Anyone tried.......

[Rangertrix]

I was wondering if anyone has tried the new smok Caterpillar rda?
i got one the other day at my local shop. I'm not that versed in rda's, but it seems to be a nice inexpensive one.
I've seen it online for around $12 to $20. It kinda reminds me of a Helios. I'm impressed with how smooth the airflow control ring is. Personally not crazy about the stainless and gold combination (personal preference), but looks nice on the Magneto I bought to put it on. I never buy without researching online first, but did this time, lol. Everything I've seen online says it only has airflow holes on one side, but mine has five small ones on each side. Seems to be a nice little inexpensive beginner RDA, even comes with a nice stainless drip tip.
Shoot, most shops would charge $10 to $20 just for the drip tip it comes with.
Anyway, was just wondering if anyone had tried one and had any thoughts or suggestions on wicking and coil builds.
As always, thanks for any input.

 

[State O' Flux]

Not a big Smok product fan, but with thumb screws and DC AFC... at $12, certainly worth a look.

What coil and wick on a DC RDA? Is this your first RDA? What wire do you have on hand?

Visit my second sig line hyperlink for information you should know... and suggestions for coil and wick.

 

[Rangertrix]

Yes, this is my first RDA.
I always thought drippers and mechs would be too much trouble. Always stuck to my Provari's and my Russian's.
I decided to get an RDA because I get vaper's tounge very easily and I drink a lot of coffee, and I wanted to be able to change flavors easily.
I went in to get a Patriot, but my local shop sold out of them in a few hours. They had just gotten this one in and I liked the buttery smooth airflow control, and the build quality was nice.
Took it home and put dual micros in it (30 gauge, 1/16 diameter, 10 wraps each) at .9 ohm to use in my Provari's, but didn't like how I couldn't get it to sit flush. Even with a tank ring. It worked well though.
My local shop also had Magnetos with the screw-type adjustable center pin for a good price, so I thought "what the hell", and bought one to put it on.
I have tons of 30 gauge Kanthal, and a little 32 gauge. I normally use cotton to wick, and I am using AW IMR 18490 batteries. No Kick or fuse.
I want performance, but want to be safe and responsible (can't believe I just said that about something I'm doing), must be getting old .
Thanks for the link, will check it out after I reply.

 

[Rangertrix]

Ok, checked out the link.
I understand how to calculate impedance, but there was some great info on lubricants and voltage drop.
Thank you for that.
I just meant a recommended build and wick configuration for it, performance-wise (within safe margins), or similar RDA's. Was looking for suggestions basically.
Thanks.

 

[State O' Flux]

Nor worries... we all started somewhere, it's where we end up that matters.

Yes, this is my first RDA.

I have tons of 30 gauge Kanthal
With 30 gauge, if you want to try a nice, easy, reliable dual coil sub-ohm - a 7/6 compressed coil wrap on a 1.5mm mandrel (1/16")... will give you 0.6Ω+/- net resistance.
You really need to pick up some thicker wire... I find myself using 26, 27 and 28, as they allow a nice, fine tuning range, provide more surface area for a given resistance, and they are far more durable than 30 or thinner
I normally use cotton to wick.
Great! Roll for a slight drag through the coil - and use plenty of loose "pillow" and "cloud" cotton above and below... just don't block the air to the coil, and it'll rock yer' socks off.
I am using AW IMR 18490 batteries.
Works fine with 0.6Ω. At only 7 amps draw and the 16.5 amps max continuous drain rating... a huge margin of safety.
No Kick or fuse.
Good man. ;-)
I want performance, but want to be safe and responsible (can't believe I just said that about something I'm doing), must be getting old.
Another way to look at it... you're old enough not to do too many stupid things anymore.

 

[Rangertrix]

Just out of curiousity, why thicker gauge wire?
I've been using 30 gauge because with my VV devices because I found that it has less lag. Plus, I could make coil builds for my Russian's and my Protanks that worked on my Provari's and my Winder's (for work). Even though I find myself taking my Provari's with a Russian to work now, and can't remember the last time I even used one of my Winders or Protanks, lol.
Just thought it was a more of a "general use" gauge.
I find that a lot of the liquids I use taste better at lower voltages in my Russian's on my VV devices, and because of that, the 30 gauge has less lag (not that it's important, just less annoying), but I have been trying some liquids, I had put away, in this RDA and finding they are a lot more satisfying now. Not because they had steeped, but because of the application.
As you mentioned, we all have to start somewhere, and I guess (with RDA's) I am starting here, lol.
Beginning to realize that I was missing out on a lot by putting mech's and RDA's off for so long. Always thought "sub-ohm" and mech's were pointless and for people taking things to the extreme just to show they could.
They definitely have their place!
What are your thoughts on multiple coils? Not trying to "cloud chase", just want a solid, satisfying vape.
I've found that with my Protanks and Russians that I can achieve the same thing with a properly executed single coil that I can with a multiple coil application, with less liquid consumption.
Thanks for all your great advice.

By the way, I still do a lot of stupid things.
Buying an RDA and a mech to put it on (just because it looked better), without telling my wife, is definitely one of them!
My wife still thinks my Provari's and my Russian's only cost a little more than my Winder's and Protank's.
Didn't lie. She said "those are huge, they must have cost more".
I didn't say how much more. If she knew how much a Provari or a Russian cost, I'd need a good divorce attorney!!!!
Luckily, I've failed at very few things in my life; but the ones I have failed at.....usually involve women.

 

[State O' Flux]

Holy crap! Typin' and thinkin' too? Ma' head hurtz.

Just out of curiousity, why thicker gauge wire?
More surface area, better heat performance, a wrap count I like for the resistance and amperage parity I prefer.

I've been using 30 gauge because with my VV devices because I found that it has less lag. Plus, I could make coil builds for my Russian's and my Protanks that worked on my Provari's and my Winder's (for work). Even though I find myself taking my Provari's with a Russian to work now, and can't remember the last time I even used one of my Winders or Protanks, lol.
Just thought it was a more of a "general use" gauge.
If and when you start going with a lower resistance, you'll find that the thinner wire isn't as durable over extended usage, it's actually easier to wrap thicker wire... and the wrap count/surface area/heat performance of thin wire isn't even close to thicker gauge.
Run the numbers through Steam Engine, using the same resistance values, with varying wire gauge... you'll see what I mean.

I find that a lot of the liquids I use taste better at lower voltages in my Russian's on my VV devices, and because of that, the 30 gauge has less lag (not that it's important, just less annoying), but I have been trying some liquids, I had put away, in this RDA and finding they are a lot more satisfying now. Not because they had steeped, but because of the application.
This is getting into a bit of personal preference... subjective values, tastes and so on. If you like it, that's all that matters.

Beginning to realize that I was missing out on a lot by putting mech's and RDA's off for so long. Always thought "sub-ohm" and mech's were pointless and for people taking things to the extreme just to show they could.
They definitely have their place!
I seldom go below around 0.6Ω with anything, even dual RDAs. Saying that, I've gone to 0.2Ω just to see if it made enough of a difference to stay there. For me, it didn't.
From my perspective, it was a case of diminishing returns on investment.

What are your thoughts on multiple coils? Not trying to "cloud chase", just want a solid, satisfying vape.
I've found that with my Protanks and Russians that I can achieve the same thing with a properly executed single coil that I can with a multiple coil application, with less liquid consumption.
Multiple coil (and maybe you get to use your 30ga here ;-0) builds vs. single coil - more surface area, etc etc etc. Juice consumption is not something I think about... flavor is all that matters to me.

Thanks for all your great advice.
How "great" it is, remains to be seen. Everyone has a story... sorting the pearls of wisdom from the plies of poop is your job.

By the way, I still do a lot of stupid things.
Who doesn't. The difference is the stones to admit it... when doing so will help others to avoid them. Of course, there are those that can only learn by doing... and hopefully surviving the education.

Buying an RDA and a mech to put it on (just because it looked better), without telling my wife, is definitely one of them!
My wife still thinks my Provari's and my Russian's only cost a little more than my Winder's and Protank's.
Didn't lie. She said "those are huge, they must have cost more".
I didn't say how much more. If she knew how much a Provari or a Russian cost, I'd need a good divorce attorney!!!!
Luckily, I've failed at very few things in my life; but the ones I have failed at.....usually involve women.
"Well, ya' know honey, if you think it's too much money to not smoke... I can go back to smokin'. Sounds like a plan?"

 

[Rangertrix]

Just reread your post....Duh!
I can see the fine tuning aspect, but are there any others that make a larger gauge preferable?

We posted at the same time, lol. Please ignore the above.
It sounds like we are on the same page and trying to achieve the same end result. Is there a particular RDA you prefer over others? If so, why?

My biggest question is....If a tree falls in the woods and no one is around to hear it.......is the man still wrong?

 

[Rangertrix]

Ok, was on my way to store to get some 28 gauge Kanthal, but I have to try your suggested build first, lol.
Do you have any wicking type suggestions for the above mentioned build?
Any hints on a 28 gauge build for after this next trial and error escapade?
Thanks.

 

[Rangertrix]

As far as wicking suggestions.......I should re-read before I post.
Sorry.

 

[State O' Flux]

Do you have any wicking type suggestions for the above mentioned build?
Any hints on a 28 gauge build for after this next trial and error escapade?
Thanks.

I like coil counts in the 8-11 range. Kind of a personal preference, subjective thing... idea is lots of surface area but short enough to fit just about any RTA.
In fact, I just finished 4 coils, all 0.9Ω, using 27 gauge and a 9 count wrap - to use in two R91s and 2 Taifuns. Coil surface area, according to SE, is 69.53 mm². Had I used 30 gauge (for the same resistance), the wrap count would be 5 and the surface area 23.69 mm².

Anyway, I use what ever wire will place me in my preferred count range, on a 2mm mandrel, compressed, with a target resistance I want.

So... run numbers through SE with whatever target resistance you're comfortable with, try using a 8-11 coil wrap count... and see what you get. ;-)

 

[suspectK]

We posted at the same time, lol. Please ignore the above.
It sounds like we are on the same page and trying to achieve the same end result. Is there a particular RDA you prefer over others? If so, why?

Origen and magma are my favorites right now. Great flavor, dual or single coil, deep wells, and adjustable airflow. I like the v1 origen.. easier to just whipe old flavor with some cotton to change flavor.

I prefer the magma. Really deep wells...~40drops can be fit into it. It also uses bottom airflow like all the differential pressure tanks flux has mentioned.

37, ph0n3 h0m3.

 

[Rangertrix]

Flux, thank you so much for all of the great advice. It's been VERY helpful.
I can honestly say that I look at mech mod guys and RDA's very differently.
Problem is, now I will probably go spend too much money on trying new RDA's, lol.
Your "8 wrap average" answered questions I had about heat (i.e. Joules) vs surface area that had me considering getting some 28 gauge.
I never made it to the store to get some 28 gauge. I've been trying different variations of your suggested build. Everything I've tried has come out around .8 to .9, and have not worked as well as my original build. I'm sure it's me, not your suggestions.
I understood (I think) your suggestions on wicking, but would you happen to have a photo of proper wicking in a dual coil RDA? It would probably help me a lot.
Thank you again for all of your kind responses. You and another user, Patkin (when i was learning about recoiling Protanks and using cotton), totally changed the way I vape ( in a great way). Thanks for that.

 

[State O' Flux]

Good morning...

No problem Ranger, although I don't have a digital camera, or a new build to photograph if I did... sorry.

Wicking a DC RDA. Lot's of ways to do it... here's a style where juice direction of feed is from one end - bottom to top.

Assuming a flat build deck and not one with deep and/or independent juice wells - After testing (dry burning) and tidying up the compression, concentricity and position relative to the cap air holes (about 3/16" away)... I tilt the coils at a 45 degree angle, with the lower end nearer to the center of the deck - the upper end nearer to the rim and aligned close to the cap air holes.

Using "loosened" cotton of about 3/16"X5/16" by 3", I'll roll down the first inch with wet fingers, just snug enough that it fits the coil with light drag... pulling it through from bottom to top, with about 1/4" of "fluffed" cotton sticking out the top end.
The loose excess cotton will be wound around, filling the entire deck surface to create a "pillow" beneath the coils - with pillow height from the lower edge to lower middle of the coil.

Snip off any excess wick with scissors, juice things up nicely, tuck in any loose cotton stragglers... cap it off and fire it up. ;-)

Not as good as a photo, and 1000 words would have been 700 or so too many. For me... it'll have to do.

 

[Gummy Bare]

I saw a review on this a little wile ago. The review stated the RDA only had air flow holes on one side; even though the atty was a dual coil. That made me not look into it anymore even though I was kinda intrested by it.

I'm wondering if the air holes on one side were first run and now all the rest have air flow on both sides; or if there's a chance that I could still order one and get single side air holes. I would be ...... it I did.

Anyway, i like the design and that fact it's not a clone. Also the dual orings on the base are nice and ovbziously the APC too... lotta china stuff only has one oring in this area. I wanna pick one up and give it a shot. If I don't like it, I have some buddies that would take it off my hands.

Does anyone know if no matter were you order one from now that they call come with air holes on both sides of the cap?