Evolv Kick not working right, max 3v output. Plz help!!!!

[digunderground]

Ok, I'm hoping this kick I just bought on the forum isn't actually broken. I'll give as much info as I can, I just hope there are some pros here that can help!

here is the problem / story:
I put the kick in the tube and it fires. Under load I test voltage and I can NEVER get output voltage above 3.5v using the kick. I have the kick set on 10w and I have tried all the settings on the potentiometer (5-10w) I actually get better vapor and voltage without the kick in the unit, using a 1.5 ohm coil on my drip atty, and just on the battery!

I am really hoping that someone tells me I can't use protected batteries on it or that these batteries are real poo dookie (they are, im sure) Im hoping someone will tell me that an AW unprotected IMR will solve everything. I have read tons of posts and the common problem seems to be that people dont have a good ground or it just plain out doesnt work.. this ISNT clicking, its working, just giving no voltage boost.

my setup:
SS GGTS 2012
multiple attys tried (1.5 ohm oddy drip mode, 3.0 ohm bwb drip atty, 2.5 ohm penny, etc)
18650 IMR protected battery from "totally wicked" (picture here)


I have tried removing the GGTS bottom spring without any luck. Any help or suggestions please....

 

[CloveHunter]

Try the unprotected battery, my guess is the chip on protected battery limit the requested voltage boost from Kick. Kick already has a protected chip/circuit so using a protected battery is... overprotected.

Let us know if it solved your problem.

 

[ozy.mandias]

Hi, outside of the previous tip, I suggest having a look at pbusardo's latest video on the kick. I'm sure he mentioned some issues with dual coils below 2 ohm resistance ...

Though reading your post again it looks like you have already tried a higher res atty ... So back to the first poster's tip....

 

[digunderground]

Try the unprotected battery, my guess is the chip on protected battery limit the requested voltage boost from Kick. Kick already has a protected chip/circuit so using a protected battery is... overprotected.

Let us know if it solved your problem.

Thanks for the reply!

I just purchased 2 AW IMR high drain (red label) batteries, one 18650 and one 18490, its the only thing I can think of too. After researching discharge rates between protected and unprotected there is a difference, but I shouldnt have been hitting those limits when I tried at the 7ish watt setting. Though the "double" protection circuit (one in the Kick and one in the batt) might be conflicting as you pointed out. Maybe when the kick polls the atty for ohms its also verifying the battery can sustain 5amps-ish.

As soon as I try out the AW IMR ill let you guys know!

 

[billherbst]

dig,

Using an unprotected AW IMR will solve everything.

Disclaimer: I don't actually know that, but you wrote that you hoped someone would tell you that, so I'm happy to accommodate your wish.

The Kick is such a great idea---variable power/wattage in a set-it-and-forget-it add-on module---that I'd love to have one (Lord knows I have enough older 18650 metal tube mods). What stops me is that I have read and keep reading post after post about problems people are having with it. Yes, I know that's anecdotal, and that people who are happy with their Kicks probably aren't posting as much, and that every device has a certain percentage of problems or failures, but still---something about the weight of all those disturbed posts keep me from pulling the trigger.

 

[cozzicon]

Thanks for the reply!

I just purchased 2 AW IMR high drain (red label) batteries, one 18650 and one 18490, its the only thing I can think of too. After researching discharge rates between protected and unprotected there is a difference, but I shouldnt have been hitting those limits when I tried at the 7ish watt setting. Though the "double" protection circuit (one in the Kick and one in the batt) might be conflicting as you pointed out. Maybe when the kick polls the atty for ohms its also verifying the battery can sustain 5amps-ish.

As soon as I try out the AW IMR ill let you guys know!

Assuming the kick isn't bad... you're all set.

 

[Modnar]

I had a similar problem with the first kick I bought.

There was hardly any difference between the 5 and the 10 watt setting, and a few mizers actually worked a lot better without it.

I tried everything I could think of, but ended up sending it back for a replacement (The new one I got worked as it should)

I think your kick is broken.

 

[digunderground]

I had a similar problem with the first kick I bought.

There was hardly any difference between the 5 and the 10 watt setting, and a few mizers actually worked a lot better without it.

I tried everything I could think of, but ended up sending it back for a replacement (The new one I got worked as it should)

I think your kick is broken.

I have a feeling the kick is bad, which is upsetting since I bought it on the forum here... but I think I just found another to buy. worst case its a backup..

What you describe is EXACTLY the problem I'm having, i get better voltage without the kick. BUT, ive sent some PM's and it seems that protected IMR does have problems. Can you tell me what batts you are using with your kick? Are they the red AW IMR?

 

[Modnar]

I have a feeling the kick is bad, which is upsetting since I bought it on the forum here... but I think I just found another to buy. worst case its a backup..

What you describe is EXACTLY the problem I'm having, i get better voltage without the kick. BUT, ive sent some PM's and it seems that protected IMR does have problems. Can you tell me what batts you are using with your kick? Are they the red AW IMR?

Im using AW IMR highdrain 18490 1100mah.

 

[Xaiver]

I'm using the red AW IMR 18650's with my kick, and it works great. One caveat though: Once the battery's under-load voltage reaches 3.2-3.4 it will shut off the kick and stop working until a charged battery is inserted. From my experience, that's around 3.6-3.9v unloaded on my IMRs. That's not much from a 4.18v charge that my Pila charger stops at.

 

[tearose50]

This is from Evolv --- It's not just a tip or opinion. It is for safety and for the device to work properly.

How to use the Kick ***USE IMR BATTERIES ONLY***The Kick was designed to be used with IMR batteries only. USE ONLY IMR BATTERIES. DO NOT REMOVE THE CLEAR SHRINK-WRAP: It acts as a protective second layer of insulation against shorts. INSTALLING KICK MODULE:The Kick MUST be installed correctly. The bottom of the Kick must sit directly on the… Read more »

kick instructions « Search Results « Evolv

BTW, don't try to use protected IC batteries in your Provari either.

If you think your batteries are "wonky" -- get rid of them. At the very least, use a 2cent fuse or device with some extra protection built in if you can't handle ditching them.

 

[digunderground]

This is from Evolv --- It's not just a tip or opinion. It is for safety and for the device to work properly.

How to use the Kick ***USE IMR BATTERIES ONLY***The Kick was designed to be used with IMR batteries only. USE ONLY IMR BATTERIES. DO NOT REMOVE THE CLEAR SHRINK-WRAP: It acts as a protective second layer of insulation against shorts. INSTALLING KICK MODULE:The Kick MUST be installed correctly. The bottom of the Kick must sit directly on the… Read more »

kick instructions « Search Results « Evolv

BTW, don't try to use protected IC batteries in your Provari either.

If you think your batteries are "wonky" -- get rid of them. At the very least, use a 2cent fuse or device with some extra protection built in if you can't handle ditching them.

I did read those directions and it specifies "IMR batteries" but not protected or unprotected. The batteries I tried were IMR (as the original image I attached showed and linked HERE), but im pretty sure they are protected.

When I say "wonky" Im meaning that they could be from anyone, not that they are bad. They have always performed very well on my mods, just not at all with this situation.

I appreciate the input though! Im just trying to work through it as I would with any issue. Try things, and ask a large group of people (you guys!)

I just bought an AW 18650 and AW 18500 to test with (ill buy more next week either way). I'll report back on the results when they get done charging. If it still doesnt work, I'll see (doubtfully) if Evolv will do anything about it since I cant exactly just buy another. If thats the case I'll report back on that process.

Thanks again everyone.. keep the ideas coming!

 

[rondasherrill]

AW IMR batteries are not classified at "protected" or "unprotected". Li-Ion batteries have a protection circuit in the battery. They have no such need for this, as they use a safe battery chemistry, as in they are "chemically protected".

 

[tearose50]

I just hope it works out with the AW's. I've had performance problems with other IMR's--but not AW's. I've also had zero problems with my kicks. Maybe I'm lucky?

I do know some have had them go quickly---and the warranty came in handy.

 

[CloveHunter]

If it still doesnt work, I'll see (doubtfully) if Evolv will do anything about it since I cant exactly just buy another. If thats the case I'll report back on that process.

Actually, base on some experience I read (not experience), Evolv will do its best to fix it and most of the time they fixed it and sent it back to you. So no worry, well except you'll be without it for some days (some said 1-2 weeks top).

 

[digunderground]

AW IMR batteries are not classified at "protected" or "unprotected". Li-Ion batteries have a protection circuit in the battery. They have no such need for this, as they use a safe battery chemistry, as in they are "chemically protected".

Thank you for the clarification. Can anyone tell me from the picture (here) If this is actually an IMR as its labeled? I'm asking because the positive terminal looks completely different between the AW IMR I have and the "Totally Wicked" IMR in the link above.. wondering if TW just put that on their label, because we all know its a reskinned something else.

It doesnt much matter, I just tested with genuine AW IMR batteries and it still fires at 3v no matter what atty I put on it. Tried a 1.5ohm, 2.5 ohm and 3 ohm, all of them yielded 3-3.3volt max. If im doing the math right (I am) thats no where 10 watts for the 2.5 ohm or 3 ohm atty. I just contacted Evolv in hopes they might (MIGHT) do something.

So far the Kick isn't so impressive.. haha.

 

[Modnar]

Actually, base on some experience I read (not experience), Evolv will do its best to fix it and most of the time they fixed it and sent it back to you. So no worry, well except you'll be without it for some days (some said 1-2 weeks top).

Yeah I had to wait a little over a week for a replacement (8-9 days) and im from Denmark (I had to send it back to the vendor i bought it from in the UK, and then the vendor send it on to Evolv in the US)

I don't even think Evolv tested it, im pretty sure they just shipped out a new one, as soon as they recieved the old one

 

[Modnar]

Thank you for the clarification. Can anyone tell me from the picture (here) If this is actually an IMR as its labeled? I'm asking because the positive terminal looks completely different between the AW IMR I have and the "Totally Wicked" IMR in the link above.. wondering if TW just put that on their label, because we all know its a reskinned something else.

It doesnt much matter, I just tested with genuine AW IMR batteries and it still fires at 3v no matter what atty I put on it. Tried a 1.5ohm, 2.5 ohm and 3 ohm, all of them yielded 3-3.3volt max. If im doing the math right (I am) thats no where 10 watts for the 2.5 ohm or 3 ohm atty. I just contacted Evolv in hopes they might (MIGHT) do something.

So far the Kick isn't so impressive.. haha.

I think the kick got a pretty high failure rate...

I talked to a guy on a danish forum, who had bought a kick from the same vendor and the same week I got mine, both of them failed within days (my kick was DOA, thhe one he got worked for a few days, and then stoppede working)

 

[rondasherrill]

I think the kick got a pretty high failure rate...

There are ALOT of threads floating around this forum about the Kick failing... That's what has stopped me from getting one. Well that and the 10 watt max.

 

[Modnar]

There are ALOT of threads floating around this forum about the Kick failing... That's what has stopped me from getting one. Well that and the 10 watt max.

My new one is working great so far...

I agree on the 10 watt max beeing a little low. Wish they would have made it atleast 12 watts instead.