Riva 1100 - Day one, and Newbie questions.

[phildo]

Hi Folks

Got my Riva1100 kit today(From Vape Escape, Great fast delivery!), and first thoughts are that I am impressed. I put it together fairly easily, and got it working in no time. Good build quality, although physically it is a lot longer than I am used too.

I have been using the empty carts so far filled with juice(Silky) I ordered with the kit. But I have a couple of (probably stupid) questions.

1. I filled it with the prescribed 30 drops, and seemed to be fine. But within a short time (Maybe 10 draws) it felt like it had a burning taste, so I topped it up with another 8 drops, and seemed ok again. But the drops don't seem to last a long time. I have maybe taken 30 draws today, and already had to top it up 4 times. does this sound right?

My old ecig (Ultra Vape), a cart would last a day and a half. I am not that heavy a vaper. I tend to take about 3 draws, then put it away again for half an hour or so.

2. When I draw it kind of crackles, and occasionally pops (like popping candy), which while it doesn't bother me too much, just feels weird. I am assuming it is just firing up but Again, is this normal?

3. I am interested in flavourless liquid, and I saw the Juice kitchen, sells it for £2.99 for 10ml. I have watched a few video's on making your own liquid, and feel fairly confident I could do it as it would just be PG, VG and Nic base. Do you think this would be significantly cheaper?

Sorry if these are newbie questions. 
Thanks in advance!

Phildo

[padiho]

Hi Phildo, so pleased you are getting on ok with your new Riva. I have been using mine since the beginning of my journey into vaping and its still going strong, 9 months later.

I can't answer all of your questions but it sounds as if you don't have the cartos moist enough. For the first time it's best to fill using the condom method. There is a help of how to do this under pics and videos. I personally can't get on with them but lots of people prefer them. I presume your kit came with a clearomizer also? Give that a try until you master the filling of the cartomisers. They are really easy, just tilt and fill ( trying not to get it down the centre pipe ) you can see how much juice is left and a full one will last for ages.

I have just ventured into making my own. As yet I've only done fruit Menthol ( my main vape) With guidance from some great vendors and lovely people on here it has turned out really nice....and cheap as chips.

[kibbster]

Mar 15, 2013 2:43:31 GMT phildo said:

Hi Folks

Got my Riva1100 kit today(From Vape Escape, Great fast delivery!), and first thoughts are that I am impressed. I put it together fairly easily, and got it working in no time. Good build quality, although physically it is a lot longer than I am used too.

I have been using the empty carts so far filled with juice(Silky) I ordered with the kit. But I have a couple of (probably stupid) questions.

1. I filled it with the prescribed 30 drops, and seemed to be fine. But within a short time (Maybe 10 draws) it felt like it had a burning taste, so I topped it up with another 8 drops, and seemed ok again. But the drops don't seem to last a long time. I have maybe taken 30 draws today, and already had to top it up 4 times. does this sound right?

My old ecig (Ultra Vape), a cart would last a day and a half. I am not that heavy a vaper. I tend to take about 3 draws, then put it away again for half an hour or so.
Are you sure you are using one of the cartomisers and not the dripping atomiser?
The cartos have foam inside them that holds the liquid when you prise out the white plastic bung.
If you are using the dripping atomiser it will only hold 3 to 4 drops and certainly creates an unholy burning taste when it runs dry within a few draws.

With the cartos are you dripping it directly onto the foam and not down the centre airhole?
If you are using the carto have you tried more than one, it's possible you are using a dud?

2. When I draw it kind of crackles, and occasionally pops (like popping candy), which while it doesn't bother me too much, just feels weird. I am assuming it is just firing up but Again, is this normal?
Crackling and popping shows it's working, it will get quieter overtime as it looses more efficiency.

3. I am interested in flavourless liquid, and I saw the Juice kitchen, sells it for £2.99 for 10ml. I have watched a few video's on making your own liquid, and feel fairly confident I could do it as it would just be PG, VG and Nic base. Do you think this would be significantly cheaper?
Yes mixing your own is much cheaper (I haven't started yet myself but plan to.)

Sorry if these are newbie questions. 
Thanks in advance!

Phildo

Don't ever feel sorry for asking questions, we were all there once

[Super-Shiny]

Hi Phil,

Read this guide: allaboute-cigarettes.proboards.com/thread/19393/riva-1100-step-guide

Look at the condom method video instead of doing the 30 drops.

See how it goes.

[phildo]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I am fairly anal retentive about these things. I watched lots of videos to make sure I knew what I was doing and read the guide.

I used the condom method to fill it, although found it very messy in comparison to dripping.

In response to comments. I am sure it is a cartomiser, and sure I had filled it enough ( looked like slush inside), I didn't get any down the centre hole and blew out the centre hole into a tissue.

Thanks
Phildo

[DiscoDes]

You may be better using the clearomiser in there then, as you can see easily how much liquid there is in it.

[esmecullen]

Mar 15, 2013 8:46:46 GMT DiscoDes said:

You may be better using the clearomiser in there then, as you can see easily how much liquid there is in it.

I agree with Des.........I prefer a clearomiser rather than a cartomiser for vaping

As for mixing your own juice....... yes much, much cheaper.........although I do go to vendors for juices that I'm not confident of mixing

[Perpetua]

When you feel ready to start mixing your own eliquid Phil, check out our Mixology Board:

allaboute-cigarettes.proboards.com/board/18/mixology

A wealth of advice on there, along with very helpful and knowledgeable Members only to keen to help and share their experience. I don't buy any ready liquid now, all are home brew, mixed to suit my individual taste requirements.

It's great fun as well!

[phildo]

Guys,

Thought I would post a quick update.

I got the kit On Thursday 15th March, and the first battery only just ran out! That's 6 and a half days on one battery. That amazes me.

As far as consumption is concerned, I am a low vaper. I got two 10ml bottles, and have only used half a bottle, so less than 1 ml per day. And that is me vaping as much as I want/need.

On the basis of that consumption, there seems little need to mix my own as the cost saving would be negligible.

I ordered a few bottles of flavourless from Stew at Juice Kitchen (One with cooling effect and one without), so will try those, but he is able to do a 50 ml bottle for £12.50, and on current consumption that will last at least 2-3 months.

Not tried the clearomiser until I settle on a juice, and have only used 1 cart the whole time, just topping it up with 8-10 drops roughly everyday.

So I am a happy bunny indeed.
Thanks for all the help guys!
Phildo

[Roscopecotrain]

Hi phildo.

Well done mate. That is great news.

I am amazed at 6 days before a re charge.

Flavourless e liquid. So you are vaping it as is your not adding your own flavours to it?

Sent from my Galaxy Note 2

[irishcas]

Hi Phildo welcome and well done so far

[zeldamum]

Wow 6 days for 1 battery charge, you are a light vaper.

Clearos are great and easy to clean and maintain.

[Karma]

Hi Phil, I'm not sure what strength you bought your flavourless e-liquid from but you may find it's cheaper here

www.ltecigs.larsentilbrook.co.uk/index.php?route=product/category&path=61_71&page=2

I think 'LT10' is the discount code

[Chrissie]

Very pleased to hear you are doing so well Phil

[phildo]

Mar 21, 2013 6:05:07 GMT Roscopecotrain said:

Hi phildo.

Well done mate. That is great news.

I am amazed at 6 days before a re charge.

Flavourless e liquid. So you are vaping it as is your not adding your own flavours to it?

Sent from my Galaxy Note 2

 Yes. For me, smoking (when I smoked) and vaping was never really about taste or smell(in fact i hated the smell, even when smoking). It was about throat hit and feeling in the lungs.

So flavourless is perfect for me, as long as it is not nasty tasting, then it suits. I thought about mixing my own up, but buying it from Stew is only going to cost about a pound a week as I use so little, so rather than faff around and maybe making a nasty product, I think its safer and easier to buy it.

I have only tried the flavourless (without cooling effect) so far, and I like it. Its only been a day so I can't fully judge, but the only downside is that you are not entirely sure when the cart is running low, as the taste does not diminish(because they is not one!). Obviously it would start to burn when bone dry.

I think the cooling effect will work better as you will notice a reduction in the cooling effect, which will tell you it is time to top up. 

Obviously a clearomiser would be fine as you can see the level. But I only have one of those, and am waiting till I settle on a juice before I use it.

Phildo