Knowing when a cartomizer isn't performing well?

[Jenny of Oldstones]

I'm hoping that someone more experienced with cartomizers can help me troubleshoot this little strange issue. So, I have 5 cartomizers filled with different juices. Some are 80/20 blend and some are 50/50 blend.

All of the cartomizers, regardless of blend, seem to be working well. I get pretty good vapor production, and I can clearly taste the product. However, on one cartomizer, filled with an 80/20 tobacco blend, it seems like somethings just a little, well, off. But I'm not exactly sure what. I know that cartomizers can come in and be "DOA", but this one is clearly working somewhat, just doesn't seem to be performing well.

When I start to vape with this cart, the first several puffs have no vapor. Then, if I turn the volts up to maybe 4.2, I'll get a little vapor. I hear the cartomizer crackling, it's clearly working somewhat, but I get little vapor and almost no taste.

So, is this considered a bad cartomizer?

I double-checked, it's totally full of juice. The cartomizer is a boge 510 standard resistance. (the others I'm using that seem fine are the same) and the battery is fully charged.

So I guess my questions is, if a cartomizer isn't outright dead, is it possible to simply perform badly and be unusable? Does this happen often? Or could the fault lie in something else?

Thanks in advance!

Edit: oddly enough, the more I sit here and vape on it, it's slowly getting better? I looked inside while firing, nothing is turning bright red or burning, or anything..

 

[KerryK]

Ok, first thing NEVER look into a firing cardo unless you have protection over your eyes. Yea, it's bad, I just toss em. Many will offer solutions or options to fix but I just throw em.

 

[Ryedan]

Cartos 'wear out' by becoming clogged over time. Time can be a day or a month (I've experienced both extremes).

Your carto is probably past its prime if:

Draw is harder.
Flavor and/or vapor of a known juice is off.
It's suddenly burning or flooding.

How far past its prime you take it depends on you. I generally change carts as soon as I notice moderate deterioration. I see it as a safety issue since carts are closed devices with the coil buried inside wicking material so I see nothing close to the coil.

Yes, I would probably consider your cart 'bad' enough to toss it. Why did this one go bad before the others could be due to this particular carto, the juice, or you let this one go dryer than the others in use or hit it with more power than the others. Putting them into tanks will generally help keep them good longer becasue they are constantly fed with juice.

Lots of variables to consider ... but no matter what they are way cheaper than smoking. HTH and best of luck with it!

 

[Jenny of Oldstones]

Ok, first thing NEVER look into a firing cardo unless you have protection over your eyes. Yea, it's bad, I just toss em. Many will offer solutions or options to fix but I just throw em.

8-o Eek.. I did not know. Thank you for the warning!

 

[Jenny of Oldstones]

Cartos 'wear out' by becoming clogged over time. Time can be a day or a month (I've experienced both extremes).

Your carto is probably past its prime if:

Draw is harder.
Flavor and/or vapor of a known juice is off.
It's suddenly burning or flooding.

How far past its prime you take it depends on you. I generally change carts as soon as I notice moderate deterioration. I see it as a safety issue since carts are closed devices with the coil buried inside wicking material so I see nothing close to the coil.

Yes, I would probably consider your cart 'bad' enough to toss it. Why did this one go bad before the others could be due to this particular carto, the juice, or you let this one go dryer than the others in use or hit it with more power than the others. Putting them into tanks will generally help keep them good longer becasue they are constantly fed with juice.

Lots of variables to consider ... but no matter what they are way cheaper than smoking. HTH and best of luck with it!

Thank you! You've given me a good checklist as I use cartomizers more. This one was brand-new, which is why I wasn't sure, but I guess I just got a dud. Oh well.

 

[Kagey K]

I was shaking my ego around once while talking and got hit with a good solid drop right in the eye, (came out my drip tip) and it sucks trust me you don't ever want to go through that.

No amount of eyewash can take away the burn I felt.