Still frustrated with these things, can anyone help?

[rgm82]

Ok, so I'm still trying to figure out the ins and outs of these things and I'm starting to get a little frustrated that they are not working consistently...I recently replaced my Joye 510 with a Riva 510. Problem I was having with the Joye was first off battery life, and also my atomizers died. Someone recommended a beefier battery and an LR atomizer, so I got the Riva and I definitely like the bigger battery but they are not lasting nearly as long and I don't know why - sometimes it seems they are just sucking up the fluid in the cartridge faster and when I refill them they are fine but that still sucks because I'm not getting nearly as much use out of a full cartridge than I did with the Joye.

But also, sometimes when it's not hitting well I'll take the cartridge out and it will still have plenty of fluid in it...what gives? These things are brand new! I love these things when they work, but I'm getting so frustrated that they don't work consistently and I'm still constantly having to buy regular cigarettes to satiate my needs...any advice on what's going wrong and what I can do about it?

 

[Wolf]

I've never used the Riva/eGo but I can tell you that the LR atomizer will go through fluid much faster than the standard resistance. The atomizer won't last as long either. I try to stick around 2.5Ω on the atomizer.

 

[BardicDruid]

Well the thing is LR atomizers eat batteries and are usually used on 3.7v mods. Probably your best bet would be to get some regular Riva 510 atomizers and give it a try, as far as the cartridge not wicking there are simple modifications you can do to fix that. Try doing a search on 510 cartridges and you should be able to pull all sorts of help, you can also try the ECF Library and Wiki.

 

[Natalia]

I suggest trying cartomizers. What Riva 510 battery size did you get, and from where?

 

[sbphotog]

You might also wanna try cartomizers. They hold more liquid and seem to vape for a long time without needing topped off. ikenvape.com has the best 510 cartos around.....look into it.

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

Ok, so I'm still trying to figure out the ins and outs of these things and I'm starting to get a little frustrated that they are not working consistently...I recently replaced my Joye 510 with a Riva 510. Problem I was having with the Joye was first off battery life, and also my atomizers died. Someone recommended a beefier battery and an LR atomizer, so I got the Riva and I definitely like the bigger battery but they are not lasting nearly as long and I don't know why - sometimes it seems they are just sucking up the fluid in the cartridge faster and when I refill them they are fine but that still sucks because I'm not getting nearly as much use out of a full cartridge than I did with the Joye.

But also, sometimes when it's not hitting well I'll take the cartridge out and it will still have plenty of fluid in it...what gives? These things are brand new! I love these things when they work, but I'm getting so frustrated that they don't work consistently and I'm still constantly having to buy regular cigarettes to satiate my needs...any advice on what's going wrong and what I can do about it?

Hello...my 2 cents....get rid of the carts and get some cartomizers. You won't have to fill so often and you will get more consistent hits.....

 

[J MacLeod]

Bigger batteries are definitely better.
I'm currently using an 1100mAh Riva 510, and it lasts almost all day.
Also, atomizers and cartridges are a little more frustrating and fiddly for new users.
Unless you are dripping directly on the atty, I would recommend buying some cartomizers.
They are a lot cheaper than attys, less work, and last a lot longer on a fill.
CCV (crystal clear vaping) has some good prices on Boge cartomizers and free shipping.
I just got in an order of regular, low resistance, and dual coils from them and so far I've been very happy with all of them, and I was a die-hard dripper and atty user until recently.

 

[AttyPops]

Atomizers work just fine.... if you drip. The LR attoies go through e-juice faster than they can wick them from the carts. Which is also (probably) why you can burn out an atty by over-heating it.

Put 2 or 3 drops into the atty (assuming it's fairly dry) and vape. Repeat when the taste/vapor falls off. If it gurgles and vapes poorly it's flooded... blow it out and start over with 3 drops.

If this works, it's a wicking issue with the atty/cart combo and explains why the cart is still wet.

I hate cartos. I drip 99% of the time. Great taste, no hardware issues and an atty lasts me over a month even at 5 volts, then I retire it to the "emergency bin".

Remember to blow out the atty twice per day to keep it clean. If it vapes poorly clean it so you don't over heat it and fry it.

Just say'n.

Cartos are OK too, but they also have issues. And you'll get 100 users with 100 different opinions on what one is best. Understanding what is happening with your current setup is important so you can make informed decisions on what to do next.

 

[hairball]

Pull the filler up and fluff it some. It will get packed in the cartridge. Constantly topping off is why I gave up on cartridges and atomizers.

I suggest getting a box of Boge cartomizers (2.8ohmish) and a drip tip. The drip tip will fit your atomizers and if you decided to get the cartomizers, it will fit them also. The feel nice on the lips. Also, the drip tip is great to use for dripping which is what it sounds like you need to try out. It's not too great on the little battery you have but it is pretty good on the eGo/riva battery.

 

[J MacLeod]

I'm with AttyPops as a dripper.
It's especially nice when you like to change-up flavors every few drips.

However, since I'm on the road a lot now, the cartos are much safer.

Remember kids, Don't Drip and Drive.

 

[Rar]

I have 4 Riva batteries and drip. I did try LR atomizers, but like you, found they depleted my batteries too quickly. It does seem as if I'm always charging a battery, though. I don't mind - I just carry an extra one with me and it's nothing to switch the atomizer and drip tip to a fresh battery.

I've noticed when mine isn't "hitting" well, it's either because it's flooded or the battery is almost depleted. If it's flooded, I blow out the atomizer and start again. If it's not flooded, the battery usually depletes a short while later. If I'm impatient, I'll use a fresh battery.

 

[WomanOfHeart]

I'll throw my .02 cents in and say this:

Using carts with LR atties is a recipe for a guaranteed unhappy vaper. There's no way that carts can keep up with the demands of LR atties because of the heat generated by them. Like AttyPops said, LR atties are meant for dripping and will work well in this manner. I drip a good 90-95% of the time with LR atties and I'm incredibly satisfied.

Unlike AttyPops, I love cartos and rely on them when I'm out and about. I've been overjoyed with my LR cartos from IkenVape and I highly suggest them!

 

[BiancaMontgomery]

When I vaped with eGo/Riva batts I went with the 2ohm Boge cartomizers and was pretty happy with them. They aren't super low resistance so the battery life won't suffer "too" much but they're low enough that I got a satisfying hit.

 

[rgm82]

Thanks for all the tips, all good stuff...the general consensus seems to be that cartomizers will be a good investment...any tips on what kind to get? I've read a number of people on here touting Boge as the best, are those ones generally agreed to be a good brand?

I appreciate the advice from the guys who are "dripping", and I use that method at home when my fluid is totally accessible, but in my line of work I am frequently on the go for anywhere between 10 - 16 hours a day, so I need a solution that's going to work with that schedule - I can bring multiple cartridges or possibly cartomizers if I decide to invest in those, but bringing my eliquid and constantly topping off isn't going to be practical.

Also, was still wondering what reason there might be for the inconsistency on the hits - just before I typed that last post my unit wasn't hitting well, but 15 minutes later i hit it again and it worked just fine...why are these things so finnicky?

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

In answer to your last question....the juice had time to be absorbed into the polyfill and the atty....Lots of people like BOGE cartomizers.....
good luck

 

[dormouse]

1. LR uses up juice and battery charge faster

2. Cartomizers hold 2x or more juice than an atomizer's cartridge and need intervention much less often. I recommend thin clear juices for good carto life (20% or less VG, light colored juices, work best for me, keep the carto wicking and vaping well for more days). I always keep the carto damp, adding juice when about 1/3 to 1/2 empty (I sense the vapor is a bit lighter or a bit drier or tastes a bit off - I add more juice). I use a plastic or delrin drip tip as a mouthpiece - not to drip into, just as a comfortable easy to remove mouthpiece.

I use Boge cartos all day - the standard resistance ones (2.8-3.0) because I use them on slim manual 510 then move them to my Riva 510 when I want a bigger warmer hit. I would like to try the 2.5ohm ones though if I can ever catch them in stock. Lots of people like the 2.0 ohms ones but you might want to practice with the standard resistance first since they won't singe as easily as you learn when to add juice.

 

[sbphotog]

The inconsistency is probably due to slow wicking. it's a common issue with using carts.
for cartos, I recommend Ikenvape cartos and Boge.

 

[JustaGuy]

Stock Joye 510 with 2.5 ohm attys, had the same inconsistency problem, a good vape comes and goes, very frustrating until I learned. All 3 pieces of equipment have to function, a lot of work.

1. Clean the attys often, I rotate and dry burn all my attys at least once a day. see http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/tips-tricks/69834-my-atty-resurrection-method.html

2. Fully charged batts work better, I find batts do taper off towards the end and leave juice in atty. Riva should be better.

3. Make sure your cart filler and juice are in contact with atty wick, but not so full that juice leaks. I even tilt the PV cart side up. Blow out any liquid in the mouth piece.

 

[reprisal]

I second wizards recommendation of boge 2.0 cartos from crystalclearvaping.com

 

[Devilooman]

It could also be your draw. Since you are still smoking pay attention to whether the "bad" draws are when you want a cigarette. I notice that when I really want a cigarette I tend to draw harder on my e-cig and also more often. If you are trying to draw too hard or too fast or too often your ecig will not wick correctly.