Ceramic Wick Kanger Protank Issues

[PariahNine]

So, I made my first attempt at rebuilding a Kanger Protank II head with 28g Kanthal, a silicon AGA insulator, and XC-132 purchased from SnG Vapors.

Using a pin vise to hold the 1/16 drill bit, I slid the XC-132 over the bit, anchored the Kanthal in the pin vise, and proceeded to wrap a very clean and symmetrical micro coil around the XC-132. I trimmed, seated, and mounted the wicked coil in the head, dry fired until red hot a few times, checked the resistance (1.6 ohms), then closed it all up. Filled the Protank II (on an aerobase) and let it sit for a few minutes before firing it up.

I noticed little flavor, and after the first few vapes I noticed the draw was very tight, along with some gurgling and hot splattering out of the drip tip. Let it sit a few more minutes and the gurgling/splattering subsided, but the draw remained tight and the flavor very muted. Ultimately clipped the wick to the very side of the coil head, with the exact same results.

Kinda at a loss here. I figured wrapping the coil around the wick sheathing the bit would eliminate the possibility of choking the wick. As far as I can tell it's a solid build all around and I can't figure out where it went wrong.

As a side note, I'm using juice I'm very familiar with, and even changed it up to a different flavor that is 80% PG with identical results.

Some insight from folks with experience with XC-132 would be greatly appreciated.

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[PariahNine]

Anyone? Bueller?

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[Rickajho]

As far as the draw goes: Have you checked the insulator for compression? That, and if the AGA insulator is at all over-sized either situation blocks air flow. Run your nail over down the coil assembly where the insulator is located. You nail shouldn't be catching on the edges of the center post insulator. If it does, that small amount of extra insulator diameter is enough to block air flow.

How can you tell if that's the problem? Take the PT off your PV and draw. Screw the PT onto your PV and draw. Notice any difference? If it goes tight when screwed into the 510 connector then the center posted insulator is "too fat" and blocking air flow. Pull the metal center pin straight out just a bit to see if that relieves any compression. If that doesn't fix it then you may need to shave off any excess insulator with an X-Acto knife.

 

[PariahNine]

As far as the draw goes: Have you checked the insulator for compression? That, and if the AGA insulator is at all over-sized either situation blocks air flow. Run your nail over down the coil assembly where the insulator is located. You nail shouldn't be catching on the edges of the center post insulator. If it does, that small amount of extra insulator diameter is enough to block air flow.

How can you tell if that's the problem? Take the PT off your PV and draw. Screw the PT onto your PV and draw. Notice any difference? If it goes tight when screwed into the 510 connector then the center posted insulator is "too fat" and blocking air flow. Pull the metal center pin straight out just a bit to see if that relieves any compression. If that doesn't fix it then you may need to shave off any excess insulator with an X-Acto knife.

I had actually been considering this as a possibility too. I know the AGA insulators are a little wide in terms of outer diameter, but I already disposed of all the original insulators as they had all developed burn marks after multiple rebuilds.

When you say shave off the excess, do you mean the bottom rim of the insulator, or the shaft of the insulator?

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