Carto & Tank Fit Problem

[Maenad]

Howdy Y'all,

I've been vaping for a few months, and after lurking for a while, I'm finally posting for first time. I'm so frustrated by current problem that I'm ready to give up on vaping. I have my first mod: LT2. I ordered two pyrex tanks to celebrate. I'm having no problems fitting, filling and using cartos in the XL tank. For the standard size tank, I ordered Boge 510D SR Standard cartos, pre-tested and punched. The carto is very hard to get in, even using one of those great helper tools. Then, unlike the XL cartos, which are flush with both ends of my XL tanks, the carto is a bit long. When I used the first carto, it wouldn't go above 2.7 ohms, taste wasn't good and the draw seemed off. When I used second carto, it slipped down and dumped all my most expensive (and fave juice) out. I cleaned up and refilled. When I went to vape, immediately read 0.3 ohms "LO" and smoke everywhere.

Here are measurements:
1) Carto length without threads is 35 mm. Carto length with threads is 40 mm.
2) Tank length with end caps is 33 mm.

Here are pictures of what the standard cartos looks like in the standard tank.




I've contacted both vendors, but everybody seems to be pointing the finger at the other. All I want is to find a carto that will fit my standard-sized tank. Or to know that the tank was made too short in length, and therefore, I'll never find a standard carto to fit it. Then, I can have the tank redone.

Any help is greatly appreciated. I'm at wit's end and have spent many hours on this already!

Thanks,

Maenad

 

[artt]

I have a Siam tank for xl catos with a little "spill over" of carto length when inserted into the tank. It's the only one I own and just assume their is a bit of variation from one tank to another.

 

[Baditude]

Sounds like the tank is a wee short, but need more specific information:

What is the name of tank or manufacturer?

Cartomizers are pretty standard in length and diameter, nearly all of them 35mm or 45mm. Pyrex tubes are cut by the tank manufacturer, so the length might be off slightly.

Having said that, this is only an aesthetics issue. Length of the carto should only be an issue if it is too short to complete the seal in the said tank.

Is the carto that you were having trouble passing into the tank punched by a carto punch? Or does it have the laser-drilled holes? Self-punched cartos are usually deformed out-of-round more or less. More can make passing one into the tank impossible.

This is exactly the reason I returned to purchasing laser-drilled cartomizers for all of my tanks.

 

[The Ocelot]

~~~never mind~~~ I misread the OP. I thought they were looking for a longer carto.

 

[r77r7r]

Some people put a little juice on the outside of the carto to aid insertion. Do you thing that you could buy one of those rings that fit under the carto for aesthetic purposes? They make several kinds.

It sure wouldn't be good to lose you back to the ciggies. Welcome!

edit: Does anyone know of a good way for him to maybe trim his carto down for a perfect fit? I thought I saw that somewhere b4.

 

[Maenad]

Thanks for the reply, Baditude. I've learned much from your posts, while I've been learning about vaping.

Tank is sapphire 25mm standard from IBTanked. I have an XL from them also. No issues with XL cartos fitting their XL tank. Standard cartos were from Valley Vapes (5 pack Boge 35mm SR Cartos 510D). Paid extra $1 to be pre-tested and punched. I think they're carto-punched, because my other cartos have small perfectly round holes, and these have sloping larger holes. When I ordered my standard tank from IBTanked, I had to go elsewhere for cartos, because they don't sell standard-size cartos, pre-punched. Since I'm such a noob, I didn't feel comfortable hand-punching my cartos, yet. It makes sense then that the reason they're hard to pass into the tank is because they're carto-punched. Had no idea that when you bought pre-punched cartos, they could be hand-punched or laser-drilled.

When people talk about carto length, do they include thread or not? These cartos are 35 mm w/o thread, and 40 mm w/ thread. So, it doesn't matter if carto is a bit too long...only matters if too short to reach top of tank and make the seal there.

I'm thinking my leaking problem is that because with the extra length the carto tends to slide up/down as I'm pulling off/on my Phiniac tank tool. I have a SYM, but haven't tried it, yet. I like how easy the slanted tip on the Phiniac tool makes it to fill the tank, once you've primed the carto. For priming, I use a syringe or needle-tipped bottle.

Do you have a rec for good place to get standard-sized, single-coil, 3.0-3.2 ohms, double hole, laser-drilled cartos? I'm too new to have experienced the nuances of single versus double-coil/hole, etc. All I know is Volcano recommends at least 3.0 ohm cartos to take advantage of higher volts on LT2. I covet your Provari and SB. Honestly, if I had to do it over, I'd have gone with either of those for my first mod. I just don't notice a huge difference vaping on a mod and haven't been able to take my juices up to higher volts. Again, probably newbie error or simply that my expectations were too high. My hunt is for the most intense flavor, then VP, then TH.

Probably more info than you needed. Much appreciated.

 

[Maenad]

Thanks for letting me know that there are variations from one tank to another. Any and all info helps me learn about the incredibly complicated, yet fascinating, subject of PVs and vaping. I admit that I'm liking vaping more than smoking in many ways, but the learning curve is steep, so can get discouraging at times.

 

[Maenad]

Thanks for the warm welcome. During my many late nights of reading the vaping sites, I've seen those rings that go under the carto that you mention. I'll dig to see if I can find them again. I also remember seeing the post about trimming cartos for perfect fit. I skimmed it, because didn't think I'd need it anytime soon. I'll dig for that one, too.

 

[Caridwen]

Howdy Y'all,

I've been vaping for a few months, and after lurking for a while, I'm finally posting for first time. I'm so frustrated by current problem that I'm ready to give up on vaping. I have my first mod: LT2. I ordered two pyrex tanks to celebrate. I'm having no problems fitting, filling and using cartos in the XL tank. For the standard size tank, I ordered Boge 510D SR Standard cartos, pre-tested and punched. The carto is very hard to get in, even using one of those great helper tools. Then, unlike the XL cartos, which are flush with both ends of my XL tanks, the carto is a bit long. When I used the first carto, it wouldn't go above 2.7 ohms, taste wasn't good and the draw seemed off. When I used second carto, it slipped down and dumped all my most expensive (and fave juice) out. I cleaned up and refilled. When I went to vape, immediately read 0.3 ohms "LO" and smoke everywhere.

Here are measurements:
1) Carto length without threads is 35 mm. Carto length with threads is 40 mm.
2) Tank length with end caps is 33 mm.

Here are pictures of what the standard cartos looks like in the standard tank.


View attachment 161121View attachment 161125View attachment 161131

I've contacted both vendors, but everybody seems to be pointing the finger at the other. All I want is to find a carto that will fit my standard-sized tank. Or to know that the tank was made too short in length, and therefore, I'll never find a standard carto to fit it. Then, I can have the tank redone.

Any help is greatly appreciated. I'm at wit's end and have spent many hours on this already!

Thanks,

Maenad

That's the standard size cartomizer in the picture? Looks like the tank is short. I've used the same pre-punched cartomizers you purchased in a tank (not the same tank you have) and never had a leak. Where is it leaking from? Are you sure they aren't XL cartomizers? Even so, that shouldn't cause a leak.

 

[Maenad]

Yes, that's the standard carto in pic. It's 40 mm long w/ thread and 35 mm long w/o thread part. It is definitely shorter than my XL cartos. I think my leaking problem is from the carto sliding when I manipulate it to add juice, etc. and also the end caps come off when it slide, too. So, it's seeming like the cartos are the right length and tank (33 mm in length with the end caps) is short?

 

[Baditude]

Thanks for the reply, Baditude. I've learned much from your posts, while I've been learning about vaping.

Tank is sapphire 25mm standard from IBTanked. I have an XL from them also. No issues with XL cartos fitting their XL tank. Standard cartos were from Valley Vapes (5 pack Boge 35mm SR Cartos 510D). Paid extra $1 to be pre-tested and punched. I think they're carto-punched, because my other cartos have small perfectly round holes, and these have sloping larger holes. When I ordered my standard tank from IBTanked, I had to go elsewhere for cartos, because they don't sell standard-size cartos, pre-punched. Since I'm such a noob, I didn't feel comfortable hand-punching my cartos, yet. It makes sense then that the reason they're hard to pass into the tank is because they're carto-punched. Had no idea that when you bought pre-punched cartos, they could be hand-punched or laser-drilled.

When people talk about carto length, do they include thread or not? These cartos are 35 mm w/o thread, and 40 mm w/ thread. So, it doesn't matter if carto is a bit too long...only matters if too short to reach top of tank and make the seal there.

I'm thinking my leaking problem is that because with the extra length the carto tends to slide up/down as I'm pulling off/on my Phiniac tank tool. I have a SYM, but haven't tried it, yet. I like how easy the slanted tip on the Phiniac tool makes it to fill the tank, once you've primed the carto. For priming, I use a syringe or needle-tipped bottle.

Do you have a rec for good place to get standard-sized, single-coil, 3.0-3.2 ohms, double hole, laser-drilled cartos? I'm too new to have experienced the nuances of single versus double-coil/hole, etc. All I know is Volcano recommends at least 3.0 ohm cartos to take advantage of higher volts on LT2. I covet your Provari and SB. Honestly, if I had to do it over, I'd have gone with either of those for my first mod. I just don't notice a huge difference vaping on a mod and haven't been able to take my juices up to higher volts. Again, probably newbie error or simply that my expectations were too high. My hunt is for the most intense flavor, then VP, then TH.

My buddy TNT here on ECF uses these large-hole laser-drilled standard resistance Boges from ElectronicStix.Com · Single Boge 510 Blank Laser Punched Cartomizer For Tank Systems Should be what you are looking for.

Try the Slap-Yo-Momma tool. I highly prefer it to the Phiniac tool.

You did well to go with the laser drilled cartos. The reason I went back to using those instead of punching my own was because of what you are experiencing with the Boges you now have. I struggled with too many cartos being warped and not being able to get them in or out of my tanks. If there is just a little bit of size intolerance of the endcaps, they won't fit.

Which brings up this subject. It's entirely possible that the acrylic caps on your standard tank wasn't milled to the correct dimensions for the carto to pass easily. Just try to pass one of the XL carto's through the standard size's endcap since those are not warped. See where I'm going? Is it the endcaps or the carto that's off? Also lube the carto with some e-liquid when you try this.

 

[Caridwen]

I tend to think it's the endcaps. Never had that problem with pre-punched or punching my own for that matter.

 

[Baditude]

I tend to think it's the endcaps. Never had that problem with pre-punched or punching my own for that matter.

There was a recent incident when someone PM'd me about an issue with the acrylic caps not fitting properly. I can't remember if it was with fitting with the carto or the tube. I advised him to contact IBTanked who asked that they return the endcaps back and then IBTanked sent a brand new tank with the more expensive stainless steel endcaps to the customer. IBTanked are quite concerned about providing the utmost in customer support and have always done well in my book. I have purchased 7 of their tanks and not had an issue with them.

There might be a quality control issue with the acrylic caps. I don't know if the IBTanked personel check every cap will fit a carto or not, or if that is even feasible for them. I believe that they use an outside supplier for these caps.

 

[Maenad]

I've been very pleased with IBTanked and look forward to buying more tanks from them. I'm using stainless steel caps on both tanks. Will rule out it's caps by trying XL carto on standard tube. Will also start using my Slap-Yo-Mama tool. Will contact IBT to make certain tank isn't too short. At least 1 out of 5 cartos is bad in this batch, so will try the rest, but ordered others from ElectronicStix, too. Gotta order my favorite juice, as half went down the drain...what does CC put in their House Blend?