After a few days of exultation, my LL cera has gone back to sleep ! Like a rat getting immune to poison, my cera seems to have got wise to my new assault of fine grinding my hash and has somehow managed to re-aligned her DNA to thwart my efforts. Same hash, same technique, same batteries, cera not even remotely interested in firing up, preferring to wallow in the process of turning tinder dry ground pollen into a sticky blob. Back to square one, or should that be step two ? Can`t think of any thing else. Ironically firing up started to get more elusive as I was trying to fine tune my technique, and now absolutely nothing for 3 days and counting !
Discontinued Thermovape Cera
- Thread starter SameOldTim
- Start date
Krazzykid
Well-Known Member
How long are you letting it warm up before you try to draw any air through it? Have you powered it up when empty with the cap off so you can watch how the core heats up?
Yeah, I usually go on 25 seconds on a fresh battery, tapering off to 45- 60 after a couple of bowls, I`m definitely not going too early. Last week for a couple of days I was getting a 100% hit rate even firing it up for friends to try who had never experienced it working properly producing vapour. We had to keep cooling the mouthpiece down as it soldiered on, taking it in turns. Production started to taper off when I found I could still fire it up, but had to work it hard to keep producing vapour, to not even being able to fire it up at all ! I tried a boil wash on the off chance it was blocked but to no avail. It`s been like this for the last 5 months, every now and then it will fire up, and I can`t figure out what I am doing differently when it works.
caporoot
Vapor > Smoke
Extremely disappointed in TV right now. I sent a rebuild cart to them and paid $40 shipping (over night shipping cost) for them to send it back to me (I paid to send it to them obviously). They received it early LAST week, and then finally sent the rebuilt cart out on Friday.
It is now the 29th and the package hasn't even left the US yet. I find this insane that they can charge overnight shipping costs (not to mention this cart is pretty small in size) and not get it to the buyer within 3 business days.
This was their response..
'I'm sorry about the delay with USPS. I did just reimburse you 15$ of the shipping costs. I'm going to have to update the shipping calculations. That pricing was closer to USPS Express'
This really concerns me, who knows how long they have been overcharging and profiting off shipping costs. Pretty sad imo.
It is now the 29th and the package hasn't even left the US yet. I find this insane that they can charge overnight shipping costs (not to mention this cart is pretty small in size) and not get it to the buyer within 3 business days.
This was their response..
'I'm sorry about the delay with USPS. I did just reimburse you 15$ of the shipping costs. I'm going to have to update the shipping calculations. That pricing was closer to USPS Express'
This really concerns me, who knows how long they have been overcharging and profiting off shipping costs. Pretty sad imo.
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Vape Dr.
Well-Known Member
I agree, their customer service has become less than desirable, but at least your still getting your cart. I had sent a Ti EO cart to them and never received it back. Somehow it got lost, so my EO cart could be anywhere (possibly was delivered to the wrong address?).
I'll be damned if I'm going to pay $200 plus shipping for another Ti EO cart from someone else's mistake!
After a month, I gave up hopes of ever receiving it.
They told me to check my post office, I did 2-3 times a week. I wasn't aware it was my job to keep track of the items they send out. They received the cart from me just fine, and they didn't have to check the post office periodically to get it....you live you learn, you get pissed
, but what can you do.This has happened from other companies as well.
Maybe I'm just unlucky like that.
But I expected better from Thermo Essence.
OF
Well-Known Member
I'm sorry both of you are having troubles, but if I'm reading this right I sure can't see anything TV did wrong? If they shipped it out by the agreed way and USPS and customs have somehow slowed that down? I'm not sure how that's TV's fault, perhaps I missed something. And, while not being at fault they're refunding you part of your shipping? I seriously doubt they're counting on ripping customers off for a few dollars in shipping to increase their bottom line. If there's a mistake in their pricing, it's good it's being corrected of course.
I also seriously doubt they 'sat on' or unnecessarily delayed your (or anyone else's for that matter) gear. No matter what shipping speed it's being returned with. I hope you get it soon, time can really drag in such case, more so when you don't have a suitable backup.
And if the shipment is lost, after they sent it out, I fail to see what more they could have done.
Be angry if you must, but it sounds to me like that anger might be a little misdirected?
OF
OF
Well-Known Member
I just answered this on the other thread (Luna) where you also asked it. Please see my answer there? Thanks.
OF
Krazzykid
Well-Known Member
I am more wondering just how close you are with her?
For instance when it was working properly did you ever pay close attention to how quickly an empty bowl comes to temperature and how brilliantly it would shine? Is it reacting with the same speed and intensity now as it did then?
If it's coming to temperature the same then there are only two variables left to solve
1. Is something different with the material you feed it (moisture content etc etc)?
2. Is something changing with your technique?
It has to be one of these.
If your core isn't coming to temp as fast as it should or isn't getting hot enough, then I'm afraid it's time to send her in.(might as well send everything)
If your core IS heating properly, then I'm afraid you or your material is the issue.
I have never dealt with a rebuild so I am a little clueless here, but was it not insured? Is insurance not an option(it should be along with signature required IMO), or did you just not pay for it?I agree, their customer service has become less than desirable, but at least your still getting your cart. I had sent a Ti EO cart to them and never received it back. Somehow it got lost, so my EO cart could be anywhere (possibly was delivered to the wrong address?).
I'll be damned if I'm going to pay $200 plus shipping for another Ti EO cart from someone else's mistake!
After a month, I gave up hopes of ever receiving it.
They told me to check my post office, I did 2-3 times a week. I wasn't aware it was my job to keep track of the items they send out. They received the cart from me just fine, and they didn't have to check the post office periodically to get it....you live you learn, you get pissed
This has happened from other companies as well.
Maybe I'm just unlucky like that.
But I expected better from Thermo Essence.
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caporoot
Vapor > Smoke
What im getting at is.. I make a lot of online purchases, I know for a fact that I could send a package the size of a EO cart to Cali overnight for around $28-32. I was charged $42 for shipping costs.
It has been 6 business days and it still has not even left the US. I am upset because they clearly know they are overcharging from that reply I was given but they don't reimburse until someone bring its up.
Yeah, checked yesterday, a fresh battery still comes to full glow in about 15 secs, I`ve had the core checked and it was bang on 1 ohm so I`m not disputing it is user error. Maybe my material varies in oil moisture content, but last week grinding seemed to overcome this issue. As for technique I seem to get the best results when I`m not paying attention as in taking an overview, as I`m too wrapped up in trying to ride the wave, and feel my way depending on how cera reacts. I start to inhale slowly steadily increasing speed and when I feel her starting to bite, I try to inhale harder to transfer the heat. This is the point where sometimes I get lucky and more often I don`t. As I said in my last post, it`s when trying to zone in and focus on one perceived fixed procedure (presumably the wrong procedure) when results take a downturn. I find most of the descriptions on fc exact as in describes what happens when executed correctly, but not particularly helpful to those unable to `break the code` at will !
caporoot
Vapor > Smoke
I live in Canada. Vancouver actually, not too far from TV's head office.
I think you're missing the point but whatever its not that big of a deal, they reimbursed me so I am happy but I was just concerned with them profiting off others.
Hey gang, hiya. Ive been away away a few months and made an exciting discovery and wish to inform my friends here because I feel a little guilty about recommending those black orbitronic 18650 s for the cera!
I was having the interminablel discussed problem of difficult to vape leaf carts and slow vaping oil carts UNTIL I SWITCHED TO THE GREEN PANASONIC 3.7 volt 3400 m A h "NCR18650B" WHICH CAN EXPLODE IF SHORTED!
EVIDENTLY the orbitronic either does not supply all the amperage necessary for the cera to heat properly, or the cart needs more
than the maximum aps the orbitronic can produce.
THE GREEN PANASONIC UNREGULATED UNSHORTCIRCUIT PROTECTED, SOLVED ALL THE HEATING PROBLEMS !
My cera is back to making vapor with the leaf cart and vapor in under ten seconds with the oil cart!!!
Sorry if this has been discussed and is old hat by now, but had to get this info off my chest! CHEERS! now whats this about a hotter model??
I was having the interminablel discussed problem of difficult to vape leaf carts and slow vaping oil carts UNTIL I SWITCHED TO THE GREEN PANASONIC 3.7 volt 3400 m A h "NCR18650B" WHICH CAN EXPLODE IF SHORTED!
EVIDENTLY the orbitronic either does not supply all the amperage necessary for the cera to heat properly, or the cart needs more
than the maximum aps the orbitronic can produce.
THE GREEN PANASONIC UNREGULATED UNSHORTCIRCUIT PROTECTED, SOLVED ALL THE HEATING PROBLEMS !
My cera is back to making vapor with the leaf cart and vapor in under ten seconds with the oil cart!!!
Sorry if this has been discussed and is old hat by now, but had to get this info off my chest! CHEERS! now whats this about a hotter model??
As I understand it, the black orbitronic was a compromise in the first place, as the green Panasonic suitable for LL cera was discontinued. Not sure if the battery heads have decided whether it`s the Sony VTC 4 or 5 is better for LL, but I agree that the stock black orbs seem ineffective for Moroccan Pollen.
its not the capacity its the available amps! I dont remember what amperage the orbotronic was limited to, maybe it was 8 amps, ?
so Im guessing the cera needs about 25 watts to really produce, so when you get to just 3 volts youre running out of watts!
(3voltsxamps8=24 watts.) and im guessing maybe the orbs either didnt supply 8 amps, or the cera wants more than 25 watts!
I just ordered a couple sonys, just based on a) they can supppy the wattage neccessary to work and 2) they seem to be the highest cap. acity yet of the type.
so Im guessing the cera needs about 25 watts to really produce, so when you get to just 3 volts youre running out of watts!
(3voltsxamps8=24 watts.) and im guessing maybe the orbs either didnt supply 8 amps, or the cera wants more than 25 watts!
I just ordered a couple sonys, just based on a) they can supppy the wattage neccessary to work and 2) they seem to be the highest cap. acity yet of the type.
Vape Dr.
Well-Known Member
The stock orbtronics are PD2900Mah 10amp high drain
Underneath that it says 18650 3.7V 2900 mAh
OF
Well-Known Member
No need to guess, we know those numbers, they're about half your guess. Four Amps is the design current. Capacity (say to 10, 20, or even 30A) is basically useless for this application. Like having 4WD in stop and go traffic in the city.
The traditional batteries from TV, the CGR18650CH and NCR18650PD are good choices (TV tested a bunch to get to them). My brief testing of the Sony VTC5 shows it to be in that same class, very slightly hotter but shorter in sessions than the PD by about 10%. In other applications the results could no doubt differ, but for us those 3 seem like good calls. The first two have a long record of success, the third is working on it.
At same price I'd probably go with the PD for the extra capacity reason, FWIW.
OF
nopartofme
Over the falls, in a barrel
I just got confirmation from TET that it is possible for a 7.4v "Luna" EL cartridge to be used in a Cera with two 18350s. It is also possible to get a CEL cart rewound to 7.4v as part of a $25 cartridge rebuild.
I'm wondering now about the pros and cons of having this done. This is as much as I've got:
I'm wondering now about the pros and cons of having this done. This is as much as I've got:
- + Faster heat-up
- – Dealing with charging battery pairs
- – Cost of purchasing 18350s
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"No need to guess, we know those numbers, they're about half your guess. Four Amps is the design current. Capacity (say to 10, 20, or even 30A) is basically useless for this application. ..."
if four amps is the 'design current' (what does that mean without a voltage spec.?) then why doesnt the cart.
get hot enough with the orbotronic , but does with the panasonic and sony?
Capacity "is useless for this application" is absolute gibber...I wont even bother explaining why.
if four amps is the 'design current' (what does that mean without a voltage spec.?) then why doesnt the cart.
get hot enough with the orbotronic , but does with the panasonic and sony?
Capacity "is useless for this application" is absolute gibber...I wont even bother explaining why.
OF
Well-Known Member
No, please do. If you think you know what you're talking about and I'm wrong, please explain how?
The numbers you cite are way off too, AFAIK, if I'm in error there, kindly include those details?
TIA
Use good concentrates, ones that pass the foil test. Weigh your cart new, keep track of the weight until you learn the system. Add .5 grams, melting it fully into the ceramic before trying for vapor. Keep track of the weight, reload .25 or so when you get down to .25 grams from dry. Always question the battery charge before adding more concentrate.
Eventually you'll be able to 'read' the cart load by the appearance of the top plate (probably, concentrates vary) and you'll pick up the ability to sense how the cart is doing. The big things to avoid are poor concentrates, overloading and letting it run too dry.
And enjoy it, no special instructions needed there, it's kinda natural.
Good luck.
OF
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OF
Well-Known Member
Yeah, I'd be real careful with metal. The ceramic is very porous meaning the walls are very thin. Like a dried out kitchen sponge, it's easy to break bits off. Even a toothpick can break it if you give it a chance.
BTW, the top plate is also loose usually, don't worry, it'll get stuck down when the concentrate hits.
OF