AGA-T2 Trial and error... coils and wicks!

[thxone]

I finally got around to getting my AGA-T2 up and running. The wick is in my opinion the easiest part to do. Using a large paper clip, straightened out, I wrapped the mesh tightly around the paper clip. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be. I used my butane torch pen and began torching the wick, then quenching. I did this 3 times. Then dried it with the torch. When it was dry I coated the wick in mom and pop's ry4 tobacco e liquid and lit it on fire until it burned out on its own. I did this 3 times. I used the mesh that came with the AGA-T2. I didn't trim it, just rolled the full mesh. Trimmed after it was oxidized for correct fit. That was it for the wick.

The coil was the hard part and though it is working now I will be re-doing it with new wire soon. I tried to use my 28awg Kanthal A-1 wire, wrapping the coil with the paper clip in it for rigidity while installed in the rba. I did this 4 darn times with worse results each time. I decided to use the Ni Chrome that comes with it and it was SUPER for 3 seconds and then it popped. So I took a break, ate some food then back home to try again. Back to the 28awg Kanthal only this time I removed the wick, burned and dried the juice off of it, put the paper clip back in the wick and wrapped the wire around the wick out of the rba. It is wrapped 7/6 and is at 1.3ohm. Not where I want it to be as it takes a while to heat up. Oh the flavor though!!!

I will be getting 30awg Kanthal A-1 wire, a tiny SS washer and a super small spring. I will attempt to wrap the wick first with 5/4 and if that doesn't work a 6/5 wrap. I did notice that it is easier to wrap the coil when the wick is out of the RBA and the paper clip is inside the wick. I was able to get near perfect, even wraps that needed almost no adjusting. I did notice that I did not need to wrap the wire super tight... rather just tight enough to where it could slide off the wick but with a very slight resistance. I will be updating as I learn more about this RBA, the things it needs to work right and things to help put it together easier.

 

[KraKsX]

28g will give to low an oHm (needing too many coils) use 32g for your Vamo

I wrap right on the wick installed in the genny, I find it simple to do.

So many ways to do these things. It's mainly users choice.

Just thought I'd share

 

[thxone]

I appreciate it... how many wraps do you do and what ohms do you get?

 

[Hiding]

4/3 with 32awg kanthal for ~1.6ohm
5/4 with 32awg for ~2.0ohm

 

[thxone]

4/3 with 32awg kanthal for ~1.6ohm
5/4 with 32awg for ~2.0ohm

Thank you... that will be very helpful.

 

[thxone]

If an advanced AGA-T2 user out there with coil knowledge wouldn't mind doing us a favor... could you make us, (the vaping world) a chart of the most common gauges of wire used for coils and how many wraps it takes to get specific ohms? Something like:

example: 30awg K A-1 (5/4 = 1.4ohm)
example: 32awg K A-1 (4/3 = 1.6ohm)
example: 32awg K A-1 (5/4 = 2.0ohm)

I don't think it will be exact because of differences in coil spacing per individual and other factors but it should be close enough for rough guidelines as to where to start. I think this is needed... especially for the new to genisis RBA users.

 

[Hiding]

That's really about all you need to know for your VAMO.
I'm new to the AGA-T2 as well. Using it on a VAMO also.

Been wrapping new coils for it daily, just screwing around trying different wraps, bouncing between the 2 guages 30/32

My 5/4 with 30awg have been 1.3ohm
I did either a 6/5 or 7/6 with 30awg and it was 1.8ohm, that one was super tight spacing, was kinda a pita to get working but vaped great once I got it.

 

[thxone]

That's really about all you need to know for your VAMO.
I'm new to the AGA-T2 as well. Using it on a VAMO also.

Been wrapping new coils for it daily, just screwing around trying different wraps, bouncing between the 2 guages 30/32

My 5/4 with 30awg have been 1.3ohm
I did either a 6/5 or 7/6 with 30awg and it was 1.8ohm, that one was super tight spacing, was kinda a pita to get working but vaped great once I got it.

Yeah I am at a 7/6 at 1.2 1.3ohm with 28awg and on the second hit the TH is so much more than anything I have vaped but the flavor is outstanding so far.

 

[pdib]

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

 

[Tintreach]

Thanks for the post, I attempted to do this tonight with the stock wire. Popped the coil both times at 3 watts on the Vamo. Had 2 perfect 1.8 ohm coils and neither held up more than a split second. I ordered some 32g and will start from there next attempt.

Can't wait to start playing with a few coil ideas I have.

 

[KraKsX]

my first genny was aga T2
only have low oHm coil (28g and .8x.2 ribbon)

took awhile to get anything 1.2 and higher (needed to fire)
took to many coils

rather then move to a thinner coil, i moved (moving) to mechs

I like low oHm
i have no clue what oHm im running right now (not on agaT2)
but guess its tops 0.6
But i get such great hits, so much vapor
EDIT:
I DO NOT WANT TO HIJACK, just showing vapor i get

NOT aGaT2! Just showing off

 

[Hiding]

Hey guys, welcome to our little sub-forum! Here's a quick chart I made up in Ω/ft. You'll need to do a little math, sorry. Figure your coil length as follows. Diameter of wick multiplied by 4 equals length of each wrap. So, if you're using a 1/8" wick, its a half inch per wrap. Add 1/4" per leg (coil to +/- connection). EX: 4 wraps - 2". Add legs (2x 1/4=1/2) gives you total 2 1/2"

View attachment 193178 . . . .oops (edit) no 32 Kanthal. That would be 13.1Ω/ft (I'm only into the thicker wires)

Math works too. I've been enjoying the experimentation method. =)
I've found it to be good practice. Already learning what causes some problems, how to fix em, etc.
And getting better at wrapping the coils. Last one didn't need any adjusting. Wrapped, tested, good to go.

 

[thxone]

You aren't hijacking KraKsX, The more usable info in one spot the better. I am not big on math though it makes sense and I could use it. I was just thinking of a more simplified "quick reference" chart of completed coils/wraps/gauge/resistance kind of thing. I know a lot of people might get frustrated or overwhelmed using math, thinking, drinking, crying... but if they/we could just look and say oh, 6/5 on 30awg should get me close to ?.??ohm I think more people would smile and enjoy this more.

 

[KraKsX]

You aren't hijacking KraKsX, The more usable info in one spot the better. I am not big on math though it makes sense and I could use it. I was just thinking of a more simplified "quick reference" chart of completed coils/wraps/gauge/resistance kind of thing. I know a lot of people might get frustrated or overwhelmed using math, thinking, drinking, crying... but if they/we could just look and say oh, 6/5 on 30awg should get me close to ?.??ohm I think more people would smile and enjoy this more.

you have an awesome idea, and while impossible to be right, i also see a give or take chart being made, surprised it hasnt been so far
two standard size wick holes
so 2 charts one for each

Thank you thxone, i hope this happens

just dont want video to to be a huge topic was why i said i dont want to hijack

 

[thxone]

As do I. I know I will be adding to it as I experiment with coils and wire. It all starts with an idea

 

[KraKsX]

try a four coil helix wrap

 

[thxone]

try a four coil helix wrap

Huh? Wth? lol what would that look like?

 

[KraKsX]

Huh? Wth? lol what would that look like?

i dont have a pic

but think about two coils wrapped like the pic
in a 3/4 style

 

[thxone]

Interesting idea... however, I just ordered 10' of 32awg K A-1 wire and a cool bullet drip tip to match the lines on top of the AGA-T2 from Empire Mods

 

[beanpusher]

I finally got around to getting my AGA-T2 up and running. The wick is in my opinion the easiest part to do. Using a large paper clip, straightened out, I wrapped the mesh tightly around the paper clip. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be. I used my butane torch pen and began torching the wick, then quenching. I did this 3 times. Then dried it with the torch. When it was dry I coated the wick in mom and pop's ry4 tobacco e liquid and lit it on fire until it burned out on its own. I did this 3 times. I used the mesh that came with the AGA-T2. I didn't trim it, just rolled the full mesh. Trimmed after it was oxidized for correct fit. That was it for the wick.

The coil was the hard part and though it is working now I will be re-doing it with new wire soon. I tried to use my 28awg Kanthal A-1 wire, wrapping the coil with the paper clip in it for rigidity while installed in the RBA. I did this 4 darn times with worse results each time. I decided to use the Ni Chrome that comes with it and it was SUPER for 3 seconds and then it popped. So I took a break, ate some food then back home to try again. Back to the 28awg Kanthal only this time I removed the wick, burned and dried the juice off of it, put the paper clip back in the wick and wrapped the wire around the wick out of the RBA. It is wrapped 7/6 and is at 1.3ohm. Not where I want it to be as it takes a while to heat up. Oh the flavor though!!!

I will be getting 30awg Kanthal A-1 wire, a tiny SS washer and a super small spring. I will attempt to wrap the wick first with 5/4 and if that doesn't work a 6/5 wrap. I did notice that it is easier to wrap the coil when the wick is out of the RBA and the paper clip is inside the wick. I was able to get near perfect, even wraps that needed almost no adjusting. I did notice that I did not need to wrap the wire super tight... rather just tight enough to where it could slide off the wick but with a very slight resistance. I will be updating as I learn more about this RBA, the things it needs to work right and things to help put it together easier.

i use a nail put into the wick hole and wrap around it while in place putting a kink on the lead ends right where the coil starts (bottom) and at the last coil(top) going to pos post. it keeps the heat on the coils only. i make sure that my wick is rolled to the same diameter as the nail and insert the wick, if it's too loose simple roll backwacks while in coil til it's snug. i find it way easy to wrap this way and adjust angles and spacing between coils.

as far as your coil popping, looks like you have a short. make sure the end of your wick that you trimmed is not touching any part of the tank. since you cut after oxidizing you have exposed unoxidized area on your wick. also while your wick is half way out of the coil( atleast up to where it goes through tank) do a few more juice burns getting the wick completely black. you may have a slight short somewhere.

when you prepare mesh for rolling i always like to give it a once over til its all glowing red especially on the edges to burn off any frays.

hope that helps out a bit