Ego cartomizer problem (chemical like taste and irritation)

[Lyndagayle]

The thread I posted this problem in has gone dead and I wanted to get some feedback on my problem. I posted about getting five mega Ego cartos last Saturday and how wonderful they were. The flavor and vapor production was just out of this world for about three days. I was rotating two of them and both developed a very bad taste at about the same time. Both had different flavors but had an identical chemical like taste and irritated my throat and upper chest. I kept them both moist and it wasn't a scorched taste. I did an autopsy on one and found the filler was in perfect condition and the plastic seating wasn't melted. I stuck my nose in it and found that the bottom of the filler material smelled like an electrical burn. It's like when wiring in your home gets overheated and gives off that distinctive odor. I recognized the odor as what I was tasting and what was irritating my throat.

I've kept the remains on my desk and keep going back to examine them, trying to determine what went wrong. I've noticed little "nicks" on both wires and I'm wondering if that would cause some sort of short or cause the wire(s) to over heat and give off noxious fumes. I'm no electronics guru so I need some of our experts here to give me some input. I really want to solve this mystery.

If this turns out to be what caused my problem, I know how it happened and how to prevent it. I'm certain those nicks on the wires were caused by the needle I used to refill them. When refilling from the top, it's not possible to make contact with those two wires but, if you go through the battery end, it's very likely the needle will ..... the wiring. I had refilled them a time or two through the bottom because I was in a hurry and didn't want to take the time to remove the mouthpieces.

Does this sound logical?

 

[The Wiz]

Sounds logical to me Lynda....I filled mine through the battery end also. I'm still getting that same taste from my first one(haven't used another one yet),except for when I top it off(I just drip into the hole for that). Very unusual.....but I haven't done an autopsy yet. I would be agreat TH if not for the taste!

Hope someone else replies on this new thread!
The Wiz!

 

[Lyndagayle]

Thanks Wiz! Yes, I'm stalking this thread hoping some of the experts will examine this issue and my theory. I'm such an analytical person and can't rest until I know the whys of any problem so I can avoid making the same mistakes in the future. Meanwhile I'm using one of hubby's used cartos and enjoying every minute of it. All topping off is being done from the TOP end this time.

I didn't mean for this to sound like you're not one of the experts. I know there are some people on here who are dissecting cartos on a regular basis and coming up with interesting facts.

 

[stashbldr]

If this turns out to be what caused my problem, I know how it happened and how to prevent it. I'm certain those nicks on the wires were caused by the needle I used to refill them. When refilling from the top, it's not possible to make contact with those two wires but, if you go through the battery end, it's very likely the needle will ..... the wiring. I had refilled them a time or two through the bottom because I was in a hurry and didn't want to take the time to remove the mouthpieces. Does this sound logical?

ah ha .. yes that is probably it! I have only done my refills through the mouthpiece end, not thru the battery. And perhaps that is why I havent had any problems with burnt taste or hard draws. When I do my refill from the mouth end I try to keep my needle to the "side", not in the middle where the wires are .. because I've been afraid of nicking those wires since I first started filling these.

I havent dissected one of these cartos yet, but from the drawings I had seen it looked like the wires are in the middle of the carto, so that's why I have tried to stay as far away from them as possible.

When I fill, I keep my needle "down" but hitting the outer side of the carto as much as I can, then as I slowly start adding the juice I roll the carto and I also "lift" the syringe up as I fill.. so that the juice is going "around" and "up" the filler, not just into one spot. I figured this way the juice can soak in from the sides and not from the middle plus the syringe stays away from the wires.

I just did refill #4 on one of the cartos and noticed something else .. one of the holes in that tiny little cap that fits over the refill hole was starting to get plugged up with gunk .. so I ran a paper clip thru those 2 little holes to clean them out. Be sure to check those 2 little holes when you are refilling because apparently they can get blocked with gunk.

 

[thelook]

Hi Lyn, I do not think anyone is an expert on these new cartomizers yet, they are still so new we are all learning

I know that I have been filling mine from the top and have not had any problems, I will also watch this thread but your explanation sounds very reasonable.

EDIT: I would like to add that when I fill mine, I use a bigger gage needle and just barely poke it in the top, then I let it set and drip into the carto by its self, I do not use the plunger at all.
It takes about 30-40 min on a new one to fill.

 

[stashbldr]

I would like to add that when I fill mine, I use a bigger gage needle and just barely poke it in the top, then I let it set and drip into the carto by its self, I do not use the plunger at all.
It takes about 30-40 min on a new one to fill.

I'd like to try your "drip" method, what gauge needle are you using?

 

[thelook]

Darn it, I have no idea, I know that it is marked to hold 6ML of juice and is a big (fat) syringe.
It works perfect, when the cartos are new, I just add 2.2ML of juice leaving the plunger out, and when they are used and need refilled I start with 3/4ML and if it looks like it can take a little more just add little by little.
Sometimes I need to slightly blow the top of the syringe to get it started (make sense?)

 

[ejoker]

no electro-wiz by any means, but if the circuitry were to short, i believe the carto would cease working, or at the very least burn up pretty quickly.

fwiw, i fill mine with a plastic syringe, just plunge from the top until i get a drop from the batt end. sometimes i have blow it out a little, but its quick n easy.

 

[The Wiz]

Hi Lyn, I do not think anyone is an expert on these new cartomizers yet, they are still so new we are all learning

I know that I have been filling mine from the top and have not had any problems, I will also watch this thread but your explanation sounds very reasonable.

EDIT: I would like to add that when I fill mine, I use a bigger gage needle and just barely poke it in the top, then I let it set and drip into the carto by its self, I do not use the plunger at all.
It takes about 30-40 min on a new one to fill.

Look.....That may be like a good way to fill it(Not plunging the needle all the way down),Little at a time and lots of patience! Seems to me the juice will make it's way to the bottom at some point!

The Wiz!

 

[zoiDman]

I'd like to try your "drip" method, what gauge needle are you using?

I believe that an 18ga. syringe needle is the lagest that will fit thru the top fill hole.

For syringe needles, the larger the gauge, the smaller the diameter of the needle. So a 20ga needle is smaller in diameter than a 18ga needle.

If you are worried about the sharp needle doing damage, you could use a dispensing needle instead. It is a needle with a blunt tip. They are also safer to work around than a sharp point.

Dispensing Needle 22 ga 0.020id x 1" Tip Black 50 pcs - eBay (item 230440494806 end time Jul-20-10 20:20:34 PDT)

If you syringe has a needle that screws in. it is probably a "Luer Lock" syringe. So any Luer Lock device can be screwed on to it.

 

[Lyndagayle]

I use a 21 gauge needle. And yes, I would say after this experience with mega cartos....

ALWAYS fill and top off from the top, never from the battery end and to avoid possibly damaging the coil, don't push the needle all the way to the bottom. I'm going to start from the center and work up from now on but I think my next purchase will be with the ego mega attys and carts. Hopefully they will deliver the same great taste and vapor production. My favorite thing about mega cartos is not having to take a slow long draw. I can puff it like I did an analog and that to me is a BIG plus.

Anyone tried the mega carts and attys? I'd love to hear how they measure up with the mega cartos.

 

[stashbldr]

Anyone tried the mega carts and attys? I'd love to hear how they measure up with the mega cartos.

They now also have just the big carts for the eGo's, not the mega's that require buying the mega atty's. They say these carts hold 2ml. I havent tried them yet but want to, especially because then I wouldnt have to buy the mega atty to try it.

Several suppliers have them, but here's a link to the ones Good Prophets has and his info about it: Empty Black Cartridges eGo Atomizer for Joye eGo

 

[GoodDog]

I bought both the eGo cartomizer and the Ego mega cart and atty from Good Prophets. I've only been using them for a couple of days so I still don't know what I'm doing.

The carto has been hard for me to figure out when it needs filling. I've made terrible messes and I think one of the problems is trying to fill it too fast. The next time I'll use a blunt end filler tool and see if that works better than the 18g needle and let it drip in like you do, thelook - that makes sense.

I like the idea of not having to top off every few hits but these things are HUGE! It may take awhile to get use to the size. The mouthpieces are very comfortable and the draw seems just right.

I took about a third of the filler out of the mega cart because I didn't see the need for so much. I think it's a Fluval type rather than cotton and it seems to wick well.

If I had to choose just one I'm not sure if I would go with the mega cart and atty or the carto. The carto is much cheaper but harder to fill. I guess it will depend on the long term performance. So far so good and I'm happy with my birthday present purchase.

I'm not getting a bad taste and think the liquid tastes really good in both of these. I am noticing a tightness in my chest and don't know if that's because I'm vaping more or if I'm coming down with a bug. I made up some 0 nic VG and I'll vape that for awhile.

Added: stashbldr, if I'm not mistaken those carts have to be used with the mega attys. They're too fat to fit in a regular atty.

 

[thelook]

Hi ya {{GoodDog}} Yep dripping to fill has worked the best for me, I just set it up and walk away

 

[GoodDog]

This is off-topic, but I wanted to share a cool thing I found at target for holding my eGos. I like to have several flavors going all day and don't like to take more than a few drags of a flavor at a time. This also helps keep the attys from getting too hot.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

I put a piece of tissue in the bottom well to collect any liquid that may drip out. It was a whopping $2.99!!

 

[stashbldr]

stashbldr, if I'm not mistaken those carts have to be used with the mega attys. They're too fat to fit in a regular atty.

On Good Prophets website he has 2 kinds of the large carts .. one says "mega cart", and that ones says it needs the mega atty. But the link to the one I included above is to a different eGo cart .. a big cart that does not say it needs the mega atty and does not say it holds 2.5ml, says 2ml instead. I also saw these same 2 different carts on other supplier's websites too. I should send Rob an email at GP and ask him, then I'd know for sure.

 

[Lyndagayle]

This is off-topic, but I wanted to share a cool thing I found at target for holding my eGos. I like to have several flavors going all day and don't like to take more than a few drags of a flavor at a time. This also helps keep the attys from getting too hot.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

I put a piece of tissue in the bottom well to collect any liquid that may drip out. It was a whopping $2.99!!

Now that's cool! I'll have to go on the prowl for a nice looking toothbrush holder for my PVs. Who'd a thunk it! I keep 3 PVs going all the time with different flavors. Glad to hear someone else does too. Hubby has only one to keep up with at any given time. When we head out the door, my hands are full with Egos and my 801s and my purse is stuffed full of different flavors.....just in case. I know, I'm obsessed.

 

[GoodDog]

Now that's cool! I'll have to go on the prowl for a nice looking toothbrush holder for my PVs. Who'd a thunk it! I keep 3 PVs going all the time with different flavors. Glad to hear someone else does too. Hubby has only one to keep up with at any given time. When we head out the door, my hands are full with Egos and my 801s and my purse is stuffed full of different flavors.....just in case. I know, I'm obsessed.

LOL I'm obsessed, too. The other day I had 3 eGos in a iPod case clipped to the inside of my purse and a boxmod in the pocket next to it. All I was doing was going grocery shopping!! Can you believe that ALL 4 batteries ran out before I even got to the store!! I need to figure out a better system for regular charging, ya think?

I do DIY and I love all my flavors so much that I can never decide which one I want to vape at that moment. I usually have the holder filled with 4 eGos, then 2 of Nephilim's great boxmods and a PT at my computer desk at all times! LOL All with different flavors!! I think that classifies as being obsessed. Oh well, I'm happy!

 

[The Wiz]

They now also have just the big carts for the eGo's, not the mega's that require buying the mega atty's. They say these carts hold 2ml. I havent tried them yet but want to, especially because then I wouldnt have to buy the mega atty to try it.

Several suppliers have them, but here's a link to the ones Good Prophets has and his info about it: Empty Black Cartridges eGo Atomizer for Joye eGo

stash.....This should work to use an Ego mega atty with a standard 510 battery!eGo charger adapter Might look funny but it works on both of my 510 mods!

The Wiz!

 

[zelda]

Just to throw something else into the mix. I've gotten great taste from all my cartos until the last one I filled(it was brand new). A strong horrid chemical taste right off the bat.

I'm washing it out with baking soda and hoping that kills it.