Help! I burnt all my cartos

[shamrette]

So I got my kit (mini 510 with LR boges cartos) the day before yesterday.
Thinking I was clever I filled all the cartos with different juices and cycled through them.

Problem: today all my cartos taste of burned polly. No I hadn't top them up - only today when one went I topped up all the others. I suspect the top up I didn't wasn't enough, because in the end even the ones I had condom refilled went.

Not a question, just venting

 

[White Rabbit]

As a last resort, you could try soaking your cartos in the highest level of Vodka you can find (not flavored) for about an hour or so, then boil them for at least 15 minutes in water. If the water turns brown, change it and repeat. Let the cartos cool, blow them out and stuff a small bit of paper towel into the end where the filter material is. Let them dry overnight. Then refill using the condom method, top off after 15 minutes of letting them sit, and vape away.

I have been using the same cartos from Smokless Image for three months. I clean mine every week like I said above.

If all else fails, you can remove the filler with a sewing needle by carefully inserting the needle around the center post until it is free, then pick at the filler at the outside edge to pull it out, leaving the center post. You can now use the carto as a pure drip to test flavors. A few drips into the carto (without filler), and vape. You will only get maybe 10 drags before needing to drip again, but it is an acceptable method of testing juice, especially if you DIY.

 

[lambodude]

make sure you keep them toped of with juice

 

[shamrette]

If all else fails, you can remove the filler with a sewing needle by carefully inserting the needle around the center post until it is free, then pick at the filler at the outside edge to pull it out, leaving the center post. You can now use the carto as a pure drip to test flavors. A few drips into the carto (without filler), and vape.

That's a cool idea. I tried it, with the wick material on though, it still taste of burned death. I think I burned the wick on these things. I tried without the wick material, it gurgles lol.

 

[Roybucks]

So if you don't fill them up completely they'll burn?

 

[bardo]

I believe that as long as the fiber inside the cart stays wetted we are okay,
Anyone question this advice?
(still a newbie myself)

Bardo

 

[XfooYen]

Once you've burnt the poly, they will always taste burnt no matter what you do. When you fill them for the first time, make sure you are using at least 20-25 drops and letting the juice soak in the filler completely. I fill mine until the carto is flooded (drips from the bottom) and blow out any excess. Top off every 20 drags or so and don't fire the atty for too long. A fully charged 501 battery could be heating up an LR carto a tad too much so take shorter drags. Invest in a twist or other VV device so you can turn down the voltage when using LR attys.

 

[shamrette]

A fully charged 501 battery could be heating up an LR carto a tad too much so take shorter drags. Invest in a twist or other VV device so you can turn down the voltage when using LR attys.

Right, this is EXACTLY what I was getting to, but didn't dare (being a n00b). I did have this nagging feel that my bat were burning the atties - sure they were dry-ish, but they all burnt when the bat was full charge. Is it possible that a 510 180mah bat can fry a less than soaked atty? I can't find any information online.

 

[XfooYen]

...Another bit of advice when filling cartos: Stick a wooden toothpick in the center tube when filling to ensure the liquid is going into the filler and not dripping through the air intake.

 

[XfooYen]

Right, this is EXACTLY what I was getting to, but didn't dare (being a n00b). I did have this nagging feel that my bat were burning the atties - sure they were dry-ish, but they all burnt when the bat was full charge. Is it possible that a 510 180mah bat can fry a less than soaked atty? I can't find any information online.

That depends on the actual resistance of the atty and the voltage your battery is giving out when fully charged. If your atty is at 2ohms or above, a 3.7 volt current shouldn't burn it (unless it's dry). If your atty is at 1.8ohms, it is totally possible for a plain wee 510 battery to get it too hot. Get the vv battery and your troubles will be minimized. Some batches of Boges are dodgy as well. Experience will be your friend. Good luck.

EDIT: You'll certainly come across this if you haven't yet:

 

[2coils]

ok....so Boges filler material is a bit inconsistant. Many batches seem not to absorb juice very well. Worse when using thicker juice. This is why I dont buy them. Too many times I have experienced the same problem. If you continue with Boges, while filling, take your time, use a paper clip to seperate the layers of filler and let the juice seep down. Or use a blunt tip needle and insert down filler half way in a couple of different spots and inject. Or stop using Boge and Buy Smok Tech and have far less headaches!! I hope this helps.

 

[shamrette]

Thanks guys, this is so useful and educational! I think I have a pretty good picture of what happened now. A combination of increased voltage right after a charge (they all burnt when a new battery was used) and VG and/or thick fluids not allowing for a 'deep' refill on cartos that had been left to dry fully (these died first).

The lesson is this: if you're using LR cartos, you should keep them wet at all times - that is top them up every 20 puff (for me that's every smoke really) and cycle through them in order to give time for the juice to seep in to the wick. This is even more true if you're using VG liquid, which in my case dried up from the wick on second use only.

I've reordered cartos, and also will try tanks as carrying a bottle isn't convenient or wise in say, a club.

Cheers!

 

[niktemadur]

make sure you keep them topped of with juice

So what you're saying is - it's a good idea to keep refilling the carto to full capacity, even when the level of liquid is still, let's say 3/4 full?

 

[deepeteo]

Right, burnt filler is ruined and can't be used again. Some people replace their own filler. Check out youtube or search this forum. Also, fill to the point of 'almost' pooling at the top of filler. You want it saturated but not quite pooling. Let it sit at least 1/2 hour standing up after filling so it soaks fully throughout the filler. Sometimes people use the condom method for an initial fill, then top off later, but the middle of filler stays dry. No good.

I dislike cartos because they're too easy to get burnt.

 

[Chrissie]

Sham, you will also kill your batteries using LR's on Mini 510's as those batteries are only about 180mAh.

 

[Bullette the Cowdog]

My best experience:
I fill (or top off) my cartos before I go to bed at night. Next morning I have a great vape cuz they soaked all night.