Ugh...what is with my Protege?

[420GypsyGirl]

OK so I got some new 801 attys and they work fine with my 801 batteries, but they are not working with my Protege. I checked the Protege and power is definitely there because when you stick you tongue on the silver piece and push the button you get a very pronounced tingle. So what gives?

Why is this thing not working? It can't be the atty's because they work great with the 801 batterys I have for them. It isn't the battery in the Protege because it is fully charged. It isn't the switch because it works fine. So what is it?

I really love the vape I get from my Protege when it is working, but it is very hit and miss just to get it to work. My frustration level is going up with this thing.

 

[ceo51378]

It sounds like the center posts of the atty and protege aren't touching... if that is the case, this should correct your issue...

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...enter-conductor-gap-penstyle-atomizers-4.html

 

[RatRacer]

Agreed.

or try this:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...have-atty-works-1-device-but-not-another.html

 

[420GypsyGirl]

Weird...it is working again and I did nothing to it. Just put an atty on and bam, working really good. I am afraid to take it off for fear it'll stop working again.

::sigh:: I am sorry guys, but if I gave a review for the Protege(at least mine) I would have to give a thumb down for a couple of things. Sure it produces great volumes of vapor and the tast is great, but the switch needs so serious work to make it better and more functional and the thing not working as it should accept on occasion(I still do not get it) would definitely turn me off from this product. I do not want to have to keep fiddling with it to get it to work.

 

[just-cass]

im waiting on my protege mech switch and afriad of other problems like this...thanks to the 2 members who posted replies so quickly....great to know theres advice out there in times of need....even if they arent my problems right now!!!

gypsy do u have a mech switch?if so whats wrong with it?

 

[Dkrom68]

Theres small problems with the earlier production one with the post not meeting the atty correctly but with a minor adjustment and some noalox there working fine. Some of the problems are actually from older atties as well not the prodigy and protege.

 

[420GypsyGirl]

I dunno which switch I have. I can describe it. There is the plastic pieaces made of delrin. The center post(button) has two pieces a rubber gasket and what looks to be a piece of bronze or maybe copper tht is press fit over the center post of the button. The main part of the switch where the button goes has two aluminum pins that are bress fit into the ends of the switch housing. I did the deburring of the delrin using an exacto knife...but that doesn't really help. I even spun the two contacts so that the milled flats are facing down and again it is a hit or miss with the thing making good contact...you have to sometimes really push hard on the button.

I dunno...but that switch needs redesigned. Plan and simple it sucks.

 

[doots]

it is mechanical switch you have. I have had similar issues with mine not making good contact too.

 

[just-cass]

oh no...my tact switch died(before i ever got to use my protege!) so its sitting waitng for a mech switch...i thought these were the answer to my prayers?

so am i gonna have problems with them too?my protege is from the 2nd batch produced...is that in the "faulty" batch mentioned?

 

[doots]

oh no...my tact switch died(before i ever got to use my protege!) so its sitting waitng for a mech switch...i thought these were the answer to my prayers?

so am i gonna have problems with them too?my protege is from the 2nd batch produced...is that in the "faulty" batch mentioned?

Some people have no problems.. Hope youre one of those..

 

[just-cass]

ho doots

i hope so but i usually dont have that luck!!!since it was DOA i am not holding out much hope for it...i was so excited about it until i got it....now its just a pain i wish i never got the thing...and i havent even used it yet!!!

 

[doots]

ho doots

i hope so but i usually dont have that luck!!!since it was DOA i am not holding out much hope for it...i was so excited about it until i got it....now its just a pain i wish i never got the thing...and i havent even used it yet!!!

Mine works most of the time. There are times I have to reposition the switch it seems to get it to fire. But, like I said mostly it works fine. You should be ok..

 

[Dacoopah]

Add me to the list of those who have intermittent problems with the mechanical switch and the center-post. Why they chose to not follow the standard Joye (I have the 510) measurments when designing these things I'll never know. I have zero issues using these same atty's on any of the 510 batts I have.

The passthourgh adapter for the protege is no joy either. I do not expect it to last any longer than a few months before the "wedge" system of securing the adapter to the protege body is too worn to do the job it was designed to do.

When the stars align and the things work, they are great.

 

[just-cass]

When the stars align and the things work, they are great.[/quote]

think this hit the nail on the head...

 

[Dkrom68]

Have you taken it apart and cleaned it and twisted the posts inside so the round side is up on them. Also take a small exacto and clean around it.This does make a difference and can solve all your problems. Also these switches do have a break in period on them. If all else fails send Steve or Casey a PM and Im sure they would get a new one out to you. If you recieved yours early in the orders they were fixed as orders went out later on.

 

[just-cass]

so u reckon(dkrom) the switches you buy now are foolproof?(speaking to a fool when it comes to batteries/switches now!!!)

is there a way to fix a tact switch by the way?how do u know if its unfixable?its def. the switch on mine...steve is sending me another tact but i gotta get a mech switch i think

 

[ceo51378]

I think most of the intermittent connection problems best solved by using larger diameter contact pins in the switch housing to give more surface area for the copper ring (on the button) to make contact with.

 

[Dkrom68]

I actually prefer the mech switch for there durability versus the tact swith theres a difference of about 800,000 depressions on the button and less things to worry about. I got one of the newer ones and it is working fine and not one problem since getting it. Like anything else there is normal maintenance and using Noalox on the contact points and threads makes a big difference as well. I took mine apart as soon as I got it and put Noalox on all threads and contacts and its been working flawlesly. Sometime you do get a small piece of Delrin in there from manufacturing but once cleaned out its fine.

 

[just-cass]

just to ask againtho theres no way to fix the tact switch?if there is id try anything cos i gotta wait another week or 2 to get my protege working otherwise?will get some noalox(?) in the meantime...thanks for the tip : o)

ps. sorry for hijacking the thread : o(

 

[Dacoopah]

Have you taken it apart and cleaned it and twisted the posts inside so the round side is up on them. Also take a small exacto and clean around it.This does make a difference and can solve all your problems. Also these switches do have a break in period on them. If all else fails send Steve or Casey a PM and Im sure they would get a new one out to you. If you recieved yours early in the orders they were fixed as orders went out later on.

In a word, yes. I have done all of those things (save the part about contacting Steve or Casey) and more. The switch I can live with. The center-post I can live with. The USB adapter I can live with until it wears out. None are show-stoppers for me, I simply post my feelings so that others can take them into account and decide for themselves.

I think a reltatively small number of folks are having any issues at all, or else you would see quite an outcry within this sub-forum.

I love the form, weight, and (when working) how this thing puts out the vapor - so, I guess you could say, dispite the challenges I have with the protege, I still think it worth the money I spent.