New user with Protank mini 3 problem

[adtither]

Hi just joined the forum and I'm glad to be entering the world of vaping .
I just received my first set up, a mini protank 3 on a vision spinner 2 and I think I'm having issues with it unless I'm being a complete newbie.
Basically my issue with it is that it takes a while for the vape to actually start tasting nice, I have to endure multiple harsh almost metallic tasting hits before the flavour and the harshness go away.
Like I said once I get past these hits the vaporiser works great! However if I leave it alone for a while and come back to it, I then have to endure that awful taste once again.
I've tried both a 1.5 ohm and 2 ohm coil on multiple voltages to see if that made any difference, but no change...
Is this normal and what do you guys recommend me trying?
Thanks in advance!
Adam.

[mvince201]

Sounds like it must be the type of juice you are using. If it is a thicker (higher vg) juice it may be having problems wicking.

I would try a different juice and see if that solves your problem.

Or try hitting the tank 2 or 3 good times before hitting the button, this should draw liquid into the wick before your hit.

Edited July 3, 2014 by mvince201

[adtither]

Thanks for replying. I've tried two 50/50 juices from the same company and one 70VG/30 from another. The 70/30 was less noticeable but was still harsh to begin with.

I have also tried your suggestion of doing a couple of hits without the button but doesn't seem to make any difference.

[mvince201]

Is it harsh, or does it taste burnt?

[Tam]

Did you wash the KPT3 mini before filling with juice? There is usually some machining oils that stick to the tank when it's being made that makes the juice taste bad. Try washing the tank and all its parts and rinsing well -- do this in a bowl of water just in case an O-ring comes loose so you don't lose it.

There are also times when the coils that come with a tank are less than good. I'd try a new coil from a 5-pack. My preference is a 1.8 ohm but you'll have to try different ones to see what works for you.

[adtither]

Just very harsh for a while.

[adtither]

I washed it out twice now changing the juices to make sure it wasn't the juice that was harsh. But to be fair the juices taste fine withouth being harsh, after a bit. I have already changed from a 1.5 to 2 (which came from a 5 pack).

I actually had a horrible burnt taste with the 1.5 which has gone with the 2, but the harshness is still there.

[Tam]

Are you drawing the vapor into your mouth first, wait just a split second and then inhaling? That might help.

Also, like mvince said, it could be your juice. Everyone makes juices a little differently. The same PG/VG ratio from different vendors can taste drastically different. What nic level are you using? More nicotine can also make the vapor harsher.

[adtither]

I was drawing it into my mouth then instantly inhaling, I will try your suggestion my battery is just on charge at the moment.

The original flavours I was using were 0.6. I'm not too sure about the new one however the new one I tried in the store (although different flavours) and none of them were harsh at all.

[Tam]

Most testers inside a store are 0 nic, which is probably why there was no harshness at all. Nic adds harshness to your vape as does PG. You don't want to go too high on VG because that will make the juice thicker making it harder for the wick to absorb the juice. That will cause "dry hits" which are also harsh. Are you chain vaping or do you let a few seconds go by before drawing again? Chain vaping a thicker juice may also not give your wick enough time to soak in the juice.

With a 1.8 ohm coil I wouldn't go much higher than 4.0 volts max. With fruit type juices 3.7 is a good place. With bakery flavors 3.8 - 4.0 depending. I have one fruit juice that I only use 3.3v. Start at the lowest setting and vape. If it's not doing much, go up a little and vape. Keep doing that until it gets too harsh or you get a burnt flavor and then back it down a bit. That's how you find the "sweet spot" for that particular juice.

Hope some of this will help.

[adtither]

Thanks for all the useful information. I do vape it quite quickly, I will try doing it at a slower pace. However once I get past the harsh stage it works fine when I vape at a quick pace. There is a slight spitting noise when I hold the button for a while, is this normal?? Also there is fluid on the outside of the centre post of the coil.

Edited July 3, 2014 by adtither

[Tam]

I'm not sure what you mean by a "spitting noise." Do you mean a gurgle? If so, that could be because of the juice that leaked into your battery post. Take the tank off the battery, hold a tissue or paper towel loosely over the connection end of the tank and blow gently into the mouthpiece to remove the liquid in your center post. Also be sure to clean the center post area of your battery. Don't press too hard or you'll push the center post down too far to make a connection. If that happens, use a paper clip or a pin and gently/slowly rock it up while rotating the battery. Just a little will do, you don't want to pull the post up too much or it will come out.

[adtither]

Yea I mean a gurgle sort of noise. I have noticed that there is liquid sometimes on the tip of battery and have been cleaning it off the same way that you recommend, so at least I'm doing something right . Is the gurgle noise normal then?

[Tam]

Yes, the gurgle is normal but it means you need to clean the center post and the connection end of the battery to get rid of it.

If it continues to leak I would change the coil to a new one because you shouldn't have a constant leak. It will leak a little but not excessively.

[adtither]

Okay so I went out and bought an EVOD to test if it really was something to do with the protank. What I've found out that it is harsh to begin with using this tank as well. Once I get past the harsh hits I quickly change to another tank and the other tank works fine. So I think it has something to do with the battery needing to get going. Is okay to hold down the button on the battery with nothing on it to get it going?? Any reason why the battery would be like this?

Edited July 4, 2014 by adtither