How long do cartridges last for a heavy smoker? Weak throat hits?

[bluebunneh]

Hey there I just ordered my first e-cig, a DSE901. I am worried because I half the time I am sucking in way too hard to get vapor. I have weak throat hits, only every once in a while will I get a good one. Also when I inhale I hardly blow out any vapor at all >_< My batteries are charged and I have been alternating between cartridges... at first I thought maybe I had used up the four carts that came in the starter kit but it was only two days. I found that I was getting less and less vapor and no throat hits at all unless I sucked in for a long time. So I ordered some e-liquid and some blank carts. I got a decent throat hit like 4 times and then weak ones... It's so inconsistant and I can't tell when I need to ad in more drops or not. I don't want to accidentally flood the atomizer...

The guy I purchased the 901from said I might be breathing through my nose, so I've been trying to pay closer attention and I don't think that's it. I even pinched my nose closed to see if I got a better hit >_<

I need help!! Should I return this or am I just doing something wrong?

PS - how many hits adds up to one analog? I'm trying to figure out when to put this thing down...

 

[RandallFlagg]

Hmmm. I have a 901, and it was strong when I first started using it. The atomizers wear out and the batteries work better when they're fresh.
There's threads that tell about how to clean the atomizers here. Take a peek and try them out.

I'm trying the alcohol one lately.

 

[wv2win]

These problems could be caused by a number of issues. Carts too dry, battery weak, battery defective, etc. Here is some advice that might help. Keep your carts moist all the time. Not pooling on top but very moist. Try putting two or three drops on the atomizer coil and see if that helps some. If it does, that could mean that your carts are too dry. Before I switched to the Screwdriver, I had similar problems with my DSE901. Basically, the batteries are just not big enough to provide consistent performance and the auto switch which activates the battery when you inhale can easily get gummed up and not work consistently.

This is why I suggest to everyone to get a manual switch battery/PV. You will still have the weak battery issue but at least you can heat up the atomizer as long as you want which should provide better throat hit and you don't have to worry about the auto switch getting gummed up.

Many suppliers are coming out this month with a manual switch battery and pass through for the 901. I would suggest trying one of these. If you intend to buy a second PV, then I would suggest getting one of the bigger battery devices that have such positive reviews from many members. I can't speak highly enough about my Screwdriver in comparison to other PV's. I think the Prodigy, GG and Janty Stick are or will be on par with the Screwdriver. I know that eastmall.net said they will be providing the manual switch battery for the 901 very soon.

On cleaning atomizers, I use Brew Rite coffee machine cleaner and then rinse them very thouroughly in boiling water and let them sit over night. I also blow out my atomizers every night with a can of air duster through the atty hole. Here are some links that might be helpful:

Best liked PV poll:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/general-discussion/14342-whats-your-favorite-pv.html

The Big Four in Manual Switch PV’s:

Screwdriver: ecigscrewdriver.com
Prodigy: PureSmoker.com - Your #1 Source For PV's, Parts, & Accessories!
GG: THE GG
JantyStick: Janty USA


EastMall: www.eastmall.net - Eastmall International Co.,Ltd

 

[VaporX]

The 901 is a much much lighter draw than an analog for me.

take a drag as slowly as you can and you should get a massive hit.(just pull hard enough to light the led and make it work)

From there is just tweaking your style and speed of draw.

the afore mentioned things (batts juice etc) are also true, but for me the slow draw on the 901 was the "ohhh thats how ya do it" moment

As for carts, they dont last. get juice and top em off often.

 

[KreeL]

There are a lot of newbies with this question about throat hit. I've posted this before several times, but a heavy analog smoker should start with the 36mg juice and work down. Starting with the 16mg carts that came with my first e-cig was a big disappointment. I almost gave up. My first ejuice order was for a batch of different flavors in 36mg PG. I was going to cut them. Well, NOT ANYMORE. It's a personal preference, but 36mg satisfies my nic cravings, gives all the throat hit I want, and the taste seems better in whatever flavors I like.

The best combination I've found so far is my Janty Dura-C (Yeti, 510, Titan), the straw cart mod, and 36mg liquid (red bull, watermelon, vanilla, ry4, banana, etc). It's the closest I found to the analog feel.

 

[Vegatron75]

A dry cart is like a blank in a firearm. The cart has to be full of liquid. Equate it to a pipe w/ nothing in it, you have to have something to vaporize or it won't work.