Fix for Non-Working Cartos

[deback]

I wish I knew this back when I received a 5 pack of dead carts! I threw them away. At least I know for next time.

You'll never know if that was the problem with them.

I think using a large bent paper clip works the best to lift the round connector. Just stick the paper clip into the threaded end hole a little ways and turn it in a circle motion, lifting up a little at the same time.

 

[sooperdrave]

tried this on a cool cart and it made the draw so tight i had to throw the carto away.

 

[deback]

tried this on a cool cart and it made the draw so tight i had to throw the carto away.

You could have turned it back to where it was. Turn left for an easier draw, turn right for a harder draw.

 

[sooperdrave]

You could have turned it back to where it was. Turn left for an easier draw, turn right for a harder draw.

i suppose that is possible. i was turning it counter clockwise (left)

 

[Cyre]

I'm sure that if someone had 5 cartos DOA, that V4L would have gladly replaced them. I have dealt with maybe 6 different vendors since I've started vaping this past year, and none have had near as great customer service as V4L! They are the company I use exclusively now because of this!!

 

[LOPCG]

It really does work!! Thanks. I had to do the quarter turn numerous times to get it functioning so if you don't have luck keep on turning & testing until you have success. Great tip.

 

[Sallyem]

It really does work!! Thanks. I had to do the quarter turn numerous times to get it functioning so if you don't have luck keep on turning & testing until you have success. Great tip.

Instead of turning it, try prying the center up a little, evenly, with a pin or some other small instrument. I tried the "turn" before I knew I could also "pry".

 

[deback]

Instead of turning it, try prying the center up a little, evenly, with a pin or some other small instrument. I tried the "turn" before I knew I could also "pry".

You're correct! If the round connector is stuck, it shouldn't be turned. I insert the end of a large bent paper clip into the connector hole and lift or pry the connector up.

 

[ISBN]

New carto that was just filled didn't work. I did this and it WORKS!!!

Thanks for this great tip!!!

update

Worked for about 4hrs now totally dead. Oh well, I was going to throw it away anyway.

 

[Cyre]

I tried the rotate thing, and it makes the carto where I can barely draw any air thru it at all.

 

[deback]

Cyre - Turn it back to the left to allow air to flow through. Don't turn it too far. After this, don't rotate it again, unless you turn it only about 1/4 of a turn and no more. The fix mentioned in this thread is to LIFT the connector, not to rotate it (which will mess up the wires inside the carto).

 

[LOPCG]

I had to adjust a little at a time, try turning back the other way a hair. I'll have to try the pry tip that was mentioned too.

 

[Cyre]

I think I've figured out why the carts get so hard to draw through over time...I think the plastic tube in the middle shrinks closed with the heat from the amomizer thing. Maybe?

 

[Natalia]

I take a hat pin about 2" long and slide it up carefully through the battery end and out the mouthpiece. Then I gently pull it toward me and away from me a few times to be sure the tube is centered and hopefully widen it a bit. This has worked approx. 85% of time.

 

[jeffree]

Interesting thread. Just curious about something...

When I have a carto (sometimes even a new one) that draws too tightly, I sometimes notice that I can't see through the carto when I hold it up to a light. I've tried to insert a straightened paper clip through the carto to clear the way, but it won't go all the way through.

Should I try something else? Natalia mentions a hatpin, but I have no idea where to find one. Any other suggestions, comrades, or is the lack of visual "openness" meaningless?

 

[Sallyem]

Jeffree, I think the lack of a visual opening, even when you try the paper clip trick, very
meaningful. I would think it is a bad cart (happens now and then). How is the refilling
coming? What is your favorite method?

 

[LorraineS]

Jeffre,I use a large sewing needle to open the the center hole on carts up.

 

[jeffree]

Thanks, Lorraine. I'll try that. Sally, I'm still just using the condo method, which is working well. But I do have a couple of syringes waiting for their day in court! Either way, after asking 100 questions here and fumbling around a bit, I think I'm over the hump. I'm now officially a fill-my-own kind of guy. And it only took one full year! What a schmuck I can be.

 

[Natalia]

Interesting thread. Just curious about something...

When I have a carto (sometimes even a new one) that draws too tightly, I sometimes notice that I can't see through the carto when I hold it up to a light. I've tried to insert a straightened paper clip through the carto to clear the way, but it won't go all the way through.

Should I try something else? Natalia mentions a hatpin, but I have no idea where to find one. Any other suggestions, comrades, or is the lack of visual "openness" meaningless?

Hi Jeffree. I bought the hat pins on ebay. 7 for 7.99 free shipping. But a sewing needle, as Lorraine said, would work as well and be cheaper. I just prefer the hat pins because they have a nice bauble at one end to hold onto.

 

[jeffree]

Thanks, Natalia!