E-Power Switch/Button Problems - Anyone else?

[gemini2281]

Is anyone else having a problem with the button on their E-Power starting to recess into the switch housing? I've had my 18650 for a couple weeks and the button is already starting to sink into the housing. At this rate it will be completely flush with the housing in another week or so.

Anyone else having this problem?

 

[Dicot]

I've read about this problem with the 18650 from a few posters so far, including PBusardo who mentioned it in one of his Youtube video. I believe I recall him mentioning contacting Smoktech and they acknowledged the problem and then sent him out a new switch. Don't quote me on that, but I usually have a pretty good memory. Might be worth checking into.

Edit: err... actually he mentioned in the comments below the video Smoktech sent out new buttons to the distributors, so you might want to contact your vendor instead of Smoktech. Video here

 

[gemini2281]

I've read about this problem with the 18650 from a few posters so far, including PBusardo who mentioned it in one of his Youtube video. I believe I recall him mentioning contacting Smoktech and they acknowledged the problem and then sent him out a new switch. Don't quote me on that, but I usually have a pretty good memory. Might be worth checking into.

I'll definitely check it out. But I wonder if they just sent the same style switch? I'm curious if it is a recurring issue or if there were just a few bad switches that are having this problem.

 

[tee217]

If had my E-power for quite awhile and was button is fine . Mabel just a bad one

 

[ericdjobs]

You have to keep it cleaned regularly or else this will start to happen with the 18650 and the 14650 version.

What i find works good is 91% isopropyl alcohol and a q-tip... get the q-tip nice and soaked in 91% iso, take the q-tip and rub the iso all over the sides and top of the button, now while the button is still 'wet' from the iso give it a few good firm pushes, them use the dry end of the q-tip to wipe away any excess iso from the sides of the button, repeat as much is needed until the button stops sticking/getting lower.

I've had my e-power about a month and I do this to the button every couple of days, haven't had an issue... maybe it's more of a preventative measure but I started to do it because the button was showing signs of sticking on day 3 after owning it.

 

[wyojoe]

I put a drop of liquid silicone on the button and pushed it in and out a few times and wiped the excess off, and it quit sticking. I think that the button sticks to the side of the hole, just a guess. But I could pull the button out when it stuck with my finger nail so maybe the return spring or what ever is inside is not strong enought. Never taken one apart to know whats inside.

 

[gemini2281]

Apparently I jinxed it. Just a few minutes ago the button sank all the way into the housing and wouldn't activate at all. So, I got a needle and popped the button out. Apparently sticking wasn't the issue.

The button on the board, the PCB I guess, is loose. It had shifted to the side so the soft button wasn't even making contact with the button on the board. I used the needle to VERY carefully slide the board back into place and it is working like the day I got it now. Sadly, it won't last. And I don't see any way of getting the switch housing open to solder everything tight again.

Ah well. Looks like I'm ordering a new switch on payday.

 

[wyojoe]

Apparently I jinxed it. Just a few minutes ago the button sank all the way into the housing and wouldn't activate at all. So, I got a needle and popped the button out. Apparently sticking wasn't the issue.

The button on the board, the PCB I guess, is loose. It had shifted to the side so the soft button wasn't even making contact with the button on the board. I used the needle to VERY carefully slide the board back into place and it is working like the day I got it now. Sadly, it won't last. And I don't see any way of getting the switch housing open to solder everything tight again.

Ah well. Looks like I'm ordering a new switch on payday.

Nice save anyway, the rest of use may need to do this sometime.

 

[gemini2281]

Good news! The vendor I bought the kit from is going to send me a replacement switch.

Don over at BreezEsmokes.com is good people!

 

[wyojoe]

Good news! The vendor I bought the kit from is going to send me a replacement switch.

Don over at BreezEsmokes.com is good people!

Thats where I bought my 14650 and 18650 kits, and he is indeed a very nice helpful person to work with.

 

[chriscmc]

Well, I had a dead switch with the button recessed and nothing to lose, so I grabbed some pliers and went to work. Turns out that the top is just pressure-fit in place. Gently twisting and pulling got the top right off. Then the switch is set into a plastic cylinder. The cylinder had rotated slightly, so the silicone button was no longer touching the switch. I've rotated the cylinder back in line with the hole in the housing and glued it in place. Seems to work... ymmv.

 

[wyojoe]

Well, I had a dead switch with the button recessed and nothing to lose, so I grabbed some pliers and went to work. Turns out that the top is just pressure-fit in place. Gently twisting and pulling got the top right off. Then the switch is set into a plastic cylinder. The cylinder had rotated slightly, so the silicone button was no longer touching the switch. I've rotated the cylinder back in line with the hole in the housing and glued it in place. Seems to work... ymmv.

Nice, I'll remember that. Like you said if it dead, you have nothing to lose and you might get lucky.

 

[JustaGuy]

I was planning on trying e-power next and this kind of quality issue concerns me. smok Tech also had center contact issues with their eGo batts. Saw another thread where paint was falling off e-power. The batts are much cheaper than Rivas for instance, but if it's not dependable or you have to replace parts like the switch after a while, it works out about the same as a Riva. So what's the difference?

 

[wyojoe]

I was planning on trying e-power next and this kind of quality issue concerns me. smok Tech also had center contact issues with their eGo batts. Saw another thread where paint was falling off e-power. The batts are much cheaper than Rivas for instance, but if it's not dependable or you have to replace parts like the switch after a while, it works out about the same as a Riva. So what's the difference?

The 14650 doesn't have a paint problem. And is very nice looking. You can carry a extra charged battery in you pocket so you always have power. I also have a 18650 and have had no paint flaking off , but it will scratch the paint if scrapped on something. The 14650 S.S. has none of these problems. I also have had these for about 3 months and not had a problem with switches so far. Also replacement batteries are cheaper than the Ego/Riva batteries. Hope this helps.

 

[chriscmc]

I haven't had any paint problems on my 18650, but I know a couple people who have. They sanded off the rest of the paint and ended up with a brass-looking tube, which isn't bad. I also heard a suggestion that I liked to get some heat-shrink tubing. Then the tube stays black and you get a rubberized feel instead of just the powder coating.

 

[JustaGuy]

Thanks, wyojoe & chriscmc! The paint falling off won't bother me as much as a bad switch. A scratched up PV is like a red badge of courage. Yes, the batts are $5 compared to $12-15 for Rivas with less mAh. Think I'll give the smaller 14650 a try next time I need batts/kit, something different.