Proper way to prime a carto?

[Soundsystem00]

People have showed many ways. They're all different and I always forget them.


the last method someone showed me, stuck.

Put 20-25 drops in the carto, then blow on it until juice leaks out the bottom
place in tank and fill with juice. Dry hit it until small bubbles come out.

Whats with the bubbles? I've seen people blow into it until a bubble comes out.

What at is the purpose of the bubble thing? Any suggestions on how to do it right? And why?

the first method seems to work ok. Oh yeah, and one person told me to let the carto sit for 30 mins before using after you prime it. Whys that?

 

[Asbestos4004]

I can't link it from my phone but Baditude has a blog on priming a carto. It'll tell you everything you need to know.

 

[Baditude]

BADITUDE'S CARTOTANK SETUP GUIDE

Cartotanks work under the negative pressure theory inside the tank. Each time you take a puff from your tank, juice is pulled from both the tank and also sucked down to the bottom of the cartomizer from the cartomizer. (This is why the top of the filler will look dry after a few minutes of vaping even if you have properly primed the carto initially).

The negative pressure created from pulling the juice from the tank requires something to replace it to equalize the pressure in the tank. That would be air, and that is the air bubble you can see coming from the wick hole of the carto and floating in the cartotank.



Cartomizer anatomy and arrows showing juice flow in the carto (click image to enlarge).

There are different ways to fill a carto and setup a cartotank. Whichever method works best for each individual is the best way for them. The above link describes the method that has worked best for me.

I don't like to count drops. I've learned from experience that different droppers make different size drops, which can make the amount of liquid delivered to vary to a surprising large degree. I judge what is enough liquid by observing the appearance of the filler. I add more juice until it looks completely saturated. It will have the appearance of a slushy drink, with no pooling of the liquid on top of the filler. Take note that I also flick the carto hard like a thermometer each time I add more liquid, which simulates the same effect as a test tube in a centrifuge.

This method takes some patience, but it is still faster than the condom method. My method might be speeded up if you can get your hands on a long needle and syringe and inject the liquid directly between the filler and the carto, withdrawing the needle as you inject the liquid.

Allowing a newly filled tank time to "set up" allows the filler additional time to more easily absorb the e-liquid in the carto. The filler is not exactly like a sponge - it is tightly compacted dry fibers which are semi-absorbant. There may be air pockets in the filler which may need time to disipate with additional soak time.

 

[wv2win]

There are a number of ways to prime a carto. I use 25 - 30 drops in two sets (15 drops each) and then the spin method. Here is a tutorial by Baditude that is another good source:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blogs/baditude/3710-5-cartomizer-tank-setup.html


Edit: I should of known you would beat me to the punch, Bad.

 

[Jayvaps]

The bubbles mean that the tank is sealing properly and you have obtained negative air pressure inside of it.

There are many ways to prime a carto. I use ibtanked carto tanks, and thus use the thingy method. but I have used other methods as well. dripping and spinning and dripping and spinning. dripping and flicking and dripping and flicking. As well as the condom method. I guess my second favorite(after the thingy method) would be dripping and spinning from a syringe with a preset amount of liquid.

 

[Camden]

The "thermometer method" works well enough for me. Time consuming, but less wasted juice than fill+blow or condom method imo and easily just as effective, if not more so

 

[BillyWJ]

Drip and flick works best for me, too. It's only a couple of minutes, to set up a carto to work flawlessly for over a week. Once primed, you don't have to think about it.

The first time I did it, it seemed like it took forever. Now, pffft. It's easy.

 

[Soundsystem00]

Slap yo momma!!

 

[tj99959]

I just use the condom method. Just remember that when using a carto tank, it's the bottom half of the carto that needs to be SATURATED. So think about that if you drip into the top.

 

[Oxtail]

For unpunched cartos, I just use the condom method now. I usually just use regular cartos to test new juices. With the condom method, I can quickly fill multiple cartos and then let them sit(with the condom on) and soak before I blow out excess. Goes much quicker for me than dripping and tapping each one.

I have a syringe, but most of the time there's no good way to get the tip down the side without bunching the polyfill. I think one time I did something wrong and messed up the coil while trying to syringe fill and ended up with nasty dry hits so I've stopped priming it that way.

I got an IBtanked and I use the thingy for that, though it usually overprimes a bit and leaves a little juice in the bottom of the thingy.

For my smaller carto tanks, I just fill the tank with a dry carto. Then once the tank is "sealed" with a drip tip, I press the bottom of the tank(the 510 connection) into a soft part of my hand so that there's no draw when I inhale on the drip tip. I guess you could just cover the bottom with plasitic wrap or something and draw on it. This causes a bunch of juice to suck up into the carto and negative pressure/bubble in the tank. I do this "juice draw" until the top of the carto is wet and slushy.

 

[Soundsystem00]

Why does priming a carto have to be so sexual? It sucks. I try not to do it in front of friends.

 

[Caridwen]

Moving to cartomizer discussion

 

[Baditude]

Why does priming a carto have to be so sexual? It sucks. I try not to do it in front of friends.

​

 

[Soundsystem00]

I won't go I to details but yeah. It feels wrong.

 

[tw33k]

I fill my cartos with a condom but do it slowly. I push the carto into the condom until a small amount of liquid appears in the hole and hold it until the liquid is gone then repeat the process. I do this until the carto is full (usually do it with the condom 3/4 full and repeat with the condom about 1/2 full) Once full, I leave the carto standing upright on some tissue until no more juice drips out. Takes a while but this way the carto is fully saturated and ready to use.

 

[HardWired]

Take note that I also flick the carto hard like a thermometer each time I add more liquid, which simulates the same effect as a test tube in a centrifuge.

So you flick it on the side of the tube? Where? Towards the middle, top, bottom? Think it matters? I tend to tap mine on the table several times after each groups of drips to encourage it down the carto.

 

[Baditude]

So you flick it on the side of the tube? Where? Towards the middle, top, bottom? Think it matters? I tend to tap mine on the table several times after each groups of drips to encourage it down the carto.

No, you don't get it. I guess the younger generation has never used the old mercury thermometers. Everything is digital nowadays.

Once you have added some e-liquid to the carto, hold the carto by the top and flick it sharply towards the ground (without letting go) with the same action as driving a nail with a hammer. Flick it a few times. This forces the liquid to go from the top of the carto towards the connector end.

Then add more e-liquid. Flick it a few times sharply again. Add more, flick more. Continue this two step action until the carto will hold no more liquid. The filler will have the appearance of a slushy drink; totally saturated, glistening with juice, but not pooling.

I had to look at a dozen YouTube videos before I was able to find just ONE that showed how to flick or shake an old-school mercury thermometer to demonstrate the technique I was describing above. It only lasts for a few seconds, but you can view the technique at the 55 second mark of the video.

 

[Conchord George]

I always hated setting up Boge cartomizers. Since I switched to Smok brand, I have noticed a huge difference in ease of use. Now, I just drip from the top, right onto the filler. The Smok brand uses a filler that is less dense then Boge and it absorbs the liquid very fast. I'll drip some drops while rotating it in my fingers until it starts to pool. I'll give it a second to settle then repeat once or twice more. IBTanked sells the prepunched ones for the best price I have found. $1.35 a piece when you buy two or more boxes.

 

[HardWired]

No, you don't get it. I guess the younger generation has never used the old mercury thermometers. Everything is digital nowadays.

Oh right. Gotcha. I'm 48 but have raised 3 kids all on digital so its been a while but yeah, I remember. Thx for the visual.