Search results

Hi all - as always, thanks for your patience. My life has been very busy recently and has included some travel, which takes me away from the shop. This has all been for good (!) purposes, but even good things take time and energy, and this has squeezed my Fluxer time even more than usual. So...

I think I did, @lookhigh . I'm moving forward with this as the solution to this issue. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- MOSFET Failure Issue - Response Matrix I have a fix - huzzah! - but what does that mean for you? If you are a current Flux...

Hi all, I knew it was too easy. I'm back with a few more turns to this MOSFET failure saga. :popcorn: Development #1: I discovered my first solution (a single Schottky diode to drain the circuit via one MOSFET's source pin) did not actually solve the problem. :bang: It was an improvement...

Here's a bit more info, for the curious: Diodes are essentially one-way gates that allow electricity to flow in one direction but not both directions. This solution uses a particular kind of diode called a Schottky diode - in particular, I will be using a 1N5817 ultra high speed rectifier diode...

I would say that all sizes are subject to the issue, but the 14mm is the most at risk for MOSFET failure due to the way inductive energy spikes are generated. Of the sizes I offer, that size has the fastest response time and creates the most heat, while also drawing the most power. It uses the...

The switches are rated for 160°C, which is enough margin if you never miss a click. In the real world, extra heat protection is a good thing. You should probably add something before tragedy strikes. :nod: Send me a PM w/your mailing address and I'll put a pyrex button in the mail to you. They...

Thanks for the support. In retrospect, I should have jumped on this issue harder in mid-February, when it first appeared, but hindsight is 20/20, etc. and I've learned a lot through my missteps and false starts. :myday: I have done a fair amount of reading on this recently, as I realized a...

Hi all, My shiny new oscilloscope is due here by Friday, so after thinking it over, I am going to "slow the line" for a couple of days to allow it to get here and give me an opportunity to identify and fix the MOSFET failure issue. The failure rate due to this issue is too damn high, and I...

Hi all, a brief update on everyone's favorite FD issue... Power relay MOSFET failure update As most fo you know, MOSFET failures continue to affect some FD owners, and I'm very eager to find both the true cause(s) of the issue and a solution, if possible. To better understand the issue I've...

Unfortunately, the waiting list is long, and my pace is modest. The recent power relay and MOSFET issues have also slowed me down, as I only have so many hours in a week I can give to this project, and some of those hours have been spent doing repairs and research. I really want these to work...

PM sent. For anyone interested in a different coil size, I will be happy to swap coils for you for a modest $10 + shipping, to cover costs. Please send me a PM, we'll work out the details. Of course, you are also free to swap heaters if you can find a trading partner, but the coils are pretty...

It's possible that there is residual herb around the coil and glass. For new heaters, it's also common for there to be some residual solder flux (yeah, same name, but not to be confused with magnetic flux...) on the PCB, and it may take a few cycles to completely burn off. :sherlock: Updated...

Hi all, Some updates on various Fluxer topics. Flux Deluxe battery pack spacer and electrical insulators - installation instructions and mailing update I just posted the installation instructions for the battery pack electrical spacers: https://fluxerheaters.com/faq-and-other-resources I'll...

Some overdue Sunday Fluxer updates: Battery pack insulators: Done and ready to be mailed (after a little trimming). I made over 100 of these, so I have plenty on hand for both existing and yet-to-be-built heaters. I'll start sending these out tomorrow. I'll be sending these in letters, with...

Yes, you can give that a try. I'm sorry about that - that's the exact issue the insulator is supposed to guard against. The silicone wire insulation is fantastic at rejecting heat, but its abrasion resistance isn't as strong as good old vinyl. If it still seems suspect after the fix, contact...

Safety Alert time Hi all, I take safety seriously, and I know you do, too. I just became aware of a Flux Deluxe safety concern, and I need to address it with you ASAP. To prevent unexpected electrical contact, I am asking all current Flux Deluxe owners to please install a small, additional...

It's a 1A charger. If they are completely dead, ~3 hours IIRC, +/- an hour. (on preview, what @Gray Area said) With the batteries installed, will the heater power on at all (Green LED), even for a second? I can't tell yet if this is a battery issue or a heater issue, but if it does turn out to...

The device doesn't really do pass-through charging. I think the charger will tolerate it if there is sufficient charge in the batteries. The device should not show any light while charging. You won't hurt it if you charge it with the switch on, but it is safer to charge it with the On/Off...

Yes: Flat top Unprotected If you are going with a 14mm or 15mm coil, you may want to go with a battery with a somewhat slower discharge profile. Other users have said these coil sizes run hot, so choosing a designated "high discharge rate" battery may be overkill. FWIW, I have been using...

Thank you SO MUCH for writing that up, @HersheyStainz ! I'm so happy your heater is working well! :tup: That's certainly the user experience I hope everyone has with one of these. It's been rocky for a few users, unfortunately - :rant: MOSFETs! :rant: - but I am hopeful I have a handle on that...