Vamo/18650 issue

[JRJR]

Hey all!
I have been using my V5 Vamo for a little over a year. Been using PANASONIC NCR18650PF batteries. The Vamo has been shutting itself off for quite a while, actually it started not too long after I got it. I finally ordered a new V6 thinking it was something wrong with the Vamo. After the order, a friend gave me a couple of new EBL 18650's.. Using these batteries had stopped the shut downs.

The Pannys are flat top, no raised button on the + end at all. The EBL cells have raised buttons. It must be a contact issue with the Pannys. I plan to put some solder blobs on the + end of the Pannys and I think this may fix the issue with these cells. Has anyone else had similiar issues?

 

[EBates]

I'd think that the battery cap spring would be the prime suspect. With dirty threading or the battery tube being a close second

 

[JRJR]

yea but I have stretched the spring, cleaned everything, twisted and turned all threads, etc. Never found anything that worked. Been going on a loooong time! Put this new battery in and it hasn't shut down since. I was going to pull the board once the new Vamo got here just in case I broke it taking it apart. I think the solder blob is gonna work.

 

[Monotremata]

My v7 occasionally does that. I'll go to vape and see "System: Off". I'm using LG HE2 flat tops and flat Efest purple 18350s,, but think its only happened with the LGs..

 

[JRJR]

Mine doesn't say anything, it's just off.

 

[ElConquistador]

I've got an old Vamo V2. It has gone through several periods where it would shut down like that every now and then, then would run perfectly for months at a time. At other times, pushing the button does nothing, but mashing it a little or just waiting a few seconds makes it fire. Never have figured out what's going wrong, but now I know it'll eventually correct itself.

 

[Stosh]

A blob of solder on a battery is a very bad idea. If you heat the battery enough to make a proper solder connection, it will heat the internal battery structure to cause unseen damage.

If you don't heat the battery connector enough to make a good connection, a cold solder joint can easily come loose. The you would have a blob of metal rattling around inside your mod to short out the battery.

Better to use the flat-tops in a mod that can connect well without modifications. Use button top for your Vamo if necessary.

 

[Rickajho]

18650PF's come in both protected and unprotected versions. If you have protected batteries that's the problem. VAMO's do not work with protected batteries and all sort of flaky problems - like random shut downs and reset settings - is the end result.

 

[JRJR]

A blob of solder on a battery is a very bad idea. If you heat the battery enough to make a proper solder connection, it will heat the internal battery structure to cause unseen damage.

If you don't heat the battery connector enough to make a good connection, a cold solder joint can easily come loose. The you would have a blob of metal rattling around inside your mod to short out the battery.

Better to use the flat-tops in a mod that can connect well without modifications. Use button top for your Vamo if necessary.

How do you tell if they are protected? There is no mention of it on the label.

I have been soldering batteries for many years.... building packs for RC vehicles. Use a hot iron and work fast. Proper prep is important too. It's fine if done right.

 

[JRJR]

So here are some pics. On the left is the new EBL battery. Center is a Panny with a solder blob on top that I am currently testing. On the right is a Panny in stock form.

So far there have been no shut downs with the Panny/solder blob cell.

Near as I can tell from searching the net these are not protected batteries. If you have info stating otherwise please share.

 

[JRJR]

Well, my Vamo has been on and vaping for nearly a day now without any shutdowns since putting the solder blob on the Panasonic battery. It used to shut down every few minutes. I am going to call this mystery solved. When the new Vamo comes in I think I will give it to my wife to use since the old one is working ok now. She has worn out her spinner batteries and is needing new ones.

If you try this, scuff up the battery terminal with sandpaper, and use a good hot iron with electrical solder. Mine is a Weller 40W adjustable soldering station. Been using it for 20 years or so. It was a good investment for sure. Don't dawdle with the soldering. Get it hot once and use plenty of solder. Don't let it run over the edges though, keep it on the metal tab. If you get too much solder, which is unlikely, you can file it down after it cools. Just don't heat the battery up any more than necessary. You don't really need a lot of solder, just enough to get it to protrude above the sides. See the pics. It works!

 

[SupplyDaddy]

For most, it would be safer to advocate using a small magnet on the positive terminal of the battery.