Discontinued The Firefly Vaporizer

[hafalump]

I have cold house, keeping things warm is key. I put my just used fly under my cat, she loves it,
and it is prewarmed for the next sesion. Extra batts are near a heat sourece. Although I have
spaced and left it in the car over night in freezing temps, didn't kill it tho.

 

[420democrat]

Was there a warranty paper in the box? Will I get warranty even though I purchased at lhs?

 

[MolecularConcept]

Hmm I think some bats are just made better.. I really like the firefly but its battery leaves a lot to be desired

I have heat in the celing I do try to keep it warm when using it keep that thermal energy in there.

@420democrat
The warranty info is part of the user manual. Pretty sure FF will handle warranty claims. I'm not sure if they have to be a approved dealer or not.

 

[EveryDayAmnesiac]

I'm not quite drunk enough to be offering "wisdom," but just give it a couple hours...

I feel quite confident saying that FF batts particularly do not enjoy cold temps - especially since Sasha said it first.

One of my 2013 batts (my oldest one) can be fresh when I go to bed and dead when I wake up because I sure as shit can't afford to heat my whole "house" during the night... or even during the day. I spend too much on vaporizers and vaporizer accessories. And other stuff I can't tell you all about...

Where I live ain't the coldest, but it sure as fuck ain't the warmest either.

I've noticed that my new "new batt" seems less impacted by the cold, but still affected.

What I've started doing is keeping an external charger and battery (not loaded) next to my bed at night. I tend to wake up an hour early and snooze a while, so I just throw the battery on the charger when I wake up first and it's good to go when I roll my hungover ass half out of bed and try to decide whether getting all the way out is going to be worth it or not. Usually, I think not, until I take a couple tokes off the FF. And a shot.

My FF friend can be a hell of a co-motivator.

I also store my extra batts in a nice padded dime bag, inside another bigger nice padded dime bag. I keep the bag in my room at night (the only place there is heat) and this has seemed to help a lot.

Kind of a pain in the ass, but for my vape needs, I can see no better solution at this point.

I notice my ESV battery suffers from cold temps too. A full charge is most certainly not full after a night of 20 degree F temps, I tell you what...

I guess for now it just is what it is...

 

[MolecularConcept]

Aww I want an elevape sv.... you lucky person you.

 

[StonedPerk]

Trick is keep your battery's away from cold and heat keep it warm maybe between two shirts or jeans cause I noticed if u fully charge and don't use it but leave it out in the open I have my act on all day so it's always cold in my room and if I don't keep my firefly beneath a pillow or shirts in a warm. Mice Plane When I Do Turn It On To US It It Will Die Within The First 45 Seconds So Word To The Wise Keep Battery's IN A Watt Plane BUT NOT To Hot AND Definitely Keep Away From cold. Also don't let u battery completely die then charge because that makes the battery hold less a charge and it's drains your battery faster when using and yes it will basically loose charge so every time u are done with a bowl and u open it to empty out and refill have it charging as u do. More less u wanna always charge it and never let it die and turn red on u because the more u charge from a fully dead battery state that will dramatically decrease life of your battery's so hope this helped those that didn't know. VapeTastic firefly the volcano of portables. #Wavy Vaporizers

 

[420democrat]

Have any of you tried glass flowers on the bowl? you guys using ss screens sparked the idea. I find it helps pack smaller loads. Cook faster and Adds some great heat in the centdr of the load. I find myself using a flower often now

 

[mitchgo61]

Have any of you tried glass flowers on the bowl? you guys using ss screens sparked the idea. I find it helps pack smaller loads. Cook faster and Adds some great heat in the centdr of the load. I find myself using a flower often now

I have. I agree, they did a decent job of raising the heat. They didn't really aid in minimizing the mess, though, the way a screen does. But given that I've never had much success with small loads in the FF, it's definitely a good alternative to packing more. (Though truthfully I don't have any objection to packing a much bigger load...it's all upside. )

 

[HD Springer]

I've had my ff for about 2 mos. In the last week i've noticed my unit running much hotter.If im not careful I can combust in the very beginning of the session.Other then the occasional combusting im loving this thing even more.Im wondering if this is the beginning of great things or somthing else.Right now its hitting like a freaking freight train.I was wondering if anyone else has experienced anything like thise?

 

[Marctraider]

Hi all.

So after nearly a month of awesome FF vapin I had my first negative experience.
At first I didn't know what happened but I think It became quite clear half a minute afterwards.

My FF combusted on me. I didnt quite like it as you can imagine.

In the first few seconds where it happened, my initial thoughts were that my FF was malfunctioning and some chip burned out and i was inhaling some chemical substance.

When it happened i could swear the sound from inhaling was slightly different too.

So after observing the residue in the chamber everything was black and grey, which made me conclude my FF wasnt malfunctioning but instead combusted.


Now first of all, I want to underline the fact that my FF didnt combust because of overheating. The device was fully charged and lied dormant for 24 hours and i started using it from a cold start.

Furthermore I started inhaling after about 10 seconds, which is 5 seconds shorter than my usual procedure.

Also i did not notice the FF lighting up brighter than usual.



So what could have caused all this? I can only think of a few reasons, one being that when i started using the vaper, i had to clean it out first, since I really grind my substances to a very fine level its often quite hard to get the stuff out of the chamber because finely ground flowers tend to stick inside the chamber alot, it wasnt densely packed or forcibly pushed in, but it happens with some herbs.

Im pretty sure it happened because of finely ground material had been clogged up between the chamber floor and the screen, and on the bottom sides of the chamber which eventually caused this.



I really hope this is the cause as I can think of no other reason. I guess i just have to clean my FF more thoroughly before using it. Or use a less fine grind.

By the way, a totally flat bottom screen seems to be more prone to clogging up material under it, because it can slip its way in through thr sides of thr bottom chamber. After taking out the screen and slightly bending the sides upwards, and putting it back might possibly prevent material from slipping in through the sides.



Cheers.

 

[mitchgo61]

I've had my ff for about 2 mos. In the last week i've noticed my unit running much hotter.If im not careful I can combust in the very beginning of the session.Other then the occasional combusting im loving this thing even more.Im wondering if this is the beginning of great things or somthing else.Right now its hitting like a freaking freight train.I was wondering if anyone else has experienced anything like thise?

Hi all.

So after nearly a month of awesome FF vapin I had my first negative experience.
At first I didn't know what happened but I think It became quite clear half a minute afterwards.

My FF combusted on me. I didnt quite like it as you can imagine.

So after observing the residue in the chamber everything was black and grey, which made me conclude my FF wasnt malfunctioning but instead combusted.

I really hope this is the cause as I can think of no other reason. I guess i just have to clean my FF more thoroughly before using it. Or use a less fine grind.

Cheers.

Both of these stories scream only one thing to me: improper heating coil alignment. I had an FF that suddenly ran hot, and it ended up combusting due to coil alignment issues. In fact both of the combusting FFs I've owned had coil problems....even one that operated perfectly for 100 days first.

While speculation ran rampant last year that combustion could be caused by small particles getting onto the coil, I've yet to hear of a unit where this behavior was confirmed. (But yes, I'd avoid fine grinds as a matter of course.) Knowing what I know about how the FF works, I have never bought into the "debris hitting the coil" theory...it just seems too unlikely no matter how fine the debris is, unless the o-ring at the bottom of the bowl has been displaced...and you'd see it if it were out of position.

My advice to both of you....contact FF and get your units repaired or replaced in the event of further combustion.

 

[fogbank]

While speculation ran rampant last year that combustion could be caused by small particles getting onto the coil, I've yet to hear of a unit where this behavior was confirmed. (But yes, I'd avoid fine grinds as a matter of course.) Knowing what I know about how the FF works, I have never bought into the "debris hitting the coil" theory...it just seems too unlikely no matter how fine the debris is, unless the o-ring at the bottom of the bowl has been displaced...and you'd see it if it were out of position.

Some of the combustion experiences I've had with the FF are similar to those of @Marctraider. I experienced combustion only seconds into the first draw of a cold unit, so it was not an issue of overheating.

I frequently use my FF in front of a mirror in a dark bathroom, so I can see the glow pretty well. One combustion event I experienced lit up the room pretty well as the flame flared in the bowl.

The other day, while using the FF in the dark in front of the mirror, I saw a small "spark" in the heating chamber, as if something had come in contact with the coil and was quickly incinerated. Fortunately I did not experience combustion, but it seemed to me that if the "spark" had made it's way through one of the holes in the metal plate and into the bowl it could have ignited the material in the bowl.

FWIW, I have not experienced combustion since I started using the seven hole screen "disc" that others in this thread recommended (sorry I can't remember what they're called, but they're in this thread somewhere ). It may just be luck though...

 

[mitchgo61]

Some of the combustion experiences I've had with the FF are similar to those of @Marctraider. I experienced combustion only seconds into the first draw of a cold unit, so it was not an issue of overheating.

The other day, while using the FF in the dark in front of the mirror, I saw a small "spark" in the heating chamber, as if something had come in contact with the coil and was quickly incinerated. Fortunately I did not experience combustion, but it seemed to me that if the "spark" had made it's way through one of the holes in the metal plate and into the bowl it could have ignited the material in the bowl.

FWIW, I have not experienced combustion since I started using the seven hole screen "disc" that others in this thread recommended (sorry I can't remember what they're called, but they're in this thread somewhere ). It may just be luck though...

Interesting. I guess we do have a confirmed case. It still seems really unlikely to me that anything can really migrate from the steel plate onto the coil...perhaps there's a tiny o-ring gap? I definitely think one should wait to see if the combustion is systemic before bothering with returning the unit. FWIW my combusting FFs were really combusting, and there was nothing I could do to avoid it.

Those discs are the Iolite Wispr screens, and they are great, but unfortunately both of my newest FFs have bowls that taper differently, and the Wispr screens don't fit.

 

[Marctraider]

Honestly.. now i think about it.

Since this seems to happen alot when using the device from a cold start, inhaling fast within 8 seconds after pressing down heater button, I believe i think whats going on.

I reopened up my FF to check my coil, realigned it. When i was testing the coil without the ceramic cover, i saw it burning some left over residue on the coil that came from my dirty hands. There was smoke coming off the coil. And i mean almost instantly within 2/3 secs from cold start.

Couldve been some left over particles from tobacco.

After a few hits the coil was back clean.



Now this leaves me to believe that my usual FF procedure is actually a proper one and effectively cures the issue before combusting can occur.

I usually start to use and inhale the FF after having pressed down the button for some 18-22 seconds where the digital circuitry detects the maximum temperature has been reached and the coil turns down slightly. During this heat up time any small particles or leftover residue can therefore be ignited before the FF gets sucked upon. "Cleaning up the FF before usage" or "Treat the leftover particles to become immune to combustion before usage"

Whereas heating up and almost instantly start taking draws will both ignite particles and sparks and transfer them further into the herb/tobacco mix to ignite even more.


Am i talking crap or does this actually sound like a decent theory?


And i will make clear again, i can normally use my FF without combustion up to the point where the FF overheats and goes into protection mode.

 

[mitchgo61]

I usually start to use and inhale the FF after having pressed down the button for some 18-22 seconds where the digital circuitry detects the maximum temperature has been reached and the coil turns down slightly. During this heat up time any small particles or leftover residue can therefore be ignited before the FF gets sucked upon. "Cleaning up the FF before usage" or "Treat the leftover particles to become immune to combustion before usage"

Whereas heating up and almost instantly start taking draws will both ignite particles and sparks and transfer them further into the herb/tobacco mix to ignite even more.


Am i talking crap or does this actually sound like a decent theory?

It's only a decent theory if something is very, very wrong with your FF. Particles should not be getting onto the coil. Ever. Like, ever. If they are, either the o-ring is missing or damaged...or I don't even know what else could cause it. Having to pre-heat for 30 seconds to burn off any debris....dude, that's insane. It shouldn't be happening, shouldn't be necessary, and is indicative of some very basic FF functionality not working properly.

I would recoomend sending your unit back, but since you've opened it up and moved the coil, you have voided the warranty. You can see if FF will still honor your warranty (they've been kind enough to do it for others), but they will likely notice you've moved the coil and moved the ceramic rings.

Anyone opening the unit and messing with the coil is asking for a voided warranty. To me, it just doesn't seem like a favorable risk/reward scenario.

 

[StonedPerk]

Some of the combustion experiences I've had with the FF are similar to those of @Marctraider. I experienced combustion only seconds into the first draw of a cold unit, so it was not an issue of overheating.

I frequently use my FF in front of a mirror in a dark bathroom, so I can see the glow pretty well. One combustion event I experienced lit up the room pretty well as the flame flared in the bowl.

The other day, while using the FF in the dark in front of the mirror, I saw a small "spark" in the heating chamber, as if something had come in contact with the coil and was quickly incinerated. Fortunately I did not experience combustion, but it seemed to me that if the "spark" had made it's way through one of the holes in the metal plate and into the bowl it could have ignited the material in the bowl.

FWIW, I have not experienced combustion since I started using the seven hole screen "disc" that others in this thread recommended (sorry I can't remember what they're called, but they're in this thread somewhere ). It may just be luck though...

If I could upload a video I would upload my firefly vaporizing but making clouds look as if it was combustion but was 100% vaporization because I just started vaping

Interesting. I guess we do have a confirmed case. It still seems really unlikely to me that anything can really migrate from the steel plate onto the coil...perhaps there's a tiny o-ring gap? I definitely think one should wait to see if the combustion is systemic before bothering with returning the unit. FWIW my combusting FFs were really combusting, and there was nothing I could do to avoid it.

Those discs are the Iolite Wispr screens, and they are great, but unfortunately both of my newest FFs have bowls that taper differently, and the Wispr screens don't fit.

Probably irrelevant but I can blow clouds out my firefly that looks like combustion but it's definitely 100% vapor

 

[hafalump]

My fly pulls dense vapor, and can combust if I lean on her too hard. Especially if my material is too dry.

 

[Marctraider]

It's only a decent theory if something is very, very wrong with your FF. Particles should not be getting onto the coil. Ever. Like, ever. If they are, either the o-ring is missing or damaged...or I don't even know what else could cause it. Having to pre-heat for 30 seconds to burn off any debris....dude, that's insane. It shouldn't be happening, shouldn't be necessary, and is indicative of some very basic FF functionality not working properly.

I would recoomend sending your unit back, but since you've opened it up and moved the coil, you have voided the warranty. You can see if FF will still honor your warranty (they've been kind enough to do it for others), but they will likely notice you've moved the coil and moved the ceramic rings.

Anyone opening the unit and messing with the coil is asking for a voided warranty. To me, it just doesn't seem like a favorable risk/reward scenario.

I might have put to much emphasis on the coil/debris part. I merely tried to explain how i got the idea about preheating to 'cure' any leftover debris close to the bottom of the oven where the screen is located.

Who knows what the hot air does when a small piece of debris is covering one of the small holes or some pieces that got stuck between the bottom and the screen.

(which was definately the case when my FF combusted)

Furthermore we're not only talkin about 1mm pieces but also 0.1mm, which definately exist.

Also i toyed around a few times with my FF instead of pulling i was blowing inside the FF to see smoke coming out of the side vents. (yes i know, not at all wealthy for the device cuz of humidity/moist)

So i think its probable. You can NOT totally eliminate tiny debris to get inside the coil room imho.
You can ofcourse minimize or nullify this effect. But my point stands that where air comes out, dirt can go in.


Either way, if it does happen again ill try returning it or just buy a second device
I think my coil was definately not aligned properly and it was touching certain parts of the ceramic chamber which were totally brown/black, now i realigned it and the coil pretty much floats now without touchin anything.

Also, the FF did not light up equally before the realignment either, now it does.

 

[StonedPerk]

How do u dry out your material? I leave it by a window and

My fly pulls dense vapor, and can combust if I lean on her too hard. Especially if my material is too dry.

Cold air just freezes it lol

 

[hafalump]

I leave it in my kief box over night. Then into a small jar.

 

[Marctraider]

How do u dry out your material? I leave it by a window and

Cold air just freezes it lol

The pipe tobacco i use start to dry out after a day of being in my grinder, obviously not air tight. so just leave it anywhere but in an air tight package

somewhat Dried tobacco tend to give better clouds, true though more potential for combustion too.

 

[grokit]

I've never had full combustion with my ff, just the self-extinguishing centered type (pyrolysis?)
I agree that it was from leaning on the button too hard.
This has only happened with my ff, and when I had a herbalizer, a couple of times each.

 

[hafalump]

I've combusted three times, you know it when it happens. If you need ask yourself,
wow did I just combust? well you didn't. Smoke every where, tastes like ass, like
licking R*sh Limpballs spent cigar butt ., not that I've ever done that

 

[StonedPerk]

I've never had full combustion with my ff, just the self-extinguishing centered type (pyrolysis?)
I agree that it was from leaning on the button too hard.
This has only happened with my ff, and when I had a herbalizer, a couple of times each.

I lean on that button the full 30 seconds each time I inhale and I never combust ed with my gray firefly

Oh yea trust me I been combusting all my life, dutch masters preferably. So yes u definitely know combustion when I see smell and taste it, ever since I started vaporizing now when j do smoke a blunt it's almost like my body is rejecting everything combustion. Plus this taste and smell and the feeling in my throat and the things I have to spit out when smoking.

I've combusted three times, you know it when it happens. If you need ask yourself,
wow did I just combust? well you didn't. Smoke every where, tastes like ass, like
licking R*sh Limpballs spent cigar butt ., not that I've ever done that

Oh yea trust me I been combusting all my life, dutch masters preferably. So yes u definitely know combustion when I see smell and taste it, ever since I started vaporizing now when j do smoke a blunt it's almost like my body is rejecting everything combustion. Plus this taste and smell and the feeling in my throat and the things I have to spit out when smoking.

Wierd how I've only been vaping since December 12 2014 and now when I smoke blunts it just isn't the same anymore. The highs are different but for some reason now combustion to me feels nasty lol weird

 

[mitchgo61]

I've never had full combustion with my ff, just the self-extinguishing centered type (pyrolysis?)
I agree that it was from leaning on the button too hard.
This has only happened with my ff, and when I had a herbalizer, a couple of times each.

I find the whole pyrolysis/charring thing happens regularly in a convection vape when you pack tight and lean on the heat, especially in the absence of stirring...the lack of oxygen in the densely-packed material is a big factor in pyrolysis. But of course, as has often been discussed, that's not combustion, and not a symptom of anything wrong with the device (at least in the case of the FF)....and, I assume, not what these guys are experiencing.