I haven't posted much in a long time, but I'd like to get other people's experiences when it comes to using the CoolCarts. I have noticed a decline in how they absorb and wick the liquid, and I'm wondering if others have noticed the same. I've been using them exclusively since V4L started carrying them. When I first started getting them, I could easily get 30-35 drops in each fresh carto (without any "spinning", etc.) and refills would take close to that, but would start dwindling down as it got used over and over. I would occasionally get one that didn't absorb or wick well, but that's just the nature of the beast. The last few times I have gotten them, though, have been an entirely different story. Now I'm lucky to get 20-25 drops in a fresh carto, and it takes a very long time for the filler to absorb the liquid. The liquid just pools on top for awhile. They are also going dry a LOT quicker than they used to be, and I'm lucky to get 8-10 drops in a refill --and this is even in a carto that has been used only once. Considering how much filler the CC's have, it should be taking a LOT more than 8-10 drops to refill a used-once carto. Your experiences?
CoolCarts --comparing notes
- Thread starter JLeigh
- Start date
- th_trl_thread_readers 0
- Status
Never had this happen to me. I usually get around 15 - 20 maybe 25 drops on a refill. Last a decent while. No complaints really. I have noticed that some vape better than others but that is usual.
What flavors are you having the issues with?
What flavors are you having the issues with?
Cartos like every thing else that is mass produced vary from run to run. The one variable in cartos is how tightly they are wrapped with polyfill. Now I have been using CCartos over the last couple of months which I believe were from the same batch. The polyfill was rather absorbent right out of the box and remained so for topping off, washing out, and completely refilling.
On Friday I broke into a new box of blank CCartos, noted they were very tightly wrapped and came with a blue wire. The gold wrapping is also a darker color so I am guessing these are part of a new batch. I actually had to go with the old taryn spin, something I'm not a big fan of to get the first Carto filled from this newer batch. I also noticed that due to the tighter wrapping they do not absorb as much as the last batch.
My theory on this is that the flavorings contain sugars, pg is alcohol based, when both are combined the sugars and esthers coat the polyfill material similar to a type of carmelization for lack of a better term. The end result of the tighter wrapping is more of a resin build-up on the polyfill and less absorption.
So I then took 2 more fresh blanks out but this time I decided to see if there was a way to soften or loosen up the polyfill. So to soften the material I took a long sewing needle and push it straight through the polyfill givng it a little wiggle to loosen it up working in a circular pattern. Then I held the carto under hot running water for a couple of minutes, shook it out, and gave it a taryn spin outside to remove the residual water.
The result is better absorption on the initial fill, however I did notice it took less volume on refills. To work around this the 3 Cartos I opened and filled on Friday (2 of which I loosened the fill and ran under hot water etc.) I rinsed out, spun out this morning, so they would hold a standard volume (25 drops, I don't push the fill limit of 30+) of juice.
Don't know if this will help you out, but give it a try and see if works for you. As well, after 2 refills or 2 days of topping off, give'em a the hot water treatment and fully refill them. I hope you hit this post back and report your results.....so yes, it's not your imagination. Will the next batch be different
...hopefully.
On Friday I broke into a new box of blank CCartos, noted they were very tightly wrapped and came with a blue wire. The gold wrapping is also a darker color so I am guessing these are part of a new batch. I actually had to go with the old taryn spin, something I'm not a big fan of to get the first Carto filled from this newer batch. I also noticed that due to the tighter wrapping they do not absorb as much as the last batch.
My theory on this is that the flavorings contain sugars, pg is alcohol based, when both are combined the sugars and esthers coat the polyfill material similar to a type of carmelization for lack of a better term. The end result of the tighter wrapping is more of a resin build-up on the polyfill and less absorption.
So I then took 2 more fresh blanks out but this time I decided to see if there was a way to soften or loosen up the polyfill. So to soften the material I took a long sewing needle and push it straight through the polyfill givng it a little wiggle to loosen it up working in a circular pattern. Then I held the carto under hot running water for a couple of minutes, shook it out, and gave it a taryn spin outside to remove the residual water.
The result is better absorption on the initial fill, however I did notice it took less volume on refills. To work around this the 3 Cartos I opened and filled on Friday (2 of which I loosened the fill and ran under hot water etc.) I rinsed out, spun out this morning, so they would hold a standard volume (25 drops, I don't push the fill limit of 30+) of juice.
Don't know if this will help you out, but give it a try and see if works for you. As well, after 2 refills or 2 days of topping off, give'em a the hot water treatment and fully refill them. I hope you hit this post back and report your results.....so yes, it's not your imagination. Will the next batch be different
...hopefully.
Last edited:
OP, your observations are consistent with mine; the original carts - same ohm as coolcarts, held more juice. I have commented to V4L in the past exactly what Snow has stated, the polyfill is denser and more tightly wound, leaving less room for juice, and also reducing the wicking performance during vaping (tends to make them burn out faster even though there is still juice in the carto, it just can't redistribute the juice to the atty in the center as fast). I figure they hold approximately 2/3 the juice of the ones I was originally refilling in Jan 2010. Probably not much more we can do, it is clear that the current "coolcart" production is based on this design, probably not likely to change anytime soon. I've sort of resigned myself to the status quo, but am also considering removing some of the polyfill, as loosening it up hasn't worked for me very well in the past. Has anyone been successful in modifying or replacing the polyfill?
PS: Welcome back JLeigh, good to see another cheesehead around here.
PS: Welcome back JLeigh, good to see another cheesehead around here.
Ah --so I am not losing my mind! Thanks very much for the replies. I know there are never going to be 100% consistent 100% of the time cartos, but they were just perfect for me until the last 2 or 3 orders I received. I received 4 boxes of blanks this last time, and every single one I have used is doing this. It has been driving me nuts. I just checked a couple of them and yes, they have the blue wire.
Thanks for the tips, and I will try them! (although I am VERY much hoping I don't have to do this kind of them to them permanently --I really hate fiddling with vaping stuff )
(Yep, jamvector, I'm definitely a cheesehead! lol Thanks for the welcome!)
Thanks very much for the replies. I know there are never going to be 100% consistent 100% of the time cartos, but they were just perfect for me until the last 2 or 3 orders I received. I received 4 boxes of blanks this last time, and every single one I have used is doing this. It has been driving me nuts. I just checked a couple of them and yes, they have the blue wire. Thanks for the tips, and I will try them! (although I am VERY much hoping I don't have to do this kind of them to them permanently --I really hate fiddling with vaping stuff
)(Yep, jamvector, I'm definitely a cheesehead! lol Thanks for the welcome!)
Sorry --I forgot to answer your question. I'm strictly a mint girl; that's all I vape.
Well, just to state the obvious--this isn't a good development. I'm hoping the crew jump in here with their take on things. Thanks for raising the issue, JL.
Maybe I'm just lucky, but I've never had a problem with the coolcarts, apart from them weakening whatever flavor juice I put in tnem. I agree, there is alot of polyfill and the only way to get a lot juice in them is to Taryn spin, every 5-8 drops. I have always been able to get approx. 40 drops in, though, and have been using them for quite some time.
Just wanted to mention something else to try: using a syringe. I've recently begun using this method (thanks, Sally) and find that my CCs seem to be lasting significantly larger. Once I got used to the method, the refilling goes quickly, too.
I've been using CoolCarts since they came out. Lately, I notice more filler and a smaller hole in the bottom threads. I think the draw is tighter and they wick slower causing more burning if you chain vape them. Also, due to the smaller hole, they no longer come with plugs in the bottom condom. I have to be very careful not to overfill, or I'll have to clean out the bottom condom and threads. I like the older ones. They were easier, airier, and lasted much longer. My 
Your welcome, Jeffree! Syringes are not so handy to "top off" with, but you can't beat them when filling a new or empty cartridge. YAY to you for graduating to the syringe!
I use syringes on occasion, they help speed up initial fill, but do not solve the problem of compacted wick absorption rate; you almost have to inject juice from several points. If it absorbs properly from dripping, it will vape properly as well. Syringe injection should not be necessary to fill blank coolcarts.
I must be growing up, Sally. First, refiling. Now, syringes. And only 13 months to get there. If I can find a 14- or 16-gauge somewhere for use with the new VG, I'll be all set.
Edit: just now found some 14s and 16s cheap at Amazon. Hooray!
Last edited:
Are they syringes with needles attached? I was just looking around and cattlestore dot com had 14g and 16g but the needles are separate from the syringes.
Well this is certainly interesting; I've noticed these different aspects of the cartos but just assumed like everything else, they differ, because things are constantly changing. I used to use a syringe but too lazy to fool with it these days, I just drip in the polyfil until no more is absorbed. I rarely vape a carto dry anyway... just top off and go again. But this does explain why some absorb slower and If I'm not patient to allow it to completely fill, the carto doesn't last as long. Good info guys!
Needles separate, but they're cheap. The syringes, too. Search "14-gauge syringe needles amazon" and you'll find them.
Using a syringe is something I hadn't thought of, so I may try that if for no other reason than to use up my current CC blanks. Thank you for the suggestion!
With that being said, for long-term, I really don't think I should have to use a syringe to get decent use out of CC's. They should absorb and wick well right out of the box. They used to do just that. Like I said, I would occasionally get one that didn't absorb/wick well, but that was the exception rather than the rule. That has changed, and I'd like to see it change back.
With that being said, for long-term, I really don't think I should have to use a syringe to get decent use out of CC's. They should absorb and wick well right out of the box. They used to do just that. Like I said, I would occasionally get one that didn't absorb/wick well, but that was the exception rather than the rule. That has changed, and I'd like to see it change back.
I love using a syringe, it's fast, clean, precise and I can do many cartos at a time if I wanted too. I've done the other methods, occassionally will drip and taryn spin or just top off, but the syringe is my prefered way.
And don't forget, a syringe is how they are initially filled in the factory...
It remains the best method for filling.
That said I have taken the comments here on filler consistency to the manufacturer. They are aware of these concerns and this should be improving!
It remains the best method for filling.
That said I have taken the comments here on filler consistency to the manufacturer. They are aware of these concerns and this should be improving!
I wasn't discounting the benefits of using a syringe, I use them quite frequently on initial fills. I just don't think you should have to use a syringe to get the same performance as in the past, and it is much easier to top off on the road / out and about / or at work by dripping. I also like to tell my potential converts that it is as easy as removing the rubber mouthpiece and dripping the juice in at an angle; If I have to convince them that they need to use a syringe, they quickly lose interest.
Thanks for acknowledging this concern Wader, I hope it does get better soon.
Thanks for acknowledging this concern Wader, I hope it does get better soon.
- Status
