Intermittent Firing

[Kemosabe]

Hi Guys,
Recently, my Provari has been misfiring. Sometimes it will not fire, so I'll set it down and a few minutes later i pick it up and it fires. I doubt its the atomizer connection because I if don't remove it, it will usually fire after waiting for some reason. this is from a cold, unused state. also, it happens with various atomizers (RBAs) that are known working atomizers.

if i go into the AO function, sometimes it will show OP when the atty is firmly screwed in (not too loose, not too tight). and this is not with questionable attys with a possible short or popped coil or anything.

i think it might be the pos pin of the mod. its fairly dirty looking. its actually been like that for a while and it has never caused a problem, so im not really sure if thats it. FTR, no amount of cleaning (that ive done so far) will get the grime off. ive scrubbed it many times with 91% isopropyl alcohol. do you guys think this could be my problem? if so, how the heck can i clean it? is steel wool recommended/effective?

 

[Kemosabe]

oh, and no error codes are popping up.

 

[TFL!]

Try a pencil eraser on the contacts, both inside and out. On the inside one, hold it so the eraser parts fall out the bottom of mod.

 

[Technonut]

I always use a pencil eraser to clean mine... Stay away from paperclips or anything rough... I would go ahead and clean the threads, and contact point inside where the pos battery nipple makes contact also..

EDIT: It's also very handy to have some of this around.. Much better than the 91% most stores carry:

http://www.firstaidmart.com/site/pr...&gdftrk=gdfV25409_a_7c2869_a_7c10480_a_7cM314

One more thing, some Noalox on the threading is helpful after a good cleaning. Apply a thin amount..

Here is our resident Lion's ProVari maintenance guide:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...-cleansing-anointing-provari-maintenance.html

 

[magman007]

What topper are you using? I know on the pro tanks if the isolator rubber becomes too crushed, the coil wont fire because it shorts.

 

[Ozwald]

1 - Clean the connector on a regular basis. If it's as gunked up as you say, the pencil eraser may not be all that effective. Take some Bar Keeper's Friend (the original powdered version) & sprinkle a bit into the bottom of your sink. Collect it with the tip of a damp q-tip. Scrub the connecter with that, use another damp q-tip to rinse it well (it may take a couple swabs to rinse since you're not avoid flooding it with water, but wiping it off with a wet q-tip). If you clean it regularly, the alcohol will be enough to keep it clean.

2 - Clean your threads. The battery cap is an important part of the electrical system & need to be cleaned as well. Noalox helps prevent them from getting dirty & breaking the electrical connection. BKF will also be a helpful cleanser if they're really gunked up.

3 - Check the internal pin that makes contact with the positive end of the battery & make sure that is clean as well.

 

[Kemosabe]

Thank you everybody. your help is much appreciated. i was good about cleaning my provari when i first got it. but since then, ive been forgetting and also lazy.

i did know about noalox and i have some of that but i was completely unaware that iso came in a 99% version.
i was also unaware of Barkeepers Friend and the eraser trick. thanks!

 

[Ozwald]

Thank you everybody. your help is much appreciated. i was good about cleaning my provari when i first got it. but since then, ive been forgetting and also lazy.

i did know about noalox and i have some of that but i was completely unaware that iso came in a 99% version.
i was also unaware of Barkeepers Friend and the eraser trick. thanks!

I'm a brewer, so BKF is a godsend. If you keep up on your cleaning, you shouldn't need it with your Provari, but it will take care of a lot of stuff that other cleaning tricks won't.

A common mistake is thinking that it's a scouring powder like Comet. In reality, it's not an abrasive, it cleans with a chemical reaction - it cleans/polishes stainless, brass & copper like nothing else, but don't get it on aluminum. It will pit & ruin aluminum, especially if it has been anodized. Also note that you're using it some what like a paste & keeping the water contact with the Provari to a minimum... but still, pull out your battery before you start messing with it.