Something bad has happened

[Atx51duece]

So I got a zmax mini, been enjoying it so much. I've been using carto tanks, and mix a few juices to get my adv. I've been using a smoktech 2 ohm carto with the flange in my tanks, and all has been well. So I got low on juice and eventually ran out of my primary mix, which is mbv menthol, ordered more and filled my tanks. Before I ordered my vape was perfect, plumes of vapor and a nice strong throat hit. Now that I've filled the tanks back up, with the exact same stuff, I'm getting like half of the vapor production and throat hit that I hit before. I mix the menthol with some peach, and both are 24 mg of nic. I'd just like some insight as to what anyone thinks could be going on, because it's making me want to give up. What I had going on before was absolutely a pleasurable experience, and now there us something to be desired. Could it possibly be that the juice isn't steeped enough yet, as my last bottle was about 3 months old, and received constant use from me, and this is just too new a batch. I'm running between 8-9.5 watts, and I just don't get it!!! Please help!

 

[kiwivap]

So I got a zmax mini, been enjoying it so much. I've been using carto tanks, and mix a few juices to get my adv. I've been using a smoktech 2 ohm carto with the flange in my tanks, and all has been well. So I got low on juice and eventually ran out of my primary mix, which is mbv menthol, ordered more and filled my tanks. Before I ordered my vape was perfect, plumes of vapor and a nice strong throat hit. Now that I've filled the tanks back up, with the exact same stuff, I'm getting like half of the vapor production and throat hit that I hit before. I mix the menthol with some peach, and both are 24 mg of nic. I'd just like some insight as to what anyone thinks could be going on, because it's making me want to give up. What I had going on before was absolutely a pleasurable experience, and now there us something to be desired. Could it possibly be that the juice isn't steeped enough yet, as my last bottle was about 3 months old, and received constant use from me, and this is just too new a batch. I'm running between 8-9.5 watts, and I just don't get it!!! Please help!

Might be time to change the cartomizer if you haven't. Sounds more like a juice delivery issue than a juice issue. If its a new carto - maybe its not working properly?

 

[Atx51duece]

Well I put one of my old tanks on, submarine tank, with a punched boge 2 ohm carto, and it seems that it gives me what I was looking for, I just hate this tank. It's cracked, but not leaking, and the menthol is still kinda harsh. Is steeping the issue?

 

[kiwivap]

Well I put one of my old tanks on, submarine tank, with a punched boge 2 ohm carto, and it seems that it gives me what I was looking for, I just hate this tank. It's cracked, but not leaking, and the menthol is still kinda harsh. Is steeping the issue?

Steeping will be about the flavor - it may need some steeping. But the vapor production and TH - that will be the delivery system. My sense is the carto in the first tank is the problem.

 

[Atx51duece]

I thought that as well, but I have two able going, and I changed them twice on both. I just recently moved up to 3 ohm cartos, and thought maybe my wattage was too low, but it seemed fine before I got this last order of juice

 

[Atx51duece]

Two tanks*

 

[Atx51duece]

Yea, guess it could be, should I move back from the 3 ohms you think?

 

[Atx51duece]

It's like I'm not getting a good "crackle" going on, and it takes a lot longer to get the kind of vapor production that I was getting a week ago. Just seems 50% weaker

 

[Ken_A]

maybe your carto is gunked up... is there a way to dry burn one of those?
I went off of cartos pretty fast because I vape 50/50 like a steam engine and they just don't work well for the way I vape.
I KNOW there is some way of cleaning them out....

 

[kiwivap]

It could be that 3 ohms is a bit too high - but that shouldn't be an issue with a Zmax - just turn up the volts/watts. I still think the carto is the problem. If you had a set up that worked well - 2 ohms at a certain setting - I'd suggest going back to that.
The only other thing I can think of is that theb PG/VG ratio is different.

 

[Atx51duece]

True, I'll have to look into this. My setup was bliss, and frankly I'm missing it!

 

[crxess]

Steepin does effect Flavor greatly. It takes time for all molecules to align. A warm water Bath and a lot of shaking can speed things up a little, but nothing replaces Time.
TH CAN be effected by Steeping! Some liquids become smoother with time and others become stronger. Both will change Perceived TH.
Vape temperature also effects TH.

 

[kiwivap]

Steepin does effect Flavor greatly. It takes time for all molecules to align. A warm water Bath and a lot of shaking can speed things up a little, but nothing replaces Time.
TH CAN be effected by Steeping! Some liquids become smoother with time and others become stronger. Both will change Perceived TH.
Vape temperature also effects TH.

I've never experienced a difference in TH from lack of steeping. I guess our experiences differ. I have experienced a change in smell and flavor from steeping - sometimes quite a big difference. I have also never had less vapor production from not steeping.

 

[kiwivap]

True, I'll have to look into this. My setup was bliss, and frankly I'm missing it!

50% drop off in vapor production - sounds like its not being vaporized properly. Try the old set up.

 

[Atx51duece]

Could the filler become overly saturated, while not flooded, and make it harder for the vape to come up through the carto? I thought about that as well

 

[Atx51duece]

Because it seems like I'm having to work twice as hard, and take a much tighter, longer draw, and still vapor is minimal. I mean, it still works, just not near to the level I was. It is impossible to go back to the carto I was using before, because I was trying to adjust my tank the other day, and the whole filler just came out, still attached to my pv, and the tank and carto sleeve slid off still attached to one another. First time that ever happened! Idk, I switched from punching my own boges to using prepunched smoktechs with a flanged bottom, and that first one was good untill the whole pulling out of the filler mishap

 

[mrpony]

Far as i can tell the tank is the tank and the carto is the carto.the thing they really have to do with each other is that they fit together nicely when assembled. Youre tank is only going to work as well as the carto in it and now and then a bum one makes it past QC.
The closest to this ive experienced was with an iclear30.turns out i didnt have the head unit threaded all the way on.1/2turn to the right and all was well.
Is it possible youre not getting full contact between your carto and the connector?youd be supprised how little it takes to mess that up.
I clean mine with a qtip and some rubbing alcohol.

 

[kiwivap]

Because it seems like I'm having to work twice as hard, and take a much tighter, longer draw, and still vapor is minimal. I mean, it still works, just not near to the level I was. It is impossible to go back to the carto I was using before, because I was trying to adjust my tank the other day, and the whole filler just came out, still attached to my pv, and the tank and carto sleeve slid off still attached to one another. First time that ever happened! Idk, I switched from punching my own boges to using prepunched smoktechs with a flanged bottom, and that first one was good untill the whole pulling out of the filler mishap

Do you have another carto at all? To try.

 

[Baditude]

maybe your carto is gunked up... is there a way to dry burn one of those?
I went off of cartos pretty fast because I vape 50/50 like a steam engine and they just don't work well for the way I vape.
I KNOW there is some way of cleaning them out....

Never attempt to dry burn a carto! You will burn the filler and/or sock that surrounds the heating coil, and never ever get that taste removed. It will ruin it.

It sounds like the OP's carto is pooping out and needs to be replaced. They are disposable devices by the way. Typically you can get 2 - 3 weeks use from one, but only 1 week is not unheard of. Much depends upon the color and viscosity of the juice used, the ohm/voltage used, and how heavy of a vapor you are.

There are those who take the time and trouble to clean and re-cycle their cartomizers, but in my opinion its not worth it.

Take this into consideration. You likely spent $5 - 6 a day on smokes before you quit and thought nothing of it. Spending $2 on a carto that should last 1 - 3 weeks should not be a determining factor on whether or not cartomizers are a cost effective delivery device.

 

[lilmrsyeti]

If I read the OP right...this is new juice, right? Could be a weaker batch as well?? Of course steep time helps with taste..but I've found out that, at least with my DIY juices...the TH becomes less, for some reason, after about 3 weeks...or at least did with one I made. It was my perfect ADV..made a huge batch of it. After a week or so of vaping it every day, I moved on to other good juices I made. After about 3 weeks, went back to that same great juice, and there is almost no TH! I made it at about 28mg Nic at 70/30 PG/VG. Now I don't even want to Vape it...and it was really good. Oh well.

Anyhow, hope you get it figured out! Too bad you don't have a Nicotine Test kit!