A friend gave me a smok al85 and I’m having trouble. I’ve searched and haven’t been able to find an answer. The battery will be completely charged but after just a few puffs it will say either low battery or check battery and won’t work. I bought a new battery and it didn’t help. When I turn it on the battery icon immediately drains but when I plug it in it will show above 90% battery. Sometimes the icon will drain then go back up and down, etc. The tank and battery cover also get a little hot during use. She didn’t give me a charger so I’ve been using a phone charger. I was hoping to use this to quit smoking but it’s not going to help if it doesn’t work. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Probably a battery problem, although SMOK isn't the most reliable of manufacturers. I have a few questions:
- What battery (make and model)? If you're not sure, is anything written on it?
- Where did you get the battery?
- What settings are you vaping at?
18650 3.7v 2500mAh. 50 watts, volt varies, ohms 0.151, amps 18.45. The mode is set to watts but was previously on memory. Both the old and new batteries are doing this. The old one does not have a brand name on it but is wrapped in yellow. The new one is a Samsung wrapped in green (INR18650-25R Samsung SDI 5 2H72). I don’t know if you needed all that but that’s what’s on the battery.
Hello @LaurieStr, unfortunately it sounds like the mod has failed somewhat. Sounds like various components on the board have fried and what's left won't last long.
The only advice that comes to mind, is to take your batteries out of the mod and dispose of it. As when mods fail as such, they can be dangerous. So the best policy is, better safe than sorry.
Sorry I'm unable to give you better news.
The only advice that comes to mind, is to take your batteries out of the mod and dispose of it. As when mods fail as such, they can be dangerous. So the best policy is, better safe than sorry.
Sorry I'm unable to give you better news.
In the community, SMOK is renowned for bad quality gaudy mods.
Do you have a spare that you can use though?
Do you have a spare that you can use though?
No I don’t. I’m glad I found this forum though. I wouldn’t have wanted to keep trying to use a dangerous product. I’m new to vaping and know very little.
You can get something much better at a decent price, not Smok.
I don't love the practice of "friends" offloading broken mods.
Tell us what you want/like we can get you started.
Anna
I don't love the practice of "friends" offloading broken mods.
Tell us what you want/like we can get you started.
Anna
Thank you very much. I actually liked the AL85. I would like something similar. But apparently not another Smok. Lol
Is 50 watts not getting a little close to limits for a single battery? It could be that there's enough voltage sag to make the mod think the battery's not up to it.
Is it more reliable if you lower the wattage? If you come down to 30 (say), can it keep up?
Is it more reliable if you lower the wattage? If you come down to 30 (say), can it keep up?
No it doesn’t make a difference. The upper limit is supposed to be 85 watts but that might not be accurate. I just don’t know enough about it to confidently answer that.
A "new" battery bought at a vape shop doesn't always mean it's new.
Could have been sitting on the shelf awhile at a low voltage.
Could have been sitting on the shelf awhile at a low voltage.
What type of vaping is your style? MTL (Mouth To Lung) or DTL (Direct To Lung).
Clouds or very little clouds? It's an easier question to answer.
Then once we know, we can give you ideas on mods that may interest you. As DTL uses a lot of power and requires a multiple battery or larger battery type, whereas MTL uses considerably less power and you can use smaller single battery mods.
Clouds or very little clouds? It's an easier question to answer.
Then once we know, we can give you ideas on mods that may interest you. As DTL uses a lot of power and requires a multiple battery or larger battery type, whereas MTL uses considerably less power and you can use smaller single battery mods.
No it doesn’t make a difference. The upper limit is supposed to be 85 watts but that might not be accurate. I just don’t know enough about it to confidently answer that.
Direct to lung. That’s the way I was taught to use it. I don’t create a huge cloud but definitely a lot more than I do with a cigarette.
DTL does not have to be high wattages – I started DTL at only 25 watts.
@LaurieStr – not saying this is the case but @puffon brings a valid point. Are you able to confirm the battery works? Dud batteries do enter the market.
Failing or confirming that, if looking for a new device, keep in mind your existing atomizer will work on what ever new device you choose. This could save you a little money for purchasing a stand alone mod can be cheaper than a complete kit.
But if you wish to purchase a new kit, perhaps see what your local store has available, pick a couple that may interest you and return here for opinions on functionality and longevity.
And whether purchasing a new kit or stand alone mod, budget for a battery charger as well. If interested in a dual battery device, also budget for a pair of new batteries. It is recommended that batteries are purchased together, used together and charged together, otherwise known as “marrying” batteries. If interested in a single battery device, confirm if your existing cell is in working order. Your local shop should be able to confirm this.
@LaurieStr – not saying this is the case but @puffon brings a valid point. Are you able to confirm the battery works? Dud batteries do enter the market.
Failing or confirming that, if looking for a new device, keep in mind your existing atomizer will work on what ever new device you choose. This could save you a little money for purchasing a stand alone mod can be cheaper than a complete kit.
But if you wish to purchase a new kit, perhaps see what your local store has available, pick a couple that may interest you and return here for opinions on functionality and longevity.
And whether purchasing a new kit or stand alone mod, budget for a battery charger as well. If interested in a dual battery device, also budget for a pair of new batteries. It is recommended that batteries are purchased together, used together and charged together, otherwise known as “marrying” batteries. If interested in a single battery device, confirm if your existing cell is in working order. Your local shop should be able to confirm this.
So @LaurieStr, you're probably looking at a dual 18650 or a single 21700 mod.
And yes, battery charger is an essential. With most mods, charging them via USB should be used sparingly. As the USB port on should really be used for updating, as charging can stress the electronics.
And yes, battery charger is an essential. With most mods, charging them via USB should be used sparingly. As the USB port on should really be used for updating, as charging can stress the electronics.
What does anyone know about the Pico Dual or the GeekVape Aegis? I was looking at them at the store earlier. Truth be told I liked the $50 price tag on them better than the $100 of the other mods they carry.
What do you think of the internal battery versus the replaceable battery?
The man at the store said the battery is good so the mod is failing. He also mentioned the negative connection looked mashed and moved out of place. He was unable to fix it. He said I could still use it but it’s not going to last much longer. He was recommending the pod style but I don’t really like those. Plus I have 2 60ml bottles of juice, 2 new coils and a new tank. I would hate all that money to just be wasted.
What do you think of the internal battery versus the replaceable battery?
The man at the store said the battery is good so the mod is failing. He also mentioned the negative connection looked mashed and moved out of place. He was unable to fix it. He said I could still use it but it’s not going to last much longer. He was recommending the pod style but I don’t really like those. Plus I have 2 60ml bottles of juice, 2 new coils and a new tank. I would hate all that money to just be wasted.
The Aegis Legend is an excellent mod. I should know, I have two of them
GeekVape Aegis Legend 200W Kit
GeekVape Aegis Legend 200W Kit
I suggest the Geekvape Aegis Solo. A single replaceable 18650 battery. It's shock proof, dust proof, and waterproof. If you don't vape over 30 watts the battery should last all day. The starter kit comes with the Cerberus sub-ohm DTL tank. I have both and vape the tank at 15 - 20 watts, because for me anything over that the vape is too warm for my liking. But that's my preference; use whatever wattage setting that works best for you.
I highly recommend getting a dedicated Li-ion charger and not use USB charging. You can get a good affordable Li-ion charger for around $20. Something like an Efest LUC two bay charger or an Xtar VP1. Your batteries and mod will thank you.
Guide to Choosing a Li-ion Battery Charger
I highly recommend getting a dedicated Li-ion charger and not use USB charging. You can get a good affordable Li-ion charger for around $20. Something like an Efest LUC two bay charger or an Xtar VP1. Your batteries and mod will thank you.
Guide to Choosing a Li-ion Battery Charger
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