M401/402 battery switch problems

[Lorddrek]

I got a couple of Pilot Hybrids and they worked very well last night although I find they are a little hard to get a good lungful out of. The wife has no problems with hers but today I get one drag and then nothing. Sometimes the light slowly comes on then off a few times while I pull other times nothing.

I have found that removing the cartridge and putting a couple of tiny drops on the atomizer exterior get two good puffs. I also can pull a bit slower and the battery switch seems to like that. On the third the light slowly fades on and off but still produces decent vapor. I do let about a minute pass in between drags so I doubt overheating is the problem.

I think I see a Screwdriver in my future as it eliminates the micro processer controlled switch. Thats what I feel to be the weakest link of this delivery system. But I still would like to have a better picture of what is going on in my little Pilots brain in the meantime!

Lorddrek

 

[RjG]

Congrats, you have a "smart" battery, lol
Of my four Pilot batteries, two are "smart". That is the "cart is low" message.

I don't actually know if that's the case, for a fact. But that is exactly what the behavior is. Fill the cart and the slow blinking goes away.

It's not a bad feature, it's only about 3 drops off from where I usually refill it anyway.

I sent Puresmoker an email asking about it, to confirm some of the batteries are "smart" but haven't received a response yet. I'll post the reply when I do.

 

[Idahojo]

I got a couple of Pilot Hybrids and they worked very well last night although I find they are a little hard to get a good lungful out of. The wife has no problems with hers but today I get one drag and then nothing. Sometimes the light slowly comes on then off a few times while I pull other times nothing.

I have found that removing the cartridge and putting a couple of tiny drops on the atomizer exterior get two good puffs. I also can pull a bit slower and the battery switch seems to like that. On the third the light slowly fades on and off but still produces decent vapor. I do let about a minute pass in between drags so I doubt overheating is the problem.

I think I see a Screwdriver in my future as it eliminates the micro processer controlled switch. Thats what I feel to be the weakest link of this delivery system. But I still would like to have a better picture of what is going on in my little Pilots brain in the meantime!

Lorddrek

I have struggled with the same problem with my Pilot. I'm new at this so thought it was just me. Sometimes it seems to work better than others. I have completely pulled the carts out & totally saturated with liquid & put them back & some seem to work better, others not. I ordered the penstyle, hopefully will get it today, to see how it compares. Heard a lot of good reviews. I know a lot of people love the Pilot but for me the jury is still out. It just seems to be very tempermental. When it works I love it. When it doesn't I drive myself crazy (a very short trip mind you) wondering if it is the Pilot or operator error.

 

[Lorddrek]

The one trick I have found that works is to swap batteries. Take a good puff, unscrew, and replace. But that is growing old fast... Or just let it sit for a few minutes before puffing. Thanks for the input.

Lorddrek

 

[Flitzanu]

give them a couple days of regular use, just stick with it. mine were a little tighter at first but have really loosened up and are much better than the "first few hours" with them.