Pilot Hybrid: What am I doing wrong?

[Fern]

I posted this in the Puresmoker forum too, but figured I might get more of a response over here. I'm new to e-smoking and just got my Pilot Hybrid on Friday.

Since PS was out of juice, I ordered the JC sample pack and it came yesterday. I cleaned out a cart according to igetcha's video, put six drops into the cart, stuffed the filling in, and added two more drops. I pushed the cart back down with tweezers.

Then it felt like I was trying to suck ice cream through a straw. Took the cart back off, fluffed the filling a bit, pushed it back down, then stuck the paperclip through the "suck hole" and pushed the cart up a tiny bit. It was much easier to hit, but then I got juice in my mouth.

Now it's acting like it's empty again, but I haven't used it that much and don't see how it can be dry already.

What the heck am I doing wrong? How do I know if I'm having problems with my carts or it it's a problem with with the atomizer or battery?

I was all excited to use this thing at work today, but it's not producing any vapor at all.

Thanks for any advice you can give a newbie.

 

[wyzardd]

I had about the same problem. I've been fiddling with the thing for a week now and it's finally surpassing my old whateveritis.
I really don't have an answer except "keep at it", I guess.

 

[Momof3]

First, be sure you are not blocking the atomizer holes with your fingers.

Next thing that comes to mind is the battery. One of my batteries was bad which caused similar problems. The draw should be very light. If you suck hard, you should hear a whistle. Try blowing lightly on the LED tip of your battery. It shouldn't take much to get the LED to come on.

 

[CJsKee]

Fern...If I'm correct, the Pilot is like my M401...and if that's the case, it took me about a week to break it in. I would get no vapor or just a little bit, but I kept working at it and now it vapes like a charm. It's a pretty frustrating process, but keep at it for a while and it should start working. I've figured out that patience pays when it comes to vaping. When I fill a cart (just like you said you did), I pull the filling out just a tiny bit then push the cart down into the mouth piece with the tip of the atomizer so I know they are in contact.

There is a TON of good information here and lots of nice people who always seem willing to help in any way they can. Welcome to the wonderful world of vaping!

Kee

 

[wyzardd]

Pretty sure the pilot is the 401.

I also had a terrible flavor from the thing for several days. A short soak in lime juice finally got rid of it.

 

[Fern]

So the atomizer can touch the fiber filling stuff without the filling being burned or melted? I may just use the atomizer to push the cart down instead of the tweezers, because I really do think I pushed it too far and that's why I couldn't suck out of it whatsoever.

I blew on the tip of the battery and it lit up just fine. I've got my short battery in right now. I'll check my long battery when I get home from work.

I only noticed problems with the cart that I refilled. The pre-filled carts it came with seem to work okay, but I was anxious to try the JC juice. It was my first time filling the cart, but I did it exactly like igetcha said to do on his video. My cart does seem really dry. I'll top off when I get home and use the atomizer to push the cart in. Maybe I'll get some better vapor.

By the way, I'm really liking the JC Artic Mint so far! (At least what I can taste of it, lol!)

 

[yvilla]

So the atomizer can touch the fiber filling stuff without the filling being burned or melted?

I've never used the Pilot specifically - but with any ecig, the wet fiber cart filling must touch the atomizer mesh, or you won't get the liquid wicked into the atomizer, and thus no vapor.

 

[Lorddrek]

I had the worst luck with Pilot cartridges. They drain quick and it's tough to get a good drag. The vapor has a slight plastic taste and a severe one when it dries out. I just drip now. I recommend at least trying this so you know the best your Pilot is going to perform.

I feel the cartridge is the weak link with the M401 Pilot. I do have a new style atomizer with a white plastic bridge under the the much larger metal wick that seems to work a lot better. I tried it yesterday with a cartridge and it worked really well without getting any juice in the mouthpiece. I suspect this will soon be the atomizer of choice for the M400 models.

Lorddrek

 

[wyzardd]

Wow, dripping makes a huge difference. Thanks!

 

[Fern]

Lorddrek - where did you buy the new style of atomizer?

Re: Dripping - from what I've read/watched, I should place two drops on the atomizer, correct? Do I leave the cart in the mouthpiece, or should I use the empty mouthpiece that came with my pilot? Approximately how long will two drops last? I would assume that once I'm getting no more vapor, then I should drip again....is that right?

 

[Lorddrek]

I got the new style atomizer from David Yang of Eastmall last week. Here is a comparison picture I found in another thread:

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p82/bmaster_008/m4atomcopy.jpg

 

[vhync]

I agree about the plastic taste from the Pilot catridges. Fancied some black mouthpieces, used the Pilot cartridges once. Then changed them for brown Evo cartridges from some worn mouthpieces. Seems to me that the smaller diameter of the Pilot ones are going to touch the bridge of the atomiser. Took a while to get rid of that taste too.