Kanger Aerotank Disaster

[shgilman]

Okay,
I've been building single coil conversions using 30ga Kanthal (7 wraps on a 5/16 drill) coming out about 2.7ohms on my VTR at about 8 watts. I mix my flavors at 50/50 PG/VG, 10% nicotine. And they work quite well.
So I made up a single coil of 28ga kanthal on 5/16 drill at 12 wraps coming in at 1.7ohms. I tried wattage all across the range clear up to 14 watts and everything tasted bad and had reduced vapor as well. It gurgled and leaked. I set the coil just under the silicone chimney gasket. I even tried sans the gasket. But it didn't do any good.
Everything uses cotton wicks.
Thoughts, suggestions?
My objective was to get increased flavor and vapor. I was trying to start playing in the low ohm territory and to even try a sub-ohm. I know the VTR can go down to 0.7ohms before it refuses to fire.

 

[classwife]

Moved to Clearomizers from the Modding Forum

Modding Forum
The home of modders - the builders or modifiers of custom ecigs.

 

[Katmar]

Bump up for an answer. Good luck!!

 

[TCombinator]

These gaskets are known to burn. Raise the coil, check for hot legs when fiddling with voltage. I ran across suggestion to trim the lip on the insulator. No personal experience with that.

 

[shgilman]

There is no burning of the insulator. It just didn't work too well. I realize that it probably needed a flavor wick, but the lack of vapor production should of still been there gurgle or not.

 

[TCombinator]

Frankly, I don't bother to put flavor wicks back after recoiling. Doesn't seem to make a difference, at least with 50/50 juice.

 

[TCombinator]

Frankly, I don't bother to put flavor wicks back after recoiling. Doesn't seem to make a difference, at least with 50/50 juice.

1. I take this back, partially. I don'the put flavor wiKs if I rewick with cotton. With silica, it does seem to help, but I rarely use it.

2. Care to post a picture of your build?

 

[shgilman]

I already trashed it. But I plan to try again either this evening or tomorrow. Then I'll post for you to take a look at it.
Thanks for your suggestions. Got a bunch to rebuild, even if I stay with my 2.7ohm single builds. But would really like to up the vapor production since I am using 50/50 mixes.

 

[TCombinator]

I guess there is an inherent non-deterministic factor in this. Sometimes I'd build a 1.8 coil and rock it at 4.8 volts. Sometimes 2.5 Ohm tastes funny above 3.8. Rebuild and it's fine. I attribute this to my sloppiness. What else?

 

[shgilman]

Tomorrow I will 'attempt" a 28ga kanthal with 10 wraps on a 1.4mm screwdriver. Hoping to get at around 1.8ohms. Will probably do a flavor wick also to stop flooding.

 

[TCombinator]

Tight fit. Good luck.

 

[shgilman]

I'm open to alternatives.....

 

[TCombinator]

I might not be the best source, because I use 32 Kanthal wrapping around either 1/16 drill bit or even smaller (who knows what size) screwdriver. Usually about 4-5 wraps for 1.8 - 2 Ohm build. So my scientific guess is that 30 might be ideal while 28 too much. I try to follow all threads regarding Kanger rebuilds and concensus seems to be 32 or 30. I've ordered 30 AWG but haven't tried it. Also, I heard that although it is indeed possible to rebuild Kanger with 28, it's not worth it because it takes forever to heat up. But I'm open to suggestions too

 

[jbgibson2]

Put just enough cotton on top to close the gap between rubber and wick, this should stop the gurgle or flooding. Too much will restrict the already low air flow. 28 gauge will work fine just be cautious about building below 1.2 ohm as these little insulators will melt. Hope it helps

 

[shgilman]

I build my current 2.5-2.7 ohm single coils with 30ga Kanthal. About 7 wraps on a 5/64 drill bit. I just thought that if I could use thinner wire, (28ga) on a smaller mandrel, the coil would heat up faster and hotter thus improving vapor production. But some of the builders here say 10+ wraps on a 1/16 mandrel. I have wound a couple and they barely fit into the coil chimney. And you have the BIG space that you have to fill with cotton or it will drown. What am I missing here?

 

[TCombinator]

Heck, 28 is thicker than 30 and heats up slower.

 

[shgilman]

So you are recommending using a thinner wire such as 32ga to build coils? I don't completely understand. They use 28ga because it has less resistance. So when compared to say 30ga it has less resistance thus more wattage can be pushed through it. (this is more of a question rather than a statement). Are they then thinking that with the higher wattage they obtain a higher temperature of the coil?
I'm sooooo confused

 

[TCombinator]

Yes, with thicker wire you can get a bigger coil of the same resistance than with thinner wire. This is good for surface area, once the coil is heated. With rebuildables this works because, well, they are built for the abuse. My understanding is that in a tiny Kanger, during the time this bigger coil gets up to speed, insulators may start to burn. Notice that in rebuildables coil legs are not in contact with rubber.

Anyhow, just try it and let me know. Internet is Internet.

PS. I will be trying 30 AWG, but for now 32 fits my needs. I don'the expect RBA performance from Evod coil.

 

[TCombinator]

So, I dug up some 30 AWG Kanthal and built a coil, played by ear. Exactly 1.5 Ohms. It works great, gives me full control with my Vision Spinner. No burnt taste even at 4.8 V although this is cutting close to where the regulator might be kicking in. So, I'm happy. Also, 30 AWG is easier to work with for a clumsy dude like me. Pics: Kanger 1.5 Ohm single coil 30 AWG - Imgur

 

[shgilman]

TCombinator,
What size mandrel and how many wraps??
I am using a VTR so I have some control but still restricted to the Aerotank. Don't have any other equipment except cartomizers and the original IClear30 that came with the VTR. Haven't used it. Because I has already bought the Kanger to use on my e Go C. Got a few of those lying around. I used to rotate them out for charging.