Protege weak voltage

[Scottes]

I opened up a ticket over the weekend but just read that Casey is swamped. So I'll post the ticket info to you guys and try to relieve Casey a bit.


Back in early October I ordered a Protege for my wife. She has always complained that it didn't produce much vapor and seemed "weak" and she barely used it.

Today I built a gizmo like Steve described in that sticky thread "How To: Test device Under Load -- Prodigy/Other devices"

I made it to test another PV, but that PV is busted. So I tested a VP2 to make sure my gizmo worked. I got a reading of 3.72v under load, which told me that my gizmo works perfectly. I remembered that my wife had complained about her Protege, so I moved the battery from the VP2 to the Protege and tested the Protege. It came up at 2.57v. Very weak indeed.

Do you have any suggestions for testing or attempting to fix it myself? If it's a simple, non-harmful step I'm willing to give it a try to save all the hassle with the USPS

 

[Mustang394]

I would try cleaning a 4 brass contacts only had mine for a week or so and can see stuff builds up on them rather quickly.

 

[Scottes]

Yep, did that already - Brasso & Noalox - with no noticeable improvement of vapor production.

Granted, I did that 2 weeks ago, and tested Sunday. I'll try again just to be sure.

 

[Wench]

Have you already tried different batteries and if that doesn't do the trick , then try a different charger.
(I had a charger once that wasn't working quite right but nothing obvious until I got a different charger and this sounds similar to what I experienced with it)

 

[Mustang394]

Well he did say he tried the same battery on a VP2 device so doubt it is the battery.

I also had to clean the connection where the atomizer screws on sometimes a little juice gets in there. A q-tip with a little alcohol worked great.

Other than that I can't help, had to fiddle with mine to get working when I first got it but no problems since then. Knock on wood.

 

[CaSHMeRe]

Scottes --

What are the brass contacts looking like? If they are starting to turn brown/tarnish, you need to clean them up. Brasso, a polishing/buffing wheel will clean it up quite nicely. When we do replacements ... I try to clean them up when they come in.

Some people keep there parts EXTREMELY clean - others - not so much! Its interesting to see the broad range

Give that a shot and let us know ... Otherwise, I would be happy to take a look at it

 

[Scottes]

OK, I'll double-check the contacts. But I mentioned this to wifey and she said "But you did that! And it never worked well from the first day!"

I'll try a thorough cleaning and let you know...

 

[CaSHMeRe]

OK, I'll double-check the contacts. But I mentioned this to wifey and she said "But you did that! And it never worked well from the first day!"

I'll try a thorough cleaning and let you know...

Then its probably best if you shoot it in to us and have us take a look at it Scottes

 

[them0nk]

I'm betting it's a shotty connection to the switch... mine did something weird like that at first... but i'm pretty hand on about it- i'm known to kill warrantees haha... so i resoldered both connections on the button...

don't let this ruin your impression of the protege... once the famed new button is available you'll be super please with it i'm sure (steve tested the loaded voltage and it was 4.11 with a 4.2v reading battery )