Just got my XL VMOD kit "Houston, we have a problem!"

[fourthrok]

I don't know WHAT is going on. Got my Vapage XL Vmod kit today...really nice looking rig! I'd looked at at least a half dozen videos on how to fill prime and fill the thing. Read massive threads here on ECF about various "techniques" to make it vape right...and so far it's been: UBER FAIL.

I managed to get a few good puffs from the silo carto...but then it tasted burnt. YES, I primed the carto first. Yes, I did exactly like instructed once the carto was installed by tipping the device, watching for the bubbles, then giving a gentle squeeze when upright. I tried "dry puffing" to help it a bit. I am at my wit's end. After the silo burnt up, I tried what was supposed to be a 2ohm Boge...that promptly burned up too. So I tried a 3ohm. Started acting like it was going to fry..so gave up on the cartomizers. I was priming and squeezing (squonking) and the whole bit the whole time. Even flooded a bit once.

So I tried the atomizer that came with the kit that so many seem to love. Gawd...it tastes NASTY!! I primed as I was supposed to, and according to the inst. and the videos I'd watched. I thought "Okay..so it's got primer on it...just keep puffing, it'll go away and things will be okay". Well...I've been puffing on this thing for an awful long time and it STILL tastes nasty. And WAY too hot! I tested the ohms on my Ovale v8 ohm checker and both the Silo and the atomizer read 2.8 ohm. Um...I thought they were supposed to be 2.2ohm? And WHY are they both burning, searing hot tasting and BURNT tasting?????

Can anyone help? I want this bottom feeder thing to work, and I know there is a learning curve. But I'm not exactly a newb here (I joined ECF about a year after I started vaping). I'm doing what the vids and advice here says and it's not workin'!!!! pweeze? Anyone? Is there hope?

'Cause if bottom feeders make my otherwise good cartos taste this nasty, hot and yuck...maybe it's not for me.

 

[niczgreat]

I don't know WHAT is going on. Got my Vapage XL Vmod kit today...really nice looking rig! I'd looked at at least a half dozen videos on how to fill prime and fill the thing. Read massive threads here on ECF about various "techniques" to make it vape right...and so far it's been: UBER FAIL.

I managed to get a few good puffs from the silo carto...but then it tasted burnt. YES, I primed the carto first. Yes, I did exactly like instructed once the carto was installed by tipping the device, watching for the bubbles, then giving a gentle squeeze when upright. I tried "dry puffing" to help it a bit. I am at my wit's end. After the silo burnt up, I tried what was supposed to be a 2ohm Boge...that promptly burned up too. So I tried a 3ohm. Started acting like it was going to fry..so gave up on the cartomizers. I was priming and squeezing (squonking) and the whole bit the whole time. Even flooded a bit once.

So I tried the atomizer that came with the kit that so many seem to love. Gawd...it tastes NASTY!! I primed as I was supposed to, and according to the inst. and the videos I'd watched. I thought "Okay..so it's got primer on it...just keep puffing, it'll go away and things will be okay". Well...I've been puffing on this thing for an awful long time and it STILL tastes nasty. And WAY too hot! I tested the ohms on my Ovale V8 ohm checker and both the Silo and the atomizer read 2.8 ohm. Um...I thought they were supposed to be 2.2ohm? And WHY are they both burning, searing hot tasting and BURNT tasting?????

Can anyone help? I want this bottom feeder thing to work, and I know there is a learning curve. But I'm not exactly a newb here (I joined ECF about a year after I started vaping). I'm doing what the vids and advice here says and it's not workin'!!!! pweeze? Anyone? Is there hope?

'Cause if bottom feeders make my otherwise good cartos taste this nasty, hot and yuck...maybe it's not for me.

Contact the manufacturer and ask advise, maybe there is a bad run on those. With so many out there grooving on bottom feeders, it may be luck of the draw. Do you have a volt meter, or a Multimeter so that you can check how many volts the unit is spitting out. That's one of the missing links.

Are you using actual Cartomizers, which implies polyester in contact with a coil, or are you using Atomizers.?

I'm keeping my fingers crossed after reading this post because I bought two Vapage Atomizers today to use with my VV Bogger Box that's coming next week.

 

[muzichead]

fourthrok, all this is only too familiar. I had the same problem in the beginning except I never used the carto. Still have it in the vape box never used. The atty they supplied in mine was a 2.0Ω and was very finicky to say the least. Every now and then I put one of the 1.5Ω slant coils on and even to this day have a problem feeding them. They do prime those atty's and have to be blown out prior to use or just vaped through and that can take a few hours to do. This is also the reason I only use Cisco spec 306 atty's. They have no primer fluid in them at all. When I am putting a new one on the XL, I prime the atty before I put it on the XL by dripping about 6-8 drops directly on the atty before putting the drip tip on, then install it and give it a few vapes and then it is good to go. They are easier to feed, IMO, than any other atty I have used on the XL as well. You just need to make sure you get the XL drip tip with them to clearance the cone on the XL. I actually cut the XL tip down about 3/16"-1/4", as I don't like an extremely long tip sticking out of the cone. Once I put the 306 on mine it got much easier and more consistent for me...

I learned how to vape mine from Fernand over in the big thread. It did take a little time to get it down, but is second nature now. Its not fool proof, but it works 99.9% of the time... I do however get a dry hit every now and again because I didn't pay attention.

Instead of tilting, waiting for the bubble and then squeezing, try this... Tilt the XL and start to vape on it, (this can be done as a dry pull or while firing the atty at the same time), with it just past horizontal as you are pulling on it, (taking a drag), gently squeeze the bottle and after a few seconds you will hear the atty start to gurgle slightly, (this is when you know the atty has been fed), stop squeezing and continue to vape with the XL at any angle. There is usually enough liquid in the atty for 3-5, (possibly more), good hits at that point. If you overfeed the atty, simply squeeze the bottle in the horizontal position and it will exit the atty and some if not all will return to the bottle.

I hope this helps you out some. It can be frustrating at times, but believe me, it gets waaaay better and easier...

 

[DPLongo22]

I saw this thread and thought, Omigod - Fourthrok just ordered one of those! I'd better read it.

Little did I know it was YOU, El Cuatro, who was having the problem.

 

[muzichead]

Here are a couple videos from YouTube and the XL using Cisco spec atty's...

This one is using the bridgeless Aero spec... Cisco Spec 306 Atomizer 1.5 LR from avidvaper.com - YouTube

This one the guy is kind of creepy, but meh... vapage vmod xl con atom HYBRID da 2.0 om e atom CISCO 306 da 1.5 - YouTube

Never thought of it, but you can also do a modification to it as Commie did to his... http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...verting-vmod-blind-squonking.html#post9104400

 

[fourthrok]

Okay folks...and thank you to those who did respond (I was worried for awhile that I wasn't going to get any love with this thread!...Lots looking, no comments!)

I think for some unknown and inexplicable reason part of the problem was somehow connected to the Vapage battery. It metered correctly, and seems to be okay, but somehow and for some reason, when I try to use it...things taste burnt really quick. I put a different battery in and am having a bit more luck. But the jury is still out overall.

I got the atomizer tasting better (finally) this morning. But it IS fiddly as muzichead mentions. It also vapes hotter than I like, but I think that might just be the nature of atomizers vs. cartomizers. I've also managed to get a couple of squirts of juice in my mouth..which isn't much fun. But the tips I've seen and the ones here in this thread helps some.

I did burn up the Silo cartomizer. Or else hubby did...he was trying it out when I took the dogs out. It never tasted right again after I came back inside. Don't know who scorched it, but the needle tends to point at my ever lovin' spouse. A couple of the cartomizers from my boxes of Boges may have just happened to have been duds. One I think I did singe...but the other two I think it was just the luck of the draw I happened to pick the duds from two different boxes (I seem to get a dud in every box). This morning I got out yet another one...a 2ohm which I have on hand for when I use my mechanical mods and my other APVs that are not VV. I filled it using a syringe (which I always do, anyway) but skipped putting a few drops in the threading base as I usually would. I wanted to see if the "feed" was actually "feeding" on the Vmod.

It's working. I tried muzichead's tips for holding it horizonal, and taking a few dry puffs and squeezing the bottle. So far...so good. Not burnt. Starting to smooth out now. I hit hard. Hubby tells me that all the time. He says I smoke like a linebacker or a trucker or something. I take MIGHTY pulls, and have probably since the first month of vaping. It's a habit and is what it is. Hubby is forever pointing out he doesn't "hit as hard" as I do. So atomizers are going to give me problems. I can see that. I am either going to vape them dry too quick, or else drown them by over squonking. Plus, due to my vaping style, they get SUPER hot. At least this one does. Tastes okay for a puff or two, but doesn't do well with my hard chain vaping, I don't think.

The 2 ohm Boge XL I have on the Vmod now is working pretty good so far. Unfortunately I don't have any new standard sized 2ohms around right now, but I can get more. The carto seems vape cooler for me than the atomizer, which I prefer. I may sound like an uncultured vape hick, but I really and honestly do not mind the polyfill in cartomizers. Not at all. I'm using a Joyetech 18650 battery I had lying around from my eGo T Mod kit, and it's not acting crazy like the Vapage battery did (I have no explanation for that...I really don't). As I practice my squonking techniques (thank you muzichead! And others in other threads who've given tips on that) I'm feeling more and more encouraged.

This bottom feeder thing really does have a LARGE learning curve. But maybe...just maybe...I'm starting to see the light.

... Maybe.

 

[muzichead]

Yeah, forgot to mention the every now and then part of a little juice in your mouth... It as well as feeding will get more natural with practice. But on a more positive, good to here its getting a little better. Duds on top of the dulled taste is why I don't waste my money on carto's...

 

[Vchick]

I like using the boge cartos with mine, but I also pre-fill the carto before putting it on the vmod itself. It helps prime the carto for future squonks. Good luck and let us know how it goes...hth!

 

[fourthrok]

Thank Vchick...yes. I believe we are getting on a roll here! I've been using an XL 2ohm Boge cartomizer since around 10 this morning...and we're still going strong and still no burnt taste.

By George! I think she's got it!

I did find some standard size (35mm) Boge 2 ohm single coils that I can use while I wait for my check in April and can order some more. I'm going to stick with cartomizers, I believe, because I like a cooler vape, and I like being able to go longer between squonks. I'm sorry my Silo carto got burnt...but that's life, I guess. Since the Boge are working good, I'm not really that upset. I have a pile of Boges that I use on my other APVs. I'm not even bent out of shape about the strange behavior of the Vapage battery. Maybe it was just me all along. Who knows at this point? Now I have a VERY saturated and primed carto on my Vmod...maybe I'll give the Vapage batt another whirl.

Really appreciate the support and suggestions, everyone. I'm starting to perk up quite a bit! The vape IS different from my carto tanks. But I'm adjusting and starting to appreciate the difference. At least for a change! Change can be good, sometimes, I guess! I do love the idea of this bottom feeder, and the simplicity. Well...simplicity once you get with the program and understand how it works!

 

[hazozita]

Fourthrok -- I had the same problems you had with the atty from Vmod. Just could not get it to give me anything but a throad-searing hit no matter what. I had better luck with the Silo cartos, but still not optimal.

I have had very good results with a shorty carto (I didn't get it here, but this was the first link I found: Super Shorty 1.7ohm Cartomizer - Stainless (1)

The shorty is my usual carto for both the Vmod XL and my Reo, since both of those are my "out of the house" PVs, and I like the minimal size. The shorty carto with a shorty tip is, well, pretty short!

Also have been loving the horizontal dual coil Kanger cartos. Bit cooler vape, but great flavor. Got mine at MVS: Kanger 510 LR DUAL COIL Cartomizer - 5 Pack

 

[fourthrok]

Fourthrok -- I had the same problems you had with the atty from Vmod. Just could not get it to give me anything but a throad-searing hit no matter what. I had better luck with the Silo cartos, but still not optimal.

I have had very good results with a shorty carto (I didn't get it here, but this was the first link I found: Super Shorty 1.7ohm Cartomizer - Stainless (1)

The shorty is my usual carto for both the Vmod XL and my Reo, since both of those are my "out of the house" PVs, and I like the minimal size. The shorty carto with a shorty tip is, well, pretty short!

Also have been loving the horizontal dual coil Kanger cartos. Bit cooler vape, but great flavor. Got mine at MVS: Kanger 510 LR DUAL COIL Cartomizer - 5 Pack

Do you find the 1.7 shorty vapes really warm/hot? I've shied away from cartos under 2ohm because I prefer a cooler vape. Also...can you share where you do get your super shorties? How many ml can you generally run through them before they taste blah or get gunked up? I chain vape. TIA!

 

[hazozita]

I’m a chain vaper myself, so I have to preface everything with the statement that anything gets uncomfortably hot if chain vaped to a decent degree. The only solution I’ve found is to use multiple PVs to give whatever I’m using a break to cool down. Plus, it allows for flavor surfing.

The 1.7 shorties are not what I would call hot, but the vape is certainly warmer than the dual coil Kangers I use on the same devices. I’ve tried the 2.0 ohm version, and prefer the 1.7 – a bit warmer, but also better vapor performance. In addition to 1.7 and 2.0, they also come in 2.5 and 3.2 ohms. Never tried the latter two, so can’t speak to their performance. I got them at Discount Vapors: Super Shorty 2.0 Ohm 510 Chrome Cartomizer
but Surevapes (my initial link) is also a good vendor to deal with.

If you’re more concerned about a cooler vape and can deal with a longer carto length I’d suggest the Kanger dual coils. They have been performing very well for me, and the XL length allows the vapor to cool before inhale. I can chain vape for easily twice as long on the Kanger before it gets too hot. I tend to not use them as much only due to the length, which is counter to my reason for getting bottom feeders in the first place (easy to pocket and use in the car).

As to longevity, it varies just as with any carto. The shorty I currently have on my Vmod has run through 4 full bottles and is still working like new. The shortest lifespan has been one bottle (it was with a MOV juice which tend to be cloggy on any carto). I haven’t tracked it specifically, but if I had to guess I’d say I’ve been averaging 50 mls per before it goes into the bin to be cleaned (I wait until I have a bunch then do the boiling cleaning method).

Hope this helps!

 

[fourthrok]

Thanks hazozita! That does help! And what luck that those shorties are at DV. I've bought from them before..nice company. I've long been partial to Kanger, but only really know them from my KR808 days. I knew they had 510, but haven't really tried them. A bit skittish about dual coil. But we'll see. I think MVS has Kangers that are not dc. Might look into those.

Right now I have a "I don't know what brand it is, it was just sitting in a box" 3 ohm standard cartomizer. Other than fighting off the primer (blech) it's working pretty nice now. I think higher ohm is working a bit better for me. A Smok 2.5ohm XL worked pretty good too. Nice thing about mechanicals...I can take really looooooong hits and get plenty of vapor, even with LR! lol! I guess the trick for me is to have a couple of suitable cartos primed and ready and have them with me to switch out as they get hot. That ought to work okay. I have little velvet bags I use to carry my other box mods...I'll commandeer one for the Vmod and extra cartos and extra bottle of juice. Ought to work for portability. (I don't switch flavors. My DIY menthol all the time, all day, every day!)

Vapage battery mystery solved! I think. I looked at it again really closely this morning...and noticed that the positive end is off center quite a bit, and there is black on the coating at the positive end. Like it was burnt. Apparently it has a short that was "built in" from the factory. No wonder things tasted burnt right off!! Glad I didn't keep using the stupid thing. Might have been a bad scene. Luckily I have a pile of suitable 18650s I can use. And they work fine.

 

[niczgreat]

I just got in my VV Bogger Box and drove 20 miles to buy an Atomizer. The 6 varied Attys are all in the mail Sigh... Marcus shipped on Saturday and it arrived Monday.

My experience with the VV Bogger Box is the opposite of yours. The Boge 2.5 OHM Atty that I picked up at the Vape Shop did not have 1 iota of burnt taste. Using a meter, I started at 3.7V and gradually went up to 4.7V. I just can't understand how you vape Cartos the taste of Vaping with an Atomizer is Miles above that muted fiberfill taste.

Remembering to Squonk twice before inhaling really isn't a hassle, do you think that the hassle is because you have to tilt the box. Mine is aligned so my pointer finger is on the Button and my 3rd finger does the squonking. It's really easy and intuitive. I vape with the unit downward, I think it would be a hassle to always have to remember to put my unit up before vaping.

Love my Bogger Box. Sorry your experience was less than stellar.

 

[fourthrok]

I just got in my VV Bogger Box and drove 20 miles to buy an Atomizer. The 6 varied Attys are all in the mail Sigh... Marcus shipped on Saturday and it arrived Monday.

My experience with the VV Bogger Box is the opposite of yours. The Boge 2.5 OHM Atty that I picked up at the Vape Shop did not have 1 iota of burnt taste. Using a meter, I started at 3.7V and gradually went up to 4.7V. I just can't understand how you vape Cartos the taste of Vaping with an Atomizer is Miles above that muted fiberfill taste.

Remembering to Squonk twice before inhaling really isn't a hassle, do you think that the hassle is because you have to tilt the box. Mine is aligned so my pointer finger is on the Button and my 3rd finger does the squonking. It's really easy and intuitive. I vape with the unit downward, I think it would be a hassle to always have to remember to put my unit up before vaping.

Love my Bogger Box. Sorry your experience was less than stellar.

Hey Tomz! Actually, there were several factors going on with my first day experience. As you may have noticed in subsequent posts in this thread...things have been significantly improving for me in my relationship with the VMOD!

The reason for the "immediate" burning taste with the Silo and the atty became apparent (finally) when I examined the Vapage battery I got in my kit. Now, I'm not saying anything negative about Vapage branded batteries...but it so happened that the one I got was defective from the factory. I can tell this because looking closely at it I saw that the center positive "post" on the battery was seriously off center, and there was black stuff (scorch marks) on the casing of the positive end of the battery. Things were burning because the BATTERY was burning. It metered fine when not under load. The trouble was when the circuit was completed to fire. While I didn't use that battery that long...it was long enough to fry just everything I put on it, including the Silo and the hybrid atty.

Squonking is no a problem for me. In fact, I've found that I don't have to do anything particularly "fancy" ...I just tilt the Vmod a bit and give a light squeeze when I happen to think of it, or when I think the carto isn't producing much vapor. I don't have to be "dry puffing while tilting" or do a "tip and look for bubbles then turn upright and squeeze" or anything. A single light squeeze works..and only as needed. I can vape with the Vmod pointing straight UP if I want. It doesn't matter how I hold it; it doesn't leak. Priming the carto (or atty) is IMPERATIVE, but once that's done, it's smooth sailing.

I have been using cartomizers for 18 months. I developed my DIY menthol juice to be used with the carto...so flavor is not really an issue with me using them. TBH I really don't notice that much difference in taste when using an atty compared to a caromizer (and yes, I have). Not enough to impress me that much. Once a good carto is properly primed, any difference between it and an atty is pretty much negligible. I like cartos because they require less "conscious effort". I don't have to note how many puffs I've taken, I don't have to squonk more often and pay attention and listen. They can last quite well, and when they do "die" they are cheap to replace and I don't have to mess with cleaning them. There may come a time I want to develop a relationship with dripping atties. But now is not that time.

As mentioned before I am a chain vaper. I am not kidding. I puff like a steam engine from the moment I wake up until I go to bed. I don't want to have to do much thinking about what/how I am vaping. I don't make an art form of it like some might...like it was a pipe or a fine cigar or something. This is why the Vmod appealed to me (and the REO and other bottom feeders). I wanted something I could just load and go. Admittedly my start out of the gate was bumpy. But it's smoothing out now...and I'm falling in LOVE with my VMOD!! Been using it exclusively since Sunday.

My main thing now is trying to decide what ohms I prefer. I usually favor 2ohm with mechanicals, and I think that will be the case with the Vmod. But I also find I'm enjoying a 2.5ohm for a lighter, even cooler vape. Maybe I'll just get some of both. I'm planning on ordering some shorties (maybe even pick up a pack of the Silos since I want extra bottles and O rings at Vapage anyway) and some Kangers, and some Smoktechs. I'm using Boge currently.

 

[hazozita]

Fourthrok -- you may want to contact Vapage about the defective battery. I've found their customer service to be pretty good, and they may offer you a replacement. I say "may" since vendors, as a rule, tend to be reluctant to deal with batteries in general with regard to replacement. But worth a call (for me, they were much better regarding service when I called vs. sending an email).

Look forward to hearing how you like the new cartos you plan on ordering, especially the Smoktechs (have not tried them yet). While I like and use attys on many of my PVs, cartos are my preferred choice on bottom feeders. Just makes life easier when out and about.