Switch problems

[martha1014]

I have had to replace the switch on my Chameleon 4 times since I received it. Has anybody else had any problems with the switch.

It will work a couple of days and then it will break again. I don't know what is causing this.

 

[Switched]

Is it broken as in physically or just broken as misfiring?

What set up are you using, normal or the extension tube? Mine was misbehaving and all is well now.

 

[martha1014]

I'm using it with the extension sleeve but I don't see what difference this would make with the switch.

It quits working and I check it with the volt meter and it doesn't fire. When I remove it the switch is physically broken.

I don't understand why this keeps happening. The prongs are very tiny and I guess they break reallly easy but it should last longer than a couple of days.

It is not the way I am replacing the switch because 2 of the 4 times it was done by Ikenvape.

 

[Switched]

I understand you frustration and hence why I asked if it was physically broken or just misfiring.

I found my extension sleeve was a tad too long for my batteries. I used some 150 grit sand paper and reduced the length a bit (from both ends) doing figure 8s on the sand paper. Hits every time now. It did two things:

• removed the anodising from the ends; and
• shortened the tube.

In battery mods the tube is the conductor as you know. It was not a switch problem so I decided I had enough room to shorten the tube a tad. I discovered this out of frustration because, it would only mis-behave after a battery change, and even the 14670 that was consistent in the past, was very problematic. Now all is good.

Improper current flow from the batt to the atty (switch is in the middle) is not good for anything, it could provide arcing and shorts. In my case it didn't short a switch but did fry an atty.

All was and is good with the shorter sleeve (16340).

Isaac you might want to look into this. I use:

• tenergy RCR123A 3.0V 900 mAh;
• AW RCR123A 3.7V 750 mAh; and
• AW 14670 3.7V 1100 mAh.

... and I have no use for the "o-ring" supplied. So perhaps other batteries are longer. I don't know. It might be something worth loooking into.

 

[Iken]

Hey Switch,

At first glance, I didn't think it was the switch either. , but what from Martha's husband is saying in email. that he replaced the switch technically 3 times. The first 2 attempts, the prongs on the switch broke on him in button preparation.
Also, the prongs on the tact switch that I installed (Once) were found broken in the unit after reported success of being used. I just don't understand it.

 

[Switched]

I hear you Isaac. Hence why I asked if it was a physical break or just misfiring. I was trying to save someone a round trip to the Iken shop LOL. Although my maijn PV is my eGo, I can't go a day without my lizard

The reason why I posted the info, was that Lex was having similar problems last WE or the one before last where the switch would only work one way etc... As I was reading his posts mine kept mis-behaving, so I fixed it. It has been trouble free ever since.

 

[WitchWay]

Martha, I'm sorry to hear you are having such problems Maybe with everybody putting their heads together it can get figured out.

Just a thought on the batteries being too short... Isn't there little magnetic spacers you can get to use instead of shortening the tube down?

I'm the last person you want giving advise on a mechanical issue, but I did ask hubby to come look at this when he has time. Of course I'm working him like a dog today so that might be a while LOL

Martha, he did ask if the batteries rattle in the tube like they are loose? Apparently he has a theory on what might be happening if the batteries are loose and do rattle.

I am not going to tell the full story of what happened to my Chameleon because I'm just too embarrassed. It took a couple really nasty knocks though and much to my surprise still worked afterwards. Lizards definitely have tough skin and are durable! While it did still work, it did not fire every time afterwards so hubby took the switch apart and things had gotten slightly out of place. One of the prongs on the switch was broken and we didn't have a replacement at the time so he put it back together with only three prongs and it worked! Matter of fact I've been using it with that same switch for a few weeks now with no problems. We bought new switches but have never changed it out.

That has nothing to do with Martha's problem, but I wanted to let you know how tough the Chameleon really is.

 

[Switched]

Martha, I'm sorry to hear you are having such problems Maybe with everybody putting their heads together it can get figured out.

Just a thought on the batteries being too short... Isn't there little magnetic spacers you can get to use instead of shortening the tube down?

SNIP*

My spacers are 1.5mm far too thick, I tried, and to be perfectly honest, I'm not too fussy about using "o-rings", something I can live with, but not something I really want to do.

I probably took 0.008-10" of each end. That sums up to the thickness of one of you hairs (per end) or about 0.020" total. So you see not much but sufficient enough to cause proper contact. The reason I did it, I was having no problems with the shorter sleeve. Coming from a technical background, I thought about it, troubleshot it, and fixed it.

There is an old saying: <<Measure twice cut once!>> That is my philosophy as well.

 

[AlteredLight]

Hi Martha,

A couple of questions whilst I'm being dogly .... First, are the same prongs breaking each time? If so, which side of the switch sector are they on (the top being the side that opens up)?

Next, which direction do you put the switch sector on the chameleon (top to adapter or top to batteries)?

Finally, are your batteries loose in the tube?

 

[AlteredLight]

There is an old saying: <<Measure twice cut once!>> That is my philosophy as well.

ROFL I always quote that one ... cut it off twice and it's still to short

 

[Switched]

I nearly forgot. Using spacers in batt mods is done but not technically sound (safety).

 

[WitchWay]

My spacers are 1.5mm far too thick, I tried, and to be perfectly honest, I'm not too fussy about using "o-rings", something I can live with, but not something I really want to do.

I probably took 0.008-10" of each end. That sums up to the thickness of one of you hairs (per end) or about 0.020" total. So you see not much but sufficient enough to cause proper contact. The reason I did it, I was having no problems with the shorter sleeve. Coming from a technical background, I thought about it, troubleshot it, and fixed it.

There is an old saying: <<Measure twice cut once!>> That is my philosophy as well.

This is why I'm the last person to give advise on mechanical issues I have seen the results of improper contact and do know it doesn't take much to make it happen. I'll leave the mechanical issues up to those better qualified. I'll just tell AL and he can come try to help LOL

I have come to grips with using the O-ring because the UltraFire Protected batteries require it, but I don't like it. I think it looks much better without one. However it does making taking the end cap off much easier with it on

 

[WitchWay]

I nearly forgot. Using spacers in batt mods is done but not technically sound (safety).

Wondered about that. Thanks Switched

 

[Switched]

This is why I'm the last person to give advise on mechanical issues I have seen the results of improper contact and do know it doesn't take much to make it happen. I'll leave the mechanical issues up to those better qualified. I'll just tell AL and he can come try to help LOL

I have come to grips with using the O-ring because the UltraFire Protected batteries require it, but I don't like it. I think it looks much better without one. However it does making taking the end cap off much easier with it on

Please don't sell yourself short girl. This just happens to be a Unisex lifestyle, where both boys and girls are equally technically capable. You have demonstrated on more than one occasion you can play with the big boys LOL. We each have our areas of expertise and there is so much information out there it is impossible to acquire it all. I often coin the phrase that our daughter use to you when little; <<Sharing is nice>> You definitely have the bases down path, and only minor tweaking is required, if anything is required at all.

There has been some reported issues wrt battery spacers shorting out attys whehn changing batts if you are not careful, that is all.

I did learn something new today. That stacked CR2 protected batts will not fire a standard JoyE 510 atty. The protection circuit kicks in due to too much current draw. Ya, see, even someone with a technical background can be taught a thing or two. So please never sell yourself short. There is much to learn and I have always enjoyed learning, more than passing on lessons learned.

 

[VaporMadness]

I used some 150 grit sand paper and reduced the length a bit (from both ends) doing figure 8s on the sand paper. Hits every time now. It did two things:

• removed the anodising from the ends; and
• shortened the length

That's a great tip! I had just noticed that the edges were anodized yesterday, after having noticed that the anodized surface is insulated a few days earlier.

I've had to replace my switch once so far, no broken pins, it just stopped clicking for me. Since having done the replacement, I think I'm noticing a decrease in power delivery to the atty. At first I thought this was a matter of the battery getting weaker, but now I'm beginning to suspect something else. I've gotten new batteries and I've done some subjective comparisons with another 16340 MOD (I don't have equipment to measure things under load). It's slightly less "hot" which is not how it was originally.

Maybe one of the pins is snapped in there and there's just a bit more resistance thru the switch as a result?

 

[WitchWay]

Please don't sell yourself short girl. This just happens to be a Unisex lifestyle, where both boys and girls are equally technically capable. You have demonstrated on more than one occasion you can play with the big boys LOL. We each have our areas of expertise and there is so much information out there it is impossible to acquire it all. I often coin the phrase that our daughter use to you when little; <<Sharing is nice>> You definitely have the bases down path, and only minor tweaking is required, if anything is required at all.

There has been some reported issues wrt battery spacers shorting out attys whehn changing batts if you are not careful, that is all.

I did learn something new today. That stacked CR2 protected batts will not fire a standard JoyE 510 atty. The protection circuit kicks in due to too much current draw. Ya, see, even someone with a technical background can be taught a thing or two. So please never sell yourself short. There is much to learn and I have always enjoyed learning, more than passing on lessons learned.

Awwwwww thank you Switched!!! I was not intentionally selling myself short Oh I know I can learn and understand if I want to. It's more being lazy and the fact that AL is so good at fixing things and so willing to do it for me that I let him handle all the technical/mechanical things. I am southern after all and playing the helpless female was part of my upbringing. Besides I have better things to worry my pretty little redhead over, like if my drip tip and my atty match or compliment each other and in turn if all that matches or compliments my PV

All joking aside, I do not believe gender has anything to do with knowledge and ability. Unfortunately my joke above is sadly true, I really do worry about what matches or compliments what, however it's not a gender thing or a cut to women. This is a personal thing, I really am that ....(can I say that here?) about those things