Newb question du jour

[the_vape_nerd]

So I'm going to try out refilling an empty cartomizer tonight. I figure I'll try out this much discussed condom method along with the spinning thing. It's my first time trying. Here's the question:

Do you use these two methods together? From what I gather you use this condom or plunger method first to get the juice in and then you spin it to use centrifigal force to force the juice down into the filler material?

Is this right?

 

[K9Luvr]

JB, yes that's right. Fill a condom about 1/2, slowly push the cart into the condom, put the whole thing in something you can spin, and spin away. You can fill from either end; if you fill from the battery end, be sure to wipe it clean before put it on an auto battery.

 

[the_vape_nerd]

Wait you can fill these things from the battery end?? I have the auto battery and thought I read you can destory them that way?

 

[plantlvr]

I only use autos JB and as long as you don't overfill and wipe off the batt end of the carto, it's fine, haven't killed a batt yet
I like to do a few at a time cus they seem to vape better when they sit for awhile.

 

[SnowDragon]

Welcome to the forum jbank!

I am not an advocate of the Condom Method for refilling Cartomizers, it's messy, wasteful, painfully slow, and only leads to a dirty battery connector. Here are few things you may want to take a look at before starting.

Here is a standard YouTube Condom Method filling video:

YouTube - ‪DoctorVapor's Channel‬‏

Here is what that video didn't show you......

YouTube - ‪TeamKR808's Channel‬‏

Refilling is a lot like teaching a kid to tie their shoes, what at first seems to be impossible task quickly becomes elementary. Here are 2 videos, the first is the simple drip method for refilling, quick, easy, painless, so easy in fact it doesn't even require an audio track.

Drip Refilling Method
YouTube - ‪Refilling Vapor4Life Cartomizers‬‏

Taryn Spin for Cartomizer with tight Polyfill wrapping....(not required for most Cartos)
YouTube - ‪TeamKR808's Channel‬‏

The most efficient way to fill Cartomizers is The Syringe Method(Enjoy you ride over the bridge)
YouTube - ‪TeamKR808's Channel‬‏

Just a little advice....stay far away from the Condom Method for Refilling and try Drip Refilling first for quick an easy results. As well, many will say you need to wait...with PG/VG juices they're dead wrong. You can vape right away just make sure to hold the Carto to the light to check that the air/wick tube is clear of juice. If it isn't you can simply put a little pressure on your juice bottle, turn the Carto upside down and place the dropper in the air/wick tube. Release the pressure on the juice bottle and the resulting vacuum will suck any excess juice back into the bottle.

Hope that helps......

 

[the_vape_nerd]

Thank you snow dragon. The drip refill method video cleared some things up for me. I will try this syringe method. All these videos are great but I cannot hear any of the audio as I'm at work and don't have speakers.

 

[EleanorR]

"Friends don't let friends use the condom method."

Good luck, I know it looks daunting, but soon you'll be refilling like an old pro.


P.S. to SnowDragon: As usual, you da man!

 

[SnowDragon]

Whatever you do....stay away from the Condom Method...it sucks big time. It got all sorts of attention and hype a year and half ago but it's the worst possible way to fill a Cartomizer. What type of Cartos will you be refilling, Wow or Cool Cartos, and are they fresh blanks or used prefilleds?

Snow + El

 

[the_vape_nerd]

Well seeing as I've only got like 2 empties right now, one cool cart and one Wow. I just started vaping yesterday, but I'm super ready to figure all this stuff out. I'm a bit of a hobby nut type of person. Once I get into something I have a way of like letting it take over my whole life.

Oh I think I have a pack of empties too, a 5 pack.

 

[SnowDragon]

Addictive personality disorder.....isn't that what this entire forum is?

If you had any Wow Cartos then you probably got a condom (end cap) with a plug or dowel in the middle of it that went into the battery hole (referred to as .... Plugs). These are golden to Refillers, you always want to use this on the battery end when refilling via Drip or Syringe.

Start off with some blanks, it's the easiest way to go since there is no chance of a burnt Carto. Please let us know how it goes......I have feeling you will be amazed at just how easy it is and the difference you will instantly notice between Juice and Prefills. If your blanks are Cool Carts and the polyfill seems so tight that it is not absorbing the juice....you will then have to employ a Taryn Spin..or just wait awhile between dripping until the juice is absorbed. Wow Cartos have less Polyfill and generally absorbs juice quickly and efficiently.

Can't wait to hear how it works out for ya....

 

[plantlvr]

Hey snow it's a free country and i like the condom method, safe vaping is so PC

 

[SAG]

Ok Snow, now I have a question! What is the difference between a prefill and juice? I ask because I haven't filled any blanks yet, just drip. Lately prefills don't seem to last very long at all to me. Do you think maybe they're not filled all the way because I don't feel like there's much in 'em? BTW, so glad you're back!

 

[Morandir835]

Ms. Sag (hope Snow sir doesn't mind me answering) prefills never have as much juice in them as self filled blanks. They don't want to over saturate them in fear of leaks while shipping I believe. On avg, about .8-.9ml's in a prefill, you can get a full 1ml in a wow, and usually 1.1-1.2ml in a cool cart...

 

[SAG]

OOOH, thanks Morandir! Dang it, I thought my wish list was shrinking!

 

[SnowDragon]

SAG it's good to be back after a great little vacation visiting friends and family. Now (hope Morandir doesn't mind me answering after answering on my behalf since I am now answering ) the official V4L response as I remember it was that all Cartos are filled with 1 ml of liquid at the factory. Since I don't like the thought of being attacked in the middle of the night by mutant rabid flesh-eating squirrels I will not contest that statement in this forum.

One issue with dripping into Prefills is that after a couple of days a resin type substance starts to clog up the polyfill and the bottom of the Cartomizer. This carmelization affects performance on all levels which is why I recommend a quick hot water rinse out, then a fresh full refill (have a video on this) as long as the Carto isn't burnt.

It seems to make sense that if you are going to buy blanks and juice why not by prefills and juice instead. After all it is like getting 1 free fill on the house so-to-speak before dripping in your juice. Of course the pre-fill/drip purchasing tactic also dictates what type of Cartomizer you will be using and you may find that you prefer a different Cartomizer depending on what type of use is intended. I like Cool Cartos with my Mods and PT, but I like Wow Cartos with my VK batts and certain flavors.

The official line is that the juice in the bottle and the juice in the factory are identical. If that is true I suggest you try a little test yourself, vape a prefilled, then fill a blank carto with the identical flavor and see if you immediately notice a difference. I'm not going to say there is a difference, I will let each individual decide for themselves on that....I strictly use blanks and juice. I will go as far as to say that the juices maybe identical but something else is added to the prefills.

Try doing a quick rinse and dry (need a video link, let me know) to see if that brings more life back to prefills after dripping for a few days.

Hope that helps...thanks again for the welcome back!

 

[the_vape_nerd]

Alright, so here is how it went:

I filled one blank last night. I dripped into the thing about oh 10-15 drops I would guess. I then tried it out and go no vapor at all. I quickly realized that the atomizer part was probably at the bottom and so my idea was I wasn't getting juice all the way to the bottom. I put some more juice in there and left to go to the gym. I got home about an hour later or so and still nothing. Finally, I just put my mouth on the carto and blew hard for about 4-5 times. After that I did get some vapor. I vaped on it last night about 4 hours maybe and a little bit more this morning and then it quit on me. I think I'm not getting enough juice in?? The vapor wasn't real strong even when it was working but it had some taste.

I also filled an almost dead wowboy pre-filled cartomizer with some juice. It seemed to be about time for it to go out. I let it sit over night. This one performed very well. Lots of vapor and flavor.

Also, I went to my local Walgreens to try and buy a syringe. Apparently sales of syringes are illegal in Louisiana?? Unless you have a prescription on file?? I tried explaining my situation but all they did was look at me funny. How/where can I get a syringe? I have a cajun injector I use to marinate turkeys with but I think the needle is going to be way too big for this operation. Thoughts? ideas?

The bizarre thing here is...won't they give you a clean syringe if you show up at the local health unit and proclaim yourself a ...... addict? But I can't buy one??

 

[Morandir835]

Jbankston sir do the taryn spin method and you'll be able to get more juice in, not to mention not have to have it sit overnight. As for syringes, there are certain ecig vendors that sell them, if you order them be sure you never take your syringe out with you when you leave the house....

 

[the_vape_nerd]

Thanks I had cross posted the syringe question over in the New Membes forum and someone directed me to a vendor who sells them. I've already ordered a few. Once again, the internet frees us from government tyrants. Thanks to all of you for your kind help.