Am I making things too complicated??

[Atari007]

Ok, I have been vaping at a pretty beginner level for a little more than a year now and just now have started experimenting with some more intermediate stuff. I have been happy with my regular old ego and disposable c4s. Good flavor, low maintenance, etc... Well, in the past couple of weeks I decided that I wanted to try to mess around with some new stuff, so I purchased an ego twist. I couldnt really tell much of a difference with the different voltages, except that at like 3.3v it was a cool vapor, not much flavor... at about 3.8v it was about normal and anything above that it just tasted burnt. Bleh....

I also decided to go ahead and try some different tanks. I got 2 dual coil cartomizer type tanks.... Boy did they suck. They either completely dried out after like 2 puffs and wouldnt rewick, or completely flooded. I did prime the cart first, no real help. They were prepunched with pretty good sized holes.... didnt seem to matter.... I eventually just said forget it!

I then went and got a couple MT3s (1.8ohm) and a mini vivi nova tank (2.4ohm). They both work pretty well, but no matter what my voltage is set at I can barely taste the flavor. I have messed with them, read read read, watched videos, etc.... nothing seems to help.

The whole reason I decided to start messing with these tanks was really to save money. I usually buy my ce4s from my local shop, but they are $7 a piece. I figured if I went with something like the T3s or Vivis, I could just end up replacing the internals for much cheaper than $7 at a time and save some money! Things just dont seem to be working out that way though.

I really feel like maybe I should just forget all of this stuff and just go back to the expensive disposable ce4s and not worry about it.

Am I doing something wrong here?? I thought these other tanks and the vv stuff was supposed to enhance the experience? Sigh....

Any advice???

 

[markfm]

VV often doesn't work so well if you try real LR stuff on it, generally 2 - 2.5 ohm range lets you vary the power nicely.

I've never been a clearo person, personally I like a good tank (I use the notcigs M1A1, apparently the IBTanked has also got a lot of positive buzz) with a good filler-based cartomizer (I like IkenVapes 801 fusions and 510 platinums, but there are other good brands). I punch my own cartomizers, but pre-punched cartos are also readily available.

Do you get good use out of your CE4? My $1.80 filler-based cartos go about 20 ml before I change them, using my particular eliquid. If I was paying $7/carto, I'd hope to get at least 60 - 70 ml through before it was time to toss them, again based on my own eliquid.

 

[darkhood]

vivi nova's rob flavor, just how they are. can't tell u about the mt3 but for me the convenience trade off is worth it - i just add extra flavor to any juice i'm gonna put in a nova. i hate carto tanks too btw - currently i'm waiting (not so patiently) for a new bottom coil atomizer tank coming out any day now that looks to be a good solution to our lil predicament. kanger protank - Kanger Protank clearomizer - Kangertech ecig shop - Kangertech

also u might wanna try dripping into a bridgless 306 atty - best flavor and throat hit there is imo (w/o getting into rba's).

 

[tj99959]

What works for you is what works for you, and no amount of money will change that. Actually the nova and the ce4 are pretty much the same thing. It should be just a matter of learning how to use the nova, and choosing the right resistance heads for your individual taste.
There are a lot of reviews for the nova that you can watch.

Personal opinion of course, but learning how to use whatever you choose to use is more important than what you choose to use.

 

[darkhood]

^^^ they do rob flavor tho no matter how you use it imo.

 

[Iron Molly]

I don't do VV at all, and use 510 LR bridgeless dripping atties. I don't care for any type of tank or carto. I have two bottom fed mods now, but due to habit I STILL drip into the atty. Whatever works for you is good!

 

[Xylocaine]

I have had my share of bad cartos, carto tanks, Kanger MT3, ViVi Nova, Stardust Clearo - They all suck. Get into rebuilding a phoenix clone is like 8-12$ and you can get kanthal and silica cheap. I've been rocking the same coil and wick on my Phoenix for four months now and the flavor is still great.

 

[Baditude]

My experience has been any string-wicked device (ie clearomizers, vivi nova tanks, Kanger T3) mute flavors. How can you expect a couple of tiny strings to bring enough juice (flavor) to the atomizer?

There's admittingly a learning curve involved with cartotanks. But because of all that surface area of the cartomizer filler, it is able to bring much more juice (flavor) to the atomizer. Using one in a tank should ensure that the pollyfill stays wet continuously, as each time you vape it draws more liquid from the tank into the cartomizer. It's my opinion that a properly set up cartotank will outperform and allow for more flavor than the string-wicked delivery devices.

My guess is you were inconsistant in how your set your cartotanks up, or messed up somehow in filling/assembling them. I have an article I wrote on proper setup of a cartotank is this article. I invite you to read it and watch the included video tuitor.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blogs/baditude/3710-5-cartomizer-tank-setup.html

Here's a couple more articles that might provide some useful information also:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...k-what-primer-juice-delivery-attachments.html

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...nched-single-coil-cartomizers-cartotanks.html

 

[Nurzrachit]

I rebuild the Vivi nova heads with cotton cheesecloth I bought at walmart, and a 3 wrap coil of 33guage Kanthal. Flavor is outstanding after a short low voltage break-in. Initially it tastes like a sock. I just give it about ten good puffs without inhaling to get through the break-in. I wrap the cloth with eliquid so it is not a dry hit. The build usually lasts about a week of hard core vaping before flavor falls off. The cost of a rebuild is fractions of a penny. Coupled with DIY juice, this is by far the cheapest way to vape I know of. I could probably vape for an entire month for less than 5 bucks, no lie. I however am a hobbiest, so I spend alot more. I would go with whatever works, and do the other stuff on the side till you get it figured out. And yes, you are missing out, Clearos pale in comparison to many, many, many other vaporizing devices. Good luck.

 

[DavidOck]

If you like the form and convenience of the CE4, just up it a notch to the CE4+, CE5 or Stardust type, with replaceable coils. Look for the ones that seem to have two metal rings at the base. They separate there to clean and to replace the coils, which just unscrew from the post. The older style were not replaceable coil. Once you have a few of the new style, your cost will go down, as it's just heads. (Personally, I prefer the CE5 to the Vivi. I've had less problems with them, YMMV.)

You don't say how thick your juice is, but it seems to me that if it wicks in a CE4 it ought to work in a carto tank. It sounds like you didn't get the carto as primed as needed. The folks at one of my local B&Ms (lucky me, I have several in reach!) showed me a different way to prime them.

Put a few drops onto the filling, from the top, enough to get it wet, but you're not filling from the top. (Drip tip off, of course.) Half fill the tank. Press the battery end of the tank into your hand to block off the air tube, and suck on the carto a few times (drip tip back on). You'll see the tank level go down. Refill as needed, and repeat until the the stuffing looks wet. Top off the tank as needed. Should be good to go.

VV lets you adjust for the coil resistance and the particular juice, and, yes, too low a resistance will limit the voltage choices before getting "burnt." I find that different juices like different amounts of power for best flavor. And I also find that I can't always get the coils I want (and there are manufacturing variances!), so it's great to compensate for that as well.

 

[Bubba]

My experience has been any string-wicked device (ie clearomizers, vivi nova tanks, Kanger T3) mute flavors. How can you expect a couple of tiny strings to bring enough juice (flavor) to the atomizer?

There's admittingly a learning curve involved with cartotanks. But because of all that surface area of the cartomizer filler, it is able to bring much more juice (flavor) to the atomizer. Using one in a tank should ensure that the pollyfill stays wet continuously, as each time you vape it draws more liquid from the tank into the cartomizer. It's my opinion that a properly set up cartotank will outperform and allow for more flavor than the string-wicked delivery devices.

My guess is you were inconsistant in how your set your cartotanks up, or messed up somehow in filling/assembling them. I have an article I wrote on proper setup of a cartotank is this article. I invite you to read it and watch the included video tuitor.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blogs/baditude/3710-5-cartomizer-tank-setup.html

Here's a couple more articles that might provide some useful information also:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...k-what-primer-juice-delivery-attachments.html

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...nched-single-coil-cartomizers-cartotanks.html

I'd agree with baditude on this, I switched from wick based to carto tanks and can't go back. There is a learning curve to them but once you get it figured out, it's well worth it. For me the hardest part was priming the carto without either flooding or burning it. It took a couple of tries but I have a system now that works.

Personally, I'd recommend giving the carto tanks another try - if you need help just ask

 

[Atari007]

Oh.... I should also mention that I am really just guessing that these are CE4s. :\ I know that doesnt help much, but I buy them from a local shop, and they didnt even know what a CEAnything is. haha. Here is a picture of all of the different things that I have been using.



The small blue one is the kind that I have been calling CE4. It is completely disposable. The taller blue one has a removeable bottom. The others you guys should already know.

I have to say though, they all put out good vapor, they just lack flavor.. except for the one that Ive been calling the CE4... the taller blue one has good flavor for the first hit... then its all gone.. :\ The MT3 I barely had any use out of, but I went ahead and replaced the head of it last night just to see if it made a difference.... it did not. Its completely flavorless. The vivi is just "ok" .... VERY muted though compared to the CE4....

Oh, and my juices are generally about 50/50 ... some of the ones that I use quite a bit are from altcig and they dont tell you their pg/vg ratio... they seem to be more on the VG side though. I figured maybe this was the reason it wouldnt wick too well into the carto for the tank. I am on a business trip right now in sunny Miami so I dont have access to some of my more PG based juices..

I am going to watch those videos and see if i can get anything out of them.

Oh, and as far as the tank.... I didnt mention before that it came with dual coil 1.5ohm cartos. Which from my understanding equates out to 3ohm, is that right? Why do they have to make it so complicated? haha

 

[markfm]

A dual coil 1.5 ohm is two 3 ohm in parallel, each gets half the watts (power). A 50/50 eliquid isn't too bad, should be fine in any decent carto tank.

 

[EddieAdams]

Kanger EVOD clearomizer(3)
Spare heads( standard resistance 2.5)
32g kanthal a-1
1mm Wick material(I prefer natural options)




You're welcome.

Other than being a Kanger bcc it shares nothing with the t3 or mt3. l will buy them from you if you don't agree.

 

[minimalsaint]

Give the MT3 another chance- I use an EVOD BCC which is basically just a smaller version, and with a new head it usually takes a tank or two to get the best flavor. I use a 1.8ohm head on a 650 eGo and it keeps me happy.

 

[tj99959]

I have had my share of bad cartos, carto tanks, Kanger MT3, ViVi Nova, Stardust Clearo - They all suck. Get into rebuilding a phoenix clone is like 8-12$ and you can get kanthal and silica cheap. I've been rocking the same coil and wick on my Phoenix for four months now and the flavor is still great.

RBA's work great, I'm using one right now. However we enjoyed great vaping long before RBA's existed. I also have a 1.7ohm carto on my reo at the moment, so I can say that it isn't necessary to mess/tinker/modify anything to get a satisfying vape. It's all just a matter of what a person wants. Guess that's why we had about a thousand tobacco products to choose from. (course we all know that Camels were the only cigarette that was any good) lol

Last spring and summer the clearos & RBA's really saved our butts when the QC of cartos went south, and there is no guarantee that can't happen again. Sure is great that we have choices, and it's never a bad idea to explore more than just one way to vape.

 

[Bubba]

Oh.... I should also mention that I am really just guessing that these are CE4s. :\ I know that doesnt help much, but I buy them from a local shop, and they didnt even know what a CEAnything is. haha. Here is a picture of all of the different things that I have been using.

View attachment 188303View attachment 188304

The small blue one is the kind that I have been calling CE4. It is completely disposable. The taller blue one has a removeable bottom. The others you guys should already know.

I have to say though, they all put out good vapor, they just lack flavor.. except for the one that Ive been calling the CE4... the taller blue one has good flavor for the first hit... then its all gone.. :\ The MT3 I barely had any use out of, but I went ahead and replaced the head of it last night just to see if it made a difference.... it did not. Its completely flavorless. The vivi is just "ok" .... VERY muted though compared to the CE4....

Oh, and my juices are generally about 50/50 ... some of the ones that I use quite a bit are from altcig and they dont tell you their pg/vg ratio... they seem to be more on the VG side though. I figured maybe this was the reason it wouldnt wick too well into the carto for the tank. I am on a business trip right now in sunny Miami so I dont have access to some of my more PG based juices..

I am going to watch those videos and see if i can get anything out of them.

Oh, and as far as the tank.... I didnt mention before that it came with dual coil 1.5ohm cartos. Which from my understanding equates out to 3ohm, is that right? Why do they have to make it so complicated? haha

ok so the small blue one is the CE4 (or stardust), the next one is a Kanger T3, and of course the last one is a Kanger MT3. I can tell you from looking at your setup that part of the problem may be the battery - I have a couple the same size and they just do NOT fire that carto tank like a mod does.

That being said, you may have to run a tank through the Kangers before you get the full flavor out of them

Edited to add: You may want to clean those Kangers and the replacement heads before use, I got some that had a strange taste, almost like a primer. Cleaning them will get rid of that and may allow more juice to get soaked up by the wick, giving you more flavor. Unfortunately, anything using a string wick is going to mute the flavor. At least that's been my experience. They can be convenient, but you pay for it with taste

About your tanks - how many holes? I use 2 hole, pre punched cartos in mine and all my juice is 50/50. Part of your wicking issues could be a higher VG ratio and a single hole in the carto.

On that eGo battery, is it VV? if so, go with at least the middle setting for your tank, if not the highest (don't know what kind it is so can't give you exact numbers) and see if that helps. Also take a look at that carto and see how many holes you have. Could be that it's not wicking that thicker juice fast enough to keep up with you, or just not letting enough in through that single hole - if it is a single hole carto, that is

 

[EddieAdams]

Give the MT3 another chance- I use an EVOD BCC which is basically just a smaller version, and with a new head it usually takes a tank or two to get the best flavor. I use a 1.8ohm head on a 650 eGo and it keeps me happy.

I have3 of both and I couldn't tell you why the EVOD is so much better with performance and reliability. Just is. Maybe the smaller tank, wick opening,I don't know. Almost zero gurgles or flooding until the very end of the tank. Great flavor and vapor.

 

[tj99959]

ok so the small blue one is the CE4 (or stardust), the next one is a Kanger T3, and of course the last one is a Kanger MT3. I can tell you from looking at your setup that part of the problem may be the battery - I have a couple the same size and they just do NOT fire that carto tank like a mod does.

That being said, you may have to run a tank through the Kangers before you get the full flavor out of them

Edited to add: You may want to clean those Kangers and the replacement heads before use, I got some that had a strange taste, almost like a primer. Cleaning them will get rid of that and may allow more juice to get soaked up by the wick, giving you more flavor. Unfortunately, anything using a string wick is going to mute the flavor. At least that's been my experience. They can be convenient, but you pay for it with taste

About your tanks - how many holes? I use 2 hole, pre punched cartos in mine and all my juice is 50/50. Part of your wicking issues could be a higher VG ratio and a single hole in the carto.

On that eGo battery, is it VV? if so, go with at least the middle setting for your tank, if not the highest (don't know what kind it is so can't give you exact numbers) and see if that helps. Also take a look at that carto and see how many holes you have. Could be that it's not wicking that thicker juice fast enough to keep up with you, or just not letting enough in through that single hole - if it is a single hole carto, that is

No, the blue one in the middle is a rebuildable Vision CE4+. (I even used those same Stardust heads in my mini nova)

 

[DavidOck]

I agree, the middle / taller blue one looks like a rebuildable CE4+ / CE5, etc.

And do you always reassemble your Vivi with the tank upside down?