Help a Coil Building Newbie

[Bundy1971]

I've been vaping for a long time, but I've always used pre-built coils (mostly Aspire tanks/coils). I'm getting pretty tired of sub-par taste and wasting money on crappy coils, so I'm diving into the RTA world and need the help of you fine people. Remember, I'm a newbie to a lot of RTA stuff, so be gentle with terms and such if you can!

I ordered a Pico 75W and a GV Ammit 22. Also bought some Coil Master K Clapton Wire 26+30 and some Cotton Bacon v2. I want to build a coil in the .5-.7 ohm range @3mm ID. So my question is, how many wraps should I make? I'm thinking 5-6.

Assuming I can make the coil I'm going for, what wattage would I want to run it at? I'm thinking ~30W?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Beamslider]

Use Wire wizard on steamengine to figure it out

Wire wizard | Steam Engine | free vaping calculators

 

[Beamslider]

That shows Kanthal clapton 26/30 5 wraps around .75 ohm

 

[Bundy1971]

Thanks! I did use that before I posted, but wanted to make sure my eyes were seeing what they thought they were seeing. I'm sure you know it looks a little scary for newbies!

 

[Bundy1971]

So assuming I get the coil right, what wattage range would you try?

 

[Beamslider]

Best to start wattage out low and keep bumping it up until it seem right.

 

[Bundy1971]

Thanks, again, Beam. I think I'll start at 20W and go from there.

 

[Bundy1971]

Is this config right? I'm showing slightly different numbers:

 

[Beamslider]

The calculator does an approximation. I used a 2.5mm Inner Diameter you used 3 mm. You also had 5 mm legs. Don't think the legs will be 5 mm. 3mm coil may be okay but may be large for the rta. Usually better flavor with a smaller coil id.

 

[Bundy1971]

I went with 3mm based on 1) I saw a few build videos that used 3mm, and 2) that was the only size coil jig MFS had when I bought my supplies. I'll try it out and adjust.

 

[sonicbomb]

On a regulated device like the Pico the coil resistance is not important.
Do your 5 wraps at 2.5 internal diameter and hit it at 20 watts to start, and increase until it makes you happy.

 

[sky4it]

I'll give you some advice since Ive built plenty.

I learned some of this stuff the hard way.

1) Dont make your wick to tight in the coil, as in too thick for the coil. If its overly tight inside the coil you can get a dry burn taste.

2) Dont make your wick too loose in the coil either. If you do you can get leaks because there isnt enough wick to keep up with the juice flowing into the atomizer chamber.

So what you want is a snug wick inside the coil.

3) Dual coils, I have found typically leak easier then single coils. This might not always be the case, but its why I dont like the Kayfun Monsters. However anything without quality restrictive airflow, will IMO, cause leaking. Its what makes Kayfuns really terrific.

 

[Bundy1971]

So an update on my first attempt:

First...holy $%&# my eyes are HORRIBLE! Time to visit the eye doctor!

I ended up with 6.5 or 7 wraps by the time I figured out how to line the ends up to come out in the same direction without a 90° bend. That's an easy fix for next time. That coil ended up at 1.05 or 1.1 ohms depending on which mod I put it on (Vaporesso & Pico: 1.05; iStick 30W: 1.1); should have my ohm meter tomorrow. I know some fluctuation is normal, and that seems to be in the normal range. Also assume 30W is rounding up since it doesn't measures to tenths.

Haven't wicked it yet...trying to let my eyes rest before I go blind(er). Wicking shouldn't be an issue. I've wicked coils on a Triton RTA and know not to go too tight or loose, but I'm sure there will be a learning curve so thanks for the tip on that!

 

[bhayes]

I find 26ga. (gauage) to be the best coil size, can anyone tell me what the 30 in 26/30ga. means?

 

[Bonskibon]

I find 26ga. (gauage) to be the best coil size, can anyone tell me what the 30 in 26/30ga. means?

Sounds like a clapton wire which uses two wires (or more) twisted together.

 

[Paul Mohr]

Gauge is th size of wire, or more specifically the diameter of the wire. A higher number means a smaller diameter wire. I know, it sounds counter intuitive. Not sure why they do it that way, never bothered asking lol. And the diameter of the wire effects the resistance of the wire.

So 30 ga wire is thinner than 28 ga wire and has a higher resistance, which mean you can make a smaller coil at a higher resistance. Thicker ga wire lets you make the same size coil at a lower resistance.

 

[Don29palms]

I find 26ga. (gauage) to be the best coil size, can anyone tell me what the 30 in 26/30ga. means?

26/30 would be a clapton wire with a 26g core and wrapped with 30g.

 

[Don29palms]

On a regulated device like the Pico the coil resistance is not important.
Do your 5 wraps at 2.5 internal diameter and hit it at 20 watts to start, and increase until it makes you happy.

I really wish you would quit telling people untruths about resistance on regulated mods.

 

[sonicbomb]

@Don29palms How is that an untruth?

 

[Don29palms]

@Don29palms How is that an untruth?

The resistance of the coil does make a difference on a regulated mod in a couple different ways.