The Magic-Flight Box

[Nycdeisel]

Clean it the best you can . Its really all you can do.

 

[momofthegoons]

troughs, I can't imagine that there is still a huge risk. I think I've seen Magic Flight recommend wrapping the returned box in foil and a baggie. If you are concerned about smell, you could always add something smelly to the package like coffee beans.

edit to add: and don't put a return address on the package.

 

[Seek]

I've seen these warnings on sites like yahoo where these people didn't even know what MF warranty is like. A lot of warranty replacements already worldwide and I haven't heard of any real problems with that. Maybe you can send it without return address. And they recommend wraping it into fiol and then into airtight bag. Then what bad can happen? But still try to clean it best as you can. As it is damaged unit, you don't need to be soft to it anymore, scrape the hell out of it. Also few pages back I've heard some story of needing only to destroy the box and send proof to MF.

pakalolo: wonderful box. I love that texture as it looks casual but still different. And Vicki's LB looks pretty much same (also is that a shorty glass stem?).

 

[Vapemania]

This is my koa box:

http://www.vaporpedia.com/w/images/thumb/6/6a/Mflbkoa2.jpg/450px-Mflbkoa2.jpg

I corrected your image for overexposure and colour, which is why I concluded it might be koa. It could be something else of course, but I know Magic-Flight did a few koa boxes.

Oh, wow!
My MFLB looks just like that!

But it's maple.

It's got loads of cuts and scratches all over it though.
And they've darkened due to dirt build-up.
I must clean it more often.

But it looks just like yours!
Only not as good.
Koa is a great Hawaiian wood.

 

[OF]

Clean it the best you can . Its really all you can do.

I agree. Clean it as best you can, wrap it up tight (to control the smell) and mail it back without a return address.....

MF has your s/n and other details already, they'll know where it came from. You don't have to go through TSA screening to mail it back.......yet.

OF

 

[Vicki]

Thanks. I fell in love with it as soon as I got it. I'm not sure what a KOA box looks like. I remember people talking about them, but I can't find a picture. I could swear this exotic MFLB looks like cherry wood, but not sure if Magic Flight even made the exotic's in cherry. It's VERY dark wood. The picture makes it look lighter than it really is.

This is my koa box:

http://www.vaporpedia.com/w/images/thumb/6/6a/Mflbkoa2.jpg/450px-Mflbkoa2.jpg

I corrected your image for overexposure and colour, which is why I concluded it might be koa. It could be something else of course, but I know Magic-Flight did a few koa boxes.

That's exactly what my MFLB looks like. I was told it is maple, but I've never seen maple this dark. I still love it. Your box is beautiful as well.

 

[SOUR DIESEL]

Thanks. I fell in love with it as soon as I got it. I'm not sure what a KOA box looks like. I remember people talking about them, but I can't find a picture. I could swear this exotic MFLB looks like cherry wood, but not sure if Magic Flight even made the exotic's in cherry. It's VERY dark wood. The picture makes it look lighter than it really is.

This is my koa box:

http://www.vaporpedia.com/w/images/thumb/6/6a/Mflbkoa2.jpg/450px-Mflbkoa2.jpg

I corrected your image for overexposure and colour, which is why I concluded it might be koa. It could be something else of course, but I know Magic-Flight did a few koa boxes.

That's exactly what my MFLB looks like. I was told it is maple, but I've never seen maple this dark. I still love it. Your box is beautiful as well.

 

[beefsupreme]

Hi folks, after 18 months my original MFLB had the screen start to separate from the rails and it was time to get a warranty replacement. That went smoothly enough and now i'm enjoying my new box - I was wondering if they've changed the wood they're making the non-exotic boxes out of though, this one is lighter colour and feels smoother and maybe a more sealed finish.

Or is my old box just weathered from use ? Mine was from around when they'd just added the rubber seal around the top of the trench. Oh, and in a related question whats the best way to keep the rails clean? will using the brush wear down the screen there, or should i use ISO occasionally there?

Thanks and happy vaping!

 

[OF]

I was wondering if they've changed the wood they're making the non-exotic boxes out of though, this one is lighter colour and feels smoother and maybe a more sealed finish.

Oh, and in a related question whats the best way to keep the rails clean? will using the brush wear down the screen there, or should i use ISO occasionally there?

The older boxes were Birch. The newer ones are Maple.

The best way to keep the rails clean is probably not to have them foul in the first place, and remove deposits as they happen. First off, don't use wet herb. Dry seems to collect far slower (I suspect the water condenses on the rails and makes them sticky). Brushing likely won't do much, it gets stuck on pretty well. Soaking the area in ISO (I just keep it moist with a q-tip dipped in ISO for a minute or so) will soften stuff up and make it easy to brush away. Keep the alcohol off the wood and then do a half minute or so 'dry burn' before use.

HTH

OF

 

[HighlyEducatedScholar]

thought i'd make sure my 100th post is on the MFLB thread! had this bad boy for about a year now and still loving it.

 

[MoeOnTheMoon]

I was wondering if they've changed the wood they're making the non-exotic boxes out of though, this one is lighter colour and feels smoother and maybe a more sealed finish.

Oh, and in a related question whats the best way to keep the rails clean? will using the brush wear down the screen there, or should i use ISO occasionally there?

The older boxes were Birch. The newer ones are Maple.

The best way to keep the rails clean is probably not to have them foul in the first place, and remove deposits as they happen. First off, don't use wet herb. Dry seems to collect far slower (I suspect the water condenses on the rails and makes them sticky). Brushing likely won't do much, it gets stuck on pretty well. Soaking the area in ISO (I just keep it moist with a q-tip dipped in ISO for a minute or so) will soften stuff up and make it easy to brush away. Keep the alcohol off the wood and then do a half minute or so 'dry burn' before use.

HTH

OF

I saw a post a while back where someone recommended cleaning it with alcohol and a cotton swab - but upside down. That way the alcohol won't drip into the wood below. Seems like a helluva good idea.

 

[natural farmer]

I have noticed that the new -white plastic and chrome- brush that MF is shipping with the box has harder bristles and they clean the screen perfectly. Now the build up on the rails is gone for good. No ISO needed, just a little scrubbing after finishing the bowl! Great!

 

[Seek]

If the q-tip is no wet from the iso, but only moist, no need for turning it upside down. But at the rails, be soft. I don't slide the cotton over the rails, that could damage them. I ROLL it over thek bach and forward and the clogging on them slowly disappear. Didn't try only moisturing them with iso and them brushing out. Maybe that could be even safer.

 

[J.R.R.Tokin']

I generally clean with the brush but do find that the rails hold the resin a bit more. When this happens you can just dip the very tip of your brush in ISO and lightly brush the resin away, or do the same with a cotton ear bud / q-tip. Just be gentle, let the ISO do the work not pressure.

 

[PontiusPilate]

Hi all,
I came across this site when I was looking for a new vape maybe 6 months ago, and due to the comments here I ended up picking up a Launch Box (which I absolutely love!). I got it on Puff It Up, and it was almost creepy how fast it arrived. It's like I clicked Submit and my doorbell rang before my browser refreshed

Anyway I picked up a 4 pack of Maha Powerex 2700 mAh batteries, and an Enercell 15 minute charger. It's now 5 months later and 2 of those batteries are dead and can't be recharged at all (the charger blinks to indicate the batteries are defective), and the other 2 charge but just barely (even right out of the charger I can barely get a hit using them).

Five months seems a bit short for 4 batteries to die like this doesn't it? I know that if they get too hot during use that this could shorten their lifespan. I'm definitely guilty of letting that happen on occasion, but I didn't think it was too frequently and I don't know if that happened with all 4 of the batteries. Can it be the charger? Or is this a normal lifespan for these batteries?

Sorry if this has been discussed before but this thread is over 600 pages at this point

 

[HighlyEducatedScholar]

thats a normal lifespan of the 2700mAh batteries. the stock batteries that come with the MFLB have been known to be much more reliable when it comes to lifespan. mine have been long gone because of misuse when i didn't know how to properly take care of them. however, i highly recommend getting the PA from MF. it'll bring your LB to a whole new level and without a doubt you will love it. no need to wait for batteries to charge, consist power supply, and variable power. anyone who owns a MFLB + PA will tell you its worth the money.

 

[sundaddy]

As far as keeping the rails clean.
#1 don't let herbs touch the rails, don't shake the box with reckless abandon, gently roll the trench by tapping lightly on the bottom.
#2 brush after each trench.
#3 every week take iso and a tip and gently clean the rails and screen.
#4 never scrape the rails with anything, you'll scrape through the micro weld, and get screen separation.

I've done all of these steps and my box looks brand new.

 

[OF]

Anyway I picked up a 4 pack of Maha Powerex 2700 mAh batteries, and an Enercell 15 minute charger. It's now 5 months later and 2 of those batteries are dead and can't be recharged at all (the charger blinks to indicate the batteries are defective), and the other 2 charge but just barely (even right out of the charger I can barely get a hit using them).

Five months seems a bit short for 4 batteries to die like this doesn't it?

I don't think the problem is so much the batteries as the charger. That charger is made for their battery (which can take the higher charge rate), it's WAY faster than Maha specifies. They call for 'Maha compatible' chargers, which means more like an hour.

High end batteries are a trade off. High capacity, fast charge rates, long cycle life, stable discharge and a bunch of other factors all relate to each other. The 2700 have a modest advantage WRT capacity if used right away (say same day). This is, at best, 10%, so a hit or two. Overall, the 2400s MF uses are probably a better option for most guys. Self discharge is much lower and they seem to stand up to the abuse the box demands on discharge better (longer life span). While the maker says '500 to 1000' cycles, I bet it's really only a few hundred the way we use them.

I'd retire the charger (or get the batteries intended for it), give the dead and dying batteries a decent funeral and get a set of the 2400s to replace them. I think there's a reason MF uses them, and absent a real need for that extra 10% (and being willing to charge just before use) I'd stick with them. They're way ahead of the 2700s by the end of the week....and probably for more weeks.

OF

 

[Joint_Specialist]

Considering the MFLB puts a 15 AMP draw on the battery I am surprised they last as long as they do. But I sure am happy it actually works!

 

[Vapemania]

I think I read on Vaporpedia or somewhere that the fast chargers wouldn't be very good for the MFLB.

Essentially, you want chargers that take around 7 hours to charge.

I would've thought one-hour chargers would not last long or heat up as much.

 

[magicflight]

Anyway I picked up a 4 pack of Maha Powerex 2700 mAh batteries, and an Enercell 15 minute charger. It's now 5 months later and 2 of those batteries are dead and can't be recharged at all (the charger blinks to indicate the batteries are defective), and the other 2 charge but just barely (even right out of the charger I can barely get a hit using them).

Five months seems a bit short for 4 batteries to die like this doesn't it?

I don't think the problem is so much the batteries as the charger. That charger is made for their battery (which can take the higher charge rate), it's WAY faster than Maha specifies. They call for 'Maha compatible' chargers, which means more like an hour.

High end batteries are a trade off. High capacity, fast charge rates, long cycle life, stable discharge and a bunch of other factors all relate to each other. The 2700 have a modest advantage WRT capacity if used right away (say same day). This is, at best, 10%, so a hit or two. Overall, the 2400s MF uses are probably a better option for most guys. Self discharge is much lower and they seem to stand up to the abuse the box demands on discharge better (longer life span). While the maker says '500 to 1000' cycles, I bet it's really only a few hundred the way we use them.

I'd retire the charger (or get the batteries intended for it), give the dead and dying batteries a decent funeral and get a set of the 2400s to replace them. I think there's a reason MF uses them, and absent a real need for that extra 10% (and being willing to charge just before use) I'd stick with them. They're way ahead of the 2700s by the end of the week....and probably for more weeks.

OF

Hi,

These comments are correct. The Energizer charger attempts to charge the batteries in 15 minutes, which is rather the extreme limit. Energizer batteries make some trade-offs in their design to allow for this to some extent (they are not expected to last as long). For MAHA batteries, such fast charging can work and be used *sometimes*, but it is not really sustainable and not a good idea for regular ongoing use -- hence the shorter battery cycle life you noticed. The maximum sustainable charge rate for regular usage is a little over an hour (for 2700 capacity batteries). However, to *optimize* for the health of the battery in terms of overall longevity (the maximum number of charge cycles), the ideal charge rate would be around 3 hours or so. Both the batteries and the chargers we ship stock with the Box have a near optimum charge rate -- we believe in the long term. We have had units work just fine in regular usage for more than 6 months with the stock system.

Note, the charge times indicated above reflect a 'complete charge', ie how long it takes to charge a fully depleted battery -- if your battery is not fully discharged when you put it into the charger, the charge time will be significantly less. This is usually not a problem as long as the battery is at least 1/3 discharged. If you put a nearly completely charged battery back into the charger, the charger might not be able to detect the completed charge state and will thus overcharge (damage) the battery.

Also to be considered are some factors including how hot the battery is when it goes into the charger (do you go directly from the Box to the charger, or are the batteries allowed to rest?), and how hot the battery is when it comes out of the charger. For example, if the battery is still warm from charging (it had just 'finished') and you go directly to using it in the Box, the internal temperature spike in the battery will be higher. Much better is to let the battery cool after charging and before using.

The level of damage to the battery is in proportion to the maximum temperature event. Getting too hot once, even if for not so long, is much worse for battery longevity than getting "rather warm" a number of times. A single overheating event can cost several hundred charge cycles -- significantly shortening the useful life of the battery. Since the battery does not "heal itself", it must be expected that even one event of overheating will significantly shorten the battery life. You may not notice right away, but the damage done to the battery cannot be undone, and it will show up as performance issues eventually. By "too hot" here, we mean hotter than coffee. Damage past that point is very steep: If you let it get to "you cannot touch it" hot, it will be surprising if the battery will do more than a dozen cycles -- its life is essentially over.

Finally, it is to be noted that battery life and longevity can also be shortened by having a habit of forever keeping the batteries in the charger when not in use. This when one takes the battery out of the charger, uses it for a bit, and then immediately puts it back in the charger, where it remains for all time. While it is OK to leave the batteries in the charger for more than a day on occasion, doing so as part of a regular practice also stresses the battery. Several weeks of 'trickle charge' will eventually wear out the battery, since the energy of the charge has to go somewhere. This is one of the reasons we recommend using the LSD type of batteries -- you do not need to keep them in the charger all of the time to have them be useful.

-- Magic-Flight

 

[PontiusPilate]

Wow excellent response, thanks so much! You definitely answered my question...it seems I had SEVERAL bad habits then

 

[Seek]

Considering the MFLB puts a 15 AMP draw on the battery I am surprised they last as long as they do. But I sure am happy it actually works!

Charging is far more risky to damage batteries than discharge (talking about NiMH). Even if the discharge is 15 Amps. This can heat the battery, so you can draw 15 Amps from the battery until it gets hot. Then it's risky and better let it cool down. Also don't overdischarge batteries (this is very possible with a high-drain device like the MFLB), when the light start fading it's better to charge it and not to try get more juice.

 

[Ash057]

I received the warranty replacement Launch Box today. So nice to have a hot box again!

Much love to the Magic-Flight crew!

 

[Seek]

And I've received a confirmation, that they accepted the warranty claim and are going to send replacement Oh I'm so excited for a new hot box too. But it can take a month, so the old one still gets some love. Hope it will endure a one more month. I think with this hot-fix I've done it could.