INSTEAD Electronic Cigarette Manual

Thank you for choosing the INSTEAD Electronic Cigarette.  Please read this manual carefully before using the INSTEAD Electronic Cigarette.  Doing so will help you with the full eSmoking experience.  We cannot stress enough that the eLiquid may or may not contain nicotine and nicotine can be harmful to children and pets.  Your electronic cigarette hardware, eLiquid and accessories should be treated no different than tobacco cigarettes, lighters, and accessories.  PLEASE KEEP IT OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN AND PETS.  For more information on the eLiquid, refer to Precautions for eLiquid below.

Contents

Product Information

Components of the INSTEAD Electronic Cigarette

• Description
• The Battery
• The Atomizer
• The Mouthpiece and Cartridge
• The eLiquid
• Precautions for the eLiquid

How to use the INSTEAD Electronic Cigarette:  Getting Started

• Installation
• How it Works
• Upkeep
• Filling Your Cartridge – The Prefill and Per Usage Methods

Troubleshooting

Product Information

The INSTEAD Electronic Cigarette is a revolutionary device that acts much the same way as a tobacco cigarette, but rather than toxic smoke, it produces a propylene glycol vapor similar to that produced with theatrical fog machines.  The differences between a tobacco cigarette and the INSTEAD Electronic Cigarette are as follows:

1. The INSTEAD Electronic Cigarette contains at most 20 ingredients based on the type of eLiquid that has been purchased.  Tobacco cigarettes have been found to contain up to 599 ingredients, before burning.
2. No ignition is required.   The INSTEAD Electronic Cigarette does not use combustion (burning).  It uses vaporization.  Combustion tobacco cigarettes heat to around 1000 degrees, while vaporizers, such as the electronic cigarette, heat up to between 40 degrees and 65 degrees.  The INSTEAD Electronic Cigarette does not need to be lit with fire and creates no second or third hand smoke.  As this product does not burn, it is truly the only Fire Safe Cigarette.  With combustion, anywhere between 4000 and 10,000 chemicals are released, creating second hand smoke.  A few of the ingredients of second hand smoke include Aersonic, Carbon Monoxide and Formaldehyde to name some of the worst.  Vaporization does not create these chemicals.
3. The INSTEAD Electronic Cigarette is the environmentally friendly alternative for smokers.  The only cigarette butt is produced by exchanging your plastic mouthpiece for a new one.  This mouthpiece is made of #2 plastic and can be thrown into the recycling bin by removing the wick which can be thrown into the garbage.  (Please use tweezers to remove the wick).  As noting burns, there is also no second hand smoke containing carbon monoxide, which is dangerous to the environment, the smoker, and those around the smoker.

This picture shows the result of a carton and a half of cigarettes vs the waste produced by one bottle of eLiquid which is equivalent to the same 300 cigarettes based on puff count.

Please Note:

1. To ensure your unit works properly, please read this manual.  It will prevent damage to the hardware, moutpieces, cartridges, and accessories.
2. The charger works under normal conditions with the voltage at AC100V-240V, 50/60Hz, or DC6-24V.
3. Keep the INSTEAD Electronic Cigarette separated from other articles to avoid un-necessary collision.  As with any electronic, please prevent it from mixing with metal articles in your pocket, purse, or other bags.  This can result in a short circuit or damage to the battery.  In your kit, you have been provided with a black velvet carry pouch to carry hardware and small ziplock bag for carrying mouthpieces and liquid items.  PLEASE USE THEM.
4. Please never dismantle your unit or hardware accessories. (This does not include mouthpieces.)  It will void any warranty or guarantee.
5. Please keep your unit and eLiquid away from high temperatures while either in-use or in storage.
6. This product is not intended for persons under the age of 18 and it is strongly suggested you keep it out of reach of children and pets.  The action of smoking and nicotine usage are adult activities and should be respected as such.
7. The INSTEAD Electronic Cigarette IS NOT A TOY.

Components of the INSTEAD Electronic Cigarette Kit

The INSTEAD Electronic Cigarette kit includes the following:

1. USB Charger with Wall Charger Adaptor (Canadian Kit offers a different charger)
2. 5 Empty Mouthpieces with cartridges in a small ziplock bag (not shown in the picture above)
3. Black Velvet Bag which includes: 2 batteries, 2 atomizers housed in a small ziplock bag
4. Quick Start Card

Shown above from left to right is the mouthpiece (which contains the cartridge), the atomizer (sliver), and the battery (white). The atomizer screws into the battery and the mouthpiece slides onto the atomizer.

The Battery

The INSTEAD Electronic Cigarette uses a 3.6V lithium batter which cannot be replaced with other lithium batteries and chargers.  The input supply voltage of the charger is AC100-240V, 50/60Hz, or DC 6-24V.  The battery will work for a minimum of 200 charges.

Charging the Battery

Currently, there are two types of chargers in circulation.  If you purchased your INSTEAD Electronic Cigarette before May of 2009 OR you purchased your kit in Canada, you will have Charger Type 1.  If you have purchased your INSTEAD Electronic Cigarette kit after May of 2009, your charger is a Type 2.

Type 1:  This charger consists of a wall plug and a charger.   To charge the battery, plug the wall cord into the charger and plug into the electrical outlet.  The indicator light on the charger will be green.  Screw the battery into the charger.  The LED on the end of the battery will flash when 10 times when connection is made.  You will also notice that the light on the charger itself has gone from green to red.  When the light on the charger returns to green, charging is done.

Type 2:  This charger consists of a USB charger and wall application.  Plug the USB portion into the wall application and plug the wall application into the electrical outlet.  The indicator light on the USB charger will go blue and the indicator light on the wall application will go green.  Insert the battery into the USB portion by gently pushing.  The LED on the battery will flash 10 times when connection is made.  You will also notice that the light on the USB portion will go from blue to red and the light on the wall application will go from green to red.  When BOTH lights have returned to their original colors of blue and green, then battery is done charging.

On both Type chargers, if you notice the following, please visit the Troubleshooting section:

1. The LED light on your battery does not flash
2. The lights on the chargers, whether you have one or two, do not change colors as directly described in the above explanations.
3. Your initial charge takes less than one hour.
4. You have used your battery and know that it is completely dead, yet takes less than one hour to charge.

Reasons the Battery LED Will Flash

There are several reasons your battery LED might flash.  This is the light at the end of your battery.  All kits come with a blue LED..  If you have a blue LED, it WILL ALWAYS produce a blue light.  Extra batteries with orange LED’s can be purchased and these WILL ALWAYS produce an orange light.

1. Battery needs charging.
2. There is a “safety” feature.  If too many puffs are taken in under one minute, your LED will flash noting it is possible for overheating or nicotine overdose.
3. The battery is recognizing a problem with the atomizer, most likely more eLiquid is needed.
4. After 1500 inhales, the micro-computer housed within the atomizer will activate a “cleaning”.  The battery will glow solid for 20 seconds letting you know this is happening.

Precautions for the Battery

1. Keep the battery and the charger away from high temperature sources.
2. Keep the battery and the charger away from other metals.
3. Do not weld the battery components directly and do not pierce through the battery.
4. In case of battery leakage, do not touch your face.  If you do, please wash with clean water immediately and seek medical attention.
5. The charger can be used for the special lithium battery of the INSTEAD Electronic Cigarette ONLY.
6. If you will not be using your battery for awhile, take the battery out of the charger.  The charger IS NOT for storage.

The Atomizer

The atomizer contains a microcomputer controlled circuit.  This circuit heats up the eLiquid, which will be placed in the cartridge.  When the user takes a drag (inhalation), the battery causes the atomizer to activate and the heating process begins.  As the atomizer is a vaporizer, a small heating element, keep it as dry as possible.  Do not submerge and do not apply liquid directly to the atomizer.

The atomizer can and may go bad.  This piece, like your battery has a limited life and will need to be replaced.  The estimates on usage are different depending on your usage.  INSTEAD acknowledges that hardware can have imperfections.  It is strongly suggested that you test all atomizers upon arrival to insure they are working.  It is NOT suggested eLiquid be dripped directly onto the atomizer.

The Mouthpiece and Cartridge

The mouthpiece looks like a cigarette butt.  The mouthpiece contains the cartridge and the wick.  The cartridge is the small white cup found in the mouthpiece.  The cartridge contains a poly-batting filling called the wick.  It is HERE where eLiquid will be placed.  Each cartridge can hold a maximum of 8-10 drops of liquid.  See Filling your Cartridge.

The picture on top is a mouthpiece (brown) with the cartridge (white) taken out. The picture on the bottom is the mouthpiece and cartridge standing upright. The cartridge is a small plastic “cup” with a wick inside. This wick is filled with e-liquid until saturation. The cartridge can be taken out of the mouthpiece by pushing a pin through the small hole in the mouthpiece. The cartridge just slips back into the mouthpiece after refilling. It can be filled while in the mouthpiece if you have a steady hand.

The eLiquid Solution

Currently, INSTEAD Electronic Cigarettes offers two types of liquid:  American Made eLiquid and Imported eLiquid.  The American Made eLiquid is manufactured in the United States.  The Imported eLiquid is manufactured in China.  There are some differences in ingredients used as well as a slight taste difference.  All bottles come with a list of ingredients, warnings and child proof protection.  It is YOUR responsibility to insure that your children and pets are safe.  INSTEAD has provided you with everything necessary to insure such responsibility and takes no responsibility if you cannot be responsible.

Also to note:  The bottles are slightly different.  For instance, the American eLiquid comes in a black glass bottle with a black label.  Upon opening the bottle for the first time, you will see a small plastic insert.  This insert needs to be removed by popping it out with a spoon.  This insert is to ensure leakage does not occur during transport.  Your purchase of American eLiquid also came with an eye dropper.  Use this eye dropper to transfer eLiquid from the bottle to the cartridge.  The Imported eLiquid has a built in eye dropper.  Pierce this with a pin, do not cut with scissors.  It will help in dispersing only the amount of liquid needed.  If you would like, the Long Spouted eLiquid Bottle can be used with either of the liquids.  However, this bottle is plastic and is not childproofed so it is your responsibility to make sure that is cared for properly and OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN AND PETS.  See Filling your Cartridge.

Whether you choose Imported or American Made eLiquids, each bottle is the equivalent of 300 tobacco cigarettes or a carton and a half.  There are two methods to filling the cartridge with eLiquid.  See Filling your Cartridge.

Precautions for the eLiquid

1. Once the mouthpiece has been used, it does contain nicotine residue.  KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN AND PETS.
2. Please store your eLiquid in a cool, dry, dark, SAFE place.
3. Shelf life of the eLiquid is approximately 10 months from purchase date.  Our stock sits no longer than one week prior to purchase.
4. Please do not attempt to mix any other liquids with the eLiquid.  It is ok to mix one level of nicotine with another, but it is not ok to add anything to your liquid in an attempt to make it last longer.  Doing so could also ruin your atomizer, battery, make you ill or a combination of any or all.

How to Use the Electronic Cigarette – Getting Started

So now that you know the parts, time for the fun part!  We strongly suggest following these directions IN ORDER.

Installation

First, charge your batteries.  See Charging your Batteries.  Once you have charged at least one battery, you are ready to eSmoke! Some kits may have pre-charged batteries. If so, your packaging slip will have a sticker on it noting this.

1. Take one battery and one atomizer (it will look like a cigarette butt and there will be 2 of them in a small zip lock bag) and screw them together.  Your unit should look just like a cigarette.
2. Hold on to the battery with one hand and the brown mouthpiece with the other and pull the brown piece off.  This action will expose the atomizer which should now be screwed into the battery.  THROW THE MOUTHPIECE AWAY!!!!  Why?  Look down into it.  You will notice that it is empty.  There is no cartridge and no wick.
3. From the small ziplock bag that contains 5 mouthpieces, take one out, remove it from it’s individual wrapping and remove the rubber stopper.  Set the rubber stopper to the side as it will come in handy later.  See Filling your Cartridge section.
4. Look down into the mouthpiece.  You will see a small, white cup, the cartridge.  Inside of that small cup is a poly-batting filling also known as the wick.  It is HERE you will place 2-4 drops of liquid to yield 7-14 puffs.
5. Once you have applied the eLiquid, place the mouthpiece on the atomizer, making your unit look like a cigarette again.
6. To get the unit going, take a few quick puffs vs. deep inhales.  This will cause the liquid to slowly drop onto the atomizer.
   1. Please note:  With brand new atomizers there is a breaking in period, kind of like shoes.  After an hour of heavy usage, you will find that inhalation becomes easier and vapor production stronger.  New mouthpieces will also need a little time to absorb the liquid.  As the hour/day goes on, you will find that you need to put fewer drops in to yield more puffs.

How it Works

When your unit is assembled and is not in use, it is essentially off.  To use, take a drag.  To stop, stop taking drags.  While taking drags, the LED light indicator at the tip of your battery will glow solid.  If it is flashing, see Reasons the LED will Flash under the battery section of this manual.  By taking a drag, the battery charges the atomizer which heats up the e-Liquid creating a vapor, which can be inhaled and exhaled.  The tiny holes found in the gold ring are where your unit will take in air.

Upkeep

Upkeep is extremely easy.  After every 1500 inhales, the micro-computer housed within the atomizer will automatically clean the atomizer.  The LED light indicator will glow solid for 20 seconds, letting you know this is happening.   If you notice your atomizer seems “sluggish” after a bit of usage, but you don’t feel you have hit 1500 inhales, a dry cleaning method is suggested.

To dry clean:  Remove the mouthpiece from the atomizer which should still be connected to the battery.  Put the LED end of the battery into your mouth and gently push air up through the battery and into the atomizer.  GENTLY.  If any residue build up has occurred, this will burn off.  If you do not get any residue, then STOP.  You can blow out your atomizer by forcing to much air OR by letting the atomizer activate for too long without any liquid.

It is suggested that a new mouthpiece be used at least once a week.  This will ensure that your mouthpiece stays clean and also stays tight on the atomizer.  It is also suggested that if you have the cold or flu or someone else uses your electronic cigarette, change you mouthpiece to stop the spread of germs.

Filling Your Cartridge

There are several different ways to fill your cartridge.  One method does not fit all so give each of these a shot and see which works best for you.

The Prefill Method

Supplies needed:  A toothpick or pin and a paper towel

1. Lay the paper towel on a flat surface.
2. Take all 5 mouthpieces and remove them from their individual wrappers.
3. Take out all rubber stoppers, set to the side.
4. Take one of the mouthpieces and hold it between your finger tips.  Insert the toothpick or pin through the small hole that would otherwise go into your mouth, and gently push the cartridge out of the mouthpiece.  (The cartridge should now be sitting on your workspace)
5. Repeat step 4 to all mouthpieces.  You should now have 5 cartridges sitting on the workspace.
6. Take your eLiquid and put 2-3 drops of liquid into each cartridge.  Let the wick absorb.
7. Once absorbed, add 2-3 more drops.  Continue to do this to each cartridge until the cartridge can hold no more.  This is usually a maximum of 8-10 drops per cartridge.
8. Carefully drop the cartridges back into the mouthpiece.  Make sure that when the cartridge goes in, you can see the wick.
9. Take the rubber stopper and put it back into the mouthpiece.
10. Place all mouthpieces into your small ziplock bag and carry RUBBER STOPPER UP.  After you have done this to all of your mouthpieces you will have the equivalent of ¾ of a pack to 1 pack of cigarettes, depending on your usage.

This method is great for those who might have eyesight issues, those on the go, or those who find they get liquid in their mouths.  If you are getting liquid in your mouth, you are a “messy dripper”.  “Messy dripping” happens in the beginning but if you find you are still a messy dripper after a week of usage, you will probably need to try this method.  It will save your eLiquid and prevent it from getting into your mouth.

The Using Your Electronic Cigarette Like a Tobacco Cigarette Method

With this method, you will fill your cartridge every time you use it.  Instead of lighting a cigarette, you will drop liquid into your cartridge.  It is strongly suggested if you are a “messy dripper” or have trouble lining up the dropper with the cartridge that you purchase our Long Spouted E-Liquid Dropper Bottle.  If you have a Long Spouted eLiquid Dropper Bottle, pierce the spout with a pin, do not cut with scissors.  This will enable you to have more control over the amount of eLiquid dispersed.  Please note that our Long Spouted eLiquid Dropper Bottle is plastic and does not have a childproof cap.  Therefore, your utmost attention to children and pets is expected.  The Long Spouted eLiquid Dropper Bottle is not necessary, it only makes this method easier.

1. Remove the mouthpiece from the cartridge.
2. Place 2-4 drops of eLiquid on the wick.
3. Replace the mouthpiece on the atomizer.

Troubleshooting

Every eSmoker should have at least two batteries and two atomizers on hand.  Our kits provide you with both so that you can switch between pieces, extending the life, as well as giving you an opportunity to troubleshoot on your own.  Only you can determine if vapor production from one atomizer to another is similar, better or worse, and only you can determine other type problems with your unit.  It is STRONGLY suggested that if you find a trouble piece, take that troubled piece and use it with one that you KNOW works well.

Batteries:

1.  My battery is blinking.

1. Battery needs charging.
2. There is a “safety” feature.  If too many puffs are taken in under one minute, your LED will flash noting it is possible for overheating or nicotine overdose.
3. The battery is recognizing a problem with the atomizer, most likely more eLiquid is needed.  If not liquid, see troubleshooting of the atomizer.
4. After 1500 inhales, the micro-computer housed within the atomizer will activate a “cleaning”.  The battery will glow solid for 20 seconds letting you know this is happening.
5. In this example, a solution could be the following:  Inside of your battery are small “switches”.  These switches go on and off when the user inhales or when the battery is put into the charger.  Sometimes, these switches can get stuck due to juggling during transport or wind during usage.  To see if your switch is stuck:
   1. Take the atomizer off of the battery.
   2. Put the battery into your fist, LED down.
   3. Imagine a cold day when you are warming your hand by blowing air into your fist, do the exact opposite.  Pull air out.  This will activate the LED which will hopefully un-stick the switch.
   4. Put the battery back onto the charger.  Let it charge.  Then use it.  Does it perform better?  You might need to go through some usage with this battery once or twice, smoking it down until the LED does not respond anymore and then charge again.  If this method does not work, the battery is either bad (if it is new) or it is dead and time for a new one (if it has been used quite a bit).  If you are within your first 30 days, please let us know and we will supply you with a replacement.

2.  The battery does not seem to hold a charge.

1. If you have just pulled the battery off of the charger and it doesn’t seem to be holding any power, it is possible there is something wrong with the battery.  If you have been using the battery for an extended period of time, it might be time for a new battery.
2. When placing the battery on the charger for the first time, if you notice that the lights on the charger are not responding as noted in “Charging Your Battery”, then it is possible there is something wrong with the battery.
   1. In this example, a solution could be the following:  Inside of your battery are small “switches”.  These switches go on and off when the user inhales or when the battery is put into the charger.  Sometimes, these switches can get stuck due to juggling during transport or wind during usage.  To see if your switch is stuck:
      1. Take the atomizer off of the battery.
      2. Put the battery into your fist, LED down.
      3. Imagine a cold day when you are warming your hand by blowing air into your fist, do the exact opposite.  Pull air out.  This will activate the LED which will hopefully un-stick the switch.
      4. Put the battery back onto the charger.  Let it charge.  Then use it.  Does it perform better?  You might need to go through some usage with this battery once or twice, smoking it down until the LED does not respond anymore and then charge again.  If this method does not work, the battery is either bad (if it is new) or it is dead and time for a new one (if it has been used quite a bit).  If you are within your first 30 days, please let us know and we will supply you with a replacement.

3.  The LED on my battery does not work at all.

1. If the battery is brand new out of the box, you have put it on the charger properly and the LED does not flash, make sure that your charger is properly assembled and the lights that should be represented on your charger and showing as they should.  If they are and there is still no LED on the battery, please let us know so we can replace.
2. If the battery has been used, then it either needs a charge or it is dead and it’s time for a new one.

Atomizers:

Atomizers are the most fickle of the hardware.  They are the workhorse so problems will most likely be coming from here or caused here.

1.  Little to No Vapor

1. Check the eLiquid.  Without eLiquid there IS NO vapor.  9 times out of 10… THIS is the problem.
2. Make sure the atomizer is screwed in nice and tight to the battery.  Do not force.  Just make sure it is snug.
3. Take the atomizer from one battery to another.  Does it work the same on both batteries?  If so, in the case of a new atomizer, it most likely has an issue.  If it is an old atomizer, it has reached the end of it’s life.
4. If the atomizer is new, do not forget, you are going to need to break it in.
5. If the atomizer has had a good solid usage time, it is time for a new atomizer.

2.  My atomizer works on battery a but not on battery b.

1. This is an odd problem and happens rarely, but does happen.  Sometimes, an atomizer just does not like a certain battery and vice versa.  However, these atomizers usually produce excellent vapor on the battery in which they do work and vapor production is key.

All charger troubleshooting:  Please see the Charging Your Battery section above.

Miscellaneous Issues:

1.  I am getting juice in my mouth.

1. Have you replaced the protective cover from the atomizer with a mouthpiece that contains a cartridge?  If not, see How to Use the Electronic Cigarette – Getting Started
2. Are you a messy dripper?  See Filling Your Cartridge above

For any other issues that may arise, please feel free to contact us or call us at 321-256-0486.  Before you email or call us, please read this entire page first.  Whether you are a new eSmoker or have been at it for years, things might arise and we would love to hear about them or help you through them.