Ithaka official
- Thread starter imeothanasis
- Start date
- th_trl_thread_readers 0
-
- Tags
- provari
- Status
I thank you tm and be sure that you will love your new Penelope
I had a leak on my Ithaka and there was no crack on the visiable part of the window, there was a crack very fine crack just were the threads start on the bottom side I didn't realize until I took it apart and actually pull lightly on it the threads I think I may have over tightened it in hind sight but the steel window has been great on leaks just a thought.
The whole thing about using Vaseline on any rubber oring just freaks me out. In automotives, rubber reacts poorly to petroleum distillates, causing them to swell up and eventually harden. I know divers will tell you the same thing in regards to their underwater lighting systems as well, so the physics doesn't change just because it's an oring for an electronic cigarette... it's still a very bad idea to do it.
Silicone grease is the correct lubricant for rubber orings, it's non-reactive and doesn't alter the tolerances through the exposure to it. However my concern is the use of silicone grease/petroleum jelly in any part where it "may" contact anything you may inhale/ingest, I'm sure neither is really safe, even in smaller amounts. Which is why I suggested using eliquid, or pharmaceutical grade vg to lubricate those orings.
Just my .02
Silicone grease is the correct lubricant for rubber orings, it's non-reactive and doesn't alter the tolerances through the exposure to it. However my concern is the use of silicone grease/petroleum jelly in any part where it "may" contact anything you may inhale/ingest, I'm sure neither is really safe, even in smaller amounts. Which is why I suggested using eliquid, or pharmaceutical grade vg to lubricate those orings.
Just my .02
I understand your safety concerns, however the 90% silicone grease for o-rings is generally used in plumbing applications, i.e. faucet o-rings, which requires it to be inert due to contact with drinking water. The dangers associated with e-cigs is generally silica, not silicone, and is focused around the microscopic fibers that can, and do, shed during use allowing them to be inhaled.
The reason I dont necessarily advocate using e-liquid is that some are know to damage o-rings (Pluid) and others have similar effects as petroleum jelly. In fact, the juice I use caused my o-rings to become sticky and actually bind up my threads.
Last edited:
I use straight VG for all lubrication of my o-rings and anything else associated with ecig. I just feel safer doing it that way. I usually DIY my own juice as well so I know what is going into it.
Pluid's issue is due to its flavoring, like many other types of juices that are known to damage plastic tanks, may have similar effects on rubber orings. However using pure pharm-grade VG shouldn't cause that particular issue.
Hey Jojo, Certainly if you have been using it successfully with no adverse effects, by all means thats what you should use. I made the statement regarding e-liquid as a general term, as I think that alot of people, especially the ones just starting out, dont mix their own juice. And as such, should be aware that there are alternatives to how we lubricate our o-rings. In reality, I doubt many people actually go through the trouble of lubricating them at all.
Understood Target, but aside from the minority (many of the people on this forum), most people have no idea whats in their juice. Half the people I talk to in the real world (vapors included) still think PG has the same ingredients as radiator fluid. So if they dont know what is their particular formula, I stick to suggesting a safer baseline for lubrication that has been used since before vaping started.
I agree with you Dark...big time...some of the additives in the juices...I wouldn't trust ejuice as lub either.
I guess i should have differentiated between VG and e-liquid. Back when I was mixing my own liquids I used VG as a lubricant, and it worked fine. But I have neither the time or the inclination to mix my own liquids anymore so its also more convenient for me to have a tiny cup of silicone grease than a bottle of VG. Not to mention I used to make one hellova mess with the VG (clumsy fingers).
hahahahaha....I HEAR you on the mess Dark!! it's not fun stuff because its so liquidy...and I hate it for that reason! I like it because it is so clean tasting or smelling...
Yeah, I should've been more specific than throwing out a general comment like simply using juice.
Hey everyone,
New here but not new to vaping; been on the wagon for over two and a half years, not a cig-puff since I started
Anyways I've 'evolved' into the RBA world and thought I'd dive right in; got an Ithaka a few months ago and have a Just GG in the mail. Just amazing products from Imeo; makes everything else I've ever used (and I've gone through A LOT of different vape toys!) feel/look like cheap junk.
Anyway, my question is regarding the Ithaka but might apply to any RBA. I'm finding a consistent vape very difficult to achieve with this atty. I LOVE it when it's working right; nothing I've used compares. The problem is it seems there's a very short window where it's 'right'. Here is my usual pattern;
1. Build atty using COV 1.8 ready wires and 3mm silica. Doing everything right as far as I can tell. Single-coil, simple.
2. Day 1 is break in time; tastes a little funny for a few hours but starts hitting nicely soon after.
3. Days 2-3 are usually bliss; amazing flavour, throat-hit, everything just perfect.
4. By day 4, the problems start. Flavour fades, vapour production lowers.
5. Day 5 and it tastes awful. I open the atty and am horrified by what I see; a blackened wick, black, sooty residue on the inside of the atty. I'll take the atty apart and unwind the coil from the wick. It looks 'charred', with nasty residue all over. The wicks are nice and wet so I don't feel it's a feeding issue. I unwind the coil and burn off the 'crust' that's all over it. Last night I actually took a lighter and burned the wick and coil. I noticed spots of hard, black 'stuff' stuck to the wick in certain places. After the burning/cleaning process, I re-build and it seems good to go.
I guess I have a few issues here. I'm worried I'm burning wick and inhaling silica, but I've read this isn't really possible. I wonder why the lifespan on these builds is so short, and why the 'bliss' of days 2-3 isn't sustainable.
I'm using Halo juice exclusively, usually Tiki. Any help/recommends from the experts out there would be much appreciated. It's my first post, a long one, but I'm excited to reach out to the community for help on this!
J
New here but not new to vaping; been on the wagon for over two and a half years, not a cig-puff since I started
Anyways I've 'evolved' into the RBA world and thought I'd dive right in; got an Ithaka a few months ago and have a Just GG in the mail. Just amazing products from Imeo; makes everything else I've ever used (and I've gone through A LOT of different vape toys!) feel/look like cheap junk.
Anyway, my question is regarding the Ithaka but might apply to any RBA. I'm finding a consistent vape very difficult to achieve with this atty. I LOVE it when it's working right; nothing I've used compares. The problem is it seems there's a very short window where it's 'right'. Here is my usual pattern;
1. Build atty using COV 1.8 ready wires and 3mm silica. Doing everything right as far as I can tell. Single-coil, simple.
2. Day 1 is break in time; tastes a little funny for a few hours but starts hitting nicely soon after.
3. Days 2-3 are usually bliss; amazing flavour, throat-hit, everything just perfect.
4. By day 4, the problems start. Flavour fades, vapour production lowers.
5. Day 5 and it tastes awful. I open the atty and am horrified by what I see; a blackened wick, black, sooty residue on the inside of the atty. I'll take the atty apart and unwind the coil from the wick. It looks 'charred', with nasty residue all over. The wicks are nice and wet so I don't feel it's a feeding issue. I unwind the coil and burn off the 'crust' that's all over it. Last night I actually took a lighter and burned the wick and coil. I noticed spots of hard, black 'stuff' stuck to the wick in certain places. After the burning/cleaning process, I re-build and it seems good to go.
I guess I have a few issues here. I'm worried I'm burning wick and inhaling silica, but I've read this isn't really possible. I wonder why the lifespan on these builds is so short, and why the 'bliss' of days 2-3 isn't sustainable.
I'm using Halo juice exclusively, usually Tiki. Any help/recommends from the experts out there would be much appreciated. It's my first post, a long one, but I'm excited to reach out to the community for help on this!
J
Welcome to the world of RBAs jlipson. Your issues are not uncommon at all. Depending on the juice you use, the wattage you are vaping, the wick material, alignment of the planets, will all determine the "life" of your coils. Some juice only gets you 1 good tankful, others 4-5 tanks. Thats the tradeoff we make when we convert to these types of devices. Amazing experience, but constant maintenance.
There is alot of good information in these threads regarding setups, and Bishopheals has some good videos on advance coil building that will go a long way. But ultimately everyone has their own "sweet spot" as far as setups and longevity. It will take some time to work out what is best for you and the juice you are using.
There is alot of good information in these threads regarding setups, and Bishopheals has some good videos on advance coil building that will go a long way. But ultimately everyone has their own "sweet spot" as far as setups and longevity. It will take some time to work out what is best for you and the juice you are using.
Thanks Dark; love the Bishop's videos I've watched a ton of them very helpful (and quite a character). I kind of figured the 'fiddly' nature of the RBA is part of the experience; have to admit I enjoy all the fuss!
As for the 'burn' ; am I actually burning wick, or is the black crust just fried juice?
As for the 'burn' ; am I actually burning wick, or is the black crust just fried juice?
Its fried juice. Especially if you are only running a single 1.8 coil.
Ok I guess I better watch out! With the Just GG coming any day now I'm planning on trying some crazy Bishop setups. I assume those can get hot enough to burn wick ...
- Status
Similar threads
