Help my XL isn't cutting off

[Ysabet]

As the title says ... one of my V4L XL batteries stopped cutting off as it should and I am left with only one.

I have a couple of standard length batteries like what comes with the PCC but I haven't used any of the others since I got my 2 XL's.

Does any one know a quick fix for this? I have tried a Q-tip dampened with alcohol wipe down but it didn't help.

 

[FreeGT]

Is the battery an automatic or a manual?

To troubleshoot the issue there are a couple possible issues.

1. The electric components are bad/faulty, and there is no real fix. Believe it or not there is a small circuit board inside!

2. Your switch is sticking in the on postion.

Let me first start off by saying the batteries are not serviceable/rebuildable! You should not attempt this unless your name is Adrenalyn!

For a manual the "switch" is an external button. This can be sticking after being depressed, resulting in the unit to stay on.
No real fix here except to check the button alignment and make sure it is not rubbing/hanging up on the body when being depressed.
If there dirt/grim around the button you can try an alcohol wipe around the button, but I would only advise that as a last resort as it can cause more harm then good by getting alcohol inside the unit.

For auto batteries,

The switch is a vacuum sensitive switch. When you suck on the cartomizer it pulls a diaphragm with a center metal post toward the end of the battery which makes an electrical connection. It sounds complicated, but it's really not. Really the only way to see one is to dissect a battery.

The switch can have dirt/debri buildup causing the switch to stick.

This switch can be stuck or misaligned. Look at it under a REALLY bright light and you should see a silver little circle (top of the post) in the center of the battery hole.

If that metal post is not centered you can try to realign it, but I must warn you that membrane will break if ANY force is put upon it!


You can also try blowing into the battery WITHOUT a carto attached and see if that recenters the post.

I've also used magnets to recenter this as well. Just don't use a really strong one!

Alot of users have had issues with sticking batteries. I'm sure this is due to natural wear and tear and the fact that ecigs are not super durable.

I do know that Steve and the gang at V4L are among the top in customer service in this and any industry!

Give them a shout and I'm sure they will take care of you to keep you smilin!

 

[Ysabet]

It is an auto not the manual.

I put a new one in my shopping cart on V4L site this am just in case I can't get it fixed.

 

[ALC]

I had the same thing happen with my first XL auto battery. I just e-mailed V4L and when I placed my next order they had me post it in the comment box and sent me a new one. I definitely do not know enough about electronics to try to fix it. I thought maybe there was just a short in the battery or something. Mine would stay on and then it finally quit. When I tried to draw again it was dead and would not work until the next day, so it literally became a one-hit wonder once a day. I tried it for 3 days and then it hit the garbage.

 

[sawlight]

Try soaking it in a shot glass half or so full of alcohol overnight, it can clean the gunk out of the switch.

 

[keyzygirl]

What saw said ^^^^

 

[ceo51378]

ahhhh... the joys of automatic batteries. I miss the convenience but I sure as hell don't miss the problems that go along with them.

What I used to do with my autos and grab a piece of toilet paper, role it up real tight and fish it through the air hole on the battery. Leave it there for a few hours so it will wick the juice out. If the switch is getting stuck 'On', then you do not want to soak it in alcohol; there will be a better chance of the circuit shorting out from that.

 

[Belletrist]

V4L will replace it for ya, hon. just PM rocks82 or email valerie@vapor4life.com and let her know--she'll prob tell you to put it in your comments for the next order, to save on shipping costs.

 

[Ken Mcp]

I have a manual battery - Could i soak it in a shot glass half or so full of alcohol overnight - I can let alcohol get in that circle where the Cart goes on ? Won't damage it?

 

[sawlight]

Yes Ken, alcohol has a VERY low conductivity of electricity, it will not short out anything.

 

[Ysabet]

Let me see if I understand this.

I can place it in some alcohol as long as it's NOT on at the time? 8-o

And after it soaks it will dry out without harming it?

Of course you guys know I will feel really bad if I do get it to work again.

I placed an order yesterday and added an extra XL battery to my order as well as Val replacing the one that failed.

 

[keyzygirl]

Dont feel bad,just try to fix it!!

 

[Wildcard]

Does anyone know what the diaphragm for the auto's is made of? I would like to do a few test on that material before I try to clean my auto. Mine is turning off about 2-3 seconds after a vape. I know it's the vacuum switch because I can activate it without a cart and give it a little back pressure and it will cut off immediately. Probably my fault for over filling a cart at some time and it has some sticky juice in it. I'm now a big fan of the manuals because you really get great vape without that primer puff.