Protank 3 Help

[TheDevinator]

I started vaping about a month ago with a disposable blu cig that I picked up from the convenient store. I quickly realized that if I had any serious aspirations of being smoke free it wasn't going to cut it. I decided to dive in so I got a Vamo V5 on 03/07 (10 days ago) and I am extremely pleased. I bought a couple of e-smart clearomizers and a fancy dual coil protank 3 to go with my new PV. In the first couple days I got down from about 8 cigarettes per day to 3 per day. Now I have not smoked a single cigarette since friday night. It hasn't been super easy but I'm hanging in there.

Although I am definitely new to vaping I am not clueless. I have been doing some research and I have a good understanding of the basics as well as some intermediate level knowledge.

I have been having numerous problems with my protank 3 including gurgling/flooding/leaking (I'm not exactly sure about the distinction between the three) and poor taste. I find the taste strange because I never even vaped it over 9 watts and I've seen people vape it at 12 without experiencing any burnt taste. More importantly, I can't even get my protank 3 to match the vapor production of my disposable e-smart clearomizer which was <20% the cost of my protank 3. The vapor production is so feeble I can't even use it. When I was exploring the cause of the strange taste I watched a video demonstrating how to disassemble, clean, and dry burn the protank 3. I noticed that the "flavor wicks," which are supposed to be right on top of the coil were absent in both of the two coils that came with my protank. I watched other videos and they all clearly show someone removing these flavor wicks in order to expose the top of the coil.

Why do my coils not have flavor wicks and what issues can be attributed to the flavor wicks' absence? How do I fix my protank 3? If I need wicks what kind are best?

I realize this can be considered multiple topics but I believe this is the only place I can post since I'm a new member. Any suggestions or information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Hondahawkrider]

No a fan of the kangers.. Seems the replacements from brick and mortar are iffy.. Since I have em, I use em as backups having learned to redo em (tons of vids), and the pt3 really needs the kanger air control valve that comes on the aero..

I have a innokin svd with iclear30s I really like it , but folks keep pointing towards the aspire nautilus .... Which I've ordered... Gotta try it...

 

[sethkal]

With the Protank 3, they normally come with extra top wicking - as a new member you may not know what exactly that means. You should look around for videos of people removing the wicking as you might have to do that. Note, this can lead to more leaking though so be careful! The protank 2 is the way to go!

 

[chunkluv]

+1 for the Nautilus, it is a little bit more $$, but well worth it. As far as non RBA, it has the best flavor. I had really bad experience with the PT3, so I sold them for the reasons you gave. After I filled them I would have to let them sit for a day or 2 to get rid of the gurgling. The materials were nice and they were perdy, but just didn't perform well IMO. The iClear 30s is an honorable mention, but I just wish they had a glass tank.

 

[mrs.jle53]

No a fan of the kangers.. Seems the replacements from brick and mortar are iffy.. Since I have em, I use em as backups having learned to redo em (tons of vids), and the pt3 really needs the kanger air control valve that comes on the aero..

I have a innokin svd with iclear30s I really like it , but folks keep pointing towards the aspire nautilus .... Which I've ordered... Gotta try it...

I work in a vapor lounge and I can definitely tell you the iClear 30s is way better then the pro 3. Most of our customers who own both (including myself) come back in for wics for the iClear 30s and not the pro 3. When asked why they usually say the iclear was way better and the pro 3 got thrown to the side.... I'm not saying the customer is always right but I do have to agree here.

Buy an iCear 30s and try it out you wont regret it.

 

[TheDevinator]

I appreciate the comments. I originally bought the protank 3 because I saw nothing but positive reviews. Everyone was saying the dual coil is really nice and provides excellent vapor production. Of course, it wasn't until I ordered it that I noticed all of the negative reviews and experienced problems for myself right out of the box.

I'm a just poor college student and I can't exactly afford to buy the best tank on the market. Since I already bought the PT3 I want to try to salvage the situation. Many people (including some who gave negative reviews of the PT3) said that when it does work it works really well. I can't ever seem to get it to work. Furthermore, the most common positive trait of the PT3 I hear about is its exceptional vapor production, but it produces less than the cheap disposable clearomizers manufactured by the same company.

Are they supposed to come with flavor wicks? If so, why didn't mine?
Hondahawkrider- What exactly do you mean by "redo em?" Can you buy the air control valve independent of the aerotank? What advantages would it offer?
sethkal- I'm not sure what you mean by top wicking. The only wicks on both of my coil heads are underneath the coil, no flavor wicks. I've also heard that it's difficult to replace these inner wicks. What wicks are you referring to and what advantages would removing said wicks provide?

I may not be clueless, but evidently I'm still rusty on the lingo.

Any other suggestions or information would be greatly appreciated.

 

[TheDevinator]

I work in a vapor lounge and I can definitely tell you the iClear 30s is way better then the pro 3. Most of our customers who own both (including myself) come back in for wics for the iClear 30s and not the pro 3. When asked why they usually say the iclear was way better and the pro 3 got thrown to the side.... I'm not saying the customer is always right but I do have to agree here.

Buy an iCear 30s and try it out you wont regret it.

I actually found a super cheap one on FastTech, but what makes it better than the PT3 and worth the investment? Since the only "tank" I've used is the PT3(which has been a colossal disappointment) I feel it's a wiser decision to just buy something like a T3S or a competing company's equivalent. How do I know the iClear 30s won't encounter the same problems if I've yet to even identify the problem?

 

[jivey43]

I have the Protank Aero which is the PT3 with the aero bottom. I haven't had any of those problems, but I have heard that the PT3 needs that valve attached. I would also check and make sure that you got a real PT3 and not a knockoff. If I recall correctly, my PTs didn't come with the flavor wick either. I know you are new, but if you feel like vaping is something that you will be sticking with, I suggest getting a Kayfun. They are hands down the best atty I have ever used and I now own 3, all coiled to different resistances.

 

[TheDevinator]

I have the Protank Aero which is the PT3 with the aero bottom. I haven't had any of those problems, but I have heard that the PT3 needs that valve attached. I would also check and make sure that you got a real PT3 and not a knockoff. If I recall correctly, my PTs didn't come with the flavor wick either. I know you are new, but if you feel like vaping is something that you will be sticking with, I suggest getting a Kayfun. They are hands down the best atty I have ever used and I now own 3, all coiled to different resistances.

Thank you for the advice! It seems like the airflow valve is pretty important for the PT3, I just don't understand why it has these issues in the first place. I do still intend on making the PT3 work. Can you buy just the bottom part of the aerotank? With vapor production being my primary concern, would the airflow valve solve my issues?

Everyone keeps suggesting all these different tanks but its hard to decide when I haven't tried any of them and it seems to be subjective in many ways. I can say I've never heard of a Kayfun though. Since I am still new to vaping I might not even need a fancy tank since the e-smart bcc works great for me(Although I wish they held more juice).

 

[Moaufan]

Protank 3 has a dual coil. It doesn't have top flavor wicks like the other protanks. I had the same problems you were having. I took it to my local vape shop, they replaced the short coil that came with my tank with a tall chimney dual coil and it solved all the problems I was having. I took apart both coils before posting this to make sure I wasn't giving any bad info and neither have top flavor wicks. If you can find the (scarce) aerotank base I suggest getting one. They are about 5 bucks and you can use single or dual coils. Don't give up on it until you have at least tried the other coil. Happy Vaping!!

 

[TheDevinator]

Protank 3 has a dual coil. It doesn't have top flavor wicks like the other protanks. I had the same problems you were having. I took it to my local vape shop, they replaced the short coil that came with my tank with a tall chimney dual coil and it solved all the problems I was having. I took apart both coils before posting this to make sure I wasn't giving any bad info and neither have top flavor wicks. If you can find the (scarce) aerotank base I suggest getting one. They are about 5 bucks and you can use single or dual coils. Don't give up on it until you have at least tried the other coil. Happy Vaping!!

Thanks for the advice! I ordered the aerotank base and 2 of the newer coils with the taller chimney for $11 including shipping. If I still experience problems then I will officially be upset, but I'm hoping it works and I didn't invest more money in a faulty tank. I'll be sure to post back and let everyone know how it works.

 

[jimivapr]

With the Protank 3, they normally come with extra top wicking - as a new member you may not know what exactly that means. You should look around for videos of people removing the wicking as you might have to do that. Note, this can lead to more leaking though so be careful! The protank 2 is the way to go!

Don't go there! Playing wick games will only bring you pain. The wicks are there for a reason!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Hondahawkrider]

I appreciate the comments. I originally bought the protank 3 because I saw nothing but positive reviews. Everyone was saying the dual coil is really nice and provides excellent vapor production. Of course, it wasn't until I ordered it that I noticed all of the negative reviews and experienced problems for myself right out of the box.

I'm a just poor college student and I can't exactly afford to buy the best tank on the market. Since I already bought the PT3 I want to try to salvage the situation. Many people (including some who gave negative reviews of the PT3) said that when it does work it works really well. I can't ever seem to get it to work. Furthermore, the most common positive trait of the PT3 I hear about is its exceptional vapor production, but it produces less than the cheap disposable clearomizers manufactured by the same company.

Are they supposed to come with flavor wicks? If so, why didn't mine?
Hondahawkrider- What exactly do you mean by "redo em?" Can you buy the air control valve independent of the aerotank? What advantages would it offer?
sethkal- I'm not sure what you mean by top wicking. The only wicks on both of my coil heads are underneath the coil, no flavor wicks. I've also heard that it's difficult to replace these inner wicks. What wicks are you referring to and what advantages would removing said wicks provide?

I may not be clueless, but evidently I'm still rusty on the lingo.

Any other suggestions or information would be greatly appreciated.

This makes it look easy... But this is what I'm taking about...

Nano Micro Coil build for Kanger Protank 2 - YouTube

And here is the air control valve.. You mount replace the coil in the new base..
http://www.myvaporstore.com/Kanger_Airflow_Control_Valve_Protank_II_Protank_p/kr-acv.htm

 

[jimivapr]

This makes it look easy... But this is what I'm taking about...

Nano Micro Coil build for Kanger Protank 2 - YouTube

And here is the air control valve.. You mount replace the coil in the new base..
http://www.myvaporstore.com/Kanger_Airflow_Control_Valve_Protank_II_Protank_p/kr-acv.htm

This is a video about a single coil replacement. I don't believe it's applicable to a dual coil protank 3.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[TheDevinator]

Hey, guys, I appreciate your input. I'm trying to avoid having to build any of my own coils for now especially considering I'm still new to vaping. Since I am still satisfied with the coils that come with my clearomizers, it seems like it's more trouble than it's worth. Additionally, it seems that people who are building their own coils are veteran vapers who know what they want in a coil and are doing so to customize them to their personal preference.

As I mentioned in my earlier post, I received my coils and air control valve today. My protank is working WAY better than it was. I'm not sure if it is the new coils, the air control valve, or a combination of the two. It seems like it is more likely to be the air control valve since the Protank 3 didn't really seem to let any air in.

If anyone is disappointed with their protank I would recommend trying the air control valve(it's only $5).
My thanks go out to everyone who took the time to help me and to Hondahawkrider for suggesting the air control valve. Vape on!