Bad parts or bad 801 user?

[CoffeeFairy]

I posted this first in the New Members area but didn't get much help so I'm asking again here:

I've been vaping since the day before Thanksgiving and started with a 2-piece (cartomizer + battery) job from Red Dragon. Wellll I loved it but the short battery life just killed me. SO! I ordered a DSE801 and got that baby Thursday. I love the battery life, the cart size, the length...but I have a problem with the vapor - it's cold! Also, the flavors of my juices seem to be really really weak compared to when I used them in the RD carts (I clean and refill those little puppies) or they are completely masked by a heavy metallic taste. I've been using primarily JC Vanilla and Original and also some DK Coffee.

I have both the manual batteries (2) and a manual PT - same deal on both of my batteries (fully charged) and the PT (tried that with my desktop, my laptop, and a wall-usb, same results on all).

Is this just something to get used to or is there a part I should be looking at that might be causing the problems? OH! The atomizers are the 801s, not the BE112s, since from reading I understand that this might make a bit of difference and they are high-bridge. I've tried both using the carts and dripping (including tail-piping) and still, same deal.

With my 2 piece the vapor was warm and occasionally when I forgot myself and started 'hotboxing' it like I used to do my cigs it would get downright HOT and I would have to set the whole deal down and wait until it cooled down. With the 801 it's more like breathing air through a straw. There is vapor but no warmth, no heat and, sadly, not much flavor at all or if there is, it's that metallic taste. I keep having to go back to the RD to get anything that tastes good.

I've read through the 801 threads and anything I could find using the search feature and I'm just not coming up with anything that helps. I'm just trying to figure out if it's me, the juice, a part, or some combination.

Any help at all would be appreciated. As I said before, I love this 801....if I can just get it to work.....

 

[WillyB]

Stock 801's do run cooler than lets say a low ohm atty Joye 510. It's the nature of the beast. The have many fans. Most folks report good flavor though. It seems like the style may not suit you.

I looked at the Red Dragon site and it appears to be one of those overpriced sites with lots of mumbo-jumbo instead of good solid info. If you had bought a KR808D-1 2 piece system (they also go by many names too ... Vapor King, Nebula,Vaperello,DPVP9, Fusion, Zeus) you would have probably been happier. The stock 280mAh batteries are very long lasting and carts can be had in the $8 to $10 range from suppliers who are up-front with what you are buying. There is also a 380mAh battery available now.

From a solid vendor. There are lots of top notch suppliers here with their own sub forums, always a good place to start.

KR808D-1 Series Vaporizer

More cartomizers.

Electronic Cigarettes from Cigeasy - Home of the Easy E-Cigarette

 

[highping]

If you like the 801, I would suggest you get a BB mod that does 6V.
801 at 6V is about as good as vaping gets. Nothing else comes close.

There are lots of big battery mods out there, so you will just have to look around to find what fits you best. I won't call out any mods by name (cough..cough..chuck..cough) cause everyone has their favorite. But I can tell you that an 801 at 3.7V is just not a very good vape.
If you're dead set on stock equipment...
if you want a good hit get a 510,
if you want long battery life, get a KR808.
if you want lots of flavor but don't care about hit, 901

Just my .02

BTW: here's a good place to start looking at BB mods ...
THAG BUILT: A Wolf in Sheeps Clothing!

 

[CoffeeFairy]

TY for the extra info on the 801, I wasn't sure if I was right on thinking that the 801 was just running cooler or if I was starting to go a little nuts (not that that's unusual for me).

And yes, I learned about the differences between PVs after I got the RD, but now I'm sentimentally attached to it so I'm going to keep it around until it dies a horrible death then retire the parts to the bottom of my jewelry box along with my first driver's license and tickets stubs to my first R movie, LOL. It did it's job, though...I look at it as spending more than I needed to on something priceless, and wanting to learn more is what got me here. Call the 2-piece an expensive set of training wheels.

I'm totally open to getting another 'model' (and yes, already planning the graphics for a certain special one...graphics+vaping=Happy Coffee Fairy!!!)...as a matter of fact if I had it my way I'd probably have all of them...it's just that silly money issue that gets in the way. I'm just trying to figure out if the "problems" I'm having are par for the course with 801's or if I've got a couple of bad atty's (or a bad batch of batteries and a wimpy PT)...I might also, of course, be doing something wrong (not an unusual thing). I do know I should be tasting something other than air and metallic tang (yes, I blew out the primer, reprimed, etc. Perhaps I didn't get it all and it's taking days to burn off/out?).

AND...I am starting to go nuts...(again)...TY so much on the further info about the 801! Have ya'll gotten that "metallic air through a straw" issue?

Darnit...maybe a few mods....just a few...and a 501...and a 901...and......I've got a garage and tools...and a soldering iron....if I could just get around that whole "I have no idea what I'm doing" thing......

 

[highping]

Coffee... One other thing I forgot to mention about 801's is that they are very thirsty creatures. I drip with mine and when I taste it going dry, I put in 7, 8, sometimes 9-10 drops. They are also very leaky, but I've found that if it's not leaking a little, it's probably too dry.
You might want to try adding more juice directly to the atty.
The problem is if you are using stock 'auto' batteries, you have to be careful to not over fill and get juice in your batt. So you kinda have to walk a fine line between dry and flood.

**One other thing... If you are thinking about getting a Mod (any mod) I would HIGHLY recommend getting it with 510 threads. Even if you are planning on using it with an 801. The reason for this is that if you start with 510 threads, you can pick up adapters to go to just about any other model. These adapters are cheap (couple bucks) and small (add about 1/4 inch when screwed in) and will allow you to use many different model attys.

 

[CoffeeFairy]

I'm using manual batteries and manual PT - one of the things I didn't like with the 2-piece was the 3 second cut-off, so I bypassed the whole auto idea when I decided to try the 801.

I'm going to try going heavier with the drops. You might have hit it on the head here because I've been being very, very careful with them so as not to flood the atty. I've already decided that dripping and tail-piping suit my style much more than using the carts, although that might be because I'm good at filling cartomizers but not so great with the others (going to try some of those cart mods once I get a chance to hit the store).

Thank you so much for the advice on the mods! I was trying to figure out just what I was going to do to get around the whole atty issue - being as new to this as I am I just don't know what I'm going to settle into. Going with a 501 and picking up adapters and attys to fit those makes a lot more sense.

I am so, so glad that I found this forum - I don't know what I'd do without you folks.

Well...yeah I do....I'd probably be out running to the store to buy smokes....blech....

 

[Antebellum]

AND...I am starting to go nuts...(again)...TY so much on the further info about the 801! Have ya'll gotten that "metallic air through a straw" issue?

Yes, I've had that, but it's not normal. It's indicative of a atomizer that is shedding crud from the surface of the heating element. If you check it with a digital multimeter, you'll probably find that it has developed a high resistance and is soon going to die.

801s, yes, are cool creatures. That's what I like most about them, and I do often vape (with a mod) at 3.7 or, infrequently, at 5 volts. If you find a breakdown of an 801 atomizer (somewhere here on the site), you'll find that it has a stack of wire mesh washers under the ceramic that holds the heater coils and a sintered metal-foam-like bridge over it. It's designed to hold a lot of juice just in normal operation.

If you find that you're topping off the cartridge every few minutes, it means that the cartridge filler has become hard and is not wicking properly. That means it's time for new filler. I still have about a hundred purchased prefilled carts that I'm slowly recycling, but other folks like to stick various things in their cartridges and then compare notes here.

 

[CoffeeFairy]

Yes, I've had that, but it's not normal. It's indicative of a atomizer that is shedding crud from the surface of the heating element. If you check it with a digital multimeter, you'll probably find that it has developed a high resistance and is soon going to die.

Well, another little doo-dad I need to either find in the garage or pick up...more than likely there's one out there I'll just have to look up what it looks like and how to use it

These atomizers are new...as in I got them Thursday new...might be I got a bad batch?

Oh, and I haven't been using carts, just dripping. The carts were being problematic and I was going to wait on diving into figuring those out after I found out what might be going on with the PV itself.

 

[ChesterN]

Well, another thing to consider would be trying RN4072 Atomizers. They are compatible with the 801 Battery and they run hotter then the 801's. If you like the Penstyle e-cig (my personal fav) I really would sugest you give the RN4072 Atomizer a try. It might solve your problems affordably.

I get mine from Randall @ myPVshop.com using Coupon Code: IVape10 to save 10%

Anyway, just something to consider. Personally, I like these attys better than the 801's primarily because they run hotter ... and for me, I get better flavor as well.

 

[Antebellum]

Ah, new? In that case, you just need to flush them - it's the preservative lubricant-based anti-rust stuff they put on the metal parts that tastes awful at first. I've had a couple of atomizers where the taste never actually went away, and I tossed them. Anyway, what I do is to get them very, very wet until they actually gurgle. Then I hotbox without inhaling until it start to smell better. This can take a couple of minutes, so be sure to let the atomizer cool down in-between.

I really don't understand why atomizers that come sealed in plastic have this crap inside them.

 

[Can_supplier]

Coffee... One other thing I forgot to mention about 801's is that they are very thirsty creatures. I drip with mine and when I taste it going dry, I put in 7, 8, sometimes 9-10 drops. They are also very leaky, but I've found that if it's not leaking a little, it's probably too dry.

I resist the urge to drip that much in.. The 801 will take it, but it will leak most of it out. It also works in a flooded condition.. Its strange... You flood it, it will vape ok, then it will act like it needs more juice.. If you just stick with it for a bit, it will come back, or let it sit for 5, no more juice and that is when its at its best, I think... Then yeah it can take another 10 drops, but don't do it.. Limit yourself to 3 drops, then when it runs low, you know its out of juice, not just switching between running flooded and running correctly.

As for leakage, if its wet and you need to wipe it off, its flooded. If its damp with condensation, like the mirror after you get out of the shower, you are in its sweet spot.

Thats how I tame the beast, and enjoy it from time to time as my second PV at 3.7 volts even...

 

[CoffeeFairy]

So sorry that it took so long to reply here - my cousin was visiting last night and I turned him loose on the forums here since he's expressed an interest in switching over from analogs to a PV after almost 40 years smoking (yeah!!!!!).

I've been experimenting with the clean/fill/drip suggestions today and so far I think I might have managed to get one of the atomizers working at least semi-properly.

So I'm crossing my fingers - as soon as I can manage it I'm going to try a different set of attys and I'm seriously looking at picking up one of the 510's if for no other reason than to see what everyone else is talking about, LOL.

 

[BobbiBilbo]

According to your original post, it was the cool vapor you were not liking with the 801.  And while the 510 is not my personal PV of choice (primarily due to lack of flavor) warm vapor is certainly a positive of the 510.

You may find you really like the 510.  Just be prepared ... very short battery life.

 

[WillyB]

So sorry that it took so long to reply here - my cousin was visiting last night and I turned him loose on the forums here since he's expressed an interest in switching over from analogs to a PV after almost 40 years smoking (yeah!!!!!).

I've been experimenting with the clean/fill/drip suggestions today and so far I think I might have managed to get one of the atomizers working at least semi-properly.

So I'm crossing my fingers - as soon as I can manage it I'm going to try a different set of attys and I'm seriously looking at picking up one of the 510's if for no other reason than to see what everyone else is talking about, LOL.

Not "one of those 510's", get a Joye510.

 

[VR59]

Coffee, figured I might as well throw in my two cents as I am a big fan of the 801, and have had similar issues as you first described.
The 801 typically does burn cooler and if I were using it stock (3.7V's) I would much prefer my 510. However, at 5V's it's pretty near awesome in my opinion. So, my first suggestion is go for the mod!
Dripping also seems to work well for me, (I hate messing with the carts) and as others have suggested, when I get that metalic taste, it typically means I need more juice. Usually 3 drops works well for me, anywhere from 5 to 10 hits I guess. Strangely, it seems as my atty gets a few days use or "tired", the taste seems to come more frequently, not sure why this is, maybe accumulated old juice, I dunno?

Anyhow, after several months of experimenting and some awesome information found on this forum I've come up with a really reliable cleaning routine that has been working great.
Most of the info can be found here, the Jaaxx method:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ent/5782-atomizer-resurrection-pt-1-a-11.html
Where interestingly someone also points out on page 11 I believe about using Crest pro health mouthwash.
There is another link about that but suffice to say, at least in my experience it really works great. I used to use water, and then Isopropyl Alcohol with varied success but that Crest really seems to do the trick.

To sum up, every 2 to 4 days or so, (when one of my atty's appears tired or is tasting bad), I get my little plastic bottle out, drop in the atty and fill it with Crest pro health. I shake it up now and again and leave it soak at least 15 min, often longer. Then I wash it out with really warm water and to rinse I fill it with water and then blow it out the battery end several times for a good flushing. Next let it dry for a day or two, and before using it I give the "Jaaxx" method a go.

Really simply, I take a paper clip, small to medium sized and bend out the outside leg to about 90 degrees. I then line up my whistle tip with the bridge (so I know where the bridge is when inserting the paper clip into the battery end), and carefully wiggle in the paper clip down one side, then the other, (Read more in the Jaaxx method link), and wow, they are like new, really worth a shot I think.
One poster previously mentioned how there are several disks in the 801 and you are basically aligning them with the paper clip. That size clip seems to work great as it goes in all the way until I hit the 90 on the edge, if that makes sense?
Well, like you said, sorry about the long post, haha, but from my experience this is really a simple simple method that just works great for keeping your attys running well.

Edit: on page 2 of the link above Jaaxx has a nice diagram of the inside of atty and the disks, really great info, just can't say enough about this method and also the Crest Pro Health.

 

[CoffeeFairy]

Yes, yes, yes! Both attys are working!

Cleaning, adding a little VG and a lot of trial and error on how not to starve those little suckers while managing not to flood them worked....for the first one...

the second one is where the funny comes in

I did exactly with that one as I did with the first...no joy...tried the Crest Procare routine...better but nothing compared to the first one. I finally gave it up for a while since I was at the point of pulling my hair out and set the thing up on my windowsill so that I wouldn't be staring at it. And, of course, my big baby of a cat (who's name is Coffee, btw, LOL...every time someone here calls me "Coffee" I look around for the cat. Point of interest - my other cat's name is Tea. )...ok back on track....he jumps up there and promptly swats the atomizer off it's perch to whack it's way down to the floor...bouncing off of the back of my computer monitor, the back of the desk, etc. all the way down. Thankfully, I have carpet in here or this probably would have ended up differently.

Of all the silly dang things....NOW the atty works! I have no idea if there was something in there that got knocked free, or if something lined up properly finally or...well maybe it's got the fear of CAT put into it now, LOL.

I, of course, do not recommend this as a solution for frustrating atomizers.

I'm still having the cold vapor issue, but I'm getting used to it and from what ya'll've told me and from reading in the forums until my eyes want to bleed that's just 801's for ya'. My mistake was in comparing it to the very hot, very moist vapor I was getting out of the little RD I started out with...two totally different animals there...and I'm starting to like the cooler vapor better (go figure).

Just can't wait until smoker's tongue lets loose it's hold and I can taste more of these flavors - right now if it isn't a strong, strong taste I'm just not getting it (although I've been assured that they smell great).

Thanks so much, folks. I'm so glad I stuck with it unstead of giving in and sending these back.

oh...P.S. I'm still planning on trying out a 510 (yes, hun, a Joye, LOL)...and picking up that mod I've been working up the art for....

P.P.S. I might try making one of those box mods...so if I don't show up for a while on here anywhere, I probably managed to burn down the house 8-o

 

[VR59]

Coffee, glad things seem to be getting in order for ya! Yep, good one knocking that other atty into shape, ha, but I swear that is sort of what that Jaaxx method does. You can do the same thing very easily with a paper clip. I think over time they just sort of mis align and by carefully inserting the paper clip it aligns the disks back up. Just be careful not to forcefully poke through anything.