Day 12 or so with my 510... some hardware issues. Hard drag

[Tracey081]

Today my 510 started being really, really hard to drag (low air flow). It's better now:
-- I blew out the atomizers (just swapping atomizers didn't seem to help)
-- I kept the cart more filled with juice
-- I used fully charged batts -- switched to full charged batts before the "dead light flash"; switched often.

One of those things helped, or maybe a combo of them all. But I was very disturbed that the thing was so hard to suck. (I carry it with me everywhere, now carry juice too; I vape A LOT).

What causes "hard drag"? Most commonly?

The other hardware issue is the screw connections (atomizer->batt) seem hard to screw. I've been wiping them down with a paper towel until no more black crud came off, every night, but that's all. Is there more I need to do? (Lube the screws? They seem that hard to screw together.)

I'm "only" on day 12; my maintenance has been minimal. Do I really need to take the atomizers off at night and store them a certain way? How often should I be cleaning the connections, and with what?

 

[deathtobacco]

Hi Tracey- I am a long-time lurker but new poster and I will try to answer as I have a 510. The type of juice you use can make a difference, i have read vg will clog up the atty faster than pg. If it is air flow, try screwing the two all the way together and then backing the atomizer off about 1/2 a turn. I have found this to work for me on the 510 and the other model i have. It sounds like what you are doing is right, it will perform better when clean, etc. Try a little wipe-down with WD40 on a paper towel to lube the threads. Read some of the "care and maintenance of atomizer" threads as these will tell you all you need to know. Personally I only clean mine around once a week or ten days. Someone with much more knowledge will surely come along with good solutions for you. Bill

 

[mynicknamerocks]

Hi Tracey - sounds like you are taking care of your atomizers properly, the only other suggestion I have is to try a rinse with very warm water and blowing them out.

the 510 atomizer can also become hard to draw on if it gets too hot - this is because there is a small platic cup inside it that can melt - some people push a needle through the battery end center hole to open the hole up and restore the draw - I've never done this but it's something you could look up.

The hard to screw on problem will resolve itself in time as the threads wear down.

The most important things as far as i'm concerned to keep your vaping experience being a good one are:

always keep the atty wet
blow out your atomizers when the draw gets hard
remember that all parts are disposable - don't waste hours trying to "fix" a 2 week old atty that costs $5 - ditch it and buy a new one.

 

[Tracey081]

Hi Tracey- I am a long-time lurker but new poster and I will try to answer as I have a 510. The type of juice you use can make a difference, i have read vg will clog up the atty faster than pg. If it is air flow, try screwing the two all the way together and then backing the atomizer off about 1/2 a turn. I have found this to work for me on the 510 and the other model i have. It sounds like what you are doing is right

Thanks for coming out of lurkdom Bill! I am using mainly VG liquids now. I've read so many threads here about maintenance, but it can be overwhelming. Like the tip about loosening the atomizer a tad... I may indeed have overtightened the connection because the connection was so stiff.

the 510 atomizer can also become hard to draw on if it gets too hot - this is because there is a small platic cup inside it that can melt - some people push a needle through the battery end center hole to open the hole up and restore the draw - I've never done this but it's something you could look up.

[snip]

remember that all parts are disposable - don't waste hours trying to "fix" a 2 week old atty that costs $5 - ditch it and buy a new one.

Thanks... true about the atty cost. I did just get a bunch of new attys today (wrong freakin color though--I was going to send them back but now I think I'll have a multi-colored 510)!

My 510 gets a lot of usage. As my real cigarette usage goes down, I rely on the 510 more, and sometimes I get the thing really really hot.

It's an automatic; I realized I've started holding the 510 between my teeth, and doing lots of little puffs (like one might with a cigar) to get a good draw -- to keep the atomizer on after the 5 seconds, I guess. When I go to grab it, the body is HOT. So that little melty cup thing sounds like a real possibility, too.

Thanks you guys!