are Cartridges better than Cartomizers... I HOPE SO!

[Debbie]

I've read there are about 10 puffs to a cigarette and a little over 20 in a carto. And that's been my experience. A carto lasts me about 20 minutes, and then I throw it in my refill pile.

Of course, when I smoked, I finished off a cigarette right down to the filter within 1 minute. I pull hard and fast.

I usually set up 2 ecigs when at home so I can continually hit on them, one and then the other, without burning out the cartos.

I've recently gone looking for suppliers who actually have HIGH nic juice (so many of them call 18 mg high ). Hopefully, that might lessen my need to hit on the ecigs so often.

I've found a few who offer 36 mg and am waiting for delivery.

And I definitely think the cartos use up juice quicker than my 510 carts.

Debbie

 

[Belletrist]

I've read there are about 10 puffs to a cigarette and a little over 20 in a carto. And that's been my experience. A carto lasts me about 20 minutes, and then I throw it in my refill pile.

Of course, when I smoked, I finished off a cigarette right down to the filter within 1 minute. I pull hard and fast.

I usually set up 2 ecigs when at home so I can continually hit on them, one and then the other, without burning out the cartos.

I've recently gone looking for suppliers who actually have HIGH nic juice (so many of them call 18 mg high ). Hopefully, that might lessen my need to hit on the ecigs so often.

I've found a few who offer 36 mg and am waiting for delivery.

And I definitely think the cartos use up juice quicker than my 510 carts.

Debbie

what? where did you read that? i believe a carto is estimated to be 200 'puffs' although i think that number is high (and silly, because wtf is a puff)... i'm not trying to be snarky, i'm just really confused.

 

[JimStanmore]

There was a previous comment about taste diminishing while vapor is still pretty much constant. I noticed the same thing happening and I have just gotten used to it. Some of my favorite flavors no longer have any taste. I tried following the advice of rotating flavors every few days or hours, but it doesn't make any difference or help with the taste. I currently can only taste bacon/maple, apple pie and egg-nog flavors. My favorite butterscotch, grapefruit and french pipe are almost tasteless right now.

Personally, I use the test of burnt or not burnt because I got tired of rinsing out cartos that turned out to be full of liquid. Also, 808 batteries diminish in power unlike 510 and 901 batteries. I have found that switching to a fresh battery has turned an empty carto into a seemingly fresh one. In fact, I have one 808 battery that "lasts" for about 15 minutes. It while keep lighting up for a couple of hours, but just doesn't pump out the power.

The OP's problem might be battery related - possibly bad batteries in the kit (they have only had one kit.) If both batteries were not fully charged before the first use (18 hours+, I think,) the taste would have been off from the beginning. After a few weeks or months, it could be expected for them to go downhill. As an illustration, I just finished filling 25 cartos using the Carto Cap Fill Method. I always test the cartos for 3 or 4 puffs after filling and before storing. I started with two fully charged 808 batteries. I swapped them between the PCC once each and even had to use a 901 battery for a little over the 45 minutes it took for the filling. My batteries are now almost two months old. I had to switch because a carto would have no taste at all or little vapor. Switched batteries and it was fine. Also, overfill and nothing, so, I have to blow it out gently a little bit into a towel.

You can try getting a new battery. I use 510 and 901 adapters so that I can use up my stock of hardware. I find the 510 and 901 to work very consistently. I agree with another thread that they don't last as long as an 808, but they put out full power until they stop. The 808 diminishes gradually and I have to swap batteries in my PCC every 20 to 30 minutes. That means effective continuous vaping is about the same.

So, check your batteries if the taste or vapor isn't working well...

Oh, and cartos last me between one and two hours vaping a couple of times a minute (16 mg) for my refills. New 24 mg V4L's have lasted 3 or 4 hours frequently.

 

[Adrenalynn]

>> If both batteries were not fully charged before the first use (18 hours+, I think,) the taste would have been off from the beginning. After a few weeks or months, it could be expected for them to go downhill.

No. Not with Lithium chemistries. The batteries from V4L won't need more than 20-60mins for a first charge in a wall charger. Li chemistries have no effective memory over their lifespan. So you can pull one out at half charge, use it to the cut-off-charge it half a day, and expect the same deliverable capacity as one that was originally charged before first-use.

The batteries are initially fully charged at the factory.

Now, if you're using NiCd's, I'd probably agree. Not sure where you're getting 'em these days though...

 

[jlmanno]

I was a 2.5 pack a day smoker. When I first started vaping using a 510, vaping tasted like crap after about 10-15 minutes. I was/am a chain vaper. I tried overfilling/underfilling/dripping everything. I was determined not to smoke an analog and was pulling my teeth. I finally figured out it was my batteries, as long as I kept rotating batteries my flavor level stayed high, topping off of course. As soon as I started tasting an off taste or no taste and I knew my cart was wet, I would switch to a fresh battery and the flavor was right there. I still have multiple PV's set up in front of me including PT's and I just keep switching around. Cartomizers last me a lot longer in flavor on a 510 battery than an atomizer, finding that first adapter was great. My vaping experience improved when someone graciously sent me a V4L PT which is/was much better than the 510 with the inline battery. If the OP is that frustrated nothing is going to work until you back off and look at what the possibilities are, fresh bats,fresh carts, nic level, pg vs vg. I'd just back off a little and try switching batteries or try HV, but please for your sake try not to give up! I can honestly say and believe that if vaping worked for me as nothing else did, everyone who has a little will can succeed. Best of Luck and as always Happy vaping!

 

[Monkey Arms]

The problem of carts losing flavor & just producing vapor, is happening on both my Pass-Thrus. It also happens on my 8 batteries.

I Just can't make a cartomizer filled with 1ml of juice last longer than 30 minutes.

 

[wader2k]

what? where did you read that? i believe a carto is estimated to be 200 'puffs' although i think that number is high (and silly, because wtf is a puff)... i'm not trying to be snarky, i'm just really confused.

thank goodness!

when I first read that 20 puff to a carto i started to get worried!
200 sounds much more reasonable.....even 100 would be just fine.

but 20???

 

[Adrenalynn]

I think you'll find the whole concept of "puff" is foreign and equates to "using it wrong" once you get goin', so don't worry about it too much. I think "fractions of a day" is the measurement you'll start using when you settle in. You'll probably vape a LOT at first, but that settles down. 2-3/day is pretty typical around these parts...

 

[tarheeldan]

I'm an ubernoob and have zero experience with the equipment the OP is using. However, the OP appears to have attempted numerous mechanical changes to no avail in solving the problem of rapidly experiencing diminished flavor from juice (but no issue with vapor).

The problem is likely then, not in the equipment but in the physiology. While I haven't taken the time to look this up, it's possible that taste buds are getting tired out or desensitized to the particular flavors in the juice, maybe the OP is a "non-taster".

My recommendation is to fill 2 cartomizers with different juices of equal flavor potency (so one doesn't wholly over-match the other) but of very different quality i.e. sour vs. sweet. And to rinse with water or drink a few sips of milk between switching juices after however many drags it takes for the flavor to diminish enough that it's no longer enjoyable.

Oh, and it's 3:11am here and I've been reading Marx all day for class so that might explain the weird writing style and also why this might not make any sense at all or have already been tried or suggested.

 

[Belletrist]

The problem is likely then, not in the equipment but in the physiology. While I haven't taken the time to look this up, it's possible that taste buds are getting tired out or desensitized to the particular flavors in the juice, maybe the OP is a "non-taster".

yup, i said something similar. (not that i'm saying OMG YOU DIDN'T READ MY POST, i'm just +1ing you )

and wade, yes, please don't worry about that 20 puff number. that's the main reason i posted, not to argue with debbie, who has her own experiences... i just don't want newbies to think "WHA!?"

 

[Belletrist]

incidentally, now that i think about it, i did have some issue when i was first vaping with flavor seeming to drop off... not the first week i was vaping, but once my tastebuds 'revived'... however, it wasn't an issue with equipment, it's just that i like the taste of a fresh cart best. easily remedied in my case by topping off--and as 'Lynn said, if you're topping off to always vape fresh, you're not "using more juice" because that base .5 or .75 ml in the cart isn't being thrown out.

 

[JimStanmore]

Adrenalynn, I was not referring to the non-existent memory, it was the charge level. I was just thinking that maybe the batteries have never gotten to a full charge. DonDaBoomVape (http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ve-ten-nhaler-personal-illustrated-guide.html) refers to the drop off I mentioned in point 6 of The Five-Ten May Not Be For Everyone: The CONS section. The 808 battery has a higher initial voltage (http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/joye-510/65055-battery-voltages-surprise.html) but has a gradual decrease in voltage.

I also remember that several vendors advertised that they charged their batteries before shipping because they were not charged at the factory, but that was with 510s. Vapers were upset that they only got a few minutes of use when they received their PVs and had to wait for the batteries to charge.

Since the OP has tried many things, my suggestion was to try something that is recommended frequently - a new battery. I have an 801 battery that has never produced from the beginning. It is reasonable to expect a few bad batteries out of the thousands made and a kit probably has batteries from the same batch. There have been several instances of bad batteries (you had one in December, I believe.) It wouldn't hurt to measure the output voltage of the batteries in question and compare them to Scottbee's values.

I have been through the frustration of having the vaping working great and then it falls apart or the new PV doesn't live up to expectation at first. Just trying to find something to help out and changing batteries has helped me a couple of times.

This is making me want to dig out my 901 PT and see what it does with a carto. My Copper at 6V makes them too harsh, but is OK at 3.7 on a 901 adapter.

 

[Monkey Arms]

I wonder, since I use Mostly my Manual Passthrus, these things have about a 20 second draw. I usually hit it like a man who's been to the ocean floor 100' down and has just reached the surface. I'm I just burning out the poly too quickly, though I don't let the get hot?

 

[Belletrist]

that could be... i'd just be surprised if it was the drastic drop off in taste the OP is noticing. but we're all kinda scrambling for theories at this point, i think.

 

[Belletrist]

monkey, i don't think so... but maybe try topping off with the PT. i use the manual PT and looove long draws, i just top off regularly. it doesn't mean the cart's dry, i just like it nice and fresh tasting--full, essentially.

 

[ALC]

My suggs, just my opinion.

1. The coffee is one of those flavors that just does not last long. When I use the 18 mg I can go about 20 puffs and then I notice the decrease in flavor is pretty significant. When I tried the 8 mg, it was like 5 puffs and it was gone. I have to stick with the menthols as my all day just to have the flav and throat hit that I like. I hate to say it, but your taste buds may just be like mine and need a stonger flavor as your all day. I too like the coffee, but it just is not enough for me anyway.

2. I guarantee because you are trying to get more flavor and you are heating your carts faster and that makes the flavor drain quickly along with the liquid. I tried to alternate pvs when I use lighter liquids like the coffee and I too still found myself vaping longer, faster, harder, etc. I definitely stopped using my pass-through on the lighter flavored liquids. It may be in my head, but I swear it seems like you go through liquid twice as fast.

3. I would just up the nic value to try to get more flavor or just try a new flavor and see if changes things. From what you've stated it seems like you are doing everything else correctly.

 

[Haytoni]

I'm becoming very discouraged! VERY...

I have the KR808D-1 that uses cartomizers. I'm currently on my 9th cartomizer TODAY!

They go for 15-20 minutes then taste like POO! I rotate between 2 pass-thrus at my computer. I don't let the carts get hot. I really don't know what to do.

Thinking about trying a Cartridge / Atomizer setup to see if I can get some Consistency! I can't afford this 2-5ml bottle a day routine.

List of the things I've tried:
18-20 drops at a 45 degree angle
1ml into a syringe shot into the bottom of the cart
1ml into a syringe shot into all 4 corners of the cart
30 drops & the Taryn Spin
I've tried washing and blowing out the carts
Filling them when they are wet & dry
Letting them set over night, or vaping right away
Buying blank carts & filling them in various ways
Filling the cart then blowing out the excess, or slinging it.

Is there anybody else using 10ml a day? I just CANNOT make these
things last!

SHOULD I TRY A CARTRIDGE SETUP? Will they last longer than 20 minutes?

Having never tried that route you mentioned, I can only say the carts, I get good mileage on the ones in my 510 and screw driver.

 

[Debbie]

what? where did you read that? i believe a carto is estimated to be 200 'puffs' although i think that number is high (and silly, because wtf is a puff)... i'm not trying to be snarky, i'm just really confused.

I read it stated by someone in a thread on ECF (don't remember which) and, like I said, it seemed to fit with my own experience (both with cigarettes and with the cartos).

I would step outside to smoke an analog with someone, both light up at the same time, and I'd be down to the filter in less than a minute, while the other person still had almost a whole analog yet to smoke. Again, I have a hard, fast draw. I smoked 2 1/2 - 3 packs a day for 40+ years.

I like the cartos for the convenience. I just wish they would make them bigger (like maybe the size of a 10ml bottle?!?). Or with a higher nic.

I imagine if you're a light smoker, with a light draw, they last a lot longer. Also, I use them at 3.7, which may make a slight difference too.

As soon as I get my 36mg juice, I'll try refilling some cartos with that. It might help.

Debbie

 

[Belletrist]

i don't know... i'm a chainvaper, PT all day long... so i burn through juice pretty fast compared to most but 20 'puffs' seems wildly underestimated. are you sure you're talking about cartomizers and not cartridges? & v4l does sell 36 mg cartos, btw.

 

[shemp]

Just taking a stab..maybe your usb port is putting out higher than normal voltage? Also, my new favorite refilling technique is doing the quick easy method from the video with the cap and o-ring off and pushing down on the condom, battery end first. That way you can see the juice in the poly. About 20 drops is perfect with a dry carto. I use only manual batteries so no real worries about getting a drop of juice on the battery though I do try to avoid it by thoroughly cleaning the battery end of the carto before attaching to the battery. It gives a used carto like new performance for me. Try it. I hope it helps. Congrats on staying off the analogs!