I Still Don't Understand Why I Have to Top Off my Cartos So Often

[supermarket]

So, I already asked this in another thread, but I STILL think I'm either doing something wrong, or not understanding correctly.

3 years ago, when I had my first e-cig from V4L, my pre-filled cartos were the eq. of 3/4 to 1 pack of cigs.

Now, I know that since I'm using an ego-twist (higher voltage), that my cartos won't last as long, but STILL

I'm reading here some people can fill up their carto, and it lasts ALL DAY before they have to top it off.

I have to top off my carto after about 6-9 VAPES. That is NUTS. Either I'm doing something wrong, or cartos are just ENTIRELY inefficient for anything besides the really , really small batteries.


I don't understand how some people can make a carto last a full day, without topping off. I couldn't even see mine lasting HALF a day. Not even an HOUR.



I thought maybe I was doing something wrong, so since I ordered a pack of 5 cartos, today is Day 5 since I started vaping, and yesterday I started a new carto, same thing.

These are the BOGE cartos 3.0ohms.


I ordered those, and an EVOD BCC. I absolutely LOVE my EVOD, so much so that I'm ordering another one, along with a kanger pro tank, here shortly.

I just want to make sure I'm not missing something, before I dismiss cartos entirely and never look back.

 

[nnote]

IMHO I don't see the point in them unless you use them with a tank. You have to drip as much as you do with a dripping atty, and a dripping atty tastes much better.

 

[O'Face]

Cartos can be great.................. in a tank By themselves I've never really got any better results than you mentioned so don't feel alone bud.

 

[wv2win]

They work fine in a tank. I use 1.5 ohm dual coil cartos in a 5ml tank at 11 - 12 watts (heavy vaping) and it lasts a good 10 - 12 hours. When I use to use the mega cartos, I could go 3 hours without needing to top them off. If you are using those tiny standard cartos, you will be topping them off all the time.

 

[ilovehugehits]

It's because you're not using clearos.
Ask us about clearos?

 

[the_vape_nerd]

you are doing something wrong...when i used polyfills i almost always filled them with a syringe but even that i'd get about 3 hours of vape time

clearos are where it's at...unless you would want to try a carto tank

 

[supermarket]

It's because you're not using clearos.
Ask us about clearos?

I am using a clearo, which I mentioned in the OP, and I enjoy very much.

I didn't ask about clearos ,because that is not what I have a question about, lol!

 

[El_tecolote]

Seems cartos are not made as they used to be. Long ago )), you could buy Boge cartos and the filler would last at least a good portion of the day. I now only infrequently use them in tanks. I can remember when a carto would last a couple weeks, but not any more.

 

[supermarket]

you are doing something wrong...when i used polyfills i almost always filled them with a syringe but even that i'd get about 3 hours of vape time

clearos are where it's at...unless you would want to try a carto tank

Seee!?

This is what confuses me. So what am I doing wrong, then?

And why are others saying they have the same experience as me?

That is what is so darn confusing.

Several people come along, and say not to worry, their experiences are the same.

Then someone comes along, and says they should last way longer. ARGHHHHH Im' so confused now again.


It sounds like cartos by themselves are just going to need to be topped off after 6-10 hits or so, unless they are in a tank.



Well, considering I REALLY like the EVOD BCC, I guess I will just stick to the EVOD, and order a kanger pro tank and try that out. Perhaps cartos just aren't my thing..

 

[memories]

okay here are my two cents. I use cartos, whether in a tank or not 99% of the time. Boge 2.0 I obviously prefer them in a tank, but use them stand alone on the go. When I use them alone, I top of roughly every hour and a half to two hours. If I had to guess how many puffs I would say roughly 50 rips. The trick that I learned when I had to top off like you, is that when you top off don't just drip two or three drops, drip until saturated wait a minute and then get some more. Repeat as necessary until the carto is full.

 

[cocacola31173]

I use to just use cartos when I worked...I didn't have time to refill through the day so I would just take 5 a day with me. After first break I could already tell a difference in taste. Now I use carto tank and all I take is 1 carto tanks and a Kanger T3 and that just so I can change up flavors if I want. Much better.

 

[ilovehugehits]

I have only used prefilled cartos with mixed results.
Knew from hanging around here, to buy an eGo kit with clearos.
Once I decided that I wanted to have a better vaping experience.
I own a great PV that only uses cartos. Johnson Creek Vea.
The prefilled ones work great. But trying to refill them is a nightmare.
Once I moved on the spinner & CE4s. The difference was amazing.
Cartos just seem to burn up juice really quickly.

 

[memories]

Think about it. After you prime via your method,you don't have to top off for a while. But when you do, you only adding a little bit, that's why you can only vape a lil. Keep dripping, wait, then drip some more. Repeat till you can't add anymore. This ensures that the carto is full again. These fillers are pretty absorbent, topping off an empty carto is what I'm thinking your doing. Try this and let me know if it works for you.

 

[UncleChuck]

Using standard sized cartos on higher voltage devices, you are going to have to top them off pretty frequently. Although 6-7 vapes before topping off seems way too short. Higher voltage uses a lot more juice than people think, at 10W I can drain a 1.6ml clearo easily in less than an hour.

I run 2ohm boges in tanks (and with dual carto adaptors) and when using the cartos by themselves, at 5v, I'll top off the cartos every 20 drags or so, and I never get any burning.

Either you are not filling the cartos enough, or you are taking more drags than you think you are. Even at the maximum voltage of those VV egos, you should get far more than 6 or 7 drags before needing to top off.

 

[WinstonSmith]

There are a number of factors that also need to be considered:
What juice is being used? Heavy VG juices can often be thick and difficult to work into the filler.
How are you doing the initial fill? You need good saturation to start so that you aren't burning out the coils from the start or waiting for juice to work its way through the filler while it is bone dry at the bottom. I usally use the condom method on the first fill, let it sit for a few hours, then drip until the top layer begins to look like a slushy.
And as the above post mentioned, voltage also plays a role. Too high of voltage can burn the juice off faster than it can wick and then you may end up constantly dripping on top while the bottom is dry.

ETA: Also, Kangers are a bit easier than Boges to fill as the polyfill is less dense, but I think Kangers add a plastic-like taste to the juice so personally I don't use them anymore.

 

[Crash Moses]

Sounds like you're not topping them off. When I used cartos I would only have to fill them maybe three or four times a day.

What I did was place one of the caps on the end that goes to the battery and then drip some e-juice in and then spin it using my e-cig lanyard, and then drip some more e-juice, and then spin some more, and then...well...you get the picture. I didn't stop until the top was saturated. After your first initial fill you should have to add 15 to 20 drops each time to fill it completely.

 

[RosaJ]

Seee!?

This is what confuses me. So what am I doing wrong, then?

And why are others saying they have the same experience as me?

That is what is so darn confusing.

Several people come along, and say not to worry, their experiences are the same.

Then someone comes along, and says they should last way longer. ARGHHHHH Im' so confused now again.


It sounds like cartos by themselves are just going to need to be topped off after 6-10 hits or so, unless they are in a tank.



Well, considering I REALLY like the EVOD BCC, I guess I will just stick to the EVOD, and order a kanger pro tank and try that out. Perhaps cartos just aren't my thing..

I used cartos and carto tanks until I tried the Kanger T3 and I'm a convert to the Kanger clearos. Recently tried the Kanger Evod and the Kanger Protank and am set until something better comes out, although it would have to top the vape quality of the Kanger clearos and also whistle Dixie when I use it. LOL.

 

[Kayte]

I use cartos by themselves and in tanks. The best I've found are the XL smoktech 1.7ohm resurrector cartos. (Crystal Clear Vaping is a good source... and always fast free shipping.)

With these I just top off (15 to 20 drops) 2 times a day generally (3 or 4 if it's the only thing I'm using all day. Heavy use.) When I originally fill them, they take between 40 and 50 drops depending on the juice. The cartos in tanks I usually refill the tank once a day.

Like others, I'm curious how many drop you're adding to top them off.

 

[supermarket]

Sounds like you're not topping them off. When I used cartos I would only have to fill them maybe three or four times a day.

What I did was place one of the caps on the end that goes to the battery and then drip some e-juice in and then spin it using my e-cig lanyard, and then drip some more e-juice, and then spin some more, and then...well...you get the picture. I didn't stop until the top was saturated. After your first initial fill you should have to add 15 to 20 drops each time to fill it completely.

Yea, I'm doing something wrong then, because when I top off, I'm only able to add 2-5 drops TOPS. Usually 3-4 drops.

Maybe I'm re-filling too early.....but the taste gets real crappy after 8 hits, and that is why I'm refilling. As soon as I refill, the taste it back to where it should be. For another .....5-8 hits.

I've never added a few drops until saturated, then WAITED, and added more. I'm doing that right now, so I'll let you guysknow how it works.


Someone asked how I was initially filling the cartos. I'm using the condom method, as per psubardo(sp?)'s youtube vid

 

[The Ocelot]

Hi

I just skimmed through the thread so I may have missed it, but what pg/vg ratio are you using?

ETA: I use carto tanks 90%+ of the time, but have never used a non-punched carto. (I've used punched cartos outside of tanks, but that's different story.) I don't think filling a regular carto would be much different that filling a tank carto. If PBusardo's method didn't work for you, maybe mine (or a variation of) might be useful:

The Ocelot Method of Carto Filling (aka The Upside-Down Condom)