Possessed batteries

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Madame X

Full Member
Mar 10, 2010
24
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So Cal
Howdy,

Does anyone else have batteries that are lighting up on their own without being used? I had one battery that had been dropped in my car (auto regular) and when I found it again, I noticed that after it was charged, it would light up on its own in my purse, whether or not there was a carto attached to it. It would just keep doing this until it died. I'd recharge it, and it would do the same thing. Eventually the life of the battery shortened dramatically and it's almost unusable now. At this point, I did not have a slimline charger and this was the only battery that did this.

About a month later, I ordered a slimline charger. I now have at least 8-10 batteries that are now or have been "possessed" and behave identically to the one described above - they just start glowing on their own and won't stop. One, an auto manual, does it less than others, but I've still spotted it in my purse giving off its little blue glow a couple of times. And the worst part is that 4 of them seem to be basically non-functional at this point, which is $60 totally wasted, and at least two of them were under two months old when they went totally kaput. The rest are gradually holding a charge less and less - i.e., I will charge one, take it off the charger, and then start vaping it immediately without putting it in my purse. It usually does not last more than one to one and a half ten minute vaping sessions now, which is really not okay. All together, I've got about $160 worth of batteries affected by this. Blargh!!!

I honestly have no idea if the Slimline has anything to do with it or not (like I said, the first one was before I had the Slimline). But I have no explanation for this. One weird wonky battery like the first one is expected occasionally, especially when it's been floating around under my car seat for who knows how long. But when at least NINE others, most either brand new or under 6 months old, start acting the same way, I don't know what the deal is. I use Wow Peppermint refill juice on my cartos, and have, off and on, for awhile. I have never had any issues with using refill juice affecting the function of my batteries, but that is the only other variable I can think of.

Anyway, this is is happening on auto diamond shorties, auto regulars, and auto shorties. Am I losing my mind? Am I the only one this is happening to? Do I have voltage issues, or is there a poltergeist in my batteries? ;)
 

Olef

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Apr 22, 2011
689
298
UK
This is the problem with auto batteries. Some are sound sensitive so sound or vibration can activate them. Others are better at this but all will suffer with juice getting down into the switch mechanism causing false firing. Get some manual batteries, they are sealed so don't allow juice down inside. I do not trust auto batteries at all.
 

SnowDragon

Moved On
ECF Veteran
Jul 28, 2010
3,755
1,874
Boise, Idaho
I'm not shocked to hear about the majority being Autos or that you are refilling. Juice has gotten into those batteries and they are basically shorting out. I too am curious about your refilling methods, manuals are preferred when refilling as Olef stated. But there are a few safeguards, when employed make using an auto battery perfectly safe from shorting.

These other batteries, are the threads possibly blackened a little, have you ever cleaned your batteries (not trying to be condescending...just asking?)

What are the styles of these 9 batteries?

Are there any batteries that could still possibly be salvaged? If they are regular Auto XL's you can pop off the Ash Cap, take a large sewing needle and poked 4-5 holes in the circuit board grommet, which is simply the white lining between the circuit board and the metal battery housing.

Then soak the battery connector ends in alcohol like Everclear or Vodka, keep the liquid level just above the bottom of the V4L logo stamped on the battery. Let them soak until all the alcohol has completely dissipated...(1-2 of days).

If you remove them while they are still soaking/submerged you must remove them very slowly or risk triggering the activation switch....this is why I suggest a set-it and forget-it approach. Soak it and walk away for a day or two until all the alcohol has dissipated. There is a small cup inside the bottom of the battery connector which may collect alcohol and will need to dissipate. This is also where the possible short might be as the solder points for the actual pos. and neg. battery connections are also located there.

Leave the Ash Cap off, set the batteries up on window sill or inside a car parked outside for a day or two. It's best if they are not exposed directly to the sun, the ambient heat will help the alcohol dissolve. If that's not possible you can always use white rice like CalRose or Hinode any rice used with a steamer should work. With the ash caps removed simply place in a bowl and bury in rice for a couple of days. Might still be prudent to have the ash cap end higher than the battery connector end.

There is only 30/70 chance or fixing these batteries, but it's still better than nothing. I have a second theory on the batt in your car.....but I don't think that is the overall issue given so many others are having problems.
 
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Chesterwiz

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Apr 15, 2011
614
243
nowhere
I had a new one short like that... then the replaced one is great. I have 2 black regular autos going waco. One is not charging too long and not lasting too long. The other is hard to get to light up then when it does it will not shut off. They are the original batteries from when I started almost 5 months ago.

I do fill my own carts and do over fill at times. Its my own fault I take it. I want to try Snows trick on the bad switch one...
 

plantlvr

Vaping Master
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Sep 20, 2009
3,158
1,880
Northern California
I have used only auto xtra longs for over a year exclusively and have never killed one by 'juice death'. I always clean the connecter end of the carto after filling and blow out any juice from the connector end.
It's like making coffee, there are steps you have to take so you don't end up with a cup of crap :D
 

Enamor

Full Member
May 6, 2010
24
1
Slumberland
I've been using V4L products exclusively for 1 & a half years but I hardly post here. To date, all my auto batteries have died leaving just the most recent one that I purchased in August. That's more than 10 batteries. Even the auto pass through died. I have 3 manual batteries & 1 pass through which are still working like new though. 2 of the manual batteries have been used from the time I started with V4L! Auto batteries or pass throughs are a waste of money. Pressing a button to vape irritates me sometimes so I still use the auto pass throughs. They last longer than the batteries. Auto batteries are horrible & they seem to just last till it's barely past their warranty time period of 45 days.
 
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Enamor

Full Member
May 6, 2010
24
1
Slumberland
Enamor (guessing Ms.?) have all but one of my original King Diamond autos still functioning, and save those killed by father time (or uncle charge cycles as I like to call him) they all still function flawlessly....

Father time? LoL.. :>

Well, my auto batts never last more than 3 months & yes, I have been told they do have a shorter life span. I alternate them with my manuals & I probably charge each battery only once a week since I had so many. Now, I count on my manuals. If the autos have been working for you, great for you! I wish they work better for me since I have to press the button on the manual. That really doesn't look that great & can never be handsfree. I can never get the dangle on the lips with smoke in the face look again.. :p
 

Enamor

Full Member
May 6, 2010
24
1
Slumberland
I watched some how to V4L videos before I embarked on filling my cartos. The auto batteries started going crazy even before I started filling cartos myself. I have two ways.

I take the top off with a pin & fill the carto by dripping the juice down the sides. Dividing the carto in half, I drip 5 drops on each side.

I use the cover that the carto came with. I fill it less than half full & push the carto over it.

For both ways, I blow excess juice out. The carto is also always off the battery. Like many others, I do it so often that I never spill or overfill.
 
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