Atomiser problems

[Tom Lauten]

What kind of issues does one have with atomisers (classically)? Do they burn out? Clog? "Soot" up? Loose conductivity?

Can they be cleaned? Would isopropyl alcohol work in flushing them out?

 

[ApOsTle51]

Usually an atomizer will either die a slow death , vapour production slowly dwindles and it's sometimes hard to realize it's actually not working great unless you compare it to a new atomizer. all that vapourising liquids leaves a residue on the heating coil that builds up and inhibits the heat and increases electrical resistance therefore not producing as much heat/vapour.

or

It just goes cold, the atomizer heating element just snaps because of age , all that heating up and cooling down constantly takes ot toll.

People have tried all sorts of methods for cleaning them , Boiling , steam , cola , Ice maker cleaner , all sorts. I believe Kate has tried the isopropyl alcohol route . I've experimented with various cleaning methods and to be honest with very poor results.

These things really are a disposible item in my book. Look at getting a new atomizer every 2 to 3 weeks . E-cigs weren't designed for the constant heavy use we all give them, just for occasional use where smoking a real ciggie would't be possible.

Do a little search for ' Cleaning atomizers' . Literally hundreds of posts about it but not one of them has a reliable , repeatable and cost effective method of atomizer rejuvenation.

ApO.

 

[Tom Lauten]

Thanks for that...it would be interesting to see if there was a mid-ground procedure to keep them a bit more viable for longer.

I will look into isopropyl and also to see if there are any little ultrasonic cleaning units out there.

I'm enjoying vaping waaaaayyyy too much.

 

[SpaceCadet]

Soak 'n' Coke works for me! Well, I use Pepsi Max, but it's something that's always to hand and easy to use! I just chuck some attys in a tiny bowl (a mug will do), pour in enough Pepsi Max to cover, gently shake to make sure the Pepsi gets right in and leave for an hour or three. After this I rinse in boiling water, then let 'em dry for a while.

Only one atomiser has totally died of the 7 I've bought since January - all of them came with starter kits, I haven't yet had to buy one on its own

 

[surbitonPete]

Up to now we have found no really 'simple' safe cleaning method that 'really' cleans an atomizer coil and believe me there isn't much left that hasn't been tried. If you like the easy life then it's best to just keep on buying new ones.

Although I haven't tried it ....I can't help thinking that one of those ultrasonic jewellery cleaners using coke ...might be one of the best 'simple' safe methods for just general cleaning and might make an atomizer work efficiently for longer.

 

[BettyRedondo]

Unfortunately the ultrasonic method has been tried already, If I remember right, the Emperor of Ice Cream tried it last year some time with little success although I don't know if he used coke in it Personally I have also given up trying to clean them to extend their life, I have tried boiling, vinegar bath and steam from espresso machine. If they cease to give good vapour I just replace them. This week has been particularly bad for me, 2 janty sudden deaths (1 fogger and 1 dura) and two generic classics just not giving out anymore (about 3 weeks old)

I think this is one aspect of vaping life that you just have to come to terms with, saying that sometimes you get a nice surprise - I still have a 901 atomiser that is over 4 months old and still performing well and I have no idea why!

 

[Caesarea]

Unfortunately the ultrasonic method has been tried already, If I remember right, the Emperor of Ice Cream tried it last year some time with little success although I don't know if he used coke in it Personally I have also given up trying to clean them to extend their life, I have tried boiling, vinegar bath and steam from espresso machine. If they cease to give good vapour I just replace them. This week has been particularly bad for me, 2 janty sudden deaths (1 fogger and 1 dura) and two generic classics just not giving out anymore (about 3 weeks old)

I think this is one aspect of vaping life that you just have to come to terms with, saying that sometimes you get a nice surprise - I still have a 901 atomiser that is over 4 months old and still performing well and I have no idea why!

It IS annoying though. I have 5 dead atties since 7th March and they are sitting there awaiting the ultimate cleaning solution. Though I think it's partly because I was too miserly about using up the last dregs of carts before topping off. Prolly dried them out. AND that was on the mains/USB passthrough. Tough for the atties.


C

Edit Another one bites the dust!!!!!!!!!!

 

[exogenesis]

....Literally hundreds of posts about it but not one of them has a reliable , repeatable and cost effective method of atomizer rejuvenation.ApO.

I beg to differ, as long as the wire is not burnt-out.

 

[ApOsTle51]

I'd like to see it exo, a reliable , repeatable and cost effective method..

got a linky link

 

[exogenesis]

For me this works -
burn-off gunk to ash, clean ash with violent fizzing.


Different posts in the same thread:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...simple-cheap-effective-method.html#post157632

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ple-cheap-effective-method-11.html#post215731

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ple-cheap-effective-method-13.html#post246012

Hope this doesn't come across as 'self advertising',
that's not the intent, just trying to perfect what's
partly already known.

 

[Kit]

all methods are in this thread http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/experiments-equipment/1100-how-clean-atomizer.html but apo's right these methods do work to degree but nothing as of yet revives the atomizer back to new. Treat them as disposable because at the moment thats how there being made.

 

[surbitonPete]

It's a little bit of messing about .....but without doubt Exo has come up with the best cleaning method of all.

I just haven't been able to get into town to get some H2O2

 

[Caesarea]

It's a little bit of messing about .....but without doubt Exo has come up with the best cleaning method of all.

I just haven't been able to get into town to get some H2O2

I've saved the link and shall give it a try in the summer holidays - should have found an aquarium shop by then...that will be the difficult bit.

Thanks, guys.

 

[exogenesis]

H2O2 from Boots - ask at the pharmacy counter for the '30 vol' stuff.

I think aquarium shops was for the polymer filter to put in cartridges.

 

[Caesarea]

H2O2 from Boots - ask at the pharmacy counter for the '30 vol' stuff.

Thanks for the tip.

I think aquarium shops was for the polymer filter to put in cartridges.

No, Exo, I was thinking of the squeezy thingy cos I don't have a proper way of powering the attie without sucking on it.
On the other hand, I don't think the atties are badly gunked. Could be the peroxide would be enough without heating?

C.

 

[exogenesis]

Ah, OK sorry.

If your atomizer coil is fairly clean, I assume any cleaning would only
improve it a little bit.

Heating is definately required to make the H2O2 give off it's
oxygen as a violent fizz, rather than just slow bubbles.
I think its that what physicaly removes the ashed gunk.

Perhaps someone will make that 'burn box' and sell it,
so people who don't want to make a special power adaptor,
don't have to fiddle about.
Even easier is to use manual batteries.
Or use those supersensitive automatic battieries like on Dura/510/Titan's,
that you only have to blow on the LED to turn them on.


PS adding a tiny amount of NH3 (to make it slightly alkaline) enhances
that fizz quite a lot.

 

[Caesarea]

Exo wrote

Or use those supersensitive automatic battieries like on Dura/510/Titan's,
that you only have to blow on the LED to turn them on.
PS adding a tiny amount of NH3 (to make it slightly alkaline) enhances
that fizz quite a lot.

if that's ammonia, we have gone way past my scientific education

But yes, if I blow on the LED end, I can make my current attie vape...only prob is not to create a fountain of peroxide to rain on my face while doing so.....

8-o

 

[exogenesis]

Aye, that'd be not so good.

Hopefully you'd be pointing the 'action end' of the atty away from you
at that point though.
I've done this quite a few times & the fizz doesn't come flying out of the
end of a 901 tube.
Other (shorter tube) types might drip, so do it over a paper towel to catch any drips.

As with any of these chemical-cleaning techniques,
caution is better than 'peering closely, to see how its getting on'

And the thorough rinse.

Household ammonia is what I use for the NH3, but just a tiny amount.

 

[Caesarea]

Aye, that'd be not so good.

Hopefully you'd be pointing the 'action end' of the atty away from you
at that point though.
I've done this quite a few times & the fizz doesn't come flying out of the
end of a 901 tube.
Other (shorter tube) types might drip, so do it over a paper towel to catch any drips.

Sounds like an outdoor job. Bet it wouldn't do the carpet any good...

As with any of these chemical-cleaning techniques,
caution is better than 'peering closely, to see how its getting on'

And the thorough rinse.

Household ammonia is what I use for the NH3, but just a tiny amount.

Is Cloudy ammonia OK?

C

 

[exogenesis]

Don't think so, that's got soap in it.
Simply a bottle of Boots stuff - it's 10% NH3 only, looks like water.


Just dripped some H2O2 on the carpet, doesn't seem to clean the
old ciggie burns at all.

Wait, wait...
carpet colour......wait....oh its still the same