What did I do wrong (cartomizer)?

[planetofthevapes]

Ok, I've been vaping for over a year but just opened up my first carto the night before last. I only vaped a cigarette's worth off it then put cap back on and used again the next day (yesterday). I vaped it without getting it horribly warm until it seemed like it needed refilled and I refilled it with menthol. I blew out what got in the air hole and vaped it some more. It wasn't long before it started burning up on me (throat burning, horrible flavor). As I understand that's probably the cartridge material burning? I had to toss it. My question is, I didn't even get a whole mL of filling into it and I already ruined it. Is there a learning curve to it? How many cartos did you go through before you started refilling them successfully without making them burn like crazy? How many fills would you say you get off of a carto before it is no longer any good? What are the signs of needing it refilled? I would think it would be lack of vapor and drop in flavor...but I want to hear it from someone else. I know a lot of you swear by them and I sure like the flavor and vapor they give off (very very very satisfying) but if I can't even get 24 hours out of one before it is ruined, I would say it's a waste of my time and money (I just would like some tips because my husband wants to switch to them, but before I buy him a kit I want to get the kinks worked out so he doesn't get frustrated and hate them because I raved about them and they suck!). LOL. Any beginners cartomizer tips would be much appreciated. Thank you for your time!

-Sue

 

[Col. Gaunt]

Ok, I've been vaping for over a year but just opened up my first carto the night before last. I only vaped a cigarette's worth off it then put cap back on and used again the next day (yesterday). I vaped it without getting it horribly warm until it seemed like it needed refilled and I refilled it with menthol. I blew out what got in the air hole and vaped it some more. It wasn't long before it started burning up on me (throat burning, horrible flavor). As I understand that's probably the cartridge material burning? I had to toss it. My question is, I didn't even get a whole mL of filling into it and I already ruined it. Is there a learning curve to it? How many cartos did you go through before you started refilling them successfully without making them burn like crazy? How many fills would you say you get off of a carto before it is no longer any good? What are the signs of needing it refilled? I would think it would be lack of vapor and drop in flavor...but I want to hear it from someone else. I know a lot of you swear by them and I sure like the flavor and vapor they give off (very very very satisfying) but if I can't even get 24 hours out of one before it is ruined, I would say it's a waste of my time and money (I just would like some tips because my husband wants to switch to them, but before I buy him a kit I want to get the kinks worked out so he doesn't get frustrated and hate them because I raved about them and they suck!). LOL. Any beginners cartomizer tips would be much appreciated. Thank you for your time!

-Sue

When you refilled the cart you just dripped the fluid evenly around the edges right? You did not do it down the middle into the plastic tube with the heating element in it did you?

I Have been using and refilling the same cartomizer for a month, I just threw it out last night because the filter material was getting really trashed.

I was fortunate, the first cartomizer that I refilled worked fine. The more you do it the better you get.

You can tell it needs to be refilled just as you can tell a regular cart needs to be refilled, less vapor and a harsh taste.

You might want to consider getting a hollow metal tip from super T in 901 and dispense with the top on the cartomizer, this way all you need to do is pull off the tip and you can look in to see if the filler is dry and refill it and just re plug it with the tip. This is what I do.

 

[planetofthevapes]

I used the CCFM method. It took the liquid easily...but I did have to blow some out of the tube when it was all said and done

 

[oso]

Hey planet,
I started out with a KR8 with cartomizers and yeah, there is a little bit of a learning curve. But I've been using them successfully for almost a month now.

To refill a cartomizer, you need to take off the little white cap on top. This can be tricky because sometimes they can be on there pretty tight. I start out by using a drywall screw, screwing it in a wee bit so it grabs hold, and then pulling in straight out (someone else on the forum suggested this method.) It works rather well. Sometimes if you're not careful it can shred the plastic a bit, but after a while you'll get the hang of it.

After pulling off the little white end cap, you need to remove the little rubber gasket that's directly underneath it.

After removing these two things (or before, for that matter) you can take the little "plug" that came with your cartomizer and stick it into the atomizer end. This keeps the the e-liquid from coming out of the bottom when you fill it.

Now you're ready to drop in the juice!

Hold the cartomizer at a 45 degree angle and drip directly onto the bottom part of the filling (there's a vid of this somewhere on the forum).

Once it's full to where you can see the fluid starting to surface, there are a number of different techniques you can use to get the juice farther on down in the cartomizer.

One technique is tapping on the side of the cartomizer.

I use the spin method (described in detail, again, somewhere in this forum.) The spin method used G-forces to get the fluid further on down in the cartomizer. It consists of taking the cartomizers that are half way filled, sticking them into a container of some sort (There's a pic somewhere of someone taking a pill bottle, sticking them in there.) I use a plastic bag.

I cut about a 1 foot hole plastic bag and sit it on the table. Then I place 3-6 cartomizers in the middle of the circle, open end up. Then I pull the outsides of the bag up and lasso the top together with one end of a 3-foot length of string, making sort of a baggie. I then (once all of the cartos are securely in place) proceed to SPIN the cartos for a few minutes.

When you spin the cartomizers, it causes the juice to be forced further on down into the cartomizer. Then, after spinning it for a few minutes, you can "top off" the liquid with another 5 or 10 more drops.

Stick the little rubber gaskets back on

Stick the little white plastic caps back on and you're set!

///

I know this all sounds like a bit much, but it actually becomes 2nd nature after awhile. Using the spin method, I feel like the cartomizers are as full as they were when I first got them.

Good luck!

And Happy Vaping!

Oso

 

[Turbo]

To the OP. I'm a newbie at cartos too, not vaping. Sometimes when I blow the excess out the filler looks dry again and that's a normal 'puff' at that. This could be the problem.

As suggested above, the spin thing works great. I've been fighting the idea but finally tried it. You can use that in tandem w/ the CCFM and there'll be no need to blow out the excess.

 

[planetofthevapes]

I took another carto out today and have stuck with the CCFM filling from the battery end (I am using a homemade kr808 mod that won't be hurt by any drippage, not that I have had any problem with drippage yet anyways) and I have been keeping the condom on the battery end after filling and then putting the other condom (the one with the stick in the middle) down the mouthpiece one and I have been rolling it in my hands mindlessly (like twirling a pencil kinda) since I have nothing better to do anyways (I still don't have the guts to have a few in rotation until I figure this all out...don't want to ruin a handful from my stupidity) for about ten minutes. When I hook it up I give it just a tiny blow to clear anything out of battery hole and hook up and vape. So, it's pretty much a very laid back and slow version of the whole spin thing...and it's working pretty good. I will have to get me a baggy with a string for speeding the process up. I think what happened is even though I filled the first one up, I wasn't actually getting it INTO the filler...was blowing most of it out just like you are saying, Turbo! So, I was blowing all that liquid back into a paper towel and ended up burning up my dry carto! :/ I think I'm getting the hang of it. Have had one running all day without issue. Guess what though, that expensive janty stick I bought back before Thanksgiving...I don't even want to use it any more...I love this cartomizer deal MUCH BETTER! The flavor is so awesome! Also falling in love with the 901s we decided to convert to at the same time (hitting off my husbands but still preferring the kr808). I'm a happy hampster today! Thank you for the helpful tips all!

Hey, any of you ever get shocked by your cartomizer? Mine has shocked me about 10 times today on my tongue from the hole in the mouthpiece. So odd. Doesn't hurt, just makes me wonder if it's gonna blow up in my face! ROFLMAO!

 

[Turbo]

I think what happened is even though I filled the first one up, I wasn't actually getting it INTO the filler...was blowing most of it out just like you are saying, Turbo! So, I was blowing all that liquid back into a paper towel and ended up burning up my dry carto!

Yes, that's where the spin method is nice. You can get functional carts w/o spinning but it distributes the liquid better.


BTW, I haven't been shocked...yet!!

 

[GPWill]

I get a little tingle that feels like a shock you are describing sometimes. Seems to happen when it is almost overfilled. I thought it was some hot juice being shot out. But now to think about it, does feel a little like a shock.

 

[planetofthevapes]

GPWill, I've been keeping a close eye on it today, and seems to happen only when I open up a cart that I just filled earlier in the day and there is a bit of liquid still in the center of the whole thing. I think you are right, it must be hot liquid shooting out! I know I hear gurgling shortly before it happens. I'm trying not to blow them out too much to clear the hole before vaping, because I was causing the center to dry out right before vaping and caused me to fry one within just a couple of fills. I have since learned...I hope...and have had one running for two days now! I love the awesome warm flavor that comes out of these things! LOVE IT!

 

[Nilius]

Even with the spin method, I like to let my refilled carts sit overnight before vaping. Just a thought.

 

[Nietzsc]

I've been using cartos for almost a month now. When I refill I use the "I don't know how it's called method" of putting the liquid in the condom and then press the carto in so it sucks up all the liquid. I found this to be very practical.

But I noticed that after refilling the vapor goes down, it takes a few puffs for the vapor to go up again and I'm not really sure why this happens, any ideas?

 

[planetofthevapes]

Yes, actually, try giving one quick hard blow through your carto before using it (you'll want to have a napkin present on the scene...and you do not want to do a long continuous blow or you will wick all the liquid out). Some liquid will actually get on the coil (not as it's supposed to, but in large amounts instead, like it's trapped) and will cause the vapor production to diminish, then upon vaporizing that stuck liquid it will return to normal.

I have changed from the CCFM method of filling and have resorted to removing the original cap and o-ring, dripping on the sides of the inside of the carto, letting the liquid roll down...and placing ONLY the white cap back on. After about a week I no longer get liquid in the center causing dimished vapor. I also can get 7-12 days out of using ONE cartomizer exclusively (and I'm one hell of a chain vaper, I go through 6mL of liquid a day). So, I am now seeing it much cheaper to use the cartos! I can get a 1-6 weeks out of a $7 atomizer (the norm being closer to 2 weeks on avg)...and 1-2 weeks out of a $1 carto... Yeah, I'll stick with my kr8s. I'm in love!

 

[bornagainst]

What I do after using the condom method is taking the cart and putting it on my manual pt. I take a couple deep primer puffs on it, then store the cart.

It's like searing a steak.

 

[planetofthevapes]

MORE POWER! *does the Tim Taylor grunt*

Do the kr8 pt's run at the full 5 v? I was curious...wanted to know before I bought one!

 

[Nietzsc]

Alrtight, I'm going to try removing the o-ring and report back, thanks

 

[planetofthevapes]

Removing the o-ring MAY result in more liquid leaking into the mouth if you are not careful...for me it resulted in LESS liquid coming out the top (as I was consistently overfilling and getting liquid ON TOP of the o-ring. As I said, I remove it and just use it as a regular atomizer...take tip off to refill instead of the CCFM. I'm getting good, large amounts of time off of these things...so I must be doing something right! One quick blow should get rid of the liquid in the middle that is blocking vapor production.

Did I mention I LOVE these things?

 

[Katattack]

MORE POWER! *does the Tim Taylor grunt*

Do the kr8 pt's run at the full 5 v? I was curious...wanted to know before I bought one!

Depends...the V4L one is 5v