Advice on refilling Pilot Hybrid cartridges needed

[Wackiness Ensues]

I watched Spikey's video on this several times but I'm not sure I'm getting it right. After I refill I get decent vapor for 10 to 12 puffs, then it tapers off quickly and needs more liquid. My refilled cartridges are lasting only 1/2 to 1/3 as long as the prefilled ones. Can this be right?

My cartridges don't have a stick like the ones in the video, so I'm not sure if I'm getting the placement right. I push the inner plastic piece down level with the outter part, then insert the atomizer into the cartridge. I've also tried leaving the inner piece as it came and dripping the liquid into the stuffing down a paper clip. The result is the same either way, except I get a bit of liquid in my mouth with the latter prodedure. I've tried putting from 3 to 5 drops of e-liquid per fill and I usually put a drop on the atomizer.

I'm reusing prefilled cartridges. I've tried refilling them as is after I've used them initially, I've tried taking them apart and washing and drying them before refilling. I've had the Pilot about two weeks but I don't vape heavily, so I just started refilling cartridges.

My problem with videos is I'm moderately hearing impaired, so I don't always hear all the instructions. Any written advice or links to written instruction would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Fern]

I'm having the exact same issues! It's driving me crazy. I was using six drops in the empty cart, putting the stuffing back in, and then adding another two drops. Not sure why they're not lasting very long.

I pushed the little inner cart all the way down with a paperclip, but then I couldn't hit it. I checked my prefilled ones by sticking the paperclip in from the outside through the little "suck" hole, and noticed that there was some room in there, like the little innter carts weren't pushed all the way to the bottom, so I pushed the one I filled up just a little bit. I was able to finally get a hit, but the vapor production wasn't that great.

Last night I tried using a tea bag instead of the poly-fill stuff. Not sure how much liquid I should be using, but I probably put at least eight drops in. It appeared to be absorbed in the tea bag and there was nothing really pooled in the little inner cart itself. Not sure if I should've used more or not.

Vapor production still wasn't great. *sigh*

 

[RatPack]

Here's a great video about using and caring for the M401. Scott does a great job with this video.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...5572-evo-user-tips-video-guide.html#post87264

 

[Rexa]

The thing to keep in mind with the pre-filled carts is that the wooly/poly part was probably imbimbed in liquid for a while. So my method to filling empty carts is that I fill them in advance and then I put back the plastic/rubber end and let them sit like that until I smoke my current cart dry. I usually prepare them (like 2 or 3 at a time) a day before.

I don't know if it makes sense what I am saying but in any case, it's worked for me. If you just fill them and then start smoking them right after the liquid may not have time to settle in the material and it will just drip straight onto the atomizer, most likely flooding it and hence why not enough vapor.

This is what I do with my 801 pen mostly. I feel it requires a bit more "maintenance" and preparation since more liquid is involved unlike my 901 where I can just take my liquid on the go and top it off (but even still, it's nice to prepare carts of it in advance as well).

I also strongly recommend using "dust off". Before I go to bed I shoot two or three times from the end of the atomizer (where the batter connects) so it can blow through the top (where the cart connects) out any excess liquid which prevents it from settling in the pathway or leaking onto the battery causing little vapor.

I've only been vaping for a week but have found my workarounds on my own with some experimentation although I am sure some of things I've said and done have been mentioned in older posts.

 

[Jim Davis]

Try cleaning out the cart, and refilling it with less juice. More is not always better. You may be flooding the atomizer.

 

[Vickie]

I've only been doing this for a week but I had a heck of a time the first 3 days....hardly any vapor at times, getting liquid in my mouth and so on. I don't know what changed but this is how I do it.....Pop the mouth piece off atty, use paper clip to push innner plastic piece until it's half way out of the mouth piece, pull out filler, drop 5 drops of liquid in inner piece, replace filler so that it is level with the top of the inner piece, add 1-2 drops (normally just 1) on the filler, use the paperclip on the lip of the inner piece to push it all the way back down to the bottom of the mouth piece. Last couple days it's been working great.

 

[Wackiness Ensues]

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I'll be trying them out over the next couple of days so I welcome any additional ideas. Your help, and this forum, are much appreciated.

 

[Hangar]

with a 401 ive just discovered the joy of completely eliminating the cart from the equation altogether. I drip only now and I leave out the inner cart entirely, and use only the mouthpiece itself. Its the first time with this 401 that im getting great vapor and throat hits consistently, then every 5 or 6 drags i drip again 2-3 drops.

The draw is easier, tons more vapor and a much better flavor and throat hit...plus you dont get juice in the mouth at all so it ends up being a cleaner experience to boot!

 

[greg_graffin]

with a 401 ive just discovered the joy of completely eliminating the cart from the equation altogether.

Same here. Just carry a little bottle of liquid with you and drip a few drops whenever you have the urge. The 401 is built for dripping - exposed atomizer and tiny annoying-to-fill carts. I've been dripping on mine exclusively for weeks without any problems cycling between two atomizers and two batteries.

 

[Hangar]

Greg...just curious here...have you tried using one of those contact lens cases to bring around with you to use for dipping?...im trying to figure out a quicker easier way to be able to do this while away from home other than bringing a bottle with me and dripping.

 

[mottlycrw]

Dripping on the 401 is DEFINITELY the way to go. I too have totally stopped using the inner carts. I do the same with my penstyle as well.

 

[greg_graffin]

have you tried using one of those contact lens cases to bring around with you to use for dipping?

I haven't, as I've never tried dipping, only dripping. Something you like about dipping more than dripping?

 

[Wackiness Ensues]

I'd just read the dipping thread when I saw the latest posts in this discussion, so decided to gave dipping and dripping a try. Both are working pretty well and are easy, which I love. I seem to get better and longer vapor production with the dipping method. I'm still going to practice my cartridge technique but dripping/dipping has made this a happier experience for me.