I felt for the C-E2 hype - oomph

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NoMoreMondays

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May 14, 2010
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I finally tried out the C-E2 clearomizers and figured I share that experience (despite there being that many posts about them already), because I got a little annoyed and went overboard:
I tried the 510 standard @2.8-3.0ohm and the 510 XL's @2.4-2.6ohm with my trusted-for-any-voltage-and-ohms Honey Flue Cured e-liquid from Liquidxpress. I used the XL on the eGo, the standard on a 510 Mega.
First impression (after filling, priming the wick, doing a few non-inhaled puffs): "I'm better of sucking in the fumes from a car exhaust". The taste was nasty - the flavor seemed burnt to beyond recognition.
And this is the "improved" version?! You've got to be kidding me!
Rather then just have the clearomizers sit around to collect dust, I decided to sacrifice a couple to see what the heck is causing that awful taste, since there are so many different opinions being posted about possible causes.

I took two clearomizers apart. There was, just as I had expected, some visible tiny fluid droplets located inside the clearomizer. The fluid turned out to be water! The water evaporated at room temperature and I got my first closer look:


I moved in closer and noticed a sort of wet sheen on the wires:


To really get a better idea of the substance on the wires, I used the microscope to zoom in:


I used an inoculating needle to transfer some of the sticky stuff from the wires to a piece of paper.
Much to my surprise the substance was water soluble, so I kept looking around and found this:


The little red spot marked by the green arrow is located in a cracked solder spot. The red substance is water soluble soldering flux. As mentioned before: There was moisture in the clearomizer. I'm assuming that the clearomizers are in fact being cleaned by the manufacturer. However, that cleaning doesn't seem thorough enough to get rid of the flux (rather, it distributes the flux evenly over the entire inside assembly of the clearomizer).

BTW, sorry about the bad pic quality. I used my webcam to take the shots at the microscope.

Anyways, I'm now happily vaping with a clearomizer: It got washed in hot water with Dawn, boiled for 15 minutes and spent a few hours in Everclear, got rinsed again and ... wow, Honey Flue Cured tastes like ... yupp, Honey Flue Cured!

Short note: I cut the inner seal wider at the notches and cut a little V on the opposite sides on the inside (can't remember where I read up on that). I did not reinstall the secondary seal. That way the wick doesn't dry out (there's no waiting in between taking puffs and so far it isn't leaking no matter what position the clearomizer is in (up, down or laying sideways). Hats off to whoever came up with that idea!
 

Israfil

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Nice writeup! I've got an order for my first set of the newer bigger clearomizers. (it was that or colored ones for the same price and i figured hell..may as well hold more liquid) Glad to know what I'm getting into with the new style.

I imagine a vodka or other alcohol rinse followed by evaporation over a few hours would remove the leftover flux? I rather dislike boiling attys, especially ones with plastic components.
 

JohnKing

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Oct 28, 2010
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Excellent post, thank you so much. My first clearomizer vaped clean for a few days and then I got hit with the nasties, this explains it. I decided to try syringing PGA through the entire thing, overblowing/overfilling it several times but haven't had a chance (or desire) to see if it worked. I should also note that dry burns did nothing to remove the foul flavor (the plastic did get misshapen though), again explained by you.

Your excellent detective work explains the hit and miss aspect of these things, I was beginning to think that there was some juice combo that fouled these things.

Can you offer a method to take these apart in a non-destructive fashion?
 
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h8isgr8

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Jul 24, 2009
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I've only used 3 of these so far, but I haven't had any issue with flux residue or bad taste.

Although these cartomizers aren't perfect, they are the best thing I've used so far since I started vaping. My only real complaint with these cartos is that after only about a week in use and a couple refills, the plastic tubes are starting to crack on the connector end.
 

JollyRogers

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I have had some crack also h8isgr8, I replaced the clear tubing with B-D 3ml syringe. The BD 3mls have a thick part at the top that fit perfectly over the batt connector on the clearomizers. I just use an exacto (carefully) to cut the little handle off and then cut it the same length as the clear tube. It won't fit under an Ego cone without modding (cutting) the cone, but works great on all my other mods.
 

h8isgr8

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Jul 24, 2009
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I have had some crack also h8isgr8, I replaced the clear tubing with B-D 3ml syringe. The BD 3mls have a thick part at the top that fit perfectly over the batt connector on the clearomizers. I just use an exacto (carefully) to cut the little handle off and then cut it the same length as the clear tube. It won't fit under an Ego cone without modding (cutting) the cone, but works great on all my other mods.

Yeah, I've seen some people do that, but it just seems a little too.... ummm... "ghetto" (for lack of a better term).

I read a seller is supposed to start carrying replacement tubes. Hopefully they are reasonably priced. I'm sure they will sell out fast as more people discover this cracking problem.
 

zoiDman

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Yeah, I've seen some people do that, but it just seems a little too.... ummm... "ghetto" (for lack of a better term).

I read a seller is supposed to start carrying replacement tubes. Hopefully they are reasonably priced. I'm sure they will sell out fast as more people discover this cracking problem.

www.gotvapes.com is the seller who has the replacement tubes. If the link is broken, it post #1294

OUR INVENTORY IS FULL AND READY FOR BUSINESS, All CE2 Flüxomizer Clearomizers are back in stock in all colors & every OHM available from 2.4 up to 3.2, Black & REAL Stainless Steel CE2 Also are in stock in Every ohm, We also have New REPLACEMENT Tubes for our CE2 Clearomizers for easy replacement in a 5 pack. CE2 Flüxomizer Black Mouth-peaces are also in along with 1ml syringes. Go Get Em!!!

 

bah-num

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I experienced the same nastiness on my clearomizers... actually, scratch that... there isn't a word in any language that can describe how disgusting they tasted. The first one I let sit for a bit full of fluid. I could tell the wick was fully soaked with fluid as it actually turned the color of my juice (the part at the coil). Gave it a couple of primer puffs, but the nastiness was so intense I dared not inhale it, and the coil turned black. I attempted a clean on the first one, but busted the inner most seal. Then I blew the whole thing during dry burn, but it was doomed from the start anyway with a busted inner seal, so whatever, I learned a lesson and now I have a spare tube lol.

On the second one I cracked open I gave it just a very quick dry burn (less than 2 seconds) and the wick around the coil instantly turned completely black. There's definitely something wrong with these as shipped from the manufacturer. Flux or whatever. Even the quickest of cleanings makes a world of difference. Thanks to that video that was posted here I was able to take apart the second one without breaking it and was much more careful on the dry burn. I only gave that one a couple minutes soak in hot water and patted the wick dry with a paper towel and the difference was astounding. Still not great yet, but I need to give them a more thorough cleaning first. I'm sure they'll be great once I do that.

I might be hosed on the third one though... seems the tube was loose/cup was seated pretty firmly on the inner seal, as the tube separated from the cup. I was able to salvage it (I think), but I don't know if it will work (just now put it in to clean it).
 

Israfil

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Jun 2, 2009
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Well...maybe not one word, but "tastes like flux" should pretty much sum it up...

Thanks for the link to the removal tutorial! Gonna examine it carefully. :)

Edit: China does listen to our feedback, so given enough time I'm sure they'll fix this problem. Till then, it shouldn't be TOO hard to clean before use. ;)
 
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throbinskin

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Oct 25, 2010
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Thanks...... I'll be following this thread as I'm trying to learn more about E2'S warmth, and taste etc.... I'm an eGo stock and presently a eGo with the new Tank/attie... Looking into Mods and want to do the Map Tank ... Trying to learn about ohms/volts/ and what they do...... I don't know if I want warmth and a burnt taste - I like my taste and temp of vape right now but wanting some more ummmmph with battery life and plums of vapes 3.7 volts.
 

DMF

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Nov 27, 2010
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Thanks so much for the info on the clearomizers, and the visual aides! I have been waiting to see if it was something worth spending on, your post has helped me, in my research.

re the clearomizer tubes mentioned later in the thread:
Anyone tried changing the tube on a regular ceramic carto with one of those clearomizer replacement tubes?
 
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