Utrafire WF-188 Blew Up!

[jadajazz]

Hi all,
Just wanted to let anyone thinking about buying an UltraFire WF-188 know that the plug of my 3-month old unit blew off the socket today when I plugged it in to recharge 2 AW IMR 14500 batteries for my REO minis. The actual plug stayed in the socket, but the cord flew off the plug after a massive spark and explosion sound came from the wall socket.

I looked at it after I overcame my fear of taking the plug from the socket, and it looks like some wires were exposed at the junction of cord to plug.

Just ordered a Pila charger from RTD Vapor this morning, and would never trust the former unit again. Heads up!!!

 

[Justice]

I wonder if maybe part of the problem other than cheap manufacturing is that people are constantly plugging and unplugging them causing excessive wear on the wire. I use a pila myself but I leave it plugged in to a power bar and just turn the bar off when not in use less wear on the wire.

 

[donnah]

I had pretty much the same thing happen with a charger last month. I put a batt in it and when I plugged it in, the cord sparked and blew off the charger with a POW! It was a charger I got with the volcano lavatube kit I bought at Christmas (the only thing I kept) ive read a few other posts where this happened.

I bought an xtar charger off ebay. For around $20 shipped.

 

[whatitstrue]

I wonder if maybe part of the problem other than cheap manufacturing is that people are constantly plugging and unplugging them causing excessive wear on the wire. I use a pila myself but I leave it plugged in to a power bar and just turn the bar off when not in use less wear on the wire.

My guess would be the same. Especially if you pull on the cord to remove it as apossed to pulling the plug it self. I have a tr-01 that the wires had come loose on in the same spot. I noticed it before it caused any problems and replaced it with a heavier duty cord I already had. I use a power strip now for the tr and my xtarr so I don't cause undo wear on the plugs or wires...

 

[Justice]

My guess would be the same. Especially if you pull on the cord to remove it as apossed to pulling the plug it self. I have a tr-01 that the wires had come loose on in the same spot. I noticed it before it caused any problems and replaced it with a heavier duty cord I already had. I use a power strip now for the tr and my xtarr so I don't cause undo wear on the plugs or wires...

I do the same even with my cell phones iPad etc. I must be getting older or something but it makes me feel better this way and if I forget to turn power bar off at least there is the added protection of it in case of a short.

 

[TennDave]

My WF-188 sparked and died (no plug wire- the whole charging unit) and no longer would the lights that say it is working light up- I pitched it. Several months later my replacement WF-139's started charging too high (both of them). I have since replaced with the Xtar brand but the USB Xtar that is smaller and charges the 18350's was charging too high to begin with...Randall at RTDV is replacing it- said he's had one other customer with the same issue. So.... chargers can be finicky and can suddenly go bad- no matter what brand.

Be AWARE vapers- Battery Chargers!! Check the voltage of batteries coming off your charger (4.2V is correct, or slightly lower- if it is 4.25 it is too high and will damage these batteries after awhile). If your charger makes a buzzing sound or there is any question at all about it, don't use it!!! Exploding Mods have historically happened with batteries right off a charger (of course, there are other factors such as the use of non-rechargeable batteries being charged, etc. too)....

We want all Reonauts to be free of any type of injurious event in their vaping journey!! - Well, all Vapers everywhere for that matter- but family does matter a wee bit more!!

 

[davelog]

If you're doing that much damage to the plug by constantly plugging/unplugging the charger, do what I did - all my chargers are hooked up to a single power strip that has an on/off toggle switch. I turn the strip on when I'm charging, turn it off when I'm not.

 

[Justice]

If you're doing that much damage to the plug by constantly plugging/unplugging the charger, do what I did - all my chargers are hooked up to a single power strip that has an on/off toggle switch. I turn the strip on when I'm charging, turn it off when I'm not.

+1. Well really 4 power bars but you know what I mean

 

[markfm]

Similar to others, I don't get into the plug/unplug. In my case I use a small outlet timer, set for 3 hours, just push the button to start a cycle.

 

[mwa102464]

If you're doing that much damage to the plug by constantly plugging/unplugging the charger, do what I did - all my chargers are hooked up to a single power strip that has an on/off toggle switch. I turn the strip on when I'm charging, turn it off when I'm not.

I agree Dave and its what I use for my set up,with timer,,,, I still have both of my original TrustFire TR-001 charging units from back in 2009 and they are working like new to this day. All AW Batts new come of these chargers anywhere from 4.15 -4.24 depending on each individual Batts make up. I never had one issue with either of these chargers, I do keep the contact points clean with putting a little alcohol on a tissue and rubbing them down once in a while, but never an issue with either unit.

 

[jadajazz]

Thanks for all of your responses. I never pulled the plug by the cord, but I did plug and unplug the unit frequently. I'll take the advice offered by most of you to use a power strip in the future!

 

[SammyT]

Yeah I use a power strip, but I am thinking about getting an xstar charger just because of all this cord blow-up stuff. My wife always has something to say about anything I purchase for vaping but if I tell her it is safer she always says just get it. She cares about me that way


-Sam

 

[markfm]

This is the little timer I use along with the XTar: Belkin F7C009 Conserve Socket Energy Saving Power Timer Outlet

I have it set for 3 hours, which is the longest any of my batteries takes to charge (it also has a 6 hour setting).

I use a second one in the basement, drives a power strip for cordless tool chargers.

 

[mwa102464]

I use a timer just for the saftey factor if I have to leave the house so my chargers will cut off,,,, I also have never removed the plugs from my TR-001's where they plug into the charger box, there going on 3yrs old without an issue ever. I think people messing with pulling those plugs and just keep plugging them in and out where they go into the box is what made them have issues, obviously the TR-001 isnt the best charger on the market now but all they have to do is charge properly which they do so I'm good with mine until I need knew ones which could still bea quite some time. If I was going to buy a new one now it would most likely be the 4 bay XTar for its features