Some questions and possible concerns about the Smokeless Image Volt from an E-Cig newbie.

[Arkennon]

I will tell a little about myself and how I came to try E-Cigs then I have a few questions that I hope someone can answer. I have been a smoker for 25 years, I smoke a little over a pack a day and have tried to quit many times, in many different many ways. The concept of an E-Cig made a lot of sense to me, the feeling that you were still smoking, but not smoking, made sense that it might make quitting "analogs" easier. So, after much research on forums and youtube I decided to give them a try. I decided to order the Pro starter kit from Smokeless Image, first of all I want to say the online rep I spoke to (Michaela) I believe was the name, was extremely patient and helpful, that alone impressed me beyond belief. However, after I was told if I made an order before 2 PM it would ship the same day I decided to go ahead and order to get it faster. After not receiving the email confirmation by the end of the next day I decided to call just to make sure I had not messed up in my order. I was informed by the rep that answered that they were a bit behind due to large volumes of orders. Now, I want to say that is completely understandable and it still came quite fast, I just think people should know that the ships out the same day thing might not be the case currently, as it was not for me. But, as I said it still came fast. Now, on to my questions.

First question, I decided to get 2 of the small automatic batteries with my Pro Starter Kit. They seem to last decently long and I am pretty happy with them from that respect, however, I noticed one of my batteries will keep running after I am done with drawing on it. What happens is, I will take a draw and take it away from my mouth and the tip will keep glowing and I will still hear it like I was drawing on it, the only way to make it stop is unscrew the battery a little and it will quit. It has done it at least a few times each time I use that battery. Is this something I should be highly concerned about?

Second question, with my kit I ordered 2 extra box's of prefilled Cartomizers, an RY4 and an Classic Grape. The RY4 box seemed as if it had been a bit smashed but the Cartomizers looked like they were ok, I mean I did not see any damage to the Cartomizers themselves directly to speak of, it seemed like the damage was restricted to the packaging. However, when I use those Cartomizers they sizzle and pop louder than the others and taste a bit burnt and smell a bit burnt. Once again is this something I should be overly concerned about?

Using the Volt I have now not touched a regular cigarette for 2 full days, for that I love it, and my wife wants us to order a starter kit for her also. I am concerned about the issues I brought up for a few reasons, I do not have much money, and I can not be sending things back to manufacturers because of a lot of faulty equipment, I mean honestly I will be pinching pennies to hopefully be able to order a kit for her Tuesday. So, if these are issues that I should be concerned about then I am hoping someone could point me in a direction to a starter type kit for about the same price that I can get my wife hopefully. But, if these are "non issues" and are normal to these units or something then I will just order another kit from Smokeless Image for her on Tuesday. I tried to post this in the Smokeless Image thread but I do not have enough posts to post there, so if anyone can help me at all with any of this I would greatly appreciate it.

Please forgive my ignorance on any of this, I am brand new to E-Cigs and am trying to learn as much as I can as I go. Any help at all is greatly appreciated.

 

[washvap]

WELCOME TO THE ECF!

First of all, you need only 4 more posts. Then after an hour then you can post anywhere you like and now. Onto your questions.

1. That's not a typical problem and more than likely. It's not because of user error. If you filled the carto to much and some of it entered the battery. Then it would be dead. Smokeless Image has one of the best customer services in the industry and you should not hesitate to contact them regarding this issue. Explain your concerns and how you don't have a lot of money at this time. I'm sure you two will be able to work it out.

Honestly haven't heard of anyone with an issue with the batteries itself but it should not stop you from contacting the company or posting in the thread with the company representative in there. I'm sure she will be able to help you out further with your problem.

2. Yes, this should be a concern. They should not be doing that. There are QC issues with EVERY kr808 company like Bloog, Smoov, and VOLT.

Overall, I'm sorry your having this type of experience. Mistakes happen with every company and only those with good customer service will be able to fix it and make the customer happy. You should really give Smokeless Image a chance and try to work it out.

 

[Arkennon]

I only got the pre filled Cartomizers, so do not fill them myself at all. I have read a lot about people saying that filling with their own liquid is the best way to go but as new as I am to this I like the simplicity of just screwing on the desired flavor and throwing it away when it is done. Well, I run a few forums myself and understand the need for anti spam measures, I will try to find a way to get a few more posts in so I can post in the Smokeless Image thread. I will definitely talk to the rep there happily. I am in no way saying they do not have good customer service, I just know if I pay to ship things back to them I will have zero chance of ordering a starter kit for my wife so that she will quit cigarettes, ( I hope anyway ) yet on the other side of the coin if I order a kit for her and she has issues with hers then I am in kind of the same boat. But, there is also always the possibility that I just had some bad luck and hers will be perfectly fine also. That was why I decided to try to get some answers here. I am not trying, nor wanting, to down Smokeless Image in any way, their customer service reps were very helpful and nice to me and I really like all the flavors from the smooth sampler, and the grape in my opinion is just awesome. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't crazy in thinking the problems I am having are actual problems and maybe get some advice on where to buy to make sure my wife doesn't have the same issues with a kit I buy for her if they were real problems.

Thank you for your response, I will post in the official thread when I have enough posts. I appreciate your time and help greatly.

 

[washvap]

No problem, I'm always happy to help

You can if you don't mind mixing flavors. Best way is to get something that tastes similar to what you got in there. OR you can clean them out. Here's the cleaning method and it's gonna sound crazy but it works.

Take off the caps of all of the cartos which you want to clean. Boil them for a few minutes. Rinse them under the sink with a colander or something. Repeat both steps until you don't smell anything from them anymore. Blow them out to remove any access water and let them dry for a few days to a week depending on the weather.

Some people actually bake them in a 200 degree oven for 5-10 minutes. Which is kind of off to me but, they swear by it so...

Anyways, there's no reason to explain yourself about how you felt. It's perfectly understandable how you feel about this situation and especially how it would effect your wife. As I said before, things happen and totally disregard my signature. I'm speaking about this being totally biased.

Sometimes companies don't do the best job at making sure that all of their products work when they leave the stock house. Which is a shame because nobody should have to go through a bad experience.

Anyways, just welcome some other new members and reply to what I've posted and you'll be at 5 posts at no time. It's been good talking to you. Gotta get out of here and handle some business.

 

[b2d]

...


Using the Volt I have now not touched a regular cigarette for 2 full days, for that I love it, and my wife wants us to order a starter kit for her also. I am concerned about the issues I brought up for a few reasons, I do not have much money, and I can not be sending things back to manufacturers because of a lot of faulty equipment, I mean honestly I will be pinching pennies to hopefully be able to order a kit for her Tuesday. So, if these are issues that I should be concerned about then I am hoping someone could point me in a direction to a starter type kit for about the same price that I can get my wife hopefully. But, if these are "non issues" and are normal to these units or something then I will just order another kit from Smokeless Image for her on Tuesday. I tried to post this in the Smokeless Image thread but I do not have enough posts to post there, so if anyone can help me at all with any of this I would greatly appreciate it.

Please forgive my ignorance on any of this, I am brand new to E-Cigs and am trying to learn as much as I can as I go. Any help at all is greatly appreciated.

First of all congrats on two days without tobacco cigs!! I am also new to this whole "vaping" experience and so can only suggest that you keep trying to find a product that works. I personally use the G6 (which is a kr808 model) from Halocigs and have been happy with it so far. It is basically exactly the same as the Volt just different branding. This has worked pretty good for me and I have been off tobacco cigs for almost a month.

I hope you find something that works for you soon.

 

[LilyBear]

When I first got into this I also was using the pre filled cartos but with help from members here I have moved on from that to filling my own. This may or may not end up being for you and your wife but congrats on your decisions and good luck to you both. There are options out there that are reasonable if you are on a tight budget but consider the amount that you were spending on analogs (smokes) in a month and budget that for your new things for now. There are some mini starter 510 kits out there like the ones i started on for 10 bucks (I paid more but now I know better) that will work with anything with a 510 thread. Read around and see what is out there and dont give up.

 

[Stosh]

Welcome to ECF !!

I bought a Volt kit simply because the one I bought my GF had such good cartos, performance I wanted one for my collection. I have seen what you're reporting on my automatic battery, stays lit a second after I finish a draw. What I have done is lighten my draw at the end and it will shut off, I think it may be they make the switch sensitive enough to not need primer puffs and this is the result.

I have much better results with their manual batteries, but I much prefer manual batteries for all my PVs. You might consider manuals for your next order, takes a half dozen puffs to get used to pushing the button.

A little noise from your cartos is normal for e-cigs, noisy verses smelly for analogs, fair trade!!

Cost-wise refilling your cartos would be the way to go. Replacement juice is much cheaper than replacement cartos. And these cartos are easy to refill, just drip 10 drops down the sides into the filler, and they last....

 

[JC Okie]

If money is an issue at all (and you say it is...) then re-filling your cartos will save you LOTS of money in the long run, and like Stosh says, it's really easy. Even if you don't feel like it right now, DON'T throw all those cartomizers away. Just stick them in a baggie and put it somewhere so that when you get to feeling adventuresome, you'll be able to re-use them. You can refill the cartos at least 4-5 times (saving all that money) and that will really cut down on your overall vaping costs. A bottle of juice for $10.00 will fill a lot of cartomizers several times. That's my advice. I'm a penny-pincher and this vaping experience can be very, very affordable with a little common sense. With the money you will save by refillng your cartos, you could have 5 new batteries (or two bigger kits...or both.) Good luck and congratulations on 2 days smoke-free. Are you feeling (physically) better yet? I noticed that I could breathe better and that I was no longer coughing almost immediately.


Jan

 

[MarVp]

I second the suggestion to use manual batteries. Auto ones only need the tinyist bit of liquid to enter them to destroy them. Manual ones also enable you to control the vaping better (able to prime them a bit by hitting the button just before your lips hit the eCig and not having to suck on them real hard to get them to start functioning etc).

Some juices seem to pop and crackle a bit in cartomizers, makes them sound like you are having a noisy tar riddled analog. Just be careful to stop using the cartomizer (or cartridge if using that with a regular atomizer) when the taste changes, as that means the juice is effectively running out. In extreem cases you can actually singe the absorbant material inside them if not careful. I once was really enjoying chugging down some watermelon flavour in a cartomized and got a bit carried away with it and the burnt smell it suddenly changed to made me almost cough my guts up - need to be a bit careful.

If your budget is a bit tight make sure you buy some bottled liquid to refill some of your used cartomizers (much cheaper). Ry4 is a good flavour, so with a bottle of that on hand all you need to do is drip it back into the white filler material and you are ready to go again. Just be careful refilling them and using on auto batteries - because when you are filling them yourself it is possible to overfill them or get a drop into the centre tube of the cartomizer which may make its way into the auto battery.

 

[dormouse]

Don't buy auto batteries for any ecig. It sounds like you got a bit of juice leaked on the threaded end of the troublesome one? You may never have seen the juice, but a cartomizer's end hole is directly over the hole in the end of an auto battery. Then if juice gets inside, it can do 2 things - make the drag switch sticky (like yours) or kill the battery. Even a manual with a hole in the end can be killed if you get enough juice in them but autos are the main ones you have to be super careful with. The Volt manuals have a totally sealed threaded end.

Or your battery could have a mechanical problem with its drag switch.

They have a warranty - tell them it's defective and doesn't turn off properly after a drag.

And next time you buy a new battery, buy manuals. IMO some people have a valid need to use autos because they need to vape hands-free and other than that they are more of a marketing feature to attract new vapers.

Popping in a carto is fairly normal. Occasionally a carto is bad - too hot, not hot enough, or doesn't work right. Burnt taste - cartos can singe if the juice is low or badly distributed in the stuffing. Before using a new prefilled carto it may help to lay it on one side for 5 minutes (on a flat surface) and then lay it on the opposite side for 5 minutes. That will help make sure the cotton is damp. And as I use cartos, I keep them damp (not wet - just damp) with juice.

 

[Roach]

You need to clean the battery connection occasionally. That might take care of the "not shutting off" problem. Wipe the exterior threads with a dry napkin. Use a toothpick to gently clean the slot around the battery connection on the interior. I'm not sure if this is your problem but that round slot gets full of black gunk and can cause charging, draw, and other problems.

 

[Arkennon]

Thank you for all the reply's, I did see a video on Youtube about cleaning the batteries and have tried to do it as best I could. I am also noticing today that the battery that does not like to turn off does not last as long as the other battery I think. I am going to pay more attention to it throughout the day to be sure about that though. As for the Cartomizers I think I answered the issue myself, I used the RY4 that came with my smooth sampler pack and it is not at all popping and sizzling like the 5 pack of them, it also has no burnt smell or taste, ( I am using it now ) so obviously the 5 pack of RY4 is not right. In response to one person about the battery, it doesnt just stay on for a second, it keeps going and keeps getting warmer until I unscrew it. Then I can use it normally until it does it again.

Also, if filling yourself is cheaper then I will definitely save the cartomizers when they are empty, thank you for that advice. Thank you everyone for all the help and advice, I am only a few posts away from being able to post in the official Smokeless Image thread, but I am already getting a lot of help.

 

[Arkennon]

Another thing, to the person who asked about if I feel any different, I am only on my 3rd day without a regular cigarette, but yes I believe I do. I believe I am coughing less and its hard to describe but everything, including the air I breathe tastes a bit, sharper or cleaner or something. Its only a few days but I do believe I already feel a difference, and I am loving it.

 

[Kilroy]

Keep on vaping, and discuss your problem with Smokeless Image. They will take care of it.

 

[vid]

Arkennon,

What I would do (doesn't mean it's the right way, just some advice). I would order a manual battery 78mm for your Lady and 10 carts for the same price as a kit. I know the kit comes with a battery and 5 carts for 30$, obviously you both can share a charger for the time being until you get your issues with your auto's worked out. I personally do not use the usb charger (I use the pcc) so I would even be willing to drop mine in the mail for you, I know what you mean by when money is tight (I had V2 cig's tie up my money for 10 days and still got nothing ..a $100 no less). I got my volt kits for my lady and I Thursday and we love it! I ordered (3) manual 78's and an auto just to try it out, and their is no way I would use my auto unless my manuals were dead. You get such a more statisfying hit off a manual (in my opinion). I have since placed another order for more carts, so far Smokeless Images customer service is top notch. I would definitively work with them to resolve the issues. Let me know if the charger help you get your Lady's order put in. Either way welcome to the forum! I hope all goes well.

Vid

 

[CarrieD]

I've had my Volt kit for a couple of months now, and have since placed several orders with SI - I've had no problems with my equipment, (auto batts and all), unless you count forgetting to include a car chager on one order, which was apologized for profusely and set right in two days time, no questions asked. Nothing but top notch service - I have to believe they'll do everything they can to set your battery/carto problem straight. Hope to see you in the SI thread.

 

[sln88]

I would contatct smokeless image about the battery and whatever else you are not happy with. everything I have read from other posters says that they will replace the defective one with no ? asked

I also 2nd the idea for the bigger, manual batteries and juice. If you want to try to refill your cartos, it can get messy and you could ruin an auto battery. also, to save money, order some juice that you like

smokeless image still has their 21% discount code thru tomorrow. I think it is summerend

 

[jj2]

Go with the advice about manual batteries or you will be running into this problem a lot.
It doesn't take that long to get use to them either.

 

[swedishfish]

Arkennon,

What I would do (doesn't mean it's the right way, just some advice). I would order a manual battery 78mm for your Lady and 10 carts for the same price as a kit. I know the kit comes with a battery and 5 carts for 30$, obviously you both can share a charger for the time being until you get your issues with your auto's worked out. I personally do not use the usb charger (I use the pcc) so I would even be willing to drop mine in the mail for you, I know what you mean by when money is tight (I had V2 cig's tie up my money for 10 days and still got nothing ..a $100 no less). I got my volt kits for my lady and I Thursday and we love it! I ordered (3) manual 78's and an auto just to try it out, and their is no way I would use my auto unless my manuals were dead. You get such a more statisfying hit off a manual (in my opinion). I have since placed another order for more carts, so far Smokeless Images customer service is top notch. I would definitively work with them to resolve the issues. Let me know if the charger help you get your Lady's order put in. Either way welcome to the forum! I hope all goes well.

Vid

That is so nice of you!

 

[Arkennon]

I was planning on getting the longer manual batteries with my wife's kit, we were intending to get her the standard starter kit so we would get 2 long batteries to use. But I was counting on the SUMMEREND discount and if that ends tomorrow then my entire plan might have to be adjusted as I can not order anything more until Tuesday. I fully intend to post in the SI thread and hope to talk to them there, I just want it to be known however, that I completely understand that sometimes things go wrong, with electronics that has to be expected, and it is not SI's fault that I would have issues with paying to return things. Beyond the issues I am having I LOVE their product and even recommended it to my parents who have been trying to quit smoking for many years. I will see what the people at SI say I should do next and go from there.

Vid, thank you very much, since the SUMMEREND discount may be ending I am not sure exactly what I will be doing now but if we go that route I will let you know and your help will be greatly appreciated. Even if not though, thank you very much for offering.

I also wanted to say, this forum, and the people here have been a great help to me. It is all greatly appreciated.