M401 inconsistency

[stixs4321]

I have recently got the M401 but I find it to be very inconsistent when it comes to giving me good puffs. Sometimes I can get 10 puffs in a row with lots of vapor and other times I can't even get one puff or I get two puffs then it stops. I was wondering if it has anything to do with the caps? Sometimes when I look in them they're filled with liquid(VG) on the sides and I'll remove the cart and wipe it down along with cleaning out the cap. 50% of the time this does the trick but the other 50% of the time it does nothing. I have noticed that when it ceases to vape, sometimes lightly blowing into the e-cig gets things going again but I am not sure if this is good for the battery.

I got this to be a fun thing but so far it has caused me nothing but stress. I mean I'd enjoy to vape carefree but there always seems like there's something I have to clean or make sure its working ok halfway through that it eats up time and becomes a science experiment...

 

[Turbo]

...Sometimes when I look in them they're filled with liquid(VG) on the sides and I'll remove the cart and wipe it down along with cleaning out the cap. 50% of the time this does the trick but the other 50% of the time it does nothing. I have noticed that when it ceases to vape, sometimes lightly blowing into the e-cig gets things going again but I am not sure if this is good for the battery.While I like my M401 they can be finicky.

It sounds like you may be flooding the atty and possibly getting juice inside the battery. You should clean the threads of the batt and atty periodically, this can improve performance greatly. I let my atty's drain upside down on a napkin each night. The next day I prime them. It usually takes a few dips to get the vapor back. That's another thing; I don't use the small inner carts. I dip the atty in a contact lens case full of juice and put a cart (w/o the inner cart back on). This works like a champ.

 

[mykanix]

Sorry to hear you are getting off to a slow start. I have been at it for about a month and I finally have figured out a little. I noticed that with my 510 that unless the battery was fairy charged, vapor would drop off drastically. I upgraded to a commercial mod with a 8-12 hour battery life and it makes a big difference. I blow out my atty every night and it seems to help as well. I enjoy the daily ritual of filling cleaning and charging myself, I think it helps distract me from thinking about analogs.

I hope you get this problem figured out - you are definitely looking in the right place for answers!

 

[stixs4321]

I have been doing the wiping down of the battery and such. What exactly does it mean to flood the atty? How does one know if its the atty flooding and how does one remedy that? Blowing it out?

I have just cleaned the cap out and it works better now like usual. Is there a certain way to hold this thing when puffing on it?

Another thing I have thought that maybe my problem is that maybe I am vaping too much in too short of a time?

 

[sheep]

I have an M401 and am sorry to hear you're having problems! Are you filling your own carts? Not sure what you mean when you say "caps".

 

[stixs4321]

I am filling my own carts and by caps I mean the "filter" looking part at the end of the e-cig.

 

[pan]

Have an M401 also. I was having issues at first. The cart is so much smaller than my 510.

First -blow out the Atty- (through the battery end into a paper towel till you clear everything out--Now start over------

I found that after blowing out the atomizer the thing barely worked with the cartridge, that is when (out of desperation) I started putting a drop of liquid directly on the atty
after cleaning. (in the center of the loop of made by the mesh)
Then 1 drop on the mesh itself.

put the cap on

(should be vaping easily after a few short puffs)

Then try dipping rather that relying on the cartridge. I also use a contact lens case. (but I do keep a mostly full cart in the mouthpeice-no drip mess)

Then TODAY I tried the PTB cart filler---the one that uses the straw with out having to fold -now everything is consistent and I only "dip" when I do not feel like filling (Yeah-options) I have been using that mod since this morning with no issues.
(cut the straw lengthwise-it will overlap upon itself so it is narrow enough for our cart)
also-***gently tapping the mouthpiece helps to move the liquid down to the atty**

Good luck--the M401 is awesome-I would have given up without it

 

[Turbo]

What exactly does it mean to flood the atty? How does one know if its the atty flooding and how does one remedy that? Blowing it out?

It means the atty gets over saturated w/ liquid. The performance will decrease significantly if so. While blowing it out will work, I find by setting it upside down on a napkin works best. I leave mine overnight but you can drain it in less time. Look for a pool of liquid on the paper towel and reprime w/ liquid.

Another thing I have thought that maybe my problem is that maybe I am vaping too much in too short of a time?

This can also effect performance. I find if I let it sit for just a little bit the performance and throat hit get better. Letting the atty cool down is good to do in between vapes.

There's a lot of factors at play. Take what you will from the advice and good luck!