help me identify the wire i bought.

[aalmosawi]

today i went to the local "wire market" where they sell electrical stuff and cables and so on
in my search for the kanthal or any compatible wire.

so ... FINALLY i found the shops i needed that carry them. they sell heaters. the ones they use in the army/trips to heal food/drinks and so on.

anywho. the old men in those shops were somewhat clueless about gauges. they dealt in the millimeter language. he keeps saying what millimeter type wire do you want.

One guy knew the word kanthal and said he has a few rolls to choose from. ...
i have compiled a few pics but i am clueless as to what they are/type/gauge.

can you guys help me identify? and in the end will all this work ?

(((all these images are click once to see -- click again to see a zoomed higher quality))

 

[edyle]

get a multimeter and measure the ohms of 10 inches of wire.

 

[Baditude]

It's impossible to identify what wire you purchased in the pictures.

Why not just order the correct Kanthal wire from a vape shop or order from online vendors like RTD Vapor? I wouldn't put just any old wire onto my vape rig not knowing what it was. That's about as ignorant as the kid who made a coil from a paper clip because he was too cheap to pay $8 for a spool of Kanthal. That's like buying batteries from Ebay.

You remind me of Forest Gump. Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.

 

[aalmosawi]

get a multimeter and measure the ohms of 10 inches of wire.

Ok. I got my multi-meter. put it on Ohms. but when i put it on 1 end and the other it starts at a random number and then it drops all the way to 0.00s after fluctuating. it never stops at a number.

i tried all sorts of combinations like holding the red/black cable on either side, rotating an so on.

 

[haleysdadda]

It's impossible to identify what wire you purchased in the pictures.

Why not just order the correct Kanthal wire from a vape shop or order from online vendors like RTD Vapor? I wouldn't put just any old wire onto my vape rig not knowing what it was. That's about as ignorant as the kid who made a coil from a paper clip because he was too cheap to pay $8 for a spool of Kanthal. That's like buying batteries from Ebay.

You remind me of Forest Gump. Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.

Settle down brother! He's got a ligit question! We all started somewhere!
@aalmosawi Welcome to the forum! Glad you're here!
When I first started building like you I was looking for sources of wire! After I saw the filthy condition of the wire at my local electronics store I decided to go somewhere Vape specific! I was worried about getting all the crud off properly before I vaped it. Not only that I wanted to know exactly what wire I was using, type & gauge! Too much of a chance to take when I'm looking for something that could directly affect my health! For me the cost of being safe is well worth whatever more it might cost! You're local B&M might be a great place to start! If not try an online supplier like vaporDNA or Fast tech there are literally hundreds to choose from! Keep asking questions!

 

[aalmosawi]

my goodness. do you have that video of the paper clip guy i'd like to see it.

I am in IRAQ. thats why i couldnt find anything. and I am getting some wire shipped but it'll take a while. thats why i went to the local market to see what i can find.

 

[Baditude]

my goodness. do you have that video of the paper clip guy i'd like to see it.

There's no video. A member here was retelling a story of a kid he met at a vape shop who was having problems with his setup, and he decided to look at his setup while the kid was waiting for the sales staff finish with customers. When he looked inside his dripper, he saw a paper clip for a coil. The kid told him he wasn't about to pay $8 for a spool of wire when he had a box of paper clips at home.

 

[aalmosawi]

i am sure all my bought wires would work ... even the thickest one i have is not even 0.8 mm. so at least that part is covered.

what i was really worried about is the spindle (as pictured). he has no clue what type it is whether its kenthal or not. its rather thin though ... you can zoom in on the pic to see.

 

[edyle]

Ok. I got my multi-meter. put it on Ohms. but when i put it on 1 end and the other it starts at a random number and then it drops all the way to 0.00s after fluctuating. it never stops at a number.

i tried all sorts of combinations like holding the red/black cable on either side, rotating an so on.

First hold the red and black together to get the zero reading offset.

Then unroll a few feet of wire, and hole the red on one end of the wire, and the black on the other end of the wire, about 2 or 3 feet of wire.

Suppose you get 108 ohms in 3 feet,
that's 108 ohms in 108 inches = 1 ohm per inch.

 

[herb]

Settle down brother! He's got a ligit question! We all started somewhere!
@aalmosawi Welcome to the forum! Glad you're here!
When I first started building like you I was looking for sources of wire! After I saw the filthy condition of the wire at my local electronics store I decided to go somewhere Vape specific! I was worried about getting all the crud off properly before I vaped it. Not only that I wanted to know exactly what wire I was using, type & gauge! Too much of a chance to take when I'm looking for something that could directly affect my health! For me the cost of being safe is well worth whatever more it might cost! You're local B&M might be a great place to start! If not try an online supplier like vaporDNA or Fast tech there are literally hundreds to choose from! Keep asking questions!

Just a FWIW , Baditude is settled down , when he talks EVERYBODY listens because he knows exactly what he's talking about and knows batteries, wire , builds and safety issues like the back of his hand .

I would consider it a privilege when he responds to your post , guys knows his stuff inside and out and is one of the most respected members to have ever graced the pages of ECF.

 

[Baditude]

I appologize if I came across as being rude. I certainly did not mean to be. However, sometimes things are so blatantly simple (to me) that I'm amazed that people think a certain way.

Let me ask a couple of questions: Would you put just any old battery into your mod? How about that one you saw in your laptop or flashlight? Would you put just any e-liquid into your juice delivery device? Probably not. So why put a mystery coil into your device? You don't know if its Kanthal or whatever kind of wire. You don't know the gauge, either. So how are you going to use a coil making calculator to know how many wraps you need to make a certain resistance coil?

Advice: Use the proper materials and proper tools to get the job done right. Don't skimp on either.

 

[haleysdadda]

I appologize if I came across as being rude. I certainly did not mean to be. However, sometimes things are so blatantly simple that I'm amazed that people think a certain way.

Let me ask a couple of questions Would you put just any old battery into your mod? Would you put just any e-liquid into your juice delivery device? Probably not. So why put a mystery coil into your device? You don't know if its Kanthal or whatever kind of wire. You don't know the gauge, either. So how are you going to use a coil making calculator to know how many wraps you need to make a certain resistance coil?

Advice: Use the proper materials and proper tools to get the job done right. Don't skimp on either.

Not rude, just kinda harsh on a new guy! IMHO
I'm on your side! I ONLY use LG Hg2s, my own DIY juice, & wire from a reputable source! I have an RX200 so I use Steam Engine as a reference! I have an OHM reader to check my builds!

 

[suprtrkr]

I know of no way to determine what you have visually. You could have it analyzed chemically, if such facilities are available, but it would be prohibitively expensive. A caliper would measure the diameter and reference to an AWG chart would identify the gauge. You could also measure the resistance of a known length. But that wouldn't tell you what it is, or whether or not it was toxic or something.

 

[aalmosawi]

i said this once and i'll say it again.

The vaping community is rather rough on newcomers. I sure as hell would not want to join a group of showoffs/snobby type folk no matter what kind of product they got. heck, i'd rather die off of cigarettes/hookah then be in a community with snobs!
Now,
I am a PC technician by trade and I get frustrated with newbie questions be it a PC question or even gaming for that matter. However, being a little patient and adding a little niceness goes a long way to extending your relationship with "people".

When you call customer service (lets say Tmobile/At&T) would you want them to treat you like you SHOULD know something ? hell no.
I could give a rats ... about the guy with the paper clip.
I live in a .... country and i am lucky i found what i did find ... sure, the guy that sells it has no clue what ohms it is. he knows it by millimeter size. cause he sells it (the wire) for fixing heaters cause frankly thats what its used for in real life.
Your Mod is actually a heater heating the ejuice (duh!)

This is a newcomers forum. Either be nice or dont bother replying.

(i blame the mods for letting crap like this go unpunished).

 

[aalmosawi]

I know of no way to determine what you have visually. You could have it analyzed chemically, if such facilities are available, but it would be prohibitively expensive. A caliper would measure the diameter and reference to an AWG chart would identify the gauge. You could also measure the resistance of a known length. But that wouldn't tell you what it is, or whether or not it was toxic or something.

True. I could go back to the store and verify what it is. but in the end does it matter though what "it is"? shouldn't just the ohm reading matter?

I ordered a ohm reader from ebay with my brother to bring with him and a industractable addy and a coil gig. guess then we'll know. in the meantime, i'll mess with the multi-meter.

 

[YoursTruli]

True. I could go back to the store and verify what it is. but in the end does it matter though what "it is"? shouldn't just the ohm reading matter?

I ordered a ohm reader from ebay with my brother to bring with him and a industractable addy and a coil gig. guess then we'll know. in the meantime, i'll mess with the multi-meter.

If you can order and receive items from ebay that is also a good source for genuine Kanthal wire from vape retailers:
Kanthal A-1 Wire Gauge: 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 AWG - 25 50 100 250 500 1000 ft.
as an example.
Can you also order from Fasttech? They deliver worldwide with some restrictions:
FastTech - Gadgets and Electronics

I understand it might be difficult to acquire kanthal wire made for vaping in your country but I am sure you understand it is vital to know what wire you are using as the wrong one can create unnecessary, (unsanitary) or even dangerous issues no one would like to deal with. Not all wire is created equal and there are several types of wire used in heating elements beside kanthal. What you have purchased may not be kanthal or suitable for vaping with.

 

[BrotherBob]

can you guys help me identify? and in the end will all this work ?

I would find out (use a micrometer if unknown or in doubt) the outside diameter of the wire. Then use the information and plug in the numbers at this site:
Coil wrapping
There are all sorts of different alloys that make up resistance wire. Not having a chem lab, you will never know what resistance wire alloy you bought.
I would plug in the dia. of a wire (mm or ga.) and assume it is Kanthal and build to desired ohm's, size etc.. and let the calculator recommend the unknowns.
I would place the coil on a dripper and safety *see if the coil fires for the wattage you selected. I would think the worst that could happen is the coil would not fire (not resistance wire) or the coil will fire and burn out rapidly (wrong type/alloy of resistance wire). If it fires, my guess everything should be pretty much ok.
*Protect your eyes above all else.

 

[suprtrkr]

True. I could go back to the store and verify what it is. but in the end does it matter though what "it is"? shouldn't just the ohm reading matter?

I ordered a ohm reader from ebay with my brother to bring with him and a industractable addy and a coil gig. guess then we'll know. in the meantime, i'll mess with the multi-meter.

You're going to inhale vapor produced by heat in that wire, right? Ask me, yeah, I think it matters what it is made of.

 

[Lessifer]

i said this once and i'll say it again.

The vaping community is rather rough on newcomers. I sure as hell would not want to join a group of showoffs/snobby type folk no matter what kind of product they got. heck, i'd rather die off of cigarettes/hookah then be in a community with snobs!
Now,
I am a PC technician by trade and I get frustrated with newbie questions be it a PC question or even gaming for that matter. However, being a little patient and adding a little niceness goes a long way to extending your relationship with "people".

When you call customer service (lets say Tmobile/At&T) would you want them to treat you like you SHOULD know something ? hell no.
I could give a rats ... about the guy with the paper clip.
I live in a .... country and i am lucky i found what i did find ... sure, the guy that sells it has no clue what ohms it is. he knows it by millimeter size. cause he sells it (the wire) for fixing heaters cause frankly thats what its used for in real life.
Your Mod is actually a heater heating the ejuice (duh!)

This is a newcomers forum. Either be nice or dont bother replying.

(i blame the mods for letting crap like this go unpunished).

Please don't take this as being mean, it is not meant to be.

You're a pc technician so let me put it in those terms. What you've asked us to do is like asking us to look at a picture of a flash drive, and tell you what's on it, and whether it was formatted for PC or Mac. Except in this case, if we're wrong, you could injure yourself.

 

[herb]

i said this once and i'll say it again.

The vaping community is rather rough on newcomers. I sure as hell would not want to join a group of showoffs/snobby type folk no matter what kind of product they got. heck, i'd rather die off of cigarettes/hookah then be in a community with snobs!
Now,
I am a PC technician by trade and I get frustrated with newbie questions be it a PC question or even gaming for that matter. However, being a little patient and adding a little niceness goes a long way to extending your relationship with "people".

When you call customer service (lets say Tmobile/At&T) would you want them to treat you like you SHOULD know something ? hell no.
I could give a rats ... about the guy with the paper clip.
I live in a .... country and i am lucky i found what i did find ... sure, the guy that sells it has no clue what ohms it is. he knows it by millimeter size. cause he sells it (the wire) for fixing heaters cause frankly thats what its used for in real life.
Your Mod is actually a heater heating the ejuice (duh!)

This is a newcomers forum. Either be nice or dont bother replying.

(i blame the mods for letting crap like this go unpunished).

C, mon man lol, time to get a grip . If you consider the below rude and out of line you are way way too sensitive :

There is absolutely ZERO wrong with the below .

It's impossible to identify what wire you purchased in the pictures.

Why not just order the correct Kanthal wire from a vape shop or order from online vendors like RTD Vapor?