... is going on, cannot get my AGA-T to work.

[Michael James]

I have tried everything, only thing I can think of is my wire. Nichrome 80 34 awg, maybe too thin.

I've gone through 2/3 of my 12x12 #500 sheet and probably 30ft of wire and no matter how loose/tight the coil is, or how much or little I oxidize the wick it pops at 3v before I even get a chance to get the coils working. I've tried everything, just hooking it to the posts it works, heats up the stuff and glows. And even tried doing that first to oxidize the wire. Tried all kinds of wrapping, even folding the mesh in half with the fold outside the wick after rolling to make sure no strands are there. Tried just torching, torch/juice burn, torch/quench x 3, torch/quench x 3 and juice burn a few times.

Always pops in between the wick and post or somewhere around the first wrap. Have pushed it close as I can to the post keeping as much on the wick as possible. And it's not like I even get any warning, as soon as it glows it pops, before I even get a chance to let go of the button.

I've got some Kanthal A-1 30 awg coming, if that doesn't do it I'm just throwing it all away. I understand a learning curve, but my profession is very technical and mechanical and I haven't been able to use this thing since I got it 2 weeks ago, it shouldn't be this hard. It's got to be something simple.

 

[spraintz]

Might not be what ya wanna hear but those symptoms sound like an "over oxidized" wick. if yer wick is really stiff and evenly black then it's over oxidized and the oxidation layer gets extremely brittle and the heat and pressure of the wire can break through that layer and give you a short......................it the same thing that happend to me my first week of learning these things.

Ya wanna get the mesh a kinda golden brownish color, then that should be enough oxidizing without being brittle. A few juice burns and you should be good to go. Its a tough task trying to get mesh just right but once you "get it" then it's simple......keep at it.

The thicker gauge A1 wire will definitely help some as it can handle a bit more heat and punishment but understand, it's not the wires fault that a coil pops..........ya gotta get that mesh oxidized right.

 

[tizz]

more than likely, that is your issue..that guage wire is too thin.

 

[tizz]

Might not be what ya wanna hear but those symptoms sound like an "over oxidized" wick. if yer wick is really stiff and evenly black then it's over oxidized and the oxidation layer gets extremely brittle and the heat and pressure of the wire can break through that layer and give you a short......................it the same thing that happend to me my first week of learning these things.

Ya wanna get the mesh a kinda golden brownish color, then that should be enough oxidizing without being brittle. A few juice burns and you should be good to go. Its a tough task trying to get mesh just right but once you "get it" then it's simple......keep at it.

The thicker gauge A1 wire will definitely help some as it can handle a bit more heat and punishment but understand, it's not the wires fault that a coil pops..........ya gotta get that mesh oxidized right.

he also said he did very little oxidation too..i think its the wire. could be wrong though.

 

[tizz]

oh, what device are you using?

 

[spraintz]

he also said he did very little oxidation too..i think its the wire. could be wrong though.

Only reason I brought it up is that "very little oxidation" to a new person to mesh wick may still be too much since he might not have and idea of what is too much and what is not enough.

I agree that a thicker wire will help but I can't see the wire being a root cause.....I mean he even said that when he hooks the wire up by itself then it glows perfect, and I (and plenty of others) have successfully used 34g and even 36 gauge wire without issue.

 

[dwcraig1]

I was in the same boat as you until quite recently, it can be done and it works great but things have to be just so as it is not very forgiving to many mistakes. I use a variation of the "drill bit" method. Until a couple of days ago going back a couple of months all I got was poor performance and problem, I even entertained the idea that these guys were BS'n. I got it now and you will to if you persist and once you get it you'll realize just how simple to do again it is. Don't give up as you will get it in the end.

 

[Michael James]

oh, what device are you using?

Chrome Volcano Lavatube Although it's old now and acting a little weird, I got a SS Vamo coming from a co-op which I hope works well.

Only reason I brought it up is that "very little oxidation" to a new person to mesh wick may still be too much since he might not have and idea of what is too much and what is not enough.

I agree that a thicker wire will help but I can't see the wire being a root cause.....I mean he even said that when he hooks the wire up by itself then it glows perfect, and I (and plenty of others) have successfully used 34g and even 36 gauge wire without issue.

I've basically re applied heat to the same wick until I know it's over done. Like when I first roll the wick I would hit it just until it glowed, blow a few coils, pull it, torch it some more, rinse and repeat until I knew it was over done (pitch black)

 

[Michael James]

Might not be what ya wanna hear but those symptoms sound like an "over oxidized" wick. if yer wick is really stiff and evenly black then it's over oxidized and the oxidation layer gets extremely brittle and the heat and pressure of the wire can break through that layer and give you a short......................it the same thing that happend to me my first week of learning these things.

Ya wanna get the mesh a kinda golden brownish color, then that should be enough oxidizing without being brittle. A few juice burns and you should be good to go. Its a tough task trying to get mesh just right but once you "get it" then it's simple......keep at it.

The thicker gauge A1 wire will definitely help some as it can handle a bit more heat and punishment but understand, it's not the wires fault that a coil pops..........ya gotta get that mesh oxidized right.

I'm hoping that with the heavier wire I'll at least get some time to poke it before it pops, that's why I think the wire I have is too thin, I never really have a chance, even at 3v if it's not perfect from the start, it pops instantly, like 1/2 sec glow and pop.

 

[dwcraig1]

So are you using the drill bit method or wrapping the wire directly around the coil "by hand"?
This video was the turning point for me, take a look, pay attention to when he pulls the wire really tight on the shaft before he attaches it to center post.
Also a lot of folks wrap the wire on the center post counter clockwise so it does'nt get tighter when they tighten the nut. and make sure your center post isn' able to move around to easily, I added a Small washer under the bottom nut to help with that.
Here is the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=1gWsN8FZaaY

 

[Michael James]

I've tried both, same result, tried by hand making it tight and loose, drill bit and make it and slide it over the wick, make the coil, burn it, then slide the wick through it already mounted. Pretty much every combo I can think of.

 

[dwcraig1]

I've tried both, same result, tried by hand making it tight and loose, drill bit and make it and slide it over the wick, make the coil, burn it, then slide the wick through it already mounted. Pretty much every combo I can think of.

I set mine up for the first time using a Young June 1.5 T, I believe it to be about the same as what you have., and check ohms, fire on 3volts and pretty much move to a Zmaz @ 14 watts. I suggest that you stick to the drill bit method until you get it perfected as you can duplicate the process easily. Really pay attention to that top coil not some how getting to tight, put your finger on top of the center post and push on it to make sure it's secure.
Thre is no doubt that you will get there as long as you don't give up, like I almost did.

 

[Michael James]

Not giving up yet, but pretty damn close lol. I think I'm gonna leave it be and destress until the bigger wire gets here, and maybe wait on the vamo

 

[dwcraig1]

Not giving up yet, but pretty damn close lol. I think I'm gonna leave it be and destress until the bigger wire gets here, and maybe wait on the vamo

Have a vape, relax , Happy Holidays

 

[EDO]

Your problem is the wire....with a very seasoned wick....meaning you have used it for a couple of weeks....using nichrome 34 is very easy to wrap and the vape is amazing. However, on a new wick it is almost impossible for it to work out. You definitely need to do your initial setup with kanthal....after a week or so when the wick gets seasoned you can use your nichrome 34 wire.

 

[Michael James]

Your problem is the wire....with a very seasoned wick....meaning you have used it for a couple of weeks....using nichrome 34 is very easy to wrap and the vape is amazing. However, on a new wick it is almost impossible for it to work out. You definitely need to do your initial setup with kanthal....after a week or so when the wick gets seasoned you can use your nichrome 34 wire.

I figured it was something with the wire, when making the initial order I just read on the forums that nichrome was easier to work with, but didn't see anything about what you said on new wicks, so makes me feel better now at least, as many variations as I tried I was hoping it wasn't me.

 

[badinfluence357]

Try this set up....its cig paper on the tip of the wick with twisted nichrome 34awg wrap on top of the cig paper.. you will find picturs of the set up on the DID thread.

Sent from my SCH-R910 using Tapatalk 2

 

[michliu]

I've wrapped the coil on my Aga-T with 34g nichrome and it works fine. When you start to fire without wick and with the wick in, are you starting with low voltage and working up slowly? The 34g nichrome is certainly more finicky than 32g nichrome or 32g kanthal. I use the drill bit method with a 7/64 drill bit. I only torch it once until it glows, after I roll the wick and juice burn twice. SS wick and coils are a PITA to learn, but when you get it down, you'll really appreciate the vape. Good luck!

 

[Michael James]

low, it pops on 3.0v

 

[Rule62]

low, it pops on 3.0v

You may have already said, but I didn't see it. What is the resistance of the coils you're making?