Coolingmist Issues

[turbosy]

I figured i'd tell everyone my problems I am having with Coolingmist. I am a recent purchaser of the coolingmist progressive controller. I ended up buying two, one for me and one to go on my friend's syclone. Well, after less than 100 miles, the dang controller broke on me. With ignition on/engine off, the pump just turns on and starts injecting meth into the engine. I used a voltage tester to confirm it was the controller. I sent it back to the manufacturer, coolingmist, and he tells me that b/c I took the backing plate off, which I did to see what was going on inside and to try and fix a "rattle" in the controller, i'm screwed and that he wouldnt warranty it. He also said that there were a few loose screws inside which is why the thing was rattling. Apparently he doesnt know how to correctly tighten the fasteners within the controller. Im guessing that a loose screw his some part of the circuit board or something. I feel wronged by the whole deal and he has lost a customer for life and potentially more customers b/c if I run into any other person looking for alky control kits, I will steer them clear away from coolingmist. Im not saying that all his stuff is garbage, maybe it was just my one controller. At any rate, i'm sending back the other controller that was for my friend and bought him a Razor controller setup. Way better design and definately overly engineered in my opinion.

later
Jordan

[Doc1of7]

Originally Posted by turbosy

I sent it back to the manufacturer, coolingmist, and he tells me that b/c I took the backing plate off, which I did to see what was going on inside and to try and fix a "rattle" in the controller, i'm screwed and that he wouldnt warranty it. He also said that there were a few loose screws inside which is why the thing was rattling. Apparently he doesnt know how to correctly tighten the fasteners within the controller.

Sorry, to hear of your problems.
Thanks, for sharing.
Maybe, he'll be embarrassed enough by this, to make ammends with you.

[Zap]

36 hour weather forecast for Dunbar WV:

[coolingmist]

Originally Posted by turbosy

I figured i'd tell everyone my problems I am having with Coolingmist. I am a recent purchaser of the coolingmist progressive controller. I ended up buying two, one for me and one to go on my friend's syclone. Well, after less than 100 miles, the dang controller broke on me. With ignition on/engine off, the pump just turns on and starts injecting meth into the engine. I used a voltage tester to confirm it was the controller. I sent it back to the manufacturer, coolingmist, and he tells me that b/c I took the backing plate off, which I did to see what was going on inside and to try and fix a "rattle" in the controller, i'm screwed and that he wouldnt warranty it. He also said that there were a few loose screws inside which is why the thing was rattling. Apparently he doesnt know how to correctly tighten the fasteners within the controller. Im guessing that a loose screw his some part of the circuit board or something. I feel wronged by the whole deal and he has lost a customer for life and potentially more customers b/c if I run into any other person looking for alky control kits, I will steer them clear away from coolingmist. Im not saying that all his stuff is garbage, maybe it was just my one controller. At any rate, i'm sending back the other controller that was for my friend and bought him a Razor controller setup. Way better design and definately overly engineered in my opinion.

later
Jordan

Jordan,

Im sorry you are having issues, but the controller was abused. The unit was taken apart, the screws were missing, the serial port was loose and the harness was cut completely off. If it wasn't for those issues we would have covered the warranty.

Our controller engineering is top notch. Vari-Cool is also manufactured in a controlled setting with a contract manufacturer. Every controller that comes off the assembly line is nearly identical.

We do not cover warranty when the enclosure box is opened. If you had not opened the box and cut the harness we would have warrantied it for you. Also, its very important to note that when you take the backing plate off like you did there are some screws that are VERY difficult to put back on. Its not possible for the screws to come loose until the backing plate is taken off. there is no clearance and the unit will not close with the screws missing or if they are loose. In otherwords, the loose screws were a result of taking off the cover. Absent of abuse we would have covered the warranty.


Every product on the market has a certain percentage that will fail. We have had warranty claims and we always cover them, this is the first time we have refused a warranty.

As far as design goes, I would put our design against any competitors and ours will be at the top of the list. You cant compare an Analog controller to a digital programmable controller. Its pretty easy to see how well engineered and refined ours is.

I recommend in the future what ever product you buy, if you have an issue contact the manufacturer before taking it apart. When you take a product apart the manufacturer does not know if the problem was a result of you taking it apart or if it has a legitmate problem.

[WiskeyJack]

I run a CoolMist and it works fine. But when you mass produce things, stuff happens that out of your control. I had a competitors model and at 24# it stopped spraying IMO way worse and in all fairness I should have sent it back but it was the third time I had a problem with the system so I sold it to a guy with a WRX to spray water on his intercooler. First the valves swelled up next it kept loosing prime then the controller failed. So three times and your out.
So far the CoolMist has worked well and keep in mind it is an electronic part that can't be banged around so I figure if I hear something rattling around in my new TV set I'll take it back rather than fixing it myself.

Oh I don't play favorites I don't care who's unit you use as mine is somewhat a FrankinSpray as it has Razors wiring hoses and tank a Snow pump and a CoolMist controller.

[turbosy]

coolingmist,

Im not wanting a refund/replacement at this point. But I am TELLING YOU that for future reference the rattling of loose screws was BEFORE I had done any investigating to the controller. The screws were loose before I attempted to take it apart. PLus, there are 4 screws that hold the backing plate onto the circuitboard, 4 that hold the plate onto the housing, and 4 more on the backside of the board that hold on splicer nuts...big deal. Any of those screws can come loose due to vibrations. Furthermore, that stupid little harness connector that you're talking about is absolutely pointless. All you have is a system ground, ignition, and ground/hot that goes to the pump. The two little map wires were cut b/c of the fact that I didnt want a wad of wires hanging off the controller. I have built many complete wiring harness for vehicles an am an electrician by trade, so it's not that confusing. Just think about this the next time someone in my situation comes up to you with a broken product that you put together...."The customer is always right."
later
Jordan

[WiskeyJack]

Well CoolMist I guess you got told where to shove it. Anybody here able to fix my TV?
Issues aside even though I run a CoolMist system I found the person on the other end of the phone not very likable when I had a need to want to have a way of priming the system I do remember him being well kind of unlikable after the sale.
The other kit I must say even with the problems I had he sent parts out ASAP and was always willing to help.
I guess it's the old saying don't take sh**t apart and try to fix it yourself especially if it costs over three hundred dollars

[coolingmist]

Originally Posted by turbosy

coolingmist,

Im not wanting a refund/replacement at this point. But I am TELLING YOU that for future reference the rattling of loose screws was BEFORE I had done any investigating to the controller. The screws were loose before I attempted to take it apart. PLus, there are 4 screws that hold the backing plate onto the circuitboard, 4 that hold the plate onto the housing, and 4 more on the backside of the board that hold on splicer nuts...big deal. Any of those screws can come loose due to vibrations. Furthermore, that stupid little harness connector that you're talking about is absolutely pointless. All you have is a system ground, ignition, and ground/hot that goes to the pump. The two little map wires were cut b/c of the fact that I didnt want a wad of wires hanging off the controller. I have built many complete wiring harness for vehicles an am an electrician by trade, so it's not that confusing. Just think about this the next time someone in my situation comes up to you with a broken product that you put together...."The customer is always right."
later
Jordan

I dont know if the rattling issues was before you took it apart because you DID take it apart. The controller comes off the assembly line and the technicians (3rd party) inspect it. then it goes through quality control. Then it comes to me and I inspect it. In your case it went to Greg and he inspected it. It would have had to gone through 4 eyes and passed inspection. Maybe you are right, but since you took it apart and modified it I cant be sure.

I would love to eliminate the quick disconnect harness. Its very expensive as its hand made. However, most customers like it, its important when you go to remove it and send it in.

Honestly, I dont like to deny a warranty, this is the first time we did it. I just tried to find any reason not too and I could not.

1) The controller was out of warranty to start. Back when yours was purchased the warranty was 90 days (now its a year). We WOULD have covered it anyway had not been for the issues outlined later as we have done for others.

2) Enclosure opened, screws missing, harness cut off, serial port screw missing.

3) ETC.


The only time we would not warranty an issue is in cases like this. That would be reserved for the worst possible scenerio. I believe you have every right to talk about your issues with us and your dis-agreement with policy. I would never stand in the way of your free speech. I also believe that most people understand our position and why we cant have our unit opened and altered.


David

[coolingmist]

Originally Posted by WiskeyJack

Well CoolMist I guess you got told where to shove it. Anybody here able to fix my TV?
Issues aside even though I run a CoolMist system I found the person on the other end of the phone not very likable when I had a need to want to have a way of priming the system I do remember him being well kind of unlikable after the sale.
The other kit I must say even with the problems I had he sent parts out ASAP and was always willing to help.
I guess it's the old saying don't take sh**t apart and try to fix it yourself especially if it costs over three hundred dollars

Jack,

We are always here to answer our customers questions. I personally take phone calls 7 days a week to answer my customers questions. when I have to leave the store if there is nobody at the store I transfer the calls to my Cell phone to make sure they get support. If we had a conversation you were not happy about I certainly appologized for any tone.

We are constantly helping our customers out. Last week we had 2 commander units where the customers messed the units up by loading too many programs and caused memory issues. I had them send me the units and I re-programmed. I did not charge anything for that service.

[WiskeyJack]

Truly not a problem I might have been on my monthly cycle but do remember it. Not wanting to digress do you sell just the palm pilot you show for setting the fuel maps or can you suggest a palm unit that I could carry in the car as it looks cool and is quite useful in tweaking the curve I want and I wouldn't need a laptop. If I get time I'll get a call to you as I'm at work right now.

[coolingmist]

Originally Posted by WiskeyJack

Truly not a problem I might have been on my monthly cycle but do remember it. Not wanting to digress do you sell just the palm pilot you show for setting the fuel maps or can you suggest a palm unit that I could carry in the car as it looks cool and is quite useful in tweaking the curve I want and I wouldn't need a laptop.

Vari-Cool is compatible with Pocket PC only. Late model IPAQs from Rx1955, 2400 and 2700 series all work. We carry the IPAQ Rx1955 on occasion, but the price has gone up to such a point that we dont have it listed on the site until we get a replacement. If you get an IPAQ you will need to purchase our software package which includes the specialized cables, car re-charger, dash/windhsield display system and air-intake sensor.

David

[turbosy]

Jack,

Strangly enough, I have a 2002 phillips magnavox projection tv that had a problem with the picture shrinking to about half size and then coming back to normal every few seconds. I took it apart a year ago, got online and diagnosed a bad IC in the circuit board. I ordered the IC, soldered it in, and voila, its been running fine since. I wish I could do the same for this coolingmist controller. After I install the Razor kit on my friends syclone, i'll have him do a boost launch and run this junk over. That would be satisfying.


Coolingmist,

So, basically what you are saying is that your controllers in the past were so inferior that you only put a 90 day warranty on them? If I was running a biz and selling a product that I put my name on, I would have put a better warranty on it! About that quick-disconnect connector....do you have that put on for when they fail, the customer can send them back to you more easily?

later
Jordan

[coolingmist]

Originally Posted by turbosy

Jack,

Strangly enough, I have a 2002 phillips magnavox projection tv that had a problem with the picture shrinking to about half size and then coming back to normal every few seconds. I took it apart a year ago, got online and diagnosed a bad IC in the circuit board. I ordered the IC, soldered it in, and voila, its been running fine since. I wish I could do the same for this coolingmist controller. After I install the Razor kit on my friends syclone, i'll have him do a boost launch and run this junk over. That would be satisfying.


Coolingmist,

So, basically what you are saying is that your controllers in the past were so inferior that you only put a 90 day warranty on them? If I was running a biz and selling a product that I put my name on, I would have put a better warranty on it! About that quick-disconnect connector....do you have that put on for when they fail, the customer can send them back to you more easily?

later
Jordan

No thats not what I am saying. I clearly said I would have covered it had it not been abused regardless of the 90 day warranty. Now its 1 year. On the quick connect harness you can cut the wires AFTER the clip without a problem. You cut the wires coming off the controller, thats not something I can replace without having it re-assembled to the circuit board. Regardless of that issue, you opened the box so I dont know if the controller was defective or if you opened the box and broke it. Thats the main issue here.

I dont know what to tell you, the controller you sent in was an absolute mess when we received it and it did not ship out that way.

Im happy you found your replacement. Good luck.

David

[WiskeyJack]

Jordan

I know it sucks when stuff doesn't work as advertised. During my build over the last two years I would have went postal if I let some of these vendors get to me. I found If possible I use my Discover card to pay for things then if they don't work I let them do the fight for replacement NEVER even if you wired the space shuttle take a defective item apart just return it or let the credit card company take care of it. To my knowledge only Discover will go to bat for you and let me tell you I got stuck with a $2800.00 part that didn't work and the vendor wouldn't honor there warranty I put in a call to Discover Card after trying in good faith to resolve the problem. They reversed the payment and I never paid a dime for that piece of S**t. The real pi**er was when I was on the phone with the vendor trying to work something out he was laughing at me saying there nothing you can do. "WRONG"
Be careful running over the bad controller as it my put a hole in you tire.
Stay Cool and nice comeback.

[turbosy]

Jack,

Yeah I guess I can understand the part about opening up the case. I could have tightened up all the loose screws to where he would have never known I was in there or that they had rattled loose. But since im an honest guy, I just slapped the plate back on it and shipped it out. I figured he'd do electrical checks on it and find out that it was a bad trans/resis or something. I also thought that he'd actually be somewhat trustful and believe what I was saying about the situation. Oh well, there are good business owners and there are bad.

David,

I took the controller back apart for shits and noticed that the backing plate actually contacts and pinches the vacuum hose that runs from the vacuum nipple and 90's into the tiny map(?) sensor. It appears as though your manufacturer tries to form the hose, but it definately restricts airflows. Or at least it did on mine.....something you might wanna look into.

later
Jordan