Lavatube problem...help

[MikenGA]

Hi guys & girls,

This morning, I reached for my LT, popped in a fresh batt, and suddenly heard the coil on my tank 'frying'...then it turned itself 'OFF'.

I was unable to turn the LT back on for about 10 seconds, but immediately the coil began 'frying'. It's as if the button is stuck in the 'ON' position, and no amount of clicking will disengage it.

Everything worked FINE last night, but this morning, it's a different story. There's no sign of juice on the LT, or inside it either. I've tried different tanks, attys and cartos...same problem, so it's def something with the LT switch.

Any ideas what might be going on, or how to fix it? It's completely UNusable at this point.

 

[retird]

pop in a different battery......just to see if that makes a difference....

 

[MikenGA]

I did that. No difference. Thx.

 

[ChrispyCritter]

Take the battery out and try blowing through the tube..see if liquid comes out the switch. Another thing you might try is when pushing the button in try to "spin" it a little in case it's stuck. I just checked with mine and it doesn't seem to "spin" all the way around but i can move it a little..this worked with an eGo that had a sticky button that I have. If all else fails and it's under warranty contact the vendor...

 

[MASTER0FDAMPF]

Use a multimeter with the LT set at 3.0 volts and see if it reads. You also may need to wait a few minutes if you tripped the protection circuit. That does sound like a stuck button to me, but it may have caused a short when the carto went out. If that is the case, you may have tripped the protection as well. If you still have no luck then hit up the vendor for a replacement or order a new one as ChrispyCritter suggested.

 

[ChrispyCritter]

Yeah could be the wire to the switch melted also like it looks like happened in this thread http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/modding-forum/286952-what-should-i-put.html.

Edit: It could be the wire melted and is shorting out like that post..but more likely the button is sticking probably. I'm sure these LT's are made in the millions so some are going to have issues...

 

[MikenGA]

Hi guys,

I've been very vigilent with this thang, and unscrewed the tank immediately when I heard the coil 'frying', so nothing has 'popped' or 'melted' (yet).

Take the battery out and try blowing through the tube..see if liquid comes out the switch.

Nope...dry as a bone. No difference.

Another thing you might try is when pushing the button in try to "spin" it a little in case it's stuck...

HEY...THAT WORKED for about 20 seconds, then the button was stuck in the 'ON' position again.

OK...so it's a sticky button issue. Whaddya think...electronic cleaning spray? WD40? Soap and water? Buzz Pro?


I'm thinking 'cleaning spray'...yes?

(I bought it in December, and believe the warranty from Volcano has expired.)

 

[MASTER0FDAMPF]

worth a try (electronic circuit board cleaner) but I don't know if that will damage/fog the display. Might eat the color off the LT as well.

slip a piece of sandpaper between the button edge and the tube and press the button like crazy. go all the way around the outside edge of the button like that. (battery out of course). Then try it. You will be able to see if it is just the plastic part sticking on the housing or the gasket sticking/juice short

 

[retird]

hum, I thought Volcano had a 1 year warranty?

 

[MikenGA]

You're right! I checked a few minutes ago, realized it was a ONE YEAR warranty, and have just now posted a request for help on the Volcano site.

After almost 5 months, I really LIKE the LT, and if Volcano is as good as their warranty, I expect I'll be a happy camper before long.

Never had a problem until today, but reading their forums, it seems the SILVER LTs from December had a few similar issues. My LT is SILVER, and I bought it in December.

Will let you know the verdict!


THANKS to everyone!!

 

[ChrispyCritter]

(I bought it in December, and believe the warranty from Volcano has expired.)

"Special LAVATUBE Warranty Information:

The LAVATUBE unit will include a 1 Year Limited Warranty against any manufacturing defects from the date of purchase."

Right from Volcano's site..I would contact them before messing with it too much...

Edit: I see you posted you found out about the warranty the same time I posted this lol..good luck

 

[ambeck22]

Good luck! I've had great success with their customer service after submitting a ticket. Mine was only a wrong order/items received, but they got it sorted out in no time and I was allowed to keep the incorrect items and get my money back. Keep us posted!

 

[MikenGA]

Hi again,

The folks at Volcano responded within an hour of submitting my 1st support ticket, and have already sent postage for me to return my LT for testing UNDER WARRANTY. WHOA!!!

I don't know how long it might take for this to get resolved, but I'm really tickled with their interest and genuine 'customer service'!

Meanwhile...I dunno if these ego batts are gonna be enough to 'hold me over' until I get the thang back. Tonight, I have a fear that I probably need to get a 2nd VV device as a back-up. IDK.

Do Y'ALL have back-up VV's???

Hoping I'll be OK with Ego batts and Stardust cartos...not sure...THIS is NEW TERRITORY for ME!
Money is tight right now (taxes), so...anything CHEAP you think might recommend???
Jeeezzzz...hope I'll be OK.

 

[maximaseefu]

I have backups of backups of backups........

 

[MASTER0FDAMPF]

I have a couple VV ego's (kinda crap, dont bother) but really...Just have quite a few mods...but this is really the only true VV that I have. My other 5 have been on "backorder" since early march, although 3 should be here today or tomorrow.

one of the 3 stage VV's can be had fairly cheap though as a backup, but it might be cheaper to just get a spare LT tube from a different vendor. Vapor alley has the LT kit for 60$

 

[maximaseefu]

if nothing else I think having several ego batts on hand for extreme backup situations is good. I have a PS Icon as a very reliable backup with 4 14500 batts for this excellent mechanical mod. Only drawback for me is it is 3.7V

 

[MASTER0FDAMPF]

A mechanical backup is definately a good thing. My Q2V3 copper will never fail to fire as long as I have a battery to fit it.

if nothing else I think having several ego batts on hand for extreme backup situations is good. I have a PS Icon as a very reliable backup with 4 14500 batts for this excellent mechanical mod. Only drawback for me is it is 3.7V

 

[kbdintern]

I actually had this happen Sunday! I bought my volcano Lt from a kiosk and they swapped mine out right away. I actually use my lava tube now as a back up since I got my Provari about a month ago.

 

[ambeck22]

Bf went to the mall yesterday and stopped at Volcano for cartos and clearos. He was casually telling the lady about having trouble with our Magma batteries needing charged so often and not even being 6 months old and she said he could recycle them and get new ones right there. I didn't care for my pink Inferno color, and she let him get a new red Inferno battery as well (was eyeing the red). Apparently, the Magma and Inferno batteries have a 1-year warranty as well. We are pretty well known to the Volcano kiosk people as we shop there a lot, but I was very impressed that he didn't need a receipt or anything. I get juices and cartos and clearos elsewhere most of the time, but Volcano holds a place in my heart because of their service and I quit smoking with them.

 

[MikenGA]

UPDATE:
At their request, I returned my non-working Lavatube to Volcano for testing. According to USPS tracking, it arrived last Saturday, and worked it's way over to the testing lab today.

Just a few moments ago (at 9:54pm EST) I received the following email:

"Aloha Michael,
-
We have received your defective item as of 5/4/12 and ran some tests on your item. We deemed your item defective due to the button getting stuck inside the unit and not allowing it to activate. Your replacement will be sent out today with the following USPS tracking number: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (blah blah blah)

Mahalo,
(name of person)

With best regards,
Customer Service"


How 'bout THAT! Volcano really DOES take care of their customers! I'm stoked!!

These ego batts are doing the best they can for me, and I'm doing good with them, but I sure have missed my Lavatube. Can't wait to get the new replacement LT!

THANK YOU, VOLCANO!!


And...THANK YOU to ALL THE FOLKS ABOVE! YOUR support, encouragement and guidance during this 'crisis' was invaluable 4 me!