Well nuts.

[LiquidElectron]

So my Quit Smoking Again vapemail arrived today. I have an Endura T18, which utterly failed, it got so hot that I couldn't even hold it, not chaining it by any means, just too hot to hold. It also was hot when charging. I had it recycled. (Moment of silence.)

Last year when I was vaping away happily I was using 2 iStick 30w's and 2 Subtank Nano's which never really steered me wrong, I was just way overdoing my nic intake without realizing it, somehow after 3 months I was a full time smoker again. It kinda scared me (I'm easily scared) but I'm trying again.

So without doing much research, I guess, I picked up 2 iStick 40w's on the cheap, and 2 Subtank Mini's. (Bigger tanks! New vertical coils! RBA's!) I have no real intention of sub-ohm'ing, at least for a long time, so I have a bunch of 1.5 coils along for the ride. I also have no intention of using TC or Ni coils, so I'm staying in wattage mode, at about 18-20 is all. Also starting at a lower nic, which I know will be tougher, but...it might not because I really want to quit this time, last time I don't think I honestly did.

So my discoveries tonight after getting everything all out. One of the iStick's battery drops like a rock, and I'm wary of using it at all. Not even a few hits and the battery indicator is at about 80%. Experimented by charging, it charged up fine, didn't get hot. Doesn't get hot with a vape either, unsure as to put away or not.

Of course, one of the Subtank Mini's leaks crocodile tears out of the airflow holes, I've read about that, I've got some new O-rings on the way for it, no worries. So I put the good Subtank that doesn't leak on the good iStick that doesn't lie (yet). So far, so good with it.

Ah well. What do you all suggest? Work with the leaky Subtank and see if I can un-leaky it? Work with the weird battery iStick or drop it and run? If I do drop it and run, what do I replace it with? I don't need 50+ watts or anything.

I'm also broke for two weeks or so, so there's that. Fun times so far.

Edit: Not to mention I can't adjust the airflow on either Subtank Mini at all, it's like someone welded them in full-open. I literally cannot move them. I had no problems like this last year with the Nano's. (I no longer have my old iSticks or Nano's just for the record.)

 

[Tommy-Chi]

Welcome to ECF!

I don't have any of your devices, but many tanks leak if they are not stored upright, or stored overnight with juice in them.

Where in Iowa are you located. My best 4yrs were spent in Ames for a BS in MIS.

 

[LiquidElectron]

I'm on the northern border by Minnesota. And I fixed the leaky tank with a spare O-ring.

 

[Douggro]

I've had a STM for several months and never once had a leaking problem with it. Leaking from the AFC holes indicates either a flooded coil or the coil is loose or over-tightened to the base. Check the o-ring on the coil to make sure it isn't damaged.

No experience with the iStick 40's, sorry.

 

[bwh79]

Edit: Not to mention I can't adjust the airflow on either Subtank Mini at all, it's like someone welded them in full-open. I literally cannot move them. I had no problems like this last year with the Nano's. (I no longer have my old iSticks or Nano's just for the record.)

The AFC on my STM is super-tight also, but it does move if you show it who's boss, and it seems to be lightening up over time.

 

[LiquidElectron]

I've had a STM for several months and never once had a leaking problem with it. Leaking from the AFC holes indicates either a flooded coil or the coil is loose or over-tightened to the base. Check the o-ring on the coil to make sure it isn't damaged.

No experience with the iStick 40's, sorry.

The O-ring on the coil had fallen off, actually. And the base O-ring was flat on both sides. There was an extra in the box with a rounded side...everything is non-leaking now.

 

[sparkky1]

The O-ring on the coil had fallen off, actually. And the base O-ring was flat on both sides. There was an extra in the box with a rounded side...everything is non-leaking now.

If you ever need any more o ring's Accessories - Kidney Puncher
I would say after 300 - 400 cycles those battery's are done ..........
Have you thought about a mod with replaceable battery's ?

 

[Hans Wermhat]

I'd return the defective iStick. Check the return policy as some of them have a super small window for returns. You may need to contact them immediately. If the AFC rings literally won't move, I'd return those tanks as well. It's possible they sent you cheap clones instead of authentics if you didn't buy from a reputable vendor.

 

[LiquidElectron]

If you ever need any more o ring's Accessories - Kidney Puncher
I would say after 300 - 400 cycles those battery's are done ..........
Have you thought about a mod with replaceable battery's ?

Yes, I have. No idea which one to pick for reliability/longevity.

Also, it's too late already to return the iStick. Happily they are sending me new airflow control bases for the Subtanks. At no charge, even. But they're sticky (ha) about mods, I guess. The iSticks and the Subtanks checked out as authentic. I suppose I can make do with the one iStick until I can replace the other (or both).

 

[sparkky1]

Yes, I have. No idea which one to pick for reliability/longevity.

Also, it's too late already to return the iStick. Happily they are sending me new airflow control bases for the Subtanks. At no charge, even. But they're sticky (ha) about mods, I guess. The iSticks and the Subtanks checked out as authentic. I suppose I can make do with the one iStick until I can replace the other (or both).

Joyetech eVic-VTC Mini (Body Only)

 

[Tommy-Chi]

I'm on the northern border by Minnesota. And I fixed the leaky tank with a spare O-ring.

OK! I remember Ames getting the cold arctic blasts from, "you'ze guyz." Be nice now....stop that!

 

[Tommy-Chi]

If you ever need any more o ring's Accessories - Kidney Puncher
I would say after 300 - 400 cycles those battery's are done ..........
Have you thought about a mod with replaceable battery's ?

Excellent link! I know I'll be needing that at some point. I was wondering where to get O-rings and do-dads after the Vapocalypse!

 

[herb]

Yes, I have. No idea which one to pick for reliability/longevity.

Also, it's too late already to return the iStick. Happily they are sending me new airflow control bases for the Subtanks. At no charge, even. But they're sticky (ha) about mods, I guess. The iSticks and the Subtanks checked out as authentic. I suppose I can make do with the one iStick until I can replace the other (or both).

Eleaf refuses to warrant iSticks unless you buy it directly through their factory (sad but true) , countless threads around the net on that topic , even their parent company Joytech has distanced themselves from them.

I would think that would be the LAST mod you would want for longevity anyway , much much higher quality mods abound for similar money.

 

[crxess]

Not really seeing a problem op.

Always fully charge before use. Some batteries take a few cycles to reach full performance.

Kanger tank is likely a Coil seal or coil wicking issue. Swap coil and Roll.
Liquid out the Air inlet is NOT glass seal leaking - unless it's the upper seal and the Tank is pouring liquid.
Check coil o-ring and seating. Check wick for displacement at holes. Replace coil if necessary.
IF - tank seals look distorted around Glass - separate and re-seat.

Things are often only as Complicated as we make them.

 

[LiquidElectron]

Eleaf refuses to warrant iSticks unless you buy it directly through their factory (sad but true) , countless threads around the net on that topic , even their parent company Joytech has distanced themselves from them.

I would think that would be the LAST mod you would want for longevity anyway , much much higher quality mods abound for similar money.

Yes, I'm getting something else when I can afford to. After a 'full' charge on this weird iStick, when I click it on, it shows about 75% full. And can be recharged again. I'm not touching it anymore. The other one is just fine. Makin' do until that payday.

 

[LiquidElectron]

Not really seeing a problem op.

Always fully charge before use. Some batteries take a few cycles to reach full performance.

Kanger tank is likely a Coil seal or coil wicking issue. Swap coil and Roll.
Liquid out the Air inlet is NOT glass seal leaking - unless it's the upper seal and the Tank is pouring liquid.
Check coil o-ring and seating. Check wick for displacement at holes. Replace coil if necessary.
IF - tank seals look distorted around Glass - separate and re-seat.

Things are often only as Complicated as we make them.

I did fix the leak yesterday, posted up above It was likely the fact that the o-ring on the coil fell off, seeing as how when I put it back on, the leaking stopped. The tanks are great, but I'm guaranteeing that one of my shouldn't-have-bought-anyway iSticks is faulty. I'm waiting on a reply from MVS as to whether they'll take it back or not. If not, no biggie. One will hold me for a while.

 

[Robert Cromwell]

Hmm My T18 is fine. No problems at all with it. Yours must be defective.

 

[LiquidElectron]

Hmm My T18 is fine. No problems at all with it. Yours must be defective.

Yep, it was unbearably hot. Took it to the local electronics place for disposal. Replaced it with a bad iStick. Hence the post title.

 

[herb]

Yes, I'm getting something else when I can afford to. After a 'full' charge on this weird iStick, when I click it on, it shows about 75% full. And can be recharged again. I'm not touching it anymore. The other one is just fine. Makin' do until that payday.

They are very cheap though and the cheapest 100 watt device on the market though so that makes them very popular .

I hate things that are not consistent and if i buy mods i want them to all perform the same , people like what they like , nothing wrong with that .

 

[LiquidElectron]

I will likely go with what sparkky1 recommended, seeing as how I'm already flush with Li-ion battery chargers and get a mod with removable batteries. I guess they're cheap for a reason. 3 out of 4 isn't bad. (Had two perfectly working 30w models last year and 1 40w now.)