Kayfun Replacement

[luke213]

Hey guys and gals I haven't kept up with vaping lately real life has of course gotten in the way, and I've been fairly happily vaping away on my kayfun's for the last year+. Well after dropping and breaking things allot I'm running out of spare parts. So I was thinking about replacing them but I've seen a drop in their popularity lately so I'm wondering what the new goto tank is out there?

Complaints with the kayfuns for me has always been leaks of some sort, despite serious amounts of research into sealing them up in various ways, and tons of different builds. I've just become accustomed to the fact that if any of them are laid on their side there is a fair chance they will leak on me. Note I didn't start this to debate kayfun leaks I've researched the topic for hours, and tested virtually anything out there, and yep sometimes they work but they just didn't always work for me. So a replacement that would be less leak prone particularly in a pocket would be awesome.

Things I like, large capacity being able to go a whole day without needing to refill. Durability, despite the recent issues, my kayfuns have been knocked around allot. I've dropped them on concrete and had pretty good luck with them surviving. I like the flavor of the kayfun, I've had good luck on that front some more than others. Typically the shorter kayfuns seem to have better flavor.

Typically I use a mech mod, with an 18350 battery. Usually build coils in the realm of .8-1.2ohms depending on what I'm doing in particular and what device I'll use it on. Wicking with cotton or rayon depending on what I feel like putting in there. Mostly running 50/50 DIY juice, seldom anything off the shelf.

So mostly something that is going to hopefully be an upgrade in functionality from the kayfun, rebuildable, fairly durable, and likely a clone since inexpensive would be appreciated since I'll likely buy several and I don't have a large vaping budget.

Thanks!

Luke

 

[Azarias]

I'd say it depends on what you want.
Stay where you are right now or try something different?

If you want so stay with your setup I'd recommend the Taifun GT2 or the Squape RS. I always hated the first Squape but the R and RS got damn good reviews.
The Taifun GT was my one and only atty for nearly 2 years. I was tempted by the GT2 but it's too tight for me. I'm talking about the airflow of corse.

If you want to try something else maybe the Lemo 2 is something for you. Same building deck as the Kayfun but bigger. Can be used for mouth to lung or direct lung hitting.

If you don't bother building dual coils you can go for the Goblin v2 (great atty but a pain to refill imo), the Goliath v2, the Cthulhu (one of my favorites), the Billow v2 (my #1) or the Zephyrus.[/S][/S]

 

[roxynoodle]

You will want to stay with single coil using 18350s.

Budget authentics:

Lemo or Lemo2
UD Aga t5 (only $10 at Triangle Vape)
EHPro Mini Buddha
HCigar HC Plus (Froginfog has them)
Focloud (single or dual coil, VaporDNA has them)

Clones to consider:

Rose v2
Taifun GT2
Ataman II (Froginfog)
Erlkonigin
Flash e Vapor v3

 

[luke213]

I'd say it depends on what you want.
Stay where you are right now or try something different?

If you want so stay with your setup I'd recommend the Taifun GT2 or the Squape RS. I always hated the first Squape but the R and RS got damn good reviews.
The Taifun GT was my one and only atty for nearly 2 years. I was tempted by the GT2 but it's too tight for me. I'm talking about the airflow of corse.

If you want to try something else maybe the Lemo 2 is something for you. Same building deck as the Kayfun but bigger. Can be used for mouth to lung or direct lung hitting.

If you don't bother building dual coils you can go for the Goblin v2 (great atty but a pain to refill imo), the Goliath v2, the Cthulhu (one of my favorites), the Billow v2 (my #1) or the Zephyrus.[/S][/S]

I'll take a look at those. My main reason for even looking for something else is that if I'm going to spend money again to replace the kayfuns I'm thinking if I can get better flavor, vapor, or even better less leaking Then I'm more than willing to upgrade and jump through any learning hoops to get builds figured out etc. It's just right now there seems to be a million variations available When I really jumped into RTA's the Kayfun's and Russians were pretty much always a safe recommendation of the best, or dang close to the best RTA at the time. So mostly I'm looking for that same type of thing, more less what is the current "best" RTA that is available fairly inexpensively. I'm not super picky on airflow, I've gone between tight, to very loose and I'm on the looser end now. I never do direct lung inhales, mouth to lung just like I smoked so my default. I'm content with the nic absorption on kayfun setup, seems to be close to my dripping setup but I can always tune the juice to match the nic levels I need. So just more of what is the general safe good recommendation these days(if that makes sense, and I don't mean safe in the blowing up literal sense, safe as in middle of the road).

You will want to stay with single coil using 18350s.

Budget authentics:

Lemo or Lemo2
UD Aga t5 (only $10 at Triangle Vape)
EHPro Mini Buddha
HCigar HC Plus (Froginfog has them)
Focloud (single or dual coil, VaporDNA has them)

Clones to consider:

Rose v2
Taifun GT2
Ataman II (Froginfog)
Erlkonigin
Flash e Vapor v3

I'll take a look through those as well, thanks.

Luke

 

[roxynoodle]

If you have any questions, let me know. I have all of them except a Taifun GT2, but I had the first TGT.

 

[DaveP]

I've finally conquered the KF3/KF4 leaking thing with upsized o-rings. Just changing the stock size helps, but the 12 x 1.5 mm upgrade on the #16 KF4 ring is a good fix.

If you can't cover the air holes, suck a vacuum on the drip tip, and maintain it, it's going to leak at some point. Personally, I think that the KF3 is a better design just because it has fewer parts. An air adjustment screw (KF3) is all that's necessary for me. Four air holes and an air ring (KF4) is overkill that inserts more points of potential leaking, IMO. The fewer o-rings, the better, IMO. I don't need the increased air flow.

 

[luke213]

Well I've gone up in oring size, taped the threads at all joints with ptfe tape. Tested the drip tip to chimney connections as well as the base.

Doing the normal test of blocking the air hole only works for normal leaks from the outer sections, you can still have leaks in the base etc that won't show up with that. But strangely enough it passes all the tests and well works perfectly other than it will randomly leak on its side. Both of mine do it to varying degrees but I've never been able to figure it out usually happens in my pocket.

 

[Mad Scientist]

I'll take a look at those. My main reason for even looking for something else is that if I'm going to spend money again to replace the kayfuns I'm thinking if I can get better flavor, vapor, or even better less leaking Then I'm more than willing to upgrade and jump through any learning hoops to get builds figured out etc. It's just right now there seems to be a million variations available When I really jumped into RTA's the Kayfun's and Russians were pretty much always a safe recommendation of the best, or dang close to the best RTA at the time. So mostly I'm looking for that same type of thing, more less what is the current "best" RTA that is available fairly inexpensively. I'm not super picky on airflow, I've gone between tight, to very loose and I'm on the looser end now. I never do direct lung inhales, mouth to lung just like I smoked so my default. I'm content with the nic absorption on kayfun setup, seems to be close to my dripping setup but I can always tune the juice to match the nic levels I need. So just more of what is the general safe good recommendation these days(if that makes sense, and I don't mean safe in the blowing up literal sense, safe as in middle of the road).



I'll take a look through those as well, thanks.

Luke

So far, the only tanks I've had no trouble with as far as leaks in the pocket are KF4 (but I just can't stand the tight draw anymore), Kanger Subtank mini with the RBA section installed, and the Lemo 2. They all have the airhole reasonably well above the juice channels so minor chamber flooding does not become a leak in the pocket.

If you want to be able to tip any atty completely on its side, it has to be wicked in a way that won't feed very thick juice -- at least I've never been able to discover a way that both seals the juice channels with wick and will feed thick juice really well.

 

[Alien Traveler]

I do not have much experience, I own only KF 4 and Taifun GT2. I always store then in horizontal position. Almost no leaks for me (about 2 drops a day). I have chosen them for convenience in filling and rebuilding (no need to empty tank), but I have nothing to compare them with.

 

[luke213]

Well my leaking isn't a ton, but it's really irritating that it's so random especially after spending so much time making sure everything is perfect functionally. Sometimes I can put it in my pocket all day without an issue. Sometimes if it is in there 5 minutes it will leak at least a few drops enough so to stain the pants or shirt pocket. I've taken to keeping it upright nearly all the time by carrying it in my breast pocket of my shirt which honestly I'd prefer it in my normal jeans pocket. Since I run a mech it's fairly durable, enough so that locked it should be fine in a normal pants pocket, if I could keep it from leaking at least

But what bugs me most about this whole thing is it really sounds like some people never have a problem with it, some guys do. Sovemesto(Sp?) in their manual mention that it can leak horizontal which is what leads me to believe this is at least somewhat normal. But it's still irritating, I don't mind having to tweak and work on a device but I really would like it to be as leak proof as possible. Thinking back I don't think I ever had my iclear 30 do that, or at least I don't remember it. But I'm very unwilling to go back to that compared to the kayfun, just no comparison on flavor and vapor production.

Luke

 

[bsidb]

what DaveP said about the #16 o-ring solved all my leaking problems, once that is changed it is pretty stable ( leak free) easy to fill, and cheap

 

[DaveP]

O-ring changes are a necessary evil with Kayfuns. My KF3 was tight as a drum until I unscrewed the top cap to drain the juice before a coil burn and re-wick. Today, I took it apart to check all the rings and the one under the top cap had a flat spot.

I was so careful! How could that happen? The difference was that I didn't put a drop of juice on the ring before I re-assembled it. Dry rings catch and distort when you re-assemble. Stretches and twists are the result and the cap can catch the edge of the ring and flatten it.

 

[DaveP]

Well my leaking isn't a ton, but it's really irritating that it's so random especially after spending so much time making sure everything is perfect functionally. Sometimes I can put it in my pocket all day without an issue. Sometimes if it is in there 5 minutes it will leak at least a few drops enough so to stain the pants or shirt pocket. I've taken to keeping it upright nearly all the time by carrying it in my breast pocket of my shirt which honestly I'd prefer it in my normal jeans pocket. Since I run a mech it's fairly durable, enough so that locked it should be fine in a normal pants pocket, if I could keep it from leaking at least

But what bugs me most about this whole thing is it really sounds like some people never have a problem with it, some guys do. Sovemesto(Sp?) in their manual mention that it can leak horizontal which is what leads me to believe this is at least somewhat normal. But it's still irritating, I don't mind having to tweak and work on a device but I really would like it to be as leak proof as possible. Thinking back I don't think I ever had my iclear 30 do that, or at least I don't remember it. But I'm very unwilling to go back to that compared to the kayfun, just no comparison on flavor and vapor production.

Luke

I can see how hot weather and expansion of heated juice could even overcome o-ring seals in a pocket. Even with good o-rings there's a path from the air intake to the holes in the deck where increased pressure can push out juice. When you warm the tank, you create internal pressure and then the inside/outside pressures differentiate. The tank isn't a hermetic seal. It has holes to release juice when outside pressure is greater than internal pressure.

When you pull a vacuum to take a hit, you extract juice from the tank onto the coil/wick deck and correct operation would then cause the tank to suck in air to equalize pressure with the outside atmospheric pressure. There should be a balance between pressure inside and outside of the tank and that maintains the juice in the tank with no leaks until you draw (providing all o-ring seals are intact).