My Journey thus far (I Gotta be doing this wrong...)

[vapourhead]

Hi,

This is my first post here. I've been reading for a long time, and thank everyone for their posts, and wonderful videos, and even some of you for your stores. This place has been a wonderful resource for information to me in the last few months. Thank you!

Here's my journey so far:

My step father came home from europe with an ad for "smoking everywhere" and told me he thought I should look into it... I ignored it.

In July my girl bought me a SE kit from the mall. I was delighted, opened it, puffed it up, and thought "how interesting..." and then "If only it made more vapor, I could actually smoke these instead of analog cigarettes."

I returned the SE unit after they were very kind, taught me how to use it, gave me a replacement atomizer, and then admitted that the amount of vapor produced was about the amount I could expect. I was discouraged, but not down for the count.

I searched google and found videos of people vaping with beautiful plumes of vapor. I thought, "ok, what models are they using?"

So i searched more. I found this forum. I read.

First I bought an M401 and a small bottle of JC original. I loved the flavor, but wasn't happy about the amount of vapor. The videos made it look like tons of smoke would come out of it. I added glycerine, I dried dripping, and after a week I felt good about it. It wasn't much vapor still... but I was satisfied enough to try putting down the smokes.

I made it six days. Hurray!

I took the 401 with me to Denver on a trip. I didn't smoke a single analog cigarette for the 4 days I was there. I huffed and puffed on my little 401 and watched her begin to slowly produce less and less vapor. On the 5th day, the day I got home she died.

I read up here on reviving and cleaning atomizers. Nope. It was dead. But I also read that atomizers degrade, and die. That it's a good idea to have a few of them around.

So I regrouped.

I ordered a replacement 401 atomizer, and a DSE 901. I chose the 901 because the videos i saw showed it with a heap of vapor, and everyone calls it a "workhorse."

I went back to smoking analog cigarettes until the 901 starter kit and the 401 atomizer arrived.

When they arrived, I tested the 401 atomizer to be sure it worked -- it did -- and then charged up my 901 batteries for 8 hours each. Then I took my first drag from the 901.

I used JC original, a blank cart, didn't over fill, and wow!
All night I pufffed away, and loved it. I went to bed delighted, leaving one battery charged, and the other charging.

In the morning, there was less vapor. I watched a few more videos on how to keep the atomizer clean, how to fill a cart, read a few threads here on getting more vapor from a 901.

I decided that what I needed as to try a different e liquid, and I better get a back up atomizer for the 901. So I ordered a second 901 starter kit, and some from totally wicked, tobacco flavor, and huffed and puffed on the last of my JC original while I waited for it to arrive. It arrived quickly, I was delighted.

My new 901 atomizer died the first day. I dripped two drops of the smoke juice into it, and filled up a blank cart, and loved the initial results. By the end of the day it was cold and lifeless.

Scared, I consulted this forum again, and ordered four replacement 901 atomizers.

So here's where I'm at now...

I am getting almost no vapor from my 901 or my 401. I am not dripping. I am not overfilling my carts. I am taking long, slow pulls (5 seconds, right?) and letting the battery do the work, not my face.

My replacement atomizers have not arrived. And I'm already eyeing a Joye 510 unit -- again because the videos and forum reviews declare them vapor monsters!

All I want is an e cig which will produce a reliable amount of vapor. I need it to be portable, and keep a charge for a few hours at a time.

Is it the juice?
Is it the atomizer?
Is it the battery?
Is it me?
Are my expectations too high?

I seem to be great at killing them, and eager to read up about what new device I should buy -- so i can kill it too.

I understand that what unit to buy is really up to me, each person, each unit is different, and different units are perfect for different people. So I'm not really asking hat to buy.

I guess my questions are:

Is it reasonable to expect that an atomizer should work for longer than a couple weeks?

Is it reasonable to expect to get anything like the wonderful looking results from your YouTube videos myself?

Are these results sustainable?

I LOVE vaping. I love it so much that an analog cigarette just seems gross to me already. I gotta figure that I'm just doing something terribly wrong.

I know this was long, and probably lame, but please help if you can (and please be nice?)

Thank you!

 

[DC2]

Yes, you gotta be doing this wrong.

The thing is, I can not find any specific evidence of wrongdoing in your account of what happened.
This makes me sad, for I wish so much to help you.

All I can think of right now is flooded atomizers.

Do you know how to tell if your atomizer is flooded?
And do you know how to fix that?

 

[Kent C]

If you want to try a 510, you could:

Get one of these (new mega battery for the 510):

TITAN-Mega Power Manual Batteries / Totally Wicked eLiquid / Electronic Cigarette eLiquid Store

and one of these:

(510 atomizer)
TITAN-Black Atomiser / Totally Wicked eLiquid / Electronic Cigarette eLiquid Store

Your 901 carts will fit the 510 atty. Or you could get:

(they're round tips - the 901 flat tips are better, imo)
Refillable Electronic Cigarette Cartridges - Titan

510 vapor won't disappoint you.

You could go for a Janty Stick.

Janty Stick V2 - dietSMOKES.com

 

[BOREMAN]

Hi,

This is my first post here. I've been reading for a long time, and thank everyone for their posts, and wonderful videos, and even some of you for your stores. This place has been a wonderful resource for information to me in the last few months. Thank you!

Here's my journey so far:

My step father came home from europe with an ad for "smoking everywhere" and told me he thought I should look into it... I ignored it.

In July my girl bought me a SE kit from the mall. I was delighted, opened it, puffed it up, and thought "how interesting..." and then "If only it made more vapor, I could actually smoke these instead of analog cigarettes."

I returned the SE unit after they were very kind, taught me how to use it, gave me a replacement atomizer, and then admitted that the amount of vapor produced was about the amount I could expect. I was discouraged, but not down for the count.

I searched google and found videos of people vaping with beautiful plumes of vapor. I thought, "ok, what models are they using?"

So i searched more. I found this forum. I read.

First I bought an M401 and a small bottle of JC original. I loved the flavor, but wasn't happy about the amount of vapor. The videos made it look like tons of smoke would come out of it. I added glycerine, I dried dripping, and after a week I felt good about it. It wasn't much vapor still... but I was satisfied enough to try putting down the smokes.

I made it six days. Hurray!

I took the 401 with me to Denver on a trip. I didn't smoke a single analog cigarette for the 4 days I was there. I huffed and puffed on my little 401 and watched her begin to slowly produce less and less vapor. On the 5th day, the day I got home she died.

I read up here on reviving and cleaning atomizers. Nope. It was dead. But I also read that atomizers degrade, and die. That it's a good idea to have a few of them around.

So I regrouped.

I ordered a replacement 401 atomizer, and a DSE 901. I chose the 901 because the videos i saw showed it with a heap of vapor, and everyone calls it a "workhorse."

I went back to smoking analog cigarettes until the 901 starter kit and the 401 atomizer arrived.

When they arrived, I tested the 401 atomizer to be sure it worked -- it did -- and then charged up my 901 batteries for 8 hours each. Then I took my first drag from the 901.

I used JC original, a blank cart, didn't over fill, and wow!
All night I pufffed away, and loved it. I went to bed delighted, leaving one battery charged, and the other charging.

In the morning, there was less vapor. I watched a few more videos on how to keep the atomizer clean, how to fill a cart, read a few threads here on getting more vapor from a 901.

I decided that what I needed as to try a different e liquid, and I better get a back up atomizer for the 901. So I ordered a second 901 starter kit, and some from totally wicked, tobacco flavor, and huffed and puffed on the last of my JC original while I waited for it to arrive. It arrived quickly, I was delighted.

My new 901 atomizer died the first day. I dripped two drops of the smoke juice into it, and filled up a blank cart, and loved the initial results. By the end of the day it was cold and lifeless.

Scared, I consulted this forum again, and ordered four replacement 901 atomizers.

So here's where I'm at now...

I am getting almost no vapor from my 901 or my 401. I am not dripping. I am not overfilling my carts. I am taking long, slow pulls (5 seconds, right?) and letting the battery do the work, not my face.

My replacement atomizers have not arrived. And I'm already eyeing a Joye 510 unit -- again because the videos and forum reviews declare them vapor monsters!

All I want is an e cig which will produce a reliable amount of vapor. I need it to be portable, and keep a charge for a few hours at a time.

Is it the juice?
Is it the atomizer?
Is it the battery?
Is it me?
Are my expectations too high?

I seem to be great at killing them, and eager to read up about what new device I should buy -- so i can kill it too.

I understand that what unit to buy is really up to me, each person, each unit is different, and different units are perfect for different people. So I'm not really asking hat to buy.

I guess my questions are:

Is it reasonable to expect that an atomizer should work for longer than a couple weeks?

Is it reasonable to expect to get anything like the wonderful looking results from your YouTube videos myself?

Are these results sustainable?

I LOVE vaping. I love it so much that an analog cigarette just seems gross to me already. I gotta figure that I'm just doing something terribly wrong.

I know this was long, and probably lame, but please help if you can (and please be nice?)

Thank you!

Check out the Vapor King at Vapor4life.com
Built in atomizer in every cart (cartomizer). No atty problems as you are getting new atty with every cart. Refillable. Tremendous throat hit, tons of vapor output. I have retired my other "drip" models since using the Vapor King. Worth a look see. Good luck in your vaping adventure.
Side bar not relevant to this post: Hey Robert why you following me?

 

[vapourhead]

Do you know how to tell if your atomizer is flooded?
And do you know how to fix that?

Thank you!

This is a good lead. I'll search and do more reading about this and return with the results!

 

[Justncredible]

I got a 401 and am getting massive vapor, even more than a analog cig could produce on some drags.

Try hitting it slower, topping off with a drop or two every now and then.

I did put a single drop on the atomizer itself yesterday, it stopped working instantly, I freaked out. I blew it out a few times and dryed off the metal parts and it started working again.

Also you really need liquid, if I take out the wick and dry it on a napkin and replace it I can put 4 drops total in the cart. I been doing 3 drops of trukish tobacco and 1 drop of 24mg unflavored. And I run 2 at the ssame time, 1 is a USB passthru and the other on a battery, when out I go with a bottle of drops and 2 batterys.

 

[stevo_tdo]

My m401's produce pretty good vapor I say. My m201 rocks the vapor. Back to the m401. It is very good with a passthrough. I never lost an atty in the month and a half I was using it before retiring it for my m201. And that was puffing just about 12 hours straight while dripping (Insomniac). I have only used JC juice and Dekang, of course only dekang now though.

P.S. can you update your profile to tell us where u are. I could almost bet if worst came to worst, somebody could meet up with you at mcdonalds or starbucks.

 

[wv2win]

As Kent pointed out, unlike anyone else, moving to a MANUAL switch device such as the 510 will eliminate most of your problems. The auto switch devices such as the SE RN4081, 901, 401 are VERY inconsistent. Plus, get a little bit of liquid in the battery compartment (and it will happen) and it kills your battery. I would follow Kent's advice and get a 510. If you like that, then you might want to move up to the premiere devices with very long battery life, great throat hit, great vapor and consistent performance all the time: Prodigy, GG, Screwdriver, LV, Janty Stick, etc.

 

[JustJulie]

I had to laugh as I read your account . . . especially the part about researching new models to purchase and kill.

I do find myself agreeing with Kent C and wv2win that you might be best off just buying a 510. Frankly, the manual battery is awesome. Or you could look into finding some manual batteries for your 901 set up. The 901 is a pretty awesome atomizer, providing lots of flavor.

Not all atomizers are created the same. I've had some atomizers that seem to last forever, giving great vapor until the day they suddenly die. I've had others that seem to start limping along after only a week or two, and then continue to degrade in performance until they die after 2-3 weeks. Just luck of the draw and inconsistent manufacturing.

I would tend to suspect a flooded atomizer may be the culprit of at least some of your woes. Even if you don't think you're overfilling, it can happen pretty easily. I'd remove the atomizer from the battery, blow into the end of the atomizer that attaches to the battery (with a tissue at the other end). I am thinking you might be surprised at just how much liquid comes out. Don't forget to reprime with a drop or two of liquid before you fire up the atomizer after you've blown it out.

But, yes, as you look for your next device to destroy, please consider a manual battery.

 

[Niniane]

Poor vapor output – 1)check filler to make sure it is moist 2)check atomizer to see if it is flooded, and if so, blow out excess juice as described by JustJulie 3)check power source (battery, usb plug on computer, or power pack)

If you have a multimeter, you can also test your atomizer to see if it is really dead. This is the explaination from breakfastchef in this thread
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ee-if-your-atomizer-truly-dead-voltmeter.html

"Continuity is the most basic diagnostic you can do with the voltmeter. There is a setting for that on the dial. Often, the device will have an audible sound when you touch the red and black probes and/or the needle will move showing you have continuity. Touch the black probe to the threads of the atomizer connector and the red probe to the center conductor. If you hear a sound or the needle moves. the heating coil is most likely intact.

A resistance measurement is done similarly with the meter set to read ohms. If you have a meter with a needle, you often must zero adjust the meter. Touch the red and black probes together and use the zero adjust to make the needle rest at zero. Then test the atty like you did for the continuity test. Read the appropriate scale on the meter for the result. Most 801-style attys read around 3.3-3.7 ohms. If the reading is very high, the atty is FTD (fixin' to die). "

On my 901 attys, I have gotten readings from 3.2-4.0 on ones that function.

 

[jen28f]

My opinion is that what you are seeing on the videos is people mostly taking a drag, holding the vapor in their mouth, then exhaling. This will produce a lot of vapor. If, however, you are taking a drag, inhaling into your lungs, and holding it for any amount of time, you will exhale much less, even no vapor.
Everyone here can tell you that the way to stealth vapor is hold it in, then very very little, if any, comes out....that may be the case with you.
Try taking a drag and just holding the smoke in your mouth, look into a mirror and exhale it. Does that seem more like what you see in the videos?
If so, all is well, you are doing it right...but I would absolutely still recommend the 510 manual for most vapor/throat hit.

 

[vapourhead]

Well thank you for the feedback!

I was delighted to wake up this morning and find that so many nice people had replied. I don't know why I was surprised... this forum is such good reading that it really shouldn't surprise me that there are people here who will actually reply. hahaha. Guess I'm a little bit Eyore.

So I've given some thought to the things suggested and here's what I've done:

1. I blew out my atomizer (not much liquid)

2. I cleaned up the contacts on the batteries, and began with overnight charged batteries (I have 4 for the DSE 901)

3. I started fresh with a new cart today.
Took out the cotton, added a few drops, replaced the cotton, and topped it off until liquid came to the top, and then dabbed it to make sure none would go into my mouth.

The results:
The same really. A wispy little stem of smoke, and almost nothing on exhale.

So I'm here, huffing and puffing, and actually clucking for an analog cigarette.

A word about the heartbreak of analog cigarettes:
I've had a few along the way and I have to mention how confusing it is to not like them at all any more. Vaping is so smooth, and yummy, and heady -- yes, even with my sad amount of vapor -- that an analog cigarette is harsh, hurts my throat, and makes me feel crummy. It's so confusing.

Action:

I researched a manual battery for the DSE901 and ordered two of them, and the thread adapter so I can charge them with my existing chargers. and added two more atomizers to my order.

So I've got a 510 on the way -- supposed to be here Thursday
I've got two manual batteries for the 901 coming
I've got a total of 4 atomizers for the 901 en route to me as well.

I think that a manual battery does sound like the solution to my low vapor woes. The idea of being able to drag longer in order to produce more vapor certainly seem like the right solution.

However, I have to wonder why people are reporting such great results with the 401 and the 901 when I seem to be so good at squelching them and what really seems like killing them almost immediately.

I am quick to type a letter -- as you can see -- but shy about making a video. I would love to meet up with someone and talk about the 401 and the 901 and see what a good result is in person.

Things to try:

Cleaning the atomizer.
If I'm flooding, then chances are I am also gunking up the atomizer too, right?

Start over.
Clean everything out, and as much as I love the JC juice for how it tastes, try to start the day again with the TW juice and see if the results are the same.

I will let you know what happens, and thank you again for all your kind input!

 

[el lobo furtivo]

I'm relatively new to vaping too. I got my 510 kit from Innovapor and I guess they came with the new style atomizers. You may want to give these a try when you get your 510. I have had really good luck with them so far. I have been vaping exclusively on one atomizer for 4 weeks now and its still going strong. There was a bit of controversy on whether or not these were "authentic" but I've been beating the snot out of mine and its still puffing away. I drip on this thing constantly and its never flooded, never stopped working. I get a little gurgling every now and again but nothing more. And I always get tons of vapor.

 

[CrazyTerrie11]

Good Luck! vapourhead And keep us up to date 'cause I'm learning alot of good stuff from you. Mostly on what not to do.....haha Just kidding. I use the dse901 mini and so far so good. I'm a noob so I'm just soaking up all the information I can get and your dilemma seems to be a good one to keep my eyes on just in case I eventually have problems. I'm sure its just a matter of time before I join the "killer of all parts e-cig" club. lmao. I don't mean to make light of your situation..I am so enjoying vaping and analogs taste really bad now so I dread the day when stuff starts to die. I have backups for everything just in case. So please keep us up to date on your travels... : )

 

[vapourhead]

And I always get tons of vapor.

That's what I'm looking for!

 

[wv2win]

However, I have to wonder why people are reporting such great results with the 401 and the 901 when I seem to be so good at squelching them and what really seems like killing them almost immediately.

First, getting the manual batteries for the 901 and the 510 as your second PV was a good decision. I think you will be more satisfied and less frustrated with this change in equipment.

Second, concerning these glowing reports about some of these auto switch devices, I have learned a couple of things:

1. Some people are loath to admit that they didn't make a good buying decision for some reason and thus greatly exaggerate the performance of their PV.
2. Many of those members who rave about these small auto PV's such as the RN4081 or the 401, I have come to find out are very, very light vapers. They puff on it a few times, once an hour and that's all. Even the infamous Blu PV would probably be OK with that little bit of use.
3. It is the only PV they have ever tried, were light smokers to begin with, so they have no comparison point and they think that poor performance is good performance.

Third, if you like the manual batteries and decide you really want to step up with your vaping, you may want to consider the preimere devices that give you 5-8 hours on a charge, give great throat hit consistently and have batteries that only cost $2 to replace. Here is a list for future referance:

The Big Seven in Long Battery Life Manual Switch PV’s:

Screwdriver: ecigscrewdriver.com
The Black Screwdriver Kit / Totally Wicked eLiquid / Electronic Cigarette eLiquid Store
Prodigy: PureSmoker.com - Home of the USA Built PV !!!
GG: SmokeJuice - HOME
JantyStick: Janty USA
LV/ZiMoshi:Personal Vaporizers : Hardass Vapor Shop
Super T: Super T, Innovative manufacturer of Personal Vaporizer products.
AdapteverR: AdapteveR Home of the ORIGINAL USA built PV : Home

Good luck.

 

[Superstargoddess]

It is indeed so much more smooth to vape than it is to smoke analogs, that is one of my favorite things. Also, there are so so so many nice and sweet people here, this place is very nice. When you start PMing back and forth with people, you will realize how much greater this place is than you first thought.

Welcome to the forum and to vaping, I am also very new myself.

 

[SLDS181]

I'm another who is going to recommend the 510...

I picked mine up at the post office this am, along with a suite of other goodies (4 atty's, 2 batt's, pcc, 4 blank carts, 8 pre-filled carts, 2 3ml samplers, a 15ml..... oh and a usb charger.)

Spent the day breaking them in, getting used to it. DAMN this can put out some vapor! The only reason I smoked cigarettes today is that I was up early in the am, long before I could pick up my 510.

As an aside, I would get more than two batteries - I'm going to buy another, but I want some unflavored juice with the order, and maybe a few other things....

 

[MaxUT]

I'm another who is going to recommend the 510...

As an aside, I would get more than two batteries - I'm going to buy another, but I want some unflavored juice with the order, and maybe a few other things....

I found this today at Totally Wicked:

The TITAN MEGA Powered 5 Manual Battery. 280mah. Multi Packs.

TITAN-Mega Power 5 Manual Battery Multi Packs. / Totally Wicked eLiquid / Electronic Cigarette eLiquid Store

$55.99 for five 280mAh batteries, which comes to $11.20 each. Wish they'd had this deal when I ordered a 5-pack last week...

These new batteries are supposed to last twice as long as the old 180mAh batts, but if they lasted just 50% longer I'd be happy with the deal. I ordered one to try it out.

p.s. -- TW probably has the purest unflavored juice too.

BTW: I am in no way affiliated with TW and do not benefit by recommending their products, so there!

 

[Duckies]

Another suggestion (sorry if it has already been mentioned) is to add a drop of VG when you top off. PG is what makes it vape-able, VG is what brings clouds.

Look in your local craft store for Wilton's Vegetable Glycerin. 2oz for about $2. It will be with the cake decorating stuff. Your nic juice has VG in it already, adding a drop or 2 just increases the vapor.

Also, JC juices are notoriously watery. I have never gotten good vapor off of any of them that I tried. Try the VG with your TW and let us know if that helps!