Cartomizer questions

[joc3721]

Just got a pro vari unit. They reccomend using this device with a cartomizer, so that's what I bought. Not sure I fully understand the difference between a cartomizer and atomizer, but anyway.....
A few questions: I filled the cartomizer with 25 drops of juice, how long will this last? When the juice is gone, do I put more juice in the same cartomizer or is it time for a new cartomizer?
So far, the experience is a pretty good cigarette substitute. I'm using it as a cessation tool. Got tobacco juice flavors, the selection of other flavors was overwhelming and I'm trying to replicate the smoking experience. Apparently, from looking at this forum, that's not the best strategy and non tobacco flavors are the way to go. Also, I bought a little plastic tip that does'nt seem to fit on the cartomizer. Maybe it's for atomizers only?
Thanks for any help.

 

[tj99959]

Which cartos did you buy? Did you take the little white rubber cap out of the mouth end of the carto so that there was a place for the tip to fit in?
Yes you refill them. A carto is an atty and cartridge all in one instead of being two separate pieces.

 

[WVvet]

Just top off the carto every hour or so by adding a few drops to the filter. You will learn as you go when this is needed as the taste and vapor will drop off a bit. Don't wait until you get a burnt taste! That will never go away and the cartomizer is ruined. Lasts at least a week this way, then you can toss it or save up the used ones and clean them for another week or so of use if $$ is a concern. Research cleaning methods on youtube.

 

[Nomoreash]

Whether it's tobacco or non tobacco juice, use what works for you. Most do seem to gravitate towards the non tobacco but there are many (me included) that prefer them and they along with some coffee flavors make up at least 90% of my vaping. I don't do the sweet, fruity or savory thing well.

How much and how long a fill will last depends on the carto, would need to know what you have to be more specific but yes they all can be refilled x number of times. When you feel the flavor and/or vapor starting to fade a little then top it off with more juice. It's better to error on the side of topping it off to often rather than letting it run to dry.

 

[dormouse]

Here is how I fill and top off stuffing-type cartos (soft cap, defined center air channel). Boge are the most popular for 510-threaded devices. Vapor4Life are one of the the most popular for KR808D-1. Make sure you know the capacity of your cartomizer so you know how much juice to fill it with to start.

I add more juice whenever the taste or vapor seem a bit degraded or if the carto seems abnormally hot to the touch. So far I have avoided singeing them except once with a brand new carto that just vaped so well all the down that it caught me by surprise and singed - need 20 drops - was almost empty. I am on 3.2-4.2 volt so you can singe more easily. I now only use juices with 20% VG or less because with standard resistance I can feel the drag degrade with even 30% VG. I also avoid any juices that drop a lot of flavoring sediment because that clogs cartos and attys.

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How I fill Vapor4Life KR8 cartos and Boge 510 cartos

Pop out the soft cap with an unbent paperclip in the mouth hole, very careful not to catch stuffing or the wire loop.
Shake and open the eliquid
Hold a bit of tissue on the threaded end hole, tilt the carto, and add 18 drops per ml of capacity into the stuffing (Boges and most KR8 cartos are about 1ml).
Wait 15 seconds or so then see how many more drops the carto stuffing will soak in easily.
Clean up the threaded end, tilt open end down into tissue, puff into threaded end to clear air channel (Boges and the KR8 cartos I use have a defined center air channel and I want to see light through that)
Sop up any loose juice above the stuffing
Cap and let it settle - I lay it on different sides for 15-20 minutes to make sure every bit of stuffing gets damp so I won't singe the carto. if you use thicker juice than me (I use 20% Vg or less) then you may need to wait much longer.

While vaping, if the vapor gets a bit light or a bit dry or the carto is getting hotter than normal, I take the carto off the battery and add eliquid. I sometimes use a plastic or delrin drip tip as a mouthpiece on Boge and KR8 cartos (not to drip into since the juice would head for the central air channel)

 

[MollieA]

I'm so glad you brought those questions up- just got my Provape 1 with cartomizers yesterday. I too was a bit puzzled with the little plastic cap (since I ordered the Delrin pro tip), but figured it out pretty quick. I watched the tutorial videos at their website and found them to be quite helpful.

Since I've only had mine for one day, I'm on a learning curve in terms of figuring out how long a filled carto lasts. Thus far, it's doing pretty good. I have had a good amount of vaping and haven't had to change the battery or do a complete refill. After about 30 hits or so, I drop in about 5 to 7 drops and watch how the "wick" absorbs the e-juice. But that's just my particular rate of vaping.

I'm very happy with ProVape. They were so quick in sending my order and I find their flavors to be pretty darn good. Glad it came yesterday, because last night I actually accidentally dropped my GreenSmoke e-cig into a glass of soda, LOL. Man, it fizzled up a storm- the battery did, not the soda. I couldn't believe it. It still seems to work though...

 

[dormouse]

I just save up used ones in case I am ever desperate enough to clean them. I heard if you have those dual coils it is worth cleaning them (supposedly designed to be cleaned)

Re drip tips - I use fairly normal stuffing cartos for 510 (on my 510 and Riva) and KR808D-1 (on my KR8) and I get my plastic and delrin drip tips at LitecigUSA.net to use a mouthpieces on cartos and to drip on an atty on a manual battery. Those beautiful handmade ones you see elsewhere (pawn, whistle tip, swirl, twist) do not fit in cartos - their o-ring sticks out too much. One of these days I will try cutting the o-ring off one and try a little orthodontic rubber band instead. The handmade part itself does fit in the carto - the O-ring is the issue.

 

[joc3721]

Thanks for the good info. I'm using the cartomizer from Pro Vari that they recommend for the Pro Vari. Got a 5 pack. Still can't figure out how the delrin tip fits on. And what's the purpose of a tip anyway? I will add a few drops each day to supplement the 25 I started with and see how long the cartomizer lasts. The cartomizers from pro vari are'nt that expensive, don't think I'll bother cleaning them when they go, just use a new one. Is there a better cartomizer for the pro vari? What makes a better cartomizer? Also, looks like they sell a little squeezer that allows you to add juice without taking the little O ring off. That seems like a good idea.
Thanks again.

 

[dormouse]

Maybe the carto you have can't use one. I originally started using a drip tip as a mouthpiece because the Vapor4Life WOW cartos on KR8 get HOT! I could not get drags as long as a I wanted because it was too hot on my lips. V4L started selling drip tips (my KR8 is V4L) and I got a delrin one and love it on the carto. Not more hot lips and easy to pull out when I add juice, and I liked the smaller feel and the wider stream of vapor. So I got some more (plastic and delrin from LiteCigUSA.net) and my main 510 and KR8 cartos always have a drip tip mouthpiece. I never drip into them. All of my cartos have a defined center air channel and a drip tip would aim juice at the channel and send it down to the battery.

You don't have to use a drip tip on cartos. It's just something some people do.

 

[tigerlily]

First of all, welcome to ecf! I'm impressed that you have begun your vaping experience with a Provari. You truly won't regret it. The Provari will work with any 510 cartomizer out there. I'm not sure what brand Provape sells, but they do work well. When I order elsewhere I generally try to order Boge's, but that's just a personal preference.

I also use drip tips with my cartos. First of all, I like the way they look. But more importantly, they protect my lips from the heat that can be produced when chain vaping. They also will prevent "juice in the mouth syndrome" which occasionally occurs if I overfill a cartomizer. Assuming the drip tip you purchased was a 510 drip tip, you should not have any problem fitting it into the cartomizer. Simply remove the rubber tip that came with the carto and replace it with the drip tip. Sometimes with a new drip tip it can be a tight fit due to the o-ring, but with a little twist and a little pressure you should be able to insert it. I've used every type of drip tip imaginable...aluminum, delrin, stainless, pawn, ming, you name it and have always been able to fit them into the carto.