Hi there, I'm new to ECF, and building RBAs. I'm hitting a brick in the wall where ONLY half of my coil is glowing red. What's strange is the first time it happened, the half that glowed was close to the positive pole, and then I built another coil, where the half that glowed was close to the negative pole. I'm rubbing my fingers along my wire and I see that it has these tiny "kinks" on certain points. I'm wondering that this may be the cause, and I could just be dealing with crapped out wire. I'm at a loss, and really need the advice of someone who has been around the block. Please help!
Half of my coil is not glowing
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There's a 99% chance that there is a short somewhere. So current is bypassing the ideal flow of "all through the coils".
Is it a "microcoil" where you squished the coils together? Or is there space between the coils?
Also look for shorts between the wire and the base/ground points. Otherwise, shorts between loops.
Also test ohms...you did that, right?
Is it a "microcoil" where you squished the coils together? Or is there space between the coils?
Also look for shorts between the wire and the base/ground points. Otherwise, shorts between loops.
Also test ohms...you did that, right?
I tested at a steady 1.3 ohms. There is space in between the coils, and there is no point on the coil that is touching anything besides the base ground points. I'll fiddle around and look for shorts.
sometimes people "pulse" the coil to build up insulation/oxides on the wire until it glows evenly.
The base is a ground...but if that was the problem, it would glow between the positive post and some mid-point....not mid-point to ground side. So pulse it and see I guess. Don't overheat a battery though. Caution when you suspect a short.
The base is a ground...but if that was the problem, it would glow between the positive post and some mid-point....not mid-point to ground side. So pulse it and see I guess. Don't overheat a battery though. Caution when you suspect a short.
It isn't normal as in a normal coil should heat up from the middle to the outsides, right? It's literally just one half.
The method of connecting is wrapping the wire around the screw. Do you believe this method to be difficult? I'm only doing one wrap around. Perhaps more wraps around might help?
The method of connecting is wrapping the wire around the screw. Do you believe this method to be difficult? I'm only doing one wrap around. Perhaps more wraps around might help?
What wire are you using? I use Kanthal Wire 32 Gauge A-1 Resistance AWG. Kanthal Wire 32 Gauge RW0097 - 100 FT 0.25oz Series A-1 Resistance AWG Most here use this type between 28-32ga. Are you annealing the wire first with a mini torch or bic lighter (making it glow red for a few seconds) to clean off possible impurities and or machining oils? I would try that if your not already for 2 reasons:
1. To clean it.
2. It will make it easier to work with (less prone to kinking)
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Steve
1. To clean it.
2. It will make it easier to work with (less prone to kinking)
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Steve
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I have had this happen to me before. You are almost there!! I think your coils are not evenly spaced or the wick might not be oxidised enough. I would fire the button and then use a mini screwdriver to gently move the glowing coils to closer to the non glowing coils. Be careful that the atty doesn't get to hot and melt the isolators. Also make sure that the screwdriver doesn't touch the body of the atty and the coil at the same time. Good luck!
in these situations pictures help a lot in identifying problems. any chance you can post one?
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