Sugesstions for Broken PT?

[lilly1185]

Seriously, like a minute ago was working fine, then just stopped all together. Has anyone had any success in taking it apart and repairing it? I'd rather not have to buy a new one, and it's a little upsetting considering it's either with me or hanging out on the counter.

I must suck with electronics lol. Anyone have advice/suggestions/magic wand?

Thanks guys, I'd love to get this working.

 

[emberl]

Don't fool with it yourself, it can not be fixed.
So I'm not the only one having problems.
It really sucks.
Contact Mark, he will sent you a replacement.

 

[lilly1185]

I wish it hadn't died AFTER I placed an order lol

 

[leaford]

Just e-mail or PM Steve with your details, he'll take care of it, order or not.

EDITED: Sorry, I was incorrect about the procedure. For replacement parts, just write a comment in the comment field on your next order. We need an order, even if it's a small one, like one box of carts or one bottle of liquid. Sorry for the mistake.

 

[Sheryl]

You're not alone tonight. I have mine with twist ties, so it's not the cord in the end. Any ideas on getting it working? Can't live without a PT, lol.

 

[bladeangel87]

Mine just stopped working out of the blue as well. One puff fine, then nothing. It has lasted me 2 months or so so I can't complain too much.

 

[georgehower]

I would double-check by plugging the pass-through into a USB Plug adapter.

Mine has acted up before when connected to my computer. Also, some notebook computers might not draw enough energy to power the PT, at least in my experience. Desktops are best. I have a Mac G4 Powerbook that won't power the PT. It probably has to do with the specific USB port specs due to the age of the computer.

Anyway, just a note, for what it's worth.

 

[lilly1185]

I would double-check by plugging the pass-through into a USB Plug adapter.

Mine has acted up before when connected to my computer. Also, some notebook computers might not draw enough energy to power the PT, at least in my experience. Desktops are best. I have a Mac G4 Powerbook that won't power the PT. It probably has to do with the specific USB port specs due to the age of the computer.

Anyway, just a note, for what it's worth.

For the last week or so I've been using it primarily on my laptop (HP tx2 if anyone is curious). Just to be sure I went around the house and plugged it into all the USB port I could find (my sister's lappy, mom and dad's desktop, my brother's...) the thing seems to be completely put out.

I also have a wall-to-usb plug I used. No avail. Time for a mini-funeral

 

[georgehower]

Well, that sucks Sorry to hear that.

I pre-emptively taped mine up (like in Wormwood's video) but still have concerns about it breaking.

I would LOVE IT if Steve made a line of PT's like the Puresmoker one, 501/801/901/whatever adaptor-type, crazy badass models. I'd love to have a PT that I don't have to worry so much about breaking. I would gladly pay $60 for such a model.

As an aside, I'm addicted to GrimmGreen's YT videos and always marvel at his pass-through.

 

[mephisto69]

I put a couple of drops of super glue gel around the wire, and it works like a charm...

 

[lilly1185]

I'd heard about someone using a taping method, but I get confused when people try to describe things in text. I'm an extremely visual person so I thought if I was just really careful with it I'd be okay. Since I now know the plastic part pops off easily I may be able to rig the next one (THANKS MARK <3) with some kind of glue/tape shield.

Now that I know who to look for I'll be searching up that video.

Edit; This sort of reminds me of being in highschool. I had the same problems with head phones (this was BEFORE the earbuds) so I'd always wind up playing with the wire and having to tape it up in some weird fashion.

 

[Pawpaw]

I've posted this before, but it bears repeating.

When my manual PT died, I decided to do an autopsy to try to figure out why.

First, there was a ty-wrap right behind the "ash" cap. Pulling on the wire would not harm it unless you pull really REALLY hard and broke the wires inside the cord. Twisting could be an issue, but I think you would have to twist it a lot.

The only way I could take the rest of it apart was to, quite literally, tear it apart. I found no broken or burned wires. The two wires from the USB cable go to a tiny little circuit board with only 3 parts on it... the switch, an integrated circuit looking device (probably a MOSFET), and a surface mount resistor (smaller than a grain of rice).

The MOSFET is the most likely point of failure and there is nothing you can do to prevent that. Semiconductors sometimes fail for no apparent reason.

Bob

 

[lilly1185]

I'd thought of taking it apart (can't resist the urge sometimes), and was about to get set up to do so.

Now that I know the innerworkings I think I can just toss it- But Pawpaw, have you taken any pictures?

 

[NekoGurrl]

I would be devastated if my PT died on me, planning to order another next paycheck. I did superglue the cable into the ashcap the day I got it, hopefully it will have a long life.

I've been wanting one of those puresmoker passthru's for awhile also. Now with a passthu adapter comming for the protege I might get my wish. But the V4L passthru will still get a heavy workout everyday. Ordering a Ultimate Ultimatum manual kit next payday so will get a spare.

 

[Pawpaw]

I'd thought of taking it apart (can't resist the urge sometimes), and was about to get set up to do so.

Now that I know the innerworkings I think I can just toss it- But Pawpaw, have you taken any pictures?

I took one and posted it in the KR808D-1 forum.

 

[leaford]

I put a couple of drops of super glue gel around the wire, and it works like a charm...

Yep, I'm going to try to make that standard.

 

[leaford]

I would LOVE IT if Steve made a line of PT's like the Puresmoker one, 501/801/901/whatever adaptor-type, crazy badass models. I'd love to have a PT that I don't have to worry so much about breaking. I would gladly pay $60 for such a model.

The only problem I had with the PS PT was that the weight of the damn monsterous-sized cable kept pulling the unit off my desk. And since I have several PTs, usb chargers, etc, it would get tangled up and pull them ALL off. I put it away. Too much hassle.

 

[JLeigh]

I've had mine die and resurrect on me 3 times. When it dies, I move the cord around until it starts working again and then I tape it that way. When it stops working again (usually within a few days), I move the cord around again until it works and then tape it there again. So far, so good. Next time I buy one, I'll do the super glue trick.

 

[Mary Kay]

I have found that my passthru only gets touchy at the usb port end. I blew into the port and it worked again! I use a wall plug in because my new computer doesn't have front usb plugs..they are all in the back! I am not climbing under the desk to get to it.

 

[rp_iowa]

OMG - Mine just stopped working tonight as well - was working fine earlier - went out for a bit and when I came back - NOTHING. Thanks to Steve I have a second PT, but now I do not have one for my car =o(