Maintenance that works

[Jfweeench]

Let me start by saying that I've been vaping a little over three months and expected to replace parts regularly. However, this is not the case. I used reason and decided to take bits from different maintenance guides. Since day one I've lost two batteries due to newbie mistakes, but my atomizers are still going strong as ever.


Atomizer Maintenance:
-Do NOT let your atomizer go dry. Do not drain them overnight. Do not forget to wet your atomizer after a vape session. Just don't. If you try to vape on a dry atomizer, the atomizer can fail. Keep it wet.
-If vapor production has dropped off significantly and all troubleshooting has failed, boil your atomizer. Blow the liquid out of your atomizer by placing your mouth on the battery end. Place your atomizer in water and slowly bring it to a boil while stirring. After ~1 min at a heavy boil, remove your atomizer from the water... without burning yourself. Let your atomizer cool, then blow the water out in the same manner as before. Make sure your atomizer is clear of water, internally and externally, then prime it with several drops of e-liquid.
This has brought my atomizers back to life several times. It works great for removing impurities within the atomizer.


Battery Maintenance:
-Follow the user manual that came with your kit. I know, I know... most men (including myself) don't read those things. Some of you may be shocked to hear that a user manual exists. It does. The user manual will typically include the specifics for charging your battery, as they are all different.
-Clean the contacts on the battery and atomizer! I use a Q-tip to clean both at least once a day... they get nasty.


General Tips:
- *VERY IMPORTANT* The reason many companies advise against dripping is that the liquid can fall through the atomizer and into the battery casing. Automatic batteries are deeply affected by this as it can prevent the switch within the battery casing from functioning properly. If you drip directly on the atomizer, do so in an intelligent manner. Make sure liquid is not falling into the battery by checking the battery and atomizer contacts.
-Do not drop your electronic cigarette.
-Your electronic cigarette is not waterproof.
-Be respectful of those around you. Even if your e-cig is pink, has a blue light, and is shaped like a cell phone, the vapor is easily perceived as smoke. If it looks like smoke it gets the same stigma as smoke.




Hopefully someone will benefit from this information! As I typed this I happily vaped on my 901 that performs like new after 3 months of heavy use.
If any of this post is inaccurate please explain why and I will happily edit.

[Kent C]

Thanks for the info. On batteries check this:

Charging lithium-ion batteries

...What you say is true for nicads but not li ions.

And for more info back up the whole site.

[surbitonPete]

Actually the nichrome wire is extremely resistant to oxidization that's why it is perfect for toaster elements. Keeping it wet isn't all that important.
My advice for atomizers is that if the above advice works for you then that's perfect ......but if it doesn't ....then do a daily dry burn from brand new, that has been the only advice I have had that has made my atties last for well over two weeks and vaping like brand new all the time.

[Jfweeench]

thanks Kent. good to know, i no longer will wait for fear of battery memory lol. edited.
thanks pete, wasn't aware of that one! edited... lol same idea but different reasoning.

Dry burns are known to kill atomizers simply because the fine heating element can't take it. Not recommended at all. I wish I could remember who posted it... he gave instructions on a worst case scenario dry burn, but noted not to unless you were willing to risk the coil snapping.

[surbitonPete]

Originally Posted by Jfweeench

thanks Kent. good to know, i no longer will wait for fear of battery memory lol. edited.
thanks pete, wasn't aware of that one! edited... lol same idea but different reasoning.

I rarely do a dry burn. Dry burns are known to kill atomizers, simply because the fine heating element can't take it.

I don't know why but 'none' of the advice anyone gave me made me have an atomizer last for more than two weeks. The dry burn method has been the only one that works for me. ......I can only think it must be something to do with the way some of us vape but at least the dry burn method does work for people like me, who do not have any luck with atomizers. The dry burn will often kill atomizers if the gunk has been allowed to build up but if it's done daily from new then it doesn't seem to kill them.

[Fnlit]

Seems like a good thread to ask my newbie question.

Wondering how long typically should I wait before tossing the atomizer in the trash? Are most people replacing monthly, weekly?

Only been vaping for a couple of weeks, and I'm sooooo close to quitting analogs. Just needing a few helpful people to turn me into a pro.

Thanks for reading.

*Currently using a 510/Titan*

[surbitonPete]

Originally Posted by Fnlit

Seems like a good thread to ask my newbie question.

Wondering how long typically should I wait before tossing the atomizer in the trash? Are most people replacing monthly, weekly?

Only been vaping for a couple of weeks, and I'm sooooo close to quitting analogs. Just needing a few helpful people to turn me into a pro.

Thanks for reading.

*Currently using a 510/Titan*

My view is that as long as I get at least two weeks out of an atomizer then I have had my moneys worth but other than that ....just keep using until it no longer works

[Kent C]

Originally Posted by Jfweeench

thanks Kent. good to know, i no longer will wait for fear of battery memory lol. edited.

Welcome. Too bad because that 8 hour advice is in every manual that I've received with a kit, so it continues to perpetuate.

I soak my attys in 151 everclear or vodka - KreeL routine - 2 hours, blow them out, dry them and then I put some PG on the atty bridge put in a ziplock. No failures in 7 weeks. 4 weeks ago I kept one atty out of that cycle for experiment, and a few days ago it is weakly performing, but not dead. Haven't done anything special to it yet but keeping it wet in a ziplock.

[Fnlit]

Sounds like you can get them bone dry, but they need to be moist for awhile before safely using them again.

Would this be a correct assumption?

[Jfweeench]

Originally Posted by Fnlit

Sounds like you can get them bone dry, but they need to be moist for awhile before safely using them again.

Would this be a correct assumption?

Semi-right? That depends on how you're getting it to the point of bone dry.
Do not vape it to that point. When the heating element is in use, it needs to be moist.

The information from another member made me aware that the atomizer is resistant to oxidation. So based on that... you could store it dry. I'm weird though, so I won't. Better to be safe than sorry.