Could my 80vg - 20pg base mix be causing my coils not lasting long enough?

[DreamRJ]

I am starting to think that all my issues I have been having and now I am having issues with my new mod and coils too.

The new mod I have is the geekvape L200 and the Zeus tank and I am using the Z1 coils the 0.4ohm ones........

So I am finding that my coils are now only lasting 1 or 2 days before I start getting burnt tastes and when I put a new coil in I prime them well and then I also wait and let the juice sit and soak into the coil for about 30 minutes before I then start using the new coil I also start on low wattage too for the first few pulls.......

So I am now thinking that is my juice to thick? Could that be actually the reason why my coils are keep being like this? and only lasting 1-2 days?

I am really not sure I can keep affording buying new coils every few weeks. The Z1 coils are expensive too.

So any advice would be appreciated.

The only downside is I got 4 litres left still of the 80vg/20pg mix - I do not have any 100% PG either, so I can not even thin it out either. So yeah not sure if it is my base mix causing coils to die fast or if it might be something different?

Thanks in advance

Rob

 

[MLEJ]

Maybe. The coils might not like such high VG but sub-Ohm coils do usually work better w/ higher VG. It might also be that your juice is too sweet. Sweeteners can gunk up coils quickly. Dark tobacco flavored liquids can, too. You didn't say anything about flavor.
When you raise the power, are you staying within the coil's specified range? Exceeding it can burn them out.

Anyway, there are plenty of places to purchase PG if you want to change the ratio of your liquid. NudeNicotine.com & Hempnetix.com come to mind. Tractor Supply Co. carries it; they have a website or there may be a store near you.
Obviously, thinning your juice will affect the flavor.

If you want to save money on coils long term, get an RTA. Geekvape makes one; i believe they're calling it the Z X now. There are lots of others, too. Organic cotton & wire are much less expensive than coil heads. You can get pre-made coils for them, too, and it's still less expensive. There's plenty of how-to info available online.

 

[DreamRJ]

Yeah I use sweet flavours, but mainly fruits and I get flavours that are light and not dark in color etc,

I use Capella flavours.

But everyone keeps saying make your own coils etc. I saw some videos on how to make them the last few days and yes it is easy to do. But then I would need to get the kits for it etc and the inner part for the Zeus tank too.

I do have someone who I can ask if I did choose to go down that route tho. That person makes their own coils so I am sure they will help me get everything I would need if I did start doing RTA.......

I am considering it. But just not decided yet.......

 

[DreamRJ]

Maybe. The coils might not like such high VG but sub-Ohm coils do usually work better w/ higher VG. It might also be that your juice is too sweet. Sweeteners can gunk up coils quickly. Dark tobacco flavored liquids can, too. You didn't say anything about flavor.
When you raise the power, are you staying within the coil's specified range? Exceeding it can burn them out.

Anyway, there are plenty of places to purchase PG if you want to change the ratio of your liquid. NudeNicotine.com & Hempnetix.com come to mind. Tractor Supply Co. carries it; they have a website or there may be a store near you.
Obviously, thinning your juice will affect the flavor.

If you want to save money on coils long term, get an RTA. Geekvape makes one; i believe they're calling it the Z X now. There are lots of others, too. Organic cotton & wire are much less expensive than coil heads. You can get pre-made coils for them, too, and it's still less expensive. There's plenty of how-to info available online.

So that part where you said you can get pre made RTA coils for the Z X. Where from? I mean if I could buy those ready made ones then all I do is put the cotton in myself etc then that will be a lot better and I will not need to get the full kit and tools etc......

I will speak to my pal tomorrow in my local vape shop.

Thanks again

 

[Territoo]

So that part where you said you can get pre made RTA coils for the Z X. Where from? I mean if I could buy those ready made ones then all I do is put the cotton in myself etc then that will be a lot better and I will not need to get the full kit and tools etc......

I will speak to my pal tomorrow in my local vape shop.

Thanks again

There is no adapter or insert for your current tank that will turn it into a RTA. You will have to purchase another device which is an RTA. It doesn't have to be Geekvape, any RTA will do. I'm partial to Hellvape Dead Rabbit. Pre Made coils are not specific to any particular RTA. You pick a type of coil based on the flavor profile it gives you. At first, you won't know what is suitable for you. I'd advise buying a multi pack of different coils, and seeing what you like. People also have preferences about organic cotton, so you might try different sources of cotton, as well.

 

[MLEJ]

But then I would need to get the kits for it etc

The only item you'll really need that you probably don't have already is ceramic tweezers. Besides that, a small screwdriver or drill bit, scissors, & a small wire cutter or decent nail clippers are all you need.

So that part where you said you can get pre made RTA coils for the Z X. Where from?

Lots of vape vendors have them. Your friend can probably direct you, or search online for pre built coils. What Territoo said about a muti-pack (+ everything else) is good advice.

 

[GeorgeS]

IMHO the #1 'coil killer' is flavors. Dark and/or sweet are the worse.

My mixes are ~%100VG and my coils last weeks and/or months. Granted this is with unflavored juice. Adding just about ANY flavor cuts down the life.

Some factory coils don't wick VG as well as PG. The easy solution here is add a dab of water to your juice to 'thin' it out a bit. You can easily add <=%10 H2O to a VG mix and it will effectively thin it out.

Personally, I have not bought a coil in +8yrs and prefer to use rebuildable atomizers as it greatly enhances the vape quality and reduces the cost of vaping considerably.


g.

 

[DreamRJ]

I am not buying a brand new mod. My GeekVape Mod I got a few weeks ago works with a RTA tank, so all I need to buy is a RTA tank. I had a look at the RTA Z X tank and that does seem to do the job and will fit on my mod I already have.

@Territoo - Sorry but the advice you gave about buying a brand new mod was just not good advice.

@GeorgeS - You what? you should never put tap water into your juice mix. I have always read many many times that you need to use distilled water only NOT tap water. But I do not have any distilled water. So I either need to buy some pure PG or I just need to switch to RTA.

I am now leaning more towards RTA and coil building and just buying that RTA Z X tank.

@MLEJ - You forgot to mention the rod tool that you wrap the wire around........

I kinda know what I need now tho but thanks everyone.

Will speak to my pal in the e cig shop today when it opens at 9am

 

[JCinFLA]

@DreamRJ - I've read and re-read the posts and suggestions 3 times, that the members you quoted above posted. Then I read your responses to their posts several times. It seems there's some misunderstanding of what each of them actually said.

Your response to @Territoo was: "Sorry but the advice you gave about buying a brand new mod was just not good advice."

She didn't even suggest that you get a brand new mod. She said you'd need to purchase an RTA [if you want to use pre-wound coils or ones you make yourself].

Your response to @GeorgeS was: "You what? you should never put tap water into your juice mix. I have always read many many times that you need to use distilled water only NOT tap water." However, he didn't recommend tap water. He just said water. Distilled water is readily available and is routinely used by some people in very small amounts, to thin out their eliquid when necessary.

Your response to @MLEJ, was also kind of snarky, IMO: "You forgot to mention the rod tool that you wrap the wire around........". She didn't forget a rod tool, to wrap the wire around. She mentioned a small screwdriver or drill bit...which is what some people use to wind their wire around when making their own coils. Either is cheaper than buying a rod, and many people already have some around the house.

 

[MLEJ]

@Territoo - Sorry but the advice you gave about buying a brand new mod was just not good advice.

Not that she needs me to speak for her, but i believe the "device" she mentioned referred to an RTA, not a new mod.

@MLEJ - You forgot to mention the rod tool that you wrap the wire around

They're handy. You don't really NEED one, though. A small screwdriver will work. i usually use a small screwdriver to position pre-built RTA coils & have used one to make simple round wire coils. But a coiling rod IS better.

Will speak to my pal in the e cig shop today

Good plan.

Good luck & hope you have fun w/ it.

 

[MLEJ]

Your response to @MLEJ, was also kind of snarky, IMO: "You forgot to mention the rod tool that you wrap the wire around........". She didn't forget a rod tool, to wrap the wire around. She mentioned a small screwdriver or drill bit...which is what some people use to wind their wire around when making their own coils. Either is cheaper than buying a rod, and many people already have some around the house.

You're correct.
Thank you.

It's all good... He's new at this.

 

[DreamRJ]

Sorry everyone. I am sorry if I came across in a rude way my sincere apologies.

I got a Blitzen RTA tank that fits on my GeekVape L200 mod. I have also got the kit and I also got 10ft of Alien Clacton wire 32guage and some firebolt cotton too.

Spent another £55 on it all but I part exchanged those 2 packs of Z1 coils for the tank so I basically got the tank for free cos I gave the shop back the 2 packs of coils I bought the other day.

So I basically just paid for the tool kit/cotton/wire and I also paid an extra £10 cos my pal in the shop shown me there and then how to build the coils and do the cotton etc etc.

So yeah I am now RTA vaper. This is gonna be amazing but I am also scared but excited all at the same time haha.

But thanks everyone for all the help and advice.

I am again sorry if I was rude towards anyone, that was not my intention. I appreciated all the replies and help I got.

The reason I had to get this Blitzen tank was they did not have the RTA Z X tank in stock and I then walked to every vape shop in my local town to see if they had one and they all did not have one they all basically said just order one online. So I just returned to my pals vape shop and got this Blitzen tank instead. Its a great RTA tank, it is bottom air flow but its not leaking yet luckily. But my juice is thick so it might not leak

Anyway I got a lot of practising to do with the coils and cotton to make sure I get it right for my thick juice etc. But I am sure I will work it out.

Thanks again everyone and sorry again

Rob

 

[Territoo]

Just to be clear, I did not suggest you purchase a new mod, only a new topper, an RTA, if you are interested in building. Your geekvape mod is fine, but the Zeus atty won't work. There are some tanks that have RTA adapters, but the geekvape Zeus isn't one of them. If you want to build you will need a RTA. If you want to keep with the geekvape z series, then you would want the Zeus X, as previously mentioned. I have this RTA, and although it is acceptable, it's not the best, imo. You are not required to stick to a geekvape when choosing an RTA. Any 510 atty will fit any 510 mod.

 

[Territoo]

I've not heard of the Blizen, but it seems to have good reviews. I hope you do well with it. Welcome to the world of coil building!

 

[DreamRJ]

I've not heard of the Blizen, but it seems to have good reviews. I hope you do well with it. Welcome to the world of coil building!

Ok thanks - yeah it is a good tank my pal in the shop said its probably the next best after the Zeus X tank. And cos I could not get that I had to get this one.

I am getting popping right now but I need to probably pack the cotton a bit more. I am still getting flavour and I am also now at 60watts too. So yeah this is amazing so far. I will need to work out a good way to do the cotton to stop the popping. I don't want to keep replacing the cotton. The coils are perfect so it is just down to the cotton that is causing the popping atm.

I will keep playing around with it until I get it perfect. But at least its gonna be so much cheaper now and no more worrying about wasting all that money on pre made coils for it to be a dud coil constantly or only lasting 1-2 days

I wont keep making new threads tho. If I need advice I will try find a thread that has a similar issue with RTA and popping and post in that instead. But my pal in the shop said just use the tweezers and do that thinning of the cotton to get a tiny amount and then just put that extra tiny bit into edges to pack the cotton out a bit more and see if that fixes the popping. I did try that and it kinda did a little bit but I think I need a bit more...... He then said the worst case is to just replace the cotton completely........

I am getting great flavour even with the popping and no burnt taste tho..... So it might just be too much juice on the cotton causing the popping...... I am chain vaping now too and the more I vape the less the popping then if I let it sit for 10-20 mins without taking a pull the popping gets really bad again cos then its got too much juice on it again lol. So yeah its gonna be one of those things to get used to I think lol.

I got a lot to learn haha xD I will get there I am sure

 

[Territoo]

All built coils will pop a little, but you are right, too much popping is caused by not enough cotton. If you go to the other extreme, though, you get dry hits and a burnt taste. You need the Goldilocks amount of cotton, and that will come with practice.

 

[DreamRJ]

All built coils will pop a little, but you are right, too much popping is caused by not enough cotton. If you go to the other extreme, though, you get dry hits and a burnt taste. You need the Goldilocks amount of cotton, and that will come with practice.

Yeah although I am getting some popping now it is not spitting. But I am getting nice flavour so I think although it is not perfect right now the little extra cotton fix I did helped stop the spitting and made the flavour much better too.......

I will get there it is like u said just practice

Thanks for reply and advice

 

[DreamRJ]

WOW tho. I just tried 70Watts and Damn the FLAVOUR I am getting is intense and amazing. I am scared to go any higher the 2 coils in it are at 0.17ohm so each coil is 0.34ohm so cos it is duel it is halved to 0.17ohm, my pal in the shop explained that to me.......

So not actually sure how much higher watts I could push these coils but to be honest I am a bit scared to even try any higher than 70watts haha.

Popping is still happening but I am still getting amazing flavour. I will just bear with it for now. I will not re-wick cos I am not getting burnt taste what so ever so I dont need to re-wick yet.

Another thing I love with this RTA is the fact that when you get the burnt taste you just need to replace the cotton wicks and just clean the coils by burning the coils when you took the old cotton out and dripping some bits of water onto the coils then fire it off to burn the gunk off them. Then you can get even more life out of the coils.

Thats what my pal in the shop said anyway. This is my first day so I am still a long way of that day yet anyway.

I am hoping I wont need to re-wick for a week or 2. I will see how it goes tho. I am also loving the fact I can now chain vape again too......

So yeah I am happy I got it and I feel a bit stupid I did not move to RTA years ago. But hey at least I am now an RTA vaper.

 

[Territoo]

Hooked, line and sinker! I go months without changing coils, just a dry burn between rewicking. How often you change wicks is often a personal preference. Some people rewick daily. I just rewick if something is going wrong or if it's been forever since I last rewicked.

 

[DreamRJ]

Hooked, line and sinker! I go months without changing coils, just a dry burn between rewicking. How often you change wicks is often a personal preference. Some people rewick daily. I just rewick if something is going wrong or if it's been forever since I last rewicked.

Yeah and that is what made RTA appealing to me too. The fact coils can last months etc

I really am happy I made the switch though. Hooked indeed xD