You've done your research, worked out what you want, purchased your e-cig; now what? Well, get vaping, of course. Aside from the obvious, however, there are a number of things you should consider in order to get the optimum performance and longevity from your device.
Batteries
The first thing to think about is proper e-cigarette battery maintenance. The battery is the beating heart of your e-cig, and if it isn't working at its best, you'll begin to see a decline in performance. It's important, therefore, to make sure that it's kept clean.
Over time, e-liquid residue may begin to build up around the connection mounted on the top of the battery. This should be cleaned away regularly, and we have a handy video guide which demonstrates how this should be done. While your battery may look slightly different to the one shown in the video, the same principle can be applied to all of our models.
A build-up of e-liquid residue can affect the battery's ability to deliver power to the cart or tank, which will impact vapour production. It can also have the effect of stopping the device from charging, so it should be the first thing you check should problems develop.
The same thing applies to chargers. E-liquid residue can be transferred to the connection of the charger, inhibiting the charge cycle. Check out this similar video guide for help with cleaning chargers.
Making sure that your battery is kept clean is only step one, however. In addition you should always be aware of how you transport or store your battery. Batteries should never be carried loose in a pocket or bag. Doing so can cause dents, or scrapes as it collides with coins or keys. Any dirt or dust in your bag can also end up around the connection, causing the same problems as a build-up of e-liquid residue.
Keeping a battery in a pocket while attached to a cart or tank is doubly risky. Added stress from moving around and sitting can damage the connection, and this should be avoided at all times.
You should try, whenever possible, to carry your e cigarette in your hand, or a protective case.
Dropping your device is also generally recognised as being a bad idea.
Keeping your batteries clean is vital, but proper charging procedures should also be followed to ensure the longevity of your device. The correct charger should always be used, as using the wrong charger can result in long term damage being caused. V3i and auto Vgo2 batteries require dedicated 5v chargers in order to charge safely, while Manual Vgo2, JAC 510 and Series-E batteries use 4.2v chargers. If you're ever in doubt, just ask us.
Finally, in order to get the longest lifespan possible from your battery, you should avoid partial charging. Try to wait until the battery is flat before popping it on to charge.
Tanks
Looking after your tank is just as important in order to ensure you continue to enjoy maximum vapour and flavour production.
The first thing to bear in mind is that when filling the tank, especially for the first time, that you allow the wick plenty of time absorb the e-liquid. Firing the tank before this happens will result in dry burning, which will produce an acrid, burnt taste that will most likely taint the remaining e-liquid in the tank. You should also avoid allowing the tank to run dry at any point, which will cause the same problem. We recommend allowing at least 20 minutes after filling when using a fresh coil.
Next, it should be remembered that coils do have a finite lifespan. On average, coils will last for around 8-10 refills before they will need to be replaced, but this will vary from user to user. Variables such as battery power, coil resistance and the e-liquid being used will all have an impact.
As coils age, their performance will begin to decline, with flavours becoming more muted and vapour production falling away. Most users will quickly fall into the rhythm of this and will easily be able to tell when the coil needs to be swapped out. You can continue to use the coil as long as flavour and vapour are still to your liking, however.
Ongoing Maintenance
Now that you know the key steps to maintaining your batteries and tanks, there are a couple of other things to keep an eye on.
Should you notice a problem with e-liquid leaking on to your battery, you should take steps to resolve this immediately. As well as causing the performance problems discussed above, excess e-liquid allowed to pool on top of the battery can cause more long-term damage. If you spot constant, or severe leakage, this should be cleaned away immediately and the cause determined. We have dedicated help sections set up for each of our tanks which should help to pin down what is going wrong.
Finally, you should consider the e-liquids you choose to use. E-liquids which use Propylene Glycol (PG) as a base, are generally easier to work with. E-liquids which have a Vegetable Glycerine (VG) base will be more viscous and as a result, it will take longer for wicks to absorb this fully. VG e-liquids also tend to clog up coils a little more quickly, resulting in a slightly shorter lifespan overall.
We have a dedicated help section available on our website, with helpful hints and troubleshooting steps, as well as a suite of video guides on our YouTube channel. We understand, however, that even if a device is rigorously maintained, problems can occur. If you are ever in need of assistance, our customer service team will be more than happy to help.