Problems with Smok Natural Mechanical Mod

[cghildreth]

So - I just got my first mechanical mod - a SmokTech Natural. Its a pretty decent looking mod, especially for the only about $50 that I paid for it. I opened the box, stuck a battery in, threaded in my Aga-T and hit the button. Nothing.

I fiddled with it for a few seconds and then noticed it was getting very hot, very quickly. I hastily took the battery out and set it in the sink to cool. The battery was not too hot to touch, but pretty close. BTW, the battery is a 2000mah AW IMR 18650. The reddish orange battery cover was melted at the bottom of the battery. My Aga-T's silicon sleeve around the center post at the 510 connection is also melted and needs to be replaced.

I am thinking that there is a problem/short in the 510 connection of the Natural, but don't have my multimeter here to be able to test this theory. I'll be running some diagnostics this evening when I get home.

Questions:

1. Has anyone else had this problem?
2. Do I need to throw my battery out?
3. Any suggestions to fix the problem?

Thanks!

 

[StaircaseWit]

So - I just got my first mechanical mod - a SmokTech Natural. Its a pretty decent looking mod, especially for the only about $50 that I paid for it. I opened the box, stuck a battery in, threaded in my Aga-T and hit the button. Nothing.

I fiddled with it for a few seconds and then noticed it was getting very hot, very quickly. I hastily took the battery out and set it in the sink to cool. The battery was not too hot to touch, but pretty close. BTW, the battery is a 2000mah AW IMR 18650. The reddish orange battery cover was melted at the bottom of the battery. My Aga-T's silicon sleeve around the center post at the 510 connection is also melted and needs to be replaced.

I am thinking that there is a problem/short in the 510 connection of the Natural, but don't have my multimeter here to be able to test this theory. I'll be running some diagnostics this evening when I get home.

Questions:

1. Has anyone else had this problem?
2. Do I need to throw my battery out?
3. Any suggestions to fix the problem?

Thanks!

There have been reports of the button sticking. I've read you need to tighten the screw in the switch. There's a Natural thread here somewhere where it's discussed. If I can find it I'll edit this.

This is from DV:

Please Note: Please Check and tighten the nut on the inside of the switch often, I have heard reports (not from anyone I sold) that this can be slightly loose. Take the time to check the mod over and make sure everything is tight, this is a completely rebuldable mod, so it can be taken apart. Loose connections near the witch can short out an atomizer, so practice due dilligence on a mod like this. [sic]

 

[Fury83]

A little outside the topic...what did you test the AGA-T on?

 

[cghildreth]

@ Fury 83 - I tested the Aga-T on a Vamo, a Zmax, and my multimeter - it read at 1.5 ohms. I've been using the Aga-T pretty much exclusively on the Vamo for about two weeks since my last (and first truly successful) coil build.

@ StaircaseWit - The nut on the switch is tight. I'll do some more testing on both the Aga-T and the Natural this evening when I get access to my multimeter to try and narrow down the cause and be sure the problem isn't with the Aga-T.

 

[Fury83]

Ok...just kind of checking off that you didn't throw something on there without testing it.

I'll defer to the Natural experts. Haven't received mine yet.

 

[congaman]

Suspects.......1) Battery 2) AGA 3) Natural....IMO Be careful and keep us informed on on your testing!

 

[GRH8095]

Something to keep in mind ...

The natural's 510 connector, has a adjustable center post. You may want to back the center post out, then attach your device, then screw back in the center post til it is snug against your device.
Avoid over tightening any aga atomizer, can cause the aga's center post to touch it's connector and short out.

Something to keep in mind ...

 

[jamesfarrell]

I wish I knew what you guys were talking about with the screws. Any pictures? I don't have my naturals yet, but I ordered these types of batteries.

Efest IMR 18350 800mAh LiMN Recharageable Battery (don't know if that's a flat or button top)
eFest IMR 18500 1100mah ButtonTop 3.7v Rechargeable LiMn Battery
eFest Protected 18650 3100mah 3.7v High Discharge Performance (don't know if that's a flat or button top)

So when I emailed got vapes, they said they would us flat tops. But I am wondering if the button top would work or not?

 

[fooey]

Flat tops fit perfectly for me, you might have to unscrew one of the tubes a little for button tops.

 

[jamesfarrell]

Crap, now i'm goign to have to send them back.

 

[cghildreth]

Avoid over tightening any aga atomizer, can cause the aga's center post to touch it's connector and short out.

After much testing, this is indeed what happened - the short was in the Aga and was caused by overtightening causing the center pin of the AGA to rupture the silicon seal and contact the stainless body of the AGA. I'm happy to report that my Natural works great - it was the damn button pusher that was screwed up.

Do y'all have any thoughts on whether the AW IMR 18650 that was in the mod when I had the electrical short should be disposed of? I am not sure how to go about testing the battery for safe functioning. As I mentioned, the battery got pretty warm, but not too warm to hold.

 

[cghildreth]

I wish I knew what you guys were talking about with the screws. Any pictures? I don't have my naturals yet, but I ordered these types of batteries.

Efest IMR 18350 800mAh LiMN Recharageable Battery (don't know if that's a flat or button top)
eFest IMR 18500 1100mah ButtonTop 3.7v Rechargeable LiMn Battery
eFest Protected 18650 3100mah 3.7v High Discharge Performance (don't know if that's a flat or button top)

So when I emailed got vapes, they said they would us flat tops. But I am wondering if the button top would work or not?

Depends on the button top - I've seen reports that protected batteries are too long to be able to fully seat. My button top AW IMR 18350s and 18650s both fit nicely. Also, the center post in the Natural does adjust with a simple screwdriver, so you could potentially adjust it outward to get a bit of extra length in the battery compartment.

 

[GRH8095]

You mentioned ... "The reddish orange battery cover was melted at the bottom of the battery"

Thrash it ... I would not take any chances, better safe than sorry, later later, down the road.

 

[Leatherneck]

You mentioned ... "The reddish orange battery cover was melted at the bottom of the battery"

Thrash it ... I would not take any chances, better safe than sorry, later later, down the road.

This.

Think about it this way. Where do you keep your mod on your person, but not in use. Is that a place you want a runaway thermal event?

 

[dam718]

This.

Think about it this way. Where do you keep your mod on your person, but not in use. Is that a place you want a runaway thermal event?

I keep mine in my front pants pocket right next to my j.... Ohhhhh!

Yeah, that's a bad idea

Or:

I have a runaway thermal event happening in the front of my pants every day! It's cool man...

 

[Kemosabe]

if those types of runaway thermal events were currency, id be filthy stinkin rich.

OP, glad your natural is not damaged. too bad about the battery tho. could be worse!

 

[Mitey F]

Something to keep in mind ...

The natural's 510 connector, has a adjustable center post. You may want to back the center post out, then attach your device, then screw back in the center post til it is snug against your device.
Avoid over tightening any aga atomizer, can cause the aga's center post to touch it's connector and short out.

Something to keep in mind ...

THIS THIS THIS

IF YOU PUT YOUR ATTY ON TOO TIGHT AND SCREW IT ALL TOGETHER IT WILL SHORT THE BATTERY AND THE BATTERY WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL OR WORSE

If you feel the MOD ITSELF getting hot, IMMEDIATELY get the battery out, and adjust your center positive post against the atty correctly!

EDIT: If you adjust this properly, you will have NO problems. I have been using mine as my daily pocket carry vape, and in the last 2 weeks (once I learned I need to adjust the post) it has been absolutely wonderful, especially in 350 mode.

 

[crxess]

First thing I do with a Mech mod is inspect all parts. I open from the top, if possible, and inspect switch throw and I inspect contact condition.
In the end, it saves a lot of trouble.

 

[jamesfarrell]

THIS THIS THIS

IF YOU PUT YOUR ATTY ON TOO TIGHT AND SCREW IT ALL TOGETHER IT WILL SHORT THE BATTERY AND THE BATTERY WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL OR WORSE

If you feel the MOD ITSELF getting hot, IMMEDIATELY get the battery out, and adjust your center positive post against the atty correctly!

EDIT: If you adjust this properly, you will have NO problems. I have been using mine as my daily pocket carry vape, and in the last 2 weeks (once I learned I need to adjust the post) it has been absolutely wonderful, especially in 350 mode.

Yeah, I've silched 2 batteries doing that when I first got the thing. I was like, many this thing gets hot, then HOLY S-H** and immediately put the batteries on a freezer pack. They were useless a couple charges later.