Arizer Solo

[ataxian]

My little Solo has been boxed up and is on route to M&M Port Angeles, WA.
It was only putting out 4 sessions in a full charge. Not good for a 5 week old unit that I followed the battery tips and advice from here the best I could.
Hoping for a quick turn around.



The "Hammer" may be shaped like a hammer, but my S&B Plenty is pretty much incognito on job sites I bring it to. Till I start sucking on it, of course. Then its the most popular tool in the building.
Most tradesman that see it think its a small air compressor, a drain auger, or they figure the coil is some weird drill attachment they had never seen before.

I tried to KILL my SOLO!
It would not DIE?

My STEM look's bad.
However it still works?

This is so SOLID?
420 = in 10 minutes!

 

[SloJimFizz]

My Solo has started it's return voyage from Port Angeles with a fresh factory battery. Looking forward to not having to charge the Solo every day as I had to.

They were even nice enough to swap out the Silver outside casing for the Black casing, which I'm super jacked about. My black stems are gonna look awesome on that.

 

[OF]

Looking forward to not having to charge the Solo every day as I had to.

Great news, the wait is tough but the reward no doubt worth it in the end?

What you plan to do with all that extra time now that you won't be charging all the time? Hopefully enjoy a session or two instead? Works for me.

Extra cool on the 'facelift' part. Another advantage to rebuilding at the shop I guess, and a very nice service to offer. IMO they should promote this idea, @ataxian seems like a potential customer.....even if his factory battery refused to give up?

Congrats.

OF

 

[Pappy]

I wouldn't feel slighted or singles out, you're several years short of being the first Member to ask and get told that same thing. No chassis plates for replacement under warranty or sale. IIRC, Arizer even posted on this web explaining that loose seals and cracked bases are not included in the warranty, they consider the units to still be functional.

I was one of those that contacted them to buy one in fact, which is why I started messing with SS flat washers and epoxy.

In a way, they're now 'locked into' that policy. Having refused to replace units for others, if they were to suddenly decide to change that and give some late comer the service they'd denied others.......guess what happens next? I see the policy consistent, as it should be, even if not how some owners wish it was.

Glad you made a back up plate, a couple of guys have already done this for their personal units but AFAIK nobody is offering it to others?

OF

I'm pissed by Arizer's dismissive response to my "cloudy tube" inquiry. To recapitulate, both new stems from my Solo II cloud-stain on first draw. Anybody who has experienced this with a new Arizer stem (I or II) please speak up and post pics since I haven't replied to Arizer yet. Here's a picture of my tube and Arizer's snotty response.

Thank you for your email.

Residues can form on the inside of the Glass Aroma Tubes for a number of different reasons, such as the moisture content in the materials, the type and quality of materials used, the humidity in the environment, temperature settings used, among others. Also, sometimes after cleaning the glass, the cleaning solutions used and even the water used for rinsing can leave behind a clear / invisible layer that vapor can stick to.

Due to the many variables that might be causing this foggy appearance in your Glass Aroma Tubes it is difficult for me to say for sure why you've noticed this is happening. One thing I can suggest are to try using some different types or qualities of materials to see if that make a difference. Also, a tip for cleaning that could also help -- after soaking the glass in Isopropyl alcohol and rinsing with hot water, try soaking the glass in white vinegar for a couple hours and then rinse again with hot water. This extra vinegar soak may help clean any remaining residues which could potentially prevent the foggy or milky appearance.

I hope this helps. If you have any further questions please feel free to ask.

Best Regards,
Kevin
Arizer Tech

 

[OF]

Also, sometimes after cleaning the glass, the cleaning solutions used and even the water used for rinsing can leave behind a clear / invisible layer that vapor can stick to.

For a longer, less clear rant on this topic please check out the 'conversation' going on on 'the other Solo Forum'. There, this seems to be the case as at least one of the guys realized it was his cleaning technique (reusing the same ISO) was leaving a microscopically thin coating as the ISO dried. What happens, I think, is the first bits of water condensation 'bead up' and are then coated with more condensate so they can't escape like they could if they were against 'bare glass'. Anyway, I think the man is right (not just because he agrees with me.....):

OF's stem clouding rant

OF

 

[Quetzalcoatl]

I'm pissed by Arizer's dismissive response to my "cloudy tube" inquiry. To recapitulate, both new stems from my Solo II cloud-stain on first draw. Anybody who has experienced this with a new Arizer stem (I or II) please speak up and post pics since I haven't replied to Arizer yet. Here's a picture of my tube and Arizer's snotty response.

Thank you for your email.

Residues can form on the inside of the Glass Aroma Tubes for a number of different reasons, such as the moisture content in the materials, the type and quality of materials used, the humidity in the environment, temperature settings used, among others. Also, sometimes after cleaning the glass, the cleaning solutions used and even the water used for rinsing can leave behind a clear / invisible layer that vapor can stick to.

Due to the many variables that might be causing this foggy appearance in your Glass Aroma Tubes it is difficult for me to say for sure why you've noticed this is happening. One thing I can suggest are to try using some different types or qualities of materials to see if that make a difference. Also, a tip for cleaning that could also help -- after soaking the glass in Isopropyl alcohol and rinsing with hot water, try soaking the glass in white vinegar for a couple hours and then rinse again with hot water. This extra vinegar soak may help clean any remaining residues which could potentially prevent the foggy or milky appearance.

I hope this helps. If you have any further questions please feel free to ask.

Best Regards,
Kevin
Arizer Tech

Pappy... I love you man, you know this...

But that's kinda normal and what Arizer told you is the truth, they're not trying to be dicks about it. I have had this happen a LOT of times. 99% of the time it ends up being the moisture content in the herb. The Solo seems to have that sweet spot temperature/power of the oven combined with the totally exposed clear glass airpath. I have had herb straight from a dispensary that had a high moisture content and it caused my stems to fog up like this. Vaporizing will start from the bottom up, terpenes evaporating anywhere from double-digit and water evaporating at 200 degrees. The good shit is higher up, 300+ and won't start turning into vapor until a significant amount of the water content is gone. Clean out your stem with some ISO alcohol and salt. Rinse thoroughly with distilled or reverse osmosis or bottled water, not tap water. Grind some herb up, leave it out for an hour or two to dry out. Ground up = more surface area = more thorough evaporation.

Like @OF said, it could also be you leaving a little thin layer of ISO alcohol. You know, I noticed a really weird thing years ago when I was making ISO hash oil. If you introduced water to it by accident, or when it was drying out and you didn't use 99% ISO (and thus had a higher water content), during the evaporation process I would see a thin bright white film develop on the glass. The first few times I was confused, thinking I had messed up, but later found out it was the interaction between the ISO, the terpenes, and the water that would make it go like that. I never saw that white powdery kind of thing the few times I did BHO? Anyways I believe it was the terps + ISO + water like I said.

I see this happen a lot with clean stems too, as they get a layer of the condensed vapor it stops looking so obvious. But if you keep hitting it when it gets like that, you should start to notice it clearing up from the closest part of the oven on upwards. By the end (or well before depending on your temp), it will be all clear again. If it's what I think it is (water moisture) it should also kinda "slide" if you rub a toothpick or a poking tool around the inside as if you were scraping the reclaim.

I saw the exact same clouding phenomenon in my glass VapCap. You can see the condenser at the right angle (or if you attach it to a glass piece or some tubing) and if it's got high moisture content it fogs up as well.

I gotta side with Kevin on this one. This likely happens with all other vaporizers, except not all other vaporizers have exposed clear vapor paths like the Arizer portables, VapCap OG, etc. I've even seen it happen with my LSV wands before. Only thing is the LSV is a real powerhouse that delivers consistent heat on a different level than the Solo does, so it clears up a lot quicker.

Clean her up, dry some ground up good good, and see if it happens again. It might, and it might end up only being a tiny bit at the bottom inch of the stem closest to the heater, and it might go away pretty quickly too. I can't really think of any reason that it would be some sort of manufacturing failure with the stems. I doubt the've changed their technique such that it happens with newer stems. They're making a lot of these things in their glassblowing molds to (if not just taking regular tubing and stretching it out on one end) and it has to be consistent. I wouldn't call it user error either, though. My money's on the flower moisture content

 

[Pappy]

Thanks @OF and @Quetz! 2 new, never before used stems, cloud-staining on the very first draw? After dozens, if not hundreds of elbows and stems, I never experienced this before. I cleaned both stems thoroughly and the stains returned once again on the first draw. I collect lots of glass and consider this a QC issue. Will try PBW but I don't mean to make more of this than it merits. I got dozens of older stems, none of which ever clouded like these two. I'm currently vaping the same strain with an older stem and it isn't clouding at all. It is good shit! Thanks again.

 

[Quetzalcoatl]

Thanks @OF and @Quetz! 2 new, never before used stems, cloud-staining on the very first draw? After dozens, if not hundreds of elbows and stems, I never experienced this before. I cleaned both stems thoroughly and the stains returned once again on the first draw. I collect lots of glass and consider this a QC issue. Will try PBW but I don't mean to make more of this than it merits. I got dozens of older stems, none of which ever clouded like these two. I'm currently vaping the same strain with an older stem and it isn't clouding at all. It is good shit! Thanks again.

Older stem cleaned the same way as the newer stems? Can you at least confirm that the misting goes away throughout the session? Glass is glass, I feel like they've got making stems down pretty decently by now... Dunno what to tell you honestly lol, for me it only happens when the herb has a high moisture content. I remember some time back a year or two ago I had vaped some stuff that was curing and it would make it hazy as hell and not a lot of clouds. Drying that out fixed the problem.

 

[OF]

Condensation of both water and the good stuff is going to happen as it hits the cooler glass. As the glass warms you should see the 'tide line' creep up the walls as the water evaporates off again. If, OTHO, the water doesn't 'whet' the surface like say water on waxed table top as opposed to clean glass all bets are off I think.

I almost always notice water condensing on freshly cleaned stems in Solo (and Air) as well as the various Flower Mates if I'm paying attention.

FWIW it doesn't seem to happen the same way with Convection rigs since the exhaust is hotter, at least I think that's what's going on.

It does happen, and fairly commonly I think. You're not alone. FWIW I can't think of any 'quality issues' that could cause it. I think it's straight chemistry/physics. That is I'm not sure how you'd go about build a stem on purpose to 'cloud up' after cleaning until it's clean again. By the time we get it the glass has been made crazy hot and most likely etched in some pretty nasty stuff. Because it's so 'atomically clean' on the surface glass is commonly used in labs as substrates to deposit stuff on.

OF

 

[Quetzalcoatl]

Condensation of both water and the good stuff is going to happen as it hits the cooler glass. As the glass warms you should see the 'tide line' creep up the walls as the water evaporates off again. If, OTHO, the water doesn't 'whet' the surface like say water on waxed table top as opposed to clean glass all bets are off I think.

I almost always notice water condensing on freshly cleaned stems in Solo (and Air) as well as the various Flower Mates if I'm paying attention.

FWIW it doesn't seem to happen the same way with Convection rigs since the exhaust is hotter, at least I think that's what's going on.

It does happen, and fairly commonly I think. You're not alone. FWIW I can't think of any 'quality issues' that could cause it. I think it's straight chemistry/physics. That is I'm not sure how you'd go about build a stem on purpose to 'cloud up' after cleaning until it's clean again. By the time we get it the glass has been made crazy hot and most likely etched in some pretty nasty stuff. Because it's so 'atomically clean' on the surface glass is commonly used in labs as substrates to deposit stuff on.

OF

Yeah I swear I noticed it on my LSV glass stems like I said but it wasn't there for very long. Convection vapes generally hold the heat decently. I recall a video of the VapeXhale with the dry glass mouthpiece do the same. I wrote a bit in the big post above about how the only way I could think of it being "made" that way was to somehow do a really really light micro sand blast on the inside, but then you would be able to see it with the naked eye (and I felt that was a kind of far-out idea too lol). And I'm pretty sure they don't let them passively cool, they go in the kiln so any sort of residue or whatever would have likely been destroyed.

The mystery continues Will the three amigos solve this puzzle? Stay tuned!

 

[mak770]

My solo has died it's an m1y version.. I tried to charge and the lights 1-7 are flashing like crazy and it's not charging or heating. I took it apart and reset the battery to no avail.. does anyone have experience of this? Would a new battery fix this problem? (Or would it work when plugged in regardless of battery status)
Feel so sad, I have the air as a backup but much prefer a nice chunky solo in my hand
If anyone can help I would really appreciate it.. Thanks

 

[OF]

My solo has died it's an m1y version.. I tried to charge and the lights 1-7 are flashing like crazy and it's not charging or heating. I took it apart and reset the battery to no avail.. does anyone have experience of this? Would a new battery fix this problem? (Or would it work when plugged in regardless of battery status)
Feel so sad, I have the air as a backup but much prefer a nice chunky solo in my hand
If anyone can help I would really appreciate it.. Thanks

This has been reported a time or two I think. Unfortunately IIRC the 'fix' was to replace the failed battery?

How was it doing before it 'died'? Batteries tend to degrade over time, not suddenly die in normal service. Easy enough to 'diagnose by substitution' but to do that you need another working Solo to borrow 'known good' parts from. It might be time to send it Arizer for their evaluation?

You can buy new factory battery packs from PIU again:
http://www.puffitup.com/Arizer-Solo-Replacement-Battery-p/arz.sol-104_bat.htm

But that's a pretty big leap of faith if you can't confirm that's the problem?

Good luck, perhaps someone else has some more cheery advice.......

OF

 

[mak770]

Basically I left it in an awning for three weeks before that it was perfect I plugged it to charge in one of those 115v / 220v shaver plugs and that's when I got the crazy lights
Could the battery be fried from incorrect voltage and would that stop it working while plugged in?
I know someone with a solo but not sure they would want me to be open it up

 

[SloJimFizz]

Basically I left it in an awning for three weeks before that it was perfect I plugged it to charge in one of those 115v / 220v shaver plugs and that's when I got the crazy lights
Could the battery be fried from incorrect voltage and would that stop it working while plugged in?
I know someone with a solo but not sure they would want me to be open it up

So you left it outside for three weeks (I'm guessing the awning was outside) then plugged it into a power slot that could do either 115v or 220v? Were you trying to prove to @ataxian they can break?
Since you have an older model, do you or your friend have the Power Adaptor to see if the unit at least works, without battery, before you spring for another battery?

 

[OF]

Basically I left it in an awning for three weeks before that it was perfect I plugged it to charge in one of those 115v / 220v shaver plugs and that's when I got the crazy lights
Could the battery be fried from incorrect voltage and would that stop it working while plugged in?
I know someone with a solo but not sure they would want me to be open it up

No, the battery is protected from such attacks by the charging circuit.......which it seems have sacrificed it's own life that others might live? That is such abuse (what was the output of the shaver charger you used? Voltage and polarity? Absent more information I withdraw my suggestion that the battery pack has died. Instead I think the Solo may have been murdered?

The good news is with Solo II out you can get new Solo Is cheap......IIRC $160 from PIU?

I understand the reservations of your friend to turn his working unit into a guinea pig. I used to teach a class on Electronics Troubleshooting, we discuss how you can easily end up with two dead units......

OF

 

[mak770]

@SloJimFizz lol stupid I know, I had no way to retrieve it from the awning
This solo has had a fair bashing over the years to be fair.
I believe my model can work whilst charging if that's what you mean but when I plug it in the lights go crazy and it doesn't heat up?
Worth unplugging the battery and seeing if it will work just plugged in (no battery) you think?

@OF not sure the voltage I tried both as I have done in the past without problems, checked back and I've had this solo for over three years!!!.
Guess I start saving for solo 2

 

[SloJimFizz]

Instead I think the Solo may have been murdered?

The good news is with Solo II out you can get new Solo Is cheap......IIRC $160 from PIU?

OF

Vapor Nation has them right now in either color for $121.49

http://www.vapornation.com/arizer-solo-vaporizer.html

add code: summer for 10% off

 

[Quetzalcoatl]

Worth unplugging the battery and seeing if it will work just plugged in (no battery) you think?

If it's an "old" Solo it should work if you take the battery out and plug it into a power adpter. If it's a newer Solo I'm not 100% sure but I believe you can do the same. "Old" Solo needed its own separate power adapter cable.

 

[mak770]

If it's an "old" Solo it should work if you take the battery out and plug it into a power adpter. If it's a newer Solo I'm not 100% sure but I believe you can do the same. "Old" Solo needed its own separate power adapter cable.

Ah cool no I don't have one just a regular cable..

 

[OF]

If it's a newer Solo I'm not 100% sure but I believe you can do the same.

I can't confirm it since my only 'new model' Solo I is on loan (again.....) but I'm pretty sure I found that you can start it up OK without a battery, but it crashes when it tries to heat (the wall wort can only supply a fraction of the power needed to heat, it has to have the battery working to make up the rest.

However, this means that the charging circuit has to be working correctly.......could be a good test if someone can confirm what a batteryless new model Solo does?

OF

Edit: After thinking a bit over breakfast I'd like to suggest a 'long shot' here. Let's say the battery was near discharge when it went on vacation. Over time it self discharged more (cells do this on their own to a minor degree, but Solo never shuts off, it has to keep running so it can read the keys to 'wake up'. Normally it would shut down gracefully but let's suppose that the old pack was out of balance (sure to be by now) by enough so the weaker cell tripped the protection PCB in side the pack, causing it to lock up (disconnect electrically)? Normally, in a balanced pack, this never happens because the sum of the two cells shuts down before the PCB is tripped, but out of balance enough......

So I recommend plugging the right charger in it for a while. Usually there's a 'trickle charge' current sent out to sense the condition of the load (battery pack). This is a tiny current, but it can usually charge the weak cell up enough over time to unlock things. I'm suggesting as much as a day or two? I've never done this with Solo (but have on similar gear), but it's a chance and costs nothing to try?

OF

 

[Pappy]

Older stem cleaned the same way as the newer stems? Can you at least confirm that the misting goes away throughout the session? Glass is glass, I feel like they've got making stems down pretty decently by now... Dunno what to tell you honestly lol, for me it only happens when the herb has a high moisture content. I remember some time back a year or two ago I had vaped some stuff that was curing and it would make it hazy as hell and not a lot of clouds. Drying that out fixed the problem.

No, the misting is permanent from only one hit until the stem is ISOd and soaked. The first draw on a clean stem clouds the stem again (until another ISO bath). Older stems using same herb and vape do not cloud at all. The stems that came with Solo II cloud and stain on the first draw out of the box! Don't mean to beat a dead horse but I think these tubes are defective. I posted this because I'm checking if it was an anomaly or whether others are experiencing it with new product. I predict I'm not alone.

 

[OF]

Don't mean to beat a dead horse but I think these tubes are defective. I posted this because I'm checking if it was an anomaly or whether others are experiencing it with new product. I predict I'm not alone.

I still don't think so (they're defective all of a sudden).

And yes I (and others?) have experienced this very thing in the past, it stopped when I changed cleaning techniques. Have you considered that? Arizer also must have seen it or they wouldn't have suggested it as a possible source?

OF

 

[Pappy]

@OF I intend to clean with PBW.

 

[OF]

@OF I intend to clean with PBW.

Good luck with it, I 'feel' your frustration here. I'm just thinking you may be 'barking up the wrong tree'?

Hopefully, one way or another, you'll find a situation that satisfies you so you can get back to enjoying your Solo.......that's what you bought it for, right? The world is full of things to fuss over that don't cost money.

OF

 

[SloJimFizz]

Cue the classic AC/DC tune...

Solo is back and the new black shell is awesome and they tossed in two new straight stems w/caps as well.
New battery going through its preliminary charge.