Save the attomizers!

[phenom5]

I'm just wondering what the process should be to try and bring back an atomizer from the brink?

Right now I've got 2 good atomizers, 2 that appear to be dead, and 1 that may be dying but may pull through. The dead ones produce very little vapor. The one that's on the verge produces a fair amount of vapor, but it's just not hitting right. I've blown them out/ let them drain.

What's the next step? Soak them in hot water? I've searched for cleaning tips, and I saw a fair amount of post about something to do with mouthwash, coke, etc...with reports of varying success. Thoughts?

I've got a 5-pack of 510 atomizers on the way.

 

[ThePuck]

I've seen but haven't tried yet that a lot of people soak them in PG in a bowl sitting on top of an aquarium air pump (attached with velcro) for vibration. Seems to do the trick.

I used the crest prohealth method but it ate the paint off of my atomizers. I left them in there soaking for 30 minutes so maybe that was too long but I won't do the pro health soak again.

By the way, my atomizers were not cheap knock offs either. They were true slb dse901 atomizers. The crest prohealth soften the paint somehow and it would just flake off.

 

[Hellen A. Handbasket]

Hi Phenom, welcome to the forum! Great to have another Zonie on board (check out the VIP vaping in Phoenix social group here: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/groups/vip-vaping-phoenix.html and click the join button in the upper right hand corner before you can post).

As a last resort (and if you drip) you can remove the bridge and clean off the atomizer wire and sometimes bring back a 510 enough to use to drip with. Directions are in this thread http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/polls/56499-510-atomizer-resurrection-mod.html

Other than that, first try CrestPro mouthwash soak, EverClear Pure Grain Alcohol soak or boil in water to try to remove the build up on the wire. I usually try the PGA soak first, then the Crest/PGA combo soak bath (you don't have to rinse PGA with water) and last resort, I boil the attys out, then soak in the other two. Usually works really well.

 

[phenom5]

Thanks for the responses, I'll have to look up the info on the different methods.

This may be a better question. At what point do you try and save an atomizer, and at what point do you just write it off? I don't want to be going through several atomizers a week, but at the same time how much effort should I be putting into saving an $8 piece of equipment? Not sure if anybody besides myself can answer that I suppose...

I'll have to check out the Phoenix social group, thanks!

 

[Raven1]

Thanks for the responses, I'll have to look up the info on the different methods.

This may be a better question. At what point do you try and save an atomizer, and at what point do you just write it off? I don't want to be going through several atomizers a week, but at the same time how much effort should I be putting into saving an $8 piece of equipment? Not sure if anybody besides myself can answer that I suppose...

I'll have to check out the Phoenix social group, thanks!

When it gets to the point that you're soaking the atty like every other day or so, it's usually time to get a new one. Just not worth the hassle.

 

[Raven1]

I've seen but haven't tried yet that a lot of people soak them in PG in a bowl sitting on top of an aquarium air pump (attached with velcro) for vibration. Seems to do the trick.

I used the crest prohealth method but it ate the paint off of my atomizers. I left them in there soaking for 30 minutes so maybe that was too long but I won't do the pro health soak again.

By the way, my atomizers were not cheap knock offs either. They were true slb dse901 atomizers. The crest prohealth soften the paint somehow and it would just flake off.

PGA is best I've found, but even then if I soak it overnight it eats the paint off my 801 atts. Best to soak for an hour or so and then rinse in hot water to get the alcohol out. Never tried Crest - some say their atties taste like mint from that - yuck!

 

[just-cass]

also if you feel like taking a look the "sticky" forum is a forum for newcomers to help them avoid mistakes with advice from members here. Hope you find it helpful..its still growing but theres alot there already...the link is in my signature if you wanna take a look : o)

hope you get your atty working

cass : o)

 

[KarrMcDebt]

Its worth trying a couple of the tricks to save them, but if they are toast, (which happens most of the time) you can still use the parts. 510 atty connectors are a M401 battery connector, so you can use the connector to make a M401 mod or a M401 adapter, (two 510 atty connectors back to back).

If you aren't into soldering, save them up, and I'll make a trade with you for them.

 

[Hellen A. Handbasket]

Use the CrestPro first, then either rinse with hot water or (best) use the PGA and it will remove the mint and evaporates without rinsing. Don't substitute ISO alcohol for cleaning! It is toxic and shouldn't be used.

On average my Joye attys (not the clones, which I think are terrible) run about 3-4 months plus great and I don't do much to them (unless I use a quick PGA soak to get a flavor out of them). I've only had 2 or 3 that I've noticed a reduction in vapor so soaked out, and only one that I've had to boil (clone that got a bad burned taste from the wicking under the bridge, never did get it fixed and I threw it into the dead box). Your mileage may vary... but most get a good run out of a Joye atty.

Biggest thing with a 510 is not letting it vape dry. I keep a drop on the atty bridge every time I refill, so have great use and long life out of them. Biggest mistake for someone new is to use prefilled carts and not have liquid, thinking that is going to last all day. 510 vapes great, but you have to top off a cart and put a drop on the atty often.

We're lucky in Arizona Phenom, because attys are available at great prices locally for us. Get hold of Chad at E-CigSupply and he can get you fixed up if you need new Joye 510s (or anything else).

also if you feel like taking a look the "sticky" forum is a forum for newcomers to help them avoid mistakes with advice from members here.

Gee Cass, I didn't see any bad advise being given in this thread. Want to be more specific with your thoughts?

 

[HzG8rGrl]

I think Cass was referring to the crest taking the paint off the atomizer part. The person who advised this in another thread may not have mentioned that the outcome also included a peeling of paint.
I'm no mind reader though!

 

[just-cass]

oh guys im so sorry you took me up the wrong way

i wasnt implying anyone was giving bad advise i really didnt mean to sound that way...it was just a general statement and a hope of all this valuable info maybe one day being put in there for future reference....im so sorry if i offended anyone...

 

[just-cass]

also if you feel like taking a look the "sticky" forum is a forum for newcomers to help them avoid mistakes with advice from members here. Hope you find it helpful..its still growing but theres alot there already...the link is in my signature if you wanna take a look : o)

hope you get your atty working

cass : o)

i see how it can be miscontsrued im such a ditz....i meant members here as in members on ECF...not members posting on this particular topic...please accept my apology for causing any upset

 

[just-cass]

I think Cass was referring to the crest taking the paint off the atomizer part. The person who advised this in another thread may not have mentioned that the outcome also included a peeling of paint.
I'm no mind reader though!

erm...yeahh....exactly what i was thinking...heehee

ps. i would never knock anyones advise in a roundabout way or even directly...if it works for others and i havent tried or even if i have i wouldnt intentionally tell you not to do it without a reason and then only a suggestion of why it mightnt have worked in my case...the more advise and experience the better : o)

 

[dee5]

Huh, I've used the Crest method before with no paint loss on my 901 attys. Maybe it depends on where they were manufactured. I just posted this reply to a different thread, maybe it will help you too:

I wouldn't give up on it quite yet. First you should make sure your battery is fully charged. No matter what shape your atty is in, if the battery isn't charged it's still not going to work. Hopefully you have more than one atty and battery, check them all paired up in different ways. Does atty A work on battery A but not on Battery B? Does atty B work on Battery A but not Battery B? Like that. So now, you have identified a battery that is really working good, does that atty still not work? There is a "sweet spot" with attys that is somewhere between too dry and too wet. If you are dripping 2-3 drops on your bridge you have to make sure that you are giving enough time in between drops for them to absorb, otherwise the next drop or two will just roll down and flood your atty. Blow out your atty hard by blowing into the threaded end and holding a paper towel lightly against the other end to catch what comes out. If there is an air hole, don't cover it up. Blow 2-3 times until no juice comes out. Now, try just placing ONE drop on the wick/bridge, attach your mouthpiece with moist (not WET) cart filler in it and give short little puffs. Do you have vapor? If not, add another drop the to wick/bridge and try again. If you still don't have anything then you can try cleaning it. I use Crest ProHealth Mouthwash, look up how to do it here on the forum. I hope this helps you bring your atty back to life or figure out what the problem is. Good luck!

 

[just-cass]

Huh, I've used the Crest method before with no paint loss on my 901 attys. Maybe it depends on where they were manufactured. I just posted this reply to a different thread, maybe it will help you too:

I wouldn't give up on it quite yet. First you should make sure your battery is fully charged. No matter what shape your atty is in, if the battery isn't charged it's still not going to work. Hopefully you have more than one atty and battery, check them all paired up in different ways. Does atty A work on battery A but not on Battery B? Does atty B work on Battery A but not Battery B? Like that. So now, you have identified a battery that is really working good, does that atty still not work? There is a "sweet spot" with attys that is somewhere between too dry and too wet. If you are dripping 2-3 drops on your bridge you have to make sure that you are giving enough time in between drops for them to absorb, otherwise the next drop or two will just roll down and flood your atty. Blow out your atty hard by blowing into the threaded end and holding a paper towel lightly against the other end to catch what comes out. If there is an air hole, don't cover it up. Blow 2-3 times until no juice comes out. Now, try just placing ONE drop on the wick/bridge, attach your mouthpiece with moist (not WET) cart filler in it and give short little puffs. Do you have vapor? If not, add another drop the to wick/bridge and try again. If you still don't have anything then you can try cleaning it. I use Crest ProHealth Mouthwash, look up how to do it here on the forum. I hope this helps you bring your atty back to life or figure out what the problem is. Good luck!

im glad you posted this im gonna look it up too...thanks dee : o)

 

[Hellen A. Handbasket]

oh guys im so sorry you took me up the wrong way

i wasnt implying anyone was giving bad advise i really didnt mean to sound that way...it was just a general statement and a hope of all this valuable info maybe one day being put in there for future reference....im so sorry if i offended anyone...

*hugs it out with Cass*

No worries! Just wondered what part wasn't so good, LOL!!

Dee, I think you are right about the paint. I've only had it come off after soaking red atomizers (302 penstyle) from Joye. Never my 510 attys. The red paint bubbled and softened, but re-adhered after it dried. If there is a scratch in the paint, that seems to cause the bubbling too.

Also spot on with other causes for poor vapor. There are many things to check (charger, battery, adjusting a center post on an atty or battery connection, cleaning the verdigris corrosion off brass connections on the atty/battery) before giving up on an atty. All the fiddly stuff that makes vaping a PIA sometimes.

I expect my 510s to last forever, lol... they can last a long time! Changing over to AquaClear foam made a huge difference for me on how my 510 vapes. I highly recommend it. Not having good contact with the bridge in a 510 if the polyfiller is mushed down can produce poor vapor. The foam fixes that as it doesn't compress from the atty bridge and wicks liquid great.

 

[just-cass]

*hugs it out with Cass*

No worries! Just wondered what part wasn't so good, LOL!!


hugs right back atcha...thanks

 

[attymiser]

Try this...
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo.../54714-so-you-thought-your-510-atty-dead.html

I don't know any other way to send a link. Let me know if it works for you.




I have no idea how my response got posted to this thread...Sorry!

 

[Lab]

i posted some things on atty being dead and getting them back to life.. now i would not do the stuff i did to the ones that i thought where dead to ones that just needed a simple cleaning..

if simple things like rinse with warm water blowing them out short dry burns. short soak in grain alcohol 15 mins does not work then i consider them as being to the point that if i destroy it i was going to toss it anyways.

 

[phenom5]

Since I have a couple that work, and more on the way, I'm going to work on the one that's not quite right, but seems to work somewhat.

Which end should I be blowing through to blow out an atomizer? I've seen people say both, the cart side & the battery side.