The Orchid clone has arrived!!!

[cindycated]

Tell us how you cobble together an Orchfun from a V1-- what kayfun parts do you use? I am interested in doing that so it will function more like the V4's I am waiting for.

Sorry, I don't have a working camera, but here's mine:

Orchid V1 base + Orchid V1 chimney + 5mm OD x 4mm ID silicone tubing (I can send you some if you want; better to buy the longer chimney that's now available from FT though) + frosty M-tank + top-fill cap.

The drip tip I got for it is this one, but it's a little too fat: $2.53 Stainless Steel + PMMA Hybrid 510 Drip Tip at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping
I need one that's 11mm - 11.5mm wide, so using this one until something better comes along: $1.96 Muffler Stainless Steel + PMMA Hybrid 510 Drip Tip - white at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping (I have the whole set in 7 colors )

One advantage that I have over the V4 is that I can top-fill without a screwdriver.

 

[3mg Meniere]

Thanks. That top cap is pretty pricey. Could I upgrade it to a larger capacity by using only the long chimney and the M-tank?

Mine came without a bottom-fill screw-hole, so I use my all-purpose knitting needle in the airhole to unscrew it and screw it back in, with the hole in the top stoppered by the inside of my middle finger. It is quick to refill that way.

 

[UncleChuck]

Not sure if someone else has done something similar, but I figured out a pretty easy way to extend the V3 orchid chimney to a full-size kayfun tank with only a few spare parts most people probably have laying around.

Cut off the plastic base of the giant drip tip that it came with, then press fit it over the chimney (it's a tight fit, which is good to avoid leaks, if you sand it or anything don't go overboard and make it too loose)



Then take a full-size kayfun chimney cap and fit it over the plastic piece. This is really the only somewhat difficult part, which is finding the right combo of o-rings to make a snug fit. I have some smaller ones that seal against the inside of the kayfun chimney, and one bigger that seals at the bottom of the kayfun chimney.



Then carefully assemble and you have a lazy/cheap-man's V4 orchid. The chimney is obviously taller than usual so it does stick out a very slight amount (maybe 1mm) into the drip tip cup area, but unless you have a long-shank drip tip it shouldn't be an issue. I've been vaping on it for awhile now and no leaks or anything due to the janky chimney setup.



Should hold me over until I get a V4, I swear a Magma holds more than the V3 does

 

[jefsview]

Bummer that they didn't come with the pictured phillips screws.
I bought one of these, because I hate the supplied allen key: Hex Wrench Driver 0 9mm White Steel Allen Screwdriver for R C Helicopter NI5L | eBay
My Orchfun is one of my dailies (I have a souped up V1) - this $2 tool makes it so much easier.

Does anybody know what size the deck screws are? I'd love to change them out.

Yeah. Luckily I still had a hex-ended blue screwdriver I got with that phoenix dripper clone which fit it perfectly, and I can actually pick up That tiny Allen key is just too thin.

It took a few hours, but I finished building both of them. Had to keep it above 1 ohm, since I plan on using them with the istick for work days. More airflow than I am used to using, but they are preforming exceptionally well.

 

[captmarc]

I just started experiencing MAJOR leaking/flooding issues with two different orchids, a v2 and a v4 on the same night. I'm really freaking out right now, they are literally dumping the entire tank out the air holes. I checked orings, made sure everything was tight, wicked it the way I always do which has worked like a charm for the last 2 months, both devices have been flawless until today. Any ideas?

 

[cindycated]

Thanks. That top cap is pretty pricey. Could I upgrade it to a larger capacity by using only the long chimney and the M-tank?

Mine came without a bottom-fill screw-hole, so I use my all-purpose knitting needle in the airhole to unscrew it and screw it back in, with the hole in the top stoppered by the inside of my middle finger. It is quick to refill that way.

Sure you could.
Before I got my top fill cap, I assembled it backwards to keep the chimney loose on the deck: secure the chimney to the top cap, screw the tank to the top cap, then screw the base to the tank. Not having the chimney completely tightened (screwed in, but not torqued) to the base made it really easy to turn the Orchid upside-down, unscrew the base just a hair, and needle-fill through the little slit between the base and the tank. No fancy tricks. I keep a tiny strand of wick in the channels, so not having the chimney tight on the base didn't make it leak or flood. You didn't get the V2? Thought you did.

 

[cindycated]

I just started experiencing MAJOR leaking/flooding issues with two different orchids, a v2 and a v4 on the same night. I'm really freaking out right now, they are literally dumping the entire tank out the air holes. I checked orings, made sure everything was tight, wicked it the way I always do which has worked like a charm for the last 2 months, both devices have been flawless until today. Any ideas?

It's really important that the tiny o-ring on the top cap where the chimney connects is where it needs to be. Then you have to make sure that the chimney is secured to it. Sounds like you have a vacuum leak, and that's where it usually happens. People usually check the bigger tank o-rings, but that tiny one up there is probably the most important one to check.

 

[3mg Meniere]

You didn't get the V2? Thought you did.

With FT, what you order is not necessarily what you get. I am sure the picture showed the fill-screw on the bottom.

It's really important that the tiny o-ring on the top cap where the chimney connects is where it needs to be. Then you have to make sure that the chimney is secured to it. Sounds like you have a vacuum leak, and that's where it usually happens. People usually check the bigger tank o-rings, but that tiny one up there is probably the most important one to check.

I am using both o-rings. I had problems with leaks on my Russian, and put a size 60 o-ring from the hardware store on it-- a bit thicker and had to stretch it to get it on, and that worked fine.

 

[captmarc]

I'll give that a try, the o-rings at the top of both devices look a little pushed into to top of the top cap and scrawny lookin'. Thank you! Hope this solves it.

 

[captmarc]

Changed out the top cap (I have 5 orchids right now), and problem solved. Still can't pinpoint what's wrong with my leaky ones, changed orings from the stash provided and still leaking a little but not as bad. I guess Oring change and placement is part of regular maintenace on these. Now if they would just do v6 with top fill cap and quartz and 6 mil capacity, shouldn't be too long... Thanks for the help

 

[realsis]

Hi I have the orchid v2 and the orchid v4. Here is what works for me in stopping the leaking. OK after I fill it I blow through the drip tip and expelled the excess lI quid into a towel then I IMMEDIATELY put the orchid on my mod I IMMEDATELY take a big vape and BLOW the vapor through the drip tip out the front holes. I do this two or three times and it presures up the tank and STOPS all leaking. I do this EVERY single time I fill it. She vape like a dream after that and I don't get a single leak again. I usually blow the vapor through about three times and that's usually enough to stop the leaking.try it, it works every time for me. Hope this helps. Best wishes

 

[captmarc]

My leaking problems were solved for about a half a day, it just dumped the whole tank again. Totally different top cap so hard to believe both of them are bad. I do the procedure you just mentioned as well, but today it's just blowing copious amounts of juice out. This is really frustrating, I totally trusted this atomizer and was even going out without "back ups" for the first time since I started vaping a year and a half ago. I have no idea why it's doing this... Definitely a vacuum problem causing a syphoning, but I've changed all the O-rings, tightened it all down, not sure what else to do here. grrrrrr

Maybe it's Erlkonigin time... Bummed...

 

[realsis]

It didn't create the vaccum by blowing the vapor through the holes? At first a little juice will come out but mine always stops by the third blow of vapor. It really is a wonderful vape if you can get your issue figured out its worth trying some more. She gIves tons of thick tasty vapor and is very much worth fiddling with I promise you. That's so strange that the method didn't work because it's worked with all my orchids and my husband's orchids as well. You might try covering her holes completely when filling her upside down then keeping the holes covered file her right side up then blow out the juice and get her on your mod quickly then blow a generous amount of vapor through the holes wiping the excess juice. Do it three or even four times and it SHOULD stop. Try that and see if it makes the vaccume. If it does not I would exchange it for another one. Because it is a great vape. If you don't want another orchid you might try the kaiser. It's a strange build and can be built with dual coil but it's got tons of vapor and amazing flavor with adjustable juice and air flow. Made by the makers of the fogger I believe. The coil sits in a ceramic cup much like the rose v2.but the flavor and vapor is better than the rose in my opinion. You might give the kaiser a try. That's also a excellent vape. Best of luck and hope this helps.

 

[ModBox]

Which is the best orchid v3 or v4 clone manufacturer? Anyone know who makes the ones on focal or any of the ones on FT? I quite like the v3 - think of it as an orchid nano.

 

[UncleChuck]

My leaking problems were solved for about a half a day, it just dumped the whole tank again. Totally different top cap so hard to believe both of them are bad. I do the procedure you just mentioned as well, but today it's just blowing copious amounts of juice out. This is really frustrating, I totally trusted this atomizer and was even going out without "back ups" for the first time since I started vaping a year and a half ago. I have no idea why it's doing this... Definitely a vacuum problem causing a syphoning, but I've changed all the O-rings, tightened it all down, not sure what else to do here. grrrrrr

Maybe it's Erlkonigin time... Bummed...

While it's dumping juice do you see a lot of air bubbles coming up in the chamber like after you take a puff? If so that should mean the issue is with the wicks not sealing the channels enough, but if it dumps juice without air bubbles that would point to a faulty o-ring somewhere.

 

[captmarc]

Yes, I'm getting a lot of air bubbles when it dumps. This actually makes sense, it's basicaly syphoning with nothing to block it. Hmmm, maybe I made 2 bad wicks on 2 different decks, that didn't occur to me. I've been making them bulkier and bulkier lately, which you would think would seal better, but maybe the opposite it true. I'll rebuild tonight and see if that does the trick.

I really really like the Orchid, but gotta be able to trust my equipment. Still in the danger zone with cigarettes (only 1.5 years since I quit), and would hate to be caught away from home with bad attys. Ordered a Erlkonigin anyway (clone), liking the idea of 6 mil of juice and top fill, but not ready to throw in towel yet on Orchids, they vape like nothing else that I've tried.

@realsis, thanks for the tip, I don't go that far with blowing out but I will on these next builds and see if it creates a better vacuum. Thank, good folks on this forum!

 

[b.m.]

If you make your wicks too bulky,they will get too saturated and start dumping it down into the air holes.The best way i found to fill the orchid is a bottom fill,obviously this is very easy with the v2's and up,but even on my v1's i bottom fill them,and i never get any leakage at all.If your using a v1,turn it upside down and unscrew the base from the tank,then pull it apart just a very little bit,make sure the tip of the chimney does not come out of the top cap,then use a needle tip bottle or syringe with blunt tip needle,fill it 2/3 of the way,screw it back together and your good.As for the wicks,definitely run a tail into each channel,about half way down,and keep them a bit thin,if they are too thick they will block the juice.I use rayon,so if your using cotton,it may be a bit different,but shouldn't be by much.Being you are getting the bubbles,i would say your tails need to be just a bit thicker in the channels though.

 

[3mg Meniere]

even on my v1's i bottom fill them,and i never get any leakage at all.If your using a v1,turn it upside down and unscrew the base from the tank,then pull it apart just a very little bit,make sure the tip of the chimney does not come out of the top cap,then use a needle tip bottle or syringe with blunt tip needle,

You are right! I thought once you unscrew it, the chimney is out. This is easier.

 

[EDO]

Well with the V4 I set it up so the chimney is poking about a couple mm into the top cap....that way when you insert the drip tip it actually grasps the chimney. When you set it up this way you can turn the unit upside down and take the base completely off and the chimney stays put and doesn't move at all ( it is locked by the drip tip). I fill my V4 the way I would fill the Squape or the Taifun Gt. To me it is far easier and faster than using the fill hole. Also I can have access to the atty deck without having to drain the tank.

 

[b.m.]

You are right! I thought once you unscrew it, the chimney is out. This is easier.

Yeah,i got my v1 very shortly after they came out,and i almost quit using it because they have minimal capacity to start with,then all the juice i was losing after top filling made it to where i would constantly have to refill.I seen a post where someone mentioned filling that way,and it made a huge difference,so that is how i filled them up until i just recently got the v4,now my v1's are just sitting,but i think i am going to follow Cindy's solution to get the added capacity with them,that way i can run both of them along side the v4.

Well with the V4 I set it up so the chimney is poking about a couple mm into the top cap....that way when you insert the drip tip it actually grasps the chimney. When you set it up this way you can turn the unit upside down and take the base completely off and the chimney stays put and doesn't move at all ( it is locked by the drip tip). I fill my V4 the way I would fill the Squape or the Taifun Gt. To me it is far easier and faster than using the fill hole. Also I can have access to the atty deck without having to drain the tank.

That's actually a pretty good idea,i've been filling it through the fill hole without any issues,but i do like the idea of being able to get to the coils without having to empty the tank first.