First steps into mec and rebuildables. Advice wanted.

[Riff]

A friend has sent me a care package. On the way is a nifty little Hammer clone, the Tobeco. He's sent it with a NImbus clone and a nice long drip tip. Pics look awesome and I can't wait for it to get here. I am however a little nervous, this will be my first foray into mec mods. I do have a good range of 18350 batteries: 2 AW imr's @700m Ah Button tops, 2 Ultrafire @1200 mAh, and 2 Efest @800 mAh donated from a friend who recently gave into the fear machine and gave up vaping. I was already planing on trying a rebuildable and ordered an Orchid after some mild research. It looks to be friendly enough to start on. The only Ohm reader I have for now is the one built into my MVP 2, this will do for now but I will be getting a dedicated Ohm reader soon.

All my research says I should get 4.7 Volts from this setup, is this right with all those batteries? Will some of them have different output? Or is it just battery life that should fluctuate? How safe is this setup with my current tanks? Nautilus mini, Aerotank mini (with adapter), and iclear 30 all 1.8 Ohms. I'd hate to blow a coil or damage a tank learning this mod.

What Ohm should I be aiming for here when I try the RDAs? Also the 1.8 range? I think I could go as low as 1 Ohm, but I'm not sure. I have 30 gauge and 28 gauge kanthol. Aiming for 1.8 with the 30 should be 10 wraps according to the coil calculators I've seen so far.

Am I on the right track? Am I over thinking this while waiting for my package? Sorry I'm just a bit of a worrier and know how knowledgeable this forum is.
Any parting advise or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Susan~S]

The AW IMR 700mah batteries are rated 6A. Very good batteries. The EFest 800 mah batteries are rated 6.4A. Also good batteries for vaping. A 1 ohm coil on a fully charged battery (4.2v) will pull 4.2 amps. That gives you ~ 30%-35% headroom for safety. So you are good to go with your current setup with these batteries.

Don't use the Trustfire batteries. Save them for your flashlights.

A battery will read about 4.2v when it is fully charged. When you start to use it it quickly falls off to the mid 3s and then goes in to a long gradual decline, when you spend most of your vaping time. As it nears the end it again falls rapidly to under 3 volts, you can usually tell this point cause it is the "Why am I not getting as much vapor?" point. At around 3 volts you start to hurt your battery. Anything under 3.0 volts will technically start eroding the cathode of the battery. That will shorten its lifespan, just like overcharging would do (and overcharging is a more immediately danger). Some chargers might object to recharging a battery if the voltage drops too low, while others will pulse charge and work with it as long as the voltage isn't completely off the charts.

ADDITION: When you start rebuilding a 1.8 ohm coil is a great place to start given you will not be able to go below 1.0 ohms with a 18350 battery. Use the coil calculators below to figure out how to get there.
=============

Since you are new to mech mods and rebuildables I highly recommend you spend some time with Baditude (our resident battery expert) and visit his blogs. You are now 100% in control of your own safety (and others around you). Make sure you purchase an ohm reader and a voltmeter or DMM so you can measure your builds, check for shorts and measure the remaining charge on your batteries.

Baditudes Blogs. The blogs regarding mods and rebuildables are listed below:

BATTERIES

9. Battery Basics for Mods: IMR or Protected ICR?
* Another essential read to understand which batteries are safe to use in mechanical and regulated mods. Includes a frequently updated list of recommended safe-chemistry, high-drain batteries with their specifications.

17. Purple Efest Batteries Not As Advertised
* A cautionary blog that reveals that the purple Efest batteries may not have the specifications advertised. Also includes a commentary on "continuous discharge ratings" vs "pulse discharge ratings" of battery specs.

OHM'S LAW

14. Ohm's Law for Dummies (Vapers)
* My attempt at explaining Ohm's Law in layman terms and how it relates to vaping.

16. Explain it to the Dumb Noob: Ohm's Law Calculations
* As simple as it is to use, some people have a tough time grasping the concept. Warning: Includes graphic photos of mod explosions.

MECHANICAL MODS & REBUILDABLES

7. Information Resources for Your First RBA
* An essential read and reference guide for someone new to rebuilding coils. Includes a multitude of useful links on battery safety, mod safety, coil meters, coil building, and the differences in the three types of RBA's.

15. Inexpensive Mechanical Mod and RDA Setup
* A response to the frequently asked question on how to get into rebuildable atomizers with a mechanical mod inexpensively. Includes a list of commonly used tools and supplies for rebuilding and where to find them.

COILING CALCULATORS

Here are a few links regarding building coils and getting the resistance just where you want it:
1. Steam Engine
2. Coil Toy Calculator

Make sure to check your build with an ohm reader or DMM before putting it on your mod and firing it.

 

[Riff]

Little update: Snagged a couple AGI hybrids for 13 each. They came in today and while one is for a friend the other is all mine. Built my first coil today. 1.7 Ohm with no problems. Dripping on my MVP with it the rest of the day.

 

[penguiness]

Little update: Snagged a couple AGI hybrids for 13 each. They came in today and while one is for a friend the other is all mine. Built my first coil today. 1.7 Ohm with no problems. Dripping on my MVP with it the rest of the day.

Good job, Riff! So how is the flavor difference for you?

 

[Riff]

Well, honestly... I'm getting a little better flavor a bit more depth and stronger "profile" if that makes any sense. I'm finding it real nice to be able to switch flavors on but IMHO the Nautilus and Aerotank both give me almost the same flavor without all the "fiddly work" of dripping. I'm looking forward to the ease of testing all the flavors I've got coming (Alice in vapeland: little bit of everything) as i'm not getting much in the way of flavor "bleed through" if I vape until I start to taste burned wick. I do find I get more dry mouth. It's a good thing, but I'm really not sure dripping is for me just yet... That said tanks on the go will be a part of my arsenal for now, the Naut and Aero will be my around town carries for sure.

I am very interested in what a mec mod will feel and taste like when they get here. Yeah, I said they. After doing a bit more research and buying my battery charger from a near by electronics "warehouse" style shop I've got 1 AWIMR 18650 that I don't want to use with the Hammer Clone. So some looking around and a few lucky ebay bids later I have a Nemesis and Kayfun Light 3.1 on the way too. I think this will be fun, but as to if I'll use either on the go I'm still not sure.

Well, I told my curious coworkers I would pave the way into rebuildables, mechs, and DIY juices. So far so good. I'll see where the vape trails lead me.

 

[Riff]

On a second hard look at it: Dripping a "new" flavor packs a better kick and richer flavor. Once I've decided I like a flavor the difference is less noticeable. It's almost as if I've gotten used to a taste enough to deal with the slight drop in over all flavor. Like canned vs bottled soda or beer, you can taste the difference, but on your daily drink you can put up with whatever is on hand because it's your drink.

 

[Riff]

And today was a good day for vape mail. The Hammer came in as did my Orchid (v2 it turns out. Bad research on my end) Made my first micro coil and it came out great at 1.5 Ohm on the first try. I like the Orchid very much, it looks great on the Hammer and vapes like a champ. Can I get a glass tank for it?

I want to build a dual coil next, but I'm really not 100% sure how to do the math. Am I building 2x 1.5 Ohm coils or 2x (what Ohm here) to equal 1.5?

Either way the Hammer works well with the Orchid and I love it!! I'm having fun with this now that's for sure!

Side note: The Hammer came with a Nimbus (clone I'm sure) that was preset with a 1.5 dual coil on silica wick. I'm finding this tastes odd. Is it the silica? I've only been using cotton, You guys have been super helpful, I feel like me error free builds (so far. fingers crossed) have been in no small part due to the advice and guidance I've found through this forum. Cheers!!

 

[MackBolan]

You would need 2x 3 ohm coils to come out to 1.5 ohms.
I am about to start building this week once my new setup arrives. It should be pretty fun. After that will be some DIY.

 

[Riff]

Just keeping my notes here, and this post alive if it's helping anyone to follow my progression. I ran into a slight snag yesterday that while I see as a potential ongoing problem is not life shattering.

It seems like the connection with the atty likes to unscrew off the mod easier than of an atty. This led to a minor disaster as I couldn't get the Orchid off the darn thing. Finally I just bit the bullet and used some (glove wrapped for scratch protection) pliers to "break" that over tightened mess. All pieces are fine no damage to anything, but my coil. I just wasn't thinking. I should have removed the coil first and then just slapped it back in afterwards. Oh well, no huge problem. Now I make sure I'm not screwing the tank on too tight. Still learning that snug is fine, tight is too much.

As I am really enjoying the airflow on the Orchid I rebuilt it immediately. 1.2 Ohm dual coil. Getting better, but I did have some errors making the dual. Again nothing serious just stupid errors. Over-tightened the posts breaking a coil's legs, dropped on into Narnia that sort of thing. As I slowly lower my ohms I'm getting better flavors especially on the mec mod. I still like the MVP and Nautilus for on the go, but I find myself looking forward to getting back to the Hammer.

Question of the moment: If I'm dripping a lot of sweet dark juice and my coil is building up gunk do I clean it or toss it? I know some tank coils can be cleaned, and others not so much. What about our own creations? Thanks and cheers!

 

[edyle]

A friend has sent me a care package. On the way is a nifty little Hammer clone, the Tobeco. He's sent it with a NImbus clone and a nice long drip tip. Pics look awesome and I can't wait for it to get here. I am however a little nervous, this will be my first foray into mec mods. I do have a good range of 18350 batteries: 2 AW imr's @700m Ah Button tops, 2 Ultrafire @1200 mAh, and 2 Efest @800 mAh donated from a friend who recently gave into the fear machine and gave up vaping. I was already planing on trying a rebuildable and ordered an Orchid after some mild research. It looks to be friendly enough to start on. The only Ohm reader I have for now is the one built into my MVP 2, this will do for now but I will be getting a dedicated Ohm reader soon.

All my research says I should get 4.7 Volts from this setup, is this right with all those batteries? Will some of them have different output? Or is it just battery life that should fluctuate? How safe is this setup with my current tanks? Nautilus mini, Aerotank mini (with adapter), and iclear 30 all 1.8 Ohms. I'd hate to blow a coil or damage a tank learning this mod.

What Ohm should I be aiming for here when I try the RDAs? Also the 1.8 range? I think I could go as low as 1 Ohm, but I'm not sure. I have 30 gauge and 28 gauge kanthol. Aiming for 1.8 with the 30 should be 10 wraps according to the coil calculators I've seen so far.

Am I on the right track? Am I over thinking this while waiting for my package? Sorry I'm just a bit of a worrier and know how knowledgeable this forum is.
Any parting advise or suggestions would be appreciated.

First off lithium battery voltage is 3.7 volts nominal, not 4.7 volts.

Yes like most people you're overthinking: just use the nimbus on the mvp with 30 guage at 1.8 ohms to start with.

 

[edyle]

And today was a good day for vape mail. The Hammer came in as did my Orchid (v2 it turns out. Bad research on my end) Made my first micro coil and it came out great at 1.5 Ohm on the first try. I like the Orchid very much, it looks great on the Hammer and vapes like a champ. Can I get a glass tank for it?

I want to build a dual coil next, but I'm really not 100% sure how to do the math. Am I building 2x 1.5 Ohm coils or 2x (what Ohm here) to equal 1.5?

Either way the Hammer works well with the Orchid and I love it!! I'm having fun with this now that's for sure!

Side note: The Hammer came with a Nimbus (clone I'm sure) that was preset with a 1.5 dual coil on silica wick. I'm finding this tastes odd. Is it the silica? I've only been using cotton, You guys have been super helpful, I feel like me error free builds (so far. fingers crossed) have been in no small part due to the advice and guidance I've found through this forum. Cheers!!

If the orchid is working good at 1.5 ohm single coil on the mech, you do a dual coil by putting a second 1.5 ohm coil of the same gauge; together they work out to 0.75 ohm.

 

[edyle]

Just keeping my notes here, and this post alive if it's helping anyone to follow my progression. I ran into a slight snag yesterday that while I see as a potential ongoing problem is not life shattering.

It seems like the connection with the atty likes to unscrew off the mod easier than of an atty. This led to a minor disaster as I couldn't get the Orchid off the darn thing. Finally I just bit the bullet and used some (glove wrapped for scratch protection) pliers to "break" that over tightened mess. All pieces are fine no damage to anything, but my coil. I just wasn't thinking. I should have removed the coil first and then just slapped it back in afterwards. Oh well, no huge problem. Now I make sure I'm not screwing the tank on too tight. Still learning that snug is fine, tight is too much.

As I am really enjoying the airflow on the Orchid I rebuilt it immediately. 1.2 Ohm dual coil. Getting better, but I did have some errors making the dual. Again nothing serious just stupid errors. Over-tightened the posts breaking a coil's legs, dropped on into Narnia that sort of thing. As I slowly lower my ohms I'm getting better flavors especially on the mec mod. I still like the MVP and Nautilus for on the go, but I find myself looking forward to getting back to the Hammer.

Question of the moment: If I'm dripping a lot of sweet dark juice and my coil is building up gunk do I clean it or toss it? I know some tank coils can be cleaned, and others not so much. What about our own creations? Thanks and cheers!

dry burn and rewick.

 

[readeuler]

dry burn and rewick.

And just to clarify a bit: the coils are fine. Yank the wick (carefully!), and get 'em glowing red a few times. Then rewick

I typically keep the same coils until I mangle them rewicking, or just want to build something else.