Steve? Casey? Please?

[Synthnadz]

Hello,

I finally got my Prodigy back after all of the drama (see this thread for reference - http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/puresmoker/45998-prodigy-stuck-again.html - and although it has been basically working since its return, the switch still misses 1 out of every 4 pushes. Same symptoms as right before it totally crashed last time.

I've been emailing Casey for the past two days to find out exactly what your testing with my unit revealed, as I want to understand what was going on so that I can hopefully avoid another full failure in the future. Both of my emails have not been returned yet.

Now, just moments ago, everything stopped working again. All of the obvious tests / adjustments would not resolve the issue. Finally, after 3 complete re-assemblies, it's now firing again - although it's still missing 1 out of every 4 pushes. I'm obviously concerned that I'm about the lose the Prodigy again, so this is my last-ditch effort to get some help and information. Can either of you possibly fill me in?

Thanks,

...Dan

 

[Bandit]

Just an effort to help while you await Casey's response...

Could it possibly be anything else? I know on most mods you can get a slightly loose connection due to the batteries moving side to side in the body (this is not just a Prodigy issue). Sometimes if you give it a few shakes, or a few taps the batteries re-align and then it will fire.

That may not be your issue, especially since you know about possible switch issues, but perhaps give it a try, you never know... it might do the trick.

Best of luck.

 

[Synthnadz]

Thanks for chiming in, but it's most certainly not a battery connection issue. This is certainly within the button / switch combination, as only pushing it like a fiend makes it fire. Same problems I was having prior to my one month fiasco. ;-)

 

[Bandit]

Sorry to hear that man, that sucks

 

[Synthnadz]

Thanks dude...

I feel like I'm trapped in a nightmare with this thing, seriously. Now, since my re-assembly which has at least given me intermittent functionality, I am able to fire the atty only about 50% of the time by pushing the button. I have to push, try, wiggle, etc. every time I want a drag. Frustrating.

Yes - I've reseated the button in the switch housing, I've pushed the switch housing up a bit, my adapter is not screwed on too tight, etc. I've troubleshot this thing a million times and know it like the back of my hand.

Eagerly anticipating some insight here...

 

[Johnny 5]

I was having a similar problem. To fix it I took a piece of the cardboard back cover of a notebook cut a circle the same diameter as the button, that piece sits between the button and the switch and now everything works like a charm without having to mash the button to get it to fire. I, however do not offer any kind of warranty for this, but I have done this to both my Prodigy and Protege with great success.

 

[Synthnadz]

I was having a similar problem. To fix it I took a piece of the cardboard back cover of a notebook cut a circle the same diameter as the button, that piece sits between the button and the switch and now everything works like a charm without having to mash the button to get it to fire. I, however do not offer any kind of warranty for this, but I have done this to both my Prodigy and Protege with great success.

That's not a bad idea. Plus, I'm learning that with this device no warranty will save you anyway. It's every man for himself, it seems. ;-)

Thanks for your suggestion.

 

[Casey@PS]

Dan, I don't see any tickets from you, and have just combed through the entire system. Do you have a ticket number?

 

[Johnny 5]

What you described sounds similar to what I experienced. I hope it helps. I'm sorry if you feel puresmoker hasn't backed you up, as far as warranties are concerned, all I can say is they have always done right by me.

 

[Synthnadz]

Casey...

I've been replying to you from within the existing email conversation we've had going on. The email is appropriately entitled "OMG - Another Switch Dead....".

Thank you,

...Dan

 

[Casey@PS]

Hi Dan- Yes, I saw that thread, but the last thing in it is my response on 11/6.

 

[lotus14]

I tried Johnny's idea on my Protege about a month ago by cutting a small circle out of the rubber cap that comes on a kr808 cart. Works great.

I did have a tact switch sticking anyways and it had to be replaced. All good a few weeks now.

Sounds like you may have one of those intermittent problems with the switch that is hard to diagnose. Like you, I wonder if they replaced the switch.

 

[Synthnadz]

That's odd.

I have two sent messages within that email thread targeted at info@puresmoker.com since yesterday. They were both sent without any issues at all.

Anyway, here's the content:

November 16th:

Hello Casey,

I just received my entire Prodigy back a few minutes ago, and it seems to be working out of the gate. Can you possibly let me know exactly what you guys found and fixed? I want to be ultra-informed here, so as to avoid any future issues. I've had enough problems for a while. ;-)

Thanks,

...Dan

November 17th:

Hello again, Casey...

Can I possibly get an answer on this? I really need to know what you guys found so that I can better observe and maintain my Prodigy after all of this...

Thanks again,

...Dan

 

[Johnny 5]

For the Protege, if you use a standard hole punch its the perfect size.

 

[Synthnadz]

This is most certainly the switch, as I just popped in my brand new backup switch with my existing button, and it works perfectly. So, the switch that was replaced brand new by PS two weeks ago and has just come back again from them for repair is indeed the issue.

The next question is why did they send this questionable switch back to me?

 

[raven9mm]

I tried Johnny's idea on my Protege about a month ago by cutting a small circle out of the rubber cap that comes on a kr808 cart. Works great.

For the Protege, if you use a standard hole punch its the perfect size.

Dan, try the rubber cap or cardboard hack as mentioned and see if that works. It would be nice if that's all it needs.

 

[Casey@PS]

Synth, just talked to Steve. He said that the switch you sent back worked fine for him, but he replaced it with his own switch since he knew there were no issues with it.

Please see my PM (sending immediately after this post) for further resolution.

 

[Synthnadz]

That's even odder, Casey...

The switch that came back in my unit from you was working, but misfiring just like it was doing before I sent it back. 1 out of every 4 pushes. Also, the button feels oddly identical to how it did before I sent it - a quirk particular only to my experience with that switch.

Now that I've put in my other brand new backup switch, the button action seems smooth, and there is no 'clicking' like there was with the one you sent back (or, the switch I sent to you). So, you're telling me that the very peculiar button action I was experiencing is now present in Steve's switch - the one that you replaced mine with?

Either way, I've put that switch in the 'do not use' pile for now. I almost give up again. =]

 

[Synthnadz]

UPDATE:

Casey is sending me a new switch again, and once I receive it I'm sending back the one that's misfiring. This is what I'd call an 'elegant solution', as it was offered to me up front and it won't force me to digest any hassle whatsoever. In short, a satisfactory response. Thanks Casey!

 

[Casey@PS]

I don't know if the switch is simply misaligned with the button housing (since that's about the only thing I can think of at this point), or if the tact switch has bent. Whatever the case, we've resolved this via PM.