What causes a short?

[cricket1176]

So I have my new mini and I’m happy as ever J The question I have is about using adapters. I keep seeing that you have to be careful because this can create a short. This really confuses me since I thought it was a mechanical mod??

Can someone please explain to me what causes a short, what happens if you have caused one & whether or not the mod will be useable again?

BTW, I have no intention of creating a short. I just want to be sure I PREVENT doing so. I have some 801 Fusions I would love to try but I have been too scared to so far.

Thanks,
~Melissa

 

[mgaruccio]

Not sure what would cause the short while using the adapter, but a short in your reo SHOULD do nothing more than cause the battery spring to collapse which is a very simple repair on the aluminium reos, you just unscrew the old one and put the new one in, there is a chance (slim) that it won't collapse however which could lead to the battery venting if it is unprotected.

 

[zodduska]

I think I figured out what happened when I shorted mine: Looking into the REO socket (and other mods) the center post is rather large compared to the center post on my atomizers, what I figure happened on mine is I over-tightened the atty and this caused both the negative and positive parts to contact the REO's center (positive) post. The center posts on my atomizers don't stick out very far at all. Either that or over-tightening caused contact to be made in the atty itself. I may be wrong.

Lesson - don't crank down your atty when screwing it on, also after connecting a new atty give it a quick test fire to make sure its working ok.

When mine shorted I had a little burnt electrical smell and some smoke, if it had shorted longer it would have heated up a bit to the point where the spring will collapse (a safety measure) and possibly melt the button. Mine still worked great right away after switching to a new atty.

 

[Brewlady]

Lesson - don't crank down your atty when screwing it on, also after connecting a new atty give it a quick test fire to make sure its working ok.

I had a problem with one of my mods (not a REO). The vendor told me that I should never tighten an atty all the way, that can lead to a short. No where on the website or in the documentation does it say anything about that. That is frustrating because as someone who is clueless about electrical stuff and batteries and multi-meters, it would be nice to have that information BEFORE I shorted out the mod.

 

[ancient puffer]

The center post of both the atty/carto and the REO connector are electrically separated, but the materials used are "soft". Sometimes, if you over tighten them, it can "squish" the material used to separate them, resulting in a "short".

I always test my attys when new or just cleaned for a short*, and never put anything on to my PV's more than barely snug. If that isn't enough to make electrical contact, I won't use it. It's not worth losing a REO (even temporarily) to a $5-$10 atty/carto.

*using a digital multimeter (DMM). you can get one from Harbor Freight for around $5.00, and they're a piece of cake to use. They're also good for testing new attys/cartos for DOA when you get in a new order of them.

 

[cricket1176]

Thank you all I just got done ordering a multimeter and I have always been careful not to over tighten my atty's

 

[dopeh]

What causes a short?

The pool was cold.

 

[Rhapsodies Fire]

if it helps to see what we're talking about you can look at either the atty connection on your mod or the threaded end of an atomizer/carto. The center ring with the hole in it is the positive. The outer ring with the threads is the negative. In between the two is a white soft material that I call an insulator ring. My terminology may be incorrect, but its what makes sense to me. Its that soft insulator ring that can get squished and the positive & negative come into contact which causes the short. Some atties/cartos/adapters are made better than others so some are less apt to have that problem. If you look at different brands of atties/cartos/adapters, you will see a difference in the depth of the insulated area and the width of that ring.

 

[Rhapsodies Fire]

The pool was cold.

I love your sense of humor, Mr. dopeh...I've missed seeing you around. Nice to have you back.

 

[cricket1176]

if it helps to see what we're talking about you can look at either the atty connection on your mod or the threaded end of an atomizer/carto. The center ring with the hole in it is the positive. The outer ring with the threads is the negative. In between the two is a white soft material that I call an insulator ring. My terminology may be incorrect, but its what makes sense to me. Its that soft insulator ring that can get squished and the positive & negative come into contact which causes the short. Some atties/cartos/adapters are made better than others so some are less apt to have that problem. If you look at different brands of atties/cartos/adapters, you will see a difference in the depth of the insulated area and the width of that ring.

Thank you! This would make since as to why one of my adapters is no longer workin on my Thermo. The insulator ring is falling off. I guess I should just toss it?

 

[Rhapsodies Fire]

Thank you! This would make since as to why one of my adapters is no longer workin on my Thermo. The insulator ring is falling off. I guess I should just toss it?

Yes. I would.

 

[redeyedancer]

If your going to use & adapter witch is use at your own risk . I put the adapters on my atomizer before screwing it on to my mod.The bottom of your adapter should look like the bottom of a standard atomizer. The center pin should be just about flush.If you set your adapter up properly you wont short the mod. You should snug atomizers on your mods never wrench them on tight there is no need to. If one doesn't understand the mechanics of the adapter you shouldn't be using one. I will set up adapters for anyone send your atomizer of choice and I will set up the adapter for you .All I ask is you pay the return postage
Have a look at the picks you will see the photo that says wrong the center pin is protruding.This will short your mod .

[/IMG]

This is what your adapter should look like center pin just about flush

[/IMG]

 

[cricket1176]

Thank you for making it so clear If I have any doubts I will send you my stuff I'm going to be at a vape meet in Houston ina couple weeks...I will probably have someone there look over my stuff before I use it too.

 

[dopeh]

I love your sense of humor, Mr. dopeh...I've missed seeing you around. Nice to have you back.

Aw thanks, tell that to the Mrs lol - I can never stay away for long, despite RL

Rob that pic says it all. I've always been amazed that so little space and a tiny gasket can keep it all separated.. haven't shorted one yet.

 

[redeyedancer]

Aw thanks, tell that to the Mrs lol - I can never stay away for long, despite RL

Rob that pic says it all. I've always been amazed that so little space and a tiny gasket can keep it all separated.. haven't shorted one yet.

I have sold thousands of mods there all based on the same design most people never short there mods but there are some people that do and some that do it repeatedly .I built my mods with safety in mind making sure everything is insulated properly.I admit I scratch my head sometimes as to how people short them but I suppose when you have as many mods out there as I do it is going to happen.I have yet to find one mod that it was the mod that shorted its always been atomizers or people using adapters it is frustrating though.I recently redesigned the inner chamber that holds the center pin so there would be less resistance when attaching the atomizers I am hoping this helps but there is only so much I can do.I do believe atomizers could be built safer will they do it probably not

 

[SammyT]

I have sold thousands of mods there all based on the same design most people never short there mods but there are some people that do and some that do it repeatedly .I built my mods with safety in mind making sure everything is insulated properly.I admit I scratch my head sometimes as to how people short them but I suppose when you have as many mods out there as I do it is going to happen.I have yet to find one mod that it was the mod that shorted its always been atomizers or people using adapters it is frustrating though.I recently redesigned the inner chamber that holds the center pin so there would be less resistance when attaching the atomizers I am hoping this helps but there is only so much I can do.I do believe atomizers could be built safer will they do it probably not

Put the porkies to work building the atomizers, I bet they could build 'em better than the Chinese... and you can pay them in bread (an added bonus.) You and your porkies could be like Santa and his elves, but don't move to the north pole, I hear shipping costs are outrageous up there

 

[casualuser]

These are brand new atomizers is the post sticking up too much? Should I not use these on my Reo?

 

[Mudflap]

These are brand new atomizers is the post sticking up too much? Should I not use these on my Reo?

I'd wait until Rob sees your pictures and answers before trying.

 

[Rhapsodies Fire]

I sent Rob a message so he sees this.

 

[casualuser]

Its a good thing I saw this thread before I popped these in. Thanks y'all.