Still learning best way to fill and maintain cartos....a few questions/observations.

[jlazarus]

So far we've only used the Ressurectors and the Smok Tech LR Dual Coil. Personally, I can't stand the Ressurectors - they always, no matter what, taste burnt to me? I keep thinking I'm doing something wrong since so many people love them but it kind of wigs me out to taste burnt.....

I've experimented with filling the Smok Tech Dual Coils in all sorts of ways - condom method, drip and needle. Here are my issues:

1.) Drip - I think I just don't have patience for dripping. Even when dripping slow, doesn't seem that the cartos get filled enough, and then burn - quickly.

2.) Condom method - Hard to get this precise - if I measure out ml, (say 2.5 for the Smok Tech Dual Coil XXL), that doesn't fill it enough (top doesn't get slushy looking). Also, juice gets in the air tube and needs blowing out, but then it seems a bit dry. If I put in more than 2.5 for the top to then get slushy looking, it's really flooded and requires blowing hard to open up air way, which tends to a) really waste a lot of juice and b)if blow too hard I end up having to put MORE juice in after blowing so much out - not efficient. Also, this method seems ok for first fill, but subsequent refills using condom method just floods carto so much that it's just not very vapable no matter what I do.

3.) Syringe - Works great when it works...By this I mean that as I slide the needle trying to be "oh so careful" sometimes (and I never know when) the needle won't really "slide" down the side well and it seems that it tears the filler a bit from the edge, which affects the draw. But when the needle slides easy, I can fill this easy. I've learned to fill a little on one side, a little on the other (still dry on top) then use needle to drip around top/edges carefully ensuring not to waste juice down center hole. So far this seems to work best, but if anyone has better ideas that would be great!!

I've also tried the Taryn spin on all three methods and yes, that allows a LOT more juice in carto, but seems to make the carto really tight on draw.

The Resurrectors I just can't fill right. Flooded or dry no matter what I do. And the center hole is so small it's never see through after I fill. How is it that so many people love these and I can't figure them out? I figure it has to be operator error, lol! Suggestions?

Last but not least, love my Smok Tech Dual Coils - but expensive! Bought 10 last week at $2.30 each (hubby and I are both using them) and already down to 5. Does boiling them really help extend their life? And/or anyone know where to buy a bunch for a great discount?

We also seem to be going through TONS of juice - maybe 7-8 ml a day (24 mg) - for each of us? But I'm wasting tons of it, too, on fills (either out the bottom or when blowing out) so hard to tell what real usage is. I'm sure as I get better at this I'll know better. Or heck, maybe we are just vaping a whole heck of a lot!!!

 

[mynameisrob]

I fill all my Ressurectors with a syringe and have never had a problem. If your getting a burnt taste then most likely it's too dry. Are you pushing the needle all the way to the bottom? If not your going to have to let it sit for awhile to let the juice settle all the way down. Make sure the needle is all the way to the bottom, and them once it's filled let it sit for alittle to make sure the carto wicks the juice well. That should help to not get the burnt taste.
What syringe are you using? How long is the needle and is it a blunt tipped needle or sharp one?

 

[Balthezar]

hi jlazarus
I use the smoktech dual coils and love them as well. Here's the way I do it, may not be perfect but it works for me.

The first fill, I use the condom method, I fill the condom up about 3/4 the way to the top. Slowly push the carto over it, threaded end first. Then I take it off the condom and drip any leftover in the top. Let it sit for a few minutes, then holding the carto at an angle, I drop 1 drop in, rotate 1/3, drop 1 drop, rotate 1/3 drop 1 drop. Let stand for about 5 min then do the drops again the same way. I will do that until it starts getting slushy looking, then wait another 5 min or so then vape. If it's dripping out the bottom, I wipe the excess off on a paper towel, then blow from the threaded side out the top with the rubber plug in (the one with the hole) or a drip tip, holding it at an angle so I don't spew juice out, then wait the 5 min or so and vape. It seems to work for me with minimal juice waste, but may not for everyone.

Balth

ADDED: I usually top it off again, dripping and turning, when it just starts to lose vapor and flavor. And I have gotten up to 3 weeks a carto this way.

 

[dotma]

jl, i seem to be going through tons of juice too -- at least 5-6 ml a day ugh. Strange youre having probs with the resurrectors. I have never gotten a burned taste. I usually only use the syringe to do the first fill of a new one. Then I just make sure that i top off plenty throughout the day. I switch between 2 Resurrectors and a 306 for dripping. I will top off the 2 res's and let them lie there and soak in while i use the 306 or the other res. then I screw it on there until it tastes kinda dry. Then i top that one off and let it rest there and soak in while i use another one. My way is probably pretty time consuming, though, if youre on the go or something.

 

[dotma]

Oh and what Balthezar says, when i do top off, i do that rotation thing too, dont drip right into the hole, drip on the filling, turning, turning.

 

[jlazarus]

I fill all my Ressurectors with a syringe and have never had a problem. If your getting a burnt taste then most likely it's too dry. Are you pushing the needle all the way to the bottom? If not your going to have to let it sit for awhile to let the juice settle all the way down. Make sure the needle is all the way to the bottom, and them once it's filled let it sit for alittle to make sure the carto wicks the juice well. That should help to not get the burnt taste.
What syringe are you using? How long is the needle and is it a blunt tipped needle or sharp one?

It's a syringe that was sent by CCV - not sure exactly how long it is because I haven't measured it but it does have a blunt tip.

You've never had an issue sliding the needle down the side? Most of these ressurectors have filler that is *stuck* to the edges!

 

[jlazarus]

hi jlazarus
I use the smoktech dual coils and love them as well. Here's the way I do it, may not be perfect but it works for me.

The first fill, I use the condom method, I fill the condom up about 3/4 the way to the top. Slowly push the carto over it, threaded end first. Then I take it off the condom and drip any leftover in the top. Let it sit for a few minutes, then holding the carto at an angle, I drop 1 drop in, rotate 1/3, drop 1 drop, rotate 1/3 drop 1 drop. Let stand for about 5 min then do the drops again the same way. I will do that until it starts getting slushy looking, then wait another 5 min or so then vape. If it's dripping out the bottom, I wipe the excess off on a paper towel, then blow from the threaded side out the top with the rubber plug in (the one with the hole) or a drip tip, holding it at an angle so I don't spew juice out, then wait the 5 min or so and vape. It seems to work for me with minimal juice waste, but may not for everyone.

Balth

ADDED: I usually top it off again, dripping and turning, when it just starts to lose vapor and flavor. And I have gotten up to 3 weeks a carto this way.

Thanks I'll try that! One more question - I want to buy more dual coils and found these: Smok Tech Dual coil Mega 510 Cartomizers LR 1.5 Ohm, 5 Pack - E Cig : Joye eGo & eGo-T | Boge Leo | Cartomizers | E-Liquid | Electronic Cigarettes | eGo Tank - Are these "Mega" the same as the ones I see listed other places (and bought) that are XXL? Or does Mega mean something else?

 

[jlazarus]

jl, i seem to be going through tons of juice too -- at least 5-6 ml a day ugh. Strange youre having probs with the resurrectors. I have never gotten a burned taste. I usually only use the syringe to do the first fill of a new one. Then I just make sure that i top off plenty throughout the day. I switch between 2 Resurrectors and a 306 for dripping. I will top off the 2 res's and let them lie there and soak in while i use the 306 or the other res. then I screw it on there until it tastes kinda dry. Then i top that one off and let it rest there and soak in while i use another one. My way is probably pretty time consuming, though, if youre on the go or something.

Maybe the Resurrectors are just too strong for me, lol....The dual coils just aren't quite as harsh, and seem to be much more flavorful. Or, I'm doing it wrong. ;-) I've got a couple Resurrectors left - I'll try your method and see. Thanks!

 

[simplyme82]

Last but not least, love my Smok Tech Dual Coils - but expensive! Bought 10 last week at $2.30 each (hubby and I are both using them) and already down to 5. Does boiling them really help extend their life? And/or anyone know where to buy a bunch for a great discount?

I've used a steam cleaner to clean mine. Gets all the juice out. Let dry for a day or two. Refill and vape.

 

[nitrojuga]

Have you tried using some sort of tank system for the poly filled cartos? Those work pretty awesome, last most people all day, and only take a few seconds to fill.

 

[mynameisrob]

I think I gave this to you before, but if not try filling your Ressurectors like this.
I recommend using the syringe from CCV that you get for free. It has an inch and a half needle which is what you want to use for bigger cartos like the Ressurectors. A 1 inch needle doesn't go all the way to the bottom. Also I find that the sharp needles are much easier to slide down than a blunt tip needle. The blunt tipped ones get caught on the filler easier. Put the tip of the sharp needle against the metal, it slides down much easier. I would also let the carto sit for alittle after its filled. Some juices take longer to wick. Doing that should help avoid the burnt taste.
Hope this helps!


How to fill a cartomizer with a syringe:

"All you have to do is take the dropper part of the bottle off your juice and fill your syringe with 2ml for a new carto. Take the rubber tip off the carto and carefully insert the needle down the side pushing against the metal. DO NOT go thru the filler because it will move it and you could potentially break a connection and your carto. Slide the needle down the side and go all the way to the bottom. Then slowly start dispensing some juice. Dont dispense it all bc then it won't be evenly distributed. Put alittle in, then take it out and insert the needle in a different spot. I normally do it in 3 spots (in a triangle) I found it distributes the best, but you could just do it in 2, on opposite sides. Make sure the needle is at the bOttom bc then you will not have to wait at all for it to settle. Disperse slowly and you will begin to see the toP of the filler become slushy. It is full then, don't put more. If its a new carto is will def hold 2ml, if your refilling it won't take a lot so pay attention and once it gets alittle slushy stop. While your filling hold a napkin or something under the carto bc if you do it too fast a few drops will come out the battery end. If that happens its only bc you did it too fast and the poly fill didn't absorb quick enough.( that happens to me bc I am impatient and fill it in about 10 sec, so I just hold a paper towel or napkin underneath.) wipe up the drops and put the rubber cap back on the carto. Then put the carto between your hands and rub back and forth spinning the carto quickly. This will insure the liquid is evenly distributed in case you put too much on one side from the syringe.
Now you have a perfectly filled ressurector that is ready to be used right away!"

 

[mynameisrob]

Wait the needle you got from CCV is a blunt tip?
Everyone I've ever gotten has been a sharp tip. The sharp ones slide down a lot easier

 

[jlazarus]

Wait the needle you got from CCV is a blunt tip?
Everyone I've ever gotten has been a sharp tip. The sharp ones slide down a lot easier

Yep, maybe that's the problem - I was using your instructions, yes, but still felt like I was tearing the polyfill sometimes....Maybe I just need a new needle!

Also, when I use 2 ml the carto still isn't full? Dry on top. I'm using all PG juice - maybe that's why? Because it's thinner?

 

[jlazarus]

And, I'm still a bit confused over the differences in Smok Tech Dual Coil when I search to order. I see some that are listed as "Smok Tech LR Dual Coil XXL - holds 2.5 ml" and some that are "Smok Tech Mega XXL Dual Coil - holds 5 ml" - So I guess the Mega XXL are really a lot bigger than the regular XXL?

ETA: But now I just found another site listing the Mega as holding 60 drops (about 3 ml)....aargh! ;-)

 

[dormouse]

Just a note - Dual coils are 2 standard resistance coils. So a 1.5ohm dual coil is two 3 ohm coils. SO it uses a power a bit faster than the 1.7ohm single coil but is not hot because it's really just normal resistance - it's double vapor instead of more heat. And because there are 2 coils it may be vaporizing twice as much juice.

Resurrector is ONE 1.7ohm coil so it is extremely hot and about the hottest you would ever use on Ego etc.

 

[Maximillian]

Heyas jlazarus,

First off, what pv are you using? I might have missed it if you said so already.

Second, my favorite sites for cartos are Welcome to MadVapes LLC and Hoosier E Cig Supply .

Hoosiers carries smoktech dcc's ranging from "shorties" (.7ml) all the way up to emdcc's (ego mega dual coil cartos @~5ml). Prices range from $1.80 for the shorties or normal xl's to $2.60 for the emdcc's. Or less in bulk (I think 25+ of one type of carto). Hoosiers also has free shipping for orders over $55, and they've always shipped same day for me, if I ordered early in the day. They also, (if you read each page) tell just how much each carto will hold. shorty, xl. xxl, xxxl, etc...



Oh, and filling, I just drip. I wait 20mins or so after the first fill befure using, and top off after waiting the 20mins. And, if you drip fill, you can always pull the top off the squeeze bottle and blow it out back into the bottle, to save a bit of the excess. I usually don't bother though.


Maximillian the Mostly Mischievious

 

[mynameisrob]

Your right about the Ressurectors. They actually hold alittle bit over 2ml, but for someone just starting out I just say 2ml so they don't get more confused. That was a copy and paste from another thread, sorry. The syringe I fill with doesn't even have the measurements on it anymore, they wore off. I just put extra in the syringe and watch the top of the polyfill as I'm filling. Once you see the juice at the top of the polyfil and it becomes "slushy" you know it's full.
I tell people 2ml when their first learning how to fill the Ressurectors bc then they won't overfill them and 2ml is very close to completely full. As you've discovered though its not completely full so put alittle bit more in and then they will be fully filled.

I think if you use the inch and a half pointed needle youll find it MUCH MUCH easier to fill the Ressurectors or any other XL cartos. Where do you live? I could prob send you the right needle. I've got 5-6 of those syringes from ordering Ressurectors that I really don't use. Is your syringe a luer-lock syringe? I've been using the same syringe for over 2 months