E Power- Love it...BUT the threads .....

[proax9]

I really love my e-powers- the 14650 battery version.
I have two full kits and one spare switch.

The problem, which is becoming serious- is that the threads that hold the battery tube to the switch are horrendous. I bought the extra switch when the original parts became very difficult to screw together. It would try and go on crooked, and/or take a lot of patience to get the threads to catch. So I bought a spare switch. Same problem.
I then bought a full 'replacement kit' with the rubber texture paint. These are the worst yet. After one day of use- you can easily press the battery tube into the switch without screwing it in. I had to tape the two parts together!
I am very careful about threading these together slowly- but I think because the threads are so small these are poorly designed.

Anyone else having this problem? or have a way to 'fix' this?

 

[riverwhiskey]

First got mine and the threads seemed like a poor fit. Lot a squeaking going on there. I finally lubricated with Vasalene(sp). probably not the best choice but it turned the trick. no problems since.

 

[WomanOfHeart]

Put some Noalox on the threads because it sounds like you've got some grinding problems. Noalox will work much better than Vaseline and it will improve conductivity and prevent crossthreading. It only takes a very, very small amount on your finger and just wipe it along the threads. Don't put it on the threads of your atties, cartos or where they connect.

 

[ericdjobs]

What WomanOfHeart said.. Noalox is needed on the e-power.. I have one and had the exact same issue..

 

[proax9]

I should have mentioned that I used the Noalox- but didn't seem to help much. Maybe I'll give it another try.
Thanks everyone.

 

[AttyPops]

I don't own an e-power yet.... so grain-of-salt here. But, since you used Noalox, the only other thing I can think of for threads:

Another tip that is often recommended with finely threaded stuff is to turn it counter-clockwise a few times to seat/align the threads before you turn it clockwise to tighten it. Stops cross-threading.

Anything else will require a design change, IMO. There's not much else you can do besides Noalox and/or getting new parts and continuing to be REAL gentle with it.

 

[ericdjobs]

I don't own an e-power yet.... so grain-of-salt here. But, since you used Noalox, the only other thing I can think of for threads:

Another tip that is often recommended with finely threaded stuff is to turn it counter-clockwise a few times to seat/align the threads before you turn it clockwise to tighten it. Stops cross-threading.

Anything else will require a design change, IMO. There's not much else you can do besides Noalox and/or getting new parts and continuing to be REAL gentle with it.

Exactly.. it seems you have to treat the e-power threads with kid gloves... the minute it starts to provide ANY resistance when I'm screwing the threads on I immediately back off and try again... couple things that I have found to help get them to connect correctly.. Push the two pieces together tightly as you screw them... strangely enough another method that has worked is pulling them apart as I'm screwing them together.

 

[Caddyman]

Like atty said, as a rule of thumb i always use that trick on small threads. turn backward slowly till you feel/hear a tiny click, that is where the threads should start to go into each other, then thread them together very gingerly.

 

[Eddie.Willers]

+1 to what others have said.
I can't find Noalox or equivalent down here but we did have some zinc-based diaper rash cream in the medecine cabinet - worked a treat on my E-power 14650.

 

[wyojoe]

This is my opinion of what may be the problem. The 14650 battery's have a little strap welded to the top of the battery that gets hung up on the bottom connector when you screw it in. Try screwing the battery holder on without the battery in it and you will see what I mean. If the 14650 had a button top instead of the flat top I think that would solve the proplem. That being said, do be careful screwing it on, and never force it at all. Like the posts above said push it up or pull it while you are screwing it in or gently rock it side to side or back it off a little and try again. Vaseline will lube it and better than nothing, but noalox would be better if you can find it. Some times it helps to take it apart and turn the battery a little and try it again. Just never ever force it on, this will do damage to the treads. Let me know if this helps or have figured away around the flat top battery and welded strap problem. Note: Do not sand the strap down, its there for a reason. TRY practicing screwing it together, with out the battery in it, to get a feel for how easy it screws in when you do it right.

UPDATE: The new kit 14650 that I received 2 days ago HAS a button top battery. It is a Smokteck 14650 1050mAh battery (it is a little longer that the flat top battery that came with my first kit) and I just tried it, does seem to make the shell screw on a little better, but you still need to make sure you don't cross thread it.