Discontinued Thermovape Alpha Ultralite

[Quetzalcoatl]

Don't put too much stock in color of the nickle plating, it tends to 'age' some over time and often runs of it differ since the chemicals in the tanks change over time as well.

I also noticed that mine is slowly starting to tarnish, at least the outside back part of the body. It's got a nice contrast to the inner switch ring and the AVA/DART. I like it, I think it adds personality to the defined aesthetic of it.

Not that "defined' is bad, but it's got the look that if you didn't know what it was, you couldn't think of anything to relate it to, but once someone says it's an e-cig you never mistake it again. It's recognizable. I still catch myself looking at it sometimes wondering how small yet able it is. Weather going well, it'll be helping me stay pain-free on a fishing trip this weekend with a few small bb's of oil in the DART

 

[kingofnull]

I also noticed that mine is slowly starting to tarnish, at least the outside back part of the body. It's got a nice contrast to the inner switch ring and the AVA/DART. I like it, I think it adds personality to the defined aesthetic of it.

Not that "defined' is bad, but it's got the look that if you didn't know what it was, you couldn't think of anything to relate it to, but once someone says it's an e-cig you never mistake it again. It's recognizable. I still catch myself looking at it sometimes wondering how small yet able it is. Weather going well, it'll be helping me stay pain-free on a fishing trip this weekend with a few small bb's of oil in the DART

this is how I felt just a few hours ago

 

[Quetzalcoatl]

I don't know what happened... I was just about to post about how my Ultra + DART has become my new favourite unit when it stopped vaping

I gave it an ISO soak for a few hours and let it dry. I've not been able to get it to vape anything so far. I've probably flooded it now, but I followed the same technique that's been working since day one. I've ISO/boiled it many times before with no negative results.

The coil still heats up, I can see it with the DART tip removed. I've tried three different batteries - two AW IMR and one AW IC.

Stumped.

Hey friend,

So you can see the coil heating up when you look down the body, but it doesn't vaporize anything at all? Charge up your batteries and give it a 10 minute boil. Dry it out and when it's ready, give it the 20-20-20. 20 seconds on, 20 seconds off, 20 times. Change batteries when the body starts warming up. I've gotten my AVA somewhat clogged up kinda icky from some okay-quality ISO oil, as well as some bubble hash and regular hash (the texture of the regular hash would become like sand when warm) back up and running like new with a boil, ISO, boil, and then the 20-20-20. I can't taste anything but the juice I'm dripping into it right now, and even when I run it dry it's just the burned taste from the juice, there is no residual burned oil taste.

 

[kingofnull]

Hey friend,

So you can see the coil heating up when you look down the body, but it doesn't vaporize anything at all? Charge up your batteries and give it a 10 minute boil. Dry it out and when it's ready, give it the 20-20-20. 20 seconds on, 20 seconds off, 20 times. Change batteries when the body starts warming up. I've gotten my AVA that clogged up kinda icky from some okay-quality ISO oil back up and running like new with a boil, ISO, boil, and then the 20-20-20. I can't taste anything but the juice I'm dripping into it right now, and even when I run it dry it's just the burned taste from the juice, there is no residual burned oil taste.

Yeah I was thinking maybe it's just really clogged. I have really been putting it through it's paces of late. Should I just start the process all over and ISO then boil, or do you think a good long boil will clear things up?

Thanks

 

[bopper]

I also noticed that mine is slowly starting to tarnish, at least the outside back part of the body. It's got a nice contrast to the inner switch ring and the AVA/DART. I like it, I think it adds personality to the defined aesthetic of it.

Not that "defined' is bad, but it's got the look that if you didn't know what it was, you couldn't think of anything to relate it to, but once someone says it's an e-cig you never mistake it again. It's recognizable. I still catch myself looking at it sometimes wondering how small yet able it is. Weather going well, it'll be helping me stay pain-free on a fishing trip this weekend with a few small bb's of oil in the DART

The Cape Cod Cloth recommended by AVA will bring the finish on the Ultra back if you change your mind about the look. Just remember to give it a wipe with a microfiber cloth after the Cape Cod treatment to make it like new.

Best,

bopper

 

[Quetzalcoatl]

Thank you kindly for the information! Cheap and I found this video of a fellow vaporist sporting what looks like the UltraMax! Got the Res tank on there and some e-juice vapors at the end

 

[OF]

Yeah I was thinking maybe it's just really clogged. I have really been putting it through it's paces of late. Should I just start the process all over and ISO then boil, or do you think a good long boil will clear things up?

As usual, Q has beat me to the good advice.....

I've fouled out my Revolution big time and ended up here too. I recommend boiling it first, than ISO. I used to recommend the ultrasonic sink as well, but then tests wrecked one (seems to have shaken the heater loose?) so ultrasonics aren't recommended any more. I also boil it after the ISO since I think that gets the ISO out better.

The key, for me, was the 20/20/20 burn I think. That's the part that got me back on the air.

Good luck. Worse case, send it in, it's covered under the warranty.....

OF

 

[kingofnull]

As usual, Q has beat me to the good advice.....

I've fouled out my Revolution big time and ended up here too. I recommend boiling it first, than ISO. I used to recommend the ultrasonic sink as well, but then tests wrecked one (seems to have shaken the heater loose?) so ultrasonics aren't recommended any more. I also boil it after the ISO since I think that gets the ISO out better.

The key, for me, was the 20/20/20 burn I think. That's the part that got me back on the air.

Good luck. Worse case, send it in, it's covered under the warranty.....

OF

Good advice Q and OF.

I always thought the ISO step should go before the boil. I don't know why - I guess reclaim and a fear that boiling first would 'set' the hardened oil.

I'll give it a go on the boil later today and see what happens. I usually do boil after an ISO soak, this is the first time I didn't.

Out of a matter of interest, how long do you let it dry? Or do you use the 20/20/20 burn for drying it out as well?

I may need to send it in for warranty. I have some 6V accessories I want rewound too, which I should have done a long time ago. Now I'll have to send it all in at ones and my Ultra will go unused .

One other question, how long do your batteries take to charge fully?

 

[OF]

My 'take' is boiling it first loosens things up, that which doesn't boil out faces the ISO, which now has an easier job.

Ironically, the ISO probably gives the boiling water later a better chance as well.

I dry by shaking out as much water as I can from the boil while hot, letting it cool then heating it up carefully. I'd say on average maybe 2 hours to charge?

OF

 

[Globbs]

Someone mentioned tossing a dart in in their toaster oven @ 180-200f. Anyone ever try this? I imagine it would speed up evaporation if in a pinch.

 

[jambandphan03]

blowing through the threaded end helps get some liquid out from inside. Hair drier also helps.

 

[kingofnull]

I'd say on average maybe 2 hours to charge?

OF

I'm thinking I need to get a better charger. Either that or my A/C isn't supplying enough... It seems to take about a half hour to charge to 'green', and I definitely don't get anywhere near as many hits as others have mentioned off a 'fully' charged battery.

 

[jambandphan03]

I'm using an Xtar charger, it's pretty good.

 

[kushcabbage]

just placed an order for an apex ultra, thanks for the link jam!

 

[jambandphan03]

Those people are probably wondering why the sudden surge in Ultra sales... nice Kush, hope you enjoy it!

 

[kushcabbage]

Thanks to fuckcombustion, gotta love how we all jump on the bandwagons! This seems like a great wagon to jump on. I only use my HVD omicron 2.5 head with the aw imr 14500 3.7 600mAh's with my collection of darts. I forget why I stopped using them and switched to using gpen stuff.. Anyway making the switch back and I used to have the ultralite, tiny little guy. This seem's like it would be a good fit, as the t1 base was too big. The HVD makes the dart a little tall to hold and pocket, too. It'll be nice to have another disaster proof battery mod I won't have to worry about again! And great price, just have to make sure to not loose it with a precious dart attached!

 

[kingofnull]

The additional boil + 20/20/20 seemed to clear things up for me. I don't know why I opted not to boil the last time, but it's obviously a pretty necessary step.

So I'm back to loving my TV Alpha Ultra + DART. I only wish I'd discovered it sooner.

edit: in retrospect I probably could've just hooked the DART up to a VV mod and increased the voltage slightly to help burn through the blockage.

 

[Bob Loblaw]

Yes! Time to get one ordered. I wonder if there some assembled for shipping. Only one way to find out.

please let me know asap if you are successful. i am itching to pull the trigger on the eo ss core, but i wanna make sure i can use it!?! i know TET is working on adapters, but i doubt it is on the top of their list. i'd be all over that if you make some for us FC'ers.

 

[kingofnull]

And now I'm in the same position with the Ultra + DART... Worked for a few puffs, now no more production. Tried another boil and 20/20/20, still nothing. Noticed there's a white spot on my black ceramic. Not sure if it's damaged or if its showing the colour underneath the 'soot'.

Trying another ISO soak now, then a boil in the morning. Hopefully it'll clear up again.

 

[OF]

And now I'm in the same position with the Ultra + DART... Worked for a few puffs, now no more production. Tried another boil and 20/20/20, still nothing. Noticed there's a white spot on my black ceramic. Not sure if it's damaged or if its showing the colour underneath the 'soot'.

White I've never heard of except actual damage. Have you been poking at it with something that might have taken a divot out of it? It's pretty brittle, a wood toothpick could do it.

As to why it should foul quickly....concentrate related?? How does your stuff do with the foil test?

OF

 

[kingofnull]

Unless you think a paper towel would do it?

Concentrates are the same as always and worked done for several weeks up until now.

 

[OF]

Unless you think a paper towel would do it?

Concentrates are the same as always and worked done for several weeks up until now.

I don't think paper towel would be an issue, although the surface is rough enough to maybe sang? It's just that (chip from the surface) is all I can think of that would expose white.....

I still wonder if maybe they're carrying in some stuff not vaping clean and slowly fouling it out and you're just not confronting it because up until now there's been enough active area?? Guessing here. How does it do in the foil test?

OF

 

[jambandphan03]

I've cleaned a white spot back into the center of one of my ceramic disks in one of my darts, I could see the orange glow through it again, even though it was dark all around it. I did not see any flaking or change in surface, it was just white again, right above the coil. It is possible the build up cooked off in the middle, because that is where the most heat is from the coil. Just my theory anyway, and couple that with cleaning... and uisng a q tip to rub the surface of the disk.

 

[OF]

I did not see any flaking or change in surface, it was just white again, right above the coil. It is possible the build up cooked off in the middle, because that is where the most heat is from the coil. Just my theory anyway, and couple that with cleaning... and uisng a q tip to rub the surface of the disk.

Jam,

I think you may have it! Entirely possible I think. Heat from a 20/20/20 run is as hot as it gets, the center of the disk will be the hottest part (directly above the center of the heater and furthest from the edges.....

For now, I think that explains it. Now, why can't KoN find true happiness with his??? Concentrate? Not getting to full temperature?

OF

 

[kingofnull]

I've cleaned a white spot back into the center of one of my ceramic disks in one of my darts, I could see the orange glow through it again, even though it was dark all around it. I did not see any flaking or change in surface, it was just white again, right above the coil. It is possible the build up cooked off in the middle, because that is where the most heat is from the coil. Just my theory anyway, and couple that with cleaning... and uisng a q tip to rub the surface of the disk.

That's exactly my experience too. Wish I could get the whole thing that white again

Foil test tomorrow, but I really don't think it's the quality of the concentrates. I've run far lesser quality material through the DART previously and a ISO soak + boil + 20/20/20 had been enough to bring it back to new.