Aquas Coil Build

[raspberryblu]

I've got a question on building coils for my Aquas. I seem to get the perfect build, test it on the ohm meter and get a perfect 1.6 ohms. The minute I fire it, the ohms drop significantly below what I would feel comfortable with. I'm not interested in sub ohming, I just want to experience as much flavor as possible.

I've heard everyone espousing the virtues of the kayfun, but have also been told they tend to leak which would drive me nuts. I'm using 30 gauge kanthal with two 2/32 drill bits with 7 wraps each for my forms. I have one of the newest Sigeleis that I would like to use it with. I've watched a how to video many times (he gets 1.6) but can't figure out where I'm going wrong. I've been rebuilding my coils for my protanks successfully for some time now.


Any ideas?

 

[JaRod]

if you are using 2 resistances of 1.6 ohm, when put together in a device like the Aqua the overall resistance would be 1.6/2 = .8 ohm which is about right for that device.
Now, if your resistance drops erratically maybe you have a short, there is not a lot of room there and one of the coils might be making contact with the chamber housing

 

[raspberryblu]

I've increased the number of wraps and still can't get the thing to read over 1.4 ohms on the meter. This is frustrating...

Edited to add: I'm now vaping on 12ml nic juice as a result, which I haven't done in awhile LOL...

 

[skimmer02]

I think you understood this, but I am gonna reiterate. If you are running dual coils, the resistance together is half of a single coil. So if you want to vape a dual coil at 1.6 ohm, you need two coils at 3.2 ohm each.
Now if your resistance is dropping after the coils are installed, there is some sort of problem with the build, a short of some kind. I hope that helps.

 

[JaRod]

you didn't choose the easiest build with the Aqua, anyway I'd go with 28 wire around a 3/32" or even 1/8" drill bit so you wont need so many turns to get the high resistance you are looking for.

 

[skimmer02]

Actually, if you are trying to go up in resistance, you need a higher resistance wire, like a 32 ga, or more wraps, or a larger drill bit with the 30 ga. I have built 3 ohm coils with 30 ga. I think it took about 10/11 wraps on a 3/32 allen wrench.

 

[JaRod]

Actually, if you are trying to go up in resistance, you need a higher resistance wire, like a 32 ga, or more wraps, or a larger drill bit with the 30 ga. I have built 3 ohm coils with 30 ga. I think it took about 10/11 wraps on a 3/32 allen wrench.

You are right, my apologies for my mistake, I meant 28 wire and the thicker drill bit

 

[usr/]

I've found .8 to 1.0 is my sweet spot on the Aqua. Have built it 1.3-1.4 but it just doesn't seem to preform as well there, for me anyway. But I might add, and you may already be doing this, I use a pair of hemostats to set my coils good and snug in position and then use them to tighten down the posts. Check and double check that the wire has seated and is really tight under the knurls on the post. I have had them down where I thought they were good and tight and they were still loose. Just a thought, if your resistance is changing after you fire it. Also make sure the coils aren't touching or being pushed into posts when you install the bell housing over the coils. The Aqua is pretty much the only RBA I use anymore. Tobeco is releasing the Kayfun Mini in a couple weeks and looking forward to it. Good luck with your Aqua.

 

[raspberryblu]

Ok discovered my issue. My aging eye sight was not helping. Part of one of the coils was touching the post ever so slightly, enough to cause crazy readings. Once that was resolved, I was able to wick it up and try it out. I have it at 1.7 ohms but that sucker gets HOT. So far not really impressed. I'm not really noticing an improvement in flavor. I'm running it at 9w on my sigelei but I am getting a burnt taste. If I Iower the wattage, it seems like it takes too long for the coils to heat up. Clearly I'm a rank beginner at this so I'm thinking I'm missing some important information.

 

[skimmer02]

Not very familiar with the Aqua, maybe usr/ will chime in, but wicking and airflow are critical components on any build. How is it wicked, sounds like you might have a wicking problem from the burnt taste you describe at that low wattage.

 

[classwife]

Moved to Rebuildable Atomizer Systems from APV Discussion

 

[vapdivrr]

after coil is installed and before wick is added how do the coils look when you fire them? do they heat up from center out? do both coils heat up at the same time? and do the leads glow past the last wrap of coil? both coils should glow from the center and heat outwards until the whole coil glows brightly, also both coils should fire at the same time and both should glow with the same intensity and lastly after the last turn of the coils the leads should stop glowing and shouldn't glow all the way to the posts. any of this happening can cause issues

 

[Kemosabe]

another solution could be to use less wicking material. if youre using cotton, its very easy to be too liberal. cotton swells up quite a bit and only small wisps can be enough for a wick.