Question concerning the Halo Triton and tanks in general

[Jpall]

Hi. So I created an account specifically to ask this. I just bought a Halo Triton, it's my first real tank. I've read to not fill it past 2ML so I don't do that, but I still hear a faint gurgling sound sometimes. At that point I thought "Maybe I'm flooding it and not inhaling enough" So I started to inhale harder, but I still faintly hear it. I tightened the atomizer or coil (the center tube thing) and I must have tightened it too much because suddenly it was a lot harder to draw from. So I loosed it a little and it seems to be right back where I'm at; a faint gurgle. Both of my tanks do this. I'm using the Kringle flavor in one and Tribeca in another. The Tribeca gurgles a little more, but not by much. I suppose this is because it is a darker ejuice.

How bad is the gurgle for my tank? I just received this on Monday too, so everything should be in top shape (hopefully). And how hard should I be trying to drag? My smoking history is that I started with cigarettes and moved to cigars. I'm used to that deep lung drag, but I've began to get better at lighter drags. I've noticed if I draw too hard too often I can get a slightly burnt taste, which I'm desperately trying to avoid because I don't want to mess up my wicks and have to deal with that mess. I've also noticed if I draw too lightly, it gurgles more. Do I just keep going and hope to find the happy medium?

Also, how long do you guys generally hold the button? I've seen people ranging from 2 seconds to 7 seconds, but I'm not sure if one is better than the other. I generally like big hits because it kind of gives me that heavy chest feeling like a cigar would (yes, I inhaled those too), but I'm not concerned about how much vapor I produce as long as I'm getting adequate taste and nicotine. My biggest concern is having a permanent burnt taste and ruining a tank. I only have two at the moment and am remodeling my house and have a child, so money isn't exactly flowing out of my pockets.

Another concern I have is how to switch flavors in a tank. I see a lot of people saying not to let it run out entirely, and a lot of people suggesting having whole separate tanks for each flavor. If I can't afford multiple tanks like that, do I just waste the bottom of the ejuice in my tank and pour it out so I can wash the wicks clean and then put the next flavor in?

I'm really concerned about burning something out or ruining it, so any advice on that will be especially helpful and appreciated.

 

[rusirius]

I don't have any experience with the Triton, but some general advice here may be helpful...

Any gurgling you get means there is liquid in the draw tube... Basically this tank is a clearomizer... Meaning there is a center tube that runs up to the mouthpiece. I believe they are top coil, meaning in the top of this tube, near the mouthpiece inside it is a coil with a wick running through it. That tube extends down through the center and then on the outside is where the juice is... The wicks should feed into the juice to wick it to the coil...

I'm guessing that's why they tell you not to fill it too much, cause if it gets up to the wick level it can leak into this center tube and cause gurgling...

If you aren't over filling, then the next thing to be sure of is that when you fill it you aren't getting juice down in that little tube (assuming it fills from the top). Tilt it to the side and let the juice slowly run down the side when you fill... That will make sure none gets in the draw tube...

Last but not least, try blowing on it from the bottom out... Hard... That should clear the draw tube of any juice... basically turn it upset down and blow... then clean up any mess and give it a try... It should be clear...

As for the draw... Unfortunately clearomizers are generally fairly tight draw wise... Because their draw tube is pretty narrow and usually stuffed with the coil/wick... There probably isn't much you can do to fix it assuming it's vented correctly.. you can try losening the connection to the battery just a bit and see if that makes a difference... However, if the tube has juice in it (i.e. your gurgling) it's also going to cause the draw to be much tighter, because you're pulling against that juice instead of just air... Solve your gurgling issue and you'll probably solve your draw issue as well....

As for swapping flavors, if you want to completely clear it then drain it, wash it out good with water, and then soak it in some alcohol (i.e. vodka, everclear, etc) and then let it dry... Alternatively just rinse it the best you can, put your new flavor in and give it a few drags to get the new juice... It'll be tainted a little with the other flavor, but usually very little after it's used a little...

As for burning... I'm sure it's a silica wick, so you shouldn't have much to worry about... If it dry hits or gets a burnt taste, it won't damage the coil... If it's bad then just rinse in alcohol and that should help...

However... keep in mind that as you use it the coil will get dirty and gunked up... depending on the juice will determine how long it takes... Once it starts getting funky, you'll need to swap out the coil... If you can't change the coil in them, then you'll need a new tank... That usually takes 2 or 3 weeks depending on use though...

 

[Jpall]

If you aren't over filling, then the next thing to be sure of is that when you fill it you aren't getting juice down in that little tube (assuming it fills from the top). Tilt it to the side and let the juice slowly run down the side when you fill... That will make sure none gets in the draw tube...

Last but not least, try blowing on it from the bottom out... Hard... That should clear the draw tube of any juice... basically turn it upset down and blow... then clean up any mess and give it a try... It should be clear...

As for the draw... Unfortunately clearomizers are generally fairly tight draw wise... Because their draw tube is pretty narrow and usually stuffed with the coil/wick... There probably isn't much you can do to fix it assuming it's vented correctly.. you can try losening the connection to the battery just a bit and see if that makes a difference... However, if the tube has juice in it (i.e. your gurgling) it's also going to cause the draw to be much tighter, because you're pulling against that juice instead of just air... Solve your gurgling issue and you'll probably solve your draw issue as well....

Well I loosened the battery (I tend to over tighten things) and that makes the gurgling a lot less noticeable. I must have gotten some in the tube. I fill it up with it standing straight up, so that's likely what happened.

When you say to blow on the bottom of it, I'm assuming you mean to take it out and blow on it or can I just blow on with it still attached to the clearomizer? And that's super good news about the wick. Thanks! I feel better about it.

 

[krisjay]

If you like to swap flavors alot, you might want to look into a different delivery method. Maybe an MVP V2 and a 510 Atomizer, that way you can swap juices pretty much at will. I have a Triton I take with me when I'm out and want a vape that won't attract alot of attention, I also keep a Triton tank full for backup to other gear. The Triton wicks can only last so long after you start washing them. The Triton may not be the best for chasing flavors, you also may find you outgrow the Triton fairly fast, or you may stick with it forever. Either way, good luck it is a journey to find what works for you personally.

 

[rusirius]

Well I loosened the battery (I tend to over tighten things) and that makes the gurgling a lot less noticeable. I must have gotten some in the tube. I fill it up with it standing straight up, so that's likely what happened.

When you say to blow on the bottom of it, I'm assuming you mean to take it out and blow on it or can I just blow on with it still attached to the clearomizer? And that's super good news about the wick. Thanks! I feel better about it.

Ok good... Try taking the tank off the battery... First, take a q-tip or paper towel (just the corner) and make sure to clean out the area on the battery really good.. make sure there is no juice that has leaked down in there...

Next, with the tank still removed, hold it mostly upright, but upside down, put the "wrong end" in your mouth.. the part that normally connects to the battery, and give it a good blow... that should clear any remaining juice out of the draw tube...

Now clean up any remaining mess and pop it back on the battery and see what happens..

And yes, from now on fill with it tilted at about a 60 degree angle or so and watch the top to make sure the juice isn't hitting that tube... even with it tilted if you try to put the juice in too fast it can "back up" and start going in there...

 

[Jpall]

If you like to swap flavors alot, you might want to look into a different delivery method. Maybe an MVP V2 and a 510 Atomizer, that way you can swap juices pretty much at will. I have a Triton I take with me when I'm out and want a vape that won't attract alot of attention, I also keep a Triton tank full for backup to other gear. The Triton wicks can only last so long after you start washing them. The Triton may not be the best for chasing flavors, you also may find you outgrow the Triton fairly fast, or you may stick with it forever. Either way, good luck it is a journey to find what works for you personally.

I'll probably be sticking to the triton for a while. Cost me a good chunk of change, so I can't abandon it for a while. Maybe I can ask my wife for one of those near Christmas or something.

Speaking of delivery methods, is there a huge difference between a top atomizer and a bottom atomizer? Bottom seems like it would have a better drip rate, but that it could flood too.

 

[rusirius]

I'll probably be sticking to the triton for a while. Cost me a good chunk of change, so I can't abandon it for a while. Maybe I can ask my wife for one of those near Christmas or something.

Speaking of delivery methods, is there a huge difference between a top atomizer and a bottom atomizer? Bottom seems like it would have a better drip rate, but that it could flood too.

There's definitely a difference, but not one easily explained... In general a top coil is usually a warmer vape (because the coil is closer to the mouthpiece) but it also can't run as high a wattage and therefore produce as much vapor as a bottom coil because it has to wick against gravity basically...

A bottom coil on the other hand doesn't generally have that problem... I realize it SEEMS like it would be prone to leaking... and if it's not built or handled right it certainly can... But I use a lot of different bottom coil attys and never have leaking issues...

I'll try to explain a bit... With a top coil it's easy to understand how it works... Juice wicks up through the wick using capillary action...

for MOST bottom coil the outside chamber where the juice lives is sealed... The only way for juice to get into the inner chamber is through some small "ducts" at the very bottom... Now think about it physics wise... The outside chamber wants to send fluid into the inner chamber... but it can't because the airspace in there is under a vacuum by the weight of the liquid pulling down trying to go in... Does that make sense? Think of one of those pet bowls that you attach a 2-liter of water to, or better yet sticking your finger over a straw and lift it a few inches up... The liquid level stays the same because it can't get "air" in to replace the liquid that wants to run out... So it draws a vacuum in the air pocket and instead just stabilizes...

That's why a bottom coil like a kayfun for example doesn't leak... fluid runs into the inner chamber and soaks the wick, but then a vacuum is formed in the airspace of the outside chamber and no more fluid can get into the inner chamber...

When you take a hit off of one of these, you are creating a vacuum in the inner chamber... when you do so, it will exceed the vacuum in the outside chamber and therefore a small amount of juice will be allowed to flow in, therefore replacing the fluid in your wick... When you stop drawing on it though, the vacuum is released... and the "pillow" of air, which was expanded "sucks" back up into it's normal state... but when doing so, it also sucks a little air back in through those ducts between the inside and outside chambers... That air goes back up to the "pillow" at the top and takes the place of the small amount of liquid that was lost due to your vaping... Now equilibrium is restored and everything is stable again....

That process just keeps repeating... every time you drag a little bit of fluid goes from the outside in, and a little bit of air goes from the inside out when you stop...

On the other hand, if you unscrewed the top of the tank that vacuum would be released... and then fluid would start running into the inner chamber, flooding the fluid wells and then overrunning the air hole and running out... i.e. every bit would leak out...

Hopefully that makes sense... The bottom line is, you can produce more vapor and run higher wattage with a bottom coil than you can with a top coil because you can get more fluid into the coil faster...

 

[Jpall]

There's definitely a difference, but not one easily explained... In general a top coil is usually a warmer vape (because the coil is closer to the mouthpiece) but it also can't run as high a wattage and therefore produce as much vapor as a bottom coil because it has to wick against gravity basically...

A bottom coil on the other hand doesn't generally have that problem... I realize it SEEMS like it would be prone to leaking... and if it's not built or handled right it certainly can... But I use a lot of different bottom coil attys and never have leaking issues...

I'll try to explain a bit... With a top coil it's easy to understand how it works... Juice wicks up through the wick using capillary action...

for MOST bottom coil the outside chamber where the juice lives is sealed... The only way for juice to get into the inner chamber is through some small "ducts" at the very bottom... Now think about it physics wise... The outside chamber wants to send fluid into the inner chamber... but it can't because the airspace in there is under a vacuum by the weight of the liquid pulling down trying to go in... Does that make sense? Think of one of those pet bowls that you attach a 2-liter of water to, or better yet sticking your finger over a straw and lift it a few inches up... The liquid level stays the same because it can't get "air" in to replace the liquid that wants to run out... So it draws a vacuum in the air pocket and instead just stabilizes...

That's why a bottom coil like a kayfun for example doesn't leak... fluid runs into the inner chamber and soaks the wick, but then a vacuum is formed in the airspace of the outside chamber and no more fluid can get into the inner chamber...

When you take a hit off of one of these, you are creating a vacuum in the inner chamber... when you do so, it will exceed the vacuum in the outside chamber and therefore a small amount of juice will be allowed to flow in, therefore replacing the fluid in your wick... When you stop drawing on it though, the vacuum is released... and the "pillow" of air, which was expanded "sucks" back up into it's normal state... but when doing so, it also sucks a little air back in through those ducts between the inside and outside chambers... That air goes back up to the "pillow" at the top and takes the place of the small amount of liquid that was lost due to your vaping... Now equilibrium is restored and everything is stable again....

That process just keeps repeating... every time you drag a little bit of fluid goes from the outside in, and a little bit of air goes from the inside out when you stop...

On the other hand, if you unscrewed the top of the tank that vacuum would be released... and then fluid would start running into the inner chamber, flooding the fluid wells and then overrunning the air hole and running out... i.e. every bit would leak out...

Hopefully that makes sense... The bottom line is, you can produce more vapor and run higher wattage with a bottom coil than you can with a top coil because you can get more fluid into the coil faster...

There is much more to these than I initially thought. In the beginning I didn't understand why so many had so many mods. Now I do. Sometimes you just want to switch things up I guess.

 

[Baditude]

I'll probably be sticking to the triton for a while. Cost me a good chunk of change, so I can't abandon it for a while. Maybe I can ask my wife for one of those near Christmas or something.

Speaking of delivery methods, is there a huge difference between a top atomizer and a bottom atomizer? Bottom seems like it would have a better drip rate, but that it could flood too.

Proper Terminology: Guide to Juice Attachments

All the different clearomizers work basically the same. Using tiny silica wicks to draw e-liquid to the heating coils. Drawing too hard can pull more liquid to the coil than it can vaporize, so the leftover liquid remains in the air chamber to cause gurgling, juice in the mouth or on top of the battery connection. Therefore, a slow gentle longer draw works best. Top coils will be warmer in vapor production than bottom coils due to their proximity to the mouthpiece.

The most convenient way to change flavors is to use a separate tank for each flavor. Its much more work, but you can remove the e-liquid from the tank and return it to the original bottle (the tops pop off with some difficulty, use a towel to grab the tip).

Tanks work with negative pressure, so when the liquid becomes low in the tank with use, the negative pressure becomes upset. Try to keep the tanks at least 50% full to avoid flooding issues.