Problems with Vicious Ant's Valkyrie - Possible recall?

[Snapdragon]

Just got my Valkyrie yesterday and like many others it's not working. After a lot of hunting I found some unconfirmed rumors of a possible recall and a possible diy fix, but no response as yet from VA or my particular vendor.

Anyone else out there with this issue or news about this issue?

 

[Rock0900]

Ye a lot of us have the issue. VA has acknowledged the issue and is working on a new switch. I'm guessing we'll hear more about it the coming week. Either new switch or all units are going to be recalled.

 

[SutterCain]

Hey all,
So I had the same problems as well but you can make it work while waiting for VA to fix this. On the VA Facebook page a fellow valkyrie owner has come up with a great fix. I highly recommend you check the thread out but this is step by step what you do. Big props to Larry Streck for taking the time to do this.

Larry Streck
1. Remove button cap.
2. Remove the screw in contact, by turning clockwise.
3. Insert either a strong pair of tweezers or needle nose pliers into the two holes in the visible delrin and twist counter clockwise. This is a tight fit, but I assure you, it will move.
4. Insert a small screwdriver or something strong and flat into the gap between the visible contact post and the now exposed piece of delrin. Pop this piece of delrin out, it is not threaded.
5. Place a small screwdriver between the contact post and c-clip and twist to remove the c-clip. This will allow you to remove the actual firing button. When removing the button, pay attention to the spring. When you reassemble the switch, the spring only goes back in one way. If you assemble the spring in reverse, the button will not press in all the way.
6. Now that you have the switch completely disassembled, sand down every metal contact point with 800 grit sandpaper until you have a nice smooth contact. Easiest way I've found is to lay sandpaper down on a flat surface and slide the contacts back and forth on the sandpaper, checking every few passes to make sure you are keeping the surface flat.
7. The piece of delrin that is not threaded is to wide. Sand down the flat side of the delrin half a millimeter or so.
8. Reassemble and enjoy a mod that fires now as good as it looks.

Only thing I would add to this is use no-ox-id special A on contacts afterwards to keep from getting arcing (thanks to Ipsa on Highendmods). VA also says noalox or petroleum jelly work as well for the contacts.

This mod vapes like a beast. I can assure you the button is very easy to take apart and put back together.

 

[Rafael]

Hey guys,
I received mine today #018 and the problem i have is that the battery seems a little short (battery rattle) and it doesn't make contact with the switch. And the firing button is too notchy. I'm using orbitronic HD 2900 mah 18650 button top. Are other batteries longer is the Valkyrie is defective??

 

[Snapdragon]

Well it appears that Larry's awesome tutorial worked exactly as described and my Valkyrie is now performing as it should have right out of the box and I would like to express my appreciation for all his efforts! I used the vid here:

VA Valkyrie Hot button Fix - YouTube

I sure hope VA doesn't rely on this as a substitute for rectifying the problem though, as not everyone is comfortable with nor has the time for disassembly, repair and reassembly of a device in this price range.

 

[SutterCain]

I heard that orbtronics may not fit this mod correctly. Just what I've heard. I know mnke and Sony and aw batts all fit fine. Lets keep this thread updated as I agree I want a permenantly fix not a Jerry rig job.

 

[Rafael]

Update... By unscrewing the reverse threaded bottom connector you can adjust the battery. Is firing ok know but still bothered by the notchyness of the firing pin. Apparently the base of the switch where the firing button post travel in and out is not smooth. Im going to buy a fine sand paper to see if I can fix it. Unless someone else has a better idea.

 

[Snapdragon]

I'm using Efest 18650 2250mAh batteries. Both the flat and the button top fit well with a slight adjustment to the bottom screw.

BTW - I didn't have much luck finding finer grit sandpaper at Walmart up here, but Canadian Tire carries pretty much all grits up to 3000 in the automotive dept. After all the sanding, I used Noalox on the threads and the connection points inside the switch.

With a 1.3ohm micro coil and some boiled organic cotton this mod vapes sooooo well and hits every time (but I'm still p^ssed that it didn't right out of the box ...... and still no word from VA - sigh).

 

[TheSneakerHoarder]

If any of you want to trade yours for a Templar, PM me and I'll post a trade thread up.

Just dropping a line.

 

[Strontium]

Hey guys,
I received mine today #018 and the problem i have is that the battery seems a little short (battery rattle) and it doesn't make contact with the switch. And the firing button is too notchy. I'm using orbitronic HD 2900 mah 18650 button top. Are other batteries longer is the Valkyrie is defective??

eFest, AW, are smaller batteries and no rattle.
As poster above said "slight adjustment to the bottom screw." is what you should try.

 

[ronjamesmajor]

I've got number 189, things seem to be working well so far straight out of the gate. I had read on a uk pre-order that many of the devices weren't even sent from VA due to switch upgrades. Perhaps in later runs the issues are fixed?

 

[Snapdragon]

I'm glad yours is working with no fuss. Mines #134 and was a hot mess until I took it apart and fixed it. Works great now though

Anyone hear any news from VA yet?

 

[SutterCain]

Yea keep up on updated buttons and let us all know. I know I'm stalking their FB page. Oh and snapdragon I got #135

 

[Rafael]

... mine stopped working again... RIP #018

 

[SutterCain]

Biggest secret I found was either a little dab of petroleum jelly or noalox or no ox id to your firing pin. Makes good connection. Mine has been firing consistently since I applied it

 

[Rafael]

hey guys,
i sanded down the bottom delrin and polished the contacts, problem solved. this thing hits like bullet train happy vape to all of you!

 

[ppcko]

Trying hard to find and *buy* VA Valkyrie. But no luck so far.
Any tips maybe?

 

[SutterCain]

Trying hard to find and *buy* VA Valkyrie. But no luck so far.
Any tips maybe?

At the moment there are less than 400 Valkyries made worldwide and they are already in their owners hands. Because of the button design issue Vicious Ant is doing a redesign. Once the redesign is done, they will probably send replacement buttons to the current owners. Once they are confident that the issue is resolved, they will then start manufacturing them again. To try to get one I would watch their Facebook page. I know I had to stalk my local vape store for about a month to try to secure one. It is a beautiful device. Hits like a train

 

[Mbisjr]

Any news on new switches for existing Valkyries? The fix everyone has been posting worked on my for a bit but it stopped working again recently. Opened up the switch and there was crud built up on the switch that would only come off by sanding. If I keep doing this it won't make contact at all eventually

 

[drrickso]

#167 here... same issue. Beautiful mod- would be nice if it fired properly.
I actually took out the rubber stopper on mine and just didn't screw the connector pin down all the way so that it doesn't autofire... It works sporadically like that but it's less than ideal. WE NEED NEW SWITCHES!