RN4081 Suddenly Dead

[ACM]

Hey -

Yesterday evening, while watching a movie, I was vaping away happily. Clouds of vapor, plenty of throat hit, etc. Then, shortly after the movie, my e-cig vapor production dropped off. Way off. I started having to pull REEEEAAAALLYY hard to get even a slight wisp. I tried a different battery, two different atomizers, a half dozen or so different refilled and pre-filled carts, charged the batteries, tried it all again ... on and on and on.

Finally, I gave up and went to bed. This morning, it's the same thing. I have to suck until it feels like my head's going to implode for only the slightest wisp of vapor. No throat hit. Both batteries, three different attys, multiple carts.

What gives? Did I didn't flood the batteries. I've been using Johnson Creek juice, which I've been using since November with no problems.

Did my batteries crash in the bed? Both of them at the same time? Or is there some other possibility? Does the RN4081 shut down with overuse? I was kind of in pacifier mode during the movie, but the atty never seemed to get unusually hot.

I know these things are inconsistent and all, but this is a new low in poor performance. And until now, I've been very happy with my RN4081.

How can I ensure consistency in these things? What's the point of switching to vaping when, from day-to-day, I don't know if they'll work.

I'm practically screaming for an analog right now, and I HATE that!

 

[devonschmoker]

In my experience when they die they die quick and oddly cold. But to answer your question yes most likely your atomizer died.

 

[ACM]

In my experience when they die they die quick and oddly cold. But to answer your question yes most likely your atomizer died.

Right before I read your reply, one of my batteries for the RN4081 finished charging, so I took it, screwed in the same atomizer I was using successfully last night, and dripped a few drops of juice on the bridge. TONS of vapor for about 6-7 pulls. Then I refilled a cart, dripped some more, and tried again. Lots of vapor, then none. So I turned the e-cig LED end down and shook it. Hard. Tons of vapor for about 10-12 pulls.

I suspect, actually, that the juice is not wicking properly. I have been refilling these carts over and over, and it could be that the poly-fill has degraded and isn't making contact with the bridge. Is that possible?

I tried the blue foam mod a while back to see if I could improve cart capacity, but it really didn't work so well. Maybe today I'll pick up a contact lens case and experiment with dipping. I don't really like to drip, because of the risk of flooding my atomizer and battery.

But it is weird that at least one e-cig seems to be working well, again. I'll post back with my dipping experience and see if that works better for me. If so, then maybe it was all about wicking from the start.

Thanks for your input.

 

[acezzz]

The 4081s are the most unreliable ecig IMHO. Also, you are going to have a very tough time dipping it with the recessed wick. Save yourself a lot of frustration and just get a m401. The wick is exposed for great dipping and the vapor is way better than the 4081. Good luck and dont give up.

 

[ACM]

I'll look into it. Also, what's your take on the 510 I keep hearing so much about? People either seem to love it or hate it.

 

[acezzz]

The 510 is more reliable than the 4081 and puts out better vapor but you still cant dip it because the atty wick is recessed. Also the 510 batteries have a very short charge life. The 401 still beats them both.

 

[AaronCooper]

If i remember correctly, the RN4081, DSE 103 & 108 are all compatible atty's meaning you can use either of them on the same battery.

I've been using the RN4081 on The Copper at 6v, had no issues so far with any failures, i mean these attys are small as hell, i was expecting low performance but they are great and even at 6v they are not burning up or becoming too hot to touch.

Have you tried blowing out the atty's, cleaning the connections, etc?

From my experience these 4081's can flood slightly easier than other attys, so if you hear some gurgling, just check your connection from the atty-battery incase any fluid has leaked.

 

[Mop]

I managed to fix 3 really flaky RN4081s by clearing the air channel and tripping the vacuum switch with a thin wire. You didn't mention if you had to pull hard to activate it, or if it activates properly but then vapor production is low. If you're pulling hard just to get the LED to light up, I'd imagine this could work for you. If it activates but just won't make vapor, I'd start out by cleaning the contacts, then... I don't know, if the atomizers are for sure good, then I guess you'd just need new batteries.

Hope this helps.

 

[Thornak]

whats the size comparison between 401 and 4081?

 

[ACM]

UPDATE: By Saturday afternoon, I was pretty well frustrated. Neither of my e-cigs were working; not my RN4081 or my L88b. I tried three different RN4081 atomizers and three different L88b atomizers. I tried refilling the carts with some leftover PG juice and some Reduced PG (from JC.) I tried the fluval mod. I tried doubling up on some polyfill in one cart. Nothing worked.

Finally, I just dropped the attys in a glass of Vodka, and put the batteries - standing thread down - on a piece of paper towel. And I ran out an picked up a pack of analogs.

After about an hour, I removed the atomizers from the vodka, blew them out, and set them aside on a piece of paper towel to dry.

I puffed away on my analogs all Saturday night and Sunday. Around 10:00 last night, I gave the e-cigs another shot. AND EVERYTHING WORKED PERFECTLY (except for one RN4081 atomizer, which is just dead.)

I suspect that, having been vaping since November, some juice must have been getting into the batteries, or the atomizers might have gotten gummed up, or something. Everything needed a good soak and some time to dry out. That's the only thing that seems logical.

I am glad to be back into the swing of vaping, and thanks to all who offered ideas as to what my issues might have been.