Alternative wicking options, aga-t?

[Technohydra]

Hello world.

I am preparing to purchase a version of the aga-t (t, +, 2) for a first genesis style atty, and I have some odd issues in doing so. First off, I have a fairly concerning nickel allergy, so I will be using Kanthal wire as opposed to the standard Nichrome. Secondly, i seem to be sensitive to PG, so I will be using only VG juice, likely Johnson Creek for the time being until I can branch out a bit.

The question arises that while SS mesh wicks are mainly the standard for vertical Gennies, with my nickel allergy, I need to look into alternatives. And with using the thicker VG juice, my options may be a bit more limited.

So here we are, what other materials can I realistically use in an aga-t (leaning toward the +) that will avoid the nickel issue, not be silica, and still wick the heavy VG juice worth a damn? I have heard talk about porous ceramic, but I know the opinion is a bit mixed on it at the moment. I suppose cotton would also be an option, but I have to wonder if I am shooting the entire purpose of using a genesis style system in the head by doing this. And added to that is the need to mess with the configuration of the strands to get the wicking rate to be correct.

I am really open to suggestions at this point, and would love to draw from the mass of experience present here. Also, if there is a better alternative to the aga-t at the same price level, plus or minus a bit, that might be a better fit for alt. wicking, I'd love to hear it. Whereas I am not opposed to spending more on a higher quality atty, it is far easier to get away with if I can show my wife good results on something, and then convince her it's upgrade time (damn me for teaching her the finer points of personal finance anyways, lol).

 

[eratikmind]

Welcome to ECF. Sorry, I am waiting for my AGA T2 to arrive. As such, I am new to this. However, rack up a few more posts and you can go to the RBA subforum. There is a lot of information there.

 

[Technohydra]

That's true, lol. Most likely I will end up having to do that. I suffer from a case of being a new user with a slightly advanced question. On the other hand, someone in this section may have all the answers I need to get me on my way, too. You really never know who has the information you need.

 

[Horselady154]

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...s/399511-cotton-wicks-rbas-suggestions-2.html

 

[dmazyn]

You can use normal silica wick the AGA using the neg post and having the wick go into two holes. Another option is the ceramic wicks but you either have to make them yourself or get lucky to find them in stock as the two places that sell them. The only bad thing about ceramics are they can break very easy and to get best result you would need to drill out the wick hole in the AGA to fit a bigger size.

 

[SRusackas]

I've been hearing good things about bamboo and hemp wicks as well. Although you have to boil them a few times and keep them wet with juice or else they will burn.
I have used 100% cotton gauze as wicks successfully (they don't add any flavor, nice!) but look a little skeezy.

 

[Technohydra]

I think I have seen that particular page before. My question would be more of the how of setting up the wicking with cotton on a genesis style. Would you use a rather large strand in a vertical arrangement, similar to the stainless mesh?

 

[Technohydra]

The drilling issue is one I am prepared to face. I made custom PC cases for a long time, so a little drill hole doesn't worry me. I'd like to try the ceramic route, but I haven't heard anything reguarding the thicker juices wicking properly, which is a big comcern with 100% VG. I am also really looking at the cotton/bamboo option, as I think health wise, they are likely the most neutral options.

 

[SRusackas]

I think I have seen that particular page before. My question would be more of the how of setting up the wicking with cotton on a genesis style. Would you use a rather large strand in a vertical arrangement, similar to the stainless mesh?

I suppose you could do a vertical cotton wick, but it might have a tendency to slip out of the coil. In the AGA-T you can make a u-wick and a horizontal coil though.

 

[tekk]

i was actually looking up this topic for a friend who was concerned about allergies. i came across another thread in these forums that might actually help you out a tad.
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...hoenix-cotton-silica-hybrid-mod-great-vg.html

 

[Thompson]

The drilling issue is one I am prepared to face. I made custom PC cases for a long time, so a little drill hole doesn't worry me. I'd like to try the ceramic route, but I haven't heard anything reguarding the thicker juices wicking properly, which is a big comcern with 100% VG. I am also really looking at the cotton/bamboo option, as I think health wise, they are likely the most neutral options.

I've been using heavy vg (60-70%) with the smaller diameter ceramic without much issue. Does require the Genesis tilt more than my #500 mesh though.

They are stupidly fragile though, I've broken two in the same amount of weeks. One was by dropping from lap height on accident.

I wouldn't say using fabric wick defeats the purpose of going genesis. I've seen some interesting coil & wick designs on the AGAs done with fabrics.

Faxed in on the Mojo Wire

 

[skoot]

Subscribed. I'm looking at doing the same thing- cotton wick with no mesh. I've used cotton yarn successfully with a Nova and 100% VG, it seems that wiring the AGA this way makes it basically a giant Nova, but I haven't tried it yet. I don't know if there are any benefits, aside from a bigger glass tank, over the Nova this way.

 

[BlazinZ28]

Here is my AGA-T+ with cotton yarn, comes out to 2.1 ohms with a 32 gauge 5/4 wrap. Placed extra wick inside the tank, so I can just pull it through and trim the excess to make a "new" wick. Have also used the peaches and cream yarn with good results. Wicks Boba's Bounty 100% VG pretty well



I unfortunately never use it because I like the SS mesh too much

 

[Satava]

I was looking into some knitted silica rope recently, hopefully I can find some to try out in the right diameter.

I already have my AGA modified by knocking out the wick post for a U-Wick setup on the front 2 holes while keeping the screws both in.

I was planing on trying a Double-U setup (Not W) where 2 legs feed down into the tank like a standard U but the wick is doubled up at the top with two shorter legs kind of wrapped around the inside of the top cap to soak up leaks. Horizontal coil.

If I ever get my hands on the materials I wanted to try I'll definitely post pictures.

 

[Technohydra]

All very good information, actually more response than I thought I was going to receive. I am also looking into some other materials that may be usable; I have the horrible modders instinct to like something because I can already see ways to screw with it and make it work differently. Let you know what if anything I come up with.

In the meantime, let's keep discussing, there have been some excellent ideas listed here so far.