eGo PT is electrocuting me

[0xDeadC0de]

Hey guys. I use my eGo PT all the time, got it from TW. It's been working great since I got it in November.. Recently when I have it plugged in and use it, it's started to electrocute my lips... The battery is not dead, holds a charge for a few hours when it's not hooked up.
I'm on my computer basically 24/7, so it's almost always plugged in. It never did this before, until the last atomizer. It did it once, I unplugged it and plugged it back in and it stopped.. I changed the atomizer and it was fine for a while, but now every time it's plugged in I'm getting a shock to my lips.

Could it be a problem with the cable? Perhaps the ground wire isn't making contact or is broke somewhere in the cable? I'm going to be ordering a new battery soon, but for right now it's the only one I have.

[0xDeadC0de]

Almost forgot, I'm using an aluminum drip tip from TW as well. With a plastic cart I'm sure I wouldn't even notice whatever is going on.

[HillBill]

Well, bearing in mind I'm not an electrician, I'd say you need to checkout another couple of things as well as the passthrough; the PC and your electrical socket.  Can you try it on another socket and your passthrough on another PC to check it out? 

[0xDeadC0de]

The electrical sockets in my house aren't grounded, never have been. Since computers are so regulated, if it were a problem with the outlet I'd expect other more serious problems to be happening with everything plugged in. I really don't think it's my laptop, I guess it could be - but it seems much more likely a faulty usb cable.
For a few minutes there (about half an hour), when I posted this, I couldn't get it to stop shocking me even unplugging it and plugging it back in.. but then I unplugged the cable for 20 minutes or so, straightened it, and now it's not doing it, although I seem to be getting a small tingle for a split second now, though that could well just be my mind playing tricks on me after getting shocked before.

Since the problem isn't happening 100% of the time, I can't really test _well_ using different usb ports on different computers.. it might still be faulting, just not when I try it in another.. I'd have to sit in front of another computer for a couple days to find out for sure, unless it's the cable which I can just 'play' with (bend it, twist it, etc) until it happens. That's not really easy to do at place (sitting in front of another computer for that long), or necessarily safe for the usb ports.

I'll try to narrow down common factors, like, full charge vs not (Which so far it has been fully charged, or really close to it, each time it did this), and perhaps replace the cable (again).

[Musikron]

 Dude I would quit using that device right now. I doubt you'd get a serious shock off your USB port, but you can certainly fry your computer. Whats worth more to you, a $2 cable or whatever you paid for your pooter?

[StevieD]

I'm with Musikron... if it only happens when your 'plugged in' then most likely it's the lead, and that's also the cheapest part to replace. TBH, I replace most of the USB leads that come with devices with good quality 'standalone' leads as many are just too flimsy to inspire confidence.

[Darth Vaper]

I'm with Musikron... if it only happens when your 'plugged in' then most likely it's the lead, and that's also the cheapest part to replace. TBH, I replace most of the USB leads that come with devices with good quality 'standalone' leads as many are just too flimsy to inspire confidence.

It's the whole selling point or a good part of it with having a passthru that has a user replaceable cord. They all get worn eventually no matter how good they are. With having it as a Micro USB standard the choices are endless as far as what cord you get.

LOL I use the extra high quality retractable ones sold at the local dollar store.

[CraigHB]

You can get a USB wall adapter for a few dollars.  Don't use your computer.  

Utility power can be quite dangerous when it's not properly grounded.  Aside from the human and fire hazard, the lack of a ground connection can result in damage to a computer or other appliance that requires one.  If an appliance has a 3 prong plug, always plug it into a 3 prong outlet or extension.  Don't bypass ground connections.  They are there for a reason.

It's illegal in the US to install utility power in a building without proper grounding.  That includes grounded wall outlets.  If you are living or working somewhere that does not have a properly grounded utility power system, call in an electrician to resolve it.

[DeeDee]

This will not be so funny if you do fry yourself but right now it's amusing the hell outta me

Stop using it until it's fixed.

[Brucez1958]

You can get a USB wall adapter for a few dollars.  Don't use your computer.  

Could REALLY get interesting if the wall outlet one went bad.....Jus Sayin'

[JohnEAngel]

Well I started my TW experience about 9 months ago and I have been experiencing various events with my Tornado and Mega-Titan batteries.  On one of my Tornado batts, the button lights when you press it but there is no charge to the carto.  Another battery seems to have sparks shoot from the cap end and I did feel or imagine a mild shock.  One of my Mega-Titans, the blue light at the end has been lit for about a week and of course not firing my cartos.  I'm just watching it die a slow death on my shelf.  Makes sense to me since it has been about 9 months of heavy use.  I don't think you can actually incur severe bodily damage from a battery, right?

[StevieD]

I don't think you can actually incur severe bodily damage from a battery, right?

Unfortunately JohnEAngel, it can happen.....rare, but it can. If a battery vents it can be pretty dramatic.

[Killjoy]

The one that's sparking definitely should be disposed of . . . arcing is not cool, even with such a small battery

As for the Tornado battery, maybe the battery post has been pushed down so that it doesn't make proper contact.  You can try to pry it up a little bit and see if that helps

[JohnEAngel]

any thoughts on how I can pry it up?  It was a battery that someone had seemed to wrench on to the charger. I almost has to use pliers to get it off.  Darn neophytes.

[StevieD]

A small electricians screwdriver with an insulated blade (To prevent shorting the battery if it slips) works well,

[trog100]

i dont think its a good idea to e smoke while plugged directly or indirectly into the mains.. more so with a metal drip tip..

a battery powered e cig makes a lot more sense.. 4 volts cannot kill you.. 110 or 240 volts can.. why give it the opportunity..

that cartoon pic could become reality..

if you had to do it fair enough but being as you dont why do it... just some food for thought..

trog

[CraigHB]

That actually is a good point, anything plugged into wall power could possibly zap you.  Pretty unlikely though.  However, there is a small chance it could happen.  Though it's not going to keep me from using mine.  At least I use a delrin (plastic) drip tip.  Better to get shocked on the finger than in the mouth.  Nothing like touching your tongue to a hot wire.  Ever do the 9V battery test by touching it with your tongue?

[AndnAnge]

Ever do the 9V battery test by touching it with your tongue?

lol yes Craig and ouchie, brings back childhood memories......hang on a minute though I'm still being called one at times  

[JohnEAngel]

I only did that once.  I was very young and impressionable.  I was told it would feel funny. 

[Brucez1958]

I once stuck a hairpin into an electric outlet...Not a good idea...Course I was much younger then.....Like 35...lololol

[JohnEAngel]

I once stuck a hairpin into an electric outlet...Not a good idea...Course I was much younger then.....Like 35...lololol

Wow man, I did the exact same thing when I was a child.  This was quite some time ago when the hairpins were wide and both sides fit neatly into a socket.  I remember sparks shooting out. 

[Killjoy]

 . . . no comment . . .

 

[CraigHB]

I've got some big sparks on stuff before, did a good one recently.  

I accidentally dropped some de-soldering braid (wire) on a LiPo flat cell sitting on my workbench.  It has big contacts on one side that can get shorted easily.  Luckily it just melted the braid and didn't gas out the battery in my face.  Amazing battery, it must have been pumping out over 100 amps to melt the braid like that.  The mishap didn't even damage the cell aside from brazing the contacts.  Though It made a lot of sparks and a loud zap in the process.  Scared the crap out of me.  I don't leave those batteries laying around on my workbench anymore.

The biggest I ever got was when I dropped a wrench on a car battery sitting on the garage floor, huge sparks on that one, like 4th of July.  Needless to say, I never put car batteries on the floor anymore.  

I've done a few with utility power, got some big sparks replacing an electric water heater one time.  Got zapped pretty good on that one two.  I flipped the breaker beforehand, but it was mislabeled.  Never trust a label on a circuit breaker.