Just got my first ever RDA, need some help!

[Auxx]

I just got my first ever RDA - Igo W clone from FT, my friend gave me some pre-wrapped nichrome 32G macro coils at 1.9 Ohms and I'm using MVP 2.0.

My first problem. I made a single coil build, MVP measures it at 1.9 Ohms. But when I drip the juice, resistance jumps up to 2, 3 or event 4 Ohms. Looks like I didn't screw the coils right, so the contact is becoming unstable. Can't verify it now, but this is the most probable reason.

Seconds problem is that I get dry hits after three or four puffs. On visual inspection the wick looks more or less saturated, but definitely not dry. How should I wick this thing properly? I'm using rayon/cotton 50/50 mix (couldn't buy 100% rayon and I hate pure cotton) and I'm limited by 11 Watts by MVP. Lowering wattage to 9 Watts does not improve the experience. Here's the photo of how my RDA is wicked. The wick is not tight inside, I'm rewicking my clearomizers with this rayon/cotton combo for a month now without any dry hits or other problems. Maybe the wick should be tighter? Well, I just don't know...

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Asbestos4004]

Resistance jumping indicates a short. It'll taste bad no matter how good your wick is. Make sure the screws are tight, the coil isn't touching the posts and make sure the coil isn't touching the deck or the top cap. Make sure the airhole is directly in front of the coil.

 

[classwife]

Moved to Rebuildable Atomizer Systems from APV Discussion

 

[Auxx]

Resistance jumping indicates a short. It'll taste bad no matter how good your wick is. Make sure the screws are tight, the coil isn't touching the posts and make sure the coil isn't touching the deck or the top cap. Make sure the airhole is directly in front of the coil.

I 've put new coil, and installed it properly this time - no more problems with resistance jumping around. But I still get dry hits quickly. I changed wick to pure organic cotton and it became a bit better, I can now make about ten puffs and I make 2-3 minutes breaks after that I can puff until the wick is dry. But still this is a very poor wicking performance. Looks like I will need to experiment more. I will try pure rayon next week.

So any hints on how to put my wick properly?

 

[USMCotaku]

With rayon you will need to use more...your pic looked a little loose. Rayon doesn't expand like cotton when wet. I use organic cotton. It can be finicky getting the right amount down, but flavor is great once you do. With cotton you should be able to pull it through the coil and feel a slight resistance. If you don't feel resistance, you have too little and will get hot spots in your coil and dry hits (sounds like what you were experiencing). If you use too much, you will get a linen like flavor.

 

[Auxx]

With rayon you will need to use more...your pic looked a little loose. Rayon doesn't expand like cotton when wet. I use organic cotton. It can be finicky getting the right amount down, but flavor is great once you do. With cotton you should be able to pull it through the coil and feel a slight resistance. If you don't feel resistance, you have too little and will get hot spots in your coil and dry hits (sounds like what you were experiencing). If you use too much, you will get a linen like flavor.

OK, I'll try different amount of wicking material. I'm rewicking my EVODs, but it look like RDA needs totally different amount of wicking material. Oh, the learning phase But the flavour is totally worth it! These few successful hits I got in two days were AMAZING! At 11 Watts! Very impressive! Never had such an experience with clearos, cartos or Kayfun.

 

[MrPlink]

Watch some vids on it.
Obviously I cant see what you are doing but there is a very good chance :



1) you are using too much wick
2) wick installed incorrectly
3) coil is built or installed incorrectly
4) all of the above

IME most new builders go crazy with the amount of wick they use. About 4 times more than what is needed. I see a lot of people heavily compressing or twisting their wicks as well, which is also a no no.

P.S. I do encourage you to check out Rayon but if you cant wick well with cotton, rayon wont help. Contrary to the rayon hype train rayon is not a vaping pancea. It is good stuff when used correctly

 

[USMCotaku]

My cotton wicking

 

[Auxx]

Can you also make a photo from the side? So I could see how wick is laying from different angles.

 

[USMCotaku]

I'll see if I can get a good pic

 

[USMCotaku]

I don't know if you can tell, the ends are tucked under.

 

[USMCotaku]

I don't know if you can tell, the ends are tucked under.

 

[Auxx]

I don't know if you can tell, the ends are tucked under.

Yeah, I see, many thanks! Looks like you have a LOT MORE cotton there and it is packed a lot more tighter than mine. Will try it this way in a few hours when I get some free time. Thanks again! Will report how it goes for me.

 

[Auxx]

USMCotaku, thanks! I've stuffed as much rayon as I could inside and this Igo W is a MONSTER now! I'm not used to such powerful hits yet. I vaped zero nic 50/50 MBV liquid and coughed - throat hit is powerful. Flavour is powerful. Amazing! Many thanks, everyone!I'm a happy dripper now

 

[USMCotaku]

Glad to help