I loved my Vamo, BUT...

[entropy1049]

Tuesday night I'm vaping away with my Vamo (giving it a few goes instead of my mech and rba) and it's suddenly smoking, hot, and emitting the unmistakable odor of a full blown electrical fire. After first taking it out to my patio (if it's gonna detonate I'd like to share some of the pressure spike with my douchey neighbors ) I conducted the preliminary investigation.

It seems the silicone seal under the contact point (the metal disk that contacts the bottom of the atty) had failed and allowed juice into the guts of the device. I'd previously had some problems with it becoming unseated and preventing the connectors from contacting resulting in misfires, probably my own fault from over-tightening atties. It had become necessary to check it's condition between each and every atty change. Eventually it apparently gave up its integrity and allowed the transmission of juice (from a leaky faux Vivi Nova ) into its control circuitry. Result: Vamos en fuego. I believe I've read of others having problems with their Vamos doing the same thing.

This is, sadly, I think...the Achilles Heel of the Vamo, which is in every other way I think a great little device.

SO: A warning to other Vamo owners-be super cautious not to over-tighten your atty to the device, and keep an eye on that silicone seal!

 

[TheSystemHasFailed]

Definitely do not over tighten anything on any device.
Tighten just to the point of connectivity, but so as not to be wobbling off.
And this is why I use a 510 to ego connector and CONSTANTLY check for leaks.

 

[Oktyabr]

Yup! Many devices share this same "weak spot" including most ego style batts and the iTaste SVD.

 

[wv2win]

Definitely do not over tighten anything on any device.
And this is why I use a 510 to ego connect and CONSTANTLY check for leaks.

Good advice. Over tightening heads on any device can cause problems, not just the Vamo.

 

[entropy1049]

At the time I didn't actually feel I was over tightening; In retrospect I may have been (I'm used to ensuring electrical connections are fairly secure to prevent shorting), but certainly less than thumb and forefinger tight. I would say "snug".

But on the other hand, I use the same method on all my devices, and have experienced no problems. I believe the Vamo is just particularly susceptible to this kind of failure as a by-product of the repeated compression of the silicone seal under the connection point. When it unseats partially it becomes stretched around the contact disk. I noticed my seal loosing elasticity progressively as this would re-occur.

Eventually bad seal + leaking Vivi = class Charlie fire.

 

[Oktyabr]

At the time I didn't actually feel I was over tightening; In retrospect I may have been (I'm used to ensuring electrical connections are fairly secure to prevent shorting), but certainly less than thumb and forefinger tight. I would say "snug".

But on the other hand, I use the same method on all my devices, and have experienced no problems. I believe the Vamo is just particularly susceptible to this kind of failure as a by-product of the repeated compression of the silicone seal under the connection point. When it unseats partially it becomes stretched around the contact disk. I noticed my seal loosing elasticity progressively as this would re-occur.

Eventually bad seal + leaking Vivi = class Charlie fire.

That could be... I've only been using my vamo for a month now and I've been using it hard. Zero problems. I DO check to make sure none of my attys have the positive post sticking out so far as to endanger that connection (besides the spring loaded ones, of course) and I DO check the vamo positive post with a jeweler's screw driver once in awhile, to make sure it's still sticking above the grommet, but as of yet (knock on chrome plated wood, imported from China) no problems.

 

[Whosback]

I just tighten till I get the right ohms. Basically enough to get a little resistance to the tightening but not fighting. I notice that on my I pros a little loose reads 2.6 and just right reads 2,5. It's the best device I have so I am being as careful as I can. Good advice for anything you own even if its meant to take a beating.

 

[entropy1049]

I should add for reinforcement that this slays me, because I absolutely adore the Vamo for being...I dunno, kind of "The Little Engine That Could"...it's such a great value for the price point (saw them for $35 the other day). So much bang for the buck...I was continually thinking that to spend the money on a Provari would be silly with this little guy chugging a long. Yes, after the fire I ordered the Provari. We'll see how it compares because I really do consider myself a fanboy of the Vamo.

But I also hope they devise a new system for the connection point soon.

 

[White Rabbit]

I am sure you will not be disappointed with the ProVari from what everyone posts about them (I do not currently own one) . That being said, leaking tanks will still be a problem. My Vamo is 6 months old and I have had juice in the contact well many times, so my O ring probably is working. I have replacements on hand but prescribe to the philosophy that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Your post gets me thinking it may be about time to replace the ring. Thanks for sharing your experience and I hope you enjoy your ProVari.

Wabbit