Sanity check...

[Akdare]

I started vaping about 3 months ago. I started with the V2 starter kit; I really liked the Sahara e-liquid flavor, but I did not like the battery life, or not being able to tell when I was about to run out of juice. So, I got a pack of Ex-blanks, and a bottle of the Sahara liquid. Much better flavor, but the quality of the Ex-blanks was lacking.

Through another forum, I discovered the Kanger eSmart clearos. Much better quality & holds more liquid. But I was still stuck with that battery life...

I then progressed to a Kanger EVOD. Battery life much better, and the flavor a little better, too. Plus, it holds more juice. I then stumbled upon the Vapor Zeus and Smileomizers from Vapor4Life. Vapor, flavor & battery life - superb. But, it's still a bit of a pain not knowing when I'm running low on juice. I did make a small mod to the mouthpiece to make it more comfortable.

Then I made a horrible mistake...I found the ECF forums.

I began to wonder if there was something even better...(isn't there always)

i ordered the Provari mini kit which comes with the Kanger Protank 2. I thought that I would really like the Protank, since I'd had positive results from the other Kangers, plus being able to fine tune my vape with the variable voltage. I used the 2.2ohm coil on the Protank, and with a little fiddling with the voltage, got it vaping nicely...but on my second tankful, the flavor suddenly changed dramatically. Burnt plastic. Yuk. Surely I haven't burnt this coil already. Took it apart, washed & did a dry burn, with no better results. Switched to the spare coil (1.8ohm with reduced voltage). Not as good as the 2.2, but it didn't taste burnt, either. I even tried rebuilding the burnt-tasting atomizer with SS mesh, but all I had was ribbon Kanthal, and the highest resistance I could get was 1.3 ohms; too low for the Provari.

Since I like the taste with the smileomizer, I was thinking that the next step in my vaping evolution might be a tank with a cartomizer.

Am I on the right track?

 

[90quattrocoupe]

Even though I have tried other things, I always keep coming back to my cartos and a tank.

Get a good tank, either a Phiniac or IBT tank.

IBTanked - Get Tanked With Us!

The Phiniac Tank - Phiniac Rugged Pyrex Glass Tanks

I get my Boge cartos here for about $1 shipped.

Boge Cartomizers Mix-and-Match 5 Pack Deal

I punch my own holes. I punch the holes in line with the notches in the bottom of the carto. Works for me.

Greg W.

 

[sakis7]

Even though I have tried other things, I always keep coming back to my cartos and a tank.

Get a good tank, either a Phiniac or IBT tank.

IBTanked - Get Tanked With Us!

The Phiniac Tank - Phiniac Rugged Pyrex Glass Tanks

I get my Boge cartos here for about $1 shipped.

Boge Cartomizers Mix-and-Match 5 Pack Deal

I punch my own holes. I punch the holes in line with the notches in the bottom of the carto. Works for me.

Greg W.

I do it too but cartos need a good prime
Punched or not
A PBusardo Tutorial : Filling Boge 510 Cartomizers - YouTube

 

[Akdare]

Thanks...

I also want to say how much I have appreciated all of the knowledge that I have acquired from the members here at ECF.

About punching the cartos. I have seen on the various suppliers websites, a carto punch tool that looks like a small cylinder with a pointy wing nut. Is that what you use?

 

[State O' Flux]

Thanks...

I also want to say how much I have appreciated all of the knowledge that I have acquired from the members here at ECF.

About punching the cartos. I have seen on the various suppliers websites, a carto punch tool that looks like a small cylinder with a pointy wing nut. Is that what you use?

Use caution when DIY'ing holes in a carto. Many of the "punches" will distort the carto so badly they won't hold a seal if the hole is near the bottom cap... where it should be.
I buy pre-punched, (actually they use a laser to create the holes) cartos anymore. I did buy a $40 V4 carto punch, perhaps the best there is, and I was still able to distort the tube occasionally. I eventually gave it away and went back to pre-punched Boge and Ikenvape cartos.

Your call... just saying, if you want to DIY the holes, go slow and watch for distortion... especially if you want the holes right above the bottom cap.

 

[Akdare]

Will do...I did order some of the unpunched cartos from Phoenix at sakis7 suggestion, but they did not have a punch. At under a buck a pop, too good to pass up. But they did not have a carto punch. I was just going to pick up a self-tapping saddle valve at the hardware store...

Where do you get your pre-punched for the best price? Seems to be quite a cost difference. I realize its only like 44 cents more per carto, but that's Like 1 1/2 times more than the unpunched.

 

[State O' Flux]

Will do...I did order some of the unpunched cartos from Phoenix at sakis7 suggestion, but they did not have a punch. At under a buck a pop, too good to pass up. But they did not have a carto punch. I was just going to pick up a self-tapping saddle valve at the hardware store...

Where do you get your pre-punched for the best price? Seems to be quite a cost difference. I realize its only like 44 cents more per carto, but that's Like 1 1/2 times more than the unpunched.

Sure Vapes has the best Boge deals. 25 Boge 510 1X2mm cartos for $28, in 2.0 or 3.0 resistance - 35 or 45mm.
Ikenvape... when they are available, they're a better carto for flavor, use time and the ability to use thick juices well (Platinum Punch - 2X3mm holes)... but it's up to you whether they're worth the extra .75 cents or so. I keep both brands on hand. ;-)

 

[Akdare]

Surevapes prices make choosing the pre-punched an easy decision. Only 22 cents different. Thank you so much!

 

[State O' Flux]

Surevapes prices make choosing the pre-punched an easy decision. Only 22 cents different. Thank you so much!

No problem. If you ever decide to try thick, dark, sugary juices (chocolates and such)... just get some Boge "laser slotted" cartos so you get decent liquid wicking. Cartos tend not to last as long with some juices... so don't freak out if you lose a few days of life from using "syrup". ;-)

Have fun!

 

[Akdare]

Thank you! I am sticking to one juice for right now until I get my set up right. I only like to change one variable at a time so I know what I'm doing. I already have several samples of different juices steeping, just waiting...

BTW, I figured out what I did on the protank that caused the issue. I put the protank on a v2 battery with an adapter, and voila! I had my flavor back! Why would a tiny 3.7V battery give a better flavor than my provari? I set the provari to 3.7 and put the protank back on. But this time I did not seat the tank as tightly. Yay! Success!

It reminded me of when my dad taught me how to fix a lawnmower..."all it needs is gas, spark & air". I had forgotten about the air!

 

[90quattrocoupe]

Thank you! I am sticking to one juice for right now until I get my set up right. I only like to change one variable at a time so I know what I'm doing. I already have several samples of different juices steeping, just waiting...

BTW, I figured out what I did on the protank that caused the issue. I put the protank on a v2 battery with an adapter, and voila! I had my flavor back! Why would a tiny 3.7V battery give a better flavor than my provari? I set the provari to 3.7 and put the protank back on. But this time I did not seat the tank as tightly. Yay! Success!

It reminded me of when my dad taught me how to fix a lawnmower..."all it needs is gas, spark & air". I had forgotten about the air!

The Provari has a problem with the Protanks. I have the same problem with my Provari and Protanks. The Provari has very small air slots in the 510 connector, and they cut off air to the Protanks, because the slots on the bottom of the Protanks, don't run right up to the 510 connector. They will probably be a guy who chimes in every time I mention this and suggest a $3 air controller. That air controller is designed to limit air, not increase it. The Provari actually limits air to several of my toppers. I got a Hippo2 from Atmistique, and it is great.

http://www.atmistique.gr/en/new-pro...l&product_id=391&category_id=35&keyword=hippo

Not cheap, but you can line the hole in the side of the Hippo2 with the air holes in the 510 female connector. You can also adjust the air flow. Not cheap, but well worth. At the same time, it makes the Provari a flat top. The outside ring slides up and down to adjust to any topper you have on it. The Hippo also has an adjustable 510 pin on the inside. Not all 510 connectors are the same length, on toppers. This adjustable pin allows you to make up the differences in the toppers.

As for punching cartos, if you look at the bottom of a Boge carto, you see two notches in the positive pin of the 510 connector. I punch my cartos in line with these notches. Depending upon the tank I use, Phiniac or IBT, I punch my holes as close to the bottom of the tank as I can. I use this carto punch.

V2 Cartomizer Punch - Phiniac Rugged Pyrex Glass Tanks

Not cheap, but the extra length on the punch seems to cut down on the distortion of the tank. I use my Phiniac tanks with punched cartos, and they have the closest tolerances, on the orings I have seen on a tank. Busardo agrees with that. I have no problem with leakage. Also, the closer to the bottom of the carto you can punch, the connector at the bottom helps with the keeping the distortion to a minimum. I punch big holes in my cartos. 7 half turns, and I use a 20PG/80VG juice in my tanks.

And Sure vapes is not the cheapest on unpunched Boge cartos, Vaper Phoenix is.

Sure Vapes has Boge XL Cartos(only ones I buy) at $5.75 a box plus shipping. This is $28.75 for 5 boxes, plus shipping. $1.15ea.

5 Boxes at Vapor, mix and match, are $22.99 plus shipping, or $.91. Of course, you have to catch them while they are in stock.

Greg W.

 

[wv2win]

Even though I have tried other things, I always keep coming back to my cartos and a tank.

Get a good tank, either a Phiniac or IBT tank.

IBTanked - Get Tanked With Us!

The Phiniac Tank - Phiniac Rugged Pyrex Glass Tanks

I get my Boge cartos here for about $1 shipped.

Boge Cartomizers Mix-and-Match 5 Pack Deal

I punch my own holes. I punch the holes in line with the notches in the bottom of the carto. Works for me.

Greg W.

A glass tank-carto set-up is the least hassle of any option and the most consistent.

 

[Akdare]

You're right, vapor Phoenix does have the best deal on unpunched boge cartos, and I've ordered the 25 pack of the XL's. But surevapes has the punched boge's for 27.99 for 25. Best I've seen for punched.

From what I've been reading on ECF, it seems it is the provari mini that has the issue. I put a straight edge on mine and the top of the 510 connector sits just a hair below the outer ring. I realize that not everyone uses a tank, but that seems to be a design problem. It's too bad to pay $200+ for something, and then have to spend another $40 for something to make it work. The Hippo looks great, from a functional and aesthetic perspective. I also like that it will make a 22mm tank look right.

 

[90quattrocoupe]

I realize that not everyone uses a tank, but that seems to be a design problem. It's too bad to pay $200+ for something, and then have to spend another $40 for something to make it work. The Hippo looks great, from a functional and aesthetic perspective. I also like that it will make a 22mm tank look right.

It is a pain, but I have found that almost any thing you buy, needs some tweaking. The Hippo2 works great and makes every topper I have look better on the Provari. My 22mm Phiniac tank looks great and it makes the draw airy. But if I want it tighter, just a little twist of the outer ring and bingo, tighter. You have to watch the adjustable center pin on the Hippo2. If you change toppers, and one has a long 510 connection, it may screw it down a little. When you change back to a topper with a shorter 510 connection, it won't make contact. I have this problem when I go from a carto tank to my Russian 91%. I just screw it back out a little, and good to go. The screw is not the tightest I have seen.

I still use my Hippo1 for most of my Attys, as most don't need bottom air, and it makes them look good on the Provari.

The Hippo2 really makes the Protank 2 and the Dbox Puritanks come alive.

Greg W.