Help with iKonn 220?

[tvra__]

Hi there!

So, I ordered my brand new Eleaf iKonn 220 kit after my (almost a year old) Cuboid Mini finally died on me. I absolutely love the iKonn and all of it's features-- especially the ELLO tank that comes with the kit. I have had no problems with it for the past couple of days, until last night.

Out of nowhere, the mod started reading "Weak Battery" when I would fire it, which wouldn't make sense because even on the mod the batteries are still reading as being half-way charged. I have my wattage set at 100w with a 110w preheat setting for .5 seconds, but this causes the mod to fire anywhere anywhere from 6.5w to 80w. I've taken the batteries (two 18650 3.7V 2500 mah) out multiple times, inspected them and even wiped down the pins, but nothing helps.

Is there anything I can do?

Also, I don't know if this is related to the battery issue, but I'm also having an issue with the fire button. I usually fire the mod for no longer than a second (as I am still adjusting to how powerful it is,) but even after I let go of the fire button, the coil will continue to burn as if I am holding down the fire button. Any advice on that?

 

[Coastal Cowboy]

Welcome to the ECF Forum!

The fire button issue is probably due to the fact that a coil once glowing at 110 watts isn't going to stop converting liquid into vapor the instant you release the fire button. It will stay hot for second or two.

The battery issue can probably be resolved with a new set of high drain batteries. The batteries for that mod have to be high drain, they have to be bought at the exact same time from the same vendor and they must never be separated and used singly in other devices. They have to be inserted into the mod at the same time and they have to be charged at the same time, on the same charger (preferably a higher end 2- or 4-bay charger).

You didn't mention the batteries you have, but I'd lay odds that one of them is closer to the end of its useful life than the other and it's draining just a tad faster. I'd also lay odds that if you go with a set of brand new Samsung 25R's or Sony VTC6's, your problem will go away.

And this is a good place to get'em from:

Earth's #1 source for IMR 18650 Batteries, Chargers, Cases & Wraps | IMRbatteries.com

They sell chargers, too!

Again welcome, and let us know how you make out. The Ikonn is a really nice mod.

 

[tvra__]

Thanks for the response! Here's a couple updates: After continuing to use the mod despite the "Weak Battery" warning, it started to display a "Battery Low" warning which stops the mod from firing completely, despite the fact that the batteries still had about a quarter charge. I then tested the batteries in a different mod (Smok X Cube) and they worked perfectly fine. Put them back in the iKonn and got the same "Battery Low" warning. I ended up giving up and just charging them over night to see if that would help.
Woke up in the morning and the charger still showed a red light (indicated they weren't fully charged, but I've heard that's normal.) I put them in the iKonn and they were charged almost fully. I've been using it all day with no problems, but after the batteries got about halfway down, the mod started showing the "Weak Battery" message again. I emailed Eleaf last night and have yet to get a response.
I'm using two 18650 batteries because that's what the Eleaf website says powers the mod. Would it be okay to use different batteries than the ones recommended on their site?

 

[Coastal Cowboy]

Now I really do suspect one or both of those batteries. All 18650's are not created equal. The Samsung and Sony batteries I mentioned above should perform very well in your Ikonn. Don't get one of each! Get two Samsungs or two Sonys.

Here's a lighthearted but thorough explanation of why you need "married" batteries in your two-battery mod.

Battery Safety: Will You Marry Me? - Mt Baker Vapor

 

[tvra__]

I'm at a loss when it comes to batteries, so that article really helped. Thank you! I'll probably pick up a different pair today. Fingers crossed it works.

 

[BrotherBob]

I'm at a loss when it comes to batteries, so that article really helped. Thank you! I'll probably pick up a different pair today. Fingers crossed it works.

Welcome and glad you joined.
I have provided a little more information which might help choosing/evaluating batteries.
Might like to read:
18650 Battery Buying Guide for Vapor Users – Wake and Vape Blog
(9) Battery Basics for Mods; the Ultimate Battery Guide | E-Cigarette Forum
Calculating battery current draw for a regulated mod | E-Cigarette Forum
Battery Safety: Will You Marry Me? - Mt Baker Vapor
A Guide to Safe Charging - The Complete Guide to E-Cig Safety
Guide to Choosing a Battery Charger | E-Cigarette Forum

 

[Hightech Redneck]

What is the resistance of your coil?
I suspect the preheat is throwing the error as that will pull more from the batteries.

 

[classwife]

Moved this to New Members from Simple Solutions.

Simple Solutions is to assist the Beginning Vaper with getting started.

 

[Ruan]

Hi people im ruan i bought my self a ikonn 220 and it has 2 batterys so if i put it on charge with the 2A charger does it charge both batterys at same time and is each one going to be fully charged??????

 

[suprtrkr]

+1 to @Coastal Cowboy New batteries will fix it, 25Rs or VTC6s for preference. Welcome to the board.

 

[Ruan]

Thanx oky another thing it says in the manuel that if it is fully charged the screen wil go out and mine is flashing

 

[suprtrkr]

Hi people im ruan i bought my self a ikonn 220 and it has 2 batterys so if i put it on charge with the 2A charger does it charge both batterys at same time and is each one going to be fully charged??????

Hi Ruan, and welcome to the board. I don't have that mod, but it's eLeaf and the pics show a mini USB port, so it almost certainly has an on-board charger in it. To answer you, yes: if you plug it in it will charge both batteries and they should get to full charge. The literature says the mod has independent battery charge state indicators, so it should be easy to check. Remember, though, just because eLeaf says the maximum charging current for the mod is 2A, this does not mean your batteries agree. They might like a lower charge rate, depending on what kind you have. Even batteries that will accept a charge that fast generally have a longer useful working life if they are charged more slowly.

All that said, I really don't recommend charging 18650 cells in the mod. I always recommend a stand-alone charger. I think a full size charger does a better job of charging your batteries than a dime-size charging board in a mod can do. Among other things a good charger will do is vary the charge rate depending on how full the batteries are. They hit hard when the cells are flat, but back off the current as they fill up. Batteries, you may have noticed, are expensive; I think it worth while to take care of them. Further, the best part of a removable battery mod is when the batteries go flat you can swap them for a fresh pair and be vaping in seconds. Well, maybe that's the second best part. The best part is the mod's not trash when the batteries go, as they all do. With a fixed battery mod, once the battery goes south, you have a paperweight.

Up to you, of course, but I really do recommend buying a good charger-- I like Nitecore or Xtar chargers-- and a spare pair of batteries. You can often find them paired together as a bundle deal. For that mod, I recommend Samsung 25R or 30Q batteries, or LG HG2s, or Sony VTC6s. Any of them will do and they have similar but not identical specs, so buy what you can get cheapest. A Nitecore i2 charger can be had for less than $20 if you look around for it; and an i4 for not much more in case you ever want to charge more than 2 batteries. Moving up to the D2 and D4 models will give you a digital display instead of LED lights, and you can see charge times and rates, etc. I use both Nitecore and Xtar chargers. I have an i4 and a D4 on my desk, as well a pair of i2s in the stash in case one of my main chargers breaks. I tend to prefer Xtar chargers for traveling or in the car as they have swappable power cords and you can get 120V or 12V plugs on them; or even 220V Euro style if you're going across the pond. Chargers can be safely bought on eBay or similar sites, but batteries should only be bought from a reputable dealer.

Finally, as @Coastal Cowboy says above in this thread, batteries intended for multiple battery mods should be bought in pairs (or triples or however many the mod holds) and kept that way; charging and discharging them at the same time. Never split them up and use them in single battery mods or charge them separately. This is because batteries "age" with use. They lose capacity and discharge rate over time. If you pair a new battery with an old one, you can get in trouble by asking the old one for more than it can give, even though the new one will easily handle the load.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

 

[Ruan]

Thanx oky another thing it says in the manuel that if it is fully charged the screen wil go out and mine is flashing

Hi Ruan, and welcome to the board. I don't have that mod, but it's eLeaf and the pics show a mini USB port, so it almost certainly has an on-board charger in it. To answer you, yes: if you plug it in it will charge both batteries and they should get to full charge. The literature says the mod has independent battery charge state indicators, so it should be easy to check. Remember, though, just because eLeaf says the maximum charging current for the mod is 2A, this does not mean your batteries agree. They might like a lower charge rate, depending on what kind you have. Even batteries that will accept a charge that fast generally have a longer useful working life if they are charged more slowly.

All that said, I really don't recommend charging 18650 cells in the mod. I always recommend a stand-alone charger. I think a full size charger does a better job of charging your batteries than a dime-size charging board in a mod can do. Among other things a good charger will do is vary the charge rate depending on how full the batteries are. They hit hard when the cells are flat, but back off the current as they fill up. Batteries, you may have noticed, are expensive; I think it worth while to take care of them. Further, the best part of a removable battery mod is when the batteries go flat you can swap them for a fresh pair and be vaping in seconds. Well, maybe that's the second best part. The best part is the mod's not trash when the batteries go, as they all do. With a fixed battery mod, once the battery goes south, you have a paperweight.

Up to you, of course, but I really do recommend buying a good charger-- I like Nitecore or Xtar chargers-- and a spare pair of batteries. You can often find them paired together as a bundle deal. For that mod, I recommend Samsung 25R or 30Q batteries, or LG HG2s, or Sony VTC6s. Any of them will do and they have similar but not identical specs, so buy what you can get cheapest. A Nitecore i2 charger can be had for less than $20 if you look around for it; and an i4 for not much more in case you ever want to charge more than 2 batteries. Moving up to the D2 and D4 models will give you a digital display instead of LED lights, and you can see charge times and rates, etc. I use both Nitecore and Xtar chargers. I have an i4 and a D4 on my desk, as well a pair of i2s in the stash in case one of my main chargers breaks. I tend to prefer Xtar chargers for traveling or in the car as they have swappable power cords and you can get 120V or 12V plugs on them; or even 220V Euro style if you're going across the pond. Chargers can be safely bought on eBay or similar sites, but batteries should only be bought from a reputable dealer.

Finally, as @Coastal Cowboy says above in this thread, batteries intended for multiple battery mods should be bought in pairs (or triples or however many the mod holds) and kept that way; charging and discharging them at the same time. Never split them up and use them in single battery mods or charge them separately. This is because batteries "age" with use. They lose capacity and discharge rate over time. If you pair a new battery with an old one, you can get in trouble by asking the old one for more than it can give, even though the new one will easily handle the load.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Thanx so much

 

[stols001]

I think it might be your batteries as well, some mods just perform differently than others, and some mods will be perfectly happy with a subpar battery while others won't. Either way, buying a new pair of batteries won't hurt, as you'll be able to use them regardless. It could be a problem with your mod, but maybe not, and as long as you can get a new pair of batteries in time to not void out your warranty if it's a mod issue, I would definitely do that first.

I also recommend an external charger, charging via USB for removable batteries is less safe, drains battery life quicker (I think?) but it's also an added drain on your USB port and I hear some people use that port for firmware updates (not me! I wouldn't recognize a firmware update if I was staring down the barrel of a gun...) and if that gets toasted by continued charging, you won't be able to use it for that (or charging) and removable batteries are just not *designed* for USB charging though it's technically possible and people do it...

Anna

 

[Ruan]

Hey people i need help qwickly on my ikonn 220 i went to menu and fiddle in the Ni setting i put the degrees up and down and now my wattage hits up from 80w strate to 172w if i hit the fire button plzzzzz help

 

[Coastal Cowboy]

Hey people i need help qwickly on my ikonn 220 i went to menu and fiddle in the Ni setting i put the degrees up and down and now my wattage hits up from 80w strate to 172w if i hit the fire button plzzzzz help

Unless you have a Nickel coil installed, switch back into power or wattage mode, and leave the temp control features alone for a while. Temp control features take time to learn. The manual that came in the box will help get you started.

 

[stols001]

Also, (I can be a visual learner) you may want to watch a YouTube review or two, not for the "OMG this is a great setup effect," but to visually see how to navigate your device's various settings and how to use them. I do that with almost all new items of equipment I purchase (I still read the manual, too) and that helps me get a sense of what is going on, and what I can do with my equipment.

Best of luck! Until then, no reason not to use wattage mode.... I still use it a fair amount for convenience with prebuilt, non-TC coils.

Anna

 

[Ruan]

Hey people i just want 2 knw is a HW4 coil better than a HW3 coil who wil recomend the best one between the 2

 

[Coastal Cowboy]

Best for what?

Eleaf has a website. Compare the coils in the HW coil line and choose the one you want. Or try them all.

HW4 Head - Eleaf electronic cigarette