Am I doing something wrong??

[lelly]

I am using a supermini and I have 15 cartridges. I used the first 10 up pretty quick, and tried refilling them with some juice but I just can't seem to get it right. If I don't add enough then I only get a few good puffs off of them, then I get a bad burnt taste. If I add too much they gurgle, don't produce any vapor, and I end up sucking up a big mouthful of juice (YUCK!!!). After fumbling around with refilling these for the past few days with little success, I opened up my last 5 carts and wow what a difference, they taste awesome and lasted so much longer. So I dissected a few to find that the plastic drip cup inside had melted to the bottom of the batting (still don't have my technique mastered, sucked them dry a few too many times I guess, lol), so I did some mods on them, pulled out the plastic cups and took the batting from the carts, trimmed off the melted plastic, and shoved 2 pieces into one cart without the drip cup. A little bit of improvement but still nothing like I was getting from the ones fresh out of the packaging. So....what am I doing wrong? Is it possible that the juice is to blame (it came with the PV, tobacco flavor 18 mg)? I have looked into the teabag mod but they didn't have any at the local store, so now because of the holiday I won't be able to pick any up for a couple days, but I will definately be trying it. In the mean time I need my juice to last me until my next shipment arrives (hopefully wednesday) and I think I have been wasting quite a bit trying to figure this all out. A week ago I smoked about 15 analogs a day, but I seem to be going through this juice like a 2-pack a day smoker would!! How long on average should 30mL (i think that is how much I got??) last? HELP!! Also I have a spare atomizer that gives everything a burnt taste, but I have only used it a few times??? Does it need to be cleaned already or did I wreck it or something?

 

[FreakyStylie]

Oh no . . . it's New Year's Eve, and you're frustrated! Ouch. Do you have a link to what device you purchased? It would help in offering advice.

 

[lelly]

Super Mini Electronic Cigarette SKE201 8589 - US$ 29.99

I am not happy with it and I have an eGO on the way, along with some more juice, I just need this one to get me through until then! Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

 

[FreakyStylie]

It's hard to tell from what the site says, but it seems as though your atomizer looks similar to the metal piece in this picture.

If so, what can make it easier for now . . . until you get your eGo. (You'll probably be happier. ) Take everything out of the middle of the plastic part so that it is almost like a straw, then you can put about 3 drops right onto the bridge (mesh looking thing) of the atomizer, slip the empty "filter" back over it, then vape until it runs out of flavor and vapor (about 6-10 drags).

 

[FreakyStylie]

If that is the case, then try doing that. Your 30ml of juice should last you for quite a while. When I started vaping, I would use about 1ml per day . . . but I'm closer to 4 or 5 now, but I use 5 volts a lot, and chain vape, LOL.

As for your spare atomizer . . . it might just need to be broken in. Vape on it for a while, but don't inhale . . . wait until it tastes better. They usually put a primer fluid on them that tastes nasty. It doesn't sound like you've really done anything wrong . . . you're just excited.

 

[lelly]

Yes, that is what it looks like, I read a few posts about doing this but they advised against doing it with an automatic because of the whole that goes to the battery (mine has this) and the juice leaking in and wrecking it, so I haven't tried it. Will it wreck the battery right away if this happens or just over time, because I will definitely give this a try as long as I am not risking being vaporless for the next 5 days! I also read about using a contact lens case and dipping instead of dripping...would one be better than the other for my situation (an open battery and a short supply of juice)?

 

[WomanOfHeart]

Since you have an automatic battery, I would suggest dipping rather than dripping. There is still a risk of getting juice inside the battery, but it's a little less of a risk.

 

[FreakyStylie]

Since you have an automatic battery, I would suggest dipping rather than dripping. There is still a risk of getting juice inside the battery, but it's a little less of a risk.

Yup, this. Just make sure to take it slow and easy. That will keep you from getting too much in. There's a GrimmGreen video that shows him touching the tip of the bottle to the bridge to make sure it gets on there and not through to the battery. I'll see if I can find it, but you can try, just don't glob it on and you should be fine. Unscrew the atomizer and do it, make sure nothing is dripping out the screw part, then put it on if it is still dry.

 

[throatkick]

Seems common especially for a "demanding" user/vaper. I couldn't use those things.

The hole and damage issue: exercise caution!
You also identified the dipping method (as opposed to dripping)

There are many posts on cleaning an atty (atomizer)..... should clear any residue left over from the factory or "gunk" that accumulates with usage.

You may also wish to fill the cartridge, do 1-2 quick "primer" puffs and then a long drag for a good strong hit.

The main thing is, you made up your mind and you will find the eGO that you are expecting will resolve these issues. While many more advanced vapers aren't fans, the ego is miles ahead of what you are using now.

Hopefully more people have some advice to tide you over.

Happy New Year!

 

[lelly]

I would just like to say how awesome you guys and this site are, I have had so many problems with my vaping experience so far and you guys have been there every step of the way, answering my questions so quickly and helping me to feel like not so much of an idiot! The plethora of information on this site is invaluable and I am so happy to have found this site and be a part of it and the wonderful vaping community. Thank you SO MUCH for such a warm welcome and guiding hand.

BTW, I tried dipping and it is going awesome, good vapor, no juice in my mouth,and I finally feel like I satisfied my craving, lol. As you can tell my mood shifts drastically when I feed my nicotine monster a good meal

 

[FreakyStylie]

Congrats! Just remember to keep an eye on keeping the juice out of the battery. You'll be good to go next week, and it'll be a lot easier. Glad you've found vaping! Happy New Year!

Sorry, I couldn't find the video . . . it was just a side note he made, and I must not have saved it. If you have contacts you can use a storage case to dip with. I use a similar atty sometimes, and I dip with it by putting juice in the contact case. Same thing though . . . make sure the thread end stays dry. Have fun.

 

[dormouse]

Unfortunately many superminis are weak and some just not very good models. And they probably all have tiny carts. I do use one supermini and with al of my PVs I try to pay attention to how how the atty is getting. if it's getting real hot then something is not right and dragging harder will just make it hotter. I cover that more below.

Some small carts have in inner cart that is recessed inside the mouthpiece so if yours is like that then the best way to fill is to try to push the inner cart up (on 2 models this is done with an unbent little paper clip and push it in the mouthhole to raise the inner cart. Filling white cart stuffing with juice may not work very well after the filling gets a bit used. It can stop absorbing well, stop wicking well, stop holding proper position. Some people are able to take out and wash the white stuffing, fluff it a bit and replace.

I never had any luck with that so when my white stuffing of my M401 gets annoying I toss it and cut blue foam stuffing to fit in the cart (I cut mine about 2/3 the length of the inner cart and a tiny bit wider - just enough to get it to hold itself near the top of the inner cart. You can get small pieces of blue foam precut for a different model at strictlyejuice.com cheap like 75 cents for 10 pieces - to start I cut them down for my own smaller carts. If you want to cut it from bulk, the foam we use is cut from Marineland Rite-size U foam sleeve at petsmart in the aquarium dept (about $8 per pack). My little carts work nicely with blue foam. A couple of times per day I do a full fill - I take out the stuffing, fill cart 1/2 way, insert foam foam, push it into the juice with paperclip, pull back up to corrent position near top of inner cart, top off it needed. Cart should look damp on top, not a puddle. Then I top off frequently.

Here's a video of a guy making a foam plug for an M401 mini - he might have xl carts on it - they look a bit longer than mine. His foam happens to be gray and a thicker block. The blue foam come thinner - about as thick as my inner carts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjFTxCpK47E

If it tastes a bit dry or I'm not getting enough vapor or atty feels too hot, I take off the cart, check the stuffing position, add a couple drops etc. If the atty is getting enough juice then it won't get super hot.

 

[lelly]

Unfortunately many superminis are pretty weak or just not very good models. And they probably all have tiny carts.

Some small carts have in inner cart that is recessed inside the mouthpiece so if yours is like that then the best way to fill is to try to push the inner cart up (on 2 models this is done with an unbent little paper clip and push it in the mouthhole to raise the inner cart. Filling white cart stuffing doesn't work very well after the filling gets a bit used. It can stop absorbing well, stop wicking well, stop holding proper position. Some people are able to take out and wash the white stuffing, fluff it a bit and replace.

I never had any luck with that so when my white stuffing of my M401 gets annoying I toss it and cut blue foam stuffing to fit in the cart (I cut mine about 2/3 the length of the inner cart and a tiny bit wider - just enough to get it to hold itself near the top of the inner cart. You can get small pieces of blue foam precut for a different model at strictlyejuice.com cheap like 75 cents for 10 pieces - to start I cut them down for my own smaller carts. If you want to cut it from bulk, the foam we use is cut from Marineland Rite-size U foam sleeve at petsmart in the aquarium dept (about $8 per pack). My little carts work nicely with blue foam. A couple of times per day I do a full fill - I take out the stuffing, fill cart 1/2 way, insert foam foam, push it into the juice with paperclip, pull back up to corrent position near top of inner cart, top off it needed. Cart should look damp on top, not a puddle. Then I top off frequently. If it tastes a bit dry or I'm not getting enough vapor or atty feels too hot, I take off the cart, check the stuffing position, add a couple drops etc.

I can't speak for the quality of all superminis, but mine for sure does not cut it. I wish I would have found this site a couple days before buying, instead of a couple of days after. I read the 4 customer reviews on the retailer's website and I was sold. Ahh how naive of me!!

Just a couple of questions about the inner cart and foam. I think the inner cart you are talking about is the drip tray I was talking about (the one I removed completely from all of my carts, oops! lol. I pulled them out with a pair of tweezers, but I could easily put them back in....just not so far down?). It is the little cup inside the cart that you stuff the stuffing into? I am wondering about what you were saying about the positioning of this, as in pushing it up so that the stuffing will have more contact with the atty? But then wouldn't the top edges of the inner cart also be in contact with the atty and melt? Or that part of it doesn't get hot? I guess what I am asking is how much contact should the stuffing have with the atty? Loosely touching or pressed tightly against eachother? Please elaborate on "holding proper position"

Have you tried the teabag mod, and if so, how does it compare to the blue foam?


Thanks for the advice.

 

[dormouse]

On my M401 the little inner cart holds the stuffing and juice. The stuffing is positioned at or near the top of the inner cart. The little cart fits inside the mouthpiece and I push it back in gently using a cart plug (my carts come plugged with a clear squishy vinyl plug so I use that to push the inner cart back in) - you only want to push on the edge of the inner cart, not on the stuffing if you press on the stuffing it will go further inside in inner cart and will never reach the atty. Similarly - if you have the inner cart to high, the atty may push the stuffing in too far and thn push the inner cart down in there and there may not be good contact between atty and stuffing. Push the little cart in first and it probably should go in as far as it can without forcing it. It probably has either a little spike on the bottom or some raised ridges inside the mouthpiece to provide the needed air clearance between outer and inner cart.

Once I have the little inner cart back in, I push the battery+atty straight in. Sometimes the atty dislodges the stuffing too much - if so it won't vape well and then I go through taking off cart, pushing up inner cart, reposition stuffing, etc.

BTW if your carts come with foil on the end then you won't have a cart plug, so use something to push the inner cart down into the mouthpiece by pushing on its edge. Some people can do that with a paperclip but I am too clumsy/impatient and end up poking the stuffing down if i do it that way. An BTW - I have heard that M401 cart plugs fit the carts of some other super-minis (not all obviously).

And really - that blue foam is wonderful once you get it cut right for your cart. Works at least as well as brand new white stuffing, keeps its shape, super easy to rinse under running water and press dry on paper towel but you don't need to wash it often, wicks well. I have been using the same cart and blue foam plug for 6 weeks.