Cartridge Filler Question

[BriDog67]

I've seen and tried a few different recommendations for adding new filler to cartridges but to be honest, I would rather just replace the same stuff that was in them as I've wasted too much liquid experimenting.

I know it's called poly-fill but is there anything special that I should know about it (special kind, etc.) prior to buying some?

 

[Angela]

Make sure it isn't treated with anything (eg fire ......ant). The problem is, it can be a bit fiddly to get the right size nib of the right consistency. The almost identical and much easier alternative is Fuval 2 Plus (Fish tank filter material) This comes in sheets and so is easier to cut to the right size. It is an amost identical fabric to the standard filler... in fact, once it's washed a couple of times it gets fluffier and I can't distinguish between the two.

 

[BriDog67]

Awesome. Thanks for the advice!

 

[Deschain]

I use the fluval myself...I am convinced it is exactly the same stuff as original cart filler...as Angela says, it is very easy to work with as well. That stuff is made for filling carts!


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[Scottbee]

My wife is doing something new and mind-boggling radical!

She is buying pre-filled carts for her 901.... from her favorite vendor.. with liquid in them of various flavors that she likes.

She pulls the cap off of one.. pops it on her 901 and vapes the heck out of it. It lasts a very long time and she likes the vapor and flavor. Her new 901 cartridges drain very well and she can almost empty them completely.

When it runs dry, she pulls it off... puts the plug back on and throws it in a can. Then she pops another new one on. She vapes kinda heavily... so she has to do this 2-3 times a day. It's almost like a ... um... um... a cartomizer! ;-)

After a few days she'll have a can full of spent cartridges. She'll run a toothpick down the side of the filler (poor-man's straw mod) and fill the cartridge back up. Her 901's can handle between 15 and 20 drops depending on drop size. Then she'll put the cap back on and keep it until she needs it. Kinda like a ummm... ummm.... ummm cartomizer! ;-)

After a few refills she grows tired of the cartridge.... and the wicking capability trails off just a little bit. So she throws it out. It cost her about 50 cents... she got three or more refills out of it... it vaped well.... and it was disposable. Kinda like an ummm.. ummm.... ummm cartomizer! Except at about 1/4th the cost!

I'm saying all of this (semi sarcastically) because often we forget just exactly how the manufacturer envisioned us using these things! They're very inexpensive and they are completely disposable. And generally speaking, they work quite well when new.. or with only a few refills on them. And if we actually used them the way they were designed (both the atomizers and the cartridges).. and quite trying to go all radical with different fillers and dripping and dipping and mods and.. and.... we much just get better results, have a more convenient vape... and ultimately enjoy ourselves more!

*shrug*

 

[Angela]

...but if you just rinse the filler out, you can start all over again! (Most cart fillers don't need to be replaced for ages in my experience)

 

[Scottbee]

...but if you just rinse the filler out, you can start all over again! (Most cart fillers don't need to be replaced for ages in my experience)

My experience hasn't been the same. I use her 901 carts on my 510.. and it cooks them. It caramelizes the liquid a bit, and the filler gets hard and compacted. A plain washing with water won't bring them back.

Now.... if I soak them in alcohol and let them air dry... they're fine again. But like I said... at 50 cents a pop, what is my time worth? I started tossing them once she got her supply in.

 

[Eric in AK]

...but if you just rinse the filler out, you can start all over again! (Most cart fillers don't need to be replaced for ages in my experience)

After almost a month of vaping I can wholeheartedly agree with this. There's really no reason for the original filler to wear out. As far as I know everything in the e-liquids, including things like Lorann flavorings you might add, is water soluble. This morning I pulled out the fillers from five cartridges, rinsed them under running water, blotted on a paper towel, and they look like new - white and fluffy.

I've tried the tea bag thing and haven't seen any real difference in how it delivers liquid to the atomizer. It's a lot easier using the original stuff. Just my opinion. I'm probably not much of a hobbyist, so all the modifications are for others to enjoy. I'm good with the basics.

[Edit: I'm using a Joye 510, so maybe there's a difference from other models.]

 

[Angela]

My experience hasn't been the same. I use her 901 carts on my 510.. and it cooks them.

Ah, yes, well that's a different situation.

 

[Snarkyone]

I stopped using the 3pc models once I tried a cartomizer and saw the clearly superior engineering. I tried a KR808D-1 and liked it but then tried the GreenCig and I love that one. It has become my vape of choice. I got tired of constant modding and attention that you have to deal with on the 3pc models, I don't see how they are so popular to be honest. They are ideal for modding and as a first kit to introduce someone to E-Cigs. I prefer the low jacking around factor of the 2pc models and the long lasting carts.

 

[Scottbee]

Well Snarky, I tried to respond to your other thread and the forum software has a glitch that doesn't allow me to post the response.

Bottom line.... had you stuck with the 3-piece and used it the way that it was designed.... I personally think that you would have had excellent results.. probably better than the KR808D-1 results.... with even less hassle and cost. Perhaps the beauty of the 2-piece design is that for the most part it doesn't let people screw it up as badly.

Another beauty of the 3-piece design is... unlike your KR808D-1... when the cart runs low we don't inhale burnt or melted polyester batting. I have a funny feeling that this design "flaw" is going to come around and bite the KR square in the .... one of these days.

 

[BriDog67]

...but if you just rinse the filler out, you can start all over again! (Most cart fillers don't need to be replaced for ages in my experience)

What would be the reason for rinsing them other than switching flavors?

 

[Angela]

They just get dirty/clogged/don't wick as well after several refills (You'll notice they are no longer white, either). A quick rinse in hot water and they're clean and white again and back to full wicking potential (let them dry first though - pat with kitchen towel to help them on their way is what most people do, but I wash them and dry them in my salad spinner!)

 

[DC2]

My wife is doing something new and mind-boggling radical!

Many/most/some people are just fine taking a drag or two every now and then.
The stock filler will work just fine for that purpose.

But if you want to use these just like a cigarette, where you take about 10 drags in about 10 minutes, they just don't wick well enough with the stock filler.

I still don't "smoke" indoors, and I still take my normal cigarette breaks.
The stock filler just doesn't cut it under those circumstances.

I was getting by fairly well using the thermometer method for awhile.
But now I use the blue foam, and it works WAY better than stock filler.
And it's pretty much impossible for anything to be easier.

Okay, well, except for prefilled cartridges.
If you only take a drag or two every now and then.

 

[Angela]

I do fine with it - and I'm a chain vaper

The thing with ecigs is that not only is each model different, but each person is different as well and you cannot factor in the human condition

 

[DC2]

The thing with ecigs is that not only is each model different, but each person is different as well and you cannot factor in the human condition

If you take 10 drags in 10 minutes using stock filler, and don't taste the lovely burnt plastic taste of dry atomizer, I want to know what your secret is! Many of us are searching for this answer.


I'm guessing maybe you take fairly small puffs?
I take massive seven second drags with deep lung inhales.

But it is probably the most common complaint with the 510 model other than battery life.
Burns juice up fast, and the wicking can't keep up for many people.

 

[Deschain]

I find that the straw mod plus fluval filler allows me to vape as often as I please.

This blue foam mod sounds interesting though.


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[Scottbee]

I'm like Angela.... I'm a chain-vaper-er and my 510 keeps up just fine. And I'm talking room-filling, monitor-disappears vapor. If she starts running "thin", I know that I'm about out of juice.

The simple-stupid trick for me ended up being "near stock" SLB 901 carts (and a good atty). Honest.. I don't know what it is about these carts and the filler.. but it is different. And I haven't been able to replicate it with anything else.

I take a brand spanking new SLB 901 cart and I can suck it dry.... chain-vape style. Then I simply slide in my little hypo needle size "straw"... and that cart will service me well for about a week. Then I can either try to clean and rejuvenate it.. or just grab a new one. At 50-60 cents... I just grab a new one.

No.... I don't know why they work better or different. I wasn't this successful with the original 510 carts, that's for sure.

 

[Angela]

Definitely not taking small puffs either.... long, firm, but even draws. (Not saying that this is your problem, but I know that a lot of people make the mistake of starting the draw with a bit of a 'yank'..... because that was what they were used to doing ith analogues. I did this myself in the beginning and had wicking problems. Once I got my technique right, no more problems wicking )

For what it's worth, more people seem to have this problem with the 510 than any other model I've ever read about, so it just may be it's a design flaw of that model.

 

[BriDog67]

I was getting by fairly well using the thermometer method for awhile.
But now I use the blue foam, and it works WAY better than stock filler.
And it's pretty much impossible for anything to be easier.

Now I'm really intrigued. What is the "blue foam" method?

My only problem is that the original filler eventually gets nasty and compressed and I no longer get a good pull off of it. Topping off isn't really an issue but if I could do it less that would be a double bonus.