Another newbie intro, and some questions

[KateWolven]

So a few weeks back I started doing some research into PV as an alternative to analogs. Thankfully found ecg (pretty happy here). Did more research here, spent a couple days watching vidoes (thanks to MistressNomad,) decided to go with the Kr808D-1 and Joye 510 starter kits, see which I liked better and go from there . I had a few questions and called the place I decided to order from (I prefer not to say which here, since things didn't go so well), get a few more questions answered, and get started. Questions didnt really get answered, and the Joye started kit was out of stock so I couldn't get that, however the Kr8 was in stock and I jumped in with both feet. Ordered it and 4 bottles of juice (different flavors and nicotine strengths).

The wait was worse since I went on vacation 2 days after my order . No way to get them by them, and really it worked out, they were waiting when I got home, YEAA!. Broke everything out, and the problems started! I got extra juice because I THOUGHT I would be refilling for maximum cheapness. According to the directions the cartos are not refillable. It did however come with 5 cartos, so I figured I would be good for a bit and can always order more as I do more research. *sigh* now I have 4 bottles of juice and nothing to use them in. whatever, I got rid of all my analogs, and started vaping. Things went ok for awhile, until the first time I tried to charge the battery. It has been charging for 2 days now, nothing nada, won't charge, the light wont change from red. I get one maybe 2 hits off it and the light is flashing dead again. Help!

I thought I had done my research well, and knew what I was getting. It seems that the more research I do the deeper into confusion I pull myself. What did I do wrong, are the batteries only good for 1 use? is my kit defective? What do I need to buy to actually use the juice I have? Do I need to buy mods? What exactly are mods? I know modifications, but to what exactly? Are the stock batteries and whatnot just crap. Do you start there then figure out how to make your own? I really just want to get away from analogs completely. I did well the first 2 days, but now with nothing to vape (or a way to vape it), I have gone and bought more analogs and a lighter again .

Any advice would be appreciated. I won't be calling the store I bought from originally, nor will I order there again. I hate confrontation and that WAS not pleasant for me at all the first time.

 

[WomanOfHeart]

So a few weeks back I started doing some research into PV as an alternative to analogs. Thankfully found ecg (pretty happy here). Did more research here, spent a couple days watching vidoes (thanks to MistressNomad,) decided to go with the Kr808D-1 and Joye 510 starter kits, see which I liked better and go from there . I had a few questions and called the place I decided to order from (I prefer not to say which here, since things didn't go so well), get a few more questions answered, and get started. Questions didnt really get answered, and the Joye started kit was out of stock so I couldn't get that, however the Kr8 was in stock and I jumped in with both feet. Ordered it and 4 bottles of juice (different flavors and nicotine strengths).

The wait was worse since I went on vacation 2 days after my order . No way to get them by them, and really it worked out, they were waiting when I got home, YEAA!. Broke everything out, and the problems started! I got extra juice because I THOUGHT I would be refilling for maximum cheapness. According to the directions the cartos are not refillable.

Oh yes they are! I'm not sure why the instructions say that, but it isn't true. You can refill cartos several times before they go bad. When you start seeing vapor production drop and get a slightly burnt taste or smell then it's time to refill. You should be able to just pop the plastic mouthpiece off and drip more juice on to the filler. Usually about 10-15 drops will do for the regular sized cartos.

It did however come with 5 cartos, so I figured I would be good for a bit and can always order more as I do more research. *sigh* now I have 4 bottles of juice and nothing to use them in. whatever, I got rid of all my analogs, and started vaping. Things went ok for awhile, until the first time I tried to charge the battery. It has been charging for 2 days now, nothing nada, won't charge, the light wont change from red. I get one maybe 2 hits off it and the light is flashing dead again. Help!

It sounds like you might have a bad charger. Are you using your computer or the wall charger? If you're using your computer, try using the wall outlet instead. You might also try wiping off the connections of both the charger and the battery and see if that helps. If it still won't charge then you'll need to contact the vendor. I know you don't want to say who it is, but I think you should let us know. That will give us a better idea of who you're dealing with and if it's not a good vendor, we can point you to one who is. This will also allow us to warn off other newbies if the vendor is sub-par.

I thought I had done my research well, and knew what I was getting. It seems that the more research I do the deeper into confusion I pull myself. What did I do wrong, are the batteries only good for 1 use? is my kit defective? What do I need to buy to actually use the juice I have? Do I need to buy mods? What exactly are mods? I know modifications, but to what exactly? Are the stock batteries and whatnot just crap. Do you start there then figure out how to make your own? I really just want to get away from analogs completely. I did well the first 2 days, but now with nothing to vape (or a way to vape it), I have gone and bought more analogs and a lighter again .

At this point, I don't think you need a mod. Mods use batteries that are separate from the device rather than being self contained. Regardless, you should be able to recharge your batteries many, many times before you need new ones. All you really need to use your own juice is exactly what you have right now. You might want to order some blank cartos so you can refill them, but that's about it.

Any advice would be appreciated. I won't be calling the store I bought from originally, nor will I order there again. I hate confrontation and that WAS not pleasant for me at all the first time.

I hope this helps. Don't give up yet! This really does work, but there is a learning curve and it does require some patience and experimentation.

 

[JC Okie]

Those cartomizers you have CAN be refilled. They probably all say that....of course they're gonna want you to buy more. Just pop the little white cap off and drip juice in on the filler until it's completely sated. Let it soak in between drops. I drop about 5 drops in, let it soak in for a minute, then add more. The minute the taste changes (don't let them get scorched), do it again. If you're refilling cartos, they'll hold about 15-20 drops. If you get some blank cartos (I suggest you do) then they'll hold about 30-35 drops initially, then 15-20 on refill. You can refill them at least 8-10 times (my opinion, but I do it ALL the time.) The battery problem is not normal. Either you got a bad battery, or a bad charger. Contact your vendor immediately and they SHOULD make good on it. The problem is, you'll be trying to do this (quit smoking) with only one battery, and that just won't be fun. Get that vendor on the phone or email them. If you don't get satisfaction, then order another battery from somewhere else. I know Vapor4Life-Because it's your life - E-Cigarettes/Smoking Alternatives has them. Don't know where you ordered from the first time.

Lots of people sell 510 kits, so if the place you tried first is out of them, try someplace else. I know Joye eGo | Joye 510 | Electronic Cigarette supplies Tulsa | Batteries, atomizers, cartomizers, e-Liquid and more! has them. Keep in mind, the 510 stuff and the KR808 stuff are NOT interchangeable, so don't know if you need both kits anyway. If you want to really get a good kit from a good vendor, E-Liquid and Electronic Cigarette Shop - Category Listings has Riva 510 sets for $29.99 and they are wonderful. They're compatible with the 510 stuff you tried to order (not the KR808 you have)....and they have a bigger (better) battery that will last about 6 hours on one charge. I've used them for many months and love them. If you go there (LF), be sure to click on the 20% off entire order in the top left corner, and go to the Riva 510 lite bundle.

Things will get lined out pretty soon....then you'll be sooooo happy you made the switch to vaping. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me....or come here and ask away. Everybody here will be glad to help in any way they can.

 

[MickeyRat]

Well first off, go ahead and say who the vendor was. If they suck, we don't want to deal with them either. If they are cool, someone on here will know and tell you that they will take care of you.

Those MistressNomad videos are good but, a little dated. There are better kits than the ones she talks about now. Those aren't bad though.

First, you can refill any cartomizer no matter what the seller says. If you watched all the MistressNomad videos, in one of them she shows you a way. I believe she also mentions not to deal with vendors that aren't recommended on this site.

As for the batteries, they might very well be defective and it's not confrontation to give a vendor the chance to make the transaction right. So far, you haven't said anything that the vendor did wrong other than not get you the kit in two days. I doubt they promised to do that. If they received a defective product from the manufacturer, it's not their fault either.

Now if you are dead set against giving the vendor a chance to redeem themselves, this thread. Has my recommendations and if you follow it to the end, you'll see my explanation of all of it.

 

[KateWolven]

I apologize for it seems my choice of wording about the vendor came out wrong. The vendor IS someone that was recommended, and my issue was not with the amount of time it took to receive my order, nor with the fact that it appears one of my batteries (possibly both) is/are defective. I took exception to the way I was spoken too (and told just to place my order and move on, he didn't have time), when I was trying to get a couple of questions answered. I chalked it up to a very bad day on his end, but prefer not to do business with him again. That said I do not want to trash anyone over one bad day. Considering how many other places are available to order from (that have good recommendations as well), I will just go elsewhere.

Yea that the cartos CAN be refilled. This makes me VERY VERY happy. I do have 2 batteries (well maybe one), and really would like to have at least 4 working batteries for rotation purposes. That's why I was going to purchase both of the kits and see which I preferred. Then purchase additional batteries and atomizers (or cartos), based on what I preferred.

Thank You for the great links, JCnewbie. They will come in handy and somehow I missed there is a place fairly close to me I can order AND even go and peruse the store.

WomanOfHeart, thank you for the mod info, I really am not into modding anything, but if that is what I had to do I would have given it a shot. I am not giving up, I just needed a bit more info to be able to make more informed choices. You have provided that and I thank you!

MickeyRat, Thanks for the link to the other thread , I did read it and will be reading it again, and making decisions from that and other information as I can find it.

 

[CBB]

I just received my Riva today, it comes with ten blank (not prefilled) carts. The instructions say to discard a used cart and replace it. I am sure the instructions are worded like that to release the manufacturer of the liability of you possibly poisoning yourself trying to refill it. If carts and cartomizers were not to be refilled they would be manufactured in a way that made it impossible to refill them.

 

[dormouse]

We do refill KR808D-1 cartos. We buy Vapor4Life.com (their prefilled and blank cartos are soft-cap and you can add more juice). Or you can buy a basic KR808D-1 elsewhere and buy soft-cap blank cartos. I recommend manual batteries if you plan to be refilling cartomizers because auto batteries are totally dependent on the drag sensor in the open hole in the threaded end of the battery. If a carto drips, it will drip right where that hole is.
I prefer cartos on 510 too. I use blank soft-cap Boge cartomizers.

If your battery won't charge

1. If you are attaching the charging cable to your PC's USB try a 500mA AC to USB instead.

2. Look at the threaded connection on the end of the battery and the connection in the charger cable - any dry/dirty juice film on them? If so clean it. I clean the ends of my batteries every single time before attaching them to a charger.

3. If they are auto batteries and juice dripped on the threaded end, it may have killed the battery

Did you contact the vendor?

 

[KateWolven]

Did you contact the vendor?

No, really I figure no worries. I can replace the batteries fairly cheaply it seems and really the call and shipping back and forth don't seem to be worth it to me. Plus I think I would like to try manual batteries and the cartos instead . The auto batts seem to be less and less desirable (for me) the more I read about them.

Thank you for the info on changing the charging type, it seems to be charging at least one battery. I will try the other as soon as this one is done.

The information in this thread has been very helpful all the way around. I think I am going for manual batteries, but the cartos rather than the hassle of separate cart and auto. I think I will invest in a PCC case (maybe) as well. I am all for accessories .

 

[KateWolven]

Rather than starting a new thread I thought I would throw a question in here. The jiuce says it needs to be stored in a cool dark place, or in the fridge. Can anyone tell me what the reasoning behind this is? Does it go rancid if not cold enough or is it just basically saying hey don't super heat this in the car windshield in 100 degree weather? Right now I am keeping mine in the fridge, but if I am going out for the day I would like to take it with me.

 

[tornadosiren]

their is a bit of argument about whether or not the fridge is good for juice or not, however, for those who do follow the fridge philosophy, that is really for longer term storage. Carrying the bottles with you when you got out for the day is perfectly fine. Keep them out of sunlight, however. The nic and flavor can degrade fast in sunlight.