Not happy

[reddrank]

So in attempt to quit smoking, my doctor recommended this. vaping. He gave me a print out with all the info and I followed it. Ordering a 5V WOW mod, DCT 1.5 cartomizer, dual coil tank, batteries, charger, etc. It was kind of a rush so we didn't have time to research and we had to do it somewhat cheaply to buy one for me and him. Bad combo, I know.

When I first tried it, I felt like my chest was on fire and I couldn't stop coughing. Horrible. So we realized it could be the PG and switched to VG only. Bought the punch, tried again. That helped for the most part but still.... I hate it. Half the time, it takes forever for the cartomizer to totally saturate, then it gurgles. His constantly leaks and it drives me insane. The vapor isn't smooth at all, it is like a punch to the throat. What is going on, is there something I am missing here? I try to search for tips but hardly have the time. I don't want to just give up because we have been giving this a go since oct/nov but I am just so irritated with all of this!

 

[erawtik]

I have a couple Dct tanks and not to fond of them. I find my novas easier to clean, fill, and use than my dct. I also had a carto that was 2 hole and it didn't work that great with my juice so I got a single hole cart and it is working fine. My wife loves the stardust clearos check them out as well.

Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[kiwivap]

Hi reddrank,
A couple of things that might help here. Vaping is different to smoking - takes a slow draw and let the vapor sit in your mouth a bit before inhaling.
You're using a 5v mod, which is a highish voltage to vape at for some people. Perhaps a variable voltage or variable voltage/variable wattage mod would be better. With those you can adjust the volts so its not so hot. I'm not a dual coil carto fan myself. I'd suggest getting some single coil cartomizers. And maybe try 2.4- .26 ohms with your current set up. Also - have you tried just vaping with an unpunched cartomizer? They generally hold about 20 drops of liquid, and once filled let them sit for about 30 mins to saturate. This might be a good back up while you work out the carto tank and iron out the glitches.

You probably know this by now - the cartomizer needs to be primed - filled - before you put it in the tank.

 

[Trick]

Sounds like you got some bad juice. Unfortunately, people's tastes being what they are, the right juice for you isn't going to be something people can just hand to you without you doing a little testing on your own. If you smoked, you know how that goes... you liked your brand, other people liked different ones. You had to find yours yourself.

One thing I can say is that if you don't like the throat hit, try less PG and/or less nicotine. Beyond that, I could give you a long post about what I like, but it may mean absolutely nothing to you.

 

[daPorkchop]

Whew, a DCT to start? Those things aren't really advanced, but they can be a pain in the ..... First of all, welcome to the Vaping community. To be honest, I'm not sure anyone that has started has actually stopped. Sure, using the gas station brands, I'm sure some have, but you are now in the right area to get started.

First I would read (or skim) these posts that seem of interest to you. New Members Information

More over - http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...9-inhalation-technique-ecig-vs-cigarette.html

Second, in my humble opinion, 5v is too much for a 1.5ohm carto. 3.7 is about the right area for a 1.5ohm DCT (at least to start, later you will can adjust to wanting more burn and what not).

I know you already have this stuff (your equipment) but a eGo Twist and a Vivi Nova would have gotten you better results. I'm sure you would have been on here praising vaping. Since you already have the DCT though, you may want to get a 2.5ohm cartomizer. https://www.myvaporstore.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=510DCTC that should reduce or eliminate the burning sensation in your lungs, if the inhalation post doesn't help there.

Also, check out this video on how to fill the tanks to help prevent leakage. Filling a SMOKTech Dual Coil Tank - YouTube

 

[jhiga]

A trick to prime the carto, take the carto with a filled tank, hold the battery connection area closed with your hand, and suck on the mouthpiece of the carto until you see liquid going into the carto. You don't need to keep it wet wet, just moist enough to stop it from burning. It shouldn't leak. Also, if you're using 5V on a 1.5 ohm carto, isn't that a little excessive? I'd stick to the 3.5-4V range for that resistance atty.

If you don't like the throat feel, or hit (TH), I'm sure some members here can recommend a low or no TH liquid for you. I can't; I do like some TH when I pull on my PV.

 

[jgilk1]

"The vapor isn't smooth at all" this is a basis of your atomizers ohm as well as the voltage of the device... in combination with the nicotine level of the liquid.. as well as the pg/vg mix


Higher levels of pg and nicotine are going to punch you in the lungs more try switching to a lover level.... with the dtc... get a syringe itll cut down on time to fill as well as over filling and leaking

 

[CowDog]

You are correct, vaping can be fiddly. Some setups leak, some just will not tick the right boxes for you. There is no perfect set up, but that does not mean there is not a perfect set up for you. If you would like to quit cigarettes, do not quit vaping quite yet. This forum is an exceptional resource to resolve any question you may have.

Firstly, the action of vaping is not the same as smoking. Rolygate wrote an excellent write up that helped me:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/ecf-library/337017-inhalation-technique-e-cigarette.html

I will leave your technical questions about your setup for the people that know more than me.

You can quit cigarettes, but it takes research.

 

[Leatherneck]

You are correct, vaping can be fiddly.

BUT, once you find the set-up that's right for you, it's more enjoyable than smoking.

 

[Tanti]

What I found when I first started vaping (cold turkey with vaping) that it seemed so harsh, the juice I had I hated taste, it took a bit of tasting different flavors to find the ones that I liked. I found that I dont like tobacco flavored juices, but go for the more sweet candy,fruit and pastry types. Dont limit your self. This is a different world than smoking. The harshness went away after a few days even with the juice I hated. The coughing and all that went way after about 17 days. Fiddling with the hardware seems to be all the part of learning the whole world of vaping. I was very intimidated when I first started, now a month later, im filling DCT's without them leaking. I prefer the UDCT (locking cart tank) and bottom feeder clearos. Patients and being stubborn to quit smoking got me past all of the things that seemed to pop up. I had been smoking a little over a pad for 40 years. And had tryed all kinds of things under the sun to stop and totally failed each time. What helped me is looking at the e-cig as my new reality and it was my nicotine source. That smoking again was not an option.

 

[BurningRose]

yikes! 1.5 ohms at 5 volts... that would kill me. whatever my ohms are i usually double the number and set the volts at that level, which is usually my sweet spot or with .2 volts of it. i.e. 1.9 ohm carto i would vape at 3.8 volts or thereabouts. As you are a new vaper i would also recommend you get some ego twists or vision spinners.

 

[Dutch81]

TY sir! I've had the ProVari Mini for a month and didn't even know there was a technique to the draw. Such a newbie, thanks!

 

[apdb90]

reddrank,

I guess I have to give the doc credit for recommending it. If mine had, I would have quit long ago. I actually recently posted a very similar experience with e juice, then another with a VV device. Just a few thoughts for you from my experience as a fellow VERY new user.

First, do yourself a favor and get a VV device (like I said, I'm brand new myself, and not familiar with what you purchased, but it doesn't sound to be). It gives you significantly more latitude, and you're liable to find, like I did, that an e juice at 4.5v (2.4ohm clearomizer) is absolutely BRUTAL, where the same e liquid at 3.6-4v is so sinfully good it should be illegal.

I personally went to clearomizers after moving from the cigalikes, and would probably recommend the same to most new users. They're easy to use, easy to clean, and as long as you make sure you keep the wicks wet, normally taste pretty darn good. Some people have problems with them leaking, but in the 10 that I've used so far between my wife and I (swapping out different flavors), I have yet to have a single leakage.

It's a shame that you're as frustrated as you are. You ARE doing the right thing quitting. Sit down, take a deep breath, and start reading. There is a TON of great info here, and threads that already exist that will steer you in the right direction. You don't need to spend a ton more money again....a few packs of cigarettes worth.....and you'll be on your way and you won't regret it a bit or ever look back. Without going into a ton of repetitive stuff....and keeping in mind that I'm VERY new at this myself....here's a few things to consider (keep in mind that I've bought for both my wife and I so I've had an opportunity to try a bunch of stuff out, and also have a friend who is a more experienced vaper that let me try some stuff).

If this is going to be your primary set up-the one you use at home and take with you-I'd look at something like an eGo twist, or even something like this. It's a variable voltage battery that will last you most of the day, isn't TERRIBLY adjustable (3 voltage settings), but comes with a decent clearomizer and a charger. It will give you the opportunity to try equipment that isn't leaking or frustrating you, for a VERY low price of admission. From there, read, read and read some more. There are a ton of resources here, and great members who will answer any questions you have. Figure out what's going to fit your needs and stick with it.

eGo 650mAh w/ CE4 Clearomizer Blister Pack Starter Kit - MyFreedomSmokes.com

 

[Plumes.91]

OK let me break down whats going on here, probably:
At 1st, you had the following problems:

1. You bought a mod that is stuck at 5 volts. And 5 volts is very high. But that depends on your atty resistance.
2. You switched to VG, which is very thick. VG is thick, and PG is thin. PG gives throat hit, VG gives heavy chest.
3. If the vapor is like a punch to the throat with VG juice, you might be using wayyyy too high a nicotine content.
4. Takes the carto forever to saturate because VG is thick, and it leaks because your overfilling or making your holes too big.

 

[Randomshogun]

Do you happen to have any local vape shops nearby? They are a great place to learn with a more hands on experience. Could help show you how to prime your cartos and maybe even give you a selection flavors. Otherwise, I'd get a device that is variable so you can turn down the voltage.

 

[D4rk50ul]

This is what I send people I meet out and about in for because they are a local company and my wife loves hers.

http://www.volcanoecigs.com/electronic-cigarette-starter-kits/inferno-kit.html

I use a REO Grand mod and it has made maintenance almost non existent for me. I am a fanboy for life.

This sounds like a combination of user error and mismatched gear to me. 5v is pretty hardcore for a first timer especially with a rich tobacco type flavor or high nicotine. Best part about this us your Dr recommended AND gave you literature so make sure when you get it all sorted out you give him some advice so he recommends the right setup.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

 

[reddrank]

Thank you, so much! A LOT of helpful information here and I see quite a few mistakes I am making. I honestly didn't realize that this would take as much research as it does. I feel like I could read this site for days and still not know exactly what I need LOL! I am glad the doctor gave me the info sheet to get me on my way but seriously, NO idea the fine details of this! I may go back soon and tell him his sheet needs a little (LOT) added to it. I do want something new for me, he will have to keep the 5V for now. So the carto I need to order for his would be the 2.5ohm cartomizer?

We are now using 100% VG at 11-15mg nicotine (depending on the store). I started higher but my goal was to quit eventually so I went down to 12mg recently.

The e-Go C Twist some of you recommend. I like the looks of it.

 

[reddrank]

Or a Vamo, I can't decide!

 

[Tankman77]

reddrank,
First off let my congradulate you and your husband for making the switch to a much HEALTHIER alternative to smoking!!!!
As you both have discovered Vaping can be quite "fiddly" and there is an overwhelming choice of devices and accessories--but dont fret, vaping can be simple and very satisfying.
+1 to all those who have recommended the Ego twist or spinners. I would HIGHLY recommend one of these devices. Just starting out, I think the 5V device is WAY TOO MUCH for a begginer. With vaping, everyone has a "SWEET SPOT" (ie... voltage and resistance) that suits there tastes and mood. You need to discover your sweet spot--and a device that lets you "dial in" voltage is paramount in your new jouney. Definately get a twist style device.
Secondly, a DCT (dual tank cartomizer) isn't for everyone. I personally use and enjoy them, but there are people who dont. You might be one of these. I would recommend getting a few Kanger or Stardust tanks systems (they are compatible with the ego style devices) and are easy to fill and maintain, I havent had a problem with leaking from these. I would also recommend getting a few cartomizers. get both a low resistance (LR) and a standard resistance (STD) cartos. The low resistance ohms out at around 1.5-2.0. The standards ohm out between 2.5-3.0 ohms. Also you can pick up a few CE3 or CE4 type clearomizers as well. They work good.
Thirdly is juice!! Juice is a hot topic and very individualized. Juice is a very personal thing, and your favorites are hard to find. I have tried MANY different juices that have come HIGHLY recommended as personal best, favorites ect......and HATED most of them!!! The perfect juice takes time to find and will only come by sampling juices. Many sites offer sample packs, and if your fortunate enough to live close to a vape store you can sample juices for free (at some of them). Juice is broken down into a few different categories, mg of nicotine, PG/VG ratio and flavoring--tobacco flavors, sweet/bakery flavors, and fruity flavors.
Since your new to vaping and fresh off the cigs I would recommend 18-24mg of nicotine to start, if you were a pack a day smoker. If a half a pack of day smoker, I would go with 12-18mg of nicotine, to start.
As far as flavors go, pick a few in each category. I dont initially have a sweet tooth, so the sweet/treat/bakery juices are too strong for me. I like tabacco flavors and a few fruit flavors.
My few of my favorite tabacco flavors are Bobas Bounty from AlienVisions. Bobas Bounty
House Blend from Copper Creek Copper Creek House Blend
and Legend and/or Pirates Booty from Heathers Heavenly Vape Custom E-Liquids : Heathers Heavenly Vapes, Top Quality Custom E-Liquids.
Other juice I am really enjoying right now are Peach Green tea by Rawr Rawr Vapor: E-Juice
Organic Kona Milkshake by Virgin Vapor Organic Kona Coffee Milkshake E-liquid | Virgin Vapor | Electronic Cigarette Organic e-Liquid | Electronic Cigarettes
Green Apple mixed with Menthol by The Vapor Room * TVR JUICE
IMO, I think a 50/50 blend (50%PG and 50%VG) is a good starting point. The more PG in a juice makes the juice thinner, which is good for cartomizers and wicking tanks. More VG the juice is thicker and can gunck up cartos and wicks. Start with a 50/50 blend and go from there.
Juice is VERY subjective and preferential. May I suggest taking your time, being patient and trying different juices!!
When your able to dial in your voltage, have a clean tasing carto or clearo and vaping a delicious juice.....vaping is at its finest.
Nasty cigarettes are a thing of the past. Good Luck, dont get discouraged, there is a learning curve, but the journey is worth it!!
Keep Vaping for your health and enjoyment

 

[Tankman77]

Or a Vamo, I can't decide!

Nothing wrong with a Vamo.......but I would suggest gettign an Ego twist (as previously posted). Get a startet kit!!! Comes with two batteries, two clearomizers, a charger and a carrying case!! Good starter kit.
You need to find if vaping is right for you---before you start investing in APVs, VV devices and the like. Start out simple, find what you like and then build your collection.
I started out with a Blu starter kit at firts. Took some getting use to, but knew vaping was for me. I found the lack of vapor and poor battery life of the Blu's wasnt going to work for me. I then moved on to an ego twist.....and fell in love!! I discovered what vaping was about, and realized what I had been missing!! I got the vaping bug.....(BEWARE of the vaping bug)!! Once it bites you, your wallet will be drained!!! Over the last 5 months I have spent thousands of dollars on Mods and accessories.......and vaping was supposed to be cheaper than smoking!! Oh, well. Now I have something to show for it, cool shiny toys, awesome glass tanks, batteries I can resuse over and over again. Where as before all I had was an ash tray full of STINK BUTTS!!
My case is pretty extreme, and hopefully you wont go bankrupt breaking into the world of vaping--but beware--once your hooked it is HARD TO STOP!!! Vaping for me has now become a HOBBY instead of a HABIT.
Keep on the journey, invest in your health. Keep Vaping