Inside the Drunker Tank

[adeline]

I"m sure there's a ton of youtube videos. The only time I've seen it down is when pbusardo did his oddy review. Doesn't look too difficult.

I can't seem to put links in my posts anymore! It wouldn't let me last night. I wonder if something has changed here. I am trying to link to pbusardo's oddy review.

I went looking through threads and found a good picture how-to ... But I still didn't get it. It took watching Phil's GG Oddy video to understand it. I literally said 'OHHHHHH!" when I saw what it was I need to do. Doesn't look too difficult. We'll see.

Well I got my non resistance to resistance flash welder working today. No more singed grommets or spliceing for me. It was actually easier to build a wire welder than to learn being a super splicer lol.

Nice work Mack!! Looks like we're finding interesting ways to get these things working optimally. I can't wait to start crimping!

Are you noticing any loss of heat from using the NR wire?

 

[bivie]

Here ya go!

http://www.madvapes.com/replacement-coils-for-the-drunker-tank.html

They're listed as sold out. Looks like Ansah got the last of them. You can put yourself on the notify list.

Looks like they just sold out. As I understand it, you can't just buy them by themselves anyway. You have to get the setup, but here's the link:

http://www.madvapes.com/replacement-coils-for-the-drunker-tank.html

EDIT: Looks like JD beat me to it!

Thanks, youz twoz. I couldn't find them cuz I was searching for ceramic. I didn't realize
they were purchased with the coils.

I'm wanting to try one of these, but those cups bother me. I'm looking for stuff that will last for a
long time - even forever. I'm stocking up just in case something turns and we can't get some of this
stuff. So, if I have to worry about something happening to the cup, and I can't find a replacement,
all I will have is some memorabilia.

 

[adeline]

Thanks, youz twoz. I couldn't find them cuz I was searching for ceramic. I didn't realize
they were purchased with the coils.

I'm wanting to try one of these, but those cups bother me. I'm looking for stuff that will last for a
long time - even forever. I'm stocking up just in case something turns and we can't get some of this
stuff. So, if I have to worry about something happening to the cup, and I can't find a replacement,
all I will have is some memorabilia.

Sure vapes has them in stock right now. I just picked up a couple. If you can find cheap CE2s (or have some laying around) you can rip the cups out of those too, instead of paying a couple bucks apiece. I don't forsee the ceramic giving me any trouble, but better to have backups than no vape.

I WOULD pick up spare grommets, especially if you don't plan on using NR wire. They're $0.32 each at sure vapes (sold as Vulcan replacement top grommet). I picked up 10! I'm clumsy, and dropsy, and if I sent one (or four) down the sink, I'll have extra around. Not using NR legs can affect the grommet, so eventually it would need replacing.

 

[BikerBob]

I actually just put in an order for sterling silver crimping beads. According to another forum member, I should be able to feed the Nichrome/Kathal and the NR wire through the bead, crimp it, and go. No twisting, no welding, no fuss. Prices: $4.28 per box of 100 beads if you buy 1 or 2, $3.71 each for 3-4 boxes, $3.20 for 5-9 boxes, $2.88 for 10-19 boxes. Lovely pricing there at riogrande.com

I will have to play around with where to crimp it. I'm more than happy to be the guinea pig for you guys.

Granted, I selected the cheapo free shipping, so I won't be able to update on that for about a week.

Would like to know what size/hole size, as well as the gauges of wire you're using.

 

[oplholik]

If the wick is choking, the assist feed setup should work for the same size coil and wick material -- you're just only putting one wick through the coil. Might help. I'm trying a yarn wick later tonight... Likely going to use cotton rounds for an assist feed.

I'll be anxious to see how the yarn works out for you.
The wick should touch the coil all the way around, just not so tightly that the coil squeezes it, right?

 

[bivie]

Here ya go!

http://www.madvapes.com/replacement-coils-for-the-drunker-tank.html

They're listed as sold out. Looks like Ansah got the last of them. You can put yourself on the notify list.

Sure vapes has them in stock right now. I just picked up a couple. If you can find cheap CE2s (or have some laying around) you can rip the cups out of those too, instead of paying a couple bucks apiece. I don't forsee the ceramic giving me any trouble, but better to have backups than no vape.

I WOULD pick up spare grommets, especially if you don't plan on using NR wire. They're $0.32 each at sure vapes (sold as Vulcan replacement top grommet). I picked up 10! I'm clumsy, and dropsy, and if I sent one (or four) down the sink, I'll have extra around. Not using NR legs can affect the grommet, so eventually it would need replacing.

Thanks. Turns out I already had the grommets bookmarked thanks to a post earlier
in this thread. I will have to go back through when I have time and study up on the
NR legs. I did a quick search on Goog for NR legs and got a pic of a very skinny pole
dancer

 

[oplholik]

I just went in to my desk, and under better light and a magnifier, looked at the wick and coil. The wick isn't touching the coils all the way around, so, I think I need more wick in the coil, or a smaller dia. coil.

 

[xMackx]

I went looking through threads and found a good picture how-to ... But I still didn't get it. It took watching Phil's GG Oddy video to understand it. I literally said 'OHHHHHH!" when I saw what it was I need to do. Doesn't look too difficult. We'll see.



Nice work Mack!! Looks like we're finding interesting ways to get these things working optimally. I can't wait to start crimping!

Are you noticing any loss of heat from using the NR wire?

No loss in heat, just more coil wraps for the same ohms. I just got done rigging my VN's with my new welded legs, fog machines at 3.2 volts. It's nice because with welding the wires together I can measure my resistance wire to exactly the ohms I want.

 

[mrelwood]

The coil is wrapped using a 3/32 drill bit shank.
Liquid doesn't appear to be boiling when it's fired, it's not that wet, but wet enough to keep it from burning. Long hits doesn't seem to help.
I'm thinking the wick may be choking. Maybey try another coil wrapped around a little bigger drill bit shank? Also I think I'll try a 4 wrap instead of a 5 wrap coil.

I think 3/32" is about the optimal size for a fast reacting coil, as long as the system is wicking properly. But as you later noticed, the coil is not touching the wick all the way. I suspect that is the issue, although I'm a bit surprised you didn't get burned taste from the coils turn slightly red when firing.

 

[oplholik]

I think 3/32" is about the optimal size for a fast reacting coil, as long as the system is wicking properly. But as you later noticed, the coil is not touching the wick all the way. I suspect that is the issue, although I'm a bit surprised you didn't get burned taste from the coils turn slightly red when firing.

The coils don't glow at all. I can fire it for 10 seconds, and not see a glowing coil.

 

[adeline]

Would like to know what size/hole size, as well as the gauges of wire you're using.

I ordered the 1mm beads, with the smallest hole (.025" -- why that is in inches is beyond me).
Using 30g NR silver wire and 32-34g R wire.

Let me see if these beads work for the wire. It should, since the 30g wire is .010" and the 32 is .008" -- but we shall see!

 

[adeline]

I'll be anxious to see how the yarn works out for you.
The wick should touch the coil all the way around, just not so tightly that the coil squeezes it, right?

Yeah, that sounds about right. Cotton will expand with soaking, so if it's squeezing when dry, it'll likely choke.
If it's squeezing after it's soaked, you can still get the choking effect.

But yeah, it needs to be touching the coil I imagine.

I wrap around the wick (with a needle inserted for wiggle room) so I don't have too much experience with the drill bit method and how to tinker with getting the wrap the correct size.

 

[MiamiMom63]

omg, just boiled my cotton roll from CVS. lol. It's laying out to dry. I'm still here and will let you know how it goes. Might be brave enough tomorrow night to make a coil if the cotton is dry enough.

 

[adeline]

omg, just boiled my cotton roll from CVS. lol. It's laying out to dry. I'm still here and will let you know how it goes. Might be brave enough tomorrow night to make a coil if the cotton is dry enough.

I like to lay it out on a towel. Put it somewhere warm. If it's still not dry tomorrow, put it out in the sun on a dark towel.

 

[MiamiMom63]

Thank you so much for helping. Still looking at the drunkers and contemplating. LOL!

 

[adeline]

Well folks, THAT was ... interesting.

Twisting the NR to the R wire... That wasn't bad. It seemed pretty intuitive, and knowing my ohms per inch gave me a good idea of how much R wire to keep in the center.

The not-so-fun, omg-what-was-I-thinking part, was feeding the TRIPLE wrapped wire through the tiny holes in the ceramic cup. 1x R wire, with the NR wire wrapped up and then down it. UGH. I did not have fun. At first I thought it wasn't going to work, that the wires were just too much. I considered trying to widen the holes in the cup. Then I remembered I don't have a spare.. short of taking a hammer to my remaining CE2s.

I took a couple deep breaths, channeled my inner vaper, and wiggled the wires till they pulled through the holes. Got my Drunker built. The setup looks nice with the cotton round wick assists. So I'm good, right?

Wrong.

Meter it, and it's measuring at .2ohms. That's not right, is it? Pop it on my eVic. Yeah, .2ohms. .... Did I do it wrong?

Went back to the forums and the videos to make sure I wrapped everything right, because knowing me I did something boneheaded.

Nope. I did it right.

Took it apart and the nicely wrapped legs weren't so nicely wrapped anymore, and the one that wasn't supposed to touch the wall between the ceramic cup and the grommet.. well it was touching.

Fixed it, and I have a Drunker coil ... drumroll please ... at 1.7ohms.

Color me impressed! And happy. Now, if only it were fully soaked!

I'll report back tomorrow with results. It better be worth it.

My crimping beads better make it here before I need to rebuild this thing. Haha.

 

[MiamiMom63]

omg, what the hell are crimping beads now? lol. don't answer it tonight. I'm too tired to learn. ha! sheesh. this is sort of complicated.

 

[adeline]

omg, what the hell are crimping beads now? lol. don't answer it tonight. I'm too tired to learn. ha! sheesh. this is sort of complicated.

It's just if you want no-resistance legs on your coil. Not strictly necessary. Using NR legs will extend the life of your rubber/silicon/whatever grommet in the tank though. And it should help improve performance. But I repeat, NOT necessary.

EDIT to add: It's really only as complicated as you make it. I decided to go full-on UGH tonight.


Well, folks, we got a shoutout!
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/gotvapes/379690-new-smoktech-drunker-rba-5ml-rebuildable-atomizer-its-here-its-fun-its-affordable-its-hot-looking-great-way-start-down-rba-path.html

Have a Drunker and get DEC'd! (Drunker Enthusiast Club)

I'm tickled.

Gotvapes listened to feedback about not seeing the insides of the tank out on vendor's pages. Well, they did about as good a job as I did in showing the insides. I'm pretty impressed.

No spare ceramic cups yet (already recommended it), and I don't see the grommets. I will try to put a bug in the right ear.

 

[JD1]

......Well, folks, we got a shoutout! ........

Congrats on the shoutout, Adeline.

 

[oplholik]

Today, I'm hoping to work in a couple more single strands of yarn in the coil to try instead of taking it apart and re-doing it. Will see how that works out.