My FT Merlin finally arrived today. Juice control and air flow control both smooth with the perfect amount of resistance. It is the silver model with the serial # 120. I count myself as lucky and look forward to building it this week.
My Black Merlin (STS) is working perfectly, the Silver one (Contest Win) seeps...
Who would I get a hold of about replacing it?
Had a two hour stopover in Bogota on the way to Ecuador and I asked if I could go outside to smoke. The airport official said no one could go outside but if I wanted to vape, no problem, just do it here in the airport. A pleasant surprise! Apparently Colombia knows the difference between smoking and vaping!
Later, I vaped outside at Vilcabamba:
Tighten the airflow screw on the base?Have you tightened down the the airflow screw on the base? and replaced the gaskets first?
well that got me confused also .airflow reducer srew mabe ?Tighten the airflow screw on the base?
Da hell you talkin bout woman??
The airflow reducer was removed before both of mine were built and it's not leaking like a bad wicking.the air flow screw in the DECK
A few folks had it only partly screwed in and it leaked . Tightened it down and it stopped. Or took it out, wicked it properly and leaking stopped.
So you're getting juice on the underside of the tank, around where the 510 is? And on top of your mod?The airflow reducer was removed before both of mine were built and it's not leaking like a bad wicking.
Like some others have experienced, it is seeping juice between the AFC ring and the base itself. I think there is something not pressed together right in the base.
Yup, that is the place.So you're getting juice on the underside of the tank, around where the 510 is? And on top of your mod?
Yeah, this started up a couple days ago for me. Trying out different things, but haven't messed with the base. I'll stay tuned to what you learn.Yup, that is the place.
I've contacted STS about it but have not heard back yet. If I end up keeping this seeping base after I get a replacement, I will try to break it down and see what the story is.Yeah, this started up a couple days ago for me. Trying out different things, but haven't messed with the base. I'll stay tuned to what you learn.
I got my base replaced, but it was missing a post hole. It did this a couple times. Getting the new base I didn't think much of it, but it's happening more so with this one. Was great at first!I've contacted STS about it but have not heard back yet. If I end up keeping this seeping base after I get a replacement, I will try to break it down and see what the story is.
TD, don't try to replace the o-ring yourself. Roxy informed me that the base has a "ton of parts", some screwed on and some press fit. So the o-ring that holds the air flow ring in place is not user serviceable. You'll probably damage your Merlin if you try to take it apart. My airflow ring is slightly loose but I can live with it.I've contacted STS about it but have not heard back yet. If I end up keeping this seeping base after I get a replacement, I will try to break it down and see what the story is.
That sucks!I got my base replaced, but it was missing a post hole. It did this a couple times. Getting the new base I didn't think much of it, but it's happening more so with this one. Was great at first!
Thanks for the warning Pete!TD, don't try to replace the o-ring yourself. Roxy informed me that the base has a "ton of parts", some screwed on and some press fit. So the o-ring that holds the air flow ring in place is not user serviceable. You'll probably damage your Merlin if you try to take it apart. My airflow ring is slightly loose but I can live with it.
On my last fill, I removed the tank before I filled it, mod had juice on it, bottom of tank was wet. I can't figure it out. Normally, I close JFC, open tank, fill it, close it up, turn it upside down, open JFC, close it, turn it right side up, open JCF and vape.That sucks!
This must be a total nightmare for STS having to deal with all these defectives and ship out replacements. Still better than trying to send a video off to FT explaining what the issue is...
Mine has been sitting all night and was vaped on quite regularly, so far no seepage yet. I think it only happens when you close off the juice and take the top off to fill it. I'll check the tank again later when I fill it and see if this is the case.
That's quite the procedure... With my black one I just spin the tank till the logo is away from the air hole, take the top off and fill right up to the rim. Put the top back on, spin the tank back to wide open and go. My black one has not seeped one little bit and it has a 50/50 juice in it, my seeping silver one has MaxVG.On my last fill, I removed the tank before I filled it, mod had juice on it, bottom of tank was wet. I can't figure it out. Normally, I close JFC, open tank, fill it, close it up, turn it upside down, open JFC, close it, turn it right side up, open JCF and vape.
This time I didn't turn it upside down - was the only difference. So far, it's dry, but still pretty full. I'm not asking for another replacement base, they asked me to pay for half the last time. Whether that was half the shipping, or half the base price, I don't know. If I keep having to pay half or more for bases, I'll just get a tank.
DefinitelyIs the Merlin better suited to be a single coil device?
LOL yeah, the procedure I was doing based on something I read. Not gonna do that anymore. I saw that deal at eFun. Clocked in on that one last week, lol.That's quite the procedure... With my black one I just spin the tank till the logo is away from the air hole, take the top off and fill right up to the rim. Put the top back on, spin the tank back to wide open and go. My black one has not seeped one little bit and it has a 50/50 juice in it, my seeping silver one has MaxVG.
Yeah that really bites having to pay half for replacement parts on something that should have been working from the start.
I see eFun has them for $18.50
Does this build help the airflow any it's kind of restrictive but not too bad just wondering if this made it a little smoother?
I agree ..love the tank ! and every time I think I fixed it it does it again ! for no apparent reason . then does ok for a while again .LOL yeah, the procedure I was doing based on something I read. Not gonna do that anymore. I saw that deal at eFun. Clocked in on that one last week, lol.
Well, I do run a thinner juice in mine but I run it in everything I use. Wicking the same as always. It started out PERFECT, this is very recent. I don't mean to sound like I'm knocking it, I love the flavor, love the tank, just wanna figure this out.
THAT!! Yes, that!every time I try to adjust the jc after esembly seems to make it leak again . l
I totally agree with Shark Vape on this. Now, granted my favorite tanks are "nano" size... serpent mini, goblin mini v2...I just can't seem to get any flavor out of the merlin that is even close to these tanks & believe me i have tried. I want to like this tank & love the deck but the lack of flavor, juice flow spinning at slightest touch & leaking just kill it for me... maybe i have a bad one? & yes this is my first postMine's working as designed, but it's a disappointment.
Design: Poor ... Must hold by the tiny edge of lower base to screw on. 510 is too long to seat properly so it's a bit wobbly. Falls out of adjustment in both air and juice flow control if touched or held wrong.
Flavor: Fair ...Chamber is simply too large and airy to give dense flavor.
Fit & finish: Loose ...No leaks but once it's adjusted, don't touch it. Not pocket friendly at all.
Fussiness factor: High
Worth $31: No
I have the same 2 pc SS twist build and juice in my Bachelor Nano
and the same juice in my Tobeco Supertank Mini.
The STM is a coil-head tank running the new Aspire Triton SS coil @ .3ohms.
Even without all the slop in the base and the design issue/grip problem,
the Bachelor Nano beats it hands down... and sadly, so does the $19 SuperTank with a coil head.
The Merlin is the only RTA I've ever bought that I was truly disappointed by.
It'll be on craigslist tomorrow.
On my last fill, I removed the tank before I filled it, mod had juice on it, bottom of tank was wet. I can't figure it out. Normally, I close JFC, open tank, fill it, close it up, turn it upside down, open JFC, close it, turn it right side up, open JCF and vape.
This time I didn't turn it upside down - was the only difference. So far, it's dry, but still pretty full.
I totally agree with Shark Vape on this. Now, granted my favorite tanks are "nano" size... serpent mini, goblin mini v2...I just can't seem to get any flavor out of the merlin that is even close to these tanks & believe me i have tried. I want to like this tank & love the deck but the lack of flavor, juice flow spinning at slightest touch & leaking just kill it for me... maybe i have a bad one? & yes this is my first post
Mine's working as designed, but it's a disappointment.
Design: Poor ... Must hold by the tiny edge of lower base to screw on. 510 is too long to seat properly so it's a bit wobbly. Falls out of adjustment in both air and juice flow control if touched or held wrong.
Flavor: Fair ...Chamber is simply too large and airy to give dense flavor.
Fit & finish: Loose ...No leaks but once it's adjusted, don't touch it. Not pocket friendly at all.
Fussiness factor: High
Worth $31: No
That sucks Shark Vape! Things like chamber size and part sizes are personal preference to a large degree, but the underlined part of your quote above makes me think your Merlin also has a problem (or two). Mine don't go out of adjustment easily and have become my preferred pocketable vape tanks. I'm thinking bad O-rings or something else is giving you grief on that part of it.
Petemoss, you live in Ecuador? I have a house near Salinas and another near Carretas.Had a two hour stopover in Bogota on the way to Ecuador and I asked if I could go outside to smoke. The airport official said no one could go outside but if I wanted to vape, no problem, just do it here in the airport. A pleasant surprise! Apparently Colombia knows the difference between smoking and vaping!
Later, I vaped outside at Vilcabamba:
Mine as well. I've put six or so different builds in and it has worked flawlessly. Not a drop has leaked, the tensions are perfect.I agree - I have two and they are my go-to tanks to bring to work where I do not have time to fuss and they take some abuse.
They have not failed me yet after two weeks or so of hard use.
This is what I'm experimenting with now. I haven't tried leaving it on it's side though, so I'll toss that into the mix. My only concern with that is that my juice is thinner. Can't handle much VG.The last week or so when I've refilled I just screw the top back on and open the JC. So far doing this has not made it worse, so I was getting nothing from the more complex process.
Just as a FYI, I left mine sitting inside a hot car for a couple hours yesterday, no issues. I have also left one laying on it's side for an hour or so with no leaks. 50/50 juice.
When I first got mine I had it in my purse and it ended up laying on it's side for quite a while. No issues at all then, so I don't really understand why it's just starting. We'll all get it figured out somehow. We didn't get this far in vaping giving in. S'all good. Definitely not giving up. Flavor is too good!That's good to know.
Mine have passed - many times - the sideways in the pocketbook and upside-down in the pocket tests repeatedly.
I trust them very much
Are we talking about the same rta!? Damn.Mine's working as designed, but it's a disappointment.
Design: Poor ... Must hold by the tiny edge of lower base to screw on. 510 is too long to seat properly so it's a bit wobbly. Falls out of adjustment in both air and juice flow control if touched or held wrong.
Flavor: Fair ...Chamber is simply too large and airy to give dense flavor.
Fit & finish: Loose ...No leaks but once it's adjusted, don't touch it. Not pocket friendly at all.
Fussiness factor: High
Worth $31: No
I have the same 2 pc SS twist build and juice in my Bachelor Nano
and the same juice in my Tobeco Supertank Mini.
The STM is a coil-head tank running the new Aspire Triton SS coil @ .3ohms.
Even without all the slop in the base and the design issue/grip problem,
the Bachelor Nano beats it hands down... and sadly, so does the $19 SuperTank with a coil head.
The Merlin is the only RTA I've ever bought that I was truly disappointed by.
It'll be on craigslist tomorrow.
Have you checked to see if the wick tails are not touching the air nozzle?When I first got mine I had it in my purse and it ended up laying on it's side for quite a while. No issues at all then, so I don't really understand why it's just starting. We'll all get it figured out somehow. We didn't get this far in vaping giving in. S'all good. Definitely not giving up. Flavor is too good!
I'm using rayon, not touching the adapter, if that's what you meant, wicks all the way to the bottom, in front of the JFC, but not clogging it.Have you checked to see if the wick tails are not touching the air nozzle?
Also the wick should go all the way to the bottom of the well so it completely covers the juice holes.
Set that coil higher. It's too close to the airflow.Giving that a go now. Restrictor is out