Cell-2 4.06V.... Logically it should be reversed.

 

[K_Tech]

I just bought a Cuboid to replace my Evic VTC Mini and so far I think Evic VTC Mini is superior in terms of the build of the product.

Here are my issues with Cuboid:
- The Door! It has many issues from the beginning. When I inserted the batteries and close it until the click sound, sometimes it does not register the battery until I repeat the process or try to push the closed door couple of times. At times, also it would say weak battery although it is already fully charged until I push the door for the device to re-register the battery.
Anyone has this issue and and tips and tricks to fix this?

What firmware version are you on? I had this happen to me with version 3.0 and 3.10 firmware. Since upgrading to 3.13 I haven't had this happen.

- Sticking Fire Button! It is not a big problem (yet) for now but I have once case (after owning this product for 1.5 days) where it sticks a bit although it spring back by itself almost immediately. But it should not happen... and I am worried that later on it might sticks there a bit longer

This I haven't had an issue with yet, I'm happy to say.

- The finish of the Cuboid won't last long... I own the black one and the paint on the bottom started to scratched already. Although I think this was the same case as Evic VTC Mini

I've had my Cuboid a few months and while the paint is wearing a bit on the bottom, it really doesn't look that bad considering I've been carrying it every single day, everywhere.

- I have concerned with my married battery. It is LG HG2 and I bought it fresh and use them together. The Cuboid battery bar register different % although it was fully charged. When I check the voltage using Cuboid, One cell is 4.16V and the other 4.26V... Then checking with Evic VTC Mini for the voltage, each battery shows 4.2V... I need to repeat this process to see if it keeps happening.

I'd blame this on poor solder joints. If you're handy at taking things apart and doing a little soldering of your own, re-doing or re-flowing the soldered connections that connect the battery terminals to the board may help. There's a YouTube video where a gentleman disassembles a Cuboid, but it's in Russian:

I might have to invest in a decent external charger (all this time, i choose convenience on my evic vtc mini by using the usb on-board charger). However, looking at those fresh batteries, it looks like they want to file a divorce already.

Yes, put a few dollars into a good charger. I personally don't like using onboard chargers. I know that some are better than others, but I simply trust the accuracy of a decent quality battery charger. Most good two or four-bay chargers can be had for about (or less than) the cost of four quality batteries. I only have experience with an Efest LUC and an Xtar VP4 and I've found them both to be accurate and reliable.

I had an incident when I just upgrade the firmware because I forgot to reduce the Wattage from 200W while using it on 0.29 ohm SS316 on TC Mode at 380F. It was only like less than 1 secs as it made me cough and cry a lot! Will this 1 secs good enough to destroy the LG HG2? I would think that it might not damage it too much as it was only a very pulse situation while in TC mode.

Thanks.

Less than a second? Assuming each battery was around 3.7 volts, a 200 watt pulse would be about 27 amps (series batteries). Mooch did a pulse test of the HG2 with ten-second 35A pulses and they did just fine. I think you're okay.

 

[Phassat]

Hi K_Tech, thanks for the detailed response...

What firmware version are you on? I had this happen to me with version 3.0 and 3.10 firmware. Since upgrading to 3.13 I haven't had this happen.

It was 3.13... after I purchase the Cuboid, I update the firmware right away. Since I saw there were many customization on the logos, I have downloaded a theme for the cuboid and update again last night. When I checked, it became 3.11 but the door issue is gone for now. So, I'll be sticking with 3.11 for the moment. I don't relate this with the door issue because I thought it would be something mechanical but after you mention, the issue has not come back after I change to 3.11

I'd blame this on poor solder joints. If you're handy at taking things apart and doing a little soldering of your own, re-doing or re-flowing the soldered connections that connect the battery terminals to the board may help. There's a YouTube video where a gentleman disassembles a Cuboid, but it's in Russian:

Hmmm... I won't be able to do that. I am an expert in dismantling electronics but without putting them back.

Yes, put a few dollars into a good charger. I personally don't like using onboard chargers. I know that some are better than others, but I simply trust the accuracy of a decent quality battery charger. Most good two or four-bay chargers can be had for about (or less than) the cost of four quality batteries. I only have experience with an Efest LUC and an Xtar VP4 and I've found them both to be accurate and reliable.

Actually, I have been considering Efest Luc V4 and Xtar VP4... so your recommendation is exactly what I am looking at for the moment. I think I like the Xtar VP4 a bit better but the cost at my country is around $15-20 more compared to Efest Luc V4. I can get Efest Luc V4 at $25-30 but Xtar seems to be at around $40 up.

Less than a second? Assuming each battery was around 3.7 volts, a 200 watt pulse would be about 27 amps (series batteries). Mooch did a pulse test of the HG2 with ten-second 35A pulses and they did just fine. I think you're okay.

Good to hear... Yeah, I suppose it should be less than a second because the moment i put in the mouth and press it, I cough instantly because of the burnt cotton.
I read all Mooch reviews as he did a very well job but I don't remember that he was doing the pulse test, or I didn't notice too details. Converting to LG HG2 because of his review

 

[K_Tech]

Hi K_Tech, thanks for the detailed response...

You're welcome.

It was 3.13... after I purchase the Cuboid, I update the firmware right away. Since I saw there were many customization on the logos, I have downloaded a theme for the cuboid and update again last night. When I checked, it became 3.11 but the door issue is gone for now. So, I'll be sticking with 3.11 for the moment. I don't relate this with the door issue because I thought it would be something mechanical but after you mention, the issue has not come back after I change to 3.11

I upgraded mine the day I received it, and started having the "empty battery" issue off and on. I went straight to 3.13 from that point.

Hmmm... I won't be able to do that. I am an expert in dismantling electronics but without putting them back.

With that difference it shouldn't impact operation, just keep an eye on it. And although you've already talked about your charging plans, I would not use the onboard charger on the Cuboid. There's a good chance that it would overcharge, and that impacts battery life.

Actually, I have been considering Efest Luc V4 and Xtar VP4... so your recommendation is exactly what I am looking at for the moment. I think I like the Xtar VP4 a bit better but the cost at my country is around $15-20 more compared to Efest Luc V4. I can get Efest Luc V4 at $25-30 but Xtar seems to be at around $40 up.

Just my opinion, other than being able to vary the charging rate on the Xtar and the different display, I don't think it's a "better" charger than the Efest. I check voltages periodically on both chargers, and they're both accurate. That's the important thing.

Good to hear... Yeah, I suppose it should be less than a second because the moment i put in the mouth and press it, I cough instantly because of the burnt cotton.
I read all Mooch reviews as he did a very well job but I don't remember that he was doing the pulse test, or I didn't notice too details. Converting to LG HG2 because of his review

Here's a link to the thread on ECF, it contains a Dropbox link to the actual tests.
Samsung 30Q vs LG HG2 Pulsed Discharge Shootout Results

 

[Spey]

I have had two Cuboid, both read married batteries at differing voltages approx .05v different when both batteries measure the same on more accurate device or DMM.

I prefer the Efest LUC chargers v2, v4, v6 (currently running a v2 & v6). Multiple charging rate adjustment on each. All appear to do better job than other brands I have had.

 

[c3scott]

I like my cuboid. Samsung 25r batteries nitecore charger. Cuboid has lasted longer than my evic. I'm a messy dripper and the cuboid soldiers on. I wish I would have bought another cuboid instead of the xcube ultra.