Fixing a broken RN4081 charger?

[dolanman]

Hey guys. First of all I'd like to say thank you to everyone who contributes here. You're all helping me (and I'm sure thousands like me) change my life.

Here's my problem...
I was preoccupied while I was removing my battery from the charger and screwed it the wrong way. It forced the insides of the charger to come loose I'm guessing, since it kept turning clockwise. The battery actually wouldn't come out of the charger when i unscrewed after that until I tried squeezing the sides of the charger to keep the insides in place. So now that the battery is out and okay, I curious to know what the best way of taking apart the charger is in a way that won't cause too much damage. And then of course how to fix it once I figure out what's going on in there. The charger is a Desan DSN0023-02 that came with my NPro.

I'm a little bummed out because I had to buy a pack of cigarettes after a week and a half of straight vaping. Also puresmoker is out of the charger and I'd like to get back to vaping as soon as possible, as you can imagine.
Any help would be very very appreciated!

Thanks again guys!

Brendan

 

[mogur]

The two halves are glued together with a tongue and groove fit, no screws. Take a very, very sharp knife and cut along the seam on both sides. Take it very slow and easy. You don't have to cut through everywhere, just enough to start to feel the case give a little when you squeeze it from the sides, and you will hear a little cracking noise. At a corner, or wherever the case first comes apart enough to slip your knife in, put a sturdy bladed knife into that spot and twist the knife while squeezing the sides. The case should crack open along at least one side. Work your way around case with the knife, while pulling the case apart gently. When half or more of the case has separated, it will usually pop apart very easily. It will easily glue back together, especially if you took your time and were gentle while prying it open.

If the wires from the battery ferrel are still soldered to the board, you only have to glue it back in place. I would try epoxy myself, but since it is plastic, you might have to hot melt or find an adhesive that will stick to it. Good luck, my friend.

 

[kender]

It might be soldered directly on the board. Might need to resolder.
Hopefully mogur is right and just need to glue it back in place but more than likely you will have to do some soldering.8-o

 

[mogur]

Yep, two wires, a black and red go to the board, I would post a pic, but they don't let newbies to this forum do that. The wires are only long enough to rotate about 180 degrees, so you will have to break out the soldering iron if that has already happened. They attach to the board right next to each other between the front of the ferrel and C8 and D4. The black wire goes to the pad marked V-. The red wire attaches to the through-hole pad marked with just a + sign.

 

[mogur]

PS, to build my post count, let me add... You don't have to remove the board to get at the bottom. With the ferrel out of the way you can just solder to the pad and the remmants of the broken wires from the top side. They are very close together, so double check when done that the solder did not happen to bridge between the pads (or to any other pad). After gluing the ferrel, try it out on a battery before gluing the case back together. If blue smoke occurs, throw it away and forget that I talked to you. Otherwise, happy vaping.

 

[kender]

If blue smoke occurs, throw it away and forget that I talked to you. Otherwise, happy vaping.

 

[dolanman]

Well, I took it apart successfully but after an hour of soldering and re-soldering I still couldn't get the thing to charge. The connection was made I'm sure, but I think I just screwed the thing up more than I originally thought. Thank you guys anyways for all of your help you were great.

Since it seems I can't find a charger anywhere in stock for the 4081 I'm gonna get a new M401 or DSE901 kit. I guess it's a good excuse for stepping up to a better product.

Thanks again guys!

 

[t3nkra]

Same problem here. These chargers have very small, weak solder points from the factory. Piece of junk. I cracked mine open and although I couldn't solder it in, I managed to prop up the wires just right to get a charge. This lasted about 2 days until the wires tore away from the circuit board. I just ordered another online from electronic-ash.com for $9.50. They need to redesign these junkers. Mine lasted about 3 weeks before it started falling apart. I almost jumped the e-cig ship because of this headache.