The Magic-Flight Box

[Tater24]

Hello everyone,

I had a quick question. I have 4 glyph batteries that I cycle through one at a time. I'll grab one, use it, stick it back on my MH-C9000 charger, and then pick up the next one in the line. For the past 6 months or so, this has worked well for me, however, I noticed a white build up with a very slight green tinge on one of the batteries. The build up is near the positive end, is about 1/4 inch in diameter, and has no noticeable smell. It also has a slightly rough texture. Is this build up dangerous? Is my battery still usable, and if so, is there a recommended way to clean it? Thanks for your insight.

-Cam

 

[al bundy]

Do you let the batteries cool first before recharging?

 

[CentiZen]

Sounds just like general corrosion. See if you can get some Naval Jelly at your local hardware store and apply it the spot. It's not a reason to dispose of the battery, if it still works through the corrosion. Do you live in a particularly humid area?

 

[Tater24]

al bundy: Yes. After I finish a trench, the battery usually sits in my MFLB until I'm ready to load another trench.

CentiZen: Will the Naval Jelly clean the corrosion? Or is it to stop it from spreading, similar to applying Vaseline to car battery terminals? I live in Vermont. It can get slightly humid in the summer, but not really. If the battery is still safe to use, that's great! But I'd really like to clean it for my own peace of mind. I've tried wiping it with a damp paper towel, but I didn't want to go any further without seeking advice.

 

[pakalolo]

Sounds just like general corrosion. See if you can get some Naval Jelly at your local hardware store and apply it the spot. It's not a reason to dispose of the battery, if it still works through the corrosion. Do you live in a particularly humid area?

Wait wait, you can get jelly from navels? All I ever get from mine is lint.

 

[CentiZen]

al bundy: Yes. After I finish a trench, the battery usually sits in my MFLB until I'm ready to load another trench.

CentiZen: Will the Naval Jelly clean the corrosion? Or is it to stop it from spreading, similar to applying Vaseline to car battery terminals? I live in Vermont. It can get slightly humid in the summer, but not really. If the battery is still safe to use, that's great! But I'd really like to clean it for my own peace of mind. I've tried wiping it with a damp paper towel, but I didn't want to go any further without seeking advice.

It's an all purpose rust/corrosion remover, so what it does it dissolve the corroded metal away while coating the top of it in an oxide resistant layer to prevent further spread.

 

[Tater24]

I'll check my hardware store after work! Thanks, I'm glad I can keep this battery.

 

[davesmith]

Just wondering how often/how many times have you lot combusted in your LB?



I've done it 4 times but only recently started doing it, getting fonder of high temps and whoops. Now I remember seeing a guys box a few pages back where he'd actually been using it like an electric pipe so I'm sure the box can take the abuse but how bad is it for A. the box and B. my health(!).

 

[pakalolo]

Just wondering how often/how many times have you lot combusted in your LB?

I've done it 4 times but only recently started doing it, getting fonder of high temps and whoops. Now I remember seeing a guys box a few pages back where he'd actually been using it like an electric pipe so I'm sure the box can take the abuse but how bad is it for A. the box and B. my health(!).

I've lost count of how many times. It's actually not that many and the reason I've lost count is that they're all a long time ago. I've never reached combustion accidentally while hitting it, and since I got a PA I don't even consider that to be a risk. Almost all of my combustion incidents have been deliberate for research purposes. The three or four accidents have all been "hot pockets", where I've put it in my pocket with the battery inserted. I have an old LB without the pushback ring, so...

It's not good for the LB but it isn't that bad either. The taste is nasty and stays for a few trenches but it does go away. As far as your health is concerned, it's no worse than combusting in a pipe or a joint.

 

[sydnee]

Why do the boxes start to run cool after a while?

 

[Vitolo]

They get residue deposited on the rods that support the screen. Occasional cleaning helps maintain performance.

 

[Quetzalcoatl]

I haven't had any flaking and have used the PA on more than one box. I'll look closely again in a bit and update this post.

Edit: I see no noticeable chipping or flaking. Just some normal wear from the battery o-ring on the plug.

 

[llamaman001]

how do yall go about cleaning your trench? I hate to say it but Ive never done it. I only scrape off the build up every once in a while with a razor very carefully

 

[axakal]

funny thing, on some other threads people said, that once you combusted in the box, the taste is ruined for ever since the wood acquires the burned tast. it didn't correspond with my personal experience, though. well, i thouht, i was just ignoring the obvious because of my love for the box. it's good to hear the confirmation from an expert.

I've lost count of how many times. It's actually not that many and the reason I've lost count is that they're all a long time ago. I've never reached combustion accidentally while hitting it, and since I got a PA I don't even consider that to be a risk. Almost all of my combustion incidents have been deliberate for research purposes. The three or four accidents have all been "hot pockets", where I've put it in my pocket with the battery inserted. I have an old LB without the pushback ring, so...

It's not good for the LB but it isn't that bad either. The taste is nasty and stays for a few trenches but it does go away. As far as your health is concerned, it's no worse than combusting in a pipe or a joint.

 

[mellowman]

Coming up on two years with my Magic Flight!

Recently, I have noticed that the glass stem doesn't stay in well. It doesn't fall out just from turning the box upside down, but the hole has widened over time. I frequently find myself scurrying around the floor trying to locate it (this is especially annoying when I'm outdoors and it drops in the grass or in a pile of leaves). Also, when I'm vaping, it moves around, which is slightly distracting when trying to take a hit.

Does anyone else have this issue? Any solutions?

 

[Vitolo]

I am in love with the power adapter 2.0. This thing is AMAZING. With the PA my launch box becomes a vapor beast. I love it! If you don't have one get one.

One problem I did have with the banana section that is chrome plated. The chrome was delaminating off of the plug leaving flakes of chrome all over in my launch box's battery hole (shitty). I decided to scrape all the chrome off. It is much better but I have contacted Magic-flight about this. Almost perfect but not quite. After I removed the flaky chrome I realized that the warranty may be fucked. At least it is working 100% so I don't think I will worry about it — made worst mistakes before LMAO.

I have gotten a PA for about a dozen local patients.
The original PA never flaked...
Out of 5 new "banana plug" types one has flaked some chrome (just a small amount).
It is a result of the thinner, bulging, more flexible strips of metal that are made that way to keep the battery surrogate snugly in place. Since they are made to "flex".. the chrome plating gets a chance to crack after extreme use... as chrome is less malleable than the metal that is plated with the chromium.

 

[syrupy]

Coming up on two years with my Magic Flight!

Recently, I have noticed that the glass stem doesn't stay in well. It doesn't fall out just from turning the box upside down, but the hole has widened over time. I frequently find myself scurrying around the floor trying to locate it (this is especially annoying when I'm outdoors and it drops in the grass or in a pile of leaves). Also, when I'm vaping, it moves around, which is slightly distracting when trying to take a hit.

Does anyone else have this issue? Any solutions?

Sorry haven't had my LB long enough to experience that!

 

[Vitolo]

My solution to the loose fitting stem, would be to use a small piece of shrink tubing.
Here is a picture of some shrink tube I got from FV...
and a few stems that I have placed pieces on.
A small section at the tip heated with a lighter will be snug and tight.
It also will solve the loose stem issue.
(teflon tape works also)

 

[OF]

Do you think removing the chromium plating would impact performance on way or the other?

No, I don't. I'd keep an eye out for corrosion, but I wouldn't expect to notice a performance change.

OF

 

[Vitolo]

No, I don't. I'd keep an eye out for corrosion, but I wouldn't expect to notice a performance change.

...^
agreed

 

[malelz]

They get residue deposited on the rods that support the screen. Occasional cleaning helps maintain performance.

My old LB had serious heating issues. I submitted a warranty claim for a broken lid. When I tore apart my old one, the rods were pretty coated. I had no idea until reading this it can affect heating. How do I clean efficiently? I use the brush in between every trench and clean it every 3 weeks or so with ISO and a cotton swab. I thought that is all you're supposed to do.

 

[Vitolo]

There are videos of the process buried in this thread.
you can search "clean magic flight launch box", or "clean magic flight launch box rods" at Youtube.

I use Iso and Qtips.
I moisten the rods with an Iso qtip.. never touching the wood.
then after a few seconds I rub the rod witth a dry qtip.
be gentle.
turn the qtip in the direction the cotton is wound so it does not get caught up
repeat this a few times until satisfied.. watch a couple videos first.
maybe someone will post a good one here.

 

[malelz]

I turn the box upside down (as to not drip any ISO into the box or on its wood) and while looking up at the trench gently rub a lightly ISO dampened cotton swab along the rails and off come the residue.

There are videos of the process buried in this thread.
you can search "clean magic flight launch box", or "clean magic flight launch box rods" at Youtube.

I use Iso and Qtips.
I moisten the rods with an Iso qtip.. never touching the wood.
then after a few seconds I rub the rod witth a dry qtip.
be gentle.
turn the qtip in the direction the cotton is wound so it does not get caught up
repeat this a few times until satisfied.. watch a couple videos first.
maybe someone will post a good one here.

Thanks! Very excited about keeping my Launch Box running smoothly. I'll watch some videos.

 

[syrupy]

 

[Vicki]

That gibberish on the back of the launch box — it isn't gibberish.

No, it's not at all.