Tight draw on Mini Vivi Nova

[Bronze]

I have a couple of Mini Vivi Novas for awhile now. Each are genuine MVN's and were bought from different vendors but have the exact same problem on each...a gradual deterioration of the air flow. Both are at a point where they are so tight they are unuseable. I decided to learn the air flow design on these clearos and I can see where there is one potential air passage impediment I cannot see. Let me start by going through the different air passages that I know of.

1. Upon inhale, the air comes through the slots on the connection collar on the mod.
2. Air enters the two small air holes above the connection threads on the Nova.
3. Air comes through the keyway on the bottom of the inner base post where the clearo makes contact with the mod.
4. Air comes through some unexposed air passage on the inner post that sits inside the base cyclinder.
5. Air comes through the cylinder.
6. Air comes through the coil head.
7. Air comes through silicone cap.
8. Air comes through top screw-on piece.
9. Air comes through the drip tip.

I think my restriction is coming at the unexposed air passage on the inner base post (point #4 above). I say that only because it seems air flow is poor on the base cyclinder (pull everything off but the base and suck through it and it seems tighter than it should be). There is nothing obvious on any of the air passages from point #1 through #3 or from #5 through #9. But because I can't see that inner post inside the cylinder, I suspect that is where my problem is. Is it mechanical or is there something gunking it up? Where is the air passageway inside there and what does it look like? I can always tear apart one of these and look but I'd rather not wreck it if I don't have to. I'm going to soak one in denatured alcohol for awhile to see if it is gunk-related. But if it is mechanical, this wont solve my problem.

Any insights? Thanks

 

[just one day]

On the removable head, right underneath the coil sits the last part of the air conduit. It looks like a little nozzle . As you use the device the coil and wick tend to get gunked up and as a result it also gunks up that little air hole and the draw tends to get harder.
Cheers

 

[Bronze]

On the removable head, right underneath the coil sits the last part of the air conduit. It looks like a little nozzle . As you use the device the coil and wick tend to get gunked up and as a result it also gunks up that little air hole and the draw tends to get harder.
Cheers

Thanks jod. I believe you're talking about the small, hollow post that secures the grommet on the bottom of the head where the coil legs terminate. I don't think that is the problem as I seem to get plenty of draw through there. Perhaps I will include this piece in my alcohol soak nonetheless. Thanks for the heads up (pun intended).

 

[Kemosabe]

have you tired a brand new head? if its not the head, perhaps try blowing through the center post by taking the entire thing apart first. if its the center post, maybe try adapting a syringe onto it and force whatevers in there out by air or with water. just spitballin here..
inside the center post is the conductive portion, which float. its held in place by silicone. on the regular nova it is adjustable, im sure it is on the minis too. maybe poking it up and down a bit with a sturdy paperclip will free it from its constrictiveness.

 

[Bronze]

have you tired a brand new head? if its not the head, perhaps try blowing through the center post by taking the entire thing apart first. if its the center post, maybe try adapting a syringe onto it and force whatevers in there out by air or with water. just spitballin here..

Hey Kemo, long time no write.

Brand new head...check
Blow through the center post...check
Spitballin'...check
Air force in cycliner...good idea. Maybe I'll fire up my compressor tomorrow and jury rig something. But maybe the alcohol soak will get it too. I really think the problem is inside the cylinder where you can't see. I may have to do a complete autopsy on one which means I will have a sacrificial Mini Nova. But that's OK, I'll take one for the team in an effort toward the betterment of the Nova society at large.

 

[Bronze]

have you tired a brand new head? if its not the head, perhaps try blowing through the center post by taking the entire thing apart first. if its the center post, maybe try adapting a syringe onto it and force whatevers in there out by air or with water. just spitballin here..
inside the center post is the conductive portion, which float. its held in place by silicone. on the regular nova it is adjustable, im sure it is on the minis too. maybe poking it up and down a bit with a sturdy paperclip will free it from its constrictiveness.

Reply on your edit: Yes, that is definitly on my list of things to try but it will be the last thing I try. In fact, I think there is a real good chance that is the problem. But I have done this on my Kanger T2's in the past and they were never the same after. really horsed up the bat connection and bat post. So I want to try all other possibilities first before doing that. I like how you're thinking though. You mighta been born at night, but it wasn't last night.

 

[bzlytbeer]

This vid from youtube should help: Improving Vivi Nova airflow and wicking - YouTube

 

[Bronze]

This vid from youtube should help: Improving Vivi Nova airflow and wicking - YouTube

Thanks for the vid link bzlybeer. I had hoped to figure out why the airflow deteriorated and get to the root of that problem before I started drilling holes in the thing. I had good airflow in the device at one time. This vid does serve as another "last resort", however. And I like the guy's method because I can powder my face when I'm done drilling.

 

[anavidfan]

Just my two cents, I made a new wick and coil and this time thought Id leave the wicks a little longer, thinking that if they sort of laid along the bottom of tank it would use up juice to the last drop. But this time I got a tight draw. I cut the wicks a bit shorter and now its vaping perfectly.

 

[Bronze]

Just my two cents, I made a new wick and coil and this time thought Id leave the wicks a little longer, thinking that if they sort of laid along the bottom of tank it would use up juice to the last drop. But this time I got a tight draw. I cut the wicks a bit shorter and now its vaping perfectly.

Interesting. Not sure why that should matter, but it is interesting. When it boils down, I find the older I get the less I know.

 

[anavidfan]

Yeah, the wicks were cotton, so I dont know if maybe being a bit heavier than silica that the bends were blocking the wicking action?

 

[Bronze]

Yeah, the wicks were cotton, so I dont know if maybe being a bit heavier than silica that the bends were blocking the wicking action?

That's a possibility. That cotton can plump up pretty good depending on how tight it's wound too.

 

[Unforeseen]

Moved to Assorted PV Topics - Tanks

 

[anavidfan]

Cool thing Id thought I had to share, I just rebuilt my Vivi Nova with some Nextel ceramic wick, wow. It is so much better tasting than the reg silica and better than cotton. Ive been hitting it hard and non-stop with no dry hits or having to constantly tip or swish. The ceramic silica wick is so much more absorbent. It doesnt fall apart like reg silica and is easier to wrap as its more firm. I love it. If anyone gets a chance to play with the Nextel ceramic wick do so. Its much cleaner tasting and you can do a dry burn and get more life out of the wick.

 

[Bronze]

Cool thing Id thought I had to share, I just rebuilt my Vivi Nova with some Nextel ceramic wick, wow. It is so much better tasting than the reg silica and better than cotton. Ive been hitting it hard and non-stop with no dry hits or having to constantly tip or swish. The ceramic silica wick is so much more absorbent. It doesnt fall apart like reg silica and is easier to wrap as its more firm. I love it. If anyone gets a chance to play with the Nextel ceramic wick do so. Its much cleaner tasting and you can do a dry burn and get more life out of the wick.

And this wick can be found where?

 

[gthompson]

I think this is it.

Nextel Braided Ceramic Very High Temperature Sleeving

It isn't cheap.

 

[Bronze]

I think this is it.

Nextel Braided Ceramic Very High Temperature Sleeving

It isn't cheap.

No it isn't cheap. Truthfully, I don't have wicking problems using standard silica in my Nova. Does the wicking really improve the flavor? Not sure how it does that but who am I to know?

 

[Bronze]

So I soaked my VN bases in denatured alcohol for 36 hours and then dumped them in near-boiling hot water. Set them out to dry. So I will be firing it up a little later today to see if it helped.

 

[anavidfan]

I figure the extra cost is worth it, as it doesnt fall to pieces as easy. you can also find it here at 3M
much better price than I payed.
3M Ceramic Textiles & Composites - Nextel(tm) Continuous Ceramic Fibers

I dont know how it affects the taste, but it really does and the fact that it says real wet is wonderful.
Now, Im vaping it at 4.5 volts on my kicked saber touch, dont know if that affects things much. Im also using a 30/70 pg vg juice which usually just kills my cartos.

 

[Bronze]

I figure the extra cost is worth it, as it doesnt fall to pieces as easy. you can also find it here at 3M
much better price than I payed.
3M Ceramic Textiles & Composites - Nextel(tm) Continuous Ceramic Fibers

I dont know how it affects the taste, but it really does and the fact that it says real wet is wonderful.
Now, Im vaping it at 4.5 volts on my kicked saber touch, dont know if that affects things much. Im also using a 30/70 pg vg juice which usually just kills my cartos.

It is definitly interesting stuff. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't concerned about safety. I'm not saying it is unsafe, I'm just not sure. What has your research told you?