Help?

[Fuzzy Bruce]

Last night, I noticed a slight arcing from the firing switch to the top of the battery on Grand #2. I turned on the lights and pulled the battery. Noticed some pitting on the battery top that I had not seen before. Battery is orbtronic SX30, atty is RM6 with dual coil measuring 0.88 ohms with DMM and the supplied noalox was used sparingly. Swapped batteries and now get intermittent firing, sometimes hepled by giving the battery a spin.

Did a good cleaning and switched to Deoxit Gold and still have the problem. As a last resort and thinking the problem may be the (-) spring, I tried to remove it but the screw will not turn. Went as far as trying to tap the spring base on the side opposite the screw to loosen the screw to no avail. Looking for a driver with a larger handle that still fits the screw so I will not damage the screw head.

Any suggestions on next course of action?

 

[Fuzzy Bruce]

A few other thoughts that may help with suggestions. I did check battery voltage, it was @ 3.85 and would have been changed in the morning.

I have several SX30 batteries and none show signs of pitting.

Have not had this problem with Reo #1 or #3 and all were purchased within thirty days or so.

I switched the atty and the problem continued.

 

[Filthy-Beast]

The arcing can cause oxidation which will make the arcing worse. Clean the contacts and battery with Deoxit D100L or alcohol and an eraser. Use Noalox or plenty of Deoxit gold on the firing pin and battery top.

did you upgrade the contacts or is this a new Reo. A loose connection of the firing pin to the 510 can increase arcing.

 

[TheJakeBailey]

Fuzzy Bruce you read my mind. I'm new to Reos, but not new to mech mods. I was diagnosing week firing and was watching to see if the pin needed adjustment. Holy arcing! I found if I press the button VERY firmly I can avoid it. Like, hard enough to compress the spring some.

Was just coming to see if this was normal, or if the pin should just lightly make contact?

Tried both vtc4 and xtar's

Are button tops recommended for the Reo?? Was just thinking that could be my problem?


I'll observe...Don't want to derail your thread if our problem isn't exactly the same!

 

[ElConquistador]

I think you might be better off with button tops. It sounds to me (I'm no expert) like you're not making a strong connection between the firing pin and the battery because you don't have the problem when you push the button down harder. I know Robert recommends AW batteries, which are button top.

 

[TheJakeBailey]

I think you might be better off with button tops. It sounds to me (I'm no expert) like you're not making a strong connection between the firing pin and the battery because you don't have the problem when you push the button down harder. I know Robert recommends AW batteries, which are button top.

I read through some other threads, cleaned my contacts and batteries again, and applied more noalox than what I'm used to using with tube mechs... No arcing and strong firing! I'm due for some new batteries pretty soon, so I may pick up some button tops for the heck of it.

Thanks guys!

 

[Rule62]

The arcing is not something that's unique to just Reos. It's just more visible. Arcing can occur in tube mods as well. It's just not as easy to see. That being said, Reos were designed with button tops in mind. Flat tops will work, but I personally find I have less problem with button tops. I stopped using my vtc5s in my Reos. The only thing I use are AWs. I also prefer the Deoxit to Noalox.

 

[super_X_drifter]

^ good post. That should say "does happen in tube mods as well" you just can't see it.

The REO grand can run pretty much any 18650 that fits without overcompressing the spring BUT the pin was designed around an AW IMR 18650 button top.

If you are running builds below 1 ohm, You will see much less arcing if you use these batteries, keep your contacts clean, your battery terminals clean and apply deoxit gold every month or so to your contacts and batteries.

 

[Fuzzy Bruce]

The batteries I am using, Orbtronic SX30's, are button tops. I nave cleaned them with the red Deoxit cleaner and used the Gold and still have the problem. I will be going to the store to get a multi-bit screw driver with a bigger handle to remove the spring screw. I can not get enough leverage with my micro-screwdriver to loosen the spring screw. Just have a notion the spring is causing the problem and I have spares.

It appears the spring is mounted on top of the finish (black wrinkle with less wrinkle). Would it be a good idea to scuff up this finish prior to putting in a new spring?

I may purchase some Aw's tomorrow to see if this helps solve the problem. Any recomendations on battery capacity and vendors?

 

[Raynman]

I don't have battery capacity charts, but if you turn the spring while holding the screw it will loosen.

 

[ElConquistador]

Rob recommends AW IMR 18650 1600 mAh batteries, I believe they are 24 continuous amp batteries. I got mine from RTD Vapor, they are an authorized dealer, so genuine AW batteries, and are highly recommended by many around here, including myself.

 

[rjeatkrconley]

I actually bent the firing pin loop. Seems I am a bit of a button masher. The loop had compressed and the tip was touching (curled) the firing pin. Bent it back out and jb welded a set screw from an old RDA into the loop. After curing for 24 hours I lightly sanded the contact clean and bam, back in business!
I also managed to melt one of the new buttons but that's a whole other story

 

[Mrs C]

Bruce I have some of the SX22's. They arc now and then, a couple of my grands are worse than the others. Usually a cleaning and a dab of Noalox settles them down. I've had them for about a year and they do have some pitting but they still charge and run fine.

 

[Justice]

It's really as simple as your batts and or connections are dirty or possibly one other thing. If you are using a button topper it may have slid down some doing so can cause a bit more arcing as you may not be getting perfect connection while pressing.

 

[Fuzzy Bruce]

Update

I finally got the spring screw out, cleaned the base, put a gob of Noalox in the screw hole and underneath the spring base. Deoxit gold on the positive contact and on the spring.

No more arcing! I really do not think it was the batteries I use, just a dirty battery connection.

Been enjoying my Reo experience so much, I am looking forward to getting REO #4.