Cold Pen-Style Atomizers. Broken wiring? NOPE!

[Terraphon]

we don't have RC cola.... should we use coca cola pepsi or zero?

Kool..read Terraphon's post #102..he says no need to do the water anymore..just the soaking in RC cola..which makes it much easier

Terraphon, I don't know if I can get RC cola either..does Coke or Soda still work? anything that bubbles?

We've been doing some more research and experimentation and this is what we've found.

While RC is likely the BEST for this, Pepsi and Coke Classic are close.

I do not know about diest varieties.

What we're going off of is pH (the measurement of the acidity of a substance). With pH, the lower the number the more acidic something is. Neutral is 7 and Sulfuric acid has a pH of <1.

RC has a pH of 2.39
Regular Pepsi has a pH of 2.49
Coke Classic has a pH of 2.63

So...they're all pretty close but RC takes the prize. If you don't have RC, the other 2 will work.

Here's a list of some sodas and their approximate pH.

Pure Water 7.00 (neutral)
Barq's 4.61
Diet Coke 3.39
Mountain Dew 3.22
Coke Classic 2.63
Pepsi 2.49
Sprite 3.42
Diet 7-Up 3.67
Diet Dr. Pepper 3.41
Surge 3.02
Dr. Pepper 2.92
BATTERY ACID 1.00

Also, we're under the impression, now, that club soda / soda water will NOT work.

And there seems to be no need to heat / dip the atomizer after soaking. That was an experimental step I took that now seems unnecessary.

Time to go to work.

[Erica]

What do you think is making this work? I ask because I have some 88% unbuffered lactic acid, which is definitly VERY strong when used on skin. I dilute it and use it for chemical peels. Do you think this would work because it's a strong acid, or is it something about the particular acids in cola? For some reason I feel like it wouldn't work because it's not carbonated, but maybe that has nothing to do with it. I would just try it, but right now I don't have any atomizers in bad enough shape to be willing to risk messing them up.

[Erica]

Found this:

By Ronald Bray
Published June 1998

Lactic acid (2-hydroxypropionic acid) is a naturally occurring, chiral, alpha-hydroxy acid that can be produced synthetically or by fermentation. A potential growth market for the acid is its use as a "green" raw material for biodegradable polymers. Furthermore, the ethyl and butyl esters of lactic acid are biodegradable cleaning agents that offer an environmentally acceptable alternative to conventional cleaning solvents in the metalworking and semiconductor industries.



Sounds promising...maybe?

[Smo]

I've decided to try the coke bath as well on a nicely working EVO atomizer. I've just blown out the excess liquid, and let it sit in there (battery side down) for 1 hour straight, without shaking it or anything. I used classic coke, as we don't have any RC here.

After the hour elapsed, I rinsed it under hot water for 5 minutes, blown out the water and carefully dried it with a paper towel. Then primed, waited another 5 min to let the juice soak in, and vaped away.

Results: a MUCH better throat hit, a MUCH easier drag, an hotter atomizer and slightly better vapor, which wasn't that bad in first place. And I'd swear I'm getting more "buzz" from it now, but it can be that I'm just tired this evening.

All in all, I can see myself doing this as regular maintenance instead of boiling/draining/ultrasonicing/etcetering. But i wouldn't do this on a weekly basis: maybe every month or so, since i think that the "corrosive" properties of coke can somehow damage the coil in the long run. The peeps out there who can't get 2 weeks out of an atomizer obviously have to adjust this timelapse.

Thx again for coming out with this Terraphon =)

[Sun Vaporer]

I've decided to try the coke bath as well on a nicely working EVO atomizer. I've just blown out the excess liquid, and let it sit in there (battery side down) for 1 hour straight, without shaking it or anything. I used classic coke, as we don't have any RC here.

After the hour elapsed, I rinsed it under hot water for 5 minutes, blown out the water and carefully dried it with a paper towel. Then primed, waited another 5 min to let the juice soak in, and vaped away.

Results: a MUCH better throat hit, a MUCH easier drag, an hotter atomizer and slightly better vapor, which wasn't that bad in first place. And I'd swear I'm getting more "buzz" from it now, but it can be that I'm just tired this evening.

All in all, I can see myself doing this as regular maintenance instead of boiling/draining/ultrasonicing/etcetering. But i wouldn't do this on a weekly basis: maybe every month or so, since i think that the "corrosive" properties of coke can somehow damage the coil in the long run. The peeps out there who can't get 2 weeks out of an atomizer obviously have to adjust this timelapse.

Thx again for coming out with this Terraphon =)

Thanks for the report Smo. I am still working on a few things before I report---Sun

[Smo]

Thanks for the report Smo. I am still working on a few things before I report---Sun

My pleasure, and waiting for your success story =) I'm also wondering how's Pete doing.

I thought I'd just drop a line here before going to bed. It looks to me like the atomizer I bathed, and on which i vaped all the evening, has done a "mini break-in" after... 1 hour maybe. You know, the same way in which a new atomizer breaks in after a couple day usage, and all of a sudden you're like , but in the meaning of it, with an added effect that surely leaves you . Kay, this was a lame one XD but you get the idea.

So, I'm even happier with the results. Gn8 pals!

[Chuffer]

Tried it on a dead atomizer and a dying one...didn't work for me. I guess sometimes they are really dead or dying. Nevertheless, this is a terrific thread, and all props to Terraphon!

[Terraphon]

What do you think is making this work? I ask because I have some 88% unbuffered lactic acid, which is definitly VERY strong when used on skin. I dilute it and use it for chemical peels. Do you think this would work because it's a strong acid, or is it something about the particular acids in cola? For some reason I feel like it wouldn't work because it's not carbonated, but maybe that has nothing to do with it. I would just try it, but right now I don't have any atomizers in bad enough shape to be willing to risk messing them up.

Erica,

Not really sure WHAT is making this work other than the acids. Not sure if it's just the cola acids (carbonic and phosphoric) or if other mild-medium strength acids would work.

Not really even sure if the carbonation plays a role...It may but we have no proof.

By all means, try the lactic acid if you end up with an atomizer that goes south on you. If it's already dead, it can't hurt

Tried it on a dead atomizer and a dying one...didn't work for me. I guess sometimes they are really dead or dying. Nevertheless, this is a terrific thread, and all props to Terraphon!

What did you soak it in and for how long?

[Chuffer]

What did you soak it in and for how long?

Regular Pepsi, for about two hours.

Listen, if your idea generally works, I think it's a fantastic addition to our knowledge. I think Kate from the Order of Wholly Technofoggers should bestow you a commendation or something--we could call it the Vapers' Award for Pioneering Excellence (VAPE)!

[DaveyRoots]

hahah I agree