Strange behavior from Lambo 4.0 Mod

[atotheroh]

Hello,

I have been having some trouble with my Chrome Lambo 4.0 https://www.myvaporstore.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=LB4-SK

A couple months back, I started getting extremely short battery life. So I bought new batteries.

That did not fix it. So I bought a new charger.

That did not fix it. I don't really know where to turn next. The problem must be internal to the Lambo itself, but what specific component should I be looking at to fix/replace?

The symptoms are essentially just very short battery life. The Lambo continues to work, but indicates the voltage is low and is finnicky.

Thank you for the help!

[Bebop]

What battery are you using exactly?

[atotheroh]

the replacement batteries I got, which demonstrate the exact same behavior as my old batteries, are Efest IMR18650 3.7V LI-MN High drain rechargeable batteries. There is also a V1 printed on the battery case, if that's significant.

[Bebop]

No mah rating?

Button top or flat top?

How long is "extremely short battery life"?.

What are you topping it with?

[atotheroh]

1600 mAh

Flat top- according to my user guide, my Lambo 4 can support either battery type.

The battery does last me all day, but I only have normal functionality for 10 hits, maybe less. Operating at 4.8 volts all the time. After 10 or so hits, the Lambo blinks as if the battery has run out. If I just keep trying to hit it, it eventually works. Quite annoying though.

I use a Smoktech tank. Link here.

I also use a pretty thin, clear juice, link here.

[Bebop]

Sorry, I know I'm asking a lot of questions.....

What is the resistance of your cartomizers?

Have you verified that your device is locked at 4.8v?

Have you tried locking your device at a lower voltage setting and seeing if behavior is the same?

Is this problem a sudden change? It was lasting longer /operating normally when you got it, then suddenly stops functioning after 10 hits?

And lastly.... When you reach that point after 10 hits, rapidly click power button 5 times. What is the actual voltage reading? If you wait a few minutes then do 5 rapid clicks again, what is the actual voltage reading?

Edited August 14, 2014 by Bebop12

[atotheroh]

Sorry for the delay, got sidetracked with a couple 30 year old vehicles.

Resistance of my cartomizers is 2.0 ohms. I've never used anything else, I'm down to experiment.

It is absolutely locked at 4.8 volts. That is one of the benefits of the Lambo 4, easy variable voltage. I just keep it at 4.8 volts.

I noticed more details about the behavior. When it happens, the screen comes on and displays "2.1" for about 4 seconds. The screen ALWAYS reads 2.1 when it happens. I immediately pressed the power button 5 times. Voltage read 4.1.

I was able to replicate this behavior with the Lambo set at 4.3 volts as well.

[Vaporsmith]

I'd say the 1600mah rating is the issue as far as how long it lasts. 1600mah is pretty low, but hit quality should be the same since its a regulated device. Hmmmm.

[Bebop]

I agree. 4.8 v constant with only 1600mah is not going to last long. You are also in a high wattage band for that carto. I'm surprised you are not complaining of burnt hits all the time. Your device may be reacting to the high power band as well.

[atotheroh]

Thanks for the input, guys

I agree. 4.8 v constant with only 1600mah is not going to last long. You are also in a high wattage band for that carto. I'm surprised you are not complaining of burnt hits all the time. Your device may be reacting to the high power band as well.

I'm uncertain what 'high wattage band for that carto' means. I'm no good with electronics. Would less resistance or more resistance be preferred as an attempted fix? I'm assuming less resistance... I'm glad to purchase some new cartos.

My hits do taste a little burned a lot of the time. I just got used to it.

I'd say the 1600mah rating is the issue as far as how long it lasts. 1600mah is pretty low, but hit quality should be the same since its a regulated device. Hmmmm.

Is it possible to get a 18650 battery with significantly more juice than 1600 mAh?

Thanks y'all.

[fishguy1123]

If you have and android phone you can get an Ohms law calculator free. Otherwise you can check out steam-engine.com for some simple plug and play feedback on what they are talking about. Most quality 18650 batts now are well above 1600 mah. You might want to try a sony vtc4 or 5 and see if it helps on batt life.

[atotheroh]

I messed around on steam-engine.org. Thanks for the link, cool stuff.

What I don't understand is that everything worked fine for a long time, ~9 months. This is what makes me think that some component failed within the Lambo (as stated before, I've tried replacing everything else).

I will try getting different batteries with higher mAh's. we'll see what happens then.

Also- according to steam-engine.org (and my naive interpretation of the data), my 2 ohm carto is much better than a 1 ohm carto for battery life.

[atotheroh]

Sorry for double post- but how about these batteries: http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-NCR18650B-3400mAh-Rechargeable-Batteries/dp/B00DHXY72O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408505150&sr=8-1&keywords=18650+battery

Edited August 20, 2014 by atotheroh

[Vaporsmith]

Either higher resistance or lower your voltage. I use 2600mah batteries, in my variable voltage mods they last me all day and sometimes into the next day. I'm also a chain vaper, so if you don't vape often I've heard of them lasting nearly 3days.

[Bebop]

If you insist on running the device at 4.8v then you should increase the resistance of the carto to 2.5. Lowering your voltage to 4.2 should put you right in the sweet spot with your 2.0 carto. Either way it should improve battery life. You've been driving with your foot to the floor and wondering why your gas mileage is bad.

It doesn't explain the sudden change though. What doesn't make sense is if you are truly getting premature shortened battery life then that power has to be going somewhere but it doesn't seem like it's getting to the coil since you don't describe any change in the vape. It's puzzling. You should also be getting premature carto failure.

How long does a carto last you?

[atotheroh]

Tons of great info here, thank you. I am learning a lot.

My cartos last me at least a week. I usually push them longer. The vapor does start to taste a little... seasoned.

I am going to set the voltage at 4.2 and see how that goes. I'm also ordering these 3400 mAh batteries and new 2.5 ohm cartos. I was not aware that these factors can have such a drastic impact on vaping experience.

From what I've read, low resistance cartos can sometimes damage batteries by allowing so much current to leave the battery quickly. Perhaps this is what happened.

Thanks a ton! I'll report my findings.

[atotheroh]

So none of the prescribed fixes worked. Even after setting the voltage to 4.2 and using the high mAh batteries I got, nothing changed. The device is still very finicky and behaves the same. Nearly unusable. I have sent an email to the Chinese manufacturer about this, but I'm not hopeful.

I have seen other posts in different forums about this very same problem. General consensus was "You wasted $80. Piece of junk." Which is stupid; there must be a fix. No one understands the internal components well enough to fix it though. I'm still looking into it. Any advice helps!

Edited October 16, 2014 by atotheroh

[Compenstine]

I would say it is the APV that is the issue here not your batteries. Since you already have batteries and a tank I would go with a different APV I would suggest a VAMO 5 or like APV. You stated that others are having the same problems with that unit. Sounds to me as if the electronics in the unit are what is behind the problem. That is not something you can not fix or change with a higher mHa battery. You can get a Vamo here in the VT store or I would also suggest Sweet Vapes. They run about $45-49 and have a good good reputation for quality.