Easy bottom feed modification for the Phoenix v4 (ERA clone) RBA

[_nderscore]

Just got home and found some Phoenix v4's waiting for me in my mailbox.


Took one out and pressed out the center post and insulator:

Then, I took a dremel and cut a channel into the insulator. Leaving a little bit of material still there near the base of the insulator. (I didn't cut all the way through the insulator when I got past that little ridge on it)

Put it back toghether and tried putting it on my Reo Grand. Fits perfectly and juice flows straight up the channel I cut without any issue. Seems like it works!


Now, I need to clean this nasty little thing and get rid of all the machine oils I want to start using it right now!

 

[Gioajack]

Hurry up and clean the thing and report back here... immediately.


Jack

 

[_nderscore]

Working just fine.

Not bad at all for a 10 dollar atty

 

[Gioajack]

Good job. Did you have to move or open up the air hole. (I wonder if those insulators will fit the original BF ERA's?)

Oh, almost forgot. To get the positive post all the way out did you just tap it from the top and drive it out through the base?


Jack

 

[Bob57]

Cool!

Are the parts interchangeable with the ERA ?

 

[_nderscore]

Good job. Did you have to move or open up the air hole. (I wonder if those insulators will fit the original BF ERA's?)

Oh, almost forgot. To get the positive post all the way out did you just tap it from the top and drive it out through the base?


Jack

Cool!

Are the parts interchangeable with the ERA ?

No idea if the parts are interchangeable. I should have a bottom feeding ERA 1.5 coming to me in the very near future though.

I haven't modified the airhole (yet). I think it's 1mm by default. I would like it a lot better at 1.4mm I think. Wish I had a drill.

To get the positive post out, I unscrewed the screw from the center post, then I put it upside down with the center post on the edge of my table and pressed down on it to get it to pop out. Then, after I got the post out, I used the flat side of the post to press out the insulator.

 

[Gioajack]

Excellent information, we appreciate it.

FYI... with the original ERA many people find that the existing hole produces a fairly tight draw and restricts vapor production. The 2 most common drill bit sizes used to enlarge it are 3/64ths and 1/16. (The 3/64 size is fairly difficult to find unless you have a really good hardware store near you.)

The 1/16th size hole produces a fairly airy draw, (almost everyone has reported that they get accustomed to it and end up really liking it very quickly. I have all my ERA's and Hornets drilled out to 1/16 and the increased vapor production is dramatic.

A $3.00 Cobalt bit will stay sharp enough to drill out 3 or 4 holes.

Again, thanks for the information, time to start lurking in the co-op forum.


Jack

 

[FreshSafari]

Thanks for the quick tutorial I really appreciate it

 

[_nderscore]

Again, thanks for the information, time to start lurking in the co-op forum.

I think theres an active co-op still taking signups.

If that fails, hoosier vapes is selling them for 10 bucks, so it's not bad either way.

1/6th is right around 1.5mm which is what I have most of my stuff drilled out to. Definitely going to widen this airhole at some point. Even at the stock 1mm, it's hitting like a champ. Did 2 wraps of 30g kanthal on a doubled-up piece of xc-116 ceramic wick. Producing some nice clouds.

 

[FreshSafari]

Just check hoosiervape as soon as I saw this thread there out of stock, Now If I can find some one with 5 or 6 of these, I will trade my fatty v2 for em!

 

[Gioajack]

The co-op thread is still open, (active co-ops), approximately $24 for a box of five.


Jack

 

[hildicat]

Just got home and found some Phoenix v4's waiting for me in my mailbox.


Took one out and pressed out the center post and insulator:

Then, I took a dremel and cut a channel into the insulator. Leaving a little bit of material still there near the base of the insulator. (I didn't cut all the way through the insulator when I got past that little ridge on it)

Put it back toghether and tried putting it on my Reo Grand. Fits perfectly and juice flows straight up the channel I cut without any issue. Seems like it works!


Now, I need to clean this nasty little thing and get rid of all the machine oils I want to start using it right now!

Thats one helluvuh sweet modification. Excellent work. I remember the days not too long ago, when we were drilling through the base of the original Phoenix rebuildable trying to make it bottom feed. It worked pretty well when it wasn't shorting out. That was before the Chalice came out and spoiled us.

What we wont do for a good vape...

 

[FreshSafari]

How about an update on how this is working,

 

[_nderscore]

It was working fantastically all day. Juice was feeding alright, maybe a little bit on the tight side, and all the excess juice was sucked back down the tube no problem.

Then I came home and found my long-awaited bottom-fed ERA waiting for me in my mailbox, set it up, and clumsily shorted the coil against the top cap, melting my reo button and compressing my spring. And I had just put in a new button and spring after destroying them in an accident with the A7's silly loose positive pin a few weeks ago.

Oh well, back to the carto tank as my daily carry for a few days while I wait for replacement parts...

 

[FreshSafari]

It was working fantastically all day. Juice was feeding alright, maybe a little bit on the tight side, and all the excess juice was sucked back down the tube no problem.

Then I came home and found my long-awaited bottom-fed ERA waiting for me in my mailbox, set it up, and clumsily shorted the coil against the top cap, melting my reo button and compressing my spring. And I had just put in a new button and spring after destroying them in an accident with the A7's silly loose positive pin a few weeks ago.

Oh well, back to the carto tank as my daily carry for a few days while I wait for replacement parts...

Damn I feel for you!

 

[ainako]

I been drilling through the positive post but this method seems much easier and you don't risk breaking a drill bit and wasting one. I signed up for 10 on akya's coop. GREAT FIND!

 

[AmnNate]

I been drilling through the positive post but this method seems much easier and you don't risk breaking a drill bit and wasting one. I signed up for 10 on akya's coop. GREAT FIND!

Well, I don't really need 5 of them, lol. Anybody want to sell me one of their 5 from the co-op? I've got a black Era on order anyhow, but it'd be fun to have one of these to play with in the mean time. I'd really rather support the Era guys, but with it being so hard to get a proper one, this may be a reasonable alternative. Thanks for pointing this out _nderscore!

 

[_nderscore]

Looks like the price on these is dropping.

$6.49 @ Cheapie Dripper (RDA) - Sun-Vapers.com
$5.49 @ http://www................../Phoenix-V4-Rebuildable-dripper_p_191.html

 

[Angi2299]

The co-op thread is still open, (active co-ops), approximately $24 for a box of five.


Jack

Thanks Jack. Got in on my first co-op due to your timely post. So, if I turn into a co-op addict (as I hear so many lamenting), it is all your fault! Thanks again!

 

[AmnNate]

Looks like the price on these is dropping.

$6.49 @ Cheapie Dripper (RDA) - Sun-Vapers.com
$5.49 @ http://www................../Phoenix-V4-Rebuildable-dripper_p_191.html

Awesome! Thanks so much for this. I went ahead and picked up a black aluminum and a SS one too for $13 shipped. Anybody know if the "SS" ones are actually stainless or not? It'd be nice, but I expect not for a $5 rebuildable. Can't wait to try out your nifty mod.