TFV12 rba issue (?)

[AxelKay]

So for the past few hours I've been trying to make the dual coil rba head on a brand new smok TFV12 work... I'm using dual 8 wrap 26g/40g fused SS clapton which should give roughly something around .15ohms at 3mm but all I'm getting from my geekvape 521 tab is crazy measurements! From .22 up to 8ohms and everything in between (!!!) even by just touching the coils with ceramic tweezers or with my fingers. When I screw the rba head too tight to the base, the total resistance seems to drop and when I loosen it goes all the way up and that's not the case everytime so there's no standard pattern. The coils themselves are tightly screwed in place and nothing seems to be touching where they shouldn't. I also wound a dozen other coils of the same wire at four or six or nine wraps and still nothing corresponds to where it should. I've measured other tanks and setups and all are ok on the 521 tab. Any ideas?
Is the rba head useless?

 

[dyanaprajna]

My first suggestion would be to check that the hex head screws are tightened properly. I'm not sure about the TFV12, but the hex heads on the 8 are a PITA to work with. I've gotten some wonky readings on my ohm reader when they weren't properly secured, and they can strip easy.

 

[Shawn Hoefer]

Check that the center (positive) screw it tight. Then, check the center pin in the base to make sure it's clean and pushed in far enough to make proper contact.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

 

[AxelKay]

Ok so I checked the hex screws just now and they spin like crazy as I tried to tighten them up more! Is that the reason in your opinion? I cannot tell if the screws themselves are stripped or if it's the screw holes.

 

[dyanaprajna]

Ok so I checked the hex screws just now and they spin like crazy as I tried to tighten them up more! Is that the reason in your opinion? I cannot tell if the screws themselves are stripped or if it's the screw holes.

If the 12 is like the 8, you should have gotten some extra screws. If you did, try replacing the screws first.

 

[AxelKay]

If the 12 is like the 8, you should have gotten some extra screws. If you did, try replacing the screws first.

Nope... it's the screw holes. The other set of hex screws react the same... so the rba is broken for good now?

 

[dyanaprajna]

Nope... it's the screw holes. The other set of hex screws react the same... so the rba is broken for good now?

Yeah, it seems so. Once those post holes are stripped, I don't think there's much that can be done. But I'm still kind of new to building, so maybe someone else will come in with an idea.

 

[Njsm]

The tfv8 and tfv12 both have terrible hex screws and threads. I stopped using thick wire builds in both for this very reason.

Infact. The tfv8 rbas i bought last year came with the hex screws pre stripped from some factory monkey forcing those fused claptons in to it. My tfv12 rbas were much luckier. Only 1 hex screw came stripped out of the box.

Both are great vapes but.. (my tfv12 rba-t is my favorite vape). But....

Made in china

 

[Don29palms]

My suggestion would be to get an RTA. A tank that is made to build on. I'm personally not a big fan of sub ohm tanks with an RBA. That's just me and my opinion.

 

[dyanaprajna]

I have 2 TFV8 tanks, and I use the RBA deck for both of them. They do OK, and they were good to start on, but I've since got a Troll RTA, and I like it more. So if you're going to build, a dedicated RTA would be the way to go. But I would still suggest the TFV RBAs as starters to building. That way, if you mess up and get frustrated, you can go back to the pre-made coil heads until you're ready to try again.

 

[Njsm]

The v12 rba-t is a great rba by any standards(the regular rba is just okay) as far as performance goes its top notch.
However i wouldnt call the v12 a beginners rba. As it does have some finnicky reliability issues on the parts, an inexperienced builder will likely greatly shorten the life of that deck or its moving parts.

I myself wont buy anything unless its rebuildable (or has a RBA available at time of purchase). Especially with coil prices skyrocketing on every new subohm that hits the market.
I think smok intentionally uses bad hex screws to make you buy another rba for it down the road to be honest. At $30/3 coils theyre not making any money on those rbas (till you buy another one).

I do agree with don29 and dyana though.
Do some research and get yourself a high quality RTA that suits your needs. Those smok rtas are disposable just like their coils if you dont take care of them.

 

[AxelKay]

The sad thing is that I bought two tfv12's just to be on the safe side given my experience with the tfv8.
The quality is terrible. Even though I've been vaping rebuildables for more than six years, I haven't managed to make it stop leaking (just a few drops thankfully).
I'm currently waiting on my Mutation x v5 xl......

 

[Njsm]

I was getting small leaks when i filled.
I've remedied that with changing wicking habits. Still leaks a few drops when i have it tilted and its driving around with me in the hot truck. This is generally caused by your wick being in contact with metal (chamber and base) and the vibration coaxes it out.
Ive had leak issues on some rba and rtas that were remedied simply by tucking the wicks in a bit.
Allthough. Your wicks on the v12 come in direct contact with the base at the top of the juice channels And will probably always sweat a little bit.

Does okay in my pocket.
I was using storebought coils at work when i first got it (bought on the go. Had the rba on order for when i got home) and none of those were very leak tight either.

Least it doesnt leak everywhere. Now your pocket smells good.