Carto Help Please...

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neo122112

Full Member
Jul 7, 2010
59
0
Ohio
I've been vaping and tobacco free for a week now and I'm lovin it. I got a Joye 510. its great, except I dont really care for the atomizer holding all that flavor. I dont really have the means to buy a different atomizer for every flavor i buy, and i switch flavors too much to clean them every time lol. I'd like to get a bunch of cartomizers, one for each flavor. My question is: how many times can a carto be refilled? The atty in a carto isn't very substantial when compared to a normal atty, does it hold up?

I really appreciate this forum. I went into this not knowing there even were PV's or e-juice lol. Thanks to everyone's informative comments and videos, i feel this is the answer for me.

Thanks Again:thumbs:
 

Automaton

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Jun 23, 2010
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I've filled up my cartos about 6 times each now, some probably a couple more.

They are beginning to lose their taste, but at that point, if you wish, you can clean then and keep 'em running. I've read of people using cartos 20-50 times using this method.

I've actually found the attys to be quite reliable. In fact, I think the simplicity of them is a mark in their favor.
 

Buzzy

Super Member
ECF Veteran
May 19, 2010
333
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Chicago
People around the forum seem to get anywhere from 5 to 10 refills, and more in some cases, on cartos. YMMV, but I have some cartos that did not last more than 3 refills before either developing too hard of a draw, or a slightly funky taste. In a few cases, I vaped them too dry and they began tasting a little burned. In other cases, I have some cartos that have lasted for 6 refills so far, and still going good.

At about $2.00 per carto, that isn't bad, cost wise. There are two brands of 510 cartomizers - one made by Boge (silver threads) and one made by SLB (brass threads). Most around the forum prefer the Boge, but not all. I've seen several posts preferring the SLB. LiteCigUSA.net has both makes, with soft caps, so you can try both and decide which you like better. (I do not work for LiteCigUSA, and have bought from several suppliers. Nhaler, MadVapes, just to name a couple more also have cartos. But I've not found any other vendor besides LiteCigUSA that carries both brands.)

Cartos are very convenient, and require no cleaning as long as you dedicate each one for a particular flavor. However, I do not find the flavor or th as good as dripping. Some disagree, and much prefer cartos to anything else. They are convenient, especially when travelling or just driving around.
 

ArmyWife

New Member
Jun 22, 2010
4
1
BFE Louisiana
I've had that problem with my cartos too - one actually started squeaking lol. What's the best way to clean them out, so I can re-use them once they are past their initial use prime? I have both the Boge and the SLB, but seem to prefer the SLB because it seems to hold more juice for me and I prefer the pull on them. Thanks for the help!
 

Automaton

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Jun 23, 2010
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*I have not tried this yet, so I'm just repeating what I've read.*

Lots of people remove the mouthpiece and the rubber ring, and just boil them. Yup. Boil them.

Some them use a syringe, or a modified turkey baster, to suck warm water through them, and push it back out.

Then use it again to vaccum water out of it, shake it out, put it in a bag of rice, seal it, and let it sit overnight. It should be dry within 24-36 hours.

That's what I'm going to do when I wash mine later today.

Be sure to use warm or cool water if you use the syringe/turkey baster method. I've read about people accidentally destroying them by using boiling or very hot water.
 

oettinger

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Jun 29, 2010
651
20
Tampa, Fl.
For the most part, I can get 4-6 refills on a carto - if they last that long, I boil them out & try get a few more fillings out of them.

Sometimes you get a dud that craps out after 1 refills, but that's uncommon.

I mostly have dedicated cartos for flavors and refill/top off those until they die out, then I toss 'em.

I have the same deallyo going on, but I have some cartos that I have filled 20 or 30 times. I do have some that crap out after a cleaning, and some that have been used seemingly forever.

The turky baster I have found to be the best method. I have a lot less dead cartos this way than boiling them like I used to. Over time they do diminish, and "wear out" but they are FAR from 1 time use.

Rotating a few is the best way, do not use them ALL up them decide to clean them, it is a huge pain to do the ALL at once
 

tiempo

Senior Member
ECF Veteran
Jan 28, 2010
202
13
WISCONSIN
I rinse mine with hot water, blow them out and rinse again. Some have lasted 2-3 cycles with this method. I tried boiling and it really did not do a better job of removing the flavor, and it made the cartos somewhat "boggy".If you are using a very distinctive juice with a strong flavor/scent, it can be hard to get out, but I just reuse those with the same juice. Make sure they are DRY before using them again, and check to make sure the inner tube is lined up before refilling. I have also found that the "normal" cartos fare better than the turbo/premium cartos when it comes to washing, centering and refilling. To me they seem to dry faster, resulting in less of a "musty" back flavor. Nothing beats the convenience of cartos when driving, out on the town, etc.
 
Durability of the atty is not the big issue with cartos, for being a disposable item the attys are way beyond adequate. The problem I have with using them more than a few times is that the filler material burns. I've taken every precaution to avoid this by injecting with a syringe regularly even before any indication of them running dry. Every carto I've used I've pulled the filler out of before pitching, and every carto has had some burning take place. Fortunately the manufacturers are aware of this as well, and have released the C-E2 version in which they have eliminated the filler. I have ordered some, and will review them once I get them.

I have no idea the effects of the burning material, but can almost assure you that upon repeated usage you will encounter it. Cartos are advertised as disposable.
 

Shaka

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Jun 2, 2010
580
6
Honolulu, HI
...I do not find the flavor or th as good as dripping. Some disagree, and much prefer cartos to anything else. They are convenient, especially when travelling or just driving around.

Cartos are convenient when on the go, but I agree with Buzzy on flavor compared to dripping. I drip primarily but use Boge cartos when out on the road. The easy draw of Boge does take some getting used to, but they generate more vapor than the SLBs.

As Zbass said, any cartos w/ fillers WILL scorch the filler regardless of care...it's just the nature of the beast. Can't wait for your review of the "fillerless" ones Zbass!

Sometimes we forget how much money we used to spend on killing ourselves with analogs..a pack here in HI is $8. From this perspective cartos are so dirt cheap at less than $2 ea...why hassle w/ cleaning them, just chuck em after a few refills or when you notice a flavor change...they were DESIGNED to be disposable.

After the initial 28-drop loading of my Boge's, I keep topping off regularly for another 60-80 drops (3-4ml) and then I retire them even if they're still working. Hey, for $1.79 I got way more than my money's worth...for my peace of mind too, since I know it's burning the filler in there.

@MistrissNomad: Thanks for the tip on refilling from the THREADED end. Works like a charm...just sucks it right in like you said. Thanks Cassie!
 
Just thought I'd pass this on. Copied and pasted from the C-E2 thread.

From http://www.royalsmokers.com/Cartomizer.html:

"It's a exclusive product, you only can find it here (patent has been applied), these EDITION2 Cartomizers are Made by Microcig.com for RoyalSmokers and you also can order smaller quantities by Welcome by E-liquid Webshop CN. We believe that the current cartomizers in the market aren't clean enough that's why we like to offer this EDITION2 without cotton inside, we have also an update version without sticker on it, all same coated as the battery and easy refill system without metal needle, more safe more clean, less bacterial, just the way you want it and needed ..!"
 

Shaka

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Jun 2, 2010
580
6
Honolulu, HI
Hi ZB!

Tried to pull up the site and got it in Chinese, and when I tried to translate it gave me "Can not find the page." Is there something else I should do?

Real interested in this because if works will eliminate the main cause of problems with cartos. Can't wait for your review. Do you know the capacity of this carto?

Also waiting for reviews on the Joye eGo cartos w/o filler that purportedly holds 2.5ml (50 drops)...bit pricey tho.

Edit to my previous post: Learned that the draw of the Boges are adjustable with a screwdriver in the slot at the hole in the threaded portion...just turn slightly, clockwise to tighten draw and vice versa...works great.
 

Shaka

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Jun 2, 2010
580
6
Honolulu, HI
Thanks for the advice. I ordered blue foam and a few more attys. If i keep similar flavors to each atty, it works well enough for me. I'd like to try cartos some time, but this is workin great, and simple

Hey Neo. Just thought I'd add that I was a cartos hold-out for a while and was using modded carts (Highping's). But carts just don't hold enough juice and it was a pain to carry like 6-8 for an all day outing. Once I tried cartos, I was hooked! Just pop a couple of extra cartos in my pocket and I'm good for the whole day. Taste and vapor beats carts too, imo.

And, for the price of a couple of atties, you could get 10-15 cartos. Also, you might want to rethink blue foam because of its polyurethane composition. Polyurethane releases cyanide at 500F...I know carts don't get that hot, but the heating chamber in the atty certainly does, and BF particles conceivably could get in there....I for one won't chance it. Here's a thread you may want to read

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...e-foam-dangerous-poison-toxic.html#post894104

Based on my own research and reinforced with this thread, I won't use nor recommend the BFM, only Highping's. Just thought I'd mention.

Mahalo!
 
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Shaka

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Jun 2, 2010
580
6
Honolulu, HI
Thanks. Didn't know that about the BFM. I picked up some PTB at wally world yesterday and thats working better than the poly with the straw mod. Youre right about refilling all the time though, i found myself yesterday with 4 carts and 2 bottles of juice in my pocket lol. Maybe i will order a few cartos, it couldnt hurt

PTB is still a plastic. While polyfil is also, it's polyester with a longer history of use at least. Straw mod is worthless because it's just a vent for refilling, and doesn't address the fundamental problem with cart fillers...the amount of space they take up in the cart, the amount of juice they hold on to, and their poor wicking performance. Try this one because it's too simple to not try...no need to buy anything...and drains the cart dry in my experience.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ighping-cart-mod-simple-gets.html#post1180408
 

oettinger

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Jun 29, 2010
651
20
Tampa, Fl.
will the highping mod flood the atty? seems like a lot of juice for a little piece of polly to hold in

I use cart while at home, when I can sit and fiddle with them ALL DAY.

This MOD works flawlessly, and doesn't flood the atty, or leak out like you would think. I use the blue marine aquarium foam instead of the white fluffy stuff, and it drains the cart DRY.

PLUS for one $15.00 bag of foam, you can fill like 2 zillion 500 billion carts.
 
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