Carto Tanks - Very Little Vapor

[floatingtrem]

So I thought I'd give carto tanks a shot, and so far I have been extremely underwhelmed.

The flavor is alright, and I like that they have a hotter vape when compared to my T3s, but the vapor production seems almost non-existant. I'm currently using Smoktech 1.5s (I also have some 2.0s I haven't thrown in yet). I've tried every wattage setting on my VAMO, and while I get a little more vapor on the higher settings, I mostly just get more heat and throat hit. I also seem to get a tad more vapor on my Spinner, which seems odd.

I am using the ICRs that came with my VAMO kit (AW IMRs are on the charger). Will upgrading the batteries make much of a difference? I know the IMRs are supposed to push more power.

All in all, with how popular carto tanks are, I was assuming they would put out at least a comparable amount of vapor to other systems I've used, but so far they most certainly do not.

Any tips? Something I'm missing?

 

[Baditude]

Many here that know me believe I know a thing or two about cartotanks. I've been using them almost exclusively for about 9 months. Using a cartotank has a bit of a learning curve, and I'm almost certain that with some more knowledge and experience that your vaping experience will improve remarkably using one.

Having said that, there are those who have tried a cartotank, and prefer one of the string wicked delivery devices more. It doesn't matter to me what anyone likes, I want them to use what works best for them. You know...whatever it takes to keep you off of the smokes.

I invite you to look at my blog. You can access it by clicking on the link under my avatar. I've put a lot of time and effort collecting information on tanks and cartomizers describing what methods work best for me, including pictures and videos to aid in the visual experience. I've been getting a lot of positive feedback on these both here on the forum posts and through personal messages.

There is one article in particular on how to fill a carto and cartotank that you should pay particular interest in. I'm curious to know what you may have done differently from my method.

 

[floatingtrem]

I actually followed your fill instructions to the letter.

I've read around and feel like I know what I'm doing. I'm not getting any dry hits, as far as I can tell, the thing seems to be working properly.

 

[RPadTV]

All in all, with how popular carto tanks are, I was assuming they would put out at least a comparable amount of vapor to other systems I've used, but so far they most certainly do not.

Any tips? Something I'm missing?

How are you priming your cartos?

 

[floatingtrem]

How are you priming your cartos?

I follow Bad's instructions.

 

[anavidfan]

A cartomizer tank is just that, a tank; a reservoir for the juice. It can not affect the amount of vapor, taste or performance of the cartomizer. If the carto is not primed properly or punched correctly you will find the lack of vapour. If the juice is high in PG that will affect the vapour. If the tank is too flat to the top of the PV hindering the air flow, it will affect the amount of vapour.

Have you used those cartomizers with out the tank and did you get more vapour? If it did, most likely its either the cartomizer or you have no airflow due to the tank being so flat against the PV. You unfortunately will need to have a gap between the tank and the top of your PV. Some tanks have some channels under the base for airflow and those can be pushed flat on top of your PV.

I hope this helps you .

 

[albcig]

i use carto tanks for pocket vape and rbas at home. carto tanks are awesome. smoktech and boge have never given me any problems. this is my work and about setup. is perfect, very light weight 1300mah plenty of vape time

 

[Baditude]

Just something to throw out there. What is your draw technique? Would you describe the draw you are getting as loose/airy or stiff/hard? Occasional draws, or a chain vapor?

I use a gentler, consistant draw of 3-6 seconds on a tank. A cartotank is dependent on the juice transfer from the tank to the inside of the cartomizer, and one must allow a proper amount of time for this to take place. A frequent chain vapor might not be happy with a single cartotank as they might get frustrated waiting for this process to occur. One might think that adding additional holes to the carto would adjust for this, and it might for some, but it could also backfire and cause unwanted flooding of the cartomizer. I'm not suggesting this is the problem of the original poster in this thread, but it's something to consider.

Anavidfan brought up very good points about having the proper airflow. This is dependent upon the connector of the power supply device and the individual cartomizers used. Not enough space for airflow between the carto connector and the PV can result in diminished or even no airflow leading to a very stiff and hard vape pull.

Although not as important to this situation as the cartomizer and connector type, just curious of what tank you are using? The more the information, the better I always say.

You also didn't mention what juice you are using? Flavor? PG/VG ratio. Boba's Bounty is notoriously difficult to wick properly in any delivery device that uses any kind of wick.

IMR batteries will provide better power output than protected batteries when using the boost circuit of VV/VW devices at higher voltages than 3.7 volts. This would also affect vapor production at those higher voltage ranges.

Are you punching your own cartomizers or using laser-drilled carto's? How many holes?

 

[floatingtrem]

Thanks for the input guys.

I'm vaping 50/50 Mt Baker juice with 2 hole pre punched cartos. The tanks I'm using are cheap Smoktechs and a nice glass one (from Vermillion River I believe). I know the tank itself shouldn't matter much, but I'm pretty new to cartos in general.

I've got plenty of airflow and my draw is slow and steady. I've tried changing it up here and there, with mixed results. I am a chain vaper, and have noticed the first hit after awhile is a little better, but not by much.

Is it possible a poorly primed carto would just perform subpar, and not just dry up?

 

[bnrkwest]

I have trouble with 50/50 juice in carto tanks, maybe you are not getting enough juice thru the holes in carto. I use a 80/20 or 70/30 in carto tanks for juices. bnrk

 

[Baditude]

Thanks for the input guys.

I'm vaping 50/50 Mt Baker juice with 2 hole pre punched cartos. The tanks I'm using are cheap Smoktechs and a nice glass one (from Vermillion River I believe). I know the tank itself shouldn't matter much, but I'm pretty new to cartos in general.

I've got plenty of airflow and my draw is slow and steady. I've tried changing it up here and there, with mixed results. I am a chain vaper, and have noticed the first hit after awhile is a little better, but not by much.

Is it possible a poorly primed carto would just perform subpar, and not just dry up?

Thanks for the detailed feedback, that helps. I believe priming the carto is the KEY important step in the whole cartotank setup. There are different ways that different people use to accomplish this. Just do a search on You Tube and you will find several methods, all claiming to be the best. There's many other ways to do a tank setup than what I use, and if people have success with those they should stick with that.

I've tried about all of the methods over several months course of time, and have found what works best for me. I share my method publicly so that others can take parts or all of it to suit their needs as they see fit.

Perhaps try "topping off" the cartomizer with more juice. Re-priming it, so to speak. I sometimes do this when refilling my tanks.

Two laser-drilled holes should be plenty for a 50/50 ratio in most cases. If you are indeed a chain vapor, you may need to do occassional "primer puffs" - draws on the tank without power, in an attempt to get more juice into the carto. If you start hearing gurling or tasting liquid juice in your drip tip, discontinue this method or you'll flood the carto.

I can't think of additional advice, other than observing for any difference with the IMR batteries and using a little more voltage with the juices to see if that results in more satisfying vapor production. Some people believe dual coil cartomizers produce more vapor than single coils (not been my experience) but they seem to perform better above 4.5 volts.

 

[albcig]

im using 30/70 pg/vg in my 2 hole smoktech. they perform really well. i was afraid to use that thick juice that i prepared for my aga but everything is working quite well so far. a 50/50 juice has always worked flawlessly in my smoketechs. but some cartos are just bad, they tend to leak or not wick properly indifferent of the juice you put in.

 

[floatingtrem]

I'm still not completely satisfied with the vapor production, but things are getting a little better. I think part of my problem is that I'm not used to the stronger throat hit, and am not pulling as long as I normally do. The vapor is also quite satisfying, despite lack of cloudage, so things aren't all bad.

I'm gonna keep at it, see how things go as I get used to the throat hit.

Here's a pic of my setup.

 

[Baditude]

That's a fine looking setup that you've got.

When I hear of someone saying "harshness" I think "too much heat". You might just be looking for a cooler vape rather a warm one. It sounds like the low resistance 1.5ohm are just too warm to your liking. You'll probably find the 2.0ohm a little smoother, with the possibility of more flavor presence. I personally prefer 2.5-3.0 ohms. 2.0 ohm or less I find "harshness".

I also am wondering what your inhale technique is. Do you suck vapor into your mouth, hesitate, then inhale into the lungs; or do you inhale directly into the lungs?

I don't know if you've seen this article written by the guy who created the Safe Vaping Power Chart? He explains some things about resistance, voltage, wattage, and "finding your sweet spot". The chart, which is in the article in a visual graphic, is often used as a general guideline to help choose the best ohm for the voltage range that you prefer.

Guide to Safe Vaping - E-Cigarette Safety | Ecig Advanced Community Blog

 

[floatingtrem]

I do prefer the 2.0s to the 1.5s, I think next time I'll pickup some 2.5s and give those a go.

I had seen that chart before, but sort of forgot about it. Is it generally considered unsafe to vape above 9 watts then? I feel like I've seen others on the forum that do.

 

[zapped]

An added benefit to stepping up to higher resistance cartos is longer battery life.I know it sounds backwards but with a 2.5 to 3.0 ohm carto you can get a couple of extra hours.

 

[floatingtrem]

Doesn't sound backwards at all! That's just how electricity works.

 

[zapped]

Doesn't sound backwards at all! That's just how electricity works.

Sounded backwards to me when I was first starting out. Higher number less drain...lower number more drain

 

[Baditude]

I had seen that chart before, but sort of forgot about it. Is it generally considered unsafe to vape above 9 watts then? I feel like I've seen others on the forum that do.

I don't know that it's unsafe, but atomizers being given all those watts will take a toll from that power for extended periods. They do have their power limits, and the graph attempts to approximize that. Most flavors will taste burnt in that range or non-existant. I think those that prefer above 9 watts are seeking more throat hit and vapor than they are flavor and smoothness. Most vapors I believe are in the 6-8 watt range, but a significant number of vapors like it above 9 wtts.

 

[floatingtrem]

Well, I've slept on it and come back to it, and I don't know what to think. Except that maybe cartomizers are terrible and I can't understand why anyone uses them. Or that maybe I've got bad cartos... but five in a row?

Maybe I'm just used to really high vapor production? Do you guys get thick clouds of vapor when you're using a carto? I always hear about how thick the vapor can be from dripping, but my Phoenix, while delicious, doesn't put out as much vapor as my cotton T3s.

This seems the only logical explanation to me.... except that I see videos of folks clouding it up with carto tanks all the time.

I'm pretty good at figuring things out, and I can't think of a single thing I'm doing wrong. Is there anyone else out there with some additional insight?