how about some more questions!?

[hexagondun]

Not sure if this should be posted in cartomizers, atomizers, or tank systems. Posted already on the carto subforum, but figure it might get more views here. Moreover, it's pretty noobish!

I purchased a few vivinovas -- of both the mini and 3.5ml variety -- with my ego-c twist. They have been great and easily cleaned/refilled (with the help of pbusardo . However, just as I found my first "wow" juice (havana gold), my first 3.5ml tank has started to taste a bit funky. I do have a cold that's coming back and so don't trust my tastebuds much, but I think it's started to taste different, anyway. Since I just started using it on friday, I doubt that the thing is altogether shot; I haven't even switched the head with one of the other resistance ones that came in the kit. But this does bring about a few questions that I knew I'd be asking here eventually:

1) I know that these heads aren't marketed as rebuildable, but pbusardo says that not only are they able to be rebuilt, they're in his experience easier to rebuild than others that are dubbed rebuildable by the manufacturers. Can I just keep on changing coil n wick or replacing these heads and rest assured knowing that that whole assembly is okay, or does there come a point when the whole thing is shot, the post/stem included, and simply replacing the head will no longer suffice?

2) How can I be sure that the head is shot? As I said, I can't trust my taste buds, and even comparing it to my other tank filled with the same liquid won't work because I was using a menthol/minty ejuice before cleaning and filling with havana gold and there are hints of the first. This brings me to my next question:

3) Can you ever completely clean these things out so that no residual flavors remain? I reckon this depends a lot on which flavor you are trying to get out (menthols/spicy harder than sweets/drinks etc.)

I love the vivinova so much (it wicked the first tank load almost all the way down to the bottom, no tipping or anything. Can I just stock up on heads or am I going to have to go to another system (I don't want to be stuck with a thoroughly spent cartomizer/clearomizer assembly every four days.

thanks so much for reading and considering my drivle!

 

[empot]

I'm no expert but I've been using the novas for a couple of weeks and have a few cents worth to say...

1). I think apart from physical damage on the stem, there isn't really anything that'll prevent you from just replacing the heads. With the stem crooked, you'll definitely see some leaking as the silicone cap on the head wouldn't be making proper contact with the tank cap. Tank of course may crack over time but is replaceable too.

2) Head is shot if it won't fire anymore or after cleaning thoroughly, the flavor isn't as good as it used to be. Metal degrade over time and you're coil will do the same especially after many dry burns. Just save them and recoil/wick and reuse.

3) I don't have any problems with cleaning mine completely. Though, stronger flavors i find it necessary to soak the head in vodka overnight after the usual wash + dryburn. Switching from coffee or even cinammon flavored juice to mellow flavored dessert has never been a problem, just time.

This is just based on a couple of weeks of use. YMMV.


(edit) i actually stocked up on heads. also, i clean them everytime i switch flavors.

 

[tater_salad]

the Nova heads are pretty easy to rebuild..

Your head is shot if the flavor / vapor isn't what it use to be.. Most ppl say that a few tankfullls is what you can expect out of a head, if you wash them oaccastionaly / don't burn them you may be able to get more time out fo them.

my issue with doing a dry burn on the Nova's is that the insulating sheath tends to burn/char and give you a nasty flavor.. although this may stop after a bit of vaping sometimes it doesnt.

If you are thinking about rebuilding.. save those old heads becuase you'll need them.

 

[hexagondun]

Thanks so much-- super helpful. I just ordered some 2.4ohm heads and do plan on rebuilding the others. How long does it usually take for you to finish off a head? Since mine is tasting weird (first a tiiiny bit burnt, and now metallic), would you recommend that I soak it in vodka, switching to another from the kit in the meantime, and then trying to use it again w.out rebuilding it? Like I said, I used it for only 3 days, and was even rotating it with a different vivinova mini all the while! Could the coil/wick be shot so soon? Thanks again!

 

[hexagondun]

You know, since BOTH my heads (different tanks, same resistance, same liquid) are now tasting a bit metallic, I'm wondering if it could be solely attributable to a lingering cold, the symptoms of which seemed to have come back the morning I started noticing a strange taste. I wonder if that's it -- I can't know for sure and am worried about vaping with a burnt head; is that terrible for your lungs/health? Thanks!

 

[SolemnPenguin]

Not sure if this should be posted in cartomizers, atomizers, or tank systems. Posted already on the carto subforum, but figure it might get more views here. Moreover, it's pretty noobish!

I purchased a few vivinovas -- of both the mini and 3.5ml variety -- with my ego-c twist. They have been great and easily cleaned/refilled (with the help of pbusardo . However, just as I found my first "wow" juice (havana gold), my first 3.5ml tank has started to taste a bit funky. I do have a cold that's coming back and so don't trust my tastebuds much, but I think it's started to taste different, anyway. Since I just started using it on friday, I doubt that the thing is altogether shot; I haven't even switched the head with one of the other resistance ones that came in the kit. But this does bring about a few questions that I knew I'd be asking here eventually:

1) I know that these heads aren't marketed as rebuildable, but pbusardo says that not only are they able to be rebuilt, they're in his experience easier to rebuild than others that are dubbed rebuildable by the manufacturers. Can I just keep on changing coil n wick or replacing these heads and rest assured knowing that that whole assembly is okay, or does there come a point when the whole thing is shot, the post/stem included, and simply replacing the head will no longer suffice?

2) How can I be sure that the head is shot? As I said, I can't trust my taste buds, and even comparing it to my other tank filled with the same liquid won't work because I was using a menthol/minty ejuice before cleaning and filling with havana gold and there are hints of the first. This brings me to my next question:

3) Can you ever completely clean these things out so that no residual flavors remain? I reckon this depends a lot on which flavor you are trying to get out (menthols/spicy harder than sweets/drinks etc.)

I love the vivinova so much (it wicked the first tank load almost all the way down to the bottom, no tipping or anything. Can I just stock up on heads or am I going to have to go to another system (I don't want to be stuck with a thoroughly spent cartomizer/clearomizer assembly every four days.

thanks so much for reading and considering my drivle!

1. In my experience the little grommet between the positive post and the body of the head will be shot after a few rebuilds. This is due to the resistance wire heating up and burning grooves into it. They'll eventually break. I've tried adding no resistance legs to avoide this but the solder less method I use on my oddy creates joints that are too big and the cool winds up shorting out. The perinatal les could have a soldered connection for the no resistance wire.

2. The most common way to know if the wad is shot is if it tastes "off" if you don't trust your tastebuds replace the head but don't toss it. See how it is with a new head at about the same wattage.

3. If you keep running juice through it eventually the previous flavor will become undetectable. Or you could rinse the tank well and let the head sit in ever clear, vodka or distilled water overnight (in my personal order of preference) then let it dry for a day.

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

With light juice I wash my heads every few days. With dark juice I soak them overnight on PGA. With my menthol (which I use a lot) I soak them overnight in PGA. Some say no to dry burn some say yes to dry burn...I dry burn my dark juice heads once per week. Two of my Vivis are 3? months old and no cracks and base/ stem/ tube/ mouthpiece is fine. They just keep going and going. Heads are lasting 4+ weeks depending on whether or not I'm using dark or light juice- vaping 60/ 40 PG/ VG. I'm a heavy menthol vaper and no cracks whatsoever. As SolemnPenguin mentioned the only failure I can see down the road is one or all of the O-Rings degrading/ failing.

 

[AttyPops]

Another tip....don't throw anything out. Keep all the heads, even if you replace them. All the parts are reusable except a busted coil and a burnt wick.

Wick can be replaced. And you have options for wick type. Coil wire can be replaced too.

The silicone/rubber o-ring on the bottom will wear...eventually. The other parts are metal. Should last a long while. It's similar to a top coil carto, but a replaceable design.

 

[Rattman]

Hi Hex, I dont think the heads are shot that soon(3 days), I bet its the menthol lingering from your 1st tank full. This happened to me with blackberry liquid. I just couldnt get that fruit taste out of it(I just rinse with hot water) when I switched flavors. I haven't tried boiling them yet though.

 

[tater_salad]

the length a head lasts has a lot of variables.
1. Juice makeup: PV/VG percentage, Dark or light, flavorings etc...
3 days is super short unless you are vaping 10-15ml/day

 

[RosaJ]

If you're getting a chemical tasting dry hit it's because it's not wicking properly. Whatever you do, don't continue using that wick as it will irritate your throat, especially if your taste is off because of the cold.

I have one vivi nova and I didn't care for it because of the wicking issues, after watching pbusardo's video, I ordered the kanthal wire he suggests and bought a skein of 100% cotton yarn from my friendly neighborhood craft store. Boiled a length of yarn for 25 minutes and let it dry thoroughly. Re-coiled/wicked and I haven't had a dry hit since. Because it is so cheap (less than 10 cents), I just keep recoiling every three to four days.

I'll probably buy more replacement heads just to have extra, so far I've recoiled four times and all parts look fine.

 

[MontanaGeek]

I'm going to depart from everyone else on this, and say: Wait until you are done with your cold. Your sense of taste and smell are closely linked, and while you have a cold, your brain may start playing tricks on you.

As an example, when I get a cold, I start to smell and taste gasoline for the duration of the cold. It did this long before vaping ever existed, so I chalk it up to the brain being an incredibly complex computer.