Sub-par refilling experience with carts

[Science]

Good day, sirs.

I have a number of different e-cig units (a 103, 510 and 801). They all have one thing in common.

When you first open a blank cart, and this is especially noticeable with the 801 carts so I will use it as an example: a large number of drips go in. Maybe even a whole millilitre! Then later when the taste changes you're supposed to top up. What I find happening here is that the cart is not only still holding a fair bit of juice, but it's only possible to fit 3 more in. Is this normal, or do I just have ....ty carts? Once it gets into this state, it seems impossible to get the atomiser properly wet without dripping onto it directly (I tend to do a drip or two and also load the cart, but it seems like the cart is pointless the way it is...)

Is this normal?

I also have a huge problem with burnt taste. People say that this is because the atomiser is too dry, but even after dripping onto the thing, the burnt taste tends to persist. This even happened with a brand new atomiser recently, so I'm going completely batty (with my atty. sorry.)

 

[Hellen A. Handbasket]

The filler in carts isn't optimal. I changed mine out to Aqua Clear Foam (used for aquariums, and found at Pet Stores). Another thing that works well to modify a cartridge is the Straw mod http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/tips-tricks/11421-cart-mod-better-refilling.html

I always drip a few drops on my atty when I top off. I use a penstyle 801/302 atomizer most of the time, but also make sure to drip a 510 atomizer when I top off. I drip AND top off the cartridge as a habit since I find I can vape longer with the cartridge on and it helps keep the atomizer wet. I also like the airflow better with the cartridge.

Once a 510 atty goes dry, the burned taste sticks to the interior wicking. Here is a thread with some pictures http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/tips-tricks/84257-wick-under-bridge.html

If I get one like that, I boil it in water in a cup in the microwave for 2 minutes. Let it sit in the water until it cools. Then I soak it in a good alcohol (I use Pure Grain Alcohol/Ever Clear, though some use a good quality 91% ISO Alcohol). I blow it out after a few hour soak, let it sit for a few hours to evaporate, prime well and don't inhale the first few hits (and keep priming with plenty of liquid until it gets good flavor back).

Sometimes a 510 won't clear the burned taste and you'll have to pull the wicking out to get rid of it and use it strictly for dripping or do what I do... just throw it in the bin.

 

[Puffadder]

If I get one like that, I boil it in water in a cup in the microwave for 2 minutes. Let it sit in the water until it cools.

Just make sure you boil the water in the microwave without the atty in the cup and then add the atty after it comes out.

 

[dormouse]

Because atty+cart is the most annoying way to vape? Blue foam stuffing does help though.

Best fix is use cartomizers. On 510 threaded devices the Boge are most popular. on KR808D-1 the Vapor4Life ones are good and I am going to try the ones Madvapes has. I know there are cartos around for 801. Only use standard resistance cartos on slim batteries. The LR ones are for big battery models like Ego etc. Ahhh - I see you are in AUstralia. You can get the BOges from China - Bogetech is a Chinese company.

I use soft-cap stuffing type cartos (not SLB ones though - I hate those. I prefer a defined center air channel). Stuffing cartos need no syringe and I get the best performance with thin clear juices. I can often get 2 weeks good use out of a Boge.

There are also reservoir cartos that need a particular syringe type to fill (depending on which carto). The clear ones can fall apart. They can leak. Some people like them.

Note - if you have auto batteries, your batteries are much more prone to damage by cartomizer leaks. Manual 510 and manual 510 xl are totally sealed metal on the threaded end and extremely safe from cartomizer leaks.

 

[Hellen A. Handbasket]

Just make sure you boil the water in the microwave without the atty in the cup and then add the atty after it comes out.

Nah... I boil them right in the cup in the microwave. Not a problem if the water covers the metal. Really! I've been doing it for 2 years. LOL I usually use a coffee cup. It's the only way that works (other than doing it on the stove). Putting the atty in afterward is just a hot water soak. It doesn't get the boiling bubble action then.

 

[Mr Pink]

Always found this to be true, that a cart would take only about 3 drops to refil. Most of the liquid stays in the cart and it only goes thru a few drops before tasting poorly. I liked carts for the "mouth feel" and ease of change. However, i've left them now for Echo-E cartos. The tip has a great feel and the draw is nice and light. Other cartos were fine but lacked the feel of these and anything I have to fill with a syringe, I've found I won't stay with (even if I like the vape it produces). But yes, three drops into a cart, that's about right.

 

[Bozzlite]

When I switched to the blue foam from the original filler, I was able to get 6-7 drops in the cart when refilling. Initial fill was about 11-12 drops.

The blue foam (Marineland rite size U) is just better all around.. but, I long ago switched to cartomizers. Even better.

 

[strozfalcon]

Because atty+cart is the most annoying way to vape? Blue foam stuffing does help though.

Note - if you have auto batteries, your batteries are much more prone to damage by cartomizer leaks. Manual 510 and manual 510 xl are totally sealed metal on the threaded end and extremely safe from cartomizer leaks.

I believe that, I have burnt through two auto batteries due to cartos refills!

 

[Glam]

+1000 for cartomizers. Condum fill from battery end for regulars, drip for megas. No syringes for me. Way too time consuming. Yuck, Yuck, Yuck. (some might consider me opinionated).

 

[Hellen A. Handbasket]

If you are using a 510, try out a pump cart. Awsome and works like a dripping tank (has a push button to let you add the liquid directly to the atty bridge from the tank that fits the 510 atty like a regular cartridge). Here is a thread on it

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...vapes-pump-cart-review-these-things-sick.html

Wish they'd come out with one of those for my penstyle (302) attys. I'll continue to combo drip/use a cartridge for those. Great vapor and flavor from them (low bridge 801 style atty).