After 2+ years, my Mini is still my best performing tank. I’ve tried many of the fancy, more advanced tanks, but they all fail miserably, especially when using their included RBA heads.
I can still find a few places online that sells the Mini, and the replacement parts, so I’ll stick to my trusty Mini until something better comes along.
I still love mine also, all over 2 years old.
Wasted a ton of cash on replacement coils, when all I needed was the extra 0.5 ohm coil in the box. Not the RBA. That 0.5 ohm coil
makes a perfect horizontal one. All that has to be done after using is disassemble the coil from the bottom, just two parts. Then pull all of the old coil, cotton & other gunk out of there. Be careful not to drop the pin or red gasket in the sink, remove these & set to the side.
Then take a coil jig, the pointed one (or small screwdriver), and scrape the rest out. It's OK for the insulator just beneath the top to stay, if still there. Now run hot water through the coil, once good & hot, allow to trickle, and be sure to flip ends, as well as go through the side holes. Blow all water out,
Now, take a Q-Tip or wadded tissue, and wipe out as good as possible, some residue will remain, if much, it's OK to rinse a final time.
All that's left to do now is use the coil jig, use either the 2.0 or 2.5mm size, and perform 4-5 tight wraps, preferably with 28 gauge 316L SS. This is because this type of wire can be burned off, after cotton is removed & with e-juice still in there, pulse at 18-19W, there'll be lots of smoke at first, then eventually the coil will glow. Once the coil is wrapped, and make sure that enough wire is cut off for the tails (about 8 inches), practice will make perfect. I can now do this with 6 inches, but not at first. Take the wire & crimp as close as possible, then use a mini torch to heat the wire. Alternatively, can heat after install, I just prefer to do this beforehand.
Now, for the coil install. You'll need the jig, screwdriver, or whatever used to build the coil. Lower the coil down into the body from the top, making sure that the tails of the wire goes exits out the bottom. Once done, now position the wire using the tails, so that the coil is aligned with the holes in the sides, and run the jig or tool through it. Try & center the best possible, it won't be perfect, just don't want the coil too far to either side. Pull tight. Now & with the tool still in, take one of the tails & bend towards one of the notches on the bottom, these are small, but can be seen. Bend all the way out. Now take and wet the red insulating grommet a bit to help with install, run the other end through it, the push into place.
Now, bend the other wire in the opposite direction as the first. Make sure that the coil is still centered, this is your final chance to tighten & make adjustments. One all is OK & hold the wire tight, place the pin in place. Then check the coil one last time. If all is OK, then you can use wire cutters to clip as close as possible, just try not to get into the red grommet or insulator. Remove the coil jig afterwards.
Almost done! Take some cotton, this is why I save my scraps from RTA builds, it's more than enough for these, Look for the side that may be leaning towards the away from center and go in from that side, that'll force it to center better. Twist the cotton, and slide it in, taking it nice & slow, a little twist is OK if needed. Once the cotton is in place, there should be some from both sides left. Clip, but not all the way to the metal, leave a tiny bit out. Fluff up & then using your favorite e-juice, put a drop or two on each side, then use the jug to carefully tuck what's left in, making sure to check that the coil is centered good. If still leaning a bit, push from that side to move over more. Once both sides are right, screw into base, place 4-5 drops in the center, fill tank & install, allow to sit about 5 minutes.
Final step, before firing for the first time (as with prebuilts), draw w/out hitting the fire button. Set the wattage at around 18-18.5W, vape lightly the first few draws, if then desired, bump up to 19W, then 19.5, 20W is where best. Much over that, will scorch & lowering won't reverse the bad taste, only new cotton will. Don't worry, it'll taste a bit funny at first, then will level out after a dozen draws, now you're good to go!
No more spending cash on pricey coils that'll only increase as market share reduces. As mentioned above, could had done this the first time with the 0.5 ohm coil, just didn't know better. And
horizontal coils lasts longer, uses less e-juice (although the first fill will use a little more) & simply tastes better. This is why some sites charged near double for these over the vertical, when still available.
Don't throw away any spent coils, the red insulators especially can be useful, as well as the pin, sometimes folks works over the sink & all it takes is a slip, gone. Since some of the spent coils may not make good rebuilds, these are perfect to grab an insulator or pin from when needed.
Now enjoy your Kangertech Mini for years to come!
Cat
G'luck.
