Need help with Innokin Endura T20-S

[RoseJ]

Hi guys - I need some serious help with the Innokin Endura T20-S. I wrote to Innokin about it, so to save time, I’ll paste that here - apologies for the length. See below. They replied with some general trouble-shooting tips, which I either already do, or they don’t apply to my model. What I really need, is some peer advice, especially if you’ve used this model. Anyway, here’s the email.
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Several months ago, I bought an Innokin Endura T20-S, having successfully used the T18 for years. I immediately fell in love with the new model, and was so happy I found it. I even bought two more, along with a bunch of replacement coils. I got these from MyFreedomSmokes.com, if that helps

Everything was fine, until I had to replace the coil for the first time. I replaced it, filled it, and put it aside to charge. A couple of hours later I went to remove it from the charger, and saw that it had leaked the entire tank of liquid down the tube and onto the desk. The coil is a bit fiddley, so I assumed I’d inserted it wrong. I messed around with it a bit, noticing that if the coil wasn’t inserted right, there would be a minute gap between the main top piece, and the piece that screws onto the bottom of it. I filled it up again, and this time it didn’t leak. I was happy, thinking I’d solved a problem.

The next time I had to change a coil, I had similar problems even though I made sure that the bottom piece had no gaps. I kept trying to insert the coil again until it stopped leaking. The trouble is that now I had no idea what was causing the problem and what was not. This kept happening every time I changed a coil. Sometimes I would have to throw coil away thinking it was the coil that was faulty. I went through a lot of coils and a lot of liquid. I was also concerned about liquid that may be getting into the button area when it leaked.

Yesterday came the last straw. I had the unit sitting on the table next to me while I was chatting to friends. All of a sudden, the mod started hisising, as though the button was being pressed. I picked it up and tried to turn it off but it didn’t stop hissing, and the top was too hot to touch. Finally my husband removed the top from the battery and it stopped. But the top was burning hot. My own personal belief, is that the continuous leaking every time I change the coil had caused a build up of gunk inside the button and caused it to malfunction. But who knows what would’ve happened if I hadn’t been right there.

Frightened to use that mod again I threw it away and got out a new one. It already had a coil in it so I filled it up and what do you know, it leaked everywhere. I inserted a new coil, filled it up, but this time I did not put it onto the mod, given what had happened with the other one. I sat it over the hole of a small bottle to see if it would leak again. Several hours later I checked and it had not leaked. I put it on the mod and this morning it had leaked everywhere again.

I have had enough finally. I so badly wanted this model to work for me. It’s a great model but I think I got a bad batch with a design flaw. I am left with one mod thrown away before it should have been, another near new one that leaks, and one as yet unopened. I also have about 10 boxes of coils. I can’t use any of this stuff now.

I’m going to ask myfreedomsmokes.com to either replace the mods or reimburse me. I have noticed that they no longer sell this unit so I’m thinking they may already know that there’s a problem. More than anything else though, I need an explanation. Which is why am sending this to you. I’d like to continue using this model but only if the design flaw has been fixed. Please let me know what is happening.

Regards,

Rose

 

[RoseJ]

Here is their reply, along with my annotations:

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Hi Rose,

Thanks for contacting with Innokin,we are so sorry to hear about the issue which you have reported.
There is no a faulty batch. As for leaking,mostly are caused by incorrect operation,we have some suggestions:
1.Make sure you tighten everything up,watch out for cross-threading,and don't over-tighten. “I do this, of course”
2.Make sure the O-ring is in good condition,replace it if needed. *The only O-ring I see on the top unit, is in the drip-tip section. I check the two on the coils.”
3.Prime the coil before vaping.add a few drops of e-juice to the wick at the ports around the side first,wait several minutes.then fill the tank and wait for 30 minutes before vaping. “This is not what the boxed instructions say, but ok, I’ll try that.”
4.Please avoid taking long fierce draws “I never do.”
5.Don't overfill the tank,or the oil will get into the central section of the coil and flow out from the bottom of the tank. “I never do.”
6.When refilling your atomizer, close the airflow control ports. After letting the coil sit for a few minutes, open the airflow back up to your desired setting. “This unit does not have airflow hole adjustment”
7.Leave the tank standing up. “Yes, I do.”
8.Minimise condensation inside regularly.
9.If all fails,change a new coil. “I can’t tell you how often I have done this with new coils, only to have the same thing happen with the next new one”
Can you give a try as we suggested and then tell us the result? normally consumers can solve the leaking problem after trying these steps.

If these suggestion still doesn't help,please try to contact the seller for help first,it will be sooner for you to have the problem solved.Please let us know and send us
a photo of the receipt(with item name,store name and purchase date all on one sheet) if they can't help.
Kind regards
Innokin Support Team

 

[stols001]

If you are out of your warranty period, Innoken may not be so helpful, I experienced the same thing recently with a vendor (although mine is somewhat less important, I have backups.

I don't have one of the T-series, Innoken stuff does tend to be reliable, but any mod maker can have problems. If you have a vape shop near you, I might suggest/consider going there and if there is a knowledgeable staff member there, they may be able to watch you./help you set up.

I will say on fixed wattage setups, priming is HARDER. You may need to let the coil sit a while, and also, maybe put a drop or two of eliquid INSIDE and as it sits, you can take LONG SLOW priming puffs WITHOUT hitting the fire button (this suction causes capillary action and wicks liquid INTO the coil, which is where you need it to be, around 20 of those to be on the safe side over a period of time.

WHEN you hit the fire button, start with short, bursts with the fire button and continue to inhale the liquid AFTER you stop hitting the fire button. This will continue to wick juice up into the coil as you are slowly heating it up, and do that for awhile, before finally just starting to vape like normal It's possible that priming is harder with the newer than the older version, so maybe that is why you are having trouble.

Best of luck! Hopefully someone who has your device will happen along and have more information for you, but I wish you lots of luck. If it were me (given Innoken's response) I would just start fresh with the new model, clean tank thoroughly including O-rings and kind of try to "start over."

Anna

 

[AngeNZ]

I used the t18 and t22 as a beginner. My only suggestion would be the coil isn't seating right - which is causing it to leak. But it sounds like you have already tried and fixed that.

 

[r77r7r]

That much coming out, I'd think it is a bad oring perhaps on the top of the tank? Can you disassemble and inspect all the orings?

I don't have this tank but the ones that I do, I make all connections quite tightly after lubing the rings.

GL!

 

[RoseJ]

Thanks for the replies!

@stols001 - I’ve never been good about priming, scared to get a mouthful of liquid (it’s happened). But I’ll certainly give your suggestion a try. Thanks for your detailed reply.

@AngeNZ - yes, I used the T18 when I first quit, went on to Provaris, got sick of the fiddling, and went back full circle.

@r77r7r - I only see one O ring in the mouthpiece, so if there are any in the tank, I can’t see them. I might have to feel for them.

 

[puffon]

I know the T18 and T22 had a clear o-ring in the cap.

 

[r77r7r]

Thanks for the replies!

@stols001 - I’ve never been good about priming, scared to get a mouthful of liquid (it’s happened). But I’ll certainly give your suggestion a try. Thanks for your detailed reply.

@AngeNZ - yes, I used the T18 when I first quit, went on to Provaris, got sick of the fiddling, and went back full circle.

@r77r7r - I only see one O ring in the mouthpiece, so if there are any in the tank, I can’t see them. I might have to feel for them.

The topmost part of the tank comes off, looks like. If there is a bad seal there, it'd be like taking your finger off the top of a straw filled with liquid. A clear oring like Puffon referred to might have come out in the sink. Gl

 

[AngeNZ]

I found a t20s tank I'd bought awhile ago - just for its drip tip

Anyway I filled it up and yes it leaked. There are 2 airflow holes on the bottom ring - which is where it leaked from. Here's a pic of the tank:

If you can figure out some way of blocking these holes while its not in use - maybe a vape band? That should stop it leaking

 

[ScottP]

@r77r7r - I only see one O ring in the mouthpiece, so if there are any in the tank, I can’t see them. I might have to feel for them.

Here is an image of the T20-S disassembled. If you look at the black top cap (to the right of the drip tip in the image), you can clearly see a clear o-ring around it. If yours does not have that, the tank isn't going to be able to seal properly, and that is most likely why it is leaking.

If the kit came with any spare o-rings try putting one on. If not, take a photo of your top cap and send that to Innokin along with the photo below and ask them to send you some o-rings. Once they send them, and you have verified that fixes the issue, THEN I would contact them again and tell them they owe you for for the damaged unit because they should have included the o-rings from the factory and the device was thus ruined due to their negligence. If the trash hasn't been picked up yet, I would get the damaged unit out and keep it in case they want it back for reimbursement.

 

[RoseJ]

Thanks a bunch, everyone! I do know about the O-ring on the top piece of the tank, but it’s the only one I see.

I’m not sure, but I might have figured something out. When I fill up the tank and DON’T attach it to the battery, it doesn’t leak. It happens when I attach it to the battery. Plus, it only happens when I change a coil. So I just changed a coil, but this time I screwed the top piece to the battery only enough so the I just felt it fetch up, and no tighter. This time, no leaking.

I think it’s too sensitive, and when it gets screwed onto the battery, it dislodges the coil if tightened even a little too much. I’ll know for sure next time I change the coil.

Thanks so much for the advice! As always, ECF-ers rock.

 

[r77r7r]

There was a demo somewhere about seating the coil well , prior to base assembly. But you probably do that already. Seems like the Zenith setup . They can leak also.

 

[ScottP]

Thanks a bunch, everyone! I do know about the O-ring on the top piece of the tank, but it’s the only one I see.

I’m not sure, but I might have figured something out. When I fill up the tank and DON’T attach it to the battery, it doesn’t leak. It happens when I attach it to the battery. Plus, it only happens when I change a coil. So I just changed a coil, but this time I screwed the top piece to the battery only enough so the I just felt it fetch up, and no tighter. This time, no leaking.

I think it’s too sensitive, and when it gets screwed onto the battery, it dislodges the coil if tightened even a little too much. I’ll know for sure next time I change the coil.

Thanks so much for the advice! As always, ECF-ers rock.

If that's the case, then you might try and find some thin flat washers (probably plastic) and try putting one of those between the tank and mod, to prevent over tightening.

 

[bnrkwest]

I am using a T18 tank on my Provari Radius. I do not leave the tank on if I am not vaping. They will leak if top or bottom is not tight but otherwise handy grab and go tank. I have the T22 tanks also. Not sure if the T20 is the same, but I do like them for a grab and go easy tank. I never charge anything with a tank attached tho.