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I would also like to know as the link does not enlighten what the problem was. This would be good general knowledge.
Collecting bits and pieces here and there ... some people are talking about the casing being metal and the battery pack touching it. Personally I see no reason why that would cause a problem.
More likely culprit I think is the screws in the middle (of the sides) of the device. I believe these are open to the pack inside and if the pack comes loose, it could contact the screw threads and eventually wear a hole in the pack.
More likely culprit I think is the screws in the middle (of the sides) of the device. I believe these are open to the pack inside and if the pack comes loose, it could contact the screw threads and eventually wear a hole in the pack.
The four center casing screws protruded into the case too far and if the battery was jarred loose they would puncture the battery. Quick fix, secure battery with some glue and remove the center screws. You still have 8 more screws holding the case together and the four center screw holes become vents.
Great! I just received my Groove last week and now I have to trash it? I bought one so I could have a vape while I'm riding my bike. If it's the side screws, I'll take them out, poke a tip from a toothpick in it and be satisfied. Or not.
Now I've got to decide on either a MVP or the Tmax, both of which I'm not too thrilled about.
This just sucks but I should be open about it. At least the company did put out a recall, so that's saying something about them. But if the company we bought it from doesn't want to go through the hassle of returning or replacing the device, does that mean we're just out $60?
Now I've got to decide on either a MVP or the Tmax, both of which I'm not too thrilled about.
This just sucks but I should be open about it. At least the company did put out a recall, so that's saying something about them. But if the company we bought it from doesn't want to go through the hassle of returning or replacing the device, does that mean we're just out $60?
It is an easy fix, if you look on my pic, on the right side the battery is very close to the center holes and to top it off the screws are pointed. The battery is held in place by cheap two sided plastic tape and can release easily. I put a glob of hot glue on each side of the battery and just left the holes for vents. Maybe I'll cut the screws shorter and re install them, but for now I will stick to leaving the holes as air vents.
One would think that if the problem was truly a case of jostling causing the battery to shift and thereby subjecting it to puncture or contact to cause shorting, then this problem would have become apparent during the shipping process. I know they are packed to withstand vibration, but the way they would have been handled from the time of manufacture to arrival in your mailbox, these devices would have been subject to much more strenuous drops than they are receiving from their owners.
One guy said his fell a foot or two onto a carpeted floor, one guy said his merely fell over on his dresser, not really much of a jolt involved in either case. Surely they received much harsher handling in shipping - we've all seen the videos of the various delivery people tossing/throwing packages around.
Might it be better to consider if there is an underlying problem with the batteries?
EDIT: Or, perhaps a sticking switch or some other issue with the circuitry?
One guy said his fell a foot or two onto a carpeted floor, one guy said his merely fell over on his dresser, not really much of a jolt involved in either case. Surely they received much harsher handling in shipping - we've all seen the videos of the various delivery people tossing/throwing packages around.
Might it be better to consider if there is an underlying problem with the batteries?
EDIT: Or, perhaps a sticking switch or some other issue with the circuitry?
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Some reported that they could feel the battery move inside when they shook it. I know my battery was just barely held in place by cheap thin two sided tape. I removed the battery and mine had no damage. Standard run of the mill flat lipo 3.7 V, same as hundreds I have used in my RC hobbies. Rest of the unit well wired, and switch is good. Someone stated the battery was wrapped in foil, and yes that is standard on flat lipos. Lipos just don't like to be perforated. Those small screws also have sharp points. Same circuit as the Vamo, a sticking switch would activate the protection. The only thing that you can't protect from is an internal short in the battery itself such as thru a perforation. IMO it probably took several drops or shakes to perforate.
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I would think that extended use in the field, temperature cycles, etc. could contribute to weakening the tape, which would be fine during shipment. It's feasible that a modest drop could cause a perforation if the screw tip contacts the pack with any force. I wouldn't doubt if some contact wear was already in progress at the time.
Okay, I understand both BJ43 and dr g, and I have zero experience with Lipos, but is it really that easy to perforate the skin on one of these batteries? I have no reason to doubt what you are saying, and I believe both of you, but some little voice in the back of my head keeps telling me that there has to be more to this problem with these devices. If these batteries are known to be that susceptible to puncture wouldn't a prudent manufacturer, even in China, use a skin of sufficient tensile strength on the batteries just to avoid this issue?
And, rather than issue a recall, with the concerns associated with cost and consumer confidence/PR, why not just issue a service bulletin telling consumers and vendors with products in inventory to remove the two suspect screws? This company is in China, it's not as though they are afraid of potential lawsuits from aggrieved purchasers of the product.
Has anyone identified any punctures on any of these failed batteries, or any unusual wear marks on batteries that have not yet failed, that would indicate the screws were the problem? An absence of such marks would indicate that perhaps the batteries alone are the source of the problem, and this might be information that modders want to know before using similar batteries in their own devices.
Sorry to keep beating what is apparently a dead horse here, just had to get this out of my system.
And, rather than issue a recall, with the concerns associated with cost and consumer confidence/PR, why not just issue a service bulletin telling consumers and vendors with products in inventory to remove the two suspect screws? This company is in China, it's not as though they are afraid of potential lawsuits from aggrieved purchasers of the product.
Has anyone identified any punctures on any of these failed batteries, or any unusual wear marks on batteries that have not yet failed, that would indicate the screws were the problem? An absence of such marks would indicate that perhaps the batteries alone are the source of the problem, and this might be information that modders want to know before using similar batteries in their own devices.
Sorry to keep beating what is apparently a dead horse here, just had to get this out of my system.
With RC planes I have landed in such a way (ok crashed 
) that the rectangular lipo was terribly mushroomed on one end, but it still worked. However out of caution I retired it.
I have also seen lipos go up in flames from being dropped or knocked off a table and landing on something sharp just right.
IIRC its the reaction of the internal battery makeup with air that causes them to ignite. I have seen my fair share of lipo cells go up in flames, but never as violently as the youtube videos where they are force feeding the cells huge amounts of current and etc. However I think if the cell was punctured inside an enclosure that was sealed fairly tight the pressure and etc from the reaction could lead to a very violent situation. However I think most plastic enclosures would melt and not get violent, but there would still be a chemical fire.
It is my understanding that all lithium based batteries are this way (metal round cell, lipos, etc.)....even cell phones and other widely used consumer devises. The hazards are listed in the fine print that nobody reads.
) that the rectangular lipo was terribly mushroomed on one end, but it still worked. However out of caution I retired it. I have also seen lipos go up in flames from being dropped or knocked off a table and landing on something sharp just right.
IIRC its the reaction of the internal battery makeup with air that causes them to ignite. I have seen my fair share of lipo cells go up in flames, but never as violently as the youtube videos where they are force feeding the cells huge amounts of current and etc. However I think if the cell was punctured inside an enclosure that was sealed fairly tight the pressure and etc from the reaction could lead to a very violent situation. However I think most plastic enclosures would melt and not get violent, but there would still be a chemical fire.
It is my understanding that all lithium based batteries are this way (metal round cell, lipos, etc.)....even cell phones and other widely used consumer devises. The hazards are listed in the fine print that nobody reads.
This video shows how the screws were piercing the sides. She also assumed at first that it was the battery foil cover grounding out to the case, but this is false, the cover is not a ground. Most flat lipos are just covered in foil, to keep them light and as a heat sink. Those who know lipos, insure a good mount so they do not get punctured.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=lvIH92L4NAM
This is what a typical flat lipo looks like with it's foil cover.
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That pretty well answered my questions. All I can say is stupid f'ing design. I only own one Smok PV, and after seeing this not sure I would ever buy another one. I've always preferred to build my own anyway, and this whole scenario only serves to reenforce that idea.
Thanks for the link to the video; the little voice in my head is quiet now.
Thanks for the link to the video; the little voice in my head is quiet now.
Have been using mine hard since I repaired it and have had no problem. It is great if I am out all day as I know the battery will give me a good ten hours of heavy vaping...
Radio Control Planes, Helicopters, Cars, Boats, FPV and Quadcopters - Hobbyking.
I am not sure the groove is 1s, because of the size I think it is 3 parallel 1s and that is why it can not be used while charging.
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If it were that easy, i wouldn't have said that. From what I have seen the smok groove has a single 1s 3800mah battery. Note that 3800 doesn't break down into 3, though it does break down into 2. but I have not seen any off the shelf 1900mah flat lipos around.
most current such packs available for rc uses trend toward slim and flat, where with PV units we can spare some thickness for less width.
I would love to see a 18500 or 18650 sized round lipo, or a rectangular pack of that size and thickness.
most current such packs available for rc uses trend toward slim and flat, where with PV units we can spare some thickness for less width.
I would love to see a 18500 or 18650 sized round lipo, or a rectangular pack of that size and thickness.
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I'd love to harvest the hardware, myself. I could see making custom wood boxes with the same function of the groove and without the faults of the original design.
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