ok i tried a cheapo 18650, i tried a imr aw with red wrapping, i tried the smoktech 18650 and all worked, now they recommend 2 types of batteries, thiers and a sanyo but other batteries work, not sure if anything with their batteries is different but thats what they recommend for proper usage and any warranties to be valid etc..
so im taking it either your heads is faulty or maybe the tube is somehow where the battery sits on inside the tube.
also make sure you place it in with the positive side up, this can be hard to read on some batteries and not all batteries have a lip to determine what side is positive.
Just as I suspected. Thanks a lot for checking. These things should work. And yes, I'm putting the batteries in right. I kind of took offense to that for a sec, but that's cool, the question has to be asked. I highly doubt that the tube could be bad as that just completes the ground circuit. Kind of a no-brainer how that works. Can't really see how that could be causing what I am seeing. Actually, the unit appears to work just fine as a unit until an atty or carto is screwed onto it.
Ok, I think I'm done playing around. I will order one of the better controllers from you guys and see what happens. I have a few other odds and ends that I also need.
Thanks again.