USB Passthrough Lifespan

[dfresh]

Hey all, I'm wondering if my experiences with dying USB passthroughs is typical, or if mine are dying early. When I started vaping about three months ago, I bought two automatic starter kits (for my wife & I), and one of the passthroughs died within days. I filed a support ticket and V4L sent a new one right out (love their customer service!). I also ordered a third passthrough for use in the car.

Here it is three months later, and my car passthrough just died. My wife reports that her passthrough (which I believe was the replacement) is sickly, so that one might be on its way out as well. Is 10-12 weeks a reasonable lifespan for these, or can I reasonably ask V4L to replace them? We don't drip or anything, and our auto batteries are chugging right along, so I don't think we're trashing them. My wife probably uses her passthrough more than her batteries, but I definitely use mine less.

It's not a big deal if they're past replacement age, but if this is all I can reasonably expect out of them, I think it would make more sense to buy new batteries and an extra charger or two. Can anyone bring me up to speed here?

 

[katz-in-boots]

I was wondering about PT lifespan too, though I've no probs at the moment. I was just looking at auto PTs on the V4L website, and noticed in the product reviews that these things need cleaning (who'd have thought).
Apparently you have to clean around where the battery bit attaches to cartomizers.

Hoping a nice forum expert will explain more about how to do this? Cough (Snowdragon) Cough

 

[keelalagirl55]

I use baby wipes and toothpicks to clean my connections....even the manuals need a good cleanin from time to time...and the charger threads too (just not while plugged in)

Edit: Oh and lots and lots of q-tips with rubbing alcohol....easier to get into carto connections and the charger connections with the q-tip

 

[AG51]

You're making me think now too. I have 3 PT's. The first one came with my starter kit & I got 2 more. They are manuals. Often I tend to chain vape while on the puter. I just figured I was wearing them out. But the first one lasted a month. The second one about a month ½ The third one still is working right. (so far) I keep them clean. I just figured wear n tear ?

 

[Morandir835]

I guess I've been lucky Ms. Anita, after almost four months my original pt is still going strong... Now watch it die tomorrow because I said that....

 

[AG51]

I was thinking I was just not aware of how rough I was with the button or something & I wore them out. Which is a good possibility, lol

 

[keelalagirl55]

I know this is probably a dumb question, but are you unplugging them when you're done Anita?

Edit:...well...that would have nothing to do with the wear on the button so nevermind

 

[AG51]

Always un plug everything when I'm done.

 

[katz-in-boots]

I know this is probably a dumb question, but are you unplugging them when you're done Anita?

Umm, is that important? I leave mine plugged into the car charger lighter socket, is that a no-no?

 

[keelalagirl55]

Umm, is that important? I leave mine plugged into the car charger lighter socket, is that a no-no?

I don't remember the logistics of it, but I know some have been known to overheat...and they usually put a little warning sticker on them to not leave plugged in and unattended....I don't remember, but I think someone somewhere said something about a fire hazard in another forum. I'm sure there is someone else (ahem...Snow) that can give a better answer as to why you should unplug them....I even detach or at least unscrew the carto a bit from the batts (especially autos).

 

[katz-in-boots]

I don't remember the logistics of it, but I know some have been known to overheat...and they usually put a little warning sticker on them to not leave plugged in and unattended....I don't remember, but I think someone somewhere said something about a fire hazard in another forum. I'm sure there is someone else (ahem...Snow) that can give a better answer as to why you should unplug them....I even detach or at least unscrew the carto a bit from the batts (especially autos).

Oh My!!! And I've been leaving this thing plugged in to the car lighter ! In the sun ! All day 7 night ! Well, obviously not in the sun all night...

 

[keelalagirl55]

Oh My!!! And I've been leaving this thing plugged in to the car lighter ! In the sun ! All day 7 night ! Well, obviously not in the sun all night...

lol....I have for a long time unplugged everything....well almost everything. I don't even leave my car phone charger plugged in. Several years ago, a neighbor of my mom's had her house catch on fire....culprit....hairdryer! Out of the blue, the outlet where the hairdryer was plugged into caught fire....the hairdryer was not in use, just left plugged in....

Now if your car lighter is one of those that has no current going to it unless the car is started, you are okay....our truck is like that...If my phone is plugged in, and the truck is turned off...I cannot charge my phone....kinda stinks though if I have a low batt and want it to continue charging...say while I'm gettin gas or something....

 

[AdAmA]

I still have my first PT that came with my kit 6 months ago the button is funny...gotta press it just right but its still going like a champ..I have another 1 thats 5 months old same funny button but still pumpin out vapor

 

[krashnash]

I *far* prefer vaping with the PT. I'd say that I'm a fairly heavy vaper, and I've killed 2 PT in the past 6 weeks. Both have developed wonky buttons (that's a technical term, you know). One I contacted V4L about, and should have a replacement (and a spare) in the mail in the next couple days. The other I bought from the bargain bin, and I don't feel like I'm owed a refund, so I'm going to disassemble it rather than returning it. I'll give these next couple a shot, and see if I get more than 5 weeks out of them, before looking for another alternative. I'd be happy with 6 months, but I'm only getting a quarter of that. Fingers crossed that V4L comes out with the next generation before the new ones die too.

~krash

 

[SnowDragon]

hehehe...Katz, I don't regard myself as an expert but I'm always more than happy to share my experience so I'll be glad to chime in.

Hey dfresh sorry to hear you are having some issues with your Passthroughs, that's a bummer. So let me address your first question in regard to expected lifespans, the answer is NO. I have had an Auto Passthrough for 8 months which has seen daily use on my computer and car and performs flawlessly. About 4 month ago I retired it to only my computer and purchased a second Passthrough which is dedicated to vehicle use only. It too performs flawlessly and for the record I am a hardcore juicer.

Whenever hardware fails or shows signs of failing there a few general things that need to be taken into account.

What are the signs that equipment is starting to fail? Less Vapor, shorter performance time, less flavor, cutting in and out, longer/shorter recharge times, quickly flooding etc.
What conditions are/were the equipment subjected to? Hot weather, cold weather, high humidity, stored in a vehicle, vehicle stored outdoors or in an uninsulated garage etc.
Was the equipment failure isolated to the equipment? Tested on another car, computer, adapter, or battery, adjustment attempted before finally being declared as truly failed.

If it's o.k. with you dfresh I'd like to ask you a few questions about your Passthrough and vaping in general. First I'd like to address the Passthrough which you've noted as being sickly, can you elaborate on that a little more. What exactly is going on with that Passthrough?

Do you keep your Passthrough in the car and is your car stored in a insulated garage or outdoors? As well is it stored in a parking structure at work or outdoors? Do you intermix Cartomizer between your batteries and your Passthroughs? What type of Auto batteries do you use....Standards, Diamond Series or both? Have you ever attempted cleaning or adjusting your Passthroughs, including the one that failed?

Did you test the failed Passthrough on your computer or in another car and did it show any signs before failing that it was having issues like less vapor production, altered flavor taste, harder draw, etc.?

I look forward to your response dfresh and if your Passthrough can be saved to live a long and productive life....we shall save it!

 

[MrHyde]

Been using my manual PT for over a year now without issue...I use it for hours every day too! I do clean it now and then, usually just lazily with a paper towel. I found my old electric toothbrush works wonders in cleaning my PT and batteries lol. I know people say its unwise, but I leave mine plugged in always and have had nothing, but great experiences with it

 

[tofucute]

I've had one last about 3 weeks. V4L sent out another which lasted a week. They would start to go bad where the wire attaches to the body. I don't want to waste money so I haven't ordered another...

 

[katz-in-boots]

hehehe...Katz, I don't regard myself as an expert but I'm always more than happy to share my experience so I'll be glad to chime in.

Thanks for stopping by Snow, but now I am sure I must be doing so many things wrong! I've switched cartos between my shorties (diamond & standard) and PT. Car in garage overnight but can be in elements for a couple of hours when out & about. Wah, I am so sure my PT will fail now.

 

[Tracker II]

I got one 3 months ago when I first started vaping. I use it periodically and it still works.

The second one I bought (about 2 months ago) barely had threads and would not hold a cart so I sent it back. The replacement got red hot and kept heating up very quickly to the point I felt like it was going to catch fire if I keep it depressed for more than 5 seconds. I just pitched this one in the trash. Repeatedly sending bad product back isn't worth it considering the drive to the post office and mailing costs.

 

[lambolover808]

My wifey kills pts far faster than I. I have a bin full of dead ones. Most of them have developed shorts where the wire meets the usb plug. This failure can be attributed to rough handling. The more gently you treat your pt, the longer you can expect it to last. If you have one that is not working, try playing with the wire while trying to use it. If it starts working again, you have a short. If my wife makes one last 6 months, I consider myself lucky.

I also have a couple of bad ones that are permantly stuck in the "on" position. If I were to plug them in with a cart attached, they would continuously supply power to the cart until unpluged. If left pluged in, I think it could possibly cause a fire.