Margarita, lemon lime = BURNT coils

[AH1968]

It's been a while since I've posted, but of course I'm coming back to the expert advice where my journey started Here's what I am struggling with... Any mix I try with ( I think TFA) Margarita, or any lemon lime flavoring, I am getting a nasty burnt (black cotton and black build up on coils) coil after only a few hits. I tried super low percentages in the juice ( .3 % per 30ml of 50/50 0% nic) same result, tried in a protank 2 with an 1.5ohm coil @ 7.5w and Subtank mini with a.5ohm coil at 8w with very similar results.
I can get the flavor right, just instantly kills the coils... Suggestion for recipes that are known good, for margarita, or lemon, lemon lime etc.. that don't destroy coils lol
Thank you in advance, please let me know if you need more information.

 

[dannyv45]

Wow it sounds like you've tried everything from evaluating the recipe to evaluating the hardware.

It seems to me it can be only 2 things.

1. To much flavoring or to much sweetener (But I can't see it clogging coils in a few hits) so I would rule that out.

2. Something drastically wrong with your coils or set up. and there is where I would start.

Now you say that your vaping 50/50 so I would rule out a wicking issue caused by recipe formulation and concentrate on the build of the coil (Dry hits).

My question.

Does it do it with all mixes regardless of if it's lemon or not?

If the answer is yes

Have you tried just plain unflavored base at the same 50/50 ratio?

 

[BrotherBob]

It's been a while since I've posted, but of course I'm coming back to the expert advice where my journey started Here's what I am struggling with... Any mix I try with ( I think TFA) Margarita, or any lemon lime flavoring, I am getting a nasty burnt (black cotton and black build up on coils) coil after only a few hits. I tried super low percentages in the juice ( .3 % per 30ml of 50/50 0% nic) same result, tried in a protank 2 with an 1.5ohm coil @ 7.5w and Subtank mini with a.5ohm coil at 8w with very similar results.
I can get the flavor right, just instantly kills the coils... Suggestion for recipes that are known good, for margarita, or lemon, lemon lime etc.. that don't destroy coils lol
Thank you in advance, please let me know if you need more information.

Have you tried this flavor on a single coil RDA? If so, do you still get a burnt coil?

 

[AH1968]

Wow it sounds like you've tried everything from evaluating the recipe to evaluating the hardware.

It seems to me it can be only 2 things.

1. To much flavoring or to much sweetener (But I can't see it clogging coils in a few hits) so I would rule that out.

2. Something drastically wrong with your coils or set up. and there is where I would start.

Now you say that your vaping 50/50 so I would rule out a wicking issue caused by recipe formulation and concentrate on the build of the coil (Dry hits).

My question.

Does it do it with all mixes regardless of if it's lemon or not?

If the answer is yes

Have you tried just plain unflavored base at the same 50/50 ratio?

So, this ONLY happens with lemon, lemon lime, and Margarita... I have mixes with all kinds of other citrus flavors (oranges, peaches, strawberries, etc...) and have zero issues with them. This is only an issue with the flavors listed, and I've mixed at way less than 1% and it still burns up on the coil... I use organic Japanese cotton for wicking and on the rba for the Subtank I use a twisted 26ga kanthal... I'm really stumped...

 

[AH1968]

Have you tried this flavor on a single coil RDA? If so, do you still get a burnt coil?

I only use single coils lol

 

[dannyv45]

Wow that is a stump-er. I can only suggest to try a different brand of flavoring. Or a different atomizer.

Another thought. Did you ever have success with this particular brand of flavoring? If this is a recent development maybe the flavoring went bad or was reformulated or a bad batch if recently bought.

I was also under the impression that protank 2 are replaceable coil and not RBA's. Are you rebuilding these coils yourself? I used to rebuild the T5's when I used them.

Also 26ga twisted seems awful hot for a mini have you tried something like a 28 or higher for those mixes? Or a straight kanthral (not clapton or twisted).

 

[BrotherBob]

So, this ONLY happens with lemon, lemon lime, and Margarita... I have mixes with all kinds of other citrus flavors (oranges, peaches, strawberries, etc...) and have zero issues with them. This is only an issue with the flavors listed, and I've mixed at way less than 1% and it still burns up on the coil... I use organic Japanese cotton for wicking and on the rba for the Subtank I use a twisted 26ga kanthal... I'm really stumped...

Sounds like your lemon lime flavor might be off. Please call TFA and speak to Linda and see what she has to say.
831-316-7137 or 831-704-7342 or (831)346-7235.--------------Linda
Please get back and let us know outcome.

 

[AH1968]

Wow that is a stump-er. I can only suggest to try a different brand of flavoring. Or a different atomizer.

Another thought. Did you ever have success with this particular brand of flavoring? If this is a recent development maybe the flavoring went bad or was reformulated or a bad batch if recently bought.

I just went and double checked the brand, and point of fact it was purchased a long time ago, and I don't think I've ever had great success with their line. Not sure they're even around anymore. DIY flavor shack.. so I'll check some from other vendors and see if that's not the issue. Feel a little silly not considering age, batch, and vendor... Thanks for reminding me to think of the basics. Much thanks

 

[AH1968]

Wow that is a stump-er. I can only suggest to try a different brand of flavoring. Or a different atomizer.

Another thought. Did you ever have success with this particular brand of flavoring? If this is a recent development maybe the flavoring went bad or was reformulated or a bad batch if recently bought.

I was also under the impression that protank 2 are replaceable coil and not RBA's. Are you rebuilding these coils yourself? I used to rebuild the T5's when I used them.

To the rebuilding of the protank coils, I was rebuilding them, but found it not cost and time efficient considering the cost from Fasttech for the cotton prebuilt lol also wearing out the little insulator, and finding them only for sale at a ridiculous price.

 

[dannyv45]

Right you are on that point. May want to try another type of RBA like a kayfun type. Or even dripper types

 

[mongo74]

Have you tried dripping lemon/lime/margarita flavorings into a cup of cold water and see if they leave any kind of oil-like residue on the surface?

 

[AH1968]

Have you tried dripping lemon/lime/margarita flavorings into a cup of cold water and see if they leave any kind of oil-like residue on the surface?

No, but I have noticed that they cloud up after mixing which has lead me to believe that there is an oil component, and that could definitely be the culprit... I'm going to track down a couple of different vendors and see see where that leads.

 

[dannyv45]

oil you will usually see floating on top. Clouding is an indication that something may not be right. so if you have either symptom I would look towards replacing those flavors.