iStick Pico Mega "No Atomizer"

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akksnv

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Jan 17, 2016
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I recently got an iStick Pico Mega and overall I like it. However, every once in a while I'll go to take a hit and get nothing. I look at the screen and it says "no atomizer". I play the game, try again, no luck, loosen my tank, tighten it again, and then I'll either get a hit or repeat the process.

I have a Subtank Mini and build my own coils. My last coil was about 1.2 ohms and my current one is about 1.5, both of them are doing this. Same tank and coil on my iStick 100 has never really had this problem.

Does anyone have any idea why this would happen? I've read things suggesting the center pin on mods can get stuck, but it sounds like if this was the problem I wouldn't be able to loosen/tighten my tank to fix it. It doesn't happen on every hit, but does happen several times a day.

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JustWondering1

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Aug 29, 2015
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I recently got an iStick Pico Mega and overall I like it. However, every once in a while I'll go to take a hit and get nothing. I look at the screen and it says "no atomizer". I play the game, try again, no luck, loosen my tank, tighten it again, and then I'll either get a hit or repeat the process.

I have a Subtank Mini and build my own coils. My last coil was about 1.2 ohms and my current one is about 1.5, both of them are doing this. Same tank and coil on my iStick 100 has never really had this problem.

Does anyone have any idea why this would happen? I've read things suggesting the center pin on mods can get stuck, but it sounds like if this was the problem I wouldn't be able to loosen/tighten my tank to fix it. It doesn't happen on every hit, but does happen several times a day.

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I had the same problem recently with prebuilt coils on my subtank mini RBAs on both a Pico and an EVIC VTwo Mini. The coils started out working great, then I kept getting the no atomizer message too. I posted a question about it and some expert coil builders said that meant the coil isn't making good contact with the RBA. I tried just tightening the RBA screws, and that didn't fix it, so I removed the wick, did a dry burn and completely removed the coil from the RBA. Then I put it back in, rewicked it and I haven't had the same problem again. Good luck!
 

akksnv

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Jan 17, 2016
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Thanks for the suggestion, but I don't think I'm having the same problem :/ I can use my tank on my iStick 100 all morning long and be fine with no problems, then I put the same tank on my Pico and go to work and start having problems as long as it's on the Pico. After I get home and put it back on the iStick 100, my problems go away.

I've also made a new coil since I started having the problem but continue having a problem with the new coil. I was kind of hoping the problem was just something about the first coil (but kind of doubting it), so now that I'm still having the problem I thought it might be time to ask the pros :)

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JustWondering1

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Aug 29, 2015
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Thanks for the suggestion, but I don't think I'm having the same problem :/ I can use my tank on my iStick 100 all morning long and be fine with no problems, then I put the same tank on my Pico and go to work and start having problems as long as it's on the Pico. After I get home and put it back on the iStick 100, my problems go away.

I've also made a new coil since I started having the problem but continue having a problem with the new coil. I was kind of hoping the problem was just something about the first coil (but kind of doubting it), so now that I'm still having the problem I thought it might be time to ask the pros :)

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I hope you can get this figured out. I am a newbie when it comes to any coils other than drop in replacement coils. I have just begun exploring using prebuilt coils, and hope to begin building them from scratch once I'm a little more comfortable with the prebuilts.
 

Robbert

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    I have the same problem with my standard pico and istick 100w tc.I think it's the spring loaded 510 connection not connecting.
    So far if I press down on spring loaded 510 pin,let it snap up and wipe it off with a paper towel it'll start firing again like new.
    The spring doesn't seem to force 510 pin back fully each time when atomizer is removed.
    I'll pay attention next time it does it,but it seems to happen most after I switch from atomizers with longer 510 pins to shorter ones.
    Limitless tank fits my istick but I have to press down firmly on the tank so 510 pin compresses the spring far enough to allow threads to catch other wise it'll just spin without catching threads.
    I'll pay more attention but I may get a short reading also,but I have seen no atomizer pop up several times after switching or putting same tank back on.
    It happens on both my standard pico and istick 100 tc but after cleaning and compressing the pin they fire like new.
     

    akksnv

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    Jan 17, 2016
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    I hope you can get this figured out. I am a newbie when it comes to any coils other than drop in replacement coils. I have just begun exploring using prebuilt coils, and hope to begin building them from scratch once I'm a little more comfortable with the prebuilts.
    Thanks, and good luck with coil building. It's not too hard, and definitely worth it. I spent $18 about a year ago on some cotton and wire and have been using it ever since, and I still have probably more than half of it left. It's nice being able to make them how you want, when you want and not having to worry about running out and spending $20 at a local shop on a 5 pack.
    I have the same problem with my standard pico and istick 100w tc.I think it's the spring loaded 510 connection not connecting.
    So far if I press down on spring loaded 510 pin,let it snap up and wipe it off with a paper towel it'll start firing again like new.
    The spring doesn't seem to force 510 pin back fully each time when atomizer is removed.
    I'll pay attention next time it does it,but it seems to happen most after I switch from atomizers with longer 510 pins to shorter ones.
    Limitless tank fits my istick but I have to press down firmly on the tank so 510 pin compresses the spring far enough to allow threads to catch other wise it'll just spin without catching threads.
    I'll pay more attention but I may get a short reading also,but I have seen no atomizer pop up several times after switching or putting same tank back on.
    It happens on both my standard pico and istick 100 tc but after cleaning and compressing the pin they fire like new.
    This sounds more like what I have going on, but I only use my Subtank on it so longer/shorter 510 pins wouldn't be what's causing it (it's always the same pin). It can also go from working fine to getting that message without me even taking the tank off, which I thought was kind of weird. When I get the message, tightening the tank doesn't always fix it either, sometimes I have to loosen it then tighten it back on (it seems like if the pin was stuck down, tightening alone would fix it). However, since messing with the tank by loosening/tightening it does fix it, it seems like it would be related to the 510 connection, I just don't understand why or what exactly it is.

    I've also wondered if it could be related to the firmware, I've seen people saying they were getting weird/inaccurate messages after upgrading it (ex. "too hot" or something when the battery was just low). I didn't upgrade the firmware, but I think I have the newer firmware (perhaps the megas ship with it while the original picos didn't).

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    Edit: as far as readings, sometimes when I put my tank on the Pico it will show 1.55-1.60 ohms. Tightening it will get it down to about 1.45. I'm used to this from the iStick 100 and didn't really think it was a problem (just need to have a good connection), but thought I'd mention it since you mentioned readings.
     

    Robbert

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    Mine did it again using two kangertech subtank mini just a few hours after I replied.
    Even though they are the same tank one screws down a bit further than other and sure enough after I switched tanks no atomizer reading.

    Removed tank,wiped off connection,and istick fired.
    If the recessed connection on mod gets even a light film from liquid it'll read no atomizer.
    Even tanks with no visible leaks produce enough film to coat connection from the sizzle.
    A quick test would be wipe 510 contacts with rubbing alcohol wetted paper towel,then try firing and ohm reading.
    If ohm reading floats check coil screws.As coil heats and cools screws holding coil may need tightening.
     

    sawlight

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    I agree with cleaning the contact on the 510 first, but my pico and istick 200w do this to me on occasion, they seem to get stuck on a resistance reading, my invader mini is even worse about it! The best fix I've found is to unscrew the atomizer, hit the fire button to clear out the resistance reading, then screw the atomizer back on and they work like a champ after that!
     

    akksnv

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    Jan 17, 2016
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    I can deal with the inaccurate resistance readings, at least when I have those I can tighten my tank, fix it and be done with it. It's the "no atomizer" thing that gets me. It'll happen randomly, I'll fix it and be good for a little bit, then it'll just start happening again. It's not the end of the world, but it is a little annoying. I dunno if it's something on the contacts that's causing my problem, but I can give that a shot. It seems like if that was the problem, I wouldn't only have a problem on the Pico. But it's one more thing to try that's pretty easy, so I can give it a shot.

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    Houndstooth

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    Nov 9, 2016
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    No, not really. It doesn't seem to happen as much as it used to, but I didn't really change anything to stop it from happening, and it still happens sometimes.

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    Ok. Thanks. This plagued the gf and I with the Melo so when it cropped up this time (with the merlin mini) I assumed it was more of the same. Instead it was a problem with the coil.
     
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