NPRO breaking my heart

[UptownRiot]

I started vaping a little more than 3 weeks ago. The gas station I stop at in the mornings started carrying the NPRO, I was curious and asked the attendant. He told me all about it, apparently he and his wife switched to exclusively vaping about 6 months ago.

My SO hates analogs, and I was not at all opposed to healthier alternatives. So I decided to give it a try. We had a bit of a rocky start with inconsistent performance and just general "getting used to it" issues. However, by the second week I was exclusively using the NPRO. Well that lasted for about a week. Then the batteries stopped holding a charge, and I was more regularly getting e-liquid in my mouth/on my lips when trying to take a drag. Extremely frustrated I emailed NJOY, they were very polite and offered to mail me out a replacement kit. I thought GREAT! I really warmed up to the idea of vaping instead of smoking analogs. You could even say I was excited about switching.

Fast-forward to yesterday when my replacement arrived. Charged up the bats and took my first few pulls off of it. The first couple yielded nothing at all but air. Eh, ok, maybe it just needs to get warmed up. Breaking in the new equipment. Kept trying throughout the evening. Well, I'm still quite regularly finding e-liquid on the tip and all over my lips. This is no good. I'm really not pulling very hard. Not even as hard as I would on an analog! I'm also not pulling for very long either. 2-3 seconds at max.

I just don't know what to do with it now. I'm getting frustrated enough to consider just giving up on vaping all together. I'm not sure if I'm just having bad luck with equipment or what. I've read here on the forums that a rule of thumb is "the more like an analog it looks, the less reliable/consistent it will be" so I though about trying to find a new device. But through everything I've read here on the forums I can't seem to get a clear picture of where is "THE go-to" for devices. The opinions all seem vastly different.

HELP! PLEASE!

 

[Jim Davis]

Uptown;

Since you already bought it, and have it, let's try to get it running. Once you're up and running, you can decide if you want another model, and the NPRO will become you're back-up.

New batteries should be charged for about 6 to 8 hours.

Sometimes, if the battery is screwed to tight into the charger, it will push the center connector into the battery, and then it won't contact the atomizer. When this happens, I use a small pin, such as a paperclip to gently rotate the center connector back up to the surface. The connector is mounted on a rubber ring. You must be gentle, and don't work it up too far to break the wire connections.

New atomizers may take a while to get working. I puffed on one for quite a long time, before it sprang to life.

Angle the e-cig downward. Puffing on it, while tilting it up, may give you a mouth full of juice.

 

[UptownRiot]

So I should not trust the lights on the charger at all then? I read through all the documentation that came with the kit, and it said that batteries for this unit needed charging for 2-3 hours at a time, and that the light would be red while charging and then green when finished charging. Also that leaving the battery on the charger after it had finished could damage the battery life.

I have definitely been angling it upwards about half the time. In examining the cart, and seeing that the juice was in a little repository at the bottom my logic told me that angling it upwards would keep excess from "spilling out". Apparently I was incorrect though, haha!

On the NPRO, as you may know, there is an LED at the end that lights up when you pull on the unit simulating the cherry on an analog. It's supposed to light up whenever you are pulling on the e-cig, but I've noticed that mine doesn't always turn on, and sometimes I have to pull what I feel like is quite hard to get it to turn on. I'm not sure if perhaps airflow is being blocked somewhere. I'm not really sure where the trigger is to tell the unit to turn the atomizer on, and so I can't be sure where to check.

Another NPRO user advised taking the atomizer out, and blowing through it firmly to clear out any excess liquid build up there might be inside. I've found on occasion there is in fact a good bit built up in there, and that clearing it out has helped performance.

 

[DC2]

Reworking last post...

 

[Jim Davis]

So I should not trust the lights on the charger at all then? I read through all the documentation that came with the kit, and it said that batteries for this unit needed charging for 2-3 hours at a time, and that the light would be red while charging and then green when finished charging. Also that leaving the battery on the charger after it had finished could damage the battery life.

I have a few different kinds, but my NPRO (RN4081) is my workhorse. Many people don't like them, because of small cartridges, and short battery life with heavy use. I consider myself a medium user. As far as the batteries go. You have a warranty with it, so I would follow their procedures so you don't void the warranty.

I have definitely been angling it upwards about half the time. In examining the cart, and seeing that the juice was in a little repository at the bottom my logic told me that angling it upwards would keep excess from "spilling out". Apparently I was incorrect though, haha!

The first mouth full is quite a surprise. We've all done it.

On the NPRO, as you may know, there is an LED at the end that lights up when you pull on the unit simulating the cherry on an analog. It's supposed to light up whenever you are pulling on the e-cig, but I've noticed that mine doesn't always turn on, and sometimes I have to pull what I feel like is quite hard to get it to turn on. I'm not sure if perhaps airflow is being blocked somewhere. I'm not really sure where the trigger is to tell the unit to turn the atomizer on, and so I can't be sure where to check.

There are two seperate functions.
1.) A vacuum switch to activate the battery when sucked on. This lights the LED showing the battery is active.

2.) The contacts for the atomizer. Center button with the hole in the center is the positive. The threaded portion is the negative. The center button has to make contact with the center button on the atomizer. The hole in the center of the button, is the vacuum passage to the switch.

I found some new batteries to have a stiff vacuum switch, requireing hard puffing, and the LED may flicker. There are two tiny slots where the battery contacts the atomizer. These slots are the air intakes. If I get a stiff switch, sometimes I hold my finger over one slot to increase vacuum draw. This works most times, and after a while, the switch loosens and the hole cover is no longer necessary. Don't cover both holes, you'll choke it out.

Another NPRO user advised taking the atomizer out, and blowing through it firmly to clear out any excess liquid build up there might be inside. I've found on occasion there is in fact a good bit built up in there, and that clearing it out has helped performance.

Sure, I blow mine out whenever they start getting stiff on the draw.

There's an RN4081 Forum is you have a lot of questions.

RN 4081 *Super Mini* - e-cigarette-forum.com • The place for electronic cigarette reviews, news and chat

Cheers;
jd

 

[DC2]

There could be a number of issues, and you need to sort of take them one step at a time.

If I was in your shoes, the next thing I would try would be to remove the cartridge from the mouthpiece and clean out the mouthpiece with a piece of tissue paper, so you don't get juice in your mouth during this test. Do not put the cartridge back in as this test will be without a cartridge so you get maximum airflow.

Now blow out the atomizer by blowing very hard through the battery side while holding against a paper towel, just to make sure your atomizer is not flooded, and then put about three drops of liquid back on to the bridge of the atomizer.

Now take four or five short, quick puffs into the mouth only, one after another, blowing the vaper (hopefully) out between each puff. Do this while watching in a mirror so you can see exactly what your battery is doing. If you are consistenly getting the battery to activate then hopefully you will also be getting nice little puffs of smoke with each drag. If you are not consistenly getting the battery to activate then try drawing either harder or easier and watch what happens with the battery.

 

[Kate51]

I also started out with an NPro, and from day one decided I did not need another tobacco cigarette! However, I also found it not to be exactly easy!
After battery charges, if you are using pre-filled cartidges or no? I don't believe you stated one way or the other, but no matter: The carts are quite small, I think I could get about 5 drops of juice into the filler before it got too wet. Also, it is a good idea to remove it from the holder (or mouthpiece) to eliminate getting excess liquid outside of the wick, which as you know comes right up through the mouthpiece and tastes awful! When you put the wick holder back into the mouthpiece, make sure it sticks out just a bit, so it makes contact with the mesh in the bottom of the atomizer, and DO NOT TWIST IT. If you do that little bridge in the bottom with push up on the wick and it doesn't make contact. Ok, that's the cart.
Make sure you turn the battery and your blown-out atomizer firmly together. Good connection a must.
But then, when you take a puff, train yourself to puff loooooooonnng puffs, because the hotter that atomizer gets, the better vapor you'll turn out. I think from what you described, you are not puffing long enough to really get things heated up. Even sometimes take a short, or "primer" puff, then a nice long one. NOT a hard puff, just enough to "lite it up", ok. Pulling harder only brings more liquid into your mouth, for sure not nice! If your atomizer starts to "gurgle", it needs blowing out again. There is liquid in the bottom area that is not being heated properly, and can get scortched a little. Blow it out, top off your cart wick, and start in again. But practice taking nice easy, long draws, and you'll find it to be a nicely performing unit. I made a mistake and tried blowing into the mouthpiece to get rid of that gurgle, DON'T do that, it can blow liquid into the battery and short it out. If your battery is acting berserk it will also burn out the atty, by experience!
By taking all these steps it is a very nice and satisfying PV. Just remember the hotter you let the atty get the better the vapor.
BTW, I only had one bad charger, but that can happen. I also found that you just need to charge till the light turns green, it has been suggested that leaving one in the charger beyond the green will shorten the life of the battery over time.

 

[wv2win]

Jim gave you some good maintenance tips. If you decide you don't want to go through all the high maintenance and want less hassles, let us know. There are options.

 

[UptownRiot]

I have a few different kinds, but my NPRO (RN4081) is my workhorse. Many people don't like them, because of small cartridges, and short battery life with heavy use. I consider myself a medium user. As far as the batteries go. You have a warranty with it, so I would follow their procedures so you don't void the warranty.

I'm really glad to see some people are using it as there everyday device. I like the small form factor, the look of an analog, and the few pieces for this unit. Just didn't like the performance I'd been getting thus far. I'm also pretty pleased with the service I received from the company. They were quite prompt in replying to my email, and didn't hassle at all about sending out replacements.

The first mouth full is quite a surprise. We've all done it.

I WISH that it had only been one mouthful. There have been times I wasn't sure I'd ever get the taste out of my mouth, and even felt a little sick to the stomach over it. :-\

There are two seperate functions.
1.) A vacuum switch to activate the battery when sucked on. This lights the LED showing the battery is active.

2.) The contacts for the atomizer. Center button with the hole in the center is the positive. The threaded portion is the negative. The center button has to make contact with the center button on the atomizer. The hole in the center of the button, is the vacuum passage to the switch.

I found some new batteries to have a stiff vacuum switch, requireing hard puffing, and the LED may flicker. There are two tiny slots where the battery contacts the atomizer. These slots are the air intakes. If I get a stiff switch, sometimes I hold my finger over one slot to increase vacuum draw. This works most times, and after a while, the switch loosens and the hole cover is no longer necessary. Don't cover both holes, you'll choke it out.


That's great info, I will definitely try the covering of one hole to break it in. Can I do this with a blank cart in so that I don't potentially waste e-liquid while trying to get it right? It seems like there might be an overheating/burning risk inside the atomizer that way, but I'm not sure.

Sure, I blow mine out whenever they start getting stiff on the draw.

There's an RN4081 Forum is you have a lot of questions.


I found that I was having to blow it out between every cart, and sometimes in the middle of a cart. I'll definitely get on that forum as soon as my posting restrictions have been lifted. At the moment I still can't post there.


And for the rest of the replies. Thanks to all of you, I'm glad I'm getting some solid help here. I didn't want to give up on it, but I don't know anyone that vapes, and there is so much information out there, it's difficult to find the really solid relevant stuff.


I am using NJOY prefilled carts at the moment. I was waiting to make sure I was willing to really commit to vaping before buying all the accessories. Unfortunately I'm finding the prefilled carts to only be the equivalent to 2-3 analogs, and I was/am a pack a day smoker. So, I've probably spent ~$100 buying the things from the gas station.

 

[Jim Davis]

Hey Uptown!

When you get the chance, update your profile with your location. You may have a neighbor close by that can help you out in a time of need.

 

[DC2]

That's great info, I will definitely try the covering of one hole to break it in. Can I do this with a blank cart in so that I don't potentially waste e-liquid while trying to get it right? It seems like there might be an overheating/burning risk inside the atomizer that way, but I'm not sure.

Please disregard my previous reply as I was assuming you already had your own juice.

I'd still suggest you blow out the atomizer really good and then put on a new cartridge. Give the juice a few minutes to wick back into the atomizer and then watch in the mirror to see how the battery is functioning as you take different kinds of drags. It sounds to me like you keep flooding your atomizer, which is usually because you are not activating the battery consistently.

 

[UptownRiot]

You bring up another good point DeadCat. I have not been giving carts any time at all between taking out the rubber covering and placing on the unit and dragging. So perhaps it's a good idea for me to give it a minute or two before I start vaping.

Would you recommend standing it up on it's end during this time, or does it not matter?

 

[DC2]

Would you recommend standing it up on it's end during this time, or does it not matter?

I'm not sure how much it matters, but as a general rule I stand mine with the battery side up after I put on a new cartridge, but also let it stand for a few minutes to make sure it gets a chance to wick what it needs. After the first drag though I pretty much don't worry about it. It's just that on a full cartridge I don't want the juice leaking out.

 

[UptownRiot]

Seems like a very valid point, I will give that a try next time.

 

[smokinsimon]

When I first got my Npro from the gas station, I was having the same trouble, kept getting juice in my mouth, and very little vapor.
It got better with time, and break in. I had to get the thing hot a few times to break it in, I sat there and puffed and puffed till it felt good and warm let it cool and did it a few more times. Now with one single primer puff I can feel when it's warmed up and ready for a good deep drag, and I get a full hit of vapor out of it.
I found if it's cold, you'll get liquid in your mouth, but if you warm it up a little first, it smokes really nice and smooth.
If it doesn't ever break in for you, and you still just don't dig it, call up Njoy and see if they will replace it with a pen style Ncig.
It really took some time to learn how to work the Npro, and how to feel what it's doing, and find out what not to do when it makes this or that sound, or when you feel a pop gurgle or... Yeah hope that makes sence.
I have 2 510's and I find myself using the Npro most of the time.

 

[UptownRiot]

I'm totally willing to put in the time to learn to use it right. I assumed I'd have to do the same for any device I purchased.

It was just, after reading so many saying that the more it looks like an analog the worse your performance will be I got to thinking it was a lost cause.

I've got a bunch of great tips today though, and tonight I'm going to see what I can do with it. Hopefully I can get it performing properly and switch back full time to my NPRO.

 

[Twister]

I have a few different kinds, but my NPRO (RN4081) is my workhorse. Many people don't like them, because of small cartridges, and short battery life with heavy use. I consider myself a medium user. As far as the batteries go. You have a warranty with it, so I would follow their procedures so you don't void the warranty.

I'm really glad to see some people are using it as there everyday device. I like the small form factor, the look of an analog, and the few pieces for this unit. Just didn't like the performance I'd been getting thus far. I'm also pretty pleased with the service I received from the company. They were quite prompt in replying to my email, and didn't hassle at all about sending out replacements.

The first mouth full is quite a surprise. We've all done it.

I WISH that it had only been one mouthful. There have been times I wasn't sure I'd ever get the taste out of my mouth, and even felt a little sick to the stomach over it. :-\

There are two seperate functions.
1.) A vacuum switch to activate the battery when sucked on. This lights the LED showing the battery is active.

2.) The contacts for the atomizer. Center button with the hole in the center is the positive. The threaded portion is the negative. The center button has to make contact with the center button on the atomizer. The hole in the center of the button, is the vacuum passage to the switch.

I found some new batteries to have a stiff vacuum switch, requireing hard puffing, and the LED may flicker. There are two tiny slots where the battery contacts the atomizer. These slots are the air intakes. If I get a stiff switch, sometimes I hold my finger over one slot to increase vacuum draw. This works most times, and after a while, the switch loosens and the hole cover is no longer necessary. Don't cover both holes, you'll choke it out.


That's great info, I will definitely try the covering of one hole to break it in. Can I do this with a blank cart in so that I don't potentially waste e-liquid while trying to get it right? It seems like there might be an overheating/burning risk inside the atomizer that way, but I'm not sure.

Sure, I blow mine out whenever they start getting stiff on the draw.

There's an RN4081 Forum is you have a lot of questions.


I found that I was having to blow it out between every cart, and sometimes in the middle of a cart. I'll definitely get on that forum as soon as my posting restrictions have been lifted. At the moment I still can't post there.


And for the rest of the replies. Thanks to all of you, I'm glad I'm getting some solid help here. I didn't want to give up on it, but I don't know anyone that vapes, and there is so much information out there, it's difficult to find the really solid relevant stuff.


I am using NJOY prefilled carts at the moment. I was waiting to make sure I was willing to really commit to vaping before buying all the accessories. Unfortunately I'm finding the prefilled carts to only be the equivalent to 2-3 analogs, and I was/am a pack a day smoker. So, I've probably spent ~$100 buying the things from the gas station.

I am also using the NPRO. Bought it and the cartridges through Costco on line. That may be a cheaper option than the gas station. Still not cheap. My 510 should be here in a day or two so I am reusing the old cartridges. Found propylene glycol at drug store for $2.99 a pint. Humco glycerin at Walmart for $2.98 in 6 fl. oz bottle. Flavor at Kroger grocery store for $2 to $3 per oz. Mix and topping off old cartridges until my order comes in. The cartridges were all regular strength and seem to have some nicotine mix left in each. Just until my e-liquid order gets here. Good luck. Don't give up.

 

[Jim Davis]

Uptown;
It's all how you use your device. When used as intended, most devices will give you good service and reasonable life. If you push the limit, and are a hard user, you need something that will handle the stress. It's as simple as that.

 

[Jim Davis]

I am also using the NPRO. Bought it and the cartridges through Costco on line. That may be a cheaper option than the gas station. Still not cheap. My 510 should be here in a day or two so I am reusing the old cartridges. Found propylene glycol at drug store for $2.99 a pint. Humco glycerin at Walmart for $2.98 in 6 fl. oz bottle. Flavor at Kroger grocery store for $2 to $3 per oz. Mix and topping off old cartridges until my order comes in. The cartridges were all regular strength and seem to have some nicotine mix left in each. Just until my e-liquid order gets here. Good luck. Don't give up.

Twister;

If you look in the forum jump drop down, you'll find specific forums for the 510 and another for your NPRO (RN4081) if you want specific help with one or the other.

 

[JohnR]

Msrr. Uptown - me 'n' my NPro have gotten quite close. This group has offered much wisdom, all good stuff. I'd also add, what may be obvious by now but there are two small holes on the Npro atomizer at the threaded end that air passes through - when the atty's screwed in snug to the battery the slots on the battery line up and provide air portals. When I first started using it, I wouldn't always get it screwed together tight enough and they'd be partially blocked. I would also cover them up by the way I held it, and then nothing would happen at all. Might be a good thing to check out.

I've found that blocking one of the holes can make for a better draw, but it needs at least one open for air to pass through.

Best wishes!