little white threads in 510 atomizer?

[niccofiene]

Really new at this, can someone help out?

When I first got my 510 this weekend, the polyfill kept getting into the atomizer, no matter what I did. Slow little drags, good level of juice, didn't matter. I was about ready to pitch the thing across the room! I couldn't see how this was easy or fun. And the taste was indescribably yuck.

So, in the evening, I cleaned out all the little polyfill bits out of the atomizer with a toothpick. I starting seeing a lot of little clear plastic threads come out of the upside down mesh U...but the atty started working like a champ. No more stuck polyfill!

Now, I just got a new kit for my mother, and was loading it up. Took a good look at the atty, and noticed...something...in the U shaped metal piece. And, in reflection, I realize that the white threads of stuff I thought was polyfill that I pulled out of mine (almost looked like clear dental floss pieces) was this stuff.

What is that stuff? Is it essential? Did I bust my attys, or doom them to an early failure? On the plus side, once those clear plastic threads were gone, I didn't get the fill stuck anymore.

Appreciate any advice!

 

[HzG8rGrl]

It is the wick. The wick sucks up the e-liquid as it enters the atomizer from the cartridge and feeds the coil inside the atomizer.
What you have done is to dewick your atomizer.
The atomizer will still work, but you need to keep the atomizer wet now as it does not have a way to wick.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/ecf-library/66848-guide-direct-dripping.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap1c4EwKRAY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDQ-xcfYFHM

 

[niccofiene]

Is this a bad thing? It seems to be working far better than before?

 

[WomanOfHeart]

It will work better, but like HzGr8rGrl said, you'll have to keep the atty wet because now it can't wick. It's not a bad thing at all. You'll be able to use both carts and drip. It's the best of both worlds without the nasty taste you can get from a burned up wick.

 

[HzG8rGrl]

No, not a bad thing at all. Most vapers usually get to this point, you just got there sooner than most!
Keep the atomizer wet or you'll pop it by running it too dry! As Womanofheart said, it will work better. Read the links I posted and it will give you a bit of an idea.

 

[niccofiene]

Thanks for all the help! Now, by "keep the atty wet", you mean either drip every time, or always make sure there's a filled cart attached? What if I "store" an atty because I'm using a different flavor? Does it have to be stored with a filled cart? Such a learning curve for the noob, heh.

That burning taste was killing me, as was the &^%$# fill stuff getting sucked up in there everytime.

 

[niccofiene]

Thanks for the links, and all the help! I swear, I got a little sick to my stomach there for a min, thinking I ruined it already!

 

[WomanOfHeart]

Just make sure that when you're using it, there's some juice on the atty. It doesn't have to wet when you store them, and you can still clean them like you normally would. You've just accidentally made your life easier and more tasty!

 

[HzG8rGrl]

You will be able to tell when the atomizer is dry. When you take a toot/puff/hit/draw if it is harsh or low vapor you need to drip a couple drops of liquid directly into the atomizer. You should get a drip tip and replace the cartridge with the drip tip. Then you will drip 3-4 drops of liquid in the atomizer for 6-10 draws/hits/puffs/toots (many names for the same thing), repeat.
No need to store with juice in the atomizer, I advise you not to. You should blow the atomizer out if not in use and fill with 3-4 drops before using again.

 

[King_Calculon]

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/tips-tricks/132683-bridgeless-drippers-dream-atty.html

Food for thought...

 

[niccofiene]

Gotcha! But now I'm going to be paranoid about having a dry atty, haha, until I have a drip tip come in.

Also, one more stupid question: when you drip into the atomizer, do you drip on the mesh U shaped piece, or on the side closer to the coil? I know I could find these answers on the ever helpful youtube links you posted, most likely, but my baby boy is asleep and I left the headphones at work (20 month old with eczema that's an extremely light sleeper, hrmmph).

 

[HzG8rGrl]

As soon as you can watch the vid on removing the bridge, it isn't doing you any good anymore! The coil is under the bridge. Once you drip the juice just let it find its way to the coil. Give it 5-10 seconds before puffing.

 

[King_Calculon]

You can use an empty cartridge for dripping. Simply pull it out to drip! I don't really think it matters which part you drip onto.

 

[WomanOfHeart]

I just take the filler out of a cart and use that instead of a drip tip. Honestly, I've just been too lazy to buy one. Just put two or three drops into the atomizer, wait a few seconds and vape away. The drops don't have to be right on the bridge. I promise you'll love the taste because it's cleaner and best of all, you won't be wasting any juice by dripping! Vape your head off and enjoy!