M401 - refills

[dthomas]

Hello all.....

i decided to purchase a M401 after 15 years of smoking heavily, and i enjoy the e cig

my problem now is that the pre filled catridges create vapour, but the ones i have to refill only give me like 1 puff out of it, i have tried different ways of refilling that i saw online and nothing works.... only thing that works are the pre filled ones that came with my kit

i appreciate any advice
thanks

 

[sms]

When you refill are you removing the inner cart?
For me the prefilled carts don't work as well as the carts I fill.

I use a paper clip to push the inner cart out from the bottom. I then wipe any excess juice from the outside of the inner cart and the inside of the outter cart if there is any.
Use the paper clip to pull the filler out a bit. I add drops and push and pull the filler to get rid of any air. You should get about 8-9 drops in total. Once the inner cart is full push it back in to the paper clip. I'll also drip a drop on the atty.

For me the m401-m402 carts last quite a while and they wick very well.

 

[dthomas]

yup i remove the inner cart and its about 4 drops before its filled

 

[Brady]

yup i remove the inner cart and its about 4 drops before its filled

how long ago did you get it?
are you "fluffing" the poly filler? Mine did the same thing for about a week before I soaked the atty in vodka. I cleaned the filler then noticed better taste and vapor.

Last week we bought some pure Vegetable Glycerin and I mixed with the PG about 80/20 - what a difference in vapor production.

I can now get about 7-8 drops in. could depend on the juice too..??

 

[Raenon]

yup i remove the inner cart and its about 4 drops before its filled

m401 carts should hold, easily, 8 drops. Sounds like either you've got air in the cart (which will cause wicking problems) or the filler is burnt/worn out.
You should also put 1-2 drops on the atomizer bridge, a damp atty draws better (just like an oil lamp).

I find filling from the bottom with a syringe the cleanest and most foolproof way of refilling carts, and it's really quite simple.

 

[cyberwolf]

The density of the filler makes a big difference and the factory filler isn't the best. I use the plain old polyfill batting and compress it a little, just enough to fill the inner cart. I get a little lazy when I fill them and just push the batting down into the cart, fill it and then pull it back up. 7-8 drops fill an empty cart.

Try shaking your 401 like a thermometer or even tap the LED end on your palm like you would pack an analog. This will force some juice onto the bridge. If this works every time, then your packing is probably too dense.

 

[dthomas]

well its a empty cart - basically a new refiller which has the foam like insert in it and that is dry..... the pre filled ones give no problem, i will try cleaning before using the next refill

can cotton be used as a filler?

i have had my kit 3 days now

 

[Raven1]

What kind of juice are you using? Dekang PG is a very poor vapour producer. If you like PG, I'd suggest trying Vapor Station brand or DIYflavorshack liquid. Even SLB brand has worked better for me than Dekang.

 

[dthomas]

i have tried your suggestions... they didnt work, only the pre filled carts vape....
the liquid i got with the kit has no brand just a label with a mint leaf on it (menthol) and 24mg

 

[Valkerie]

Hi -
You might want to try this.

To fill:
Push the flavor cart out of the mouthpiece with a paperclip or needle.
Remove the poly-fil.
Drop 5-7 drops into the empty flavor cartridge.
Push the filling back in.
Put another 3-4 drops in until the filling is saturated.
Replace the flavor cartridge into the mouthpiece.

Keep in mind that if you have the new XL cartridges, it will take more liquid to fill it up!

Atomizer:
Cover the cartridge end of the atomizer with a paper towel. From the battery end of the atomizer, gently blow for about 4 seconds.

Are you getting liquid on the paper towel? If you are, screw everything back together and try your e-cig. If not, put 2-3 drops directly on your atomizer. Then reassemble and try it out.

Also, when you inhale, check to see if your atomizer is getting hot.

Battery:
Is your battery completely charged? Does the light at the end come one when you inhale? If you have a manual battery, are you pressing the button while you inhale.

Are the threads of your battery clean?

Inhaling:
Are you doing long light inhales?

This is what come to mind. Good luck!

 

[Raven1]

Does the bottle or cap look like one of these? If the cap has the initials YNDK, it is Dekang. Of course, some suppliers re-bottle Dekang juice so you can never be 100% sure.

http://www.yndekang.com/product.asp?lx=CN-7001

 

[Valkerie]

Oh, d'oh - remember to shake your liquid before refilling anything.

 

[dthomas]

Raven1 yes the white capped bottle, but no initials.....


Valkerie... will give all those tips a try......

bad thing is only 1 person on my island sells e-cigs / accessories

might be in the right section but is it wrong... as i now started... to take one regular cig now and then?
i really got this to aid me to stop smoking

 

[Valkerie]

I had 4 cigarettes a day for about a week before I quit. I used to smoke a pack and a half to 2 packs daily. Many people on the boards struggle to totally quit after months. Many were able to quit the minute they got their equipment. And I still have cravings every once and a while, I just vape a higher strength liquid until they go away.

You can always order your supplies from China - Eastmall and Heaven's Gate (i think.) And I think LiteCigUSA.net has international shipping. Check out the vendor section of the forum. There are many vendors that can supply you, no matter where you're located.

 

[dthomas]

thanks valkerie...i would have to check our customs laws before actually purchasing.....


i figure it's the un filled carts, as my pre filled cart i used this morning was running low and i added some liquid and all is well,

 

[Raven1]

Some brands of carts work better than others, that's true. Glad you got the problem sorted.

 

[tbl35]

I am new at this too, but based on my (limited) experience...

In addition to everything valkerie suggested, make sure the "fluff" on your inner cartridge is not pushed in too deeply. It should be just about level with the top of the inner cartridge. Made this mistake last night, took me a minute to figure out why I was getting nothing out of the cart I'd just filled. I bought a pair of very narrow-ended tweezers to help with this.

 

[Shadowdr]

There are also times when an atty floods or clogs up a little. If you find that vapor is very reduced remove atty and blow out into a napkin from the atty side. If using a cart add one drop to atty to prime and re insert cart.

If it seems a little cloged drip one drop of PGA into atty bridge and vape a few hits. It will not make much vapor the first few times but if you find draw is much easier you are done. I don't use the carts because dripping just works so much better but juice can collect and harden inside the atty especially overnight. PGA just melts it away back into a vapable state and actually gives a few really good hits before evaporating away.

 

[dthomas]

will give that one a try

 

[acezzz]

Ok, here's what you do with the 401. Take that cartridge out of the mouthpiece and toss it away. Get a small container with a leakproof cap, I find that a plain ol contact lens case works perfectly for this purpose. Put enough juice in the case so when you dip the atty in it only covers the wick of the atty. Dip the atty in there, put the mouthpiece back on and vape away. You will find that one good dip will last longer than a filled cartridge and is way more convenient.You may have to wipe off the area where the mouthpiece meets the atty, but its still way easier than filling those damn carts all the time. Works for me anyway. Good luck and happy vaping!