Better wicking material wanted!

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pbusardo

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ECF Veteran
Jun 30, 2009
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Cape Coral, FL
Has anyone found a better wicking material?

I'm using the stuff that came with my blank carts. It works fine for a little while, then goes almost completely dry on the top.

I push it down and move it around a bit and it's soaked again.

I'm looking for either a better material to use, OR someone to tell me I'm doing something wrong.

Lemme know. Thanks!
 

trog100

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May 23, 2008
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it might help if folks understood how this works..

think of two sponges.. liquid moves from one sponge (cart) to the other sponge (wire wool around the atomizer) one sponge feeds the atomizer heater coil with neat liquid when you suck..

the wetter the sponge that feeds the atomizer heater coil with liguid the better the e cig works..

the sponges equalize.. when both sponges are half empty the heater coil gets less liquid..

one full sponge being wicked into one empty sponge results in two half empty sponges.. this means less liquid gets to the heater coil which means less vapour..

the only time the system is fully functional is when both sponges are fully wetted.. from then on its down hill..

its just the way it works.. its not the fault of the wicking material.. just the system of liquid delivery method..

trog

ps.. this is why some folks ether top up often or direct drip often..
 
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framitz

Moved On
May 24, 2009
654
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RSM, CA
I still prefer poly fiber for filler material because it is not absorbent like paper or a natural fiber. If I stuff a cart just right amount of fiber it will be virtually empty by the time vapor decreases significantly. The trick is installing just the right amount of poly fill so the juice doesn't run out of the cart and so that it still wicks well. I also try to orient the fibers so they run the length of the cartridge by pulling and folding several times before inserting it, I don't know if this makes a difference, but it seems logical.

I use about 80 to 85% as much poly fill as a factory cartridge and I get excellent results consistently. I also just put the 'straw mod' into a few cartridges and it doesn't hurt, but I'm not sure with my less densely packed cartridges if it's really needed.

I've found my solution to the problem and have no further need to experiment with filler material.

It's all about equalizing surface tension to move fluid from one place to another.

Trog's explanation is right on and matches my personal observations precisely.
 

framitz

Moved On
May 24, 2009
654
7
RSM, CA
Has anyone found a better wicking material?

I'm using the stuff that came with my blank carts. It works fine for a little while, then goes almost completely dry on the top.

I push it down and move it around a bit and it's soaked again.

I'm looking for either a better material to use, OR someone to tell me I'm doing something wrong.

Lemme know. Thanks!
Make sure the filler makes contact with the atomizer bridge, it should wick and not just dry out the top surface. Pushing it down might cause a problem with contact and wicking.
 

Lazarus

Senior Member
ECF Veteran
May 6, 2009
265
3
Treasure Coast, FL
it might help if folks understood how this works..

think of two sponges.. liquid moves from one sponge (cart) to the other sponge (wire wool around the atomizer) one sponge feeds the atomizer heater coil with neat liquid when you suck..

the wetter the sponge that feeds the atomizer heater coil with liguid the better the e cig works..

the sponges equalize.. when both sponges are half empty the heater coil gets less liquid..

one full sponge being wicked into one empty sponge results in two half empty sponges.. this means less liquid gets to the heater coil which means less vapour..

the only time the system is fully functional is when both sponges are fully wetted.. from then on its down hill..

its just the way it works.. its not the fault of the wicking material.. just the system of liquid delivery method..

trog

ps.. this is why some folks ether top up often or direct drip often..

Good logic Trogg, but we may not have the best wicking material yet.

Someone posted about braided fiberglass being a good wick.

The liquid ammount proportions from resivour to atty are obbiously critical when determining how capillary action will transfer the juice, but the medium must be considered, and in my opinion is basic to juice delivery to the atty.

The juice reservoir needs to be designed to draw most; i.e. (a high percentage) of the cart juice to the atty. This will require an efficient wick material. This is currently the biggest waste of jucie in the e-cig system ATM.

This is also why dripping and dipping have become so popular. Carts just don't work well yet.
 
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