Kanger Subtank mini RBA issue

[TrikStari]

To begin with, I am new to vaping, so I am not sure of all the exact information you all will need to help me, so please feel free to ask me anything, I can post pics if needed.

I recently switched my kanger subtank mini over to the RBA, with a coil I wrapped myself, as I did not like the way the pre-wrapped coil hit, even after trying to heat and squeeze it.

It has been working great so far, according to my Eleaf Istick, it's running at 0.7 ohm's, and I have the watts set to 20, the volts are automatically set to 3.7. I have not fiddled with volts because the guy at the shop told me it was best to just stick to turning the watts up or down as I needed. However, I just experienced a bit of an issue.

I went to take a hit, and got a foul taste, what I guess would be called a dry hit? I immediately opened up the unit and inspected the coil and wick. I found that the wick was alot dryer than I thought it should be, so I saturated it with the juice I am currently using (gentlemens reserve, 12mg nicotine, not sure about pg/vg mix) and put everything back together and it seems to be fine again, although I've only taken a few puffs. My question is:

What could cause a wick/coil to suddenly run dry? I checked the little paths at the bottom of the RBA for the juice and they seemed normal, does my wick/coil need replacing? I keep my unit in an upright position so I don't really see how it could just suddenly be dry. Any help you guys can give me would be greatly appreciated.

 

[UncleMike]

Too much or even not enough wick can cause dry hits. it's a learning curve to find the correct amount of wicking material especially if you're new to building your own. Also if you're drawing/pulling the vapor too fast it could cause dry hits as the wick is not able to keep up with your request for more vapor. Also try turning down your watts a bit to see if it helps.

 

[oplholik]

What UncleMike above said. What makes a difference also is how the wick is laid down, it can take some experimenting with to get just right. Make sure the ends are fluffed out and just touching the deck when wet. Lightly press up against the wall so the juice channel is clear.

 

[TrikStari]

Thanks for the info guys. I guess I was just pulling too much as it hasn't happened again.

 

[yddadoysohw]

just fyi, the subtank mini has pretty annoying juice channels.. it's very picky on how you wick it and ensuring not to block those channels. after wasting 2 japanese pads on different wick methods, i ended up taking some 26 gauge kanthal, making a dual microcoil, and my dry hit problems were gone at full 30 watts even with full 10 second hits. some people even dremel those juice channels out a little more to let it flow better.

 

[rks1949]

just fyi, the subtank mini has pretty annoying juice channels.. it's very picky on how you wick it and ensuring not to block those channels. after wasting 2 japanese pads on different wick methods, i ended up taking some 26 gauge kanthal, making a dual microcoil, and my dry hit problems were gone at full 30 watts even with full 10 second hits. some people even dremel those juice channels out a little more to let it flow better.

That is exactly what I did to mine! I use a high VG juice,and the channels were off center,with the notches on the bottom of the deck. I just slightly increased the channels,and enlarged the bottom holes in the deck. It will now use 80-90 VG juice without any problems!

 

[rks1949]

Here's some pics of the enlarged slots,or juice channels,and the coil build/wicking.

 

[rks1949]

and here is how it vapes @ 20 watts!

 

[VaPreis]

After you've placed the cotton down into the liquid wells, take a small pick/screw driver and push the wick away from the liquid channels so that you can see them.

They need to stay exposed on the ST Mini.

 

[jefx]

I also did that. A dremel with a cut-off wheel. I cut the grooves even deeper than the pic above and also notched the bell ring where it meets the channels. I still have to give it a primer puff every 6-8 puffs, or I will get a dry hit, but it's alot better than it was. I think there is a vacuum problem somehow, because even with such deep channels it doesn't wick as well as I think it should.

 

[rks1949]

If I take a "pull" longer than 5 seconds,I can get a dry hit once in a while. I can close the air vent down, to two holes,and it dose eliminate the dry hits,but I like a "open draw" when vaping. I can also not draw as hard on it,and eliminate the dry hits also. The only other thing I can think of off hand,would be to wrap a coil on a 1/8 inch drill bit,to try and increase the wicking area? I build the ones I've been using on a 3/32 bit.

 

[jefx]

my current build on the STM RBA is a .9 ohm twisted 28 gauge wrapped on a 3.0 mm screwdriver....I don't know what that is in inches. Running at 18 watts (4.0 v) and Koh Gen Do cotton wick. Modified juice channels and still an occasional dry hit.

 

[Psychedeliduck]

jefx i have the exact same build as you and im running it at 25 watts, no dry hits, but it does crackle, using 70 vg juice, what vg are you using?
edit: its actually 1.1 ohm so likely 1 more wrap then you

 

[jefx]

I have 70 vg in it right now.....However I just saw this vid of a guy wicking his Kayfun and tried his method on my Subtank Mini RBA. He rolls the wick kinda like a "joint" with one side of Koh Gen Do in the center of the roll and the other side removed. It's working great in my STM and no dry hits!

 

[jefx]

I just wanted to share pics of my modified RBA like rks1949

 

[Technonut]

Moved from Rebuildable Atomizer Systems to Clearomizers..

Since these are considered clearomizers, sub-tanks will be moved to this forum to keep all information in one place, and not scattered amongst RTA's like the Kayfun, Taifun, etc..

 

[mamabear15]

I've noticed the Subtank Minis have 2 different RBA decks. I was desperate enough from the wicking issues to go into a B&M and ask for help - the guy was nice, luckily had a Subtank Mini himself, he actually built & wicked a new coil with me on one of his spare decks, and gave it to me - it worked! Several days later when I went to rewick it, I realized they were different. The older ones say "KangerTech RBA mini" and have the juice channels that need to be dremel'd, the newer ones (as well as all replacements I've seen) say instead "KangerTech mini RBA" have the juice channels larger and longer, the notches go all the way down onto the bottom ring as well. Needless to say, the new ones work better!