Hello from VA

[Altema]

Hello! My name is Pamela. Ive been vaping for about 4 months now. I just bought my first RBA and realized I had many questions so I went online to look for vaping forums. I found it using yahoo.com search engine along with a few other sites, but this looks like the one with the most promise. My first questions regard my RBA. Its a kangertech subtank. I cant say Id recommend it to others, but it was recommended to me by the people at my local vape shop.Im wondering how often the coils need to be replaced. What happens to the metal over time that makes it need replacing? About how often do they need replacing?

Thanks guys! Hope I get know some of you

Pamela, VA

 

[TwistedThrottle]

Hi Pamela. A lot determines the life you get out of a coil. Basically, the wick gets juice built up and over time gets gunky giving off flavors that are less desirable. Also, the wire changes over time, losing efficiency and the ability to transfer heat properly to the wick. Some juices get gunky quicker and depending on how long you hold the fire button, your coils might burn out quicker. Don't get attached to the coils. If it tastes weird or gets hard to draw or switching from one flavor spectrum to another, swap the coils. Plan on anything from once a day to once a month, seriously, it ranges and you'll know when it needs to be done. Get a 5 pack and replace when you're down to 1. Hope this helps.

 

[TwistedThrottle]

If you're rebuilding yourself, build a microcoil and replace just the wick daily to weekly. Coils go strong month to month.

 

[daleron]

Welcome to ECF Pamela, make yourself right at home

 

[Yorkshire_pudding]

Welcome

As was said above the coils will gunk up over time. Darker juices will do this a little faster than clear ones but i have not noticed enough difference to not use a darker juice i like. So yeah coil life varies between people due to difference in juices and the amount you vape etc.

In my subtank mini i get around 2 weeks use from a coil going through around 1 tank full a day.

 

[jefferzzzz]

Just wanted to welcome you as it sounds like you already got good answers.

 

[Altema]

It's cool this place exists so we can bounce off the things they tell us at our local vape shops. They tell me its almost always the wick that needs replacing. Have you guys tried Pima vaporizing cotton? Its very soft but more fibrous then japanese cotton. Its a rolled up coil about the size of a can of chewing tobacco, which they said would last almost a year. So that's about a years worth of wicks for $10. Are my vape shops claims sound true? Thanks for the warm welcome!

Pamela

 

[Spencer87]

I go through wicks fast. It all depends, on how often you change flavors and stuff. but any type of rebuilding is going to be cheaper than buying new coils

 

[connelme]

Welcome and feel free to ask as many questions you need.

 

[Altema]

What are your thoughts on using nickel? The people at my local vape shop said I should use kanthol, but its too difficult to work with. I watched two movies while trying to replace both coils but I couldnt get them bent right to fit under a tiny screw head. Are there any real reason not to use nickel? Have a good week!

Pamela
Fredericksburg, VA

 

[greyeagle58]

Hi Pamela, glad to see a neighbor here! I'm new as well to vaping and ECF. Loving both for sure. I am only into the the kanger mini protanks, great for what I need. I have had great luck with my coils? heads? firing things? by cleaning mine. You are using a much more advanced system than I am so I don't think you can do that.
About the darker juices I have noticed to be true. I love my chocolates but I do have to clean everything much more often. Not enough to put me off my chocolates tho. I have gotten into making my own juices as well and that is a real money saver. Don't know which local store u are going too but most are honest enough, I go to the one by the hallmark store in central park. You have to remember that they are in the business of selling their products but I don't think any of them would purposely try to hurt someone just to sell something.
You will find a lot of good information here. I tend to lurk and read. I have learned much in a short time on this forum.
Take care and keep on vaping, so much better than the old stinkies!
Jan

 

[CountBoredom]

What are your thoughts on using nickel? The people at my local vape shop said I should use kanthol, but its too difficult to work with. I watched two movies while trying to replace both coils but I couldnt get them bent right to fit under a tiny screw head. Are there any real reason not to use nickel? Have a good week!

Pamela
Fredericksburg, VA

Hi Pamela. Welcome to ECF!

I've not used nickel, but I've heard it is more difficult to work with than kanthal, and only really necessary if you wish to use the temperature control features of some more expensive devices. Building coils can take some practice and some toppers are easier to work with than others. In general, it is best to keep the coil on the jig (or drill bit or paperclip or whatever you wrapped the coil on) while pulling the ends taut to the posts. This allows you to maintain the integrity of the coil while getting the necessary tension to the posts. If you are still using the subtank, you could also purchase replacement heads and use those (the replaceable heads can also be re-wicked or rebuilt, as well). Hope this helps!

 

[Bootiewootsy]

Hi Pamela, welcomee to the group.
Most everyone has answered your questions..
I like dark sweet juices that I make myself, so my coils have to be replaced often.
It is not hard to learn to make your own.
Good luck and glad to have you here.

 

[Rsunderl]

Hi Pamela and welcome to ECF!

If you are building your own coils, you should also have an ohm meter to check your builds for shorts before putting theRBA on your relatively expensive mod. A short in a coil can damage the electronics in a regulated mod, and cause bad things to happen to the battery in an unregulated mod.

Good ohm meters can be had for $20-$30.

Hope it helps and Happy Vaping!

 

[jstrong]

Welcome Pamela...Always glad to see another VA Vapor here. I am in Roanoke, VA

 

[Altema]

I finally rebuilt the kangertech subtank. Not the easiest one to start with. Thank you to all you who make YT videos that show us new ones how to do this stuff. Also, the people on here that share their opinions and experience. There are posts about nickchrome giving a metallic taste or expanding when heated. Kanthol is supposed to keep its shape and offer more resistance, preventing dry burns. This place is pretty cool. And yes, hello to all you Virginians!