Looking for advice on what to try next, based current e–cig set-up!

[ladyships]

Hello again! [I really hope this is the appropriate forum to post this in—I have a feeling it’s…not—] It’s been awhile since I last visited these forums, but I’ve kinda been…ridiculously busy…& subsequently, have put off writing this post…until, uh—just now. Anyway, I quit smoking & have been vaping since this past April, & I’ve been using the following set–up for most of that time:

❖ MANUAL USB PASS–THRU ❖

Vapor King manual passthru, black…code: VK-Manual-Passthru. Ordered 22 July 2010 from Vapor4Life.com. The white AC adapter is from my year-old iPhone…between the prongs, it says […among other things…] model no. A1265; input: 100–240V ⁓ 50/60 Hz 0.15A; output: 5V ⎓ 1A. The whole set–up seems to be sensitive to whether it is plugged directly into a wall, or is sharing a power strip with other items…it has got much less oomph when it’s sharing a power strip...I can’t stand how weak it gets if I’m plugging it into a laptop’s USB port.


❖ CARTOMIZERS ❖

Premium CoolCarts Vapor King blank cartomizers [code: PVK-Blanks2]…all from monochrome packs of 5 except the black one, which came from one of the Sampler packs & has a slightly different piece in the battery end…negligibly larger hole, basically. I prefer it to the others, from the single-colour 5–packs. The colours are—from left to right—light blue, pink; green, black; silver, red. I had originally been using more colours, but these are the only cartomizers I have left still in working order. Ordered 29 July 2010 from Vapor4Life.com.


❖ MANUAL BATTERY ❖

Vapor King extra long battery manual with single logo, black…code: VK-BATTERY-XL-SL-MANUAL-V2-BLK. Ordered 22 July 2010 from Vapor4Life.com.
​

I’ve been filling the cartomizers with a variety of e–liquids from Ms. T’s Bakery—namely Mango, Pear, Apple, Blueberry Crumble, Butter Rum, Cinnamon Roll, Snickerdoodle, Apple Pie, & Graham Crackers; all at medium [24 mg] nicotine strength—& discovered that the Snickerdoodle, Cinnamon Roll, & Apple Pie e–liquids have an amazing propensity to build up this…black-ish gunk on the innards of the cartomizer…which I try to clean out every week or so using a large tapestry needle [& wiping it off on a foam wedge doused in 91% isopropyl alcohol], but the cartomizers eventually die in spite of such maintenance…I should probably dissect a few of them to figure out exactly what state they’re in when they completely die, but I haven’t gotten around to doing it yet.

Anyway…until I ordered the USB pass–thru in July, I had been exclusively using the Vapor King XL manual battery [same model as above…in red, tho’], until it stopped holding a charge. The black one I ordered to replace the original red has never held a charge, & is weaker than the red one I had been using—even upon first vape, straight out of the charger, after it […finally…] turns green [& I’ve tried to charge it in all three of the chargers I have…same result in all of them—], so I ended up getting very attached to the USB pass–thru as my e–cig of choice, & just…suffering…not being able to vape when I don’t have access to a wall outlet.

Now, since I’ve both been refilling the same set of six cartomizers for almost two months now, & I think I just damaged the USB pass–thru’s cord by whinging it around over my head after dipping the end in boiling water to clean it…[silence in the peanut gallery!]…I’m looking to buy some new equipment. & since I’ve a much better idea of what I want after using this set–up for about seven months, I was thinking it might be time to consider investing in some better equipment.


So…I’m hoping some of you here on the forums might have some recommendations for a new set–up I’m liable to like even more, based on the following observations/notes/&c.:

⸭ when i vape, i take a few drags out of one flavour cartomizer, unscrew it; screw on a different cartomizer, take a few drags, unscrew it…& repeat, until I’ve cycled through my set of nine flavors. i don’t like to vape the same flavour for more than a few minutes…i think i developed this behavior when i was always overheating my premium cartomizers, & while i don’t think overheating is an issue with the CoolCarts, i can’t see myself changing this cycling–through–a–set–of–cartomizers,–each–filled–with–a–different–flavour during every vapebreak…i just get sick of a particular flavour too quickly. for this reason, i’ve always assumed that that probably means i can never consider e–cig models that involve a separate carton & atomizer…but i don’t think i understand the particulars of non–cartomizer e–cigarettes enough to really make that call. if somebody can come up with how this cycling thing could be done without cartomizers, i’d be awful glad if they let me know—i’d really like to be able to check out all the mods involving cartons/atomizers, heh. ∎

⸭ i absolutely love the intensity of my USB pass–thru in comparison to the relative weakness of my XL batteries…are there manual batteries out there that are compatible with cartomizers that have a comparable intensity? i assume part of the difference is in terms of voltage…right? are there pass–thrus that are even more intense? are there pass–thrus that connect directly to an AC outlet, without the need for a USB to AC converter? ∎

⸭ i want to start ordering cartomizers from somewhere besides Vapor4Life [is there a technical term for it that i can use to search the forums with, by the way?]…while they’ve been really sweet to me—great customer service—i don’t think they check the quality of each cartomizer they sell, & i’m wondering if there’s some vendor out there that consistently sells packs of cartomizers that have (i) centered…tube/wire on the inside; whatever that’s called…; (ii) the filling is evenly distributed, & fills the majority of tube…not only halfway, or with the tube/wire sticking way out, or whatever…so that each cartomizer takes the same amount of e–liquid; (iii) the plastic mouthpiece doesn’t have any burrs or whatever…it’s smooth, & the holes are of a decent enough size as to discourage the accumulation of condensation on the inside, & enable easy draws…i’ve always preferred the draw on the black cartomizer i photographed above, so i think the hole on the battery–end connexion to the cartomizer’s size may also be a factor in terms of ease–of–draw…ability. i’m sick of putting in a large order for cartomizers & having half of them be mediocre & a little less than half be decent & then only a few that’re just right…& while money is kinda tight for me, i’d be willing to pay more if i knew every cartomizer i’d get would be perfect. any suggestions? ∎

⸭ when i do go out, it tends to be for eight or twelve hours…are there batteries out there that can hold a charge for that long with frequent vaping without much noticeable decline? i don’t care if it would mean i’d have to have the battery recharging all night, as long as it wouldn’t get awful weak after a few vaping sessions. ∎

⸭ i’m sort of wondering if there’s someplace […online, presumably?] where you can buy glass vials for storing e–liquid, with openings conducive to allowing for a syringe […where do i get that without being a doctor, anyway?] to take up the liquid…i’m really sick of using the plastic squeeze–bottles that Ms. T sends her juices in to refill my cartomizers…the drops are so large & imprecise, & sometimes it absolutely kills my hand to squeeze the bottle [= carpal tunnel], & e–liquid gets all over the tip if i put down the bottle without waiting for fifteen seconds for the e–liquid to retreat back inside the tip…&, just, yeah. it seems like getting a syringe for each e–liquid & just injecting the cartomizers would be less of a hassle & mess, & would require less spinning to distribute the e–liquid evenly, &…well. does anybody have any input? ∎

⸭ do cartomizers fit inside bullet casings comfortably, with the condoms on the battery end? i keep trying to build a spinning machine, but i’ve yet to find a capsule for depositing the cartomizers in that is the right size & only open on one end. i’ve been using an empty thread spool, but it’s plastic & i know it’s going to break soon… ∎

⸭ are there more ergonomic manual batteries/pass–thrus? i’m an artist with pretty inscrutable carpal tunnel syndrome, & when i’ve spent all day using my hands, holding down the button on my current manual is often…quite painful. ∎

⸭ i do not care one whit about what things look like, as long as they’re functional. it doesn’t have to look like a cigarette or be aesthetic or be small or fit in a pocket […all i wear are dresses…i don’t have pockets, ha] or anything. it just needs to work consistently. ∎

⸭ does anybody know how to clean that gunk that builds up in the inner tube of cartomizers, with some e–liquids—more effectively than using a needle? tried pipe cleaners, but they end up depositing all these tiny pieces of lint that you later end up inhaling &, just…yeah. i feel like there should be some sort of dental implement that'd be long & small enough to fit & reach all the way down the tube, maybe? ∎
​

h’Oooookay…that’s all I can think of at present. I’m going to just…post this now, & hope somebody has some recommendations, or asks me to clarify something, &, um, yeah. I’d like to settle on…something…& submit some orders…within the next day or so—ideally!—because these cartomizers taste pretty awful at this point, & this damaged pass–thru may or may not…entirely kick the bucket…anytime I move the wire.

 

[snarkypaws]

Okay, I'll give this a shot. You might want to consider a Bartleby, which is a well-made box mod that has a USB port so you can vape while it charges. They cost $50 and use one 14500 battery. I purchased several USB cords and ac adapters that I leave at strategic locations in my house, and with car adapter in my car. Obviously you just unplug when you need to go mobile.

With regards to your carpal tunnel issue, there was an ECF member a couple months ago who purchased a Bartleby and Jay was able to modify the switch to accommodate her/his arthritic hands.

You might also try direct dripping so you can eliminate the gunked up carto and syringe hassle altogether. It's easy to change flavors when dripping as well.

Hope this helps. I'll include the Bartleby/Cybervex link below and if you're interested I'll also provide links for very inexpensive batteries, ac/car adapters, and USB cords.

Bartleby

 

[snarkypaws]

.....or I could just sit down and shut up.

 

[The Fool]

I'm just going to throw out this idea....you might look into the Riva 901. It has a great battery life and I think it is compatible with the cartomizers you are using now.

 

[KissMint]

.....or I could just sit down and shut up.

hehe

I have purchased XL from V4L and I must admit their Passthrough that came with it is totally great. I have posted on this forum last week to see if I can replicate that with other PV and didn't get a solution for it. The PT is 5v, higher than the regular batteries and thus you want to use the "coolcarts" on it. V4L batteries are Kr808d model so if you are looking for other cartos that would be the model # to look for. I also have an automatic passthrough from V4L and that one stop performing after 9 days. I believe it has to be cleaned because juice gets into it. Now I need to clean it every day for it to work, and I have stop using it.

I am wondering if I should try a 5v mod - they are much larger, fatter than the XL but like you I don't care about the size. The battery would last a full day if not longer. What are your thoughts for this, check out the button. The Saber Touch
From what I've read, the owner if very helpful and friendly. Maybe call and ask if this may be a good fit for you. It has a 510 thread connect so you would need an adapter if you choose the 808 cartos.

As far as bottles, I would google for it. There are plenty for sale but I have never purchase from any vendors so I couldn't recommend one. When I order juices (FSUSA) that are 60ml or more it comes in a regular bottle and any syringe (3ml, 10ml) i have will fit through it (the cap is the size of a quarter).

 

[ladyships]

.....or I could just sit down and shut up.

o, no! i really appreciated yr reply! i've actually been in correspondence with cybervex…i'm probably going to order one later to-day, once i dig through my stuff & relocate my paypal login.

i'd meant to reply sooner, but, yeah…hectic around here. but, yes! i'd very much appreciate being linked to aforementioned inexpensive batteries, ac/car adapters, & usb cords—very, very much.

i'm terribly thankful that you took the time to respond—

 

[mistinthewoods]

Hi ladyships.
I believe the reason you like that passthrough so much is because it's a 5 volt. I find it disappointing to use anything lower since I got a 5 volt mod. I have a 901 Riva (2 sets, actually) and a couple 510 Rivas that I only use for dripping in the morning when I'm vaping my sweet juices with my coffee. The 901 Riva has the same threads as the V4L (which is a kr808D-1) and the ones I have (made by Hello-tech and bought from Liberty Flights) have a groove cut in the threaded fitting to allow for air flow when using the kr808 (V4L) cartomizers. The batteries on those WILL hold a charge for 6 to 8 hours so they're good for that but still won't pack as much of a punch as a 5 volt mod will. The 5 volt mod I use almost all the time uses 2X 16340, 3.7 volt batteries that are resisted down to 5 volts and the charge on those lasts just about the same length of time as the Riva but the vaping experience is sooo much better. I can't tell you which mod I use in this thread because I'm kind of affiliated with the guy who makes them but any 5 volt mod will give you a similar experience. I suggest you look into them. Here's a link to a list of mods. Battery Tube e-Cig Mods | e-Cigarette Mods Database Look for the ones that are listed as 5 volts.
Good luck.