Brand new to vaping with some questions.

[mike5plus5]

Hi everybody. I am totally new to vaping. I decided to quit smoking analogs after ~40 years so I bought an 'Image' eGo VV starter pack for ~$60 at the local tobacco shop. This 'Image' was the only brand they had. I can't post a link to pictures of it since I'm a new user but I'll try posting the address without the HTTP on front:

://s243.photobucket.com/user/letrocrew/library/vaping%20STUFF?sort=3&page=1

I can't find any information or support for it online, only a phone # on the package which I called and left a message but I have not received a return call. I'll try again Monday. I've searched ecf and got some answers, but I still have some questions. So I'm hoping to get some help from experienced vapors.
1 - Does anyone use this 'Image' brand or have a link where I can get more information for it and maybe some replacement parts (mod parts, seals, etc)?
The only information I have is in the little 2 page insert shown in the pictures I linked above.
2 - How do fill it with juice? I haven't found any directions for this but I have been removing the chrome piece on top of the tank while holding the pipe vertical, then adding the liquid between the glass and the center metal tube. I have also tried adding a few drops down the mouthpiece while holding the pipe vertical. I get vapor either way, so what is the correct way?

Thanks for any help!
Mike

 

[inspects]

Mike, is this what you have?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu_RwFwgIJ0

 

[Cullin Kin]

Hi Mike! Welcome to ECF. We're glad to have you!

1) That Image brand is basically a rebrand of a generic ego VV style pen. So any information you find on other brand name ego VV batteries should apply to that battery.

Heres a very similar battery: http://www.myvaporstore.com/Joye-eGo-C-Twist-Variable-Voltage-900mAh-Battery-p/ego-c-tstl.htm

Unfortunately with the battery, there aren't really replacement parts. Just use until the end of it's life (usually 250-500 cycles or recharges from dead) and dispose of the battery properly.

I think you may have a mini protank 2 style tank (http://www.amazon.co.uk/mini-clearomizer-2-4ml-shisha-atomizer/dp/B00FQS5R7W) but could be totally wrong. As for the tank (the part that holds the liquid), the coil will eventually give out. The time depends on how much you vape (usually 1-3 weeks). I'm not sure if that style has replaceable coils or what... Someone should chime in here soon with that information.

2) The correct way to fill it is sort of the first way you listed. Take off the BOTTOM black chrome piece and fill the fluid between the glass and center tube. When you drip directly into the mouthpiece it goes directly down the center tube to the coil. That's okay if you keep it to like 3 drops, otherwise you're in danger of flooding your coil (what heats up to vaporize the fluid).

Here's a good video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sAEI8gjFjs

The way these work, and I'm trying to put this into understandable terms, is that metal tube in the middle should have some small holes in it near the base where the liquid can seep into the wicking material which supplies the juice to the coil to be vaporized. Then the vapor travels up the metal tube through the mouthpiece as you inhale.

 

[CommonSenseLives]

This looks a lot like a Kanger mini pro-tank II. Google how to fill Kanger mini protank II. Youtube is best. " How to fill your Kanger ProTank Mini II v2 Vaporizer "

 

[gandymarsh]

Welcome to ECF!

The battery is a generic Ego VV type. The topper looks like a Protank II mini or a clone of one. These are bottom coil clearomizers that are filled from the bottom. The part shown in this photo is the base that holds the atomizer coil and is what you unscrew to fill with liquid. http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff1/letrocrew/VAPING STUFF/DSCF0177_zpsez3ddlol.jpg

 

[daleron]

Welcome to ECF Mike, make yourself right at home
Looks like you're getting what you need

 

[runamok]

Mike your tank looks like a kanger clone. to fill it unscrew the tank at the bottom so that the glass and 2 chrome pieces are all together. turn it upside down and slowly drip the juice in until it's just below the top of the center tube. Then still holding it upside down screw your battery down into the tank , You might get some juice on the threads while filling the tank which will be pushed out when you thread it the base, just wipe it off with a paper towel. Very important that you don't crank it down super tight. Over tightening can strip the threads and will flatten your o-rings. then turn it upright and let it sit for a minute. This lets the juice soak into the wick and you won't get dry hits. Then vape away and enjoy knowing that your not getting all of the major chems that are stuffed into reg cigs.. BTW when filling and re attaching the tank, keep a paper towel handy, It's almost a given that you will dump juice all over your hand because you turned a full tank over to thread it back on. I know I did many many times. Hang out ask lots of ?'s and you'll get the hang of it.

 

[Sir2fyablyNutz]

Hello Mike and welcome to the forum.

 

[mike5plus5]

Yes mine looks just like the Kanger ProTank Mini II. Thanks everybody! You all have really cleared up my misunderstandings. I was planning to order more e-juice because the only e-juice that the shop had where I bought the kit was12mg. I wanted to wait until I found out where to get replacement parts and what model to order for. So now I'll order an assortment of flavors and mg nicotine strengths of juice all at once with parts. What parts should I order other than some coils and a replacement battery, and which is a good supplier to order from. I would like to order from a supplier that supports ecf of course.

 

[jseah]

I would highly recommend Mt Baker Vapor. You could read about the sort of company they are here

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...sion/658772-mount-baker-vapor-shocked-us.html

 

[djsvapour]

Most e-cigs are filled and used the same. Most e-cigs that have an individual name are just re-packaged items, either from a known manufacturer or a generic factory.

Whether you want to go back and buy spares depends on/if what you got was a good deal. $60 goes a long way these days on basic set-ups.

Count yourself lucky though, some people buy $12.50 e-cigs for $99.99 and don't realize they got taken for a ride.

 

[DingerCPA]

Welcome to the Club, Mike!

Looks like your questions are getting answered. Load up, pull up a chair and have a seat. Folks here are great and incredibly helpful!

 

[mike5plus5]

I didn't see Mount Vapors name one the "Forum Suppliers" list (although I may have missed it) but I ordered some parts from them because of the way they helped that uncle with supply's to help him switch over to vaping, (in your link jseah). I'll be buying more stuff so this next order I'll try shopping around the forum supporters sites.
I bought:
1 x Kanger Mini ProTank 2
2 x Kanger Replacement Coil 5 pack for Protank 2, mini Protank 2, Unitank and Evod
(Ohm: 2.2 Ohm)
1 x Kanger Replacement Tube for Mini Protank 2 and 3
2 x Strawbana E Juice Baker Vapor
(Nicotine Strength: 18 mg/ml (Medium), Blend: PG 50% VG 50%, Bottle Size: 15 ml, Extra Flavoring Shot (.50 8oz, .25 under 8oz): 0)
1 x Blueberry E Juice Baker Vapor
(Nicotine Strength: 24 mg/ml (Strong), Blend: PG 50% VG 50%, Bottle Size: 15 ml, Extra Flavoring Shot (.50 8oz, .25 under 8oz): 0)
1 x 5mL Freebie Bottle
-----------------------------------------
This way I'll have 2 of the same devices to simplify parts interchangeability and ordering, and I'll have 1 complete backup - ready to use. These 2 will do fine for everyday use and taking away from home due to the compact size. Then I'll probably be looking for a device capable of more vapor for the days when life gets on my nerves LOL.
I didn't order a battery yet. I'll need to do more research before buying one similar to what I have now. This one is variable voltage (3-6v) and variable power (5-15w). I'm not sure what mah it is but I'd like to buy at least an 1100 mah if possible.
Thanks again for all the help everybody!
Mike

 

[mike5plus5]

BTW when filling and re attaching the tank, keep a paper towel handy, It's almost a given that you will dump juice all over your hand because you turned a full tank over to thread it back on. I know I did many many times.

LOL...Well, I can't say I wasn't warned ahead of time. I only have one arm so until I come up with a jig to fill this device in I've been holding it between my knees to fill / assemble / disassemble it. So now I just dumped the whole tank on my pants. Now I just hope Tide detergent will get 1.5ml of watermelon - strawberry e-juice out of Levi's jeans. LOL

 

[Wolfenstark]

Hello and Welcome mike5plus5

 

[jseah]

Mike,

It sounds like you want to have the small form factor of the standard cylindrical batteries and are shying away from the box mod style. I was the exact same way when I first started, but I ended up buying an iStick 50W a little over a week ago. With the 4400 mAH battery, I basically plug it in overnight while I sleep to recharge it once every four days. With the size of the battery I could probably go 6 or 7 days before I run the battery dead. At first I was turned off by the idea of holding a huge box battery in my hand, but after seeing the battery at a B&M and holding it in my hand, my concerns went away. Even with all the power it can produce and the large capacity of the battery, it really isn't that big. The attached picture shows my iStick 50W with a Protank 3 on it. Next to it is the Kanger Subtank Mini and next to that is a Bic lighter to use as a frame of reference as to the size. As you can see, the battery is about twice the thickness, twice the width and just a hair taller than the lighter. The feel is really nice in my hand. The battery uses a standard micro USB cable to recharge. The charger that comes with the battery is a 1 amp charger block. With the micro USB connector, you can simply recharge it in your car using the micro USB charger you use for your phone.

 

[mike5plus5]

I'm less than a week new to all this so I'm still pretty mixed up, but it looks to me like the iStick 50W is 510 female threaded to accept a 510 threaded atomizer base. Confused! I'll likely be buying a device with 510 threaded base next, maybe a Protank 3. But for now can I use my eGo thread Kanger Mini ProTank 2 on the iStick with an eGo - to - 510 adapter? Also, I'm still playing with my voltage and watt adjustments on my present battery trying to find my 'sweet spot'. I have this battery set at 3.9v / 15w now, but that's with the original coil that came with this device which I've likely damaged it due to my ignorance. I ordered another Mini ProTank 2 and 11 spare coils that should be arriving in 2 days so those VV / VW settings mayneed to be changed with my new device. I don't see these adjustments on the iStick 50W. So is that going to be a problem if I get either a burnt taste or a weak hit when I mate my Mini ProTank 2 with the iStick?
I was looking at the eMax VV/VW 1300mAh eGo Battery, Variable Volt/Wattage from Smoktek for my Mini ProTank 2, then buy something like the istick when I buy a bigger, 510 threaded atomizer, if you experienced members say that Smoktek quality etc. is good. Is it? Am I misunderstanding the 510 vs ego thread thing?

 

[jseah]

The iStick (when you get the full kit with charger, etc.) comes with a 510 to eGo adapter. Even if you don't get the full kit, those adapters only go for a couple of bucks or so.

If you look at the iStick 50, the voltage/wattage adjustment is the two opposing triangles at the side of the battery, just above the digital display window. The adjustment is set so that you can choose to either adjust the voltage or the wattage, and based on the resistance of the coil, the other is automatically adjusted. As the advice I've gotten here, you start with the lowest setting, and test it at higher and higher settings until you start to get a burnt taste. Once you get the burnt taste, then you know that you have gone too high and you then back off the power. You can play around with adjusting the power until you get the setting that is best for you. In my experience with the Mini Protank 2, I usually have the iStick set at around 7-9 watts, which translates to about 3.7V based on the coil that is being used.

 

[mike5plus5]

Thanks for setting me straight jseah. I didn't look at the iStick close enough at first. I've got the iStick 50W Kit ordered (which does indeed include the adapter) and a Protank 3 Dual Coil also. Now I'll have the 2 Mini's for regular days and the Protank 3 for the big cloud days lol. I've got a feeling analogs are history for me.

iStick 50W Kit

Color
Red

istick_50w_red 1 $59.95
Kanger Protank 3 Dual Coil Protank3_Bund-protankv3_clear 1 $19.95
Kanger Protank V3
1 x Protank 3 - Clear $0.00 protankv3_clear

 

[jseah]

I've heard a lot of good things about the Nautilus tanks as well. I just picked one up yesterday at Ecig Avenue (I heard that they have a coupon code MARCHDEAL which knocks the price down from $30 to $17.99, or MARCHMINIDEAL to get the Nautilus Mini for $17.49). Can't beat that price. When I tried to place my order yesterday morning, I kept getting an error message saying that they were out of stock. Later in the evening, the website showed more in stock and I was able to place my order.