Dealing with the A7

[Rhapsodies Fire]

There has been some shorts with the A7 RBAs....it is due to the center post.
We have figured it out but the conversations have been lost within threads and clearly need to be brought up again so we're compiling some of them here for you to see. If you have an A7 or plan to buy an A7, you need to read this.

This information was compiled by Karen (nerak):
Thread:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/reos-mods/334938-anyone-try-a7-rba-will-fit.html


Problem center post conversation started: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...anyone-try-a7-rba-will-fit-6.html#post7958014


Description of fix:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...anyone-try-a7-rba-will-fit-7.html#post8099404


Images of fix:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...anyone-try-a7-rba-will-fit-8.html#post8104271

Airflow problem with fix:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...anyone-try-a7-rba-will-fit-8.html#post8116969



Please read before you buy or use a A7 RBA on your REO.


A lot of our Reonauts are trying their hand at RBA's for their REO's. Price is usually a determining factor when we are shopping for a new RBA. We might go with a lower price at first just to see if we like building coils and using one. Sometimes a lower price comes with a cost.


The A7 RBA is made of Stainless Steel, it is an inexpensive but mostly well built RBA. Most find that installing a coil is relatively easy.


The one major problem we are finding with the A7 is a bottom center post that is not stable. When the post is lowered enough to make contact it easily wobbles back and forth.


There are many reports of A7's causing shorts when used on a REO. The blame seems to be placed on the bottom center post.


Their are no guarantee's that modding the center post will prevent a short. Some have found it does work.


As with all items we buy for our REO's, we must decide if it is worth the risk of a collapsed spring and or melted button to use them.

Thank you Karen

Just so everyone understands the purpose of this thread...this is not a sales pitch nor a bashing of a product. There are many who don't like this atomizer and many who do. The idea here is to keep this center post wobble thing up front so those who buy this RBA understand how to modify it so they don't short their Reos or any other device for that matter. I personally don't own one but I've seen several instances where folks had just received their first Reo and immediately shorted it due to this issue...which makes me feel badly for them because they didn't know this before hand.

 

[Sterno]

IMO it is not cause the post is wobly it is because the post is sticking to far out and A7 screwed down to tight if you make sure the center post is flush with the threads its not so wobly and not screwed down to tight it will work just MO

 

[unsure]

I have only 1 REO that will take a RBA so the A7 went to Ed and I kept the reomizer. Thank god for the Hornet otherwise my Woodvil wouldn't get any RBA love.

 

[Commie]

IMO it is not cause the post is wobly it is because the post is sticking to far out and A7 screwed down to tight if you make sure the center post is flush with the threads its not so wobly and not screwed down to tight it will work just MO

It differs from A7 to A7. My first one was very wobbly, enough for the screw to touch the side and short out. The other two were medium wobbly and didn't go far enough to touch

 

[Plaz]

FWIW, I applied the suggested fixes in these threads when getting my A7, prior to using it, and I have not had one short (knock on woodvil).

I still carefully inspect the post and adjust as needed every time I'm about to attach it to my Reo Grand. My A7's center post is definitely wobbly in its unmodified state.

 

[super_X_drifter]

We all spent our cash on a top quality device - our REOs. It doesn't make sense to go cheap on any accessory / component.

I hear it all the time, cheaper batteries, cheap attys. don't create a weak link in your chain. Buy high quality accessories to complement your high quality.

It is worth saving $50 to have to worry about a wobbly atty or short?

I say not. My REO deserves the best!

 

[synic]

We all spent our cash on a top quality device - our REOs. It doesn't make sense to go cheap on any accessory / component.

I hear it all the time, cheaper batteries, cheap attys. don't create a weak link in your chain. Buy high quality accessories to complement your high quality.

It is worth saving $50 to have to worry about a wobbly atty or short?

I say not. My REO deserves the best!

I know you don't like the a7, you've said so in other threads. I wonder if you've actually given it a chance, though. Just because it is inexpensive does not mean it's not good.

I have two ERAs and two a7s. As far as quality of vapor is concerned, I think the a7 has better airflow and better flavor out of the box.

I haven't had any problems with shorts or anything like that. I use my a7s more than any of my other RBAs. As drippers, on my REOs, and with the a7-oid kit from Captivape. They really are pretty great.

 

[ltrainer]

I know you don't like the a7, you've said so in other threads. I wonder if you've actually given it a chance, though. Just because it is inexpensive does not mean it's not good.

I have two ERAs and two a7s. As far as quality of vapor is concerned, I think the a7 has better airflow and better flavor out of the box.

I haven't had any problems with shorts or anything like that. I use my a7s more than any of my other RBAs. As drippers, on my REOs, and with the a7-oid kit from Captivape. They really are pretty great.

Agreed, haven't had one problem with the A7. Vapes great too. I've been running mine for about 6 months now.

 

[super_X_drifter]

I know you don't like the a7, you've said so in other threads. I wonder if you've actually given it a chance, though. Just because it is inexpensive does not mean it's not good.

I have two ERAs and two a7s. As far as quality of vapor is concerned, I think the a7 has better airflow and better flavor out of the box.

I haven't had any problems with shorts or anything like that. I use my a7s more than any of my other RBAs. As drippers, on my REOs, and with the a7-oid kit from Captivape. They really are pretty great.

No bro, it's not that I don't like it. I have never tried it. It just seems too prone to issues for me to have tried it. As long as there are better options out there, I will use them. If I had no choice but the A7, I'm sure I would make it work. I just prefer for stuff to work right with minimal thought or checking. It's not just with vaping. I live by it.

 

[Plaz]

No bro, it's not that I don't like it. I have never tried it. It just seems too prone to issues for me to have tried it. As long as there are better options out there, I will use them. If I had no choice but the A7, I'm sure I would make it work. I just prefer for stuff to work right with minimal thought or checking. It's not just with vaping. I live by it.

I tend to operate the same way. I'll pony up more cash up front for quality every time... it's historically worked for me very well, with few regrets. It definitely applies in the worlds of vape gear (Reo), musical equipment, cars, computers, and other electronics.

My problem was the A7 was basically the only option available when I was ready to take the RBA plunge for the first time a few weeks ago. So I'm making the best of it, and it's working just fine for me so far.

 

[nerak]

If I had the funds to outfit multiple REO's with "better" more expensive RBA's I probably would do so.

I like the A7's. They are what I can afford to buy and have a few of them.

Do I like that I have to mess with them and worry about a short? Of course not.

But they do produce a better vape than any other atty that I have tried.

I will continue to use them with caution.

I could sell off some REO's and buy better RBA's. But I choose not to do so.

We each have to make decisions. This is my decision and I am happy with it.

 

[super_X_drifter]

If I had the funds to outfit multiple REO's with "better" more expensive RBA's I probably would do so.

I like the A7's. They are what I can afford to buy and have a few of them.

Do I like that I have to mess with them and worry about a short? Of course not.

But they do produce a better vape than any other atty that I have tried.

I will continue to use them with caution.

I could sell off some REO's and buy better RBA's. But I choose not to do so.

We each have to make decisions. This is my decision and I am happy with it.

Being someone who has sold / traded a few, I hear you. Damn I miss my minis! Thanks for reminding me

 

[redeyedancer]

My only gripe with products like these is . There is no support the user suffers as well As I do . When I make a product and there is a problem I fix it at my cost not the customers . This would be a simple fix and they wont fix it because it doesn't hurt them only the consumer and the mods its being used on . I have two of them here in the shop and both of them will short mods without adding a gasket to keep the center post from making contact with the negative outside wall . Would I recommend one of these atomizers not a chance .

 

[Skeeter T]

I agree the A7 has a problem with the center post, the more it's unscrewed, the more unstable it gets. I solved that problem by making some small steel washers to put under the head of the center post, so no matter how far out it is, it's always stable. Unfortunately, some A7 owners don't have a machine shop in their back pocket. I'm lucky to have a one at my disposal.

The Grand and the Mini had an inherent problem, in my opinion ... the power button. I wanted a larger button and looked for a cap to put on them. Fortunately Rob came up with the solution of selling Delrin button caps. They are exactly what I wanted and I didn't have to be bothered maki9ng them.

What I'm saying is that most anything can be improved upon and the cost of an item doesn't always determine it's quality. We live in an age of fast moving technology, and there is nothing in this world that creates more problems for us than technology. Will a $500 box mod with all kinds of bells and whistles give a better vape than a $200 one? Maybe it will, but there's a darn good chance it won't.

Like all of us, I've had my share of wasting money on cheap junk. But I've also had my share of buying inexpensive quality. It all boils down to me doing my homework. The more homework I do, the more quality I can get at a reasonable price.

A $20 RBA that can be tweaked at a minimal cost to make it into a quality RBA is a long way from a $75 RBA that puts out the same vape. It seems like the the current pace of new or different RBA's hitting the market isn't going to stop for a while. So, I think I'll just sit back with my A7's and watch the world go by until things settle down a bit.

 

[munkey]

I use the A7 almost exclusively and it has nothing to do with the price... With a few simple modifications, it performs exceptionally well... but just as importantly, it is extremely rugged, easy to clean, and easy to swap out coils and wicks on. I don't know how some of you guys go for weeks using the same coils and wicks... I guess we are probably using different juices, voltages, etc., and we all have our own taste preferences. But when you are constantly changing out components because you loveeeeee that "new atty" taste too much not to, the oversized phillips screws and stainless hardware that just doesn't ever really break is extremely underrated on this board.

 

[oldbroad]

No bro, it's not that I don't like it. I have never tried it. It just seems too prone to issues for me to have tried it. As long as there are better options out there, I will use them. If I had no choice but the A7, I'm sure I would make it work. I just prefer for stuff to work right with minimal thought or checking. It's not just with vaping. I live by it.

I agree...but my reasoning is simply that I'm a lazy oldbroad...the less tinkering the happier I am...

 

[Commie]

I understand your point, Rob. That's why I suggested a sticky about A7. It's a horrible PoS out of the box, but dirt cheap. And once you fix it, it works great with a Reo. Problem is that most people don't fix it until it breaks their mod a few times

Problems with A7

1. Wobbly, spring blowing center post
2. Nasty machine oil that it comes with. Amusingly, it comes with a premade coil, soaked in lawn mower juice
3. Both coil posts are usually not tightened down. Produce shorts or don't fire
4. Machining around the holes for your coil is terrible. There are usually sharp burrs that will shear your kanthal. They need to be filed down before use.
5. Optionally some people add side airhole. I'd love to, but drilling thick stainless steel is beyond my hand held drill skills

 

[garyinco]

I have three of the A7's and like them all. Have never had a problem with them. Your five points are good ones.

I have a cnc machinist neighbor and he said he'd gladly drill a side hole if I can tell him what size and where. I hope munkey will post what he has done that has worked.

 

[Rhapsodies Fire]

Just so everyone understands the purpose of this thread...this is not a sales pitch nor a bashing of a product. There are many who don't like this atomizer and many who do. The idea here is to keep this center post wobble thing up front so those who buy this RBA understand how to modify it so they don't short their Reos or any other device for that matter. I personally don't own one but I've seen several instances where folks had just received their first Reo and immediately shorted it due to this issue...which makes me feel badly for them because they didn't know this before hand.

 

[Sterno]

I understand your point, Rob. That's why I suggested a sticky about A7. It's a horrible PoS out of the box, but dirt cheap. And once you fix it, it works great with a Reo. Problem is that most people don't fix it until it breaks their mod a few times

Problems with A7

1. Wobbly, spring blowing center post
2. Nasty machine oil that it comes with. Amusingly, it comes with a premade coil, soaked in lawn mower juice
3. Both coil posts are usually not tightened down. Produce shorts or don't fire
4. Machining around the holes for your coil is terrible. There are usually sharp burrs that will shear your kanthal. They need to be filed down before use.
5. Optionally some people add side airhole. I'd love to, but drilling thick stainless steel is beyond my hand held drill skills

never had any of those problems on the 6 that i own and the 3 minis to