Discontinued Elevape SV

[OF]

edit: I'm also below SN 100, so I'll contact them. thanks!

By all means do. That low S/N, like my backup used one, cannot be updated by any PC/Mac due to the lack of (or as I understand in a few cases 'the wrong' boot loader). It doesn't have the resident program to allow updating and must be wiped clean and 'reinstalled'. This means a trip to the shop or continuing to enjoy it as is.

If Joe upgrades it, it'll come back with the latest software installed anyway. Nothing more to upgrade.......at least that's what he's doing with mine.

OF

 

[Enchantre]

Ah, that explains it. I have # 96.

I think mine might be taking a trip back to where it came from... *sigh*

 

[OF]

Ah, that explains it. I have # 96.

I think mine might be taking a trip back to where it came from... *sigh*

Hey, it has an up side. Joe told me when he gets mine he'll not only upgrade the software, but will also test the battery and replace it if it's getting weak before fully testing the complete unit (like it was new). You get a basically 'brand new' unit back.

I have to box mine up again (I used it to test the problems I was having with the upgrade, at one point the app would 'read the battery' fine on the old one, but not 'find' the new, updated one??). Then to get to the PO from Hell.......

OF

 

[blackbur]

Hey, it has an up side. Joe told me when he gets mine he'll not only upgrade the software, but will also test the battery and replace it if it's getting weak before fully testing the complete unit (like it was new). You get a basically 'brand new' unit back.

I have to box mine up again (I used it to test the problems I was having with the upgrade, at one point the app would 'read the battery' fine on the old one, but not 'find' the new, updated one??). Then to get to the PO from Hell.......

OF

how much will the battery replacement cost?
i need to send both my units to the workshop for software update as well.

 

[OF]

how much will the battery replacement cost?
i need to send both my units to the workshop for software update as well.

It's included (if needed) as part of the upgrade as I understand it. Joe wants to bring it up to 'newly made' status. Pretty cool attitude if you asked me. My assumption is the battery is a potential warranty issue. If, when tested, it's out of spec it gets replaced.

OF

 

[Shit Snacks]

Yeah Joe updated my original 50 production run #46 with the newer boot loader etc I believe a while ago. I don't really want to try the firmware update though since mine has been working well and I've never had any issues running out battery or anything like that. I enjoy whatever cut offs it has now bc mine has been running very well for a full year now, battery life has been consistently strong and I don't want to strain it it or anything

 

[Ipuffusa]

Hi @Scrimshaw . if you download the new software it will let you know what version of the software you have.
If it is lower than 123 you will need to send itin so we can update the booth loader, but if your unit has been to the shop before we most likely updated it . if it is 123 or below contact me and I will issue you an RMA

 

[chillersnov8p]

I wish my crafty had as good of flavor as my elevape. Still going strong #39

 

[RelaxedNow]

I just flashed my ESV with the new firmware, and it's now charging. A big Thank You to @OF (I think he explained the firmware change) for the info.

I've been having a serious problem with battery life, as in I was not able to finish a bowl. It would charge very quickly, but either it was hardly charging at all or it was cutting off at too much remaining charge. I suspect both actually, as it showed 50% charge when I plugged it in to the app tonight AND it seems to be taking longer to reach a full charge, though the latter is anecdotal info.

I emailed Joe about 3-4 weeks ago, and he recommended I send it in, but I hadn't gotten around to it (I simply gravitated to another device, and didn't bother). I'm hopeful that I won't need to send it in after all.

As to trying it out, I first have to finishing power-washing my courtyard, in preparation for sealing it tomorrow. It was too damn hot out there this afternoon (93 degrees Fahrenheit .....near Seattle!), so I'll do it at sundown. By the time I finish it'll be charged, and I'll let you know how it's working.

 

[1_gr8_underdog]

@Ipuffusa my esv is in the 50's will I need to get a rma # To send it in for a update? Thanks

I want to reserve my thoughts and experiences I have had with my esv untill I have a chance to test out the latest firmware. Not that it has been all bad, but if it could be better?

 

[OF]

@Ipuffusa my esv is in the 50's will I need to get a rma # To send it in for a update? Thanks

I want to reserve my thoughts and experiences I have had with my esv untill I have a chance to test out the latest firmware. Not that it has been all bad, but if it could be better?

From what Joe told me, yes. If you're S/N is under 100 and it's never been to the shop for the upgrade you don't have the software 'routine' needed to upgrade. Joe will add the so called 'bootloader' so upgrades are possible. I'm hoping to get mine to the PO tomorrow, Joe has been in Europe working for the last month, he's now back so things should already be moving here, time to get into the cue.

OF

 

[RelaxedNow]

Well, I'm back from pressure-washing the courtyard.

My ESV showed a full charge with the new firmware and app, and the led was green. I vaped a bowl at 320, about 4 tokes. I then went to 380, and got nothing. The battery indicator was glowing red.

I'm thinking I'll put it on the charger for 5 hours tomorrow, and see what happens. If that doesn't help, I'll send it in, so someone who knows what he is doing can take care of it.

Any thoughts?

 

[OF]

Any thoughts?

I think that's a good plan. Sounds like the classic dead battery to me, little/no capacity.

Out of curiosity did you ever 'use while charging'? TIA

Mine's boxed up again (power section only), ready to go back tomorrow. Wanna race?

OF

 

[RelaxedNow]

I think that's a good plan. Sounds like the classic dead battery to me, little/no capacity.

Out of curiosity did you ever 'use while charging'? TIA

Mine's boxed up again (power section only), ready to go back tomorrow. Wanna race?

OF

@OF, I did use it while charging.....and the more I did it, the more I HAD to do it.

A race would be fun, but we're preparing for an Independence Day party of ~50 people. I'll be kinda busy Friday , so I'll probably take care of it early next week. As I recall, the last time I sent it in the turnaround was pretty quick. I'm not hurting for vapes, so no worries anyway.

 

[OF]

@OF, I did use it while charging.....and the more I did it, the more I HAD to do it.

Thanks for that update/confirmation. Just what Joe said they think was going on. Human nature can kinda lead you down that path all right. Not possible with the upgrade......protecting our friend Mister Battery.

Sharp guy that Joe, seems to know his stuff.

OF

 

[RelaxedNow]

Thanks for that update/confirmation. Just what Joe said they think was going on. Human nature can kinda lead you down that path all right. Not possible with the upgrade......protecting our friend Mister Battery.

Sharp guy that Joe, seems to know his stuff.

OF

@OF, based on what Joe told you, i believe that may have exacerbated the problem. However, the reason I began using it plugged in was that the battery life seemed to be declining in the first place. Or maybe I did it a few times, and THEN the battery life declined. It seems to be a chicken vs. egg thing, since I have no idea what I did...... I was stoned, I'm sure. Still am.

 

[OF]

@OF, based on what Joe told you, i believe that may have exacerbated the problem. However, the reason I began using it plugged in was that the battery life seemed to be declining in the first place. Or maybe I did it a few times, and THEN the battery life declined. It seems to be a chicken vs. egg thing, since I have no idea what I did...... I was stoned, I'm sure. Still am.

I agree. It's a 'self fulfilling philosophy', or can be. Cycle life (charge, discharge back to charge again) can kill this class of batteries alone. As the 'depth of charge/discharge' goes up (meaning you more fully charge and discharge deeper getting more 'session time) that number goes down. Typical numbers for full usage might be 300 cycles. If you cut back 10% or so from each end (run 10 to 90% instead of 0 to 100) you can double that (to say 600). Cut it back another step and you're looking at 1200 cycles. To some extent it balances out.

However, as Joe described it to me the hardware protection can kick in when you get to the bottom and 'lock out' forcing you to charge (the charger alone can't supply enough power, it needs a battery). So what happens is the heater kicks on and rapidly kills what charge is left in the battery tripping protection. It then charges just enough to unlock only to be hammered again. Those count as cycles, since the battery charges, discharges, then charges again in a fraction of a second. If the battery had say 20% charge to start, no harm, no foul. But human nature calls for plugging it in to keep going when the battery dies mid session....... Nice feature, but used the wrong way it seems the system has the potential to beat the battery senseless in a very shot time. And worse, of course, is the tendency to 'just unplug it for now' (since you can always use while charging again.....) rather than charge it up again.

I suppose Joe and company could have added some sort of level check routine (on battery charge) every time you try to hit it. But that would lead to the unit refusing to heat but the light on top would come on of course. That light is part of the airflow sensor, it means air is flowing (a hit), not the heater is on. But then you'd have it 'work again' after a few minutes rest (while the battery recovers a tiny bit) for a hit or two before heating would then mysteriously fail again. Best I think to remove the feature, charge or use but not both. Remember 15 minutes of charge should give you 20 or so hits?

At least that's my understanding of it. Thanks again.

OF

 

[b0]

Well, I'm back from pressure-washing the courtyard.

My ESV showed a full charge with the new firmware and app, and the led was green. I vaped a bowl at 320, about 4 tokes. I then went to 380, and got nothing. The battery indicator was glowing red.

I'm thinking I'll put it on the charger for 5 hours tomorrow, and see what happens. If that doesn't help, I'll send it in, so someone who knows what he is doing can take care of it.

Any thoughts?

I had exactly the same problem and I have to send my unito to Joe

I'm gonna miss my only portable vape (all the other are in Spain right now) Maybe it's time to buy another vape as a backup?

 

[RelaxedNow]

@b0, yes, a backup is a good thing. I have a Firefly also, and am happy with it. I've been watching the Grasshopper thread, and I'm getting interested in that now, in part because it has user-replaceable batteries. Of course, if our battery issues are resolved, a second ESV might not be bad either. When it's working, it hits well.

 

[b0]

@b0, yes, a backup is a good thing. I have a Firefly also, and am happy with it. I've been watching the Grasshopper thread, and I'm getting interested in that now, in part because it has user-replaceable batteries. Of course, if our battery issues are resolved, a second ESV might not be bad either. When it's working, it hits well.

Agree on everything. I love my elevape and I think it's one of the best portable out there and the best one "on demand". But this is the 3rd time I'm going to have to send it and I need a portable with me everyday. Hope this one is the last one with the help of the new fw!!

Curiously, I'm also thinking about buying a GH. Will probably do it in the next few days...

 

[Enchantre]

Got the power module into the mail yesterday, and emailed Joe the tracking #.
So easy.
Best part? the power module fits nicely into a Vector mini jet torch box... which I still had. That went into the flat rate box without problem.

My hubby had looked up at me and said, "Wow. You can get another one if you need to, because I can tell how much you love it and rely on it"... he's right. It is DAILY... every single day, I use it for (usually) a single bowl, about 6 - 10 hits, in the middle of my work day. If we go on car trips, it's with me. It's the heavy hitter I can take with me (heavy for me. YMMV).

The luck of the Irish lives strongly in me... mine has, until I nearly bricked it, been flawless. Original coil (adjusted very slightly, only to see what would happen), original bowl screen, no real issues beyond remembering to plug it in every night. I do have, now, another portable flower vape, but the ESV is really way better. It can't help it! I know I haven't been all that active, but when something WORKS, I'm not going to hang out complaining or listening to complaints...

I'm really hoping mine comes back super-charged (metaphorically, not electronically), and keeps working flawlessly for me.

Thank you, Joe, for making it all easy.

Oh, btw, when I was looking for a shipping box, I found my receipt... I paid for mine on 7/24/14! it's almost a year old!

 

[Bravesst]

After 3 months of playing with this thing, sending it back to Joe, I just can't get it right. I know it's me, but I've got two other vapes that do the job, and I'm just not willing at this moment to learn something new (unless I'm missing something obvious).
- I don't get good taste
- Feel like I gotta suck my brains out
- Occasional combustion
- Usually not much effect
- Frustrated because I know it's a good vape

 

[Shit Snacks]

Yup love mine, as I've already said multiple times here already, I've had it just over a year now and working great all along.

And agree about having back ups in general, just for fun to mix it up even, don't trust my Elevape for more than solo use. I use my Firefly a lot too, decent group on demand convection great for two, plus Lily for torcb power.

I've also got an early Grasshopper preorder, imo it seems like best of Elevape and Firefly, mixed with some Thermovape, yet also exact temp control and no stirring! Not to mention less technique even more super stealth...

Also now I've got Zion testing, which has been very fruitful so far, but I don't plan on getting rid of the Elevape. It's still a wonder all of its own

 

[Astedra]

I have had the Crafty since January and sent it back twice already. It's an excellent vape I just want something more reliable.

 

[OF]

I have had the Crafty since January and sent it back twice already. It's an excellent vape I just want something more reliable.

Bummer. Not common I'd say for 'better' vapes, but not impossible. Warranty service costs can kill the profit from several to many other units that have no problems. A company can easily go broke that way, that too is 'not uncommon'.

If you want a vape with a very good reputation for performance and solid service I suggest Solo. Air (the new, smaller version) should be good too, but it's only been out 8 months or so. IMO ESV is also a candidate for that. Warranty service, when needed, is generally fast and complete. That is in the unfortunate event it needs to be serviced it comes back put in first class order. I'm sure there can/will be 'that's not what happened to me' posts to the contrary, but the fact is 'two passes' (complete test/inspections) multiplies the odds in your favor. That is, in an extreme case where 1 in 10 is bad, sending one of those in puts you at 99% reliability. That is 'ten percent of ten percent'.

Operator error and upgrades don't fit that model, of course.

Anyway, you might cruse over to the Solo or Air thread a lurk a bit?

Best wishes.

OF