Vamo V5 died after a few days of use

[deavidsedice]

I ordered a Vamo V5 and we started to use it on June 11th; after the first day of use (which was perfect) we started to notice some power interruptions: the device was off, but we're sure it was powered on a few minuts ago.
Then we charged batteries (to be sure that is not a battery flaw), but that doens't help.
The issue came more and more visible hour by hour, and on Friday 13, it doesn't work anymore. I charged batteries, tried again, with no luck. It's like the batteries aren't there.

I have a multimeter, and i checked batteries. They're charged, 4.2V; Even i tried to connect one of them to a charge (8ohms) and i was able to see the voltage: it drops to 4.12v or so.

So it seems a fault of Vamo V5.

I was searching on Google about people with this issue, but i can't found any.

So i was wondering if my Vamo V5 is the original one or not; or if i can do anything to check this, or to repair it.
I buyed this unit from Ali Express: Wholesale Product Snapshot Product name is Vamo V5 Electronic Cigarette Mechanical Mod Updated Lava Tube Vamo V2 V3 V4 V5 Series Adjustable Voltage E Smoking Starter Kit
...and the product i received seems the original. But i can't imagine one of these failing on the 3rd day.

I'm already asking the seller (still no response), and i don't know what to do.

Can anyone give me any tip?

 

[PLANofMAN]

Vamos are not the most reliable of vaping devices. Likely the chipset inside failed. "Original" is relative, as every Chinese manufacturer seems to make a Vamo. Rainbow Heaven made the original V1 Vamo.

I would say you are pretty close to being out of luck on this one. Next time, order from a reputable company with a good warranty program. FastTech is a good example.

Also, unless you don't like the form factor, a MVP V2 is more reliable than a Vamo.

As for help, check here: VAMO You won't be able to post, as they have shut down that section of the forum, but you might be able to find a solution to your problem.

 

[deavidsedice]

I'm considering a mechanical mod, maybe they are cheaper and more reliable.

Enviado desde mi JY-G3C mediante Tapatalk

 

[zapped]

I'm considering a mechanical mod, maybe they are cheaper and more reliable.

Enviado desde mi JY-G3C mediante Tapatalk

Most are definitely cheaper and more reliable. Less parts to break or malfunction.

One of the most reliable mechanicals on the market is a Silver Bullet. If youre on a budget Ive also heard good things about The Bolt (silver bullet clone) and The Magneto which can both be found at Smoktek.com

 

[ScottChensoda]

I'm afraid all you can do is to persist with the seller who unfortunately is a subsidiary of Alibaba, not the most reputable of companies either in quality or customer service. I always associate Alibaba with

. Make of that what you will.

You maybe lucky and get a satisfactory outcome but personally I wouldn't be too optimistic. You may well have to write it off to experience.

As for the future;

1. Research the product thoroughly. The V5 is arguably the worst of the various versions of the Vamo as at least two UK vendors have withdrawn the V5 from sale due to the number of customer returns of faulty goods.

2. Also, research the vendor/dealer to ensure their reputation is as they undoubtedly say it is and that they provide a clear returns policy with equally transparent contact details.

3. Then confirm this by asking in fora such as ECF or Gernav's Spanish blog Vaportunidades.com before you part with your money.

I wish you all the best with your problem and buena suerte deavidsedice.

 

[deavidsedice]

The good news on this is I only spent 25 Euro on that, and I got two batteries and a charger.
The problem here is not the money wasted. Is that we expected to have something working and now we're a bit disappointed.

 

[PLANofMAN]

I'm considering a mechanical mod, maybe they are cheaper and more reliable.

Enviado desde mi JY-G3C mediante Tapatalk

They can be. These days I'm often using one of my three (3?) brass GP PAPS clones. Two of them required minor modifications (countersinking the switch nut) to get them to where I wanted them, and I have to fiddle with the screws whenever I change a battery, but I don't worry about them breaking.

On the other hand, my ProVari is 4 years old and I don't worry about it breaking or becoming unreliable, even though it is a regulated mod.

 

[wheelie]

Returns & Feedback

* We do our best to serve our customers the best that we can.

* We will refund you if you return the items within 7 days of your receipt of the items for any reason.
However, the buyer should make sure that the items returned are in their original conditions.

* If the items are damaged or lost when they are returned, the buyer will be responsible for such damage or loss, and we will not give the buyer a full refund. The buyer should try to file a claim with the logistic company to recover the cost of damage or loss.

* If the items are damaged or lost when they are returned, the buyer will be responsible for such damage or loss, and we will not give the buyer a full refund. The buyer should try to file a claim with the logistic company to recover the cost of damage or loss.

* Buyer will be responsible for the shipping fees to return the items.

* Your satisfaction and positive feedback is very important to us.
Please leave positive feedback and 5 stars if you are satisfied with our itemsand services.

* If you have any problems with our items or services, please feel freeto contact us first before you leave negative feedback. We will do our best to solve any problems and provide you with the best customer services.

 

[jimbill]

I would check the vamo with different batteries than them cheap ones that are supplied and if you have any problems with the return fasttech sells the vamo board for $11.64 and are easy to put in

$11.64 VOMO V5 Variable Voltage/Wattage Mod Module - 3.0-15.0W / 3.0-6.0V / 0.6" OLED at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping

 

[deavidsedice]

I already purchased and waiting two AW batteries. I'll try them. About the Vamo board, there's any tutorial to change it?

 

[Nermal]

* We will refund you if you return the items within 7 days of your receipt of the items for any reason.
However, the buyer should make sure that the items returned are in their original conditions.

AHA! In its original condition, it worked. Now it doesn't, hence it is not in its original condition.

 

[jimbill]

I already purchased and waiting two AW batteries. I'll try them. About the Vamo board, there's any tutorial to change it?

Here is the vamo v2 disassembly in the youtube video but the vamo v5 top cap is even easier to get off.Vamo first impression and disassembly how to - YouTube Here are rudimentary steps that will help to assist you with the Vamo V5 & V3 Connection Area replacement process:
If you have a Vamo V3 or V5 you are replacing like connection area's:
1) Remove the Connection area from the Vamo Body. The is no easy feat, but the easiest way to do this is take an extension tube and attach it where the top ring would normally go. This will allow you to grip onto end providing leverage from the connection area end. Use both hands to grip each end of your Vamo body. What you will need to do is wiggle the (for lack of better words) crap out of it until it loosens enough to be separate from the Vamo body.
2) Remove the Extension Tube from the Connection Area: I found it difficult also, but with the use of a pair of pliers and a cloth to protect the finish, I was able remove the Extension Area from the original Connection Area.
3) Remove the oldConnection Area: When the original connection area separates you will see the ground wire (black lead) and the positive lead (white wire) and where they are attached to the old connection area. You will need to separate both wires from the original Connection Area by applying your heated soldering iron to the original solder to complete the separation. Avoid the wire insulation. Do not melt the plastic around the wires.
4) Solder the now separated wires to the like terminals of the new Vamo Connection Area. Once you have soldered the wires to the new connection area, allow the solder to cool for enough time for the solder to hold.
5) It is a tight press fit to reconnect the top cap to the Vamo Body. I used a cloth to cover the top connection area with a rubber mallet to successful complete the replacement process..

 

[jimbill]

Those instructions were not mine but from some other website check at the bottom of the page for help and further instructions.Vamo Body Parts

 

[zapped]

DO NOT take that Vamo apart!

If you do you ruin any chance of getting a refund or store credit for faulty equipment.

Once you pry the top cap off, no matter how carefully, if you leave any evidence of tampering thats reason for a vendor to refuse to refund your money.

Better off chalking this up as a lesson learned and buying something quality with a warranty and plenty of good reviews on this site.

If you do a forum search on the Vamo you'll see that there are numerous complaints just like yours.

 

[jimbill]

If he can't get a refund then there is no harm in him trying to fix it by his self.

 

[deavidsedice]

Of course. I will not disassemble anything before being sure it's the only way. I'll wait one week to try to get a refund or something.

 

[deavidsedice]

So, i learned the lesson here.
As I see, Fasttech has very similar prices; and shipping seems to be a bit faster. So there is no reason to buy from Ali Express anymore for this kind of articles. Also i think Ebay has more or less the same problems; maybe Ebay is a bit more reilable, i don't know.

The problem for me is that in Spain, most of stores are asking for 180 EUR for a decent mod (ProVari in yovapeo.es , for example) (about 280 USD). I find that too expensive for one item; i wanted something like that, but cheaper. That's why I ended buying the Vamo for 25 EUR.

I searched about the vamo before buying it (and after buying it) and i could not figure a issue like that. Maybe I should have tried harder.

For now, I wanted to have a replacement, and I wanted to try Fasttech; to see how it handles the shipping to Spain.

I ordered basically two things:
- K2 Mechanical Mod: https://www.fasttech.com/p/1452203
- Sigelei VW Kick: https://www.fasttech.com/p/1670801

It's the first time i heard about a Kick; i saw them yesterday after googling about mech mods.

These two seems to be more or less what i was looking in the first place: it's smaller and cheaper (about 17 EUR for the two parts). And i could dispose the kick if it breaks.

PD: I'll repair the Vamo someday; if I could, we'll use it as a backup.

 

[dripperu]

Please read this before ordering:

Is this mod kickable?: FastTech Forums

 

[deavidsedice]

Ok, i changed the mod for this one:
- Launcher V2 Telescopic Mechanical Mod ( https://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10006633/1527300-launcher-v2-telescopic-mechanical-mod )

Thanks! I believed every mod was kickable.

 

[dripperu]

Please read the disscusions forums before ordering from FT, is very usefull.

Best regards.