Getting frustrated with attys...

[dd45]

I use the DSE 901 and am generally happy with it (vapor quantity, TH, size, etc.) but I've found that I go through attys fairly fast. As a matter of fact I've started buying them in bulk (about 10 a month).
This is probably because I use a passthrough when I'm using my PC which can be 5-6 hours per night. I've also found that some attys will last about a week, some will last only a few days and sometimes not even an evening.
Can anyone suggest a PV that will handle this heavy of a usage without constantly replacing burned out parts?

 

[Kurt]

It sounds like you have a 5V passthrough, and this is maybe too much voltage for the attys to live long. The lifetimes you are describing though are VERY short for a 901 atty, which is generally around 3 ohms. I have gotten many weeks out of my 510 attys, including on a 5V PT, and they run hotter than 901s. So something is not right here. You should not be going through these like that.

Things that can shorten an atty life are:

-Cheap attys, maybe bulk deals at less money is really you are just buying cheapos.
-Cleaning them too often, especially with alcohol. I have killed many this way. Better cleaning is using a polydent solution soak for 12 hours, then flush with hot water and dry.
-Running them dry, not enough juice. They run hotter that way.

Hard to say which is your problem, but you should not be killing them so fast. Its best to have several you run in rotation, a day or two with one, then use a different one, etc. Gives them a bit of a break.

Another thing is this: are they actually dead (0 or fluctuating resistance on a volt meter, not firing up), or are they clogged or just weak? Clogged or weak can often be fixed with a good cleaning. Dead, however, is dead, heating coil is broken usually, or a connection has become undone internally. Can't fix that without major skills, and is not really worth it.

 

[chuckie]

You have the same problem as me and everyone else.Trog told me 3 years ago "after 2 weeks just toss it and use a new one".Also don't waste your time cleaning them.No one has ever come up any method that works.
My advise is get a rebuildable atty.They cost about the same as a box of China attys,cost about a penny to rewrap and you can make them any ohms u want in about 5min.