Bad tasting Zephyrus

[syco26]

Hello I am in need of some help. My Zephyrus RBA has developed a real bad taste and no matter what I try I cannot get rid of the taste. Sorry in advance for the long post but want to make sure I cover everything I have done. I also posted this in the ecig tech issues page but don't seem to have had any views so thought I would post it here.

The taste isn't a burned cotton or burnt coil taste but tastes more like the smell of burning electronics if that makes sense.

I have had the Zepherus for a couple of weeks and have built the RBA deck 10-20 times with out any issues. I am using 24 gauge Kanthal and usually 8 to 9 wraps and comes in at around 2.5-3 ohms. I have even built a quad coil set up which I also enjoyed except it leaked a bit set up like that.

I have been using UD cotton but the taste seemed to start after I changed cotton brands. I thought it may have been the cotton brand so I rewicked with UD cotton but the taste remained. I had assumed that the taste must have ruined the coils as well so I pulled it apart again and recoiled and rewicked again but the taste remained.

I then pulled the Zephyrus completely apart for a good clean. I soaked it all in hot water for 10 minutes, then scrubbed in hot soapy water, cleaned every hole and every surface even used those tiny tooth brushes for between your teeth to get into the bolt holes. I then soaked again in hot water, then vinegar followed by hot water then vodka. I know it sounds like over kill but wanted to ensure it was clean and the flavour wouldn't linger.

I rebuilt it again with new wire and cotton with a different brand juice and flavour but once again the same horrid taste. I then put the standard coil back in to try it and the bad taste was gone. Seems to be the RBA.

I have also checked each time I have built the deck to ensure that the coils aren't touching the deck any where and there are no shorts.

Please help as I really like the Zephyrus and building on the deck but can't keep using it with this horrible taste.

 

[crxess]

After all that, I'd suggest ordering a replacement RBA Deck to see if it persist.

Honestly though, it sounds as if something has changed in your Build or Setup that is causing it.
Have you changed Coil Diameters, Spacing, height?
Same wire Spool?
Same Cotton Batch?
Was your Good built your first or one of many good builds on the tank?

Any change to the consistent Quality Vape could be a cause.

 

[MMW]

Is the insulator melted at all?

 

[syco26]

Thanks for the reply. I had probably built it as a dual coil about 10 times and each was pretty good except the teething issues, was my first rebuildable deck. First one flooded a bit. Second would have dry hits if I chain vaped. Third was heaps better and each improved.

I then tried the quad coils which worked well but had a bit of flooding so went back to the dual build for the next few builds.

The wire is off the same spool. The cotton is the same brand but I have opened a new bag. Thought it might be that so rebuilt an Atlantis coil with that cotton and seems fine. No bad taste.

Building 2mm id coils, has been the same all the time. Only difference is dropping and adding a wrap to change the ohms slightly.

Think it might be the deck somehow.

 

[Hans Wermhat]

24 gauge Kanthal and usually 8 to 9 wraps and comes in at around 2.5-3 ohms.

Ummm... It would take about 30 wraps to get your resistance that high with a 24G kanthal single coil. 9 wraps at 3mm ID would get you somewhere just under 1 ohm.

 

[Robert Cromwell]

burned insulator I would say.

 

[syco26]

Sorry my bad. .25-.3 ohms.

 

[syco26]

If it is a burnt insulator would that require a new deck?

 

[crxess]

burned insulator I would say.

Same thought.

Op, did you Actually Unthread the Center post and inspect the insulator? It may have been heat damaged from the Quad Coil heat transfer.(excessive heat) This could have damaged the integrity of the insulator.

Not finding and Repair parts so option is Deck replacement if defective.

 

[syco26]

No I didn't unscrew the Center pin, was unaware that it unscrewed. Will pull it apart again and have a look.

 

[syco26]

I have tried to get the centre post out put no good. It turns with some force but doesn't appear to screw out as I have turned it a heap of times and doesn't protrude any more. Have also pulled on it like mad but can't seem to get the post out.

 

[Robert Cromwell]

If it is a burnt insulator would that require a new deck?

if you can get it apart and get a new insulator that would likely fix it otherwise a new deck.

 

[syco26]

I end up destroying the screw holes on the center post trying to remove it so I guess I will be purchasing a new deck after all.

On a better note I rebuilt the .3 ohm coil that came with the Zephyrus. Come in at .27 ohm with dual 24 gauge 8 wrapped Kanthal coils so still using the Zephyrus while waiting for my replacements to arrive.