Riva 510 - poor vapor issues

[Turnkeys]

I have a riva 510 kit from Liberty Flights, and have been using an atty - cart combo to good effect for over a year. Occasionally I get juice spat, and I'm at the point now that I'm ready to try tanks or cartos or well.. something else.

But until my orders arrive, I've been trying to figure out why some of my attys are producing so little heat. Usually they start out strong, then begin to produce less. Sometimes cleaning helps revive them. What's puzzling me is they meter fine, ranging between 2.5-3ohm. The Riva 650mah I just metered is showing 4-4.1v. The eGo 650 passthrough is metering 3.5-3.7v. Yet I'm getting very little heat, it's slow to build, producing weak vapor. I can recall a year ago, my Joyce 510's would glow orange/red if I held them too long. I've never seen the Riva do that.

Anyone have insight or suggestions? (other than wait for my orders to arrive)

Thanks much.

 

[KevNewEngland]

I've been using Rivas for a year now. After about 6 months, I ran into a similar situation. I figured that maybe the batteries just didn't have the power they originally had, so I bought another kit. That did the trick. I also kept a nice supply of atties when I noticed the loss of vapor. How old are your atties and batteries and how much use do they get?

 

[Turnkeys]

The batteries are between 5-8 months old. 8 mo for the original 650's from the starter kits, later I bought a pair of 1100mAh batteries, and a pair of 650mAh breakthroughs. The attys I just started last week. And I'd agree that age could be a factor with the batteries except that they are metering at the correct voltage, and perform the same (poorly) right off the charger, when their voltage should be at it's best. (ie: not yet suffering from voltage falloff).

I'm considering a few variable voltage models (with replaceable batteries) for our next upgrade, rather than more Riva batteries...

 

[KevNewEngland]

You seem to know what you're doing. Sometimes these problems can be difficult to pin down, as you know. I pretty much order all my gear from Liberty Flights as well. I was always an atty/cart combo user too, until recently. I've switched to the Clearomizers from LF and I have 2 Firefly kits on the way because they have stopped selling the Rivas. Sadly, it's a long wait for restocking a lot of their items (like the Clearos) but I usually get enough of a supply to get by. Best of luck with whatever you go with.

 

[Vchick]

Sorry you're having this problem. I've not experienced this with my Rivas, though my last 2 batts do start to drop when they're near needing charged. 2 questions, what type of atomizers and are you also metering these under load?

 

[Turnkeys]

I'm working on 2 5-packs, one is from Greenhouse One, and the other from Eastmall (with my 1100 batts). Unfortunately all I have now is 2 white boxes, so I'm not clear which box is from which vendor. Greenhouse One was well reviewed on ECF, I don't recall reviews from Eastmall. Unfortunately the performance is very similar.

I'm quite familiar with the voltage falloff when they're in need of charge, and typically I swap batteries after 1-2 carts. But I was definately expecting better performance from the batt showing 4.1v off the charger. These aren't measurements under load though, I don't have an adapter to connect for inline metering.

 

[Hondo69]

I've notice a slight dropoff in voltage when the batteries are almost dead as well. Typically, I just ride it out if I can so that I'm recharging a battery that is pretty much drained.

The atty's are more hit and miss. I'd say 8 out of 10 work as expected while the other 20% are funky from the get go. If I had to guess I'd say something odd happened at the factory. Because they are so cheap I just toss the bad ones.

 

[Turnkeys]

Thanks for all the comments. I managed to give a couple attys a thorough cleaning in 90% isopropyl alcohol, full charge and switched to a much lighter liquid. Still not the vapor I expected, but maybe enough to last me 'till my tank and cartos arrive.

If anyone else has enlightenment, jump on in.

 

[KevNewEngland]

Sounds to me like your batteries have shat the bed. Again, best of luck.

 

[Switched]

At 2.5 - 3 Ohms they are little on the high side resistance wise to be performing well at 3.7V (ok 4.1V from a fresh battery which will hit 3.7V within 10 pulls or so). 2.5 is suited for 5V vaping while 3Ohm is better suited for 5-6V vaping, many using the 3Ohm at 6V. Standard resistance for 3.7V vaping is 2.2 - 2.3 Ohm.