510 cartomizer's end of life symptoms?

[viktor]

Is it burnt taste or no vapor? Sorry for a basic question, I just started using cartomizers. The carto I've been using for two and a half days gives me burnt taste, it still heats as before though. I wonder if it's time to throw it away or I can try something.

Also any tips/pointers on how to prolong cartos' life are appreciated.

 

[richs10]

Hi Victor and welcome to ECF.

I've only been using Cartomizers (510 Mega Cartomizers from Nhaler) for a few weeks now and I'm sure there are others here with much more experience, but this is what I've learned about them so far:

As to the burned taste, it seems it's almost impossible to get rid of once its there, but you can try a mouthwash soak and then rinse and dry them real good to see if that gets rid of it. I think the way to avoid this is to stop and refill the Cartomizer immediately when you think the fluid is getting low.

I've also run into a cartomizer with a "bad taste" right out of the wrapper. Nothing worked to fix that one so I've just put it away til I learn more.

Another problem I've had is a "hard draw" as the cartomizer is used over and over. Someone here recommended straightening a paper clip and carefully working it up the center hole from the battery end. For me, this worked very well to resurrect a Carto that had lost its draw. I also noticed that the paperclip may help with Cartos that have lost some of their ability to generate good vaper. With those, I gently rub the paper clip back and forth while its in there. If I see some black stuff come out, I rinse and dry it real good. After doing this, the vapor really increased, so I'm assuming the wire inside had become caked with gunk from previous burns like an atty does. I don't know how long this will extend the life of the atomizer, but its worked so far.

Be very gentle using the paper clip since you could break the wire in the Cartomizer. That would permanently end its life.

Hopes this info is helpful,
Rich

 

[viktor]

Thanks Rich, very helpful!

Cheers,
Viktor

 

[cyberwolf]

Rich is right on the money. There has been a lot of discussion about cartomizers getting a little burnt no matter what you do, but not keeping them wet enough is definitely a prime cause. Kowing when the are getting close to being empty is another story entirely. I usually fill mine when they just start to taste a little different. No vapor probably means you went too long. (or your battery is dead )

 

[losttoy]

How many refills are you guys getting?

 

[richs10]

How many refills are you guys getting?

I have been using three 510 Mega Cartomizers in rotation for about three weeks now. I originally bought a 5 pack. One had a terrible taste out of the wrapper which I could not get rid of. The other one I tore apart for no good reason other than to see what was inside. The remaining three are still working. I've been refilling them several times a day. I think I vape a lot. (I'm using my pv like a pipe which I need to stop doing).

I had to "re-open" of the originals with the paper clip (as mentioned earlier) when the draw got tight. Another had a drop in vapor production until I ran the paperclip in and out of it and it improved. Every couple of days I'll rinse one out, sometimes using Scope mouthwash then rinse, spin it to remove extra water and then let it dry on the a/c vent overnight.

I just opened the first one in a new pack of 5. I've marked it because I want to see how much longer the original three last.

So far, so good.
Rich

 

[Perez]

thanks for the paper clip trick. it helped clear one of my hard draw carto's.

 

[madjack]

I find I can vape about 8-10ml of juice thru a carto before it is time to change(or past time)...keeping it wet is the most important thing to longevity...as opposed to the paper clip, I use a syringe needle...once it gets hard to draw thru and the taste gets off, it is time to change...if it gets burnt, just toss it...you can save and clean old cartos(if you wish)...after cleaning once, performance will fall off quicker and don't find a second cleaning worthwhile...they are cheap afterall and meant to be disposable....................
madjack

 

[Momster]

I've used cartos almost exclusively for more than two years. I use both 808 and 510 cartos. The burnt taste usually means you didn't keep the filling in the carto wet enough; once the center airhole material is scorched by the coil(s), you should consider that carto done and toss it away. With a lighter juice that's mostly PG (I use 80/20 PG/VG) and keeping the carto topped off once you notice a difference in taste or amount of vapor, you should easily get 3-4 weeks out of a carto. Yes, the draw will get tighter as the carto ages, but using the paper clip trick usually helps. Also, when you're filling the mega cartos, make sure you get the entire length of filler saturated with liquid before you use it. If there's a dry spot in the middle of the mega carto, it will scorch and ruin it. Top offs should be enough juice dripped into the top of the carto's filler material until the top looks like slush. The interval between top offs will vary depending on how much you vape and how much juice your carto uses - the dual coil cartos use more juice than the single coils.

Something else to consider is buying the best quality carto you can afford. I've definitely noticed that when I try an inexpensive carto, the draw is not good at all and hardly any vapor is produced. I tend to like Boge, Joyetech, Vapor4Life Wow cartos (only for 808s and they makes lots of vapor clouds!), and VaporKings cartos.

Keep playing because that's a lot of the fun of using e-cigs, and let us know your successes!

 

[Momster]

I find I can vape about 8-10ml of juice thru a carto before it is time to change(or past time)...keeping it wet is the most important thing to longevity...as opposed to the paper clip, I use a syringe needle...once it gets hard to draw thru and the taste gets off, it is time to change...if it gets burnt, just toss it...you can save and clean old cartos(if you wish)...after cleaning once, performance will fall off quicker and don't find a second cleaning worthwhile...they are cheap afterall and meant to be disposable....................
madjack

You aren't kidding there, Madjack! I've tried cleaning my cartos to reuse them, and I've never successfully resurrected one that would actually use. Something happens to the filler and, maybe?, my well water that makes the filler permanently too stiff and nonabsorbent. As you said, cartos are meant to be disposables, so I generally toss cartos that are just limping along.

Something I haven't seen mentioned for a while in this forum is the subject of a juice and/or carto that develops the smell and/or taste of rancidity. It smells like forgotten refrigerated leftovers and tastes like it smells. I think some 100% natural ingredient based 100% VG juices actually start to decompose in cartos after a couple of weeks, even if you haven't used it during that time. If your carto starts to smell like garbage, it's probably better for you health and peace of mind to just toss that carto away.

 

[nanovapr]

Once it's burnt, it can still be used but it will never be the same. As everyone has said, keep them wet! When the taste falls off, it's hard not to keep trying..... madjack is giving a good measurement. The amount of time we own the carto doesn't mean anything, if we compare someone that chainvapes for 12 hours, compared to someone that hits it a couple of times per hour?

Some carto tanks that keep a slotted carto constantly wet can last for 20 or 30 ml.

If it gets plugged up, a very straight paper clip can clear the glug (is that a word?). Flushing with a syringe and PGA can extend the life. PGA dries much faster than water/vinegar and will not mold.

As mentioned, these are inexpensive, get more.

 

[madjack]

Some carto tanks that keep a slotted carto constantly wet can last for 20 or 30 ml.

Flushing with a syringe and PGA can extend the life. PGA dries much faster than water/vinegar and will not mold.

As mentioned, these are inexpensive, get more.

yeah, I'm gonna build some syringe tank mods one o' these daze and find out for myself.......
been wanting to pick up some PGA and try that when sticking the syringe down the air hole(sounds painfully kinky)....
yep, at a buck50+-, it just isn't worth messing with very much...I buy Boges and Smokteks by the (15ct) bundle from Crystal Clear Vaping...20-21.50/15.........
madjack

 

[baronvoncardo]

I'm a Boge man, straight up 3 ohm cartos. The best advice I've received concerning cartomizers is to make sure ALL the fill is saturated with juice before use. Dry fill is the mortal enemy of the cartomizer. Once the heating coil fires on any dry fill, you might as well throw the thing away.

1. Be patient and drip slowly, letting a few drops soak in at a time. Repeat until no more juice will soak in. (People talk about letting it soak in for 15 minutes, a couple hours, overnight...I've never found this necessary.)
2. Refill early and often.
3. Eventually, the coil and fill will get gunked up. You'll know when your juice starts to taste funky. Time to toss it and unwrap a new one.

By far, cartos have been my most reliable, frustration free, pleasurable vape.

 

[thenut]

By far, cartos have been my most reliable, frustration free, pleasurable vape.

Yeah, and right now I'm a Boge man myself...love both the 3 Ohm and 2 Ohm LR cartos.
Some good advice from you folks. And like madjack mentioned, I've been getting a bundle of 15 from Crystal Clear Vaping. They were even on sale this week, along with free shipping (as always), and a free drip tip or two. Amazing price.
At $1.33 a piece, they just aren't worth messing with too much...chuck 'em and grab a new one once the performance degrades.
I was spending $12.00 a day on analogs..talk about a bad deal! (Makes the price on these Cartos seem even more unbeleivable).
Heh, listen to me...only a month into vaping now, and I'm some kind of old pro...(Not!)
But hey, I'm learning, and I sure am loving this.

 

[inga]

eeuuuuwww lol