Built my first rba coils, having trouble...I think?

[Land0Calrissian]

*Edit I meant to say RDA, I'm using a Igo-W4.

Now I built my first coils because the one the shop built when I first got my RDA was too throaty and hot.

He did a 3 coil with with 28 gauge kanthal and 3 mm German wick. Read at 0.45 on my ohm reader.

I remade it to 4 coils with the same supplies- reads at .65 and I like it much better, cleaner vape and it's a cooler vapor. The problem I'm having is (not sure if it's a problem or what it is) I'm not seeing the coils turn red unless I hold it firing for like 10 seconds. But I'm still getting huge vapor production. Anyone have any insight?? Or am I just over thinking it?

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[zoidberg29]

Unless I misread you don't want your coils to turn red unless you're dry burning.

 

[Land0Calrissian]

Unless I misread you don't want your coils to turn red unless you're dry burning.

Hmm I guess I thought it should turn red right away - roommate put that thought in my head


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[zoidberg29]

It looks like you have some a little bit of a hot spot issue. I had the same problem until I started wrapping my coils around a small screwdriver and thread them with organic cotton balls. So much easier than trying to wrap around the wick for me.

 

[Land0Calrissian]

It looks like you have some a little bit of a hot spot issue. I had the same problem until I started wrapping my coils around a small screwdriver and thread them with organic cotton balls. So much easier than trying to wrap around the wick for me.

Is there a quick fix to eliminate those hot spots?


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[zoidberg29]

Not that I've found. I tried adjusting the distance between each wrap but spent a lot more time than I care to admit tinkering to finally get rid of it on a Cobra rba. It looks like the coils might not be touching the wicks completely in some spots which will be really difficult to fix. I would say try going for (I hate using the buzzwords) micro coil.

 

[merddyn2002]

Hot spots have to do with the uniformity of the wraps and distance between the loops. Wrapping around something like a screw driver is preferable. If you dont want to use cotton get thick silica and take a bit of wire, fold the wire in 1/2 and pinch it in the middle. Thread that through your coil so that it's basically a loop sticking through your coil. Then thread 1-2 pieces of silica through the loop you just inserted in your coil. Gently pull the coil and you'll pull the silica through, doubled over. it's like threading a needle with a needle threader.

Make sure you're tempering your coils wilth a torch so they're a bit more rigid

 

[Papa_Lazarou]

Is there a quick fix to eliminate those hot spots?


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He gave you one viable solution - wrap around a stable jig like a drill bit or screwdriver and then thread rolled up cotton as a wick. Otherwise, you're in the land of hand adjusting the coil after it's wrapped (a dark art better explained by others).

Most likely, you would benefit from watching a few YouTube videos on the subject of coil building - there are plenty of techniques and build types, not just one. I, personally, would recommend what's called a 'microcoil'. Search in here and on YouTube for info and instruction. Additionally, PLEASE be fully knowledgeable about battery safety before proceeding. Don't mean to be preachy about that (and sorry if you're already an expert), but it is important.

 

[Land0Calrissian]

Hot spots have to do with the uniformity of the wraps and distance between the loops. Wrapping around something like a screw driver is preferable. If you dont want to use cotton get thick silica and take a bit of wire, fold the wire in 1/2 and pinch it in the middle. Thread that through your coil so that it's basically a loop sticking through your coil. Then thread 1-2 pieces of silica through the loop you just inserted in your coil. Gently pull the coil and you'll pull the silica through, doubled over. it's like threading a needle with a needle threader.

Make sure you're tempering your coils wilth a torch so they're a bit more rigid

I just bought a bunch of 30 gauge kanthal and 2 mm ekowool silica wick to start experimenting with, also planning to get into using cotton balls as wicks. From all the information I've been given on here microcoils, when done properly, are the best way to go since rebuilding atomizers has evolved. I should probably invest in a torch as well.


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[zoidberg29]

Papa has it right. As far as youtube videos go I suggest RIP Trippers and Grimmgreen. I learned from them. They are good and entertaining as well. Starting to wonder why I didn't join this community months ago. Good people on here

 

[ZeroOhms]

Now I built my first coils because the one the shop built when I first got my RBA was too throaty and hot.

He did a 3 coil with with 28 gauge kanthal and 3 mm German wick. Read at 0.45 on my ohm reader.

I remade it to 4 coils with the same supplies- reads at .65 and I like it much better, cleaner vape and it's a cooler vapor. The problem I'm having is (not sure if it's a problem or what it is) I'm not seeing the coils turn red unless I hold it firing for like 10 seconds. But I'm still getting huge vapor production. Anyone have any insight?? Or am I just over thinking it?

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Damn. you doing dual coil builds for your first RDA?? brave! maybe start with a single coil and stay above 1Ohms. (maybe 1.5) Go back to sub ohms and dual coils when you get more comfortable.
some observations from the pic alone.
- are the coils touching the center post? coils themselves shouldn't be touching the post.
- coil leg going into outer post (negative) should be "lower" leg. since the atty floor is negative, you want the lower leg to be negative in case the coils get push down and accidentally touch the floor.
- 28gauge with 3mm dual setup seems to be too much for that atty. maybe drop it down to 30gauge and 2mm.

 

[InTheShade]

I'll add your coils shouldn't be glowing when vaping, if they are, you aren't vaping juice but hot coil.

I will second the micro-coil build with cotton wicks. They are so much easier than a 'regular' build around silica or ekowool. 10 wraps on a 1/16 drill bit of 28ga. kanthal with a cotton wick (yes, just one coil) is really hard to beat for flavor and vapor.

Add in the fact that you will be around 1.3ohms resistance and you will be stressing your batteries a lot less than with your current build, plus it's easier to start, to enjoy and to rebuild / rewick and it's almost a 101 coil that stands the test of time for new vapers and vets alike.

Of course, if you want a quad coil .65ohm build, then go for it. But you have to know the limits of your battery and always have a way to check resistance before firing. I'd also suggest the use of a 2 cent fuse or similar to help protect yourself.

 

[zoidberg29]

What gauge wire are you using to get a .65 ohm quad coil build? I got .8 on 28g dual coil and decided to stop because I didn't want to go lower without a good battery like the sony VTC4

 

[Land0Calrissian]

Damn. you doing dual coil builds for your first RDA?? brave! maybe start with a single coil and stay above 1Ohms. (maybe 1.5) Go back to sub ohms and dual coils when you get more comfortable.
some observations from the pic alone.
- are the coils touching the center post? coils themselves shouldn't be touching the post.
- coil leg going into outer post (negative) should be "lower" leg. since the atty floor is negative, you want the lower leg to be negative in case the coils get push down and accidentally touch the floor.
- 28gauge with 3mm dual setup seems to be too much for that atty. maybe drop it down to 30gauge and 2mm.

"- coil leg going into outer post (negative) should be "lower" leg. since the atty floor is negative, you want the lower leg to be negative in case the coils get push down and accidentally touch the floor." -- Gamechanger.

I actually just bought 30 gauge and 2mm ekowool! From another topic I got advice on, seems like the way to go.

 

[Land0Calrissian]

What gauge wire are you using to get a .65 ohm quad coil build? I got .8 on 28g dual coil and decided to stop because I didn't want to go lower without a good battery like the sony VTC4

To get .65 on my build I used a 28 gauge kanthal with 3mm German wick. Build: smok magneto mech, sony 18650 2100 mah 30a battery, igo w4.

 

[Land0Calrissian]

Maybe I'll try squeezing the wick/wire together and then spacing out with a screw driver for now


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