need help (new Vamo) I'm crying here

[budynbuick]

Hey all. I just received my Vamo and for 2 hr it worked perfect. Had it in RMS at 7.5 Watts. All of a sudden it stopped working and the coil that came in the Vivi Nova showed 'low ohms' then LO-V indicating short circuit. . I thought the coil popped so I installed a new one and it worked perfect and then did the same thing as the first. I tried 4 new heads and they all did the same thing. It would alternate from showing lo Ohms to LO-v (check showed 4.0 volt on batt). So in disgust I sat it down. I picked it up ten min later and the 2.8 ohm coil now showed 2.5 ohm (indicating the coils were not popping). So now if I let it sit for a few minutes the zero ohm head will rebound back up to 2.5 Ohm letting me hit it again only to drop again down to 0.0 Ohm. I am waiting on my XtarWP11 charger and efest batts so I was alternating using a Panasonic NCR18650 and a Panasonic CGR18650EA. The Vamo just now worked showing 0.0 Ohms LOL. Since the batts are fully charged, I think (but not certain)I have a defective unit. The only other thing it could be is the batts are not allowing enough amps? Any help would be highly appreciated. Oh, I tried posting this in the Vamo forum and it would not let me (drats!) After sending this post I picked it up and it shows 2.5ohms LOL

Keith

 

[gamadnechmad]

I have absolutely no idea how to help - sorry....but here's a bump! Hang in there!!

 

[infavol]

you should just send it off as an DOA, or buy an rba

 

[hotrod3539]

I would try something other than a Vivi nova like a normal carto, it might not be playing well with your vamo . i wouldnt give up on it yet. i have a Vamo and have used mostly cartos/carto tanks on it with no problems. i dont have a Vivi nova to compare with at the moment, mine broke just before i got my Vamo and i am waiting on a new one. i have used a couple stardust type clearos with out any issues either. if that doesnt work then contact your vendor and explain the issue. just my 2 cents.

 

[Caridwen]

We now have a VAMO forum. I'll move your post there. Hopefully you can get help.

 

[drum of ny]

I had the same exact problem. I believe there's nothing you can do. I tried a multitude of batteries and various types of cartomizers and atomizers of varying ohms to no avail. I ended up sending mine back.

 

[MikeA5]

Budynbuic,
"using a Panasonic NCR18650 and a Panasonic CGR18650EA"

Those are Lithium Ion batteries. I'd recommend high drain IMR batteries batteries for the VAMO.
The batteries may not be the problem though but it's hard to tell until the right type batteries are installed on the VAMO.
AW IMR 18650 2000mAH or Efest IMR 18650 2000mAh Button Top will work on it. One place you can buy them is at rtdvapor.com
or various other vendors. I'm curious though to see if that corrects the problem. I have a VAMO and I'm using those two suggested batteries on the VAMO without any problems.

 

[drum of ny]

Budynbuic,
"using a Panasonic NCR18650 and a Panasonic CGR18650EA"

Those are Lithium Ion batteries. I'd recommend high drain IMR batteries batteries for the VAMO.
The batteries may not be the problem though but it's hard to tell until the right type batteries are installed on the VAMO.
AW IMR 18650 2000mAH or Efest IMR 18650 2000mAh Button Top will work on it. One place you can buy them is at rtdvapor.com
or various other vendors. I'm curious though to see if that corrects the problem. I have a VAMO and I'm using those two suggested batteries on the VAMO without any problems.

I had the same problem and using imr's did not fix it. I used both the Panasonic hybrid 10 amp imr and black aw imr's. I believe it's something faulty with the voltage reader.

 

[tc1]

Ohm readings like that tend to mean a short.

Make sure the coils aren't touching and the leads are nice and tight.

If you can verify no short then it probably is a defective unit unfortunately.

 

[2GLR]

What is the resistance with nothing screwed in?

 

[Kable]

Have you tried lowering the power setting?

 

[kiwivap]

I use vivi novas all the time with both my Vamos and they work fine. I would suggest getting IMRs as recommended to start with. Also if your batteries are a bit loose inside the tube they may be losing connection as they move around. You need the right batteries anyway so I would try that first.

 

[tc1]

I use Desay ICRs and they work great. I'm pretty confident in my original post.

Either your rebuild is shorting or you have a lemon vamo.

 

[kiwivap]

The OP said he was using the coils that came with the vivi nova - so appears not to be a rebuild. Also had the same thing happen with 4 coils. Some batteries work better than others with the Vamo. I wouldn't rule out a possible problem with needing IMRs just yet.

 

[tc1]

The OP said he was using the coils that came with the vivi nova - so appears not to be a rebuild. Also had the same thing happen with 4 coils. Some batteries work better than others with the Vamo. I wouldn't rule out a possible problem with needing IMRs just yet.

True but I would say I love mini novas and I've had zero issues. Of course this is all come and go.

Regardless ... we're here for ya and we hope the best. Let us know ...

 

[drum of ny]

Wow...I don't know what to say to what has been written above...I gave almost an exact description with my problem with my vamo; with the exception of OP's ohm readings. It seems to me that OP and myself have been confronted with fanboys of both the Vamo and IMR batteries.

I understand the reason for batteries that can take a high drain. That is why I purchased some after my Vamo started acting up. I purchased: Panasonic Hybrid/IMR CGR18650CH Button Top, AW 18650 2900mah 3,7v protected battery and I already had TrustFire Protected 18650 3.7V True 2400mAh Rechargeable Lithium Batteries (2-Pack) - Free Shipping - DealExtreme which I initially encountered the problem with.

I posted my issue on 12/11 in the http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/vamo/349173-any-vamo-etna-vv-vw-owners-here-yet-57.html :

It's probably going to be a few weeks until my panasonics arrive. I guess I'll look for a decent priced U.S. supplier in the mean time.

I've just encountered a problem with my vamo. No matter what batteries I put in the thing, I'm receiving a low voltage message. I hold the (-) button and I'm getting readings of 2.1-2.4v from fresh off the charger Trustfire 3000mah flames batteries (which are measuring 4.18-4.19v on my multimeter and perfoming excellently in a VV box mod I have as well as a reo grand) and I'm getting similar readings from 18650 Trustfire 2400mah flames that I took out of my box mod that are measuring 3.89v and 3.88v on my multimeter. The later batteries worked briefly and measured 3.9v in the vamo. Then I took one or two drags and go the Lo v message again and it came up as measuring 2.1-2.4 again. I'm stumped. It's way past my bed time, but I look forward to any theories. Enjoy the day. I'll be back on this afternoon. Cheers.

When I encountered this same issue I put my battery on my multimeter. I never had a reading below 3.8v and I encountered this problem with new batteries. I also used these batteries with my smoketek grip (which has the same display as the Vamo), a reo grand and multiple other devices; some boosted some that utilize two 18650 batteries in parallel.

Regardless of the battery I used I encountered the same "Lo v" message and my Vamo had many ridiculous readings of my voltage as a result of this. I used a multitude of cartomizers as well: vivi nova 1.8 and 3.2ohm cartomizers, smoktek 1.7 cartomizer, dual coil 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5ohm cartomizers, boge single coil 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 cartomizers.

This issue will come up again and again. This may be the exception, but it will rear it's ugly head again and again. I would just like to see someone encounter this problem and not be taken to task for using one battery, two batteries or for not using a mediocre imr such as en efest (which many places recommend, but might not even perform as well as trustfire 5amp flames battery).

I'm just a bit frustrated since I received a Vamo that did not function properly and then I reported my results and got assaulted due to the batteries that I was using, which are and were good batteries, and every one's fanboydom as it relates to vamo's and imr's. After many, many people accosted me with my battery selection I then spent the money on high drain imr batteries (I do believe they are a better option to make my apv run in a safer and more efficient manner, but this is beside point at this juncture.) I then reported back and explained that my issue had not gone away and then everyone was silent. It reminded me of when I first got the red rings of death with my xbox 360, even though at that juncture it was a well established problem. I draw the parallel because I was ignored at that point too.

The only responses I got were people who didn't read what I had posted before nor read what I had just posted. People either selectively read what I wrote in order to feel better about their various prejudices or they ignored what I wrote. Either way I am a bit scorned and feel sad that someone else is encountering these same issues and is be affronted for the same reasons...

 

[anavidfan]

if none of the suggestions are helping than just return it for another, These products are produced and manufactured at a high rate and like all mass produced products, there is bound to be a faulty one in the thousands made. Everyone is trying to help you not berate you. If they have found certain things work for them and they are not working for you its not that they are trying to make you keep it. I dont think anyone here has money to be made for it or own stocks.

You have the choice now to either try what they suggest or return it for another, or you can just return it for a refund and try out another item. It is not a high priced item, nor is it right to put up with a faulty item even if it cost 300.00. You bought something that has only been on the market for a while, but has made people really happy. Some owners the high end Provari say its just as good. Heck even a Provari owner will get a dud and because the manufacturer of the Provari has great customer service, they take care of you. Even with other high end products you get a dud. So just relax contact the vendor and again, they will ask you the same things and ask you to try the same things already suggested above. Keep calm, explain yourself calmly with out any aggression and they will most likely if they are a good vendor send you an RMA ticket and exchange it and if you dont want another, just say you want your money back. Its all going to be fine, I know how frustrating it all is. I tend to always get that one in a million dud in what ever I buy. You get more from being courteous and patient when it comes to customer service than being angry and confrontational.

 

[kiwivap]

There have been issues with different batteries in the Vamo. This came up on the Health Cabin forum. IMRs are acknowledged as the best type of batteries for these sort of devices - so using them helps to see if one possible issue can be eliminated.
IMRs are also a safer type of chemistry - and the most recommended batteries by ECF.

I'll post this here from the ECF guide on batteries, http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/ecf-library/129569-rechargeable-batteries.html

We now advise that Li-Mn or top-quality Li-FePo4 rechargeables are used in APVs, in preference to rechargeable Li-ions. We suggest the best option, in order, is:

1. AW IMR Li-Mn rechargeables.
2. AW Li-FePo4 rechargeables [Li-FePo4's MUST HAVE A SPECIAL CHARGER]. Note that these batteries are mostly 3 volt nominal so the system voltage will be lower than normal.
3. Good quality (such as AW or Pila) protected Li-ion rechargeables.
4. Branded protected Li-ions come next - such as xxxfire Li-ion rechargeables (for xxx insert Trust / Sure / Ultra-).
5. The least-preferable option is a generic protected Li-ion.
6. Unprotected rechargeable Li-ion cells should not be used.
7. Standard cells (non-rechargeable) should not be used.

Discussion on batteries on another thread starts here: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...tna-vv-vw-owners-here-yet-57.html#post8009781

For the OP - it would be unusual for 4 vivi nova heads to be faulty, so troubleshooting if there is a battery issue or a problem with the device itself seems the best way to try and assist. As tc1 said - we're here for you.

 

[AnsonJames]

I use Novas and AGA-T's on my Vamo, never a problem.
Sorry to say this but it sounds like you have a defective unit.

 

[drum of ny]

if none of the suggestions are helping than just return it for another, These products are produced and manufactured at a high rate and like all mass produced products, there is bound to be a faulty one in the thousands made. Everyone is trying to help you not berate you. If they have found certain things work for them and they are not working for you its not that they are trying to make you keep it. I dont think anyone here has money to be made for it or own stocks.

You have the choice now to either try what they suggest or return it for another, or you can just return it for a refund and try out another item. It is not a high priced item, nor is it right to put up with a faulty item even if it cost 300.00. You bought something that has only been on the market for a while, but has made people really happy. Some owners the high end Provari say its just as good. Heck even a Provari owner will get a dud and because the manufacturer of the Provari has great customer service, they take care of you. Even with other high end products you get a dud. So just relax contact the vendor and again, they will ask you the same things and ask you to try the same things already suggested above. Keep calm, explain yourself calmly with out any aggression and they will most likely if they are a good vendor send you an RMA ticket and exchange it and if you dont want another, just say you want your money back. Its all going to be fine, I know how frustrating it all is. I tend to always get that one in a million dud in what ever I buy. You get more from being courteous and patient when it comes to customer service than being angry and confrontational.

I was fortunate to get my money back. I actually bought my vamo off of the classified section here at ecf, but was lucky enough to get a refund and help the seller get a replacement for the faulty vamo; which he is planning on keeping after reading all of the positive things people have said on these vamo subforums.

My retort/rant was in response to the suggestions I received and have seen again given to the poor soul who started this thread. Unfortunately there is a fanboydom response as this pertains to the vamo and imr batteries. Not all batteries are created equal. I would rather have a high quality li-ion battery than a mediocre quality imr, but those are my prejudices and I am not one to regale people with these prejudices as they are going through an extraordinarily frustrating time when it comes to receiving an apv one has pawned after and may have had to wait weeks to get. I do believe that imr batteries are the smart choice as it relates to performance and safety, but not to the "Lo v" problem.

My response was fueled by my frustration with the ineptitude of people's ability to see past their fanboydom and actually help me out with my problem. I do believe that 98% of problems are user error and I initially welcomed responses as they pertained to batteries. I thought they were bull as it pertained to my problem and a product of imr fanboydom, but I appreciated them nonetheless. After I shelled out more than any Vamo cost in batteries (which did nothing to correct the issue), everyone was silent. I tried to see past that, but seeing someone else with the same problem I encountered being told the same nonsense is a bit infuriating. No one is acknowledging the problem I encountered nor the problem OP seems to be, but people are instead telling tales about their set-ups in order to make themselves feel as though they've made awesome, knowledgeable choices.

Fanboydom is frustrating when you receive a faulty product that is the celebration of fanboys (the Vamo) and it becomes incredibly more frustrating when these same people recommend fixes that exposes their other fanboy obsession (imr batteries; regardless of brand) and then offer no support once the recommendation of an imr does not fix the original problem/fault. It is incredibly more frustrating to see someone else encounter the same problem and see the same people give the same advice. It makes my head throb...