Problems, problems... Protank II and Smoktech UDCT

[Sofka]

I'm not sure if this is the right place to dump this, but I'm so frustrated right now, and I need to ask.

I just got my Smoktech SID in the mail, and it's phenomenal. My husband took it to try on his eVod and was chain vaping on 10 watts with no burn and amazing flavor and vapor. Very impressed, I decided to try it on my own gear: Protank II and the new Smoktech UDCT tank I got along with the SID.

With the Protank, I've had massive problems for a while, and quite randomly. I clean my wicks, I remove 1/both flavor wicks which does make things better, but whenever I up the voltage just a little bit, or chain vape a few times, I get burnt hits. Not just on the SID, but on my Innokin iTaste V3, on my eGo twists...

I'm starting to assume that the tank just doesn't wick properly, but I can't see why. Both me and H. are using the same coils (Long protank coil at 2.5 ohm), and I've been switching out my coils quite often to see if maybe I got a bad one, but I can't see that being the case at all. Low voltages (3.4,3.5,3.6) work fine, but obviously the flavor and vapor are nothing to look forward to.

I'm frustrated out of my mind, so if this is a common problem with the protank II, or if you have any tips on how to work them better, let me know.

Now, the Smoktech UDCT, is something soooo much worse. I primed it according to instructions (dripped into the carto until saturated, avoided center, filled tank above the feeder hole, cleaned here, there, blowed out excess out of the carto, let sit overnight). But this thing just will not vape properly.Whether it's the SID, cap on/off, Egos, whatever, it works (that is, produces vapor): But barely. Whenever I drag there is pretty much no vapor AT ALL, just the barest minimum, as if I'm trying it on almost no voltage at all.

I read that the tank can have airflow problems, but in my case I'm getting airflow just fine, I think: the drag isn't tight, I'm obviously getting airflow, but barely any vapor, and obviously no flavor, throat hit : just, no performance.

I considered maybe the SID isn't reading it right, as my cartos are 2.5ohm DCT, so pretty high. So I changed it into voltage settings, and cranked it up all the way to 6 volts, and while the result was slightly better - as in, there was a bit of heat on the draw - the result is the same. Barely any vapor.

And by barely any vapor... Well, to all of you who live in places where it's cold in the winter, the vapor is even less impressive than how your own breathing shows on the exhale on a cold day. That's pretty bad.

I'm really at a loss, and I don't know what to do. I want these things to work, obviously, but this is my first tank/carto unit, and I do not have enough knowledge to think of another solution.

Any help would be so, so greatly appreciated, honestly.

 

[cihansolakoglu]

sorry about your problem, i have protank2 and have no problem at all

 

[jcco]

I can't vape anything at 10 watts. It burns everything.
Most of my problem is finding some decent juice that is actually vapeable. I have tried so many flavors but found I don't like many at all. Especially sweet ones. They are just gross to me.
I've had my best luck with the Evods. My PT gives me fits.

Good luck with your problems. Maybe your just like me & juice is the problem.
All the best to you.

 

[retic1959]

What is your pg/vg ratio?

 

[Sofka]

What is your pg/vg ratio?

either 70/30 or 60/40, PG having the higher percentage.

 

[dice57]

Ok, with the Protank original and PT II, the main thing is to let the flavor wicks saturate your juice for at least 15 minutes before the first vape, other wise you will be frustrated. No need to remove flavor wicks, will lead to flooding. I run my 1.8 ohm PT coils at 3.5 to 4.5 volts, depending on the juice. My 2.5 ohm coils I run at 4.5 to 5.5 volts, usually no higher then 5 volts or it will start to taste burnt and nasty. Since I started allowing ample time for a new coil head to be saturated I've experienced Zero problems at all with my protanks. Coil will last up to 3 weeks for me, about 50 ml of e-juice or so. I usually let the juice soak for an hour before vaping after changing out a coil. Since I have more than one tank, this has not posed a problem for me. I went through 4 coils before I learned patience. lol

 

[Txaggiesaunt]

Try using the Wattage setting instead of Voltage on the SID. I run my SID anywhere between 6 to 8 watts with my PT2. Vapes like a dream. Good Luck & VAPE ON

 

[crxess]

Better Vapor performance - 50/50 or higher Vg
for good Flavor stay around 50/50 or lower unless you are making your own(DIY) and know what to adjust to maintain flavor.

Protank and Protank II work Very well with LONNNNG SLOWWWW Vapes
Short Vapes cause a plunging effect in the tank and can lead to heavy flooding.
Hard draws can rob e-liquid from the coils. Result - Dry hits.

Ran my Protank the other night at 8.5 watts all evening with no issues. Good Flavor and Vapor.

UDCT - if you ARE using Dual coils and running any Device in Watts mode - you MUST set to 2x drsired result. i.e. 10w for 5 watts achieved. Output is being divided by number of coils.
Once you switch to Volts, output should gradually and continually improve as the excess fluid is vaporized from the Carto itself.

If no improvement, remove tank from SID, wipe connector with tissue. holding Tank upright, blow lightly through connector end to clear air channel and try again. Keep power up until flavor starts to diminish.


ProTank Coil advice. Learn to rewick and give EKOWOOL 2mm a try. It is hollow and wicks much better than normal Silica. Keep 1mm flavor wick in place.

 

[Senoufo]

Ok, with the Protank original and PT II, the main thing is to let the flavor wicks saturate your juice for at least 15 minutes before the first vape, other wise you will be frustrated. No need to remove flavor wicks, will lead to flooding. I run my 1.8 ohm PT coils at 3.5 to 4.5 volts, depending on the juice. My 2.5 ohm coils I run at 4.5 to 5.5 volts, usually no higher then 5 volts or it will start to taste burnt and nasty. Since I started allowing ample time for a new coil head to be saturated I've experienced Zero problems at all with my protanks. Coil will last up to 3 weeks for me, about 50 ml of e-juice or so. I usually let the juice soak for an hour before vaping after changing out a coil. Since I have more than one tank, this has not posed a problem for me. I went through 4 coils before I learned patience. lol

+1like for the above, i do exactly the same on 70pg/30vg.

 

[dice57]

The other critical thing about the PT is to not over tighten them. This can lead to bending the coil wire and shutting off air flow. If the air flow is shut off, one will tend to suck on it to hard to get a vape, which can and will flood it. Once loosely tightened, you can then adjust your air flow by tightening it up or loosening some more. As stated above, a nice slow draw will give the best vape on a PT.

 

[Bill's Magic Vapor]

Have not used the Smoketech, so cannot comment on that device. I do use cartos and carto tanks and prefer them over all other alternatives, including my RBA's. But many don't. To each their own.

Regarding the Protank II, I have one and can tell you that is the best clearomizer on the market, imho. The problems you are having are common ones, and ones we hear about all the time on the forum. Here are my suggestions:

1. Lower your heat. Most juice starts to burn at 8 Watts. This can vary, though, by juice, but it's unlikely you are using a juice that would improve flavor wise above 9 Watts.
2. More heat, means less flavor and vapor in a clearo. Once you go above a certain temperature at the coil, you stop atomizing the juice optimally, and start burning it, producing LESS FLAVOR AND LESS VAPOR.
3. Stop removing the flavor wicks in a clearo. They are there for good reasons, including improving wicking and flavor. I know, there's a lot of videos out there where the "experts" tell you to remove a flavor wick. However, this is only necessary when you are vaping full VG, and not at the ratios you mentioned.
4. Keep the tanks over half full.
5. Start at approximately 6.5 Watts and slowly increase the Wattage until you find the optimal flavor. Generally, this will be less than 8 Watts, but YMMV, and depends on juice and individual preference. If you want a really warm vape, try a top coil device like a vivi nova. I don't care for them, but many do like them.
6. Watch some videos about the specific devices that you are using. Watch several of them from different reviewers. They will clue you in on many of the "secrets." YouTube has tons of them.
7. You have to understand that the Protank II is pretty much ready to go right out of the box. A normal juice with their coils at a normal temperature setting will provide a great vape for most people. There are better vapes, imho, but not with clearomizers.

Regarding cartos, check out Phil Busardo's videos on cartos and carto tanks. I found them quite good and learned how to use cartos from him. Phil vapes 100% VG, so he can get away with removal of a flavor wick, but that's only because 100% VG will not properly vape in anything without some adjustments...nature of the beast.

Anyway, my two cents. Good luck to you and welcome to the Forum. Power up and Vape On!