Carto/Clearo/Tank Dilemma

[shazza]

Hi all,

I've been vaping for 4½ years now, started with a cigalike, then went on to cartomisers, tried an AeroTank mini for a month and went back to cartomisers.

When VapeEscape closed down I bought a couple of KangerTech T3D's and extra coils, put them in a safe place (lol) and duly forgot about them, found them today. I've filled one, let it rest for 30min and tried it. Ugh! I'm getting less vapour than with the cartomiser and loads of crackling noises which is annoying. I use Vision Spinner 2 batteries and always had them set to 4.3v for the cartos have tried turning it up to 4.8v with the T3D but it doesn't seem to make a difference. It seems/feels like I'm getting too much air? If that makes sense.

I don't keep up with all of the new gadgets in the vaping world - overwhelmed I think - and I simply want something that is quite easy to use and as dependable as the cartos have been. I would be quite happy to stick with the cartos but the ones I like are becoming very hard to find, plus I would like to be able to ditch the having to fill several times a day.

I'm not completely giving up on the T3D, if I can stop that dratted crackling noise, suppose I'm really looking for the perfect fit (other than cartos) and don't want to keep throwing good money after bad.

I also realise that there are nearly as many options and combinations as there are vapers and there is no 'this is best' as so much is down to personal taste, but this is my go-to place for questions...so 'ere I am!

[Pepperty]

If you like cartomisers then why not try rebuildable ones? like the atmistique diver and By Leo sophia's and maybe In'ax? I use diver v2's in my billet box and now I have a couple of cage tanks by Leo as the taste is superb using a ceramic cup, low wattage and flavoursome

If you don't rebuild/ or dont wish to then I do know that naturevape do a re wickable cartomiser you could try in a carto tank. I'm assuming that you are after a tight draw and if thats the case then your best option is probably an aspire nautilus tank as they have ready made coils and are reasonably faff free. And yes, I do still use them too!

[shazza]

Would definitely prefer ready made that's a certainty. Tight draw, I dunno. Would using the VS2 at 4.3v and a low resistance carto constitute 'tight draw'? I'll have a look at the Nautilus... offline until tomorrow, but I'll be back!

[GunJack]

shazza you may be turning up the volts too much for the T3D, try around 3.8v and vary depending on what happens, you may even need to go a touch lower...

[decoy]

most coils crackle a bit when new
airotank isn't a bad tank but if you don't like it with diff ohm coils your really not going to like any of the kangertech tight tanks(might be worth trying a rebuilt coil with cotton in but cant rem where to buy them)
as gunjack said turn it down a wee bit and give it a tank full to bed in
if all else fails send me a pm and ill rebuild some of your old/disliked coils for you at what ever ohms you want and they are reasonably easy to rewick when they done so they last a long time
or if your feeling brave have a go at redoing one your self as they were the 1st thing I learnt to coil on

[shazza]

Ok, this is where I am I've still got the dratted crackling going on but... I had just ordered a new VS2 and changed over to that this morning as the one I was using needed charging. Major, major difference! I've used it an hour or so now (at 4.3v) but the liquid seems to be going down quite quickly, may try it down a notch to see if it's good enough and not using so much liquid - it's not using masses of it but more than I thought.

So maybe my other batteries (all VS2) are on their way out? Two were purchased at the same time about 18-20 months ago and one about a year ago, then the new one.

[VE Jason]

Turn the voltage down a bit Shazza and then turn it up once the coil has bedded in after a day or two.

Batteries can last years, but realistically anything up to 6 months for a VS type battery to be at it's best.

[shazza]

Thanks all, I think I'm ok now. It's working well and I'm quite happy but I do have another question or two. I'll add them here, but let me know if I should start a different thread...

I like simple. The VS2 lasts me all day, often more and I like the easy to use variable voltage (have never had it full on). But, with the T3D on it it's begun to feel too long/tall and top heavy. Is there something comparable that is smaller but 1600-ish without going ott? If it makes a difference, I charge mine with the usb into a wall plug.

The other thing is having to continually keep it upright. Right now I'm changing back to my cartos at bedtime because I like to read in bed and with the carto I can lie it down next to me without any issues. I'm sure I've read that these (like the T3D) will leak if lying down? There are also issues when going out, sticking it in my bag it won't always be upright etc...

Do the coils have a general life? I'm not sure when to change it, is it like the cartos in that it begins to use more liquid to little effect and just generally gets a 'bad' taste?

Thanks, you all are stars

[Deleted]

Yeah you're right about coils....when they lose their vape and taste horrid time to change - also check the wick. If it's looking too burnt again time to change coils shazza

But VE Jason will keep thee right

[VE Jason]

Jul 20, 2016 10:33:37 GMT shazza said:

Thanks all, I think I'm ok now. It's working well and I'm quite happy but I do have another question or two. I'll add them here, but let me know if I should start a different thread...

I like simple. The VS2 lasts me all day, often more and I like the easy to use variable voltage (have never had it full on). But, with the T3D on it it's begun to feel too long/tall and top heavy. Is there something comparable that is smaller but 1600-ish without going ott? If it makes a difference, I charge mine with the usb into a wall plug.

The other thing is having to continually keep it upright. Right now I'm changing back to my cartos at bedtime because I like to read in bed and with the carto I can lie it down next to me without any issues. I'm sure I've read that these (like the T3D) will leak if lying down? There are also issues when going out, sticking it in my bag it won't always be upright etc...

Do the coils have a general life? I'm not sure when to change it, is it like the cartos in that it begins to use more liquid to little effect and just generally gets a 'bad' taste?

Thanks, you all are stars

Anything with adjustable voltage, like the VS, will always be a bit longer. Although, Aspire do some that are a bit shorter (but, maybe slightly fatter).

Other than that a fixed voltage (regulated) Ego type battery would be shorter.

You can lay the T3D down for short periods or whilst carrying - no problem. It'll only really leak if left for a long time or in a particularly hot place.

Coils are much the same as carto's and you'll soon know when they are ready to be replaced by the taste or the fact they just die altogether.

[shazza]

Ok, mind made up (lol) I'll stick with this set-up as it's working and if it ain't broke...

One last question, what do you do with old batteries? I'll have a few when I get a couple more VS2's ordered Think I might have a smaller one too.

[TJ]

Take them to your nearest battery re-cycling box, should be one in your local bigger supermarket, Tesco's, Asda etc shazza

[shazza]

Just wanted to pop in and let you know how I'm getting on.

I'm quite happy with the T3Ds now and have ordered a couple extra and a few boxes of coils. It still spits/crackles a bit, not as much, and if that is the worst of a trade off for not have to drip into cartos every hour or so, I can live with it I also ordered 3 new VS2s as they've been a good battery for me and last me the day for the most part.

Thank you again for your help, this board is a vaping lifeline, and I think I'll hang around more than I used to, try to get up to speed with some of the new lingo, lol and maybe even be able to help some newbies Just so you know, I've already been looking at some mods for when the VS2s start to give out... you've been well warned of the question avalanche!

Thanks again you lovely lot.

[chykensa]

I have arrived too late to contribute to this thread shazza but this forum has been a lifeline many times for me too!
Glad that you are sorted, and you never know, with a few more questions (which we love answering, BTW!), you may get yourself something which is equally faff-free and easy to use, and which gives you more battery life, less filling and a more satisfying vape. Ask away!

[shazza]

Thanks chykensa, I daren't ask away or I know I'll end up 'buying away' When the time comes though I definitely will!