Discontinued Elevape SV

[OF]

It's just come from a factory service, although I don't think they checked the battery, but coil position etc should be spot on.

At this point I don't really want to send it in again, thus that's why I was posting here looking for battery info. Might just give Joe a call....

By all means call him. When I talked to him the other day (before sending mine in) he led me to believe he tests all batteries (to see if they've been damaged by the 'use while charging' problem). When I asked 'will you test the battery?', he replied 'of course'.

You didn't say it had just been serviced, that's significant.

One last time, if you're replacing the nominal charge (which 1:20 at one Amp does handily), the battery is apparently working. If you put the normal amount of gas in your car but don't get the mileage between fill ups you want you can't blame the gas tank?

Your call, but those are the facts of such things as I know them. I think a PM (or call) is a good call?

Good luck.

OF

 

[blackbur]

They received it on Friday and I got it back today..fully charged on newest firmware.
Going to test it tomorrow..tonight is indica and crafty night.

 

[HerbieVonVapster]

Well after blotching and bricking my elevape well trying to install the new firmware I ended up sending it to Joe for repairs. Got it back yesterday and got to say I am really impressed with the new firmware.

After a overnight charge decided to keep track of hits today. Being it was bad day for pain made it a good day for testing.

Not sure what magic they worked but battery life is much better. I recently had a battery upgrade and I was happy with getting around 50 hits.

Well today total shocked me 82 hits from full charge to dead. I also noticed when its competely discharged the red light no longer lights up.

Well I normally don't like to run the battery into the ground it's nice to know when it's dead now. No more hitting it and seeing the red light and getting no vapor's

 

[RelaxedNow]

Well after blotching and bricking my elevape well trying to install the new firmware I ended up sending it to Joe for repairs. Got it back yesterday and got to say I am really impressed with the new firmware.

After a overnight charge decided to keep track of hits today. Being it was bad day for pain made it a good day for testing.

Not sure what magic they worked but battery life is much better. I recently had a battery upgrade and I was happy with getting around 50 hits.

Well today total shocked me 82 hits from full charge to dead. I also noticed when its competely discharged the red light no longer lights up.

Well I normally don't like to run the battery into the ground it's nice to know when it's dead now. No more hitting it and seeing the red light and getting no vapor's

I've been intending to send my ESV to Joe for several weeks, but just haven't gotten around to it. I even got in line at the post office today, to get a flat-rate box, but after a couple of minutes I could see that it was going to be a long wait.

If there's a chance that I'll get 82 hits, I guess I'll have to brave the line soon. @HerbieVonVapster, I do have a couple of questions though; how long is your average hit? What temperature(s) are you using?

 

[HerbieVonVapster]

@HerbieVonVapster, I do have a couple of questions though; how long is your average hit? What temperature(s) are you using?

Most of the hits where for the full 8 second till lights started flashing 3 times. There where a couple where I took a few second primer hit before the 8 second hit. Temperature was mostly in the 350-380 range according to the app.

Really the main thing is I went from around 50 hits to 80 by having the new firmware installed. Plus when you add the bonus that Joe check everything out and even replaced the heater coil, I feel its well worth sending it in for service.

Also is yours just too old to flash the firmware yourself? Might be worth a shot before sending it in for service. How many hits are you currently getting?

 

[OF]

I have two units, my 'original' from 6 months or so back, with a S/N just past 1000, and the 'open box' one with troubles I had to send to Joe. It's from the first 100. It's battery is not only older, but sat for a while completely discharged (it never worked right, didn't draw properly, came to me 'dead flat').

The first battery (the older one) went from about 700mAh to 1000. The newer one went from about 800mAh to 1100. Serious gains, worth updating the software to get IMO. If you were getting say 50 'puffs' per charge, you'll get over 70.

Really the main thing is I went from around 50 hits to 80 by having the new firmware installed. Plus when you add the bonus that Joe check everything out and even replaced the heater coil, I feel its well worth sending it in for service.

I agree, that's what I found and reported here a page back. I think it's important to remember that the 'hit count' one guy gets is not a guarantee to the next. Perhaps the biggest power issue is not normally mentioned, convection heating. ESV doesn't heat your herb (at least not directly), it heats air. How a guy uses that hot air is very individual I think. Guys that take hit after hit on half spent, full bowls trying to get the last bit out without raising the temperature are going to clobber the battery doing so. Having to reheat, time after time, ABV that produces no vapor wastes precious battery power.

Likewise, guys who set lower temperatures and really honk on it to get results are wasting power heating more air than those who don't. And of course cure has a big impact sometimes. Power is wasted drying the water out before you can make vapor. Grind/packing is also a factor given it's convection.

The only reliable guideline is, I think, a relative one. If you were getting 30 hits before the upgrade, you're not going to magically get 80 now. A 30% or so increase (or a bit more perhaps) from what you got before is realistic.

"So, Doctor, will I be able to play the piano when you take this cast off?"

'Yes, you'll have no troubles.'

"Great! I've been trying for years, can't seem to get the hang of it."

IMO it's well worth the effort......even if it's not magic.

OF

 

[HerbieVonVapster]

I was wonder OF if your 2 units with the new firmware , are now no longer showing the red light when battery is competely discharged?

 

[OF]

I was wonder OF if your 2 units with the new firmware , are now no longer showing the red light when battery is competely discharged?

If you read again, you'll see I sent the old one to Joe and he sent it back? Yes, they both have the same software (the one on the EU link). The older one (along with 'all' the ones under S/N 100) needed a firmware upgrade to load the new software.

The LED on the top is an indicator only for the air flow sensor. It has nothing to do with heating directly. As long as the battery is charged enough it will function normally even if no heating is going on. It's an e-cig part, with no link back from the processor. If the battery is dead, there's no battery to light the light. The processor can't control that light directly.

BTW, if you want to ask me (or anyone else) a question it's a good idea to either like the original post, quote it so it shows up on the alert message to the OP or use the "@" marker so folks will know the question has been asked?

Aside from the age (and unknown abuse) of the older battery, my two units are basically the same electrically (although they need different setting to get the same results due to sensor position and so on). The before/after recharge numbers tell the tale here I think.

OF

 

[HerbieVonVapster]

Guess the differance that I have noticed, was that before I would get the red light even if battery was to dead to the heat unit. Now that no longer happens.

I also noticed the new coil on mine was one of the smaller one. I kinda wonder if coil size would effect battery power?

 

[OF]

Guess the differance that I have noticed, was that before I would get the red light even if battery was to dead to the heat unit. Now that no longer happens.

I also noticed the new coil on mine was one of the smaller one. I kinda wonder if coil size would effect battery power?

Yes, the cutoff voltage was lowered. It will continue to heat to a lower level on the battery now, it would seem at least sometimes under the minimum voltage to run the e-cig detector? That, I think, is the only link......the processor doesn't run that light. That light is part of the sensor that's basically the only input to the processor. It lives out it's life between chargings 'watching for the signal' to fire up the heater and spread joy and happiness. It (the processor) also 'reads and remembers' the switch so it'll know how hot to get (really how much 'light' to look for).

"Dead battery" is a decision the processor makes about 'should I run the heater or not'. It's a number in software, not really a physical change. Entirely different from what would happen in the case of a protected battery for instance.

Coil size (within limits) should not change anything practically. You'll adjust the setting to produce the same volume of air at the same temperature as before so sensor efficiency doesn't enter into it either since it too is 'inside the loop'. The unit will therefore automatically (after level corrections) deliver the same heated air using the same power. Power drawn has to go into heating air, you can't take more (or less) than you need for the job. Can't cheat Physics.

Regards,

OF

 

[HerbieVonVapster]

So bascally it was more of a fluke that the light went out the same time it stopped heating. So I still will get the red lights, even when the battery is too dead to heat the unit? This has happened to me now twice where never happened before the firmware update.

Kinda hoping it was by by design. Anyways I do thank you OF for helping me understand this.

 

[OF]

So bascally it was more of a fluke that the light went out the same time it stopped heating. So I still will get the red lights, even when the battery is too dead to heat the unit? This has happened to me now twice where never happened before the firmware update.

Kinda hoping it was by by design. Anyways I do thank you OF for helping me understand this.

No linkage, not a feature. At least as I understand it. Even when the battery is 'dead' it's not. The processor has just locked out heating. It (the processor) is still running, same as always. Somewhere, as the voltage decays the flow detector will give up working.

But when the unit is otherwise dead, the processor is still running (and maybe the flow sensor and other stuff?), but it (the processor) has to be running when/if recharge power comes along so it can keep in control of that.

Not that it matters all that much to the end user. Even less now that the 'don't use heat while charging and a dead battery' problem has been fixed ('in software, no less....).

OF

 

[nosmoking]

I updated the software a week or so ago. I had no problems regarding the firmware installation and everything went as per the instructions the first time around. I did notice that I could no longer use the ESV while plugged in and I also noticed what seemed like an (30% does sound like a reasonable guesstimate) upgrade in battery duration between charges.

Everything seemed perfect and still pretty much does except for one thing I noticed happening...

My settings were set at 305, 325 and 350. I typically vape at the 325 temp (which is really much hotter than 325) and I can get a pretty even AVB that is dark brown with no scorching so I typically don't use settings 1 and 3. I have noticed on at least 2 occasions that the temperature setting for 1 has jumped up to 345 all by itself when I opened the app with the ESV plugged into my computer. Even scarier, I noticed when I was vaping yesterday I had felt as if a bowl was running hot which can sometimes happen when I get the ESV really dirty. This is the reason I keep setting 1 lower. When I thought the bowl was running hot, I switched to heat setting 1 and almost combusted which is what will happen at that temp in my ESV.

Even just now when I plugged it in my settings were completely different- they were 310, 320 and 330. I will pay more attention now and see if it keeps happening but has anyone else had any similar experiences?

 

[OF]

I did notice that I could no longer use the ESV while plugged in and I also noticed what seemed like an (30% does sound like a reasonable guesstimate) upgrade in battery duration between charges.

Even just now when I plugged it in my settings were completely different- they were 310, 320 and 330. I will pay more attention now and see if it keeps happening but has anyone else had any similar experiences?

Yes, removal of the 'heat while charging' is part of it, guys were destroying their batteries completely discharging it, plugging it in, and trying to vape (with the battery near dead). 30% increase is about what I saw on my two units, and what others have reported.

I'm not sure I followed the settings thing, but that last bit sounds like reset to factory values? I'd delete the app from your tablet or phone and reload it with the latest version as a start.

Good luck.

OF

 

[nosmoking]

Thanks for the quick advice @OF

I knew I was going to lose the 'heat while charging' as I have read every word in this thread and continue to follow it.

I am probably one of those "guys" as I believe my battery life is depleting a little every week. I use my ESV three times a day and I kill the battery or bring it down to 25% every time I use it, so I charge it 3 times a day also. I try not to kill the battery and stop at 25% as it seems vapor production seems to be effected by 25% or lower battery but sometimes I mistake the low battery for user error and keep going a couple extra hits to realize the battery is dead.

It's a little workhorse for me so when it does anything different or gives me less output, it is easily noticeable. When I first got my ESV (March 2015) it would last about 4 bowl packs on one charge. Right before I did the upgrade I was down to getting only 2 maybe 2-1/2 bowl packs before the battery would need charge. After the upgrade I went back up to 3 bowl packs, but the past week I have noticed that the 3 bowl is not always finished by the time my battery is down around the 25%.

I'm just hoping the battery holds out and stays strong enough for me to get by a couple more months until some of these other great on-demand convection vaporizers hit the market. Then I plan to send it in to Joe for a battery inspection and replacement.

As for the firmware/ temp setting issue. The occurrence I had today seemed much like a "reset to factory" situation since all 3 temps changed. The other occurrences seem much more like a possible issue with my particular firmware resetting my temp 1 setting to a higher setting. Until I can make it happen again, I am really in a skeptical state about what the issue is or if I really even have one.

 

[Betty White]

I sent my new (one of the first produced purchased as an open box, #50) Elevape into Joe for an upgrade. I received it back quickly. When I received it, it didn't work. I talked to Joe and he walked me through setting the temperatures. Now it's working great.
Thank you Joe for excellent customer service. I'm looking forward to having a great love affair with my Elevape.

 

[OF]

I sent my new (one of the first produced purchased as an open box, #50) Elevape into Joe for an upgrade.

I've got it's litter mate, it to is running like a champ. It's out on loan to an interested friend (nice to have a spare at half price.....). Too bad we'll never see that again.

FWIW if I understood Joe that price is so far below the production costs if Joe had known he'd have bought them all and upgraded them and sold them to us at a discount. Too bad, it would have been easier all around.

Enjoy it.

OF

 

[b0]

I'm gonna send my unit for the 3rd time, hope this is the last one. Without a doubt, one of my favorite portables ever!!

 

[sundaddy]

How often does the coil need to be replaced. (I don't own one)

 

[blackbur]

How often does the coil need to be replaced. (I don't own one)

i believe its yearly.
not sure what type of metal its made of.

 

[Betty White]

I have a question. How many hits do you get from a bowl? The first draw for about 4 seconds then draw until the red light blinks. I only take 2-3 hits at a time and stir after a couple of hits. But I only get about 2 sessions until I have to replace my herbs.
Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[Kaptan]

How often does the coil need to be replaced. (I don't own one)

It only needs to be replaced when it no longer heats properly.

i believe its yearly.
not sure what type of metal its made of.

The coil is titanium.

I have a question. How many hits do you get from a bowl? The first draw for about 4 seconds then draw until the red light blinks. I only take 2-3 hits at a time and stir after a couple of hits. But I only get about 2 sessions until I have to replace my herbs.
Any thoughts or suggestions?

The amount of hits per bowl will have many variables like herb quality, temp, length of hit, inhalation speed, etc... From my experience, I can get on average between 8-20 hits per bowl, YMMV

 

[nosmoking]

I have a question. How many hits do you get from a bowl? The first draw for about 4 seconds then draw until the red light blinks. I only take 2-3 hits at a time and stir after a couple of hits. But I only get about 2 sessions until I have to replace my herbs.
Any thoughts or suggestions?

Just like Kaptan said, the amount of draws will vary due to draw speed, length, heat setting, coil position, strain, stir lid or not, and so much more on this thing so it's not really easy to compare one's use to another. I try to compare my use to my previous use instead.

With that said, I pretty much always hit it like you or I hit it with a 3rd draw so its more like-
4 sec draw/pause/6-7 second draw/pause/6-8 second draw = 1 hit for big hit

I'm finding I can get 12-16 hits per bowl pack on average. I think most have found this is the average as Dr. Vape brought this up around page 40 or 50 I think.

 

[sundaddy]

Back when I was researching, I could not find a place to buy replacement coils, is it hidden on the site?

 

[Shit Snacks]

I have a question. How many hits do you get from a bowl? The first draw for about 4 seconds then draw until the red light blinks. I only take 2-3 hits at a time and stir after a couple of hits. But I only get about 2 sessions until I have to replace my herbs.
Any thoughts or suggestions?

Yeah lot of variables, too many. But it is entirely possible to finish a bowl like that. I'd suggest reading through all the various techniques people have posted about here, to get the best idea of all the different variables and hone in your ideal experience.

Generally finer grind, fuller pack, more hits. For a courser grind, may need to break up bits as you go, stir more, or temp settings are another big factor ofcourse

@sundaddy potentially could never have to replace the coil, keep her at least fairly clean and she'll run smooth in my experience