New Smok Pyrex Vivi Nova 2.5 problems

[brendahigh13]

The new vivi nova pyrex tank I just got is proving to be more of a pain than the T3 I had. I was excited to get it so I could try out flavors that you can't with a plastic tank. While I get great vape and most of the time great flavor (far better flavor than the T3 hands down), there are a few problems I'm having with it... it leaks onto the battery frequently and where the mouthpiece snaps down into the top of the tank, it leaks there too. The mouthpiece itself gets a lot of condensation in it so you have to take it off and blow it out often or get juice in your mouth (not a big deal). I have no problem with maintaining it and dealing with little quirks here and there but it's only 2 days old and now it is starting with a burnt flavor. Does this sound normal? Should I be cleaning it out every night to avoid the burnt flavor? I've read that with the top wick ones I have to spin it around continuously to keep the wicks nice and saturated and the flavor does improve but only a little. Also, will the leaking on my battery cause it to malfunction? I just got the vision spinner and don't want to ruin in it.
Should I maybe take it back and hope that it was a defective tank? I've been vaping now for almost 3 weeks (after 12 years of a pack a day) and I've had problem after problem with each of the devices I've owned. The CE4s were garbage, the T3 gave me no flavor and now the "new" Vivi Nova I got is giving me the problems of the other two combined. I absolutely REFUSE () to go back to tobacco so I just put up with the taste going in and out but I'm hoping that someone out there can give me a little guidance. Any information that anyone can give, I more than appreciate. I'm still very much a "green horn" at this.

 

[Flyingpint]

That sucks to hear. I almost pulled the trigger on one of those. I've been using novas, but a friend of mine swears by the f-16 boge cartomizer tank. I might have to try one of those out instead.

 

[hellcat]

I totally understand your frustration. I have had many phases of trials and tribulations while vaping and have almost thrown my equipment out the window many times. With the help of ECF am always able to make it through. I have been vaping on and off for at least 3 or 4 years now and have only gone back to analogs when all my equipment fails. I am closing in on the 6 month mark (the longest I have ever gone without a cigarette) and I have vivi novas to thank for it. I have tried a lot of stuff out there from clearomizers to genesis style attys and when everything else fails I have the nova to fall back on, they are super reliable.
Being an avid vivi user, I can honestly say that the leaking issues are not the norm per se, if in fact the silicone piece that fits inside is sitting properly. I call it a boot, not sure what the actual name is but its the silcone piece that sits on top of the center tube inside the tank. Inside the boot is a little metal piece that serves as the airhole for vapor to go through on the inhale. I have had many issues with this piece and sometimes get frustrated to the point where I just accept that I can't let the tank sit on its side ever otherwise I have a liquid mess on my hands. My guess is that this is where the leaking issue from the top end is coming from.
As far as the bottom is concerned, overfilling (flooding) does occur and I do get leaking from time to time, although the tank seems to allow for liquid to be filled to the top of the tank I tend to under fill the tank just to be on the safe side, this also helps prevent gurgling. I often see tanks that while filling and tightening on a device where a pressure vacuum is created and that is typically why you will see leaking from the bottom ie the bottom connector that makes the connection with your battery. I have seen this happen with bottom feeders like the Kanger models as well. Although the leaking is extremely annoying, I don't see it destroying your new spinner. I get liquid on my battery connections all the time and never have any problems, that is another reason why numerous mods have wells to collect overflow from dripping attys. The only thing you will want to avoid is getting the battery wet with running water or having it submerged in water. I haven't tried the pyrex yet (dying to get one) so I can only speak from experience on the previous models and the aluminum tank upgrades.
Now, onto your burnt flavor and tipping. Yes the tilt and swirl is the name of the game with top wick setups and I do get burnt flavor from time to time if my tank is getting low and the fluid isn't reaching the coil and burns dry. If it burned dry long enough you may have burnt through the wick completely(its easy to do in as little as a few seconds), it will look really black and if you slightly pull the wicks from the side they will easily come apart leaving you with a hollow coil. If this is the case, just replace the head or if you are so inclined rebuild it. That's what I do, because its super easy to do and dirt cheap So I guess the question is, are you getting burnt flavor with a relatively full tank?
The next question is what voltage setting are you using and what type of juice are you vaping? thick or thin? Another possibility is going back to that pesky little boot, yes the boot prevents leaking from the top but is a usual suspect for burnt taste as it can prevent proper wicking to the coil. It is possible to slightly cut the sides of the boot to better help wicking and airflow. I am assuming you bought this from a brick and mortar shop as you mentioned "taking it back"? If so, and they are a reputable shop with even the slightest bit of knowledge they should at the very least be able to help you troubleshoot or give you are replacement. My local brick and mortar is awesome like that. We do also have to keep in mind that this is a brand spanking new product, very few vendors have these yet so it is possible that it is a defective tank, but some troubleshooting may provide a solution. It may be that more work needs to go into the design, too early to tell. I do know that the pyrex dct carto tanks are a huge hit so I have high hopes for the vivi nova version.
This ended up being a novel of a response I hope I was clear enough, just want to offer as much help as I can with the info you provided.

 

[Phestr]

I too almost pulled the trigger on this, I'm kinda glad I cheaped out and went for the Vivi Nova Metal instead.