Newbie Hoping for Some Help

[Neketa318]

Hello everyone. I am new to both this forum and to vaping, and hoping to find some help here. Let me introduce myself quickly.

I have been a smoker for over 20 years now, and have wanted to give it up for some time. I've tried all kinds of methods - patches, gum, cold turkey, Chantix (never do that again!), but nothing works. None of those methods replace the physical aspects. A few months back, I was chatting wit a friend and she suddenly whipped out her e-cig. I had never seen one or even heard of one before, so I was amazed! She was very happy with hers and was completely off analogs.

After spending alot of time researching vaping, and hesitating to make the jump, my husband suddenly decided that he wanted to make the switch. We both ordered our V4L kits (after reading so many good things in this forum about V4L), and received them on Friday of last week. He has had tremendous luck - he took to it immediately! I, however, have been up and down (which I expected). I do enjoy it but still feel like I'm missing something.

When we ordered, he got the manual batteries, but I opted for the Diamond autos. After a few days of my being frustrated by not enjoying things so much, my husband finally suggested I try his manual and wow - HUGE difference! I suddenly am enjoying vaping so much more using his manual battery! More vapor, more flavor, more TH, just more everything!

So my question is this - and hoping I don't sound ridiculous - before I jump in and buy a manual, does anyone have any tips on using an auto? Maybe I'm missing something here.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[rkayw]

Welcome! I am new too and can't help much with questions but, I wanted to say welcome and much luck to you and your husband.

I don't know if I am doing it right with my auto, I take long slow hits.

I've ordered a manual, after reading your post, I'm anxious to get it. Thanks for posting!

 

[kittypie]

Welcome! I started with a V4L auto given to me by my sister. A short time after joining the V4L fam here, I bought a manual and it was a big difference for me, in a good way. All manual, all the time for me now! FWIW, I'm still using analogs but I'm working on it.

 

[Shadzi]

There isn't really much of a difference in how you use them, but I too prefer manuals over autos. I think that because autos require airflow to actuate the sensor and manuals don't, that you get a fuller hit with a manual. I'm sure that either Morandir or Snowdragon sir might have something to add along those lines.

 

[keelalagirl55]

Welcome Neketa! First thing to remember is that vaping is not like smoking...you cannot take a real quick puff and get a huge hit like you can with a combustible ciggie. Rk nailed it with long slow hits on the autos.

I am also curious as to your diamond....on it up near the threads will be a number....001 or 002....which version do you have?

 

[the_vape_nerd]

Hi Neketa,

I've only been vaping about 3 weeks so keep that in mind. Some of the veterans here can certainly offer you a lot more than I can. But congrats on making the switch.

I ordered only auto batteries in the starter kit. Then a week later I ordered a bunch more hardware, including 2 manual batteries. The manuals have a lof of advantages in that YOU control things. There's more vapor and more heat generating that vapor b/c you are controlling the electric flow. With auto batteries, I'm thinking there's an airflow sensor that detects and turns on the battery for you. I will probably only buy the manuals from now on. The only downside I can think of is that you have to locate the button while driving and it could be somewhat distracting.

The is countered by the disadvantage to the auto in that if you get even a small drop of juice into the auto it can ruin the battery.

I still use my autos though and plan to use them in a rotational way. Here's how I do it. I will take a very short quarter suck, then I will blow back in just real quickly and then take a long slow deep drag. I seem to get a good amount of vapor. It's kind of like trying to light an analog in the wind. Hope this helps.

 

[Neketa318]

Thanks for all your responses - that's one thing that so impresses me about this forum, everyone being so friendly and helpful! All your advice is so helpful!

I am using the Diamond 002. Had read that the battery life would be better on it so definitely went in that direction. But what I'm reading so far from all of you kind of confirms my suspicions - manual might be better for me because I will get fuller hit with the manual. That is what I think I've been missing. If hubby will let me continue to use his manual for a few more days, perhaps I can get an order in for a few manuals.

That and I think I need to order some more of the Wowboy - that seems to be my fave so far!

 

[Darrigaaz]

The power output should be the same between an auto and a manual. if you are getting a fuller hit from the manual, it's because the auto isn't activated the whole time you are taking a drag. To test this, put a toothpick into one of the air holes located on the threaded end of the battery, and break it off. It'll allow less air through it, and force more air pass the switch, which in turn should allow the battery to activate with less pull.

I prefer the manual after using autos for about a year. It does allow more control, because you don't have to drag as hard to activate it.

 

[kittypie]

Also, do you have a USB passthru? IMHO, my manual passthru is the best replica of "smoking"...great throat and chest hits.

 

[Neketa318]

Thanks - will try the toothpick! I think that you nailed what I have been dealing with - I have to drag so much harder with the auto to get anything that I feel like I'm being deprived! The manual doesn't give me that problem.

I do have the passthru, but of course ordered the auto.

 

[Morandir835]

Ms. Neketa welcome. The problem is more than likely one of three things. Either as Ms. Keelalagirl said you're taking too quick a puff, could possibly be that the sensor needs resetting (there's a video on here showing how, if I get a chance to get on my comp tonight will post it), or could be the fact you are holding the manual button down before you are inhaling, giving it a little time before hand to prime so it would be a more powerful hit... The king diamond, when not malfunctioning, is more powerful than the manual. It's not longer life, but the new cell holds voltage longer....

 

[wader2k]

Long SLOW drags are the key to the Auto batts. It comes down to personal preference, but I prefer Manuals myself.

Also, if you haven't tried them already....try out the Manual PassThru's. They operate at a tad higher voltage and are really what got me going in the beginning!

 

[SnowDragon]

Hi Neketa...congrats to you and your spouse for making the decision to look for an alternative to help got off the cigs. I use both Autos and Manuals, they both have their niche when it comes to my daily vaping needs. I am curious..what size auto battery did you get?

Here's a video for a possible fix on your Auto Battery.... YouTube - ‪Fixing Vapor4Life Cartomizers & Batteries‬‏

Hope this helps you out....as a sidenote remember to screw the batteries into the recharger gently and only until the charge light changes and your batt LED blinks 3 times. Over-tightening Cartos or screwing the batteries into the chargers too far will push down the round inner post of the battery resulting in a poor connection. When this happens you will get very little vapor resulting in the user trying to draw harder in hopes of gaining more vapor. There should always be a paper thin gap between the battery connector and the base of the Cartomizer.

Hope this helps...welcome to the forum!

 

[chadley]

I tell ya what. Drop me an email with your order number and I will send you a couple of manual batteries at no charge chad@vapor4life.com

 

[dale1962]

That's great C.S. in my book awful nice of you Chad...................

 

[Neketa318]

Thank you Morandir sir! I am definitely still struggling to get to a longer slower puff (20 years of analogs is a hard habit to break! ), but I will check in to resetting the sensor as well. I have been trying a "primer" puff before taking a longer puff on the diamond, which seems to help slightly.

 

[chimchim]

I tell ya what. Drop me an email with your order number and I will send you a couple of manual batteries at no charge chad@vapor4life.com

AWESOME - You rock Chad!

 

[Neketa318]

Wow, thank you for the offer, Chad! I will email me you for sure. Yet another reason why I chose V4L - I'm so impressed with the customer service! And thanks to SnowDragon for the tips - I was curious if I was screwing the batteries or carts on too tight. I'll also give that a try!

 

[jbmcdan]

wow that's nice of you chadley! and welcome neketa318!

 

[incantius]

I tell ya what. Drop me an email with your order number and I will send you a couple of manual batteries at no charge chad@vapor4life.com

now THAT'S just friggin' awesome