A Number Of Questions.

[Theoman]

Alright... I guess I'll just do this in a number format. I feel like I've got a lot of the basics down, but I still have a lot of questions that I can't easily find answers to in my time as a lurker over the past week or so. Then I got my kit and just dove right in and had a ton of questions... So, I registered, and here I am!

A little background: I just got my new Joye eGo(x2) with a 1000mah battery(x2). I'm currently using atomizers and pre-filled cartridges that came with the kit. I've also got 10 empty refillable cartridges with 10 more on their way. My e-juices haven't come in the mail yet, though some have been shipped. I ordered a number of different sizes and flavors from Ms Ts, MadVapes, and FreedomSmokeUSA. I was previously on 1.5 packs of "analogs" a day. Since I got my eGo yesterday, I haven't even considered going back.

This post is going to be quite long, but I want to do this right. Any answers to any questions will be greatly appreciated. I promise I've read a ton about vaping, but I just can't find basic every day things anywhere. I'm 100% new to all of this and it's obviously much different and a bit more complex than a lighter and an analog, lol...

Now then... On to the questions!

1. Cartridges.

A. How long does the average 501 cartridge on my eGo last? How many puffs, maybe? I've gotten into the groove of pulling like this: Press the button, pull softly for ~4-5 seconds, release the button, finish the pull, inhale, exhale. My use is sporadic. I'll take a few pulls a minute or 1 pull every 30 minutes. Given this, how long can I expect a single cartridge to last?

a. Is there a general consensus yet on how many pulls = 1 analog (of equal nic strength) or how many cartridges = 1 pack? This really isn't important to me. Just a curiosity thing.

B. How can I tell if a cartridge is empty enough that it will hurt my atomizer and I need to replace/refill?

C. Using the cartridge-refill method, depending on the answer to A, how many cartridges/refills can I expect to go through in a single day?

a. Approximately how much e-liquid goes into 1 cartridge?

D. What is the best method to reusing cartridges? Will my bottles of E-liquid come with droppers to help me fill them using the paper clip method, or will I need to buy a syringe? I really don't want to go the syringe method personally, but if it's a must, I can suck it up.

E. Why do some claim that cartomizers are replacing atomizers/cartridges?

F. Atomizers/Cartridges seem to have longevity compared to cartomizers. What is so bad about cartridges that most use the drip technique or cartomizers?

G. I've heard that you can buy a bag of the fluffy stuff inside the cartridge that soaks up the e-liquid from Walmart and you'd never have to worry about buying cartridges again. You just replace the fluffy stuff, refill, and vape away. What is the validity to this? Is this method safe? Is it effective?

H. Is cleaning the fluffy stuff inside the cartridge effective?

2. Atomizers.

A. While it was in my pocket, I accidentally had the button pressed down (I'm getting a cover soon (Yes, I know. I'm a noob. lol)). When I pulled it out, it was quite hot, but not so hot that it burned to the touch. How can I tell if I've damaged that atomizer? (No worries, I've got spares!)

B. What is the average life expectancy for an atomizer?

C. How will I know when I need to clean/replace the atomizer?

3. E-Liquid.

A. Can someone point me in the direction of a detailed DIY guide? It seems to be the way to go for a sustainable and relatively cheap vaping experience. I'm guessing you get PG/VG and use that to dilute large quantities of extra strength nic flavored mixes to turn say a 120ml 36mg into a 240ml 18mg? I'm totally new to this, so this is just my impression on DIY.

4. Batteries.

A. I currently have two 1000mah batteries for my eGo. How long can I expect these bad boys to survive? (Sidebar: I know nothing about modding, but these things last all day and into the night. I don't even need the second one since I just use the same battery all day, then charge it while I sleep, take it off the charger, and repeat. Couldn't imagine needing a mod for a longer lasting battery. The 1000mah is quite an amazing battery.)

5. The whole package.

A. What is the correct way for me to store this at night after putting the battery on the charger?

a. Should I separate the cartridge from the atomizer and replace the little white cap on the in-use cartridge and the empty cartridge back on the atomizer?

b. Is it OK for the atomizer if I just left the in-use cartridge attached to it or will this cause damage overnight?

Oddly enough, I think I had more questions than this, but I just forgot them. Sorry for the long post, but this community seems to be quite amazing at helping out new users and everyone seems very friendly. I honestly just want to do all of this the right way the first time so I don't end up just going back to analogs.

Thank you everyone for your responses in advance! If I end up getting consensus answers, I'll post them underneath the questions so people like me who read this thread will have a more streamlined source of finding the answers.

[Jolly]

1. Cartridges.

A. How long does the average 501 cartridge on my eGo last? How many puffs, maybe? I've gotten into the groove of pulling like this: Press the button, pull softly for ~4-5 seconds, release the button, finish the pull, inhale, exhale. My use is sporadic. I'll take a few pulls a minute or 1 pull every 30 minutes. Given this, how long can I expect a single cartridge to last?

- about 10 drops, 3 drops on an atomizer is bout 4-5 puffs. 3 into 10 = 3ish so 12 puffs "roughly".

a. Is there a general consensus yet on how many pulls = 1 analog (of equal nic strength) or how many cartridges = 1 pack? This really isn't important to me. Just a curiosity thing.

- you could draw up some mathematical bit of info but it wouldn't be conclusive with out blood samples.

- most of what people would say is hear say and holds no merit to real science.

- vape the mg you feel you need, i started with 18mg, went to 24 then 30. i'll do any of the 3 currently. as a general rule do not go above 24mg; Ever!

B. How can I tell if a cartridge is empty enough that it will hurt my atomizer and I need to replace/refill?

- the taste and vapor production will get lower

C. Using the cartridge-refill method, depending on the answer to A, how many cartridges/refills can I expect to go through in a single day?

a. Approximately how much e-liquid goes into 1 cartridge?

- 8-10 drops. please for the love of all that is holy, don't refill cartridges! that is by far the worst experience i think all of us have had with ecigs. the mess, the time, and then its time to do it again. for sitting around drip, for on the go cartomizer it. and before you ask 40ish drops per cartomizer.

D. What is the best method to reusing cartridges? Will my bottles of E-liquid come with droppers to help me fill them using the paper clip method, or will I need to buy a syringe? I really don't want to go the syringe method personally, but if it's a must, I can suck it up.

- the best, is to not, reuse.

E. Why do some claim that cartomizers are replacing atomizers/cartridges?

- neither replaces either, atty for lounging, carto for out and about.

F. Atomizers/Cartridges seem to have longevity compared to cartomizers. What is so bad about cartridges that most use the drip technique or cartomizers?

- i only used attys at the start but now that i use a mod i only use cartos

G. I've heard that you can buy a bag of the fluffy stuff inside the cartridge that soaks up the e-liquid from Walmart and you'd never have to worry about buying cartridges again. You just replace the fluffy stuff, refill, and vape away. What is the validity to this? Is this method safe? Is it effective?

- you can, the blue u-foam for fish tanks is what most people move to. then after that they just direct drip and think to themselves "why did i wast all that time and energy filling those damn carts and cutting foam.

H. Is cleaning the fluffy stuff inside the cartridge effective?

-no

2. Atomizers.

A. While it was in my pocket, I accidentally had the button pressed down (I'm getting a cover soon (Yes, I know. I'm a noob. lol)). When I pulled it out, it was quite hot, but not so hot that it burned to the touch. How can I tell if I've damaged that atomizer? (No worries, I've got spares!)

- when it doesn't work anymore. the only other thing that might happen is you burn the wick inside, if you haven't already removed it. DO NOT REMOVE THE BRIDGE, no matter what anyone says! and before you ask, removing the bridge is the best way to flood the battery with all the juice that should be in the atty. the wick on the other hand is crap and shouldn't even be part of the atty.

B. What is the average life expectancy for an atomizer?

- i had one last me 95+ days and then destroyed it (not by using it but trying to clean it), long story short don't clean your attys with vinegar or by boiling them. thats some serious over kill and doesn't help at all. let them soak in hot water for a few days and then rinse them a few times.

C. How will I know when I need to clean/replace the atomizer?

- i pretty much don't clean them, not even when i switch juices. my theory is that people put to much energy into thinking about cleaning and end up killing them because of all the extra measures they do. an atty is about 6 bucks, a cartomizer is around 1 buck. its not like you're buying them every day so if it last a week then who cares. one pack of smokes is 6 bucks and for most of us that would be one day of smoking.

3. E-Liquid.

A. Can someone point me in the direction of a detailed DIY guide? It seems to be the way to go for a sustainable and relatively cheap vaping experience. I'm guessing you get PG/VG and use that to dilute large quantities of extra strength nic flavored mixes to turn say a 120ml 36mg into a 240ml 18mg? I'm totally new to this, so this is just my impression on DIY.

- there is a diy section on the forum. go there and ask, keep it more geared to something you want to try such as caramel apple or something nutty.

4. Batteries.

A. I currently have two 1000mah batteries for my eGo. How long can I expect these bad boys to survive? (Sidebar: I know nothing about modding, but these things last all day and into the night. I don't even need the second one since I just use the same battery all day, then charge it while I sleep, take it off the charger, and repeat. Couldn't imagine needing a mod for a longer lasting battery. The 1000mah is quite an amazing battery.)

- a day maybe two, hell could last you a week if you don't vape but a few puffs a day.

- mods are for people that either want higher voltage, something sexy or beastly, or to save money. an stock ego battery is in the $20 range, for 5 bucks i can get two batteries that last just as long as the mega ego battery. even at 12 bucks i can get two batteries that are 3x the life of the ego PER battery. after you are into this for a while, you will get a mod. when the day happens i'll be the guy saying; "see".

5. The whole package.

A. What is the correct way for me to store this at night after putting the battery on the charger?

a. Should I separate the cartridge from the atomizer and replace the little white cap on the in-use cartridge and the empty cartridge back on the atomizer?

b. Is it OK for the atomizer if I just left the in-use cartridge attached to it or will this cause damage overnight?

-lay it on its side. there isn't a need to take it apart. if you have an auto battery you may want to take them apart and stand it battery threads down to drain any juice that got into the hole.

[kitsune]

Jolly Got you pretty much covered.

I will add my 2 cents about a couple of things:

1. One of the hardest things to stop doing is comparing vaping to smoking--The number of draws, amount of nicotine etc as compared to smoking is kinda like apples and broccoli. It ends up boiling down to what works best for you. you will have a period of trial and error ahead of you trying to figure out what works for you.

2. My personal preference really is dripping--I get a much more consistent flavor, throat hit and vapor. It does take a bit of practice to get the hang of dripping, but overall it gives me the best experience.

3. I am one of the few left that prefer carts to cartomizers (only use them when I am driving or unable to drip). I use the blue foam found at most pet shops in the aquarium section, or you can get some precut foam from strictly ejuice (fairly cheap).

Yes you can remove the filler, wash, dry and reuse. to refill the carts--pull out the filler--add liquid (about 8-10 drops), until below the top the cart--push filler into cart using paper clip, tweezers or what not.--pull the fill back to the top level with the cart rim--fluff a bit--add a couple drops to the top if needed.

Most liquids come in dropper bottles--so you really don't need syringes etc until you get ready for DIY.

topping carts--as the vapor and flavor drop off when using carts--remove the cart--add a couple drops the top of the filler and maybe an extra drop to the atty--replace cart and vape.

It is almost impossible to get all the liquid out of a cart--if you allow 5-10 minutes between draws--more liquid will wick to the atty. The problem most of us have with carts is that we vape faster than the liquid can wick---this is when dripping comes in handy.

Whe using carts I actually end up using a combination of dripping and carts--like stated above I just add a drop of 2 to the atty and the top of the cart and vape--usually I can get about 10 draws before I feel the need to add more liquid.

I know its all a lot to take in at the beginning.

You will soon find there is no single way to do things--its a matter of finding out what works best for you. Trial and error.

You will know when the atty is getting dry--gets a burned type taste to it--just don't let it stay dry and hot and your atty will be fine.

Check out the DIY section--information is scattered around, but there is lots of info. ask away.

I am working on a DIY guide--but its still a work in progress--hoping to have something in the next couple weeks.

Backups, Backups, Backups--Batteries, Atomizers and liquids !!!! always carry extras with you when possible. don't rely soley on carts--always have some extra liquid on hand.

Happy vaping

[DAYVAPE]

E. Why do some claim that cartomizers are replacing atomizers/cartridges?

Answer: Because I believe they will eventually... already HAVE for many.

[Brian]

Welcome to Vapor Talk! Great questions and great answers.

My experience with attomizer longevity is that they are hit an miss. I've had some last a month or more, and a few that pop with the first push of the button. On average, I've been running 2 weeks per atty. However, I'm using 5 or 6 volts so I'm happy with 2 weeks. Before I went to higher voltage, I was getting about a month out of an atty.

I direct drip most of the time and use cartomizers when I'm driving. As Kitsune said, it's all about personal preference and finding what works for you.

[mcquinn]

I usually prefer attomisers but lately the quality control is very bad.I am having trouble finding any that will wick from a cart right.So I have been using carto's with the silver theads as they are very consistant for about three days.