How often do I replace coils?

[Lori Brown]

I'm fairly new to vaping, but I have been building my own coils for my RBAs for over 2 months. I love dripping. But I never know exactly how long coils should last. It's very obvious when to replace wicks/cotton. Also, I've been told I could clean the coils by using water, but batteries plus water don't seem right to me.

 

[Frenchfry1942]

The rebuildable coils should last a rather long time. When you lose vapor or flavor, there is a reason to look at the coil to see if it is gunked up. If it is, take the wick out and light the coil so it turns red. It will burn the gunk off. Then just re-wick.

If I change juices, and I have multiple RDAs so I don't have to as much, but I just remove the wick, rinse the coil area with hot water and then re-wick.

The coil itself will last a good while.

Hope helps

 

[93gc40]

Well there is no reason you would have to get your batteries wet to clean a coil.. As you would remove the atomizer from the battery for cleaning.

I re wick and clean coils weekly. I change coils when cleaning doesn't restore lost performance or I want a change.

 

[supermarket]

I'm fairly new to vaping, but I have been building my own coils for my RBAs for over 2 months. I love dripping. But I never know exactly how long coils should last. It's very obvious when to replace wicks/cotton. Also, I've been told I could clean the coils by using water, but batteries plus water don't seem right to me.

Not sure what you mean batteries plus water don't seem right. You do clean your RBAs , right? Don't you use water?

 

[DavidOck]

I've had coils last, literally, months. That will partly depend on the gauge kanthal you use. The finer wire (30, 32) may get deformed when removing / replacing wick faster than heavier.

With the topper OFF the battery for cleaning / maintenance, I dis-assemble and rinse all parts under hot running water. Snip one side of the wick and pull out the other side of the coil. Dry, then dry fire to check the coil for function, hot spots, etc. And to burn off any gunk. Re-rinse and let dry. Rewick and done.

Should there be hot spots, of if the value has drifted away from what I want, I'll recoil.

 

[Lori Brown]

Thanks so much guys. Yes, I absolutely clean my RBAs. I've just been doing it the hard way. I've been taking everything out (including the coil) to wash, then restart w brand new. NO JUDGING... I just didn't know & that's what this forum is for anyway, right?... To help, inform & support each other. I was just told (wrongly, obviously) that u heat the coil to glow, then rinse under water... Which would HAVE to be done attached to the battery. Now I know that those two things are very separate events (lol). Maybe I should write him? Again, thank u so much. I also have several RBAs for different flavors. I just built this amazing coil last night & it's awesome! I wanted to know the best way to clean, cause its prob the best coil I've ever built. My local Vape store made 2 new juices, also & I'm in love w the peach. It's unlike ANY other peach I've tasted! So now my hometown might be known for our tombstones (Elberton Ga... Granite Capitol of the World), Ga Guidestones (mini-Stonehinge) & awesome Vape Flavors (Blazzin Vapes)!!!
You guys rock!

 

[Frenchfry1942]

Yes.

I take the RBA off the battery. Dis-assemble the RBA but not remove the coil. The hottest tap water to rinse all, maybe a little rubbing (elbow grease) to remove any oily juice. Let dry. Reassemble without the dome cap/drip tip and attach to battery. Set power for about 10 watts and fire the coil until it glows. Any gunk should burn off. If all is good, add the new wick and put the top cap/drip tip on. Add drops.

 

[DaveSignal]

Well you don't need to run water on the coil after you heat it to clean any gunk. I usually just blow on it to cool it down and re-wick it. The only time I change my coils is when I feel like trying a different build.

 

[Train2]

And/or the reverse, lol
Usually, every time I re-wick, I'll dry burn a little - to get gunk burnt off...
Occasionally, I'll take it and rinse it, too - but I dry burn with the hope that gunk will become flaky or more rinse-able, etc.

But in a nutshell - go ahead and keep your lovely coil and reuse it 'til it's not working or you get bored and want to try again!

Yes.

I take the RBA off the battery. Dis-assemble the RBA but not remove the coil. The hottest tap water to rinse all, maybe a little rubbing (elbow grease) to remove any oily juice. Let dry. Reassemble without the dome cap/drip tip and attach to battery. Set power for about 10 watts and fire the coil until it glows. Any gunk should burn off. If all is good, add the new wick and put the top cap/drip tip on. Add drops.

 

[DavidOck]

Thanks so much guys. Yes, I absolutely clean my RBAs. I've just been doing it the hard way. I've been taking everything out (including the coil) to wash, then restart w brand new. NO JUDGING... I just didn't know & that's what this forum is for anyway, right?... To help, inform & support each other. I was just told (wrongly, obviously) that u heat the coil to glow, then rinse under water... Which would HAVE to be done attached to the battery. Now I know that those two things are very separate events (lol). Maybe I should write him? Again, thank u so much. I also have several RBAs for different flavors. I just built this amazing coil last night & it's awesome! I wanted to know the best way to clean, cause its prob the best coil I've ever built. My local Vape store made 2 new juices, also & I'm in love w the peach. It's unlike ANY other peach I've tasted! So now my hometown might be known for our tombstones (Elberton Ga... Granite Capitol of the World), Ga Guidestones (mini-Stonehinge) & awesome Vape Flavors (Blazzin Vapes)!!!
You guys rock!

Heck, Lori, I think we all started out doing things the hard way (Um, not to seem religious, but the saying "let he who is without sin cast the first stone" is a good motto!)

It's sometimes tough to go from text to real life, mis-understandings are easy. Both in how a respondent interprets the problem and in how the OP interprets the answer. And it's also really easy to leave out what one thinks is obvious. Press any Key to Continue? My keyboard doesn't have an ANY key!!)

For stubborn coil gunk, I'll also sometimes brush it gently with a used toothbrush. Some use the "acid" brushes used for parts cleaning. You do want to do that gently, or you'll risk deforming the coil, but it can be useful. And a second rinse after dry burning is optional. Not as important with RBA and RTA styles, but a big help if dry burning single bottom coils like the Kangers et al.

 

[Lori Brown]

I just realized I used "Capitol" instead of "capital." Well, can't get it all right. At least I've learned a ton today. Next, I'm gonna need recommendations for a mod (have Dovpo box mod now... Want a cylinder for difference & convenience), a real review of the new RB Atlantis (my local Vape store has them as special this month), & recommendation for the BEST Java flavor out there (I like coffee in the morning w my coffee Vape)

 

[Mccannch]

I just realized I used "Capitol" instead of "capital." Well, can't get it all right. At least I've learned a ton today. Next, I'm gonna need recommendations for a mod (have Dovpo box mod now... Want a cylinder for difference & convenience), a real review of the new RB Atlantis (my local Vape store has them as special this month), & recommendation for the BEST Java flavor out there (I like coffee in the morning w my coffee Vape)

Are you looking for regulated or mech mod? Only regulated tube I have is an evic supreme, not sure I can recommend it however. It does the job and looks nice in hybrid mode with my lemo, however the control dial annoys me.

I'm skipping the Atlantis at the moment, after seeing the reviews of the Kanger Subtank I'm kinda impressed, comes with an RBA deck, coils look super easy to rebuild with the added benefit of holding 3x the juice. The device is massive, however I have learned to live with big devices at this point.

 

[Heavyrocker]

""If it aint broke,dont fix it.""

 

[Papa_Lazarou]

I sometimes use READY_x_WICK as a wicking material (it's like silica, but ceramic). With cleaning, I've had builds last 3 months with the same piece of RxW, so coils can last a long time.

As for cleaning with water, I have used the dry burn, rinse, dry burn, rinse method with the RxW in place. As long as water isn't left standing in the atty, it boils off the coil (and out of the RxW) just fine.

 

[DavidOck]

The Provari P3 has been getting raves, but if your budget won't go that far...

I have several regulated tubes.

My SVD has been a good performer, more than a year old, but did lose it's fire button "click" rather early. Still works fine, just no tactile feedback on the button.

A Vamo v5, KSD make, works fine.

A KSD K-Max, works fine, but it does run "hot" (average, not rms regulation), and I actually prefer the multi-button interface to the single.

And two Tesla VV/VW mods. Slightly triangular cross section, deep grooves so good grip, multi-button, RMS. If you're not looking for high power, a good choice imo. And since they're aircraft grade aluminum, very light.

Of course, there are new models frequently. Vamos are up to V8 or 9 already! The SVD V2. And there's a new Tesla VW out as well.

Another thing to consider is whether or not you want to be able to shorten it up. Telescopic ones like the SVD, just spin to fit the 18350 or 18500. Vamo, take a section of the tube out. The Tesla is 18650 only.

 

[Fir3b1rd]

I just realized I used "Capitol" instead of "capital." Well, can't get it all right. At least I've learned a ton today. Next, I'm gonna need recommendations for a mod (have Dovpo box mod now... Want a cylinder for difference & convenience), a real review of the new RB Atlantis (my local Vape store has them as special this month), & recommendation for the BEST Java flavor out there (I like coffee in the morning w my coffee Vape)

If you're looking for a a tube mod to pair with the Atlantis, you'll have to make sure it can fire a 0.5 ohm coil and 30w. That takes several mods out of the running. Actually I can't think of any of the most commonly suggested mods that can do that other than vamos. Which, well I've heard some off-putting things about there build quality.

 

[DaveSignal]

The atlantis should be used with a mech if OP is looking for a tube mod. This is why Aspire made it sub-ohm. And it is also why Aspire came out with the unregulated CF sub-ohm mods to be used with the Atlantis.

 

[Lori Brown]

Thank u so much, again, guys. Some really great recommendations & things to think about. I did know I needed at least 30W/sub-ohm for these types of builds. I'm actually surprised that I totally understood every single thing said (Vape-lingo). I'm on my mobile now, so it's easy to snap screenshots so I can look up every one of these. Again, I appreciate every single reply & your patience as I meander through my brave new world of vaping. Don't worry... I'm putting down roots in this world & I promise to help other newbies as I grow.

 

[Mandingo Superdome]

On a rebuildable I clean my coils at least once a day if not twice. About 5 mL is about the limit depending on the juice. But like most others have mentioned pull the wicks, dry burn the crud off, while still red hot, put under running water and it'll blast off the remaining stuff ( I tilt my mod horizontal when running under water so it doesn't get into the top connection) rewick and good to go.

Soon as I notice any real change in flavor I clean and rewick takes maybe 5 minutes top.