Ithaka Clone-Hercules Shorting Issues

[OntheProwl]

Hi ECF, I just got the ithaka clone from SilicaWicks and I had it vaping after battling with it for a couple hours, finally ending with a single coil around 2 wicks and that got a vape going but it was only descent. I just got some ribbon wire and I am looking for some help to work out whatever is causing it to read as a short. Please look at the pictures and tell me any and everything.

 

[Bill's Magic Vapor]

You can get a short from the retaining ring that goes around that piece as well. I recommend YouTube videos. I think PBusardo talked about a short on his Odysseus video there, but I can't tell from your pictures as they are. What are your Ohms showing for that coil? You are using both resistance and no-resistance wiring right?

 

[OntheProwl]

You can get a short from the retaining ring that goes around that piece as well. I recommend YouTube videos. I think PBusardo talked about a short on his Odysseus video there, but I can't tell from your pictures as they are. What are your Ohms showing for that coil? You are using both resistance and no-resistance wiring right?

Actually, no. In the youtube videos from Imeo for both the Ithaka and the Hercules it has only showed res wire.. I have watched many videos on this and nothing has helped. From what I know, this should not be shorting. The positive and the negative touch in no way and the positive is only touching ceramic and the positive post.
Now, the DC/DC converter(510) is never aligned when I re-screw the coil into the 510 carrier after I aligned it first. Imeo shows to just push it over to align it with the contact, and this works until I unscrew it or move it in anyway. My Ohms show as 1.4-1.7 on a single coil if I can get it not to short (never have I had it catch a current with a dual coil.). Otherwise, it just gives me the shortage error code and the ohms read as N/A. Nothing to do with resistance though. I have not had the ribbon wire in a vaping condition but when I use regular 29 gauge kanthal a-1 i can get it to vape decently for a day until later it says I have a short. I don't know if the 510 could cause this by coming unaligned, maybe? I've read that a vivi nova gromet could help align this or a protank one, i tried the res wire kanger pro tank gromet and that didn't work for long but I'm sure there was a better way of putting it in than I did..
I am in need of help. If there is a better picture that I could take, that can be done. Please respond quickly.

 

[OntheProwl]

I thought that the retaining ring might and i have made sure that the wicks cover the wire in their slots and there is only so much I can do to keep the wires from protruding off

 

[redeyes24321]

When you screw the piece that goes over the wick are you screwing it down far enough past the little o-ring where the negative legs go? I've noticed that if I don't screw that piece on well past the o-ring, the legs get messed up when attaching it to the very bottom piece... if that make sense. And I second the resistance/non-resistance wire. Watch the Ithaka review by igetcha69 (scott) on youtube if you haven't already.

 

[OntheProwl]

When you screw the piece that goes over the wick are you screwing it down far enough past the little o-ring where the negative legs go? I've noticed that if I don't screw that piece on well past the o-ring, the legs get messed up when attaching it to the very bottom piece... if that make sense. And I second the resistance/non-resistance wire. Watch the Ithaka review by igetcha69 (scott) on youtube if you haven't already.

I screw it to the point that the 510 is in the correct position to contact my power source contact. And I believe that is the where the positive lead is at, correct? Negative is above where the plastic torque nut is?

 

[OntheProwl]

I'll look into the non-res wire too. I don't believe I have watched that one.

 

[redeyes24321]

Yea I just got +/- mixed up... I think the res/non-res wire is the problem because those long legs will heat up. When you take it apart after getting a short, are any of your legs broken?

 

[OntheProwl]

No, not once. I have all the coils I have used in this prolonged process and they are all reusable in my opinion. This is the only reason why I'm not thinking it's a resistance problem. The only thing I could think of would be if something were to shift and either slide to a partial 510 connection and perhaps that could consider it a short? Or if something were to shift and touch the retaining ring that is over the above shown part.the post should be exactly center with the cap that the retaining ring screws in to, right? so maybe by some oddball chance it moves? I have no idea. If you have the clone or one of the Ithakas that the post is uncentered, how did you go about fixing this?

P.S. The one time it has shorted after I have been rolling, it has been while I was stationary.. The other time I was rolling and it worked up until I cleaned out the remnants of the eliquid and refilled a new flavor, then it kaput.

 

[OntheProwl]

Besides, I have a 1.7 Ohm reading.. I'm not exactly running on sub-ohms here so I don't think this would make my legs crack at 4v, don't you think?

 

[Technonut]

You need to be using resistance wire with no-resistance wire legs. The Ithaka is designed to be used in this manner. The wire runs are way too long to be using just resistance wire. It's a PITA I know, but just the way it is. If you don't like twisting your own wires, there are pre-made ready wires available. A pack of 50 is only $8.99.

http://stormysvaporcellar.com/oc_1/index.php?route=product/product&path=98_68&product_id=704

There are quite a few reasons for shorts.. I suggest that you watch some vids:

How-To Join Non-Resistance& Resistance Wire Video / Electronic Cigarettes - YouTube

Golden Greek (GG) Ithaka - YouTube

REVIEW OF THE ITHAKA REPAIRABLE ATOMISER - YouTube

 

[mcbender]

ready wire is great lol eff doing that yourself... pain in the rear

 

[OntheProwl]

You need to be using resistance wire with no-resistance wire legs. The Ithaka is designed to be used in this manner. The wire runs are way too long to be using just resistance wire. It's a PITA I know, but just the way it is. If you don't like twisting your own wires, there are pre-made ready wires available. A pack of 50 is only $8.99.

Ready Wire for Coils- NEW LR

There are quite a few reasons for shorts.. I suggest that you watch some vids:

How-To Join Non-Resistance& Resistance Wire Video / Electronic Cigarettes - YouTube

Golden Greek (GG) Ithaka - YouTube

REVIEW OF THE ITHAKA REPAIRABLE ATOMISER - YouTube

Okay this is good to know, I give credit to redeye for calling this first, I had my doubts. Techno you helped me start this up quite a bit just so you know. Appreciate the help guys. So I am in to the background, how does length affect it when I've got 1.7 and then causing it to "short"? I believe you but it doesn't stem my curiosity.

 

[Technonut]

I wasn't saying the R wire it's self was causing the shorts.. Just that NR / R wire is required, as Imeo designed it. One of the culprits could be that you're crushing the bottom pin O-ring too much when screwing the base in.. Another could be that when you're adjusting the juice control with the mouthpiece, it's causing the ceramic housing assembly to twist, shorting a wire against something. A wire may not be set into the ceramic channel enough.. Lot's of things. That's why I suggested watching the vids.

Rebuild while watching one, pausing along the way each step until you get it right. It takes time, patience, and practice. They don't call these "advanced user devices" for nothing. It took me awhile to finally "get it" when I first started.. (and I still manage to screw up once in awhile)

 

[OntheProwl]

I thought I had caught Todd's review! I got the wrong one. Damn the bad luck, that might have saved me some wicks. Well, I knew it was going to be a challenge and I was stubborn to not come a-knockin' but I couldn't resist. I don't adhere to the wading method I'm afraid. I like going balls deep and tripping up, more recognizance in my personal opinion. I appreciate it greatly. Obviously I need to brush up on my Ohms Law and electric theory.

 

[birdieboogey]

Sorry, i cant see your pic clearly. Just wonder where did you put the +ve wire, is it above the plastic nut or push it by the Oring? It shud be between the Oring. Make sure the center post is tighten to the ceramic housing.

 

[OntheProwl]

Sorry, i cant see your pic clearly. Just wonder where did you put the +ve wire, is it above the plastic nut or push it by the Oring? It shud be between the Oring. Make sure the center post is tighten to the ceramic housing.

I placed my (-) above the torque nut and the (+) above the o-ring. Any advice on aligning the center post permanently anybody?

 

[birdieboogey]

Once it is tighten to the ceramic nut, it shud be aligned

 

[OntheProwl]

Once it is tighten to the ceramic nut, it shud be aligned

Not so I'm afraid.

 

[jhubatc]

You have to use no resistance wire with the res wire when you set up the ithaka and the oddy atomizers. The clone is no different. You can't expect it to be set up correctly when you don't use the correct wire. Watch some videos on setting up the Ithaka.