Just got my Redds E-cig today, a couple questions

[bbgun]

Hey guys, glad to be here, I've been looking forward to vaping for a while now, finally got my Redds starter kit because it seems great for beginners, which I am definitely one.

Anyways, I just have some questions. Firstly...how long roughly would you expect a cartomizer to last and after it is done should I refill it? I filled mine to start by using the condom method, but mine ran out of flavor after about 1-2 hours. Admittedly I was vaping about the entire time almost without stopping, but I'm still wondering if its normal for it to only last that long.

Once I started getting a lot less vaper and a burnt taste, I tried to top it off with 9-10 drops by dripping the liquid onto the mesh material on the cartomizer but it didn't seem to work at all so I just threw it out. But since I don't want to just dispose cartomizers so quickly in the future, I was wondering if I could use the condom method again to refill, and if so, how many times can I do so before having to finally dispose of the cartomizer?

Those are all my questions/concerns for now, any help would be immensely appreciated because I'm still a little apprehensive about this whole thing. Thanks a lot guys.

 

[bbgun]

anybody? Help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[loxmythe]

Sorry I'm not familiar with that brand of ecig. If you search the forum you'll find lots of info on how to clean cartos. If cleaned properly they can pretty much be used until they die. As for how fast they run dry that depends on the size of the carto and the resistance. Low resistance gives better flavor but goes through juice faster.
Stick with it. There's a learning curve to be sure but it's worth the effort

 

[mostlyclassics]

Cartos are somewhat twitchy, in that if you get that burnt taste, then they're ruined forever and you have to throw them away.

The best approach to using cartos is to fill them via the condom method, then check as you vape. Once the filling starts to look a bit dry, then drip-drip-drip (but not down the central hole) until you get that slushy look of total saturation. Sometimes it's best to repeat this after a bit to make sure you've re-saturated the filling.

Despite your best efforts, after several to ten or so refills, the carto will taste funky. They're sometimes cleanable, if you have an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner and either Everclear (180 proof alcohol) or 91% isopropyl alcohol. Do a search: you'll find lots of threads dealing with cleaning cartos. Before tanks, Stardusts and Vivi Novas came along, I used to clean them, then let them dry for a week before reusing. Maybe 2/3rds of them survived cleaning. They weren't quite the same as brand-new, but they were usable for one more cycle.

Ultimately, though, they are considered disposables.

 

[bbgun]

Hey guys, thanks a lot for the replies. At this point, I'm not really too concerned with cleaning the cartos as I know they can be refilled a few times (correct?) before they need to be thrown out or cleaned...I don't mind disposing them after a few refills but only once doesn't seem like enough.

Mostlyclassics...I was just wondering how many drops should I use for a refill in your estimation. Around 10? Also, would it make sense that I burnt out a carto so quicky...keep in mind I was taking big hits for anywhere from 1-1.5 hours and I barely stopped so I guess in essence I took as many puffs as I would have with about 5 or so cigarettes.

 

[mostlyclassics]

Mostlyclassics...I was just wondering how many drops should I use for a refill in your estimation. Around 10?

I can't put a drop-count on the process because of too many variables. Just keep dripping until you get that glistening, slushy, saturated look. (I'm assuming you can get off the plug at the mouth end of your cartos — if you can't, then they're not really refillable.) Wait for a couple of minutes and take another peek. If it doesn't still look saturated, then add more drops. Check your carto frequently! and refull once it loses that saturated look.

Hope this helps!

I was taking big hits for anywhere from 1-1.5 hours and I barely stopped so I guess in essence I took as many puffs as I would have with about 5 or so cigarettes

Again, because there are too many variables, it's not possible to directly compare vaping with cigarette consumption. You have to discard the notion that vaping is smoking. It isn't. It's a totally different experience. The only thing smoking and vaping have in common is that both give you a way to ingest nicotine.

 

[oplholik]

For a std. sized carto, about 15-18 drops when refilling. When refilling I count drops and watch the absorption rate. When you first start filling you will notice that the material absorbs quickly, when it's almost saturated, you will notice that it starts absorbing more slowly, that's when I stop. Hope this makes sense.

 

[bbgun]

Hey guys, thanks a lot for the replies. I've been topping off with about 8-12 drops when I feel its appropriate (when the flavor gets a little dry) and its been workin well. I guess the first one I used just got totally pooched because I used it non stop until I got the burning taste and it wasn't saveable after that.

So just to reiterate...how many top offs can I do with a single carto before I should just open a new one? Also, can I use the condom method for refills or is it best just to use that for the initial fill? Because I do find that method easy. I always get scared that with the drip method I'll get some liquid down the hole although I blow out through the mouth piece after refilling and don't get liquid, I'm very careful. I also wait a while before attatching a carto I've just topped up to my battery.

BTW the Redds are an 808 I belive...its a cigarette sized PV and uses standard carto's. Only available at Happyvaper.com I believe.

 

[Grimwald]

18-20 drops fills a standard carto...but all droppers are different. I have a small container that has millimeter markers...so I tested and found 20-25 drops = 1 mil. My cartos are bottom coil...those you can vape most of the way empty...I get 3-4 hours per refill. Nothing wrong with either the condom method or drip method...and don't obsess over the center hole...if you get some in there, just blow it out.

How long they last depends a lot on the juice. Cear type juices usually don't gunk up as fast, and they are easier to clean out.

 

[bbgun]

18-20 drops fills a standard carto...but all droppers are different. I have a small container that has millimeter markers...so I tested and found 20-25 drops = 1 mil. My cartos are bottom coil...those you can vape most of the way empty...I get 3-4 hours per refill. Nothing wrong with either the condom method or drip method...and don't obsess over the center hole...if you get some in there, just blow it out.

How long they last depends a lot on the juice. Cear type juices usually don't gunk up as fast, and they are easier to clean out.

Thanks a lot Grinwald, that helps a lot. Just one more question though (I know, I'm a complete noob). When you say 18-20 drops are you saying I can use that many for a refill or just the first fill up? I was under the impression you weren't supposed to use as much when refilling a carto after the first use. And you're saying I can use the condom method even for a refill? I dunno where I read that its only good to use that method for the first fillup but hopefully whoever said that was incorrect.

 

[opal]

*pokes nose in thread*

different makers have different carto specs.. it's hard to answer in specifics.. more or less fluff in the cart and cart size make a difference

to keep juice out of the center tube... if you're not confident dripping juice in.. stick a round toothpick in the hole..

my first carts barely lasted an hour too.. I've become a chain vaper.