Storm pen - Not heating up

[dope-on-a-rope]

Storm pen with many years trusty service - well out of warranty. Very suddenly just stopped getting hot. Acts normally every other way but just flashes constantly and doesn't heat up. Tried fully charging, different battery etc.

 

Assuming some sort of failure to heating coil electronics - anyone any experience of opening one up and what to expect inside? I'm not a complete novice when it comes to electronics so I don't mind tinkering if I've nothing to lose.

[beep]

i have a storm spirit, which will refuse to heat if the batteries are old - unfortunately old batteries loose voltage very very quickly, so even if it appears to be charged, as soon as you put a proper load on it (like a heat element), the voltage crashes to below safe levels, most devices should switch off at this point (to prevent explosions)

 

does it have a pass through charge cable? could try running it on that - make sure its a modern high current USB plug

 

good chance it has given up the ghost too ofc

[dope-on-a-rope]

Yes I've seen the same and replaced batteries when it's happened. Starts heating and then just shuts down half way through. This doesn't seem the same just keeps flashing like its heating but never gets hot. So it seems whatever sensor detects its up to temp is fine but the heating element is kaput.

[dope-on-a-rope]

Well after a bit of percussive maintenance and blowing through the vents (again) it's sprung back to life!