Leaks using RBA with new Kanger Topbox mini

[dcdozer]

Hi all,
I've been using the subox mini since September and doing rebuilds with the included RBA. I build with 28g kanthal, 5 wraps and a spaced coil, which comes out to 1.0ohms. This has been working great for me. Until I just got the new topbox mini today. I did the same build as always, but it leaked badly. It wasn't just your average, run-of-the-mill minor leak...I wasn't looking at it, but at least 2 mL came out through the airflow in about 5 minutes.

I saw the warning in the box that said to make sure to close the top after filling quickly, which I did. And I saw a comment from another guy on MVS where I bought it saying he hadn't figured out how to build the wick for the RBA in the topbox that didn't leak. Has anybody else experienced this or know what to do? As of now I'm just using a spare subtank mini until I can get past this.

Thanks!

 

[PaulBHC]

Thanks for posting this. I thought about getting one of these top fills and use the RBAs in my STMs. I guess the lack of vacuum is allowing the liquid to run through your rba. Maybe your liquid is too thin for this situation or your top seal is not working.

 

[puffon]

Have you tried not filling to the top, leaving some air?
I won't get mine until March, but I did notice the juice hole is smaller (better for my 35/65vg, I hope)
Not sure why they put the hole so far up on the chimney, seems it would be better just over the deck level.
See if the chimney from the other STM fits the new deck.
Will be watching this thread, Thanks.

 

[dcdozer]

That was my first attempt so I haven't tried anything else yet. I'm using 50/50 pg/vg juice. I realized that I used an RBA from an original STM, not the one that came with the topbox. It is a V2 version though...I thought they were exactly the same.

I'm going to try again tonight. I'll use the RBA that shipped with it and I'll report back.

 

[dcdozer]

I busted out the RBA that shipped with the topbox kit and @puffon was right. The juice holes are much smaller and higher. Now we know why - the juice holes on the V2 RBA are too big and too low for top filling, so the juice just flows right out of the air flow holes. The build has been working for about 20 mins with no gurgling or leaking, so I think I'm good to go.

 

[dcdozer]

Just wanted to follow up - the new RBA with the smaller holes definitely work. But I like the original STM better. The performance between the two are the same, but the smaller, higher holes on the RBA make it necessary to refill earlier before the juice gets too low. This, combined with the fact that it's already smaller, makes the actual capacity quite a bit less than the STM that is sold as a standalone.

 

[Ammon]

EVERYONE, THE REASON THE TOPBOX MINI LEAKS IS BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN! IF YOU BUILD YOUR RBA CORRECTLY, YOU WON'T HAVE ANY LEAKS THROUGH THE AIR HOLES. THE LEAKS COME FROM WHEN YOU ARE FILLING YOUR TANK FROM THE TOP! THE DESIGN IS INHERENTLY FLAWED. IF YOU FILL UP YOUR TANK FROM THE TOP, YOU'LL NOTICE THAT THE RUBBER GASKET AROUND THE TOP FITS QUITE SNUGLY. JUST FROM PUSHING THE TOP PIECE WITH THE RUBBER GASKET DOWN INTO THE RECEIVER, YOU ARE CREATING A LOT OF AIR PRESSURE THAT HAS NO PLACE TO GO BUT THROUGH THE JUICE HOLES IN THE RBA AND OUT THE AIR HOLES ON THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK.

IF YOU CONTINUE TO FILL FROM THE BOTTOM (AS WITH A SUBTANK MINI) AND NOT USE THE TOPTANK'S TOP FILLING FEATURE, YOU WILL NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM ANYMORE!

IT IS NOT YOUR RBA BUILD, IT IS THE TANK ITSELF! I LOVE MINE AND AM CONTINUING TO USE IT, BUT I ALWAYS FILL FROM THE BOTTOM AND HAVEN'T HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE.

 

[Ammon]

BY THE WAY, I USE A V2 RBA AND I HAVE NO ISSUES WHATSOEVER WITH IT LEAKING. I'M TELLING YOU, PLAY AROUND WITH THIS DEVICE AND YOU'LL REALIZE THAT IF YOU FILL FROM THE BOTTOM, NO LEAKS WILL HAPPEN. IF YOU FILL FROM THE TOP, YOU'LL LOSE 1-4 mL OF JUICE THROUGH THE AIR PRESSURE CREATED BY REATTACHING THE TOP LID ON THE TANK. FILL FROM THE BOTTOM!!

 

[dcdozer]

BY THE WAY, I USE A V2 RBA AND I HAVE NO ISSUES WHATSOEVER WITH IT LEAKING. I'M TELLING YOU, PLAY AROUND WITH THIS DEVICE AND YOU'LL REALIZE THAT IF YOU FILL FROM THE BOTTOM, NO LEAKS WILL HAPPEN. IF YOU FILL FROM THE TOP, YOU'LL LOSE 1-4 mL OF JUICE THROUGH THE AIR PRESSURE CREATED BY REATTACHING THE TOP LID ON THE TANK. FILL FROM THE BOTTOM!!

Sounds like that would work - thanks for the tip. But if I have to fill from the bottom with both tanks, I might as well use my regular STM since it's bigger, and it's now decked out with the black orings to match the Plat box. But I'm less unhappy with the topbox now - so thanks!

 

[Ammon]

Don't know if you've tried bottom filling it yet, but you will be happy if you do. It won't leak at all.

I also spent a lot of time online trying to find out why this thing was leaking so badly. I'm still the only person (that I'm aware of) that has figured this out and mentioned it online! Please spread the word to other top tank users if you find the opportunity.

I bought the Toptank kit with the subox mod. I love the whole thing except for how crappy KT's design is with the air pressure. They could have made the gasket much thinner so that it would not push air in until the very last few twists.

If you have a subtank mini like I do, just use that on top of the subox because you get an extra .5 mL of space for your juice.

Keep quitting tobacco!

 

[Clydde26]

So I did about 12 posts helping another caper with the exact same problem. My solution can be found here as well as build pictures and you will eliminate your leaking issues.

Kanger TopTank Leaking

 

[ShadowVapes]

I kept having leaking problems as well, everyone swore it couldn't be the gromits or O rings. Installed new ones problem was fixed for a week then leaking started again. Placed a small amount of dental floss around the bottom o ring (visible one towards base of the tank) underneath it. About twice around. Placed oring over top of the dental floss and no more leaks from the air holes. Problem solved!!!!.

 

[ShadowVapes]

Oh and I'm top filling with the dental floss trick and also no issues. Simple fix that works.

 

[CalG]

I've just taken delivery of a second topbox mini and it seems to have an extra seal on the bottom piece. I have no idea if it's meant to be there or not as it makes screwing the coil in very difficult. It's where the right arrow is on this picture. I thought the seal on the coil was to make it air tight?

 

[GeorgeS]

My recent purchase of another 'top fill' came with the extra o-ring as well. I removed it as I was getting "no atomizer" messages on my mod.

I fill as quickly as I can until I can't see the top of the juice in the glass (there is plenty MORE room in there, just don't use it! Replace the top cap and then INVERT the tank so all the juice runs to the top. Wait for the majority of the juice to be at the top of the tank and then flip back over - this will reextablish the vacume in the tank. If your quick enough - no leaks.

 

[CalG]

Do you think the extra o-ring is a mistake? I've never had a single leak with the RBA. Always had a bit of a leak with the other coils that come with it though. Turning it upside down for 10 minutes and cleaning the juice out always sorted it.

Always filled to the top and still no problem with the RBA.

 

[rice721]

I've wanted to stay away from this thread bc I know my opinions are biased against the toptank / subtank mini...

However, I'm just going to say that the toptank mini prebuilt coils produce subpar flavor when compared to other tanks with prebuilts. You can't finish the entire tank b/c of how the coils are designed with the juice holes on the center of the coil (big oversight).

My RBA broke on my first attempt to build a coil. The center pin stripped and theres no way for me to adjust my coils when I have them installed bc the positive post would just fly off.

The toptank is and probably will be my only kanger product, even tho I do find their dual 18650 box mod to be quite appealing size wise.

The only nice things I have to say about the tank is that IMO aesthetically its nice and I love the delrin textured drip tip, perfect width, perfect length, perfect texture.