Fixing a USB passthrough...

[Cyre]

I have a USB passthrough that has a loose connection in it. I can push the wire up into the 'battery' and it'll work from time to time. Is there a way to take this apart and resolder it? I can't think of a way to get the screw part out of the cylinder.

 

[KissMint]

I got an auto PT from the Halloween sales so I've been using it for about 10 days. I can't get it work today. Very little vapor when I do a primer puff, but it is like sucking a very thick milkshake and no vapor after. I thought I may have not refill the cartos with enough juice, so I unwrapped a brand new cowboy menthol coolcart and that didn't work either. The connections are clean, not wet. It's been working perfectly for 10 days Also tried on 3 different USB ports, no luck.

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[GrannyFrets]

I got an auto PT from the Halloween sales so I've been using it for about 10 days. I can't get it work today. Very little vapor when I do a primer puff, but it is like sucking a very thick milkshake and no vapor after. I thought I may have not refill the cartos with enough juice, so I unwrapped a brand new cowboy menthol coolcart and that didn't work either. The connections are clean, not wet. It's been working perfectly for 10 days Also tried on 3 different USB ports, no luck.

Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

I wish I had some help for you but the same thing happened to me. I got mine on Oct 29 and the same thing happened to it yesterday....it just died. Maybe there was a defective shipment or something. I've been having severe withdrawals today.

 

[KissMint]

12 hours later I plugged it in and I could get couple good vapes. I was very excited and test a different carto and it work few times then stop again. Maybe it needs a little time off?
I really love the thing and I will get a kit with a manual PT. I find myself using it more than my ego. It gives better flavor imo.

 

[markfm]

This won't help OP, but for those who get weak vapor/hard draw:
I've had autos, both PT and battery, get a little off due to not-so-obvious gunk buildup. Common is for the air inlets below the threaded connector, or the channel between the threaded part and the center post, to build up a little gunk, which may not be obvious just looking at the top of the center post.

Put rubbing alcohol into the alcohol bottle's cap, put the battery connector end into the cap with alcohol for a few minutes, then wipe it. You just want enough alcohol to fully cover the connector end, not the main battery compartment.

Keeping it upside down, so any alcohol that got into the center hole can continue draining, poke a thumbtack through the air inlets on the side of the connector, then run the tack's tip around the interior wall between the threaded outside connector part and the center post section. Final step is run a little folded paper towel in that gap between the outer edge and the center post.

Give it a few minutes for any residual alcohol that is in the connector to drain/evaporate, then try it out on a clean carto.

Just cleaned an auto PT and battery this am, they're both happy vapor-producers again, much lighter draw.

 

[KissMint]

Oh WOW! markfm tyvm for the tip! I tried it, but made a mistake thought to dip few seconds vs few mins... but it still works!
YAY....!! I'll clean it again and wait a little longer this time.

 

[jamvector]

This won't help OP, but for those who get weak vapor/hard draw:
I've had autos, both PT and battery, get a little off due to not-so-obvious gunk buildup. Common is for the air inlets below the threaded connector, or the channel between the threaded part and the center post, to build up a little gunk, which may not be obvious just looking at the top of the center post.

Put rubbing alcohol into the alcohol bottle's cap, put the battery connector end into the cap with alcohol for a few minutes, then wipe it. You just want enough alcohol to fully cover the connector end, not the main battery compartment.

Keeping it upside down, so any alcohol that got into the center hole can continue draining, poke a thumbtack through the air inlets on the side of the connector, then run the tack's tip around the interior wall between the threaded outside connector part and the center post section. Final step is run a little folded paper towel in that gap between the outer edge and the center post.

Give it a few minutes for any residual alcohol that is in the connector to drain/evaporate, then try it out on a clean carto.

Just cleaned an auto PT and battery this am, they're both happy vapor-producers again, much lighter draw.

This procedure may need to be performed weekly depending on vaping frequency and juice viscosity to maintain proper air flow. Dirty batteries with restricted air flow is by far one of the biggest problems new and/or inexperienced vapers encounter, and it is often poorly diagnosed.

Another tip is to use compressed air can "dusters" with the plastic tube and spray out your MANUAL batteries (or PT's) every couple days, reduces buildup and allows me to only have to soak the batt every other week or so. Not saying you can't do this with auto batts, but there is a greater chance of damage to the vacuum switch.

 

[GrannyFrets]

This won't help OP, but for those who get weak vapor/hard draw:
I've had autos, both PT and battery, get a little off due to not-so-obvious gunk buildup. Common is for the air inlets below the threaded connector, or the channel between the threaded part and the center post, to build up a little gunk, which may not be obvious just looking at the top of the center post.

Put rubbing alcohol into the alcohol bottle's cap, put the battery connector end into the cap with alcohol for a few minutes, then wipe it. You just want enough alcohol to fully cover the connector end, not the main battery compartment.

Keeping it upside down, so any alcohol that got into the center hole can continue draining, poke a thumbtack through the air inlets on the side of the connector, then run the tack's tip around the interior wall between the threaded outside connector part and the center post section. Final step is run a little folded paper towel in that gap between the outer edge and the center post.

Give it a few minutes for any residual alcohol that is in the connector to drain/evaporate, then try it out on a clean carto.

Just cleaned an auto PT and battery this am, they're both happy vapor-producers again, much lighter draw.

Thank you so much for the tip. I tried it on mine but unfortunately its just dead. I will keep it in mind for future maintenance on my batteries and pt tho.

 

[Sallyem]

I wish I had some help for you but the same thing happened to me. I got mine on Oct 29 and the same thing happened to it yesterday....it just died. Maybe there was a defective shipment or something. I've been having severe withdrawals today.

See "Fixing Cartos" above in the stickies. What you are describing is what happens when the connection between the carto and the battery is not sufficient. You may need to pry up the battery's connector a little bit

 

[Cyre]

Oh well, never mind...yesterday's Pilgrim had a free passthrough. I just ordered a new one along with lots of carts and juice.

 

[LeAnn]

This is my 2nd PT and it just died. I sent the first one back and got a new one and it has done the same thing, worked for a few days and died. Havent had any problems with any other batteries from V4L. Do you think that a manual PT would last longer and work better? I really like having a PT when I am home working on my computer.

 

[lujin4]

My manual PT has been working fine for over 3 months now, imho, manual is the only way to go.

 

[samsmom]

I agree with lujin4 - I have a manual PT and it has been working great for over a month now. I will only use manual as I like the instant airflow without having to pull hard on the ecig. You also don't need a "primer" puff with manuals. I think most will agree that manual is best.