coil keeps getting gunked up

[cuchullin]

I have an innokin iTaste v3, with iclear16 coil and wick, using 8 watts power, on 3.5volts on a 1.5ohm coil

I keep finding that after a days heavy use of non-stop vaping, the coil keeps getting gunked up, and the efficiency is nowhere near as good as when I started using it. I have to suck really hard about five seconds (in a number of bursts) before I get anywhere near enough vapour to satisfy me.

I tried replacing the coil and wick, but that's pretty expensive if I'm gonna do it every day (two pounds sterling each time). I also tried cleaning the clearomiser out and dry burning the coil. But that seems to take a long time before the smoke clears, and it has limited results.

I figure that what is causing the problem is the coil is getting too hot, and the juice is burning on it. I am using tab-lites menthol e-liquid because I heard that sweet juices like cherry can cause problems. If I switch to a flavourless high nicotine liquid will that help? It will significantly reduce my enjoyment though!

If I use a bigger coil, which will have a lower surface temperature for the same power; will that help?

Will I have to buy a much more expensive PV, if I am going to continue non-stop vaping! if so what are my options? will I have to buy one with a rebuildable coil, to reduce my running costs. I could really do without the hassle though!

does sucking really hard for a number of seconds reduce the lifetime of the coil?

Okay, I've asked quite a few questions! better stop there. Let me hear your opinion.

 

[cuchullin]

Sorry for posting in wrong forum. Didn't read the sticky. First time posting on main forum *blush*

 

[State O' Flux]

I have an innokin iTaste v3, with iclear16 coil and wick, using 8 watts power, on 3.5volts on a 1.5ohm coil

After reading this bit a few times, I'm confused.
Are you getting this information from a chart?
Are you on VV at 3.5V or VW at 8W?
Are you sure you're at 1.5Ω resistance?
iClears come with 2.1Ω coils... so I take it you fit yours with the 1.5Ω head?

Try switching from VW (I assume you're on VW at 8W) to VV... and going up on fixed voltage, 'cause it seems that you're on VW and not running enough voltage to keep the coil clean. Perhaps 4.0-4.5V. Or... going up to 9-10 watts.
Note that Innokin suggests using 4.4-5.0v with their 2.1Ω coil head, which according to a chart is on the hot side of things... see where I'm going with this?

 

[cuchullin]

I only recently learned how to use the VW feature. the instructions on the british aqwa rebrand of the V3 were faulty, so I was using the VV feature on 3.5V on a replacement 1.5ohm coil, which comes to about 8watts.

After a lot of reading elsewhere on this forum, I came to the conclusion that the voltage ranges suggested by the instructions were too conservative; it gives for example for resistance 1.7-1.9ohm a recommended voltage range of 3.1-3.4V.

I decided to go the whole hog, and pumped up the power to 11watts. So far this hasn't done any damage to the coil. I like a lot of vapour and because I tend to use it at home near a power source, battery drainage is not a problem.

I've been up all night reading and experimenting with my equipment, and I have come to the conclusion that my problems were a combination of low power, gunk on the coil, and not leaving the equipment long enough between vapes for it to wick properly.

The low power is already solved. I mistakenly thought that high power would cause the problem not alleviate. Nonetheless I dont really believe it is actually delivering 11 watts. The reason I chose a 1.5ohm coil, is because the shop had run out of 2.0ohm coils. If 2.0/2.1ohms is better as you say, I will bear this in mind.

It looks like for non-stop vaping, I had better do a dry-burn every night to get rid of any gunk.

The wicking problem (if indeed it is the case), will be more difficult to solve. Can you suggest a better atty which will allow me vape every 20 seconds, with a long 10 second vape inbetween. I have increased my vape length to the maximum 10 seconds, because previously I was a bit worried that long vapes might be causing the problem. I have found that if I leave the APV for a couple of minutes between puffs, I can still get a good amount of vapour, but I would rather not have to do that.

I no longer think the surface area or temperature of the coil is the problem. As I have found out a high temperature seems to alleviate the problem, not cause it.

What do you think so far of these conclusions, and what other advice can you give

 

[State O' Flux]

Sorry... I can't suggest a single clearo that will satisfy your needs. The iClears are some of the best there are. Kanger bottom coil clearos and glassos are good, but I don't see them as meeting your needs either.

I would suggest a carto tank. Perhaps a 3-5ml tank in a height and diameter that suits you, using either Boge, Ikenvape or Smok single coil, pre-punched cartos in 2.0Ω (LR) resistance.
I don't know what is available to you, but if you want to order from the US, then Valley View Vapes and IBTanked would be my first choices... and Phiniac if you want to get fancy.

PM me if you want specific assistance with carto and tank choices.

Cheers,
SOF