Cartotank question (or DCTs)...Please HELP!

[fourthrok]

I alternate between using EMSCCs and cartotanks. I tend to prefer cartotanks on my telescope and some of my other 3.7 mods, mostly because I can't find any EMSCCs that are 2.5ohm (single coil). Anyway...the tanks look pretty cool, work great, and they are easy to fill. Here's my problem: I'm running through cartomizers like crazy! I have used 2ohm & 2.5ohm, some already punched with the flange thingy, and some regular type XL cartos that I punch myself. Everything works fine...for awhile....but the cartos simply are NOT lasting. I'm lucky to get 2 or 3 (max) days of use out of one, and I only use them during the day and evening. I switch to EMSCCs at night. I read somewhere that the big tanks...the 6ml....could have a "oxidation" issue. Would that be what is causing the cartos to taste funky/burnt after only two days (sometimes even less)of use? The juice is feeding in there fine.. I've even tried punching a second hole when in doubt. That is not the problem. What is "oxidation" and what does it do, and why does it happen? I vape a mix that is 85 PG, 15 VG.

I got the impression reading online somewhere that using a tank that holds a bit less than 6ml. is supposed to be better...like the 3.5ml. skinny ones. I'm not crazy about the "look" of them on my telescope, though. But I'll get used to the look if using the smaller tank will really help preserve my carto's life. I will say right now that I chain vape...and I MEAN "chain vape". I hit all day, constantly (more than frequently) and sometimes quite hard. So...would using a smaller tank and refilling more often really help with whatever it is that is going on? Honestly...I can get a cartomizer to last for several days...sometimes a week or more...if I'm not using them in a tank. So what is going on? Are the smaller tanks really a solution? Would I do well to go with the "mini" tanks that are for the 35mm cartos?

PLEASE HELP!!!!

 

[Absintheur]

Normally a burnt taste means juice isn't getting to the coils and keeping them well soaked. What do you vape? the more VG that is in the mix the thinker the juices is and larger holes may be needed. Sweet/dark juices tend to clog up coils faster as well. The thicker juices don't wick up to the second coil in a dual as well either. I wouldn't think oxidation would be an issue in the short period of time you are talking about.

The quality of the carto can be an issue as well, I use Ikenvape single coil carto exclusively these days. Simply don't have issues with them

 

[fourthrok]

I vape a menthol ..light..juice at 85 PG and 15 VG.

Don't use dual coils. Don't like 'em.

I'd love to get Ikenvape, but they seem to be perpetually sold out. Probably because you are buying 'em all! LOL!!!

 

[echofinder]

hmm this is odd; I am also a carto-tank devotee & I have not had many problems with them. I can usually get 20ml of juice through one no prob, and double that if I take the time to clean it.

How many ml's/day are you putting through it? What kind of juice? I have had a couple flavors (cake batter, black walnut) that will destroy a carto on contact, those gave me problems similar to what you describe.

I prefer the 6ml tanks, for size and aesthetics... they draw juice a bit differently than the smaller ones (require more manual priming in my exp.) but have not had problems with the larger size.

If they are burning, you may need to prime them more, by drawing sharply without firing the ecig, to draw more juice into the carto. This is often necessary when chain vaping. I use 1.7 ohm single coil flanged cartos, single hole, with 80PG juice.

If they are clogging, you may be flooding, which is either a symptom of over-priming or a problem with the carto hole/s.

I have not heard of oxidation affecting the actual function of juice, only the color, nic content, and possibly flavor. Hasn't been a problem for me.

A typical tank carto will last me a week & a half to two weeks, with 4-6ml a day going through it. Lemme know if you continue to have trouble.

 

[SissySpike]

IMO DCT carts are not the greatest I like Smoktek 4.5 and Iken vape punched 801 fusions standard Res. I use standard tanks mostly glass and I just have to refill once to make it threw a day I use a Slap your Mamma or a narrow drip tip to fill. I do use VV or VW so you might want to skip the 4.5 for a ego type bat as they dont do much good till at least 5.5 V

never tried em but Ive herd nothing but good about Kranger horizantal coils in a tank

 

[Baditude]

I've never heard of this oxidation issue with tanks before. Can you provide a link?

I've got dozens of tanks, mostly pyrex and a few polypropylene. They range in size from the 2ml IBTanks to the 7ml Triple V tanks from Valley View Vapes. I've not noticed any difference in cartomizer life when comparing the smaller with larger tanks.

Rather than the tanks themselves, I'd focus more on the cartomizers concerning your issues. You didn't mention what brand of carto you have been using, or if they are dual coil or single coil. I think both can have significant effects to your vaping experience.

For weeks I had been using Smoktech dual coil replacement cartos in my tanks because that was what they came with.
I came to realize that I had been noticing burnt taste too often, and started reading up on dual coils vs single coils. Long story short, I decided to give single coil cartos a try in my tanks.

If you wish to read the slightly longer version of the dual coil vs single coil story, its in one of my blog entries under my avatar. I also provide a list of vendors with direct links that supply single coil pre-punched cartos for people's convenience.

I went with the same resistance and pre-punched hole number as the dual coils used before. 2.0 ohm Smokteks from here:

Single Coil XL Tank Cartomizer for the SmokTank XL

What I found was the same flavor and vapor production, but over a couple of months use no more burnt flavor, and a moderate increase in battery life. When I got my Provari, I got the 3.0 ohm cartos for it.

I recently tried the Ikenvape Mega Platinum punched! cartos due to some enthusiastic recommendations from friends here on ECF, and I think I have found a new favorite.

https://www.ikenvape.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=1860

People have told me that the Fusion cartos that Ikenvape sells is their premium carto and is even better. I am probably going to give those a try soon, also. They happen to be 801 threaded, so a 510-801 adaptor will be required.

This is from tricci: "I have used both the Platinums and the Fusions. Both are excellent, but I prefer the Fusions even though I have to use an adapter. The air flow on the Fusions is perfect and gives, IMO, better flavor and vapor. I find the TH the same on both. Eventhough it looks a little wonky with the adapter it's an outstanding vape."

I also highly recommend the Slap Yo Momma tank tool like buzzzlove does above.

Hope this is helpful in some small way for you.

 

[fourthrok]

Thanks echofinder. I hadn't heard that about "priming"...and I've been using tanks off and on since last February! lol! Okay..I'll try that. I only vape one flavor...it's a menthol 85 PG & 15 VG. It's very light and thin.

I don't seem to be flooding or clogging at all. Everything will be fine...then suddenly the flavor goes YUCK. I fill a 6ml. tank two times during the day. I don't usually finish the second fill that same day. Like I said...I'll switch to EMSCCs at bedtime (I have some insomnia issues, so I vape a lot at night, too).

I run through approximately 10 to 12 ml. a day.

 

[fourthrok]

I've never heard of this oxidation issue with tanks before. Can you provide a link?

I've got dozens of tanks, mostly pyrex and a few polypropylene. They range in size from the 2ml IBTanks to the 7ml Triple V tanks from Valley View Vapes. I've not noticed any difference in cartomizer life when comparing the smaller with larger tanks.

Rather than the tanks themselves, I'd focus more on the cartomizers concerning your issues. You didn't mention what brand of carto you have been using, or if they are dual coil or single coil. I think both can have significant effects to your vaping experience.

For weeks I had been using Smoktech dual coil replacement cartos in my tanks because that was what they came with.
I came to realize that I had been noticing burnt taste too often, and started reading up on dual coils vs single coils. Long story short, I decided to give single coil cartos a try in my tanks.

If you wish to read the slightly longer version of the dual coil vs single coil story, its in one of my blog entries under my avatar. I also provide a list of vendors with direct links that supply single coil pre-punched cartos for people's convenience.

I went with the same resistance and pre-punched hole number as the dual coils used before. 2.0 ohm Smokteks from here:

Single Coil XL Tank Cartomizer for the SmokTank XL

What I found was the same flavor and vapor production, but over a couple of months use no more burnt flavor, and a moderate increase in battery life. When I got my Provari, I got the 3.0 ohm cartos for it.

I recently tried the Ikenvape Mega Platinum punched! cartos due to some enthusiastic recommendations from friends here on ECF, and I think I have found a new favorite.

https://www.ikenvape.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=1860

People have told me that the Fusion cartos that Ikenvape sells is their premium carto and is even better. I am probably going to give those a try soon, also. They happen to be 801 threaded, so a 510-801 adaptor will be required.

This is from tricci: "I have used both the Platinums and the Fusions. Both are excellent, but I prefer the Fusions even though I have to use an adapter. The air flow on the Fusions is perfect and gives, IMO, better flavor and vapor. I find the TH the same on both. Eventhough it looks a little wonky with the adapter it's an outstanding vape."

Hope this is helpful in some small way for you.

Thanks. I don't use dual coil. The only cartomizers I've found that are 2.5ohm (preferred on my telescope which hits hard even at "only" 3.7 volts) is Smoketech. I also use their 2 ohm ones. I've used the Smoketech single coil cartomizers for nearly a year with no issues. I like the Kanger horizontal single coils very much...but haven't found any that are 2.5 ohm. I really would prefer sticking with 2.5 ohm (no higher!) single coil because it doesn't go through my juice as quickly on 3.7 volt mods (bear in mind the mods will start at 4.1 volts and work down as they are used) .

 

[echofinder]

haha, fourthrok's vaping profile matches mine exactly, from daily consumption to pg/vg ratio to the insomnia, down to the month I started tanking (last feb.).

Anyway, now that I helped someone the karma snake has turned its scaled head; won a bottle of highbrow RY4 last weekend, dropped it in a tank, and now the durm thing floods uncontrollably, like I can sometimes get drops coming out the bottom. New carto, single coil single hole like always, same tank, no detectable defects... ALWAYS flooded. I clean it out and by the time I get back on the SB it is flooding again. ...???