Ikenvape Fusion Problems

[Henry Etta]

I posted this on the Ikenvape help thread, but I thought I post a thread here, too- I'm sure those guys are enjoying the holidays and maybe won't be checking the help thread, so I was hoping someone else might have some idea...

Just got my order of 3 SR Fusion Punch, 3 LR Platinum Punch & 3 LR Platinum slotted. I've only tried the Fusions so far, but none of them have worked. They all read 2.8-3.0 ohms out of the box. The first one worked for about an hour, then I got a burnt taste... tried topping off, made sure everything was fully primed, but still no luck. Checked the ohms- 1.6! I checked other cartos/attys and they all read what they were suppose to. So I figured it was a bad carto, and tried another one. This time it happened right away- went down about .2 ohms every time I took a puff. The same happened with the third- and that one just keeps flooding no matter what I do. I have them all in an ibtanked on my itaste vv, vaping mad murdocks maha ras (shouldn't be wicking issues). Haven't gone above 3.7 volts... Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Kevin littell]

Primed them all first right????

 

[Baditude]

If this is your first experience with cartomizers, I suspect you didn't put enough e-liquid in the carto initially during the priming process. This is the most important step in building a cartotank, and determines how that carto will perform for the rest of its life.

If my suspicions are true, you probably scorched or burnt the filler material; once that happens the carto is ruined forever and "topping it off" is too late to try to resurrect it. The drop in resistance you saw could be from firing the coil with not enough e-liquid in the carto, ruining the coil by forcing it to fire in a too dry environment.

Most novices do not put enough e-liquid into the carto during the priming process. Many ruin their first few cartos until they get the methodology right. Hang in there. There is a learning process with cartotanks, but in the end they are well worth it.

Some people say a standard length carto needs 20-25 drops of e-liquid to properly prime it; an XL length carto may need 30 - 35 drops. I don't like to count drops, as different droppers make different size drops, so the result of the total amount of e-liquid can be way off.

I simply add enough e-liquid until the filler "looks right". That would be appearing like a slushy drink, with no pooling of liquid on the filler's surface. Read my cartotank tutorial for my tips and tricks. I use the same Ikenvape standard resistance cartos as you (510-Fusion and Platinum). Follow my method step by step and I bet you will have much better results.

BADITUDE'S CARTOTANK SETUP GUIDE

 

[Henry Etta]

I did, I totally did, I swear by every fiber of my being that I primed those cartos perfectly. I actually flooded the second 2 Fusions because I didn't want to burn them by under priming. They were slushy on top and would not take any more liquid. I used the thingy method as well as filling from the top. I spent 20 minutes on each one and lost at least 1-2 mils of juice per carto. The very first one I did, the Smok carto that I got with my tank, I think I didn't prime it enough at first, but when I tasted a very subtle burnt taste I added more, and it was fine. My second was a boge slotted- that thing took a TON of juice. But it works fine- just has some intense tobacco juice that I didn't want to use with my new juice... So I tried the Ikenvapes. Bad, I totally read your blogs before embarking on this journey, watched videos, etc etc, and I know I messed up the first one. But theses new ones? I know I did it right.
I tried one of the punched platinums, and it's working beautifully. A little airy for me, and I wish it was SR, but it's working so I'm happy. Just not sure about the Fusions.

 

[Baditude]

@ yeshe:

OK, I wasn't being critical of you. Just explaining that most novices to cartotanks go through a learning curve and usually their issues originate from inadequate priming of the carto.

If you are certain that you primed them correctly, its possible those cartos were bad. I've only had one bad IKV out of around 50, but I haven't had to purchase any in the last few months. The last batch Isaac got in stock "may" have had some QC issues. There is an unusual number of disappointments from this batch if you look in the Tank and Cartomizer sub-forums. If you have more carts from this batch seem to be bad, contact IKV and Isaac will take care of you. He's a great vendor who backs his products.

 

[Henry Etta]

I know you weren't being critical... I very much appreciate the time you take to answer questions and make sure people are doing things right! That's why I asked. I'm sure I primed them but maybe there was something else I overlooked, so I just wanted to be sure. This Platinum punch is great- vaping right now, and it's perfect... I didn't do anything different, so I think it must be that the Fusions are bad.

 

[EL Pistoffo]

I've had 3 out of 4 Fusions fail prematurely, either from flooding or dry hit burning. All primed the same way. All of them operated normally for a time period ranging from a few hours to a couple days before the failure.

One detail to note concerning the Fusions, in may case the XL 3.0 ohm is that the poly-fill doesn't fill the tube even half way up. On Smok XL, Kanger XL, and Ikenvape Platinum XL cartos, the poly-fill goes up at least 3/4 of the tube. I wonder if this discrepancy is intentional by design or maybe a flaw.

Been using the Smok cartos for a few days and they aren't bad. The Ikenvapes do a little better with the flavor IMO but at least these Smok cartos aren't crapping out like the Fusions have. The Smok's also have a much tighter draw than I like with my MVP but it still works. I had one Smok that briefly flooded at first but cleared up.

 

[Baditude]

One detail to note concerning the Fusions, in may case the XL 3.0 ohm is that the poly-fill doesn't fill the tube even half way up. On Smok XL, Kanger XL, and Ikenvape Platinum XL cartos, the poly-fill goes up at least 3/4 of the tube. I wonder if this discrepancy is intentional by design or maybe a flaw.

The 510-Fusions have always had less filler in them compared to the Platinums, so that in itself is not a flaw, but an intentional design. Isaac has said the two are designed differently. The Fusions are designed more for what he calls "feel" (whatever that means - throat hit ?), while the Plats are designed more for flavor.

Ikenvape cartos can be difficult to find in stock, so I use the Smoktech 3.0 ohm single coils as my backup carto.

 

[exnihilo]

I've had great experiences with Boge cartos. Rarely has one been bad.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

 

[EL Pistoffo]

The 510-Fusions have always had less filler in them compared to the Platinums, so that in itself is not a flaw, but an intentional design. Isaac has said the two are designed differently. The Fusions are designed more for what he calls "feel" (whatever that means - throat hit ?), while the Plats are designed more for flavor.

Ikenvape cartos can be difficult to find in stock, so I use the Smoktech 3.0 ohm single coils as my backup carto.

Interesting. It's too bad that the Platinum series doesn't have the flange at the bottom. I much prefer the flange because it keeps my tank from accidentally being pushed down off the carto and it provides better airflow with some of my mods.

I like the Fusions, good flavor and TH IMO but the just keep failing on me. These Smok's aren't as good but they keep ticking. Hope I have better luck with my next order of Fusions.

 

[EL Pistoffo]

Tried my last Fusion carto. Burned right off the bat. I'm very disappointed with these. Not any good to me if most of them are failing. I've had far better results with Smok carto's though taste is inferior.

Loaded up a Smok carto right after the Fusion.....success.

It's a damn shame because even though this last Fusion carto had a burnt taste from the get-go, the flavor of the juice was much more pronounced than with the Smok carto.

My last Smok carto lasted a bout a week but the vapor became too harsh, killing my throat. This fresh one is a little smoother.

 

[Ladiekali]

I stocked up on some fusions and plats. They burn too easy. I also had a pack of five do the same with the ohm readings. It got so load my provari wouldnt fire it.

i think ill be sticking with smok cartos. Ive yet to have a bad smok carto out of dozens!

 

[Henry Etta]

I sent an e-mail to Ikenvape, and they replaced my 3 bad Fusions with 3 new Platnums! These work great for me, so I am happy. Really great customer service. I have some of the Boge slotted, which I like fine, but I do think the IKVs are better.

 

[EL Pistoffo]

My latest attempt with my XL Platinum LR seems to be going well. Been using it only sparingly for the last 5 days but it hasnt failed so that good news. I really hope they solve the issues with the Fusions. I will be stocking up on quite a few next time they are available but if they give me issue again I will definitely be returning them.

My investment in two IBTanks and cartos wasn't all that cheap. I want this to succeed but I've actually been having pretty good luck with my four mini PT 2's.