Cartomizer best practices

[Fireproof]

Hey all, I just started my journey into e-cigs after smoking analogs for 18 years (PAD). I have the smoketip starter kit, and after several weeks, i can say that i have NO cravings for analogs anymore...simply awesome! Seeing as i'm new to vaping, i've tried searching these forums for some answers but can't seem to find them...

Onto my questions:
The cartomizers from Smoketip come in a foil package. when i break one out of the foil, it has rubber end caps on each side.
1. what is the typical shelf life of cartridges kept in the foil package?
2. what is the typical shelf life of a cartridge taken out of the foil, but keeping the rubber end caps on?

I understand that the solution will dry out eventually, especially if you leave the end caps OFF.
Reason i'm asking, is i bought the variety pack, and i want to make sure that if i open all 10 carts from the foil package, and keep the end caps on, that i can safely try out each flavor, and hopefully let me friends who smoke try it next time i see them (1-3 weeks from now).

thanks in advance!

 

[slappycigs]

congrats on kicking the habit. Im going on 3 months cig free. the ejuice actually last a good time. yesterday i found a cartomizer when i first started with no rubber caps on it. I was curious what it was, screwed it on and puffed it. Still tasted like blueberry i cant say about your questions on shelf life but they definitely last.

 

[dormouse]

Should be fine if you keep the caps on. I would recommend laying them on a different side occasionally to keep all of the stuffing damp. Prefills are usually not totally filled.

If they are soft caps you can refill them if you don't run them dry and singe them. If they are not soft caps you can push juice in. But with any refilling you have to be very careful with automatic batteries. If a carto leaks it will leak right over where an auto battery can be easily damaged or killed - right over its drag sensor.

Smoketip is KR808D-1, possibly the 180mah shorty batteries. There are manual batteries available which still have a hole in the threaded end but are harder to damage with juice leaks and won't turn on accidentally from wind or vibration. There are also longer batteries with a longer charge.

You can also use prefills and blanks from Vapor4Life and Bloogplanet as well as generic KR808D-1 blanks and DSE901 standard resistance atomizer. But a drip tip on the atomizer is not recommended if you have auto batteries.

(refresh - I fixed my typos)

 

[JTman]

Congrats on kicking butts! In my experience you'll be just fine for many weeks especially if you keep the rubber condoms on the cartos. I would recomend, if you are interested, finding some blank cartos and getting some bottles of juice to start experiencing the much wider variety of flavors available out there. Like dormouse said, you must exercise some caution when using an automatic battery. Best of luck to you and please ask more questions if/when you have them!

 

[RandomGuy578458]

I personally like the manual batteries (as dormouse and jtman suggested). I've had some that were a little weird and just kept going even when I wasn't vaping, kinda why I dont like autos. If im using an auto battery I always unscrew the carto 1 turn to make sure it doesnt turn on in my pocket.

Anyways Grats on vaping. I wish you much success on kicking analogs to the curb!

 

[Fireproof]

thanks guys/gals for the quick responses. My plan as of right now is to stick with the pre-filled carts from smoketip for the time being. I'm already saving a ....-load of money be switching from analogs to carts, and my END goal is to actually QUIT nicotine all together. IF i end up vaping in the long run, i will definately be researching/posting on my next step (refilling carts, new batteries, etc..).

I just wanted to make sure that if i bought 10 carts of assorted flavors, they would last a few weeks as i try them all out (with the rubber condoms on when not in use).

thanks again guys/gals, i love reading this forum, there's a lot of help/motivation here...just what alot of us need

 

[hairball]

As long as you keep the caps on, they will last for months.

 

[JTman]

If im using an auto battery I always unscrew the carto 1 turn to make sure it doesnt turn on in my pocket.

Thats what I used to do when I first started and had an auto battery. It was so darn sensitive even a slight breeze would set it off. Needless to say it was my first and last auto batt ever.


Always happy to help Fire, please never hesitate to ask for help, advice, or direction from the ECF, there are many many wonderful people here!

 

[Fireproof]

I have yet to get any accessories for my smoketips yet, aside from the DIY case i made from a post i found i think on this very forum (using a walgreens hand sanitizer spray bottle to carry one assembled e-cig). The draw i get from the two batteries that came with the starter kit seem to do just fine (so far), i have had to adjust the way i inhale a little, but i think i got it down now.

I may eventually get a manual battery just to try it out. Can someone recommend a manufacturer that sells a KR808D-1 manual battery that can work with smoketip carts?

 

[jjcordone]

No offense to Smoketip, I began with them too, but you should give the Bloog pre-filled carts a try. They'll fit on the SmokeTip batteries fine and its an amazing difference.
The KR808 batteries are available from a bunch of place, I've had really good luck with myvaporstore.com and with litecigusa.com. Low prices, fast shipping and good products.
Good Luck!