ProVarinati Diner & Saloon and Beyond

[coldgin96]

I've never really had to change a spring on a ProVari ... stockpiled several dozen though

Ok, I guess I suck. I guess I was so adamant because it worked with Jackie's Mini. After 4 years, we ended up sending it in, though, for a new board. Hey, I guess the good aspect of sending it in and giving it the once over, it should be good for awhile. Bill ain't gonna be around forever...
NOW I'll go away and listen to some Motorhead.
Just got off the phone with Shinola Watches (made In Detroit Rock City). Bought Jackie and I watches a year and a half ago and my battery already needs replacement. Because it's so soon, they will do it for free and give it the once over while it's there. I asked her if the battery came from China? I don't think she heard me...

 

[classwife]

Springs...
How can a spring no longer be good ?
What can happen besides getting dirty or a bit smooshed ?
(both situations easily fixable)
Seriously asking since I never bought extra springs.

 

[Bea-FL]

So... you're not going to try changing the spring to see if that works? Am I missing something? I'm confused. I'm sure there are plenty examples of people using the same spring for three years but every day for three years seems like it's pushing it when the manufacture (American) recommends once a year. I don't know, maybe it's just me... I'll go away now.

I have to send it to Bill for the bat issue anyway. Will let him know about this problem and see what he says.

 

[Bea-FL]

Also wondering, how old are your batteries?

About 2 years old. Still charge to a full 4.0-4.1 charge and still give me 8-9 hours. I cycle through 12 of them.

 

[JUMA55]

Just outta curosities, how many D/T's y'all got? I have quite a few small bores, and really outta go thru em, and pitch some of em. Don't know why I'm keeping em.

View attachment 734845

You really want to know?

 

[MikeADore]

When I'm outside gardening the rest of the day I won't take it with me…I use my Eleafs.

Speaking of which, I saw last night Fasttech has Pico Baby mods on pre-order for less than $20. Could be old news for others, but it was a new one to me. Internal battery. But, it really does look like a baby Pico.

ETA Link: FastTech - Gadgets and Electronics

 

[Bronze]

Springs...
How can a spring no longer be good ?
What can happen besides getting dirty or a bit smooshed ?
(both situations easily fixable)
Seriously asking since I never bought extra springs.

"Smooshed?" Is that a word?

Springs don't last forever. They weaken just like we do. You can clean them and unsmoosh them but the springyness will peter out over time.

 

[Katdarling]

"Smooshed?" Is that a word?

Tiz, dahlink.

 

[AstroTurf]

Springs...
How can a spring no longer be good ?
What can happen besides getting dirty or a bit smooshed ?
(both situations easily fixable)
Seriously asking since I never bought extra springs.

conductivity...

 

[Bronze]

Tiz, dahlink.

View attachment 734897

I feel better using the word unsmooshed.

 

[classwife]

conductivity...

And what would reduce the conductivity of the spring ?
I know surface oxidization will, but that can be cleaned off.

Unless that wire is heating and cooling causing it to become brittle...
But the properties would not change

 

[Bronze]

Unless that wire is heating and cooling causing it to become brittle...

We get brittle living our entire lives at room temperature.

 

[coldgin96]

Motorhead: Rock 'N' Roll Disc One (original album)

 

[Bea-FL]

I'm a VERY happy person. Hubs and I stopped at a coffee shop for his cup of coffee and I saw a vape shop next door. Of course I went in. I was vaping my provari and got to talking with the owner who, BtW, is an ECF member. He said he had a used provari he bought off someone for sale in one of his cases he bought for $5! Of course I looked at it. Brick red mini with an extension tube attached! And as you all know I've been looking for an extension ring!

How much are you selling it for, I asked. $15 he said. I'll buy it I said if it works. Put in a bat and nothing. Not working. Took a good look at it and all the parts were there but the inside contacts and the 510 well were beyond filthy. I said I'll buy it for the $5 you paid. Sold, he said.

So when I got home I cleaned it really well. You can see how dirty it was. The first pic, those cotton balls were the first pass at the base threads The second pic is the first pass from the 510 well. Why would anyone treat an expensive device like this? Anyway after I cleaned it really well I put a bat in it. IT WORKS. But I'm still sending it to Bill for a once over to make sure it's in top shape.

BTW Bill's prices went up. For a 2.5 rebuild the cost is now $35.00 which includes $30 for a rebuild and $5 US return shipping.

Can someone tell me anything about the coat. It's brick red, flat not shiny. The lettering in the window is smaller and slightly slanted. I think I red somewhere that the smaller letters would make it an older model?

 

[440BB]

Congratulations Bea! A perfect find for a Mini lover who also wanted 18650 support.

That's one of the early 2.5 minis I believe, with a solid Ceracote finish.

May it give you years of happy service!

 

[Frenchfry1942]

Good for you Bea!

 

[Bea-FL]

Congratulations Bea! A perfect find for a Mini lover who also wanted 18650 support.

That's one of the early 2.5 minis I believe, with a solid Ceracote finish.

May it give you years of happy service!

Ceracote!!! That's what it's called. I've heard that word before but It escaped my muddled brain

 

[ENAUD]

I'm a VERY happy person. Hubs and I stopped at a coffee shop for his cup of coffee and I saw a vape shop next door. Of course I went in. I was vaping my provari and got to talking with the owner who, BtW, is an ECF member. He said he had a used provari he bought off someone for sale in one of his cases he bought for $5! Of course I looked at it. Brick red mini with an extension tube attached! And as you all know I've been looking for an extension ring!

How much are you selling it for, I asked. $15 he said. I'll buy it I said if it works. Put in a bat and nothing. Not working. Took a good look at it and all the parts were there but the inside contacts and the 510 well were beyond filthy. I said I'll buy it for the $5 you paid. Sold, he said.

So when I got home I cleaned it really well. You can see how dirty it was. The first pic, those cotton balls were the first pass at the base threads The second pic is the first pass from the 510 well. Why would anyone treat an expensive device like this? Anyway after I cleaned it really well I put a bat in it. IT WORKS. But I'm still sending it to Bill for a once over to make sure it's in top shape.

BTW Bill's prices went up. For a 2.5 rebuild the cost is now $35.00 which includes $30 for a rebuild and $5 US return shipping.

Can someone tell me anything about the coat. It's brick red, flat not shiny. The lettering in the window is smaller and slightly slanted. I think I red somewhere that the smaller letters would make it an older model?
View attachment 734943
View attachment 734937
View attachment 734939
View attachment 734941

I'm gonna say probably made in early 2014 or prior, I could go digging and try to find when the LED lense changed but no time right now...looks to be in excellent shape! Probably had that Noalox crap that Provape used to recommend on it, when it gets old and dries out it actually is worse than using nothing at all, as it will impede current and can cause oxidation to the SS. I've bought some used ProVaries in the past that needed a real deep clean because of this, and also some were put away with juice still in the 510 well from the old carto days, I use Never Dull polishing wadding which I picked up at Wally World to clean the 510's, makes them shiny as new Nice Find!

How many mini's do you have now Bea?

 

[Katdarling]

Kongrats, Bea.

We get brittle living our entire lives at room temperature.

Bronze, a little brittle never hurt anyone.

 

[Bea-FL]

I'm gonna say probably made in early 2014 or prior, I could go digging and try to find when the LED lense changed but no time right now...looks to be in excellent shape! Probably had that Noalox crap that Provape used to recommend on it, when it gets old and dries out it actually is worse than using nothing at all, as it will impede current and can cause oxidation to the SS. I've bought some used ProVaries in the past that needed a real deep clean because of this, and also some were put away with juice still in the 510 well from the old carto days, I use Never Dull polishing wadding which I picked up at Wally World to clean the 510's, makes them shiny as new Nice Find!

How many mini's do you have now Bea?

thanks for the info Enaud. This is my 8th: 4 satins, 1 dragon, 1 pink ribbon, 1 red and this ceracote. The red one is my special one…my favorite color and a wonderful, unexpected gift from a generous ECF member .

The only one I want now is a Ti. I don't think they come in mini size but that would be ok. Full size would work. I know it will be hard to come by, especially at a time when finances allow its purchase. C'est la vie!