Shorty mode...batt cap will not screw on...ideas?

[Rodderik]

i have 2 semi charged 18650s and my charger i ordered was dead on arrival. while i wait for a replacement i fear they will die....so being the smart one i ordered 2 18350s as well. the 350s are fully charged and might be able to carry me through. but i have an issue with my vamo. for the life of me i cannot get the battery cap to screw on after removing the long tube. it screws onto the bottom removable tube just fine. the removable tube screws into the head just fine. so i was wondering if any one else had this problem or had ideas on how to fix it.

fwiw, here is a picture of the tube threads. on the left is the main tube and on the right is the extension tube. click picture for bigger image.


the main difference i see is the main tube's threads aren't as sharp and protrusive. (i think i just invented that word)

any ideas? looks like i might have to find a small file :/

 

[tc1]

The threads on my main tube and extension tube are identical to the threads on the right. You sure it won't work? Sometimes you have to turn the cap the opposite way to get it aligned ... then screw it on.

Do you think there is too much thread gap or the threads protrude too much for the cap? Too much gap could be fixed using fine sandpaper on a flat surface. Then gently rub the thread end on the sandpaper to get the thread spacing smaller.

Honestly though ... you should be able to get that cap on if you can screw on the extension.

 

[Rodderik]

yeah unfortunately i've tried to screw it everywhich way from sunday without cross threading it since i got it yesterday...it's no go

 

[Azphat12]

Does it catch at all?

I know when I got mine...it didnt want to screw on. I was scared it would cross thread because it would catch..very little...and stop.
I took some vaseline and coated the inside of the endcap threads and the threads on the head tube and slowly applied pressure.
After the initial "ooomf" it went on easy. When I took it off it went off easy until that final little bit where i had to give pressure.

I just sat there with the vaseline coated on the threads and screwed it on and off like 100 times. It must of worked down the threads or any burs or anything and now goes on smooth. Well not butter smooth, but I do not need to add pressure anymore.

 

[Rodderik]

Does it catch at all?

I know when I got mine...it didnt want to screw on. I was scared it would cross thread because it would catch..very little...and stop.
I took some vaseline and coated the inside of the endcap threads and the threads on the head tube and slowly applied pressure.
After the initial "ooomf" it went on easy. When I took it off it went off easy until that final little bit where i had to give pressure.

I just sat there with the vaseline coated on the threads and screwed it on and off like 100 times. It must of worked down the threads or any burs or anything and now goes on smooth. Well not butter smooth, but I do not need to add pressure anymore.

it sounds like mine is doing exactly as yours was. it will catch slightly but if you continue to turn it (even with pressure) it just pops off...i will try to lube it up and give it hell i'll let you know if she gives in!

 

[tc1]

The lubrication was a great tip. Hope it works!

 

[Underwhelmed]

Are you using protected batteries? They are too long to use with the Vamo. IMR's or ICR's are the ticket for the Vamo.

 

[Azphat12]

The lubrication was a great tip. Hope it works!

Lube is always good!

 

[Rodderik]

Are you using protected batteries? They are too long to use with the Vamo. IMR's or ICR's are the ticket for the Vamo.

it's not the battery causing the issue b/c when i don't even put a battery in, it still wont screw on

 

[Underwhelmed]

it's not the battery causing the issue b/c when i don't even put a battery in, it still wont screw on

OK, gotcha now.

Sorry, that stinks

 

[Rodderik]

OK, gotcha now.

Sorry, that stinks

no need to be sorry...i welcome any suggestions so far no luck with the lube

 

[Azphat12]

Can you send it back?

I think the threads are not lined up right.

 

[Rodderik]

Can you send it back?

I think the threads are not lined up right.

healthcabin looks closed until jan 3rd. i have sent an email and a pm on the forum a little while ago. what throws me off is the extension tube screws on just fine and the inside threads on that and the inside threads on the battery cap look identical...weird

 

[tc1]

It does look like the 3rd thread on your main has a shorter spacing than should be there. Might be what is causing the cap to pop off. Though you say the extension screws on fine so that's very weird ... unless the threading between the main and extension are different than what is on the cap. Which again ... is very weird.

Wonder what would happen if you grinded out that 3rd thread and whether it would affect you being able to screw on the extension.

I would apply EXTREME pressure on that cap one more time and see if it doesn't clear any burs.

 

[Rodderik]

pressure = no go, lube = no love....i might be able to make it work with a file but that is a might...and i dunno if i could get it replaced if i take a file to it

 

[Shahzh]

That's weird...I hope you solve the problem soon to enjoy your Vamo.

 

[Rodderik]

That's weird...I hope you solve the problem soon to enjoy your Vamo.

oh it fits together fine with an 18650 so i've been enjoying it...really nice mod for the price! problem is i have an almost dead 18650 and one that is about 80% charged...and a dead charger. so i was hoping to have the 2x18350s which are 100% charged to help me make it until the new charger came in

 

[Shahzh]

Oh ok...I've been using mine with 18350 on short mode most of the time

 

[Edd Harbin]

Probably a slight burr on the threads , take some fine sandpaper (800-1000 grit ) and just slightly work the threads . See if it fits , if not repeat . Take off/polish as little as you can . It will fit after awhile .

 

[PLANofMAN]

Mine didn't want to go on either. I ignored all common sense, lined it up at where I thought it should go and screwed it together. It went on tight and came off tight the first two times and then after that everything was okay. I had ordered two, so I guess the thought of permanently reducing one VAMO to spare parts didn't really cross my mind until afterwards...
I did have to blow out metal shavings after I did this.