Prodigy Problems

[BubbasMom]

Strat I have done the same thing as far as taking it apart and cleaning and it worked for a day or so and then I had the same problem all over again. As for the attys I could see if maybe it was just my old ones and they couldn't handle the power of the Prodigy, but I have 4 atty's from PS and it seems very strange to me that within 24 hours they all died. I have blown them out, they have been sitting up on their end since Sunday and nothing is coming out so I am not sure what the issue is.

I understand that there will be issues with new devices but I haven't had this many problems with my 901 and it's 3 months old. I also understand that there will be issues as time goes by, I guess my point/frustration lies in that I waited and saved for awhile to get the Prodigy and it's not working and I am out quite a bit of money and still have to spend more to get back to where I was before.

If I had been smart I would have sent the unit back within the first couple of days and asked for a replacement and then if I still had problems I would have asked for a refund. I just wanted to make it work so bad that I didn't bother to count the days.

 

[gjrhine]

Are you puffing on those 901 attys for no more than 2-3 seconds?

 

[CaSHMeRe]

Bubba and Puffin ....

Bubba -- Don't Use Cartridges .... Plain and Simple ... You aren't feeding the beast enough juice to keep it happy, thus, burning your atty's out left and right. The only solution I see to you fixing the problem is 1) Dripping 2) Taking 2-3 second draws. Lastly, the reason I get so much vapor is because of the time I have behind ecigs .... Been using them for well over a year now, and know how to get as much vapor as humanly possible. TDM and I are both great at this ... Now go ask nitewriter about her vapor production and its really quite sad ... LOL ... Some users just won't be able to get monster vapor .... Not something I can explain ... Just the nature of the beast I guess ...

Puffn, as far as the contact issue .... Within the tube itself, there is quite a bit of room (especially for adjustment) If the batteries end up moving, you end up losing contact with the end cap/spring, thus causing the Prodigy not to power on. when adjusting ... don't adjust the adapter/atomizer/switch. Pull the end cap off, line it up with the batteries, and make sure its making contact and troubleshoot from there

 

[PuffinStuff]

Thanks very much. Will do. That makes sense, when I lay it down maybe my batteries are moving just enough to cause the problem. I know I will work the bugs out and learn! I am willing to take the time to learn as I just LOVE this thing! Gonna order a pt soon.

 

[StratOvation]

Bubba and Puffin ....

Bubba -- Don't Use Cartridges .... Plain and Simple ... You aren't feeding the beast enough juice to keep it happy, thus, burning your atty's out left and right. The only solution I see to you fixing the problem is 1) Dripping 2) Taking 2-3 second draws. Lastly, the reason I get so much vapor is because of the time I have behind ecigs .... Been using them for well over a year now, and know how to get as much vapor as humanly possible. TDM and I are both great at this ... Now go ask nitewriter about her vapor production and its really quite sad ... LOL ... Some users just won't be able to get monster vapor .... Not something I can explain ... Just the nature of the beast I guess ...

Puffn, as far as the contact issue .... Within the tube itself, there is quite a bit of room (especially for adjustment) If the batteries end up moving, you end up losing contact with the end cap/spring, thus causing the Prodigy not to power on. when adjusting ... don't adjust the adapter/atomizer/switch. Pull the end cap off, line it up with the batteries, and make sure its making contact and troubleshoot from there

Been meaning to ask ya 'bout that Steve... Ya got any plans to offer a plastic spacer tube for rcr123a's ? Would ensure batts are always centered on the spring and may alleviate some of these intermitant contact issues folks are runnin into.

 

[CaSHMeRe]

Been meaning to ask ya 'bout that Steve... Ya got any plans to offer a plastic spacer tube for rcr123a's ? Would ensure batts are always centered on the spring and may alleviate some of these intermitant contact issues folks are runnin into.

I knew you were just around the corner strato Actually -- No ... Reason being, if you look at the OD of the Spring and the ID of the plastic on the battery, the Spring is actually SLIGHTLY bigger than that of the battery. If lined up perfectly ... It wouldn't hit So, off center is actually best

As I'm writing that ... I think I may have just figured out a sleeve that will work ... hmmmmmm .... Will give it a whirl tomorrow to see how it works

 

[CaSHMeRe]

Thanks very much. Will do. That makes sense, when I lay it down maybe my batteries are moving just enough to cause the problem. I know I will work the bugs out and learn! I am willing to take the time to learn as I just LOVE this thing! Gonna order a pt soon.

Happy to have helped Puffin .... Just keep an eye out when adjusting them batt's ... That is the *likely* cause, but ya never know Keep us posted!

 

[StratOvation]

Thanks so much for your quick reply. I took it apart and cleaned all contact points, got a lot of black crud off of them. Firing nicely right now. (this is the second time you saved my bacon) Also, went next door to my dad's and he checked it with the meter, I have a good 5v.

Now, gotta really pay attention and not blow any more attys. I had one this morning that worked great, went to take a hit and nadda. I am not blaming my Prodigy at all for this, I just need to learn to use it correctly. I cant watch any of the vids as I have dial up. So am reading all that I can on the forum! So thankful for all of the great help here!

Puffin,
Don't toss 'em atty's til yer dad checks 'em first. They should be about 3 ohms resistance between the center post and the threads. Thier dead if they read < 1 ohm resistance on his multimeter. If between 1-2.5 ohms try a good boiling water rinse 'n let 'em dry out, may be able to revive a few.

 

[StratOvation]

I knew you were just around the corner strato Actually -- No ... Reason being, if you look at the OD of the Spring and the ID of the plastic on the battery, the Spring is actually SLIGHTLY bigger than that of the battery. If lined up perfectly ... It wouldn't hit So, off center is actually best

As I'm writing that ... I think I may have just figured out a sleeve that will work ... hmmmmmm .... Will give it a whirl tomorrow to see how it works

Gotcha.... Hmmmm
I bet a little tin "Bridged clip" on the spring end would do it. I'll see what I can come up with, May be as simple as crimping a 1/8" wide strip of tin or very thin spring steel accross the contact end of the spring with a convex 3/32" dimple in the center... Gotta do some fiddlin' around with it.

 

[CaSHMeRe]

Gotcha.... Hmmmm
I bet a little tin "Bridged clip" on the spring end would do it. I'll see what I can come up with, May be as simple as crimping a 1/8" wide strip of tin or very thin spring steel accross the contact end of the spring with a convex 3/32" dimple in the center... Gotta do some fiddlin' around with it.

Hmmmm .... You lost me at "i bet ...." LOL

Pics ?!?!?!

 

[fjames]

I thought about starting a thread for this, but I think I'll just throw it in here.

There's just no way people are blowing attys as much as they think. If it was true, then every other multi cell mod out there would be doing the same, or more since the Prodigy is the only resistored one.

So, tip - if you think you blew an atty, and don't have the technical knowledge to affirm that with a DMM, don't throw it out. As a matter of fact, for the noobs out there, don't ever through a questionable atty out, just save it in a "maybe bag" for future trial.

I think a lot of the supposed atty problems are really battery/charger problems. Since I switched to Powerizer brand cells and charger I haven't had one instance of the insta-death I was getting with the default cells/charger.

I also use a card (paper) sleeve in mine, and that should help with the any cell.

None of which means a dry 901 won't go, but I haven't lost a pen style yet.

 

[StratOvation]

LOL Steve,

Pics? ok Picture this....

Looking down at the spring with narrow end facing up....

An 1/8" wide strip of very thin spring steel or tin crimped on opposing sides of the last coil of the spring...

Then to ensure enough contact surface... a dimple (about the diameter of a "C" sized cells positive cap) sticking up to make contact with the batteries.

This concludes todays "Fun with imaginary Pic's" Session.

 

[PuffinStuff]

Puffin,
Don't toss 'em atty's til yer dad checks 'em first. They should be about 3 ohms resistance between the center post and the threads. Thier dead if they read < 1 ohm resistance on his multimeter. If between 1-2.5 ohms try a good boiling water rinse 'n let 'em dry out, may be able to revive a few.

Will do. Thanks. Would really help my pocketbook if they werent dead! Just keep lookin for that hit I get with a new, freshly juiced atty and fresh batts! Thats what keeps me fiddlin with it

 

[BubbasMom]

Gary I dragged the same way as I did on my 901. When I noticed that the atty's were getting hotter on the Prodigy than on the 901, I started taking shorter drags.

Steve I don't think it's due to not keeping the attys wet. When I blow on a couple of them they sound as if there is fluid in them but nothing comes out and they have been on end for a couple of days now an nothing is coming out but the sound is the same. Either way they are under the 7 day warranty so I will return the 3 attys I ordered last week. I have lots of juice and 901 batts so I will just go back to using my 901. Like one of the other users I will most likely wait until you guys start making attys and then start up with my Prodigy again at that time.

 

[gjrhine]

Hmmmm .... You lost me at "i bet ...." LOL

Pics ?!?!?!

Someone mentioned they squeezed the ring a little where it contacts with the battery with pliers to fix the problem.

 

[gjrhine]

Steve I don't think it's due to not keeping the attys wet. When I blow on a couple of them they sound as if there is fluid in them but nothing comes out and they have been on end for a couple of days now an nothing is coming out but the sound is the same.

Fill them up anyway. Even when you think they are wet. This is what I use to fill carts from the bottom until I see juice at the top.

 

[PuffinStuff]

I thought about starting a thread for this, but I think I'll just throw it in here.

There's just no way people are blowing attys as much as they think. If it was true, then every other multi cell mod out there would be doing the same, or more since the Prodigy is the only resistored one.

So, tip - if you think you blew an atty, and don't have the technical knowledge to affirm that with a DMM, don't throw it out. As a matter of fact, for the noobs out there, don't ever through a questionable atty out, just save it in a "maybe bag" for future trial.

I think a lot of the supposed atty problems are really battery/charger problems. Since I switched to Powerizer brand cells and charger I haven't had one instance of the insta-death I was getting with the default cells/charger.

I also use a card (paper) sleeve in mine, and that should help with the any cell.

None of which means a dry 901 won't go, but I haven't lost a pen style yet.

Is "Powerizer" the brand name, what are the battiy specs, and where do you get them? I am saving my attys, I know a couple arent competely dead as I get a faint "sizzle". I blew a couple and knew when it happened, it was when my switch stuck. The last 3 just quit working. I have only used a 801 pen and had the same 3 attys since March before my Prodigy. Had a JS and got my mom going on it now.

I only used carts with my Prodigy for one or 2 hits and then went to dripping, I like it much better. I'm careful when dripping and take really good care, only 2-3 second hits, just cant figure out why they quit. They hit perfectly one time, I let it rest, and then take a hit and nothing.

 

[BubbasMom]

Gary my method isn't as well put together as yours . I use a paperclip that I straightened out on one end and I drip on the cart down the side. I then make sure that the filler is very moist and that it looks almost to wet. I then drip a couple of drops on the atty and replace the cart and hold upside down with batt on bottom. Believe me I have had more than one occasion that juice has gone in the mouth. Not always a pleasant experience.

I just think there is something about the Prodigy that is causing this. I know Steve and many others will disagree, but with so many people going through so many attys when they haven't had the issue before means there's some type of issue. That coupled with the contact issues..whether it's batts or what just makes the point I am trying to make.

This is a new product, there will be issues but at the end of the day when it creates more than we had before and becomes more costly then for some of us it's just not a viable solution.

Like I said I will wait until Steve starts making attys and then I will try again.

 

[StratOvation]

Someone mentioned they squeezed the ring a little where it contacts with the battery with pliers to fix the problem.

Yep Gary, I remember the post your refering to, Thats probably the easiest fix for someone with a liitle mechanical ability for sure... But I was hoping for a reliable fix that will provide a consistant result for anyone who can fold two tabs over a wire spring coil.

My guess is that compressing the diameter of the spring coils will likely yield an off center high spot that may not provide enough contact surface to allow a low resistance path to ground and therefore, not yield a consistant result for various Prodigy owners attempting a home repair/upgrade.

I'll post pic's (or a 3D rendering, if I can't find some suitable materials on hand) of my idea when I get some time.

 

[gjrhine]

You could be in for quite a wait because I do not think he would find it cost effective to make attys on anything but a very large scale like China does. Meanwhile I am beginning to think you must have something defective because I have yet to have an atty go weak let alone die with a Prodigy and two passthroughs. Why not just send it back for diagnosis and repair? It can't cost all that much.