Just getting started, could use some advice here...

[Bubba]

So I'm trying to get started into rba's and feeling a little overwhelmed.

I think I have the basics down, have been doing some reading and watching some videos, and I get what's going on - I think.

I have an AGA T2 on the way and am trying to figure out what I'll need for supplies. There seems to be great debate on what types of wick, which wire gauge, etc.

I thought the SS mesh was the standard, then started hearing about silica, ceramic, etc.

I did watch the PBusardo video on wrapping a coil, and have read ehumans blog. Also watched a ton of other videos on youtube.

So here are my questions:

What gauge wire would you recommend? Nichrome or Kanthal? What's the difference?

What wicking material? Why?

Do I need a mechanical? (Would rather use what I already have, Vamo, EVic, etc.)

Like I said, been reading as much as I could but every answer leads to two more questions, so sorry if this has been asked before. Just trying to get everything straight in my head

Thanks!

 

[Red_Bird]

If you prefer using a VV/VW device I suggest 32 gauge kanthal wire. With 30 gauge and lower you risk creating sub 1.2 ohm coils, which won't run on your VV/VW devices....(error codes or "Lo" codes)

I'm no mesh expert although I have 4 sheets of it, I do have xc-116 ceramic wick and Ekowool silica too. I suggest 2.5 or 3 mm silica or ceramic wick. Both work well.

 

[Bubba]

If you prefer using a VV/VW device I suggest 32 gauge kanthal wire. With 30 gauge and lower you risk creating sub 1.2 ohm coils, which won't run on your VV/VW devices....(error codes or "Lo" codes)

I'm no mesh expert although I have 4 sheets of it, I do have xc-116 ceramic wick and Ekowool silica too. I suggest 2.5 or 3 mm silica or ceramic wick. Both work well.

Any particular place to get the Ekowool? I've seen it around, just wasn't sure if it was better from one source than another. Also, any videos I should watch about the silica vs. stainless steel mesh? Seems like when everyone was making videos, they were using the SS mesh

 

[evgeny131]

Its MUCH easier to work with Kanthal Ribbon...i order mine from Kidneypuncher- start with .5 Kanthal...
6 wraps gives u about 1.3ohm....

 

[evgeny131]

Personally, i stick to mesh 400....im used to it....its easy to work with and im too lazy to spend more money on more wicking material, its super cheap and durable....same argument could be made for ceramic- about the durability but when it comes to health questions? not sure....prob. much better than cigs ever were, i cant say ceramic is gonna be better long term than mesh?

 

[evgeny131]

My personal suggestion: this works for me and has since the first day i bought RBA Genesis:
Ribbon Kanthal from Kidneypuncher, 400 mesh....roll on a small paperclip, oxidize before u roll, after u roll on the stove, wrap the kanthal ribbon, there prob. will only be the top hotspot, move the top and next to top coil a bit when they glow from the middle, fill her up, fire her up a few times without the cap on...DO NOT INHALE>..then put the cap on, expand the airhole, and ENJOY!View attachment 209484

 

[evgeny131]

a vamo or evic will run a .5 coil (5 wraps or more) 1.2 ohm+ u dont need a mech unless u want to use .8 ribbon 5 wrap (.9 ohm)View attachment 209485View attachment 209486

 

[Bubba]

OK so when you oxidize, are you using a torch (like PBusardo did)? I saw someone said they use thier stove.

 

[Bubba]

a vamo or evic will run a .5 coil (5 wraps or more) 1.2 ohm+ u dont need a mech unless u want to use .8 ribbon 5 wrap (.9 ohm)View attachment 209485View attachment 209486

I'm thinking my target should be 1.5, so that if it's a little low the vamo/evic will still fire. If I shoot for 1.2 and comes out lower then it won't fire.

Given that, what gauge kanthal? Also, how many wraps? Don't want to buy xx gauge and have to wrap 324 times

 

[evgeny131]

it hits amazing at 1.2-1.4 thats what i really meant...just do a 6 wrap of .5 ribbon
forget gauge kanthal thats what its called at kidneypuncher

 

[evgeny131]

really u wont know until u experiment....buy 30 gauge if u want and .5 ribbon (equivalent)
and try

 

[flintlock62]

Why do I get error codes on my eVic at 1.0 OHM, or less? Hmmmmmm...........I must be doing something wrong.

a vamo or evic will run a .5 coil (5 wraps or more) 1.2 ohm+ u dont need a mech unless u want to use .8 ribbon 5 wrap (.9 ohm)View attachment 209485View attachment 209486

 

[Bubba]

Why do I get error codes on my eVic at 1.0 OHM, or less? Hmmmmmm...........I must be doing something wrong.

I think he's referring to the size of the Kanthal when he says it will run a .5? I think

Don't think you're doing anything wrong, my eVic won't fire anything < 1.2

Pretty sure Vamo won't either but just got it so haven't fiddled with it much

 

[mrcoolbp]

Bubba, welcome to the wonderful world of RBAs!

RESISTANCE WIRE:
Yes he is referring to the thickness of the ribbon kanthal wire which kidneypuncher labels at ".5". Grab some on his reccomendation if you want! I've never used ribbon, but a few around here seem to like it. If you get regular (non-ribbon) which is what most people are using, grab 32awg Kanthal A1 (recommended) or maybe 30awg if you want to expirement. Search for "Kanthal A1" on eBay, I grabbed 100 feet for $6 shipped.

WICK MATERIAL:
For the SS mesh I've heard 500 is the best all around, (pbusardo just did a non-scientific test video if you want to know more), but again you could grab some 400 and 325 too if you want, might depend on the juice (I think lower number mesh for thicker juices might be better, but I'm no authority!). I would stay away from ceramic until you figure out the mesh, as it is very brittle, and can be much more expensive if you're breaking it a lot, I can see one getting quite frustrated.
You could try some silica (or ekowool which is said to be better, I don't think the source is important, not sure) I think you may need to fold it on the top and wrap your resistance wire around the fold if you use either of these. Take a look at some pics people have taken of their setups. Again people have had luck with this, but the majority use SS on gennies.

Also, good that you have read eHumans tutorial, but when you set up your first time, load it back up and go through it step by step. Should save you a headache or two.

And yes the torch migh be easier, but I definitely use the stove, and a bunch of others around here do too.

Hope that helps.

 

[mrcoolbp]

Why do I get error codes on my eVic at 1.0 OHM, or less? Hmmmmmm...........I must be doing something wrong.

Because you VV device has a protection circuit that will not fire below 1.2ohms.

 

[flintlock62]

I thought he was referring to being able to run at .5 OHM's. That's why I questioned it. Yes, I know about the safety cut-off.

Because you VV device has a protection circuit that will not fire below 1.2ohms.

 

[mrcoolbp]

Cool man, I was just trying to clarify, he mentioned resistance in there:

a vamo or evic will run a .5 coil (5 wraps or more) 1.2 ohm+...

Happy vaping.

 

[Bubba]

Bubba, welcome to the wonderful world of RBAs!

RESISTANCE WIRE:
Yes he is referring to the thickness of the ribbon kanthal wire which kidneypuncher labels at ".5". Grab some on his reccomendation if you want! I've never used ribbon, but a few around here seem to like it. If you get regular (non-ribbon) which is what most people are using, grab 32awg Kanthal A1 (recommended) or maybe 30awg if you want to expirement. Search for "Kanthal A1" on eBay, I grabbed 100 feet for $6 shipped.

WICK MATERIAL:
For the SS mesh I've heard 500 is the best all around, (pbusardo just did a non-scientific test video if you want to know more), but again you could grab some 400 and 325 too if you want, might depend on the juice (I think lower number mesh for thicker juices might be better, but I'm no authority!). I would stay away from ceramic until you figure out the mesh, as it is very brittle, and can be much more expensive if you're breaking it a lot, I can see one getting quite frustrated.
You could try some silica (or ekowool which is said to be better, I don't think the source is important, not sure) I think you may need to fold it on the top and wrap your resistance wire around the fold if you use either of these. Take a look at some pics people have taken of their setups. Again people have had luck with this, but the majority use SS on gennies.

Also, good that you have read eHumans tutorial, but when you set up your first time, load it back up and go through it step by step. Should save you a headache or two.

And yes the torch migh be easier, but I definitely use the stove, and a bunch of others around here do too.

Hope that helps.

So if I understand this right, the ribbon is actually flat, and the .5 refers to it's thickness? This would explain why there's not associated gauge with it like there would be with round wire

Also, I vape 50/50 juice, so I'm thinking 400 ss mesh may be better? Someone correct me if I'm wrong

Finally, I'm getting the Aga-T2 as part of a trade, would I be better served with something else? Some seem to think that different models are more user friendly if you're new.

Oh wait, one more question - do you use a multimeter to check your resistance, or allow the device to check it? I know those with mech would have to use a multimeter but if you have a device that's capeable should you just use that? Or do both just to be on the safe side?

Thanks!

Oh yeah, one more thing - how are you doing the oxidation on the stove? I have a flat top/ceramic stove, not one with coils (or gas)

 

[Symbolik]

Last night I wrapped a .8 ohm coil and my evic was still reading it.. I was shocked.. I woke up today and it says 1.1ohms now (the damn thing is so inconsistent) but it hits like a chaml

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

[niczgreat]

Simplification
Buy already pre-rolled oxidized wicks at Good Prophets.
For rolling above 1 OHM you definitely want .32 Gauge it's also easier to work with.

Myself I'm on a vv Bogger Box Bottom Feeder with a Reomizer and it's very easy to RBA

Ceramic Wicks are excellent.

Their are two types
Braided Ceramic-Like string
and
Porous Ceramic- Brittle like a rolled piece of SS Mesh.

Big Tex Just came out with a thin Braided Cermic wick
SNG- the Ceramic wick is thick and was too thick for my A7 but fine for my REO

Can't say what would be good in and Aga