Gunner Posted October 30, 2012 Posted October 30, 2012 Hello all! Just got into the vaping scene and I really want to like it, due to it being cheaper, healthier and more convenient. I've been smoking cigarettes steadily since I was about 16 (I'm 29 now). But I'm having some problems. For one, I'm not getting much vapor, even with 80%VG/20%PG juices. Not even close to what I see in review videos of people with almost identical setups (although, I'm not sure what juices they're using). I'm under the impression that with 80%VG, I should be getting pretty good vapor, but unfortunately, I'm not. Also, the throat hit is what I would consider "scratchy". It's not what I would call harsh, like a really strong cigarette, so "scratchy" is the best way I can describe it. I'm coming from Newports, which have a pretty strong hit to them and I generally take very large drags, so I don't think it's just my tolerance (it could be, though, who knows). It's not a burnt taste, just "scratchy". I don't know how else to put it, lol. I've made sure the carto was primed very well (I dripped into the top of the carto, and then filled the tank and took a few dry puffs to draw some juice into the carto, and also let it sit for about 1/2 hour before using). Here's my current setup: -"The Bolt" mod w/extender (I think Smoktech makes it?) (Gun-metal) -18650 battery -Smoktech dual-coil tank (3.5ml) -Smoktech dual-coil cartomizer (1.5 ohm, 1-hole) Like I said, the juices I'm using are 80%VG/20%PG. One is 24mg nic, the other is 18mg. Both were purchased from MadVapes from their "TopVapor" lineup. Both are giving me the same exact "scratchy" throat hit with minimal vapor. They are different flavors and were ordered at different times, so I'm guessing it's not a case of me getting a bad batch or anything. When I got my second juice in the mail, I emptied and cleaned my tank and just tossed the carto (I have quite a few, and just wanted to start over "fresh"). The new carto seemed to change nothing. I don't know enough about trouble-shooting this sort of stuff yet. What do you think could be causing this? Could it be something wrong with a piece of my hardware? Or juices? Or maybe it really is just me? I hope it's not the latter, as I really want to get into this and drop cigarettes altogether. Sorry for the lengthy intro post. I just really want to get into vaping and am not ready to just give up yet. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Gunner Posted October 30, 2012 Author Posted October 30, 2012 Whoops. Just noticed that there is a tech issues subforum. Maybe this should be in that section, I'm not sure. If so, can a Mod move it for me?
Jeffb Posted October 30, 2012 Posted October 30, 2012 Welcome to Vapor Talk Gunner. It sounds like the juice is not getting into your cartos in the tank. Did you prime the carto first? ( add about 20 drops to the carto before filling the tank) Sometimes a juice with a high concentrate of VG doesnt wick well into the carto. Gunner 1
Gunner Posted October 30, 2012 Author Posted October 30, 2012 Welcome to Vapor Talk Gunner. It sounds like the juice is not getting into your cartos in the tank. Did you prime the carto first? ( add about 20 drops to the carto before filling the tank) Sometimes a juice with a high concentrate of VG doesnt wick well into the carto. Yep. I dripped into the carto, and even did a few dry puffs after filling the tank, to pull some of the juice into the carto (saw the bubbles coming from the hole in the carto while I was puffing, and the amount of juice in the tank dropped a noticeable amount, which meant the carto should have been well primed and saturated). Also, I had to run the the store afterward, so everything just sat for about a 1/2 hour before I fired it up for the first time on the new carto.
Jeffb Posted October 30, 2012 Posted October 30, 2012 Hmmmmmmm, maybe the carto is flooded? How did it vape before you filled the tank? Gunner 1
Jeffb Posted October 30, 2012 Posted October 30, 2012 Also make sure your connections are clean. Sometimes juice gets in the connector and can cause problems Gunner 1
Gunner Posted October 30, 2012 Author Posted October 30, 2012 Hmmmmmmm, maybe the carto is flooded? How did it vape before you filled the tank? It's vaped like this from the start. I got all my stuff last week or so (hardware and juice), and the new juice came today. I was careful when dripping and I didn't puff too hard when priming the carto, as some of the videos I watched warned against puffing too hard and too much when dry puffing to prime the carto, for the exact reason you mentioned; flooding. Also make sure your connections are clean. Sometimes juice gets in the connector and can cause problems Just checked them. Everything is clean. (Thanks for all the quick replies, by the way!)
Gunner Posted October 30, 2012 Author Posted October 30, 2012 Well, mark me down as an idiot. Up until finding this video right here on this forum: .....I've been taking drags off of my Bolt by inhaling straight into my lungs. As opposed to taking a drag like a normal cigarette; pulling it into your mouth, and then inhaling it into your lungs. Once I changed my method, I was getting a much better vapor cloud and not as harsh of a throat hit. I really feel stupid. I guess all of the videos I've watched, to me, it looked like the people were inhaling straight into their lungs. Welp. Now that that's out of the way, I'm still on my quest to find the perfect ratio of PG/VG/nic and a favorite flavor. Got some more juices on the way as of last night. Thanks again for all the help, jeff. Much appreciated. kitsune 1
Jdog Posted October 30, 2012 Posted October 30, 2012 i see you are using a smok DCT (the tank) you might want to try the CE2 style DCC (inner cartridge) it might be easier to deal with since you don't have to worry about keeping the cart filled and i've had better expereinces overall with them http://www.madvapes.com/tank-replacement-dual-coil-cartomizers-1-5-ohms-dual-hole.html also, since you're using high vg blends (i do too) you might want to consider getting the DCCs with an extra hole (it'll help with the flow) Gunner 1
Gunner Posted October 31, 2012 Author Posted October 31, 2012 i see you are using a smok DCT (the tank) you might want to try the CE2 style DCC (inner cartridge) it might be easier to deal with since you don't have to worry about keeping the cart filled and i've had better expereinces overall with them http://www.madvapes....-dual-hole.html also, since you're using high vg blends (i do too) you might want to consider getting the DCCs with an extra hole (it'll help with the flow) Thanks for the link. I will definitely going to pick up some of those in the nea future. I've also put in an order for a Vivi Nova tank and some LR replacement heads. Still trying to find my groove and what I like.
Velvetcloud Posted October 31, 2012 Posted October 31, 2012 I'd highly recommend starting out with regular smoktech cartomizer, to get the feel of how fast they dry out in the tanks. Also, if you have the patience, the vision CE2 (disposables) are a really REALLY easy and rewarding first timer tank
kitsune Posted October 31, 2012 Posted October 31, 2012 Glad you got that part straightened out. We all have our fair share of those moments !!! Welcome to vaping.....lots of learning curves. Lots of toys out there to buy too !
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