Technical Questions

[trex65mil]

Hey noob here, with a few technical questions. After perusing this site I think I'm going to go with something from Pure Smoker but I just had a few questions on what to expect. I'm sorry if I didn't see some of these questions posted before, I know that can get annoying. Sorry if I spell things a little more American than traditional English.

1. So from all the diagrams I've seen it looks like the atomizer is just a chamber to vaporize everything, but from what I've read in this forum it sounds like a chamber with a screen on the front of it and wool cotton inside?

2. Is this the same with the carts? At first I thought it was just a plastic or glass container with the e-juice. Is it more like a container with cotton that holds the juice? Like when you refill a zippo?

3. I've read that the mini's (like the DSE901) have a shorter time between battery recharges and don't produce as much vapor as a longer standard one. Is this true? What are the main differences between the two besides the size?

4. I've read about them on the forum but have yet to actually come across someone actually selling one with a manual switch (of course I haven't really looked all that hard). Do these give more vapor and better batts than an auto? Besides the switch what's the differences between them? I also heard you don't have to prime them.

5. When you prime an e-cigarette do you do it just when you start using it at that time or do you have to do it before each drag? How long between using can you go without priming?

6. As far as dripping goes...a couple drops into the atomizer before each session can help vapor, but is it required?

7. Once a cart is empty, you can just fill it up with e-juice instead of getting new carts, is that correct? And do you get better vapor/flavor like this or is it simply cheaper this way? What are the pros and cons of both refilling carts or just replacing them?

8. Whats the difference between a standard atomizer and a 4 hole atomizer?

I usually smoke about 20-30 Regular King sized Marlboro or Camel cigarettes a day or if I have the money, about 15 unfiltered Lucky Strikes a day with it takeing me about 10 drags to get to the filter. So I was thinking of just going for the highest nicotine, strongest flavor, but after reading around the forum I'm thinking of starting low nicotine and medium flavor and working my way up, does that sound OK?

I know I have more questions somewhere in my head but I think I've asked plenty for now. Thanks guys (and ladies).

 

[leaford]

Welcome, Trex!

1. So from all the diagrams I've seen it looks like the atomizer is just a chamber to vaporize everything, but from what I've read in this forum it sounds like a chamber with a screen on the front of it and wool cotton inside?

Right the first time. The atomizer basically has a small pot containing the heating coil, and a wire arch over that which acts like a wick.

2. Is this the same with the carts? At first I thought it was just a plastic or glass container with the e-juice. Is it more like a container with cotton that holds the juice? Like when you refill a zippo?

It's a plastic cylinder with a polyester fiber filler soaked in e-liquid. Basically, yeah, like a zippo.

3. I've read that the mini's (like the DSE901) have a shorter time between battery recharges and don't produce as much vapor as a longer standard one. Is this true? What are the main differences between the two besides the size?

Mainly just size, which means shorter battery and cartridge life, and generally less vapor than a penstyle. Also, of course, they look more like real cigs.

4. I've read about them on the forum but have yet to actually come across someone actually selling one with a manual switch (of course I haven't really looked all that hard). Do these give more vapor and better batts than an auto? Besides the switch what's the differences between them? I also heard you don't have to prime them.

They're sold by www.jantyusa.com. They're called KISSbox, and they have them in both penstyle (Classic) and supermini (Yentyl). The advantage basically comes down to control.

With an automatic pressure switch, like the typical e-cig, the first second or so of your drag is basically wasted while the heating coil gets up to temperature. So since you have to suck to activate the switch, you're just sucking air until the coil is hot enough. This is why many e-cigs have to be primed with a couple puffs first. WIth the manual switch you can push the button before you start sucking on it, basically taking the place of priming.

Also, with most e-cigs, the power to the atomizer automatically cuts off after 5 seconds. With the manual button you can take as long a drag as you want.

As for battery life, the Janty batteries do last longer than typical batteries, but I'm not sure that's due to the manual switch, and not just the design.

5. When you prime an e-cigarette do you do it just when you start using it at that time or do you have to do it before each drag? How long between using can you go without priming?

Depending on the e-cig, you may need to prime every time you start pufifng on an idle e-cig.

Some e-cigs do not need priming, like the Sedansa, the Janty, and ePuffer. But for most, a puff or two before dragging warms up the heating coil so you get a more productive drag. Mostly, I find priming it once does the trick for the next 2 or 3 drags in a row. But if you let it rest and cool off, you will have to prime it again next time.

6. As far as dripping goes...a couple drops into the atomizer before each session can help vapor, but is it required?

No, it's not required. And you can easily end up either smoking it dry or flooding the atomizer with too much e-juice. So, it's not reccomended for a beginner. Get used to it with the cartridges first, then experiment.

7. Once a cart is empty, you can just fill it up with e-juice instead of getting new carts, is that correct? And do you get better vapor/flavor like this or is it simply cheaper this way? What are the pros and cons of both refilling carts or just replacing them?

Pretty much the only pro is it's cheaper. using prefilled cartridges is more convenient, refilling is cheaper. Like buying prebagged salad is more convenient, but a head of lettuce is cheaper.

8. Whats the difference between a standard atomizer and a 4 hole atomizer?

Different manufacturers. Some manufacturers make theirs with one airhole for airflow, some two, some four. These are on the battery connector, just inside the collar. More (or larger) holes give you a lighter, easier draw. Puresmokers penstyle has four small holes. Janty, Sedansa, and ePuffer have four large holes.

I usually smoke about 20-30 Regular King sized Marlboro or Camel cigarettes a day or if I have the money, about 15 unfiltered Lucky Strikes a day with it takeing me about 10 drags to get to the filter. So I was thinking of just going for the highest nicotine, strongest flavor, but after reading around the forum I'm thinking of starting low nicotine and medium flavor and working my way up, does that sound OK?

No one can say but you. Personally, I e-smoke different strengths throughout the day. I use high strength first thing in the morning, medium in my penstyle for most of my smoking during the day with occasional puffs of high strength from a mini, and then switch to a low strength towards the end of the night, when I'm trying to wind down.

 

[ApOsTle51]

Hi Trex and welcome to the forum .

haha Leaford beat me to it , but i'll put my answers up too. you cant have to many opinions

I'm reasonably new to this so i'll try and answer your questions , but hopefully some hard core experieced e-smokers will either correct me or add something.

1. So from all the diagrams I've seen it looks like the atomizer is just a chamber to vaporize everything, but from what I've read in this forum it sounds like a chamber with a screen on the front of it and wool cotton inside?

The atomizer is the working part of the e-cig, your correct in saying it's a chamber that vapourises the liquid. I think when you refer to the screen and cotton wool inside it you mean the bridge and the steel wool. The bridge is what makes contact with the cartridge filling and draws the liquid from the cart by cappilary action and it's steel wool inside which is used for storing an adequate amount of fluid for the atomizer.

2. Is this the same with the carts? At first I thought it was just a plastic or glass container with the e-juice. Is it more like a container with cotton that holds the juice? Like when you refill a zippo?

Yep thats right , the cart is filled with an UNKNOWN polyester type filling to retain the liquid. just like a zippo.

3. I've read that the mini's (like the DSE901) have a shorter time between battery recharges and don't produce as much vapor as a longer standard one. Is this true? What are the main differences between the two besides the size?

901 batts are smaller than pen style as are the carts so logic says that the 901 batts needed charging more frequently and the carts need changing or refilling more regular. All e-cigs do the same thing just some better than others.

4. I've read about them on the forum but have yet to actually come across someone actually selling one with a manual switch (of course I haven't really looked all that hard). Do these give more vapor and better batts than an auto? Besides the switch what's the differences between them? I also heard you don't have to prime them.

The only ones i know of are the Janty kissbox and yentyl see them here Janty are one of the few better quality devices, i havent got one or tried one but i hear they are very good. and yes , with a manual switch there is no need to prime.

5. When you prime an e-cigarette do you do it just when you start using it at that time or do you have to do it before each drag? How long between using can you go without priming?

I do it before each drag. similar to what i used to do when i smoked rollup anyway. A good tutorial on drag technique for RatindaHat HERE

6. As far as dripping goes...a couple drops into the atomizer before each session can help vapor, but is it required?

Dripping is done instead of using a cartridge. Wouldnt suggest this for new users. theory is to drip 2 or 3 drops of liquid direct on the atomizer and smoke as normal until vapour diminishes. If you dont know what your doing then it's easy to flood or dry out the atomizer and damge it. I find topping up carts is easier and safer.

7. Once a cart is empty, you can just fill it up with e-juice instead of getting new carts, is that correct? And do you get better vapor/flavor like this or is it simply cheaper this way? What are the pros and cons of both refilling carts or just replacing them?

yes you can top up carts , that's what i do . you can also buy new empty carts and fill them up yourself using whatever e-liquid you like to get your vapour/flavour. You can also wash and re-use carts you have already used. Buying e-liquid works out cheaper plus you have more choice of flavours and nicotine strength.

8. Whats the difference between a standard atomizer and a 4 hole atomizer?

Only relevant to pen style e-cigs. A standard atomizer usually has 2 holes making the draw slightly heavier. 4 hole atomizers give a lighter draw. I have both types , they just 'feel' different as far as draw strentgh is concerned, neither one out-weighs the other for vapour, flavour or nicotine hit.

usually smoke about 20-30 Regular King sized Marlboro or Camel cigarettes a day or if I have the money, about 15 unfiltered Lucky Strikes a day with it takeing me about 10 drags to get to the filter. So I was thinking of just going for the highest nicotine, strongest flavor, but after reading around the forum I'm thinking of starting low nicotine and medium flavor and working my way up, does that sound OK?

Speaking as a 20 -a-day rollup smoker myself i would go for the highest nic first . if you go for a lower level you just wont feel like your getting any nicotine and that may put you back on the cigs.

Hope i have been of some help at least

 

[Kate]

Good questions, good answers, good thread, this would be a good sticky on the new members board.

 

[trex65mil]

I've been reading more and have a couple questions about the atomizers. So every night are you supposed to turn the atomizer on end to drain, or is it just a couple of nights a week or what? And I'm assuming that doing this dries them out so is it required to drip to avoid it burning out? Also, I was looking at the steam cleaner post as possibly the most effective way to clean one. How often, on average, would you say you clean it like this? How much more life on average would you say you get out of the little sucker?

 

[SmokingInTexas]

Hi Trex,

For myself, I don't really drain my atomizers every night. The only time I do the draining is if I have dripped a little too much juice in the atomizer (since I seem to be migrating from the carts to dripping). Every 5 days or so, if the atomizer is getting hard to draw through, or I notice it's not producing a lot of vapor, I boil the atomizers, dry them, drip them with juice, and so far (knock wood/fingers crossed/avoid ladder) every time the atomizer performs like new again.

But like a lot of people here, I'm still developing an acceptable routine, and your needs may differ. Many people here drain the atomizers and they are seeing better performance, so not really sure. Perhaps the carts are allowing too much juice into the atomizer? I think the draining might also help to prevent juice from draining down into the battery, which I personally have had to catch on several occasions.

Best of luck to you.