Mephisto Duel build

[ligyron]

I can't seem to figure steam engine out yet and I know I need to do this. A video tutorial would be nice.

I just got my 1st 3 bottom fed rda's from Catfish atties and in fact these are the first bf rda's I've ever owned besides an RM2. I wanted to use them on my REO with a (supposedly) Sony 18650 VTC5 30 amp.

With the giant screw heads, posts and post holes, I figured I'd coil this Mephisto up first since it looked the easiest to do. I going to try duel coils for the first time.

I have 24, 26, 28 and 30 Kanthal and I want to use the 26 gauge as I'd never tried it. Problem seems to be that when I type in resistance (.5) and gauge (26) it tells me I need 13 wraps on a 1.3mm mandrel.

Is this correct and what if I want to use another inside diameter?

Steam engine doesn't seem to allow me to do this, what if I wanna use 1/6, 3/32/ 9/64th etc as in a Tobeco coil jig? I can't seem to switch from metric to USCS inch measurement where it makes any sense 1.3mm = (.051) what's that exactly?

I was hoping to use a larger diameter than the second smallest one on the coil-a-ma-jig I use to tie coils. I don't want to do twisted or parallel yet - I need to learn those later and I will. I just want to coil this Mephisto up with the 26 gauge and hopefully figure out steam engine in the process.

If anyone has some suggestions for the other gauges I have, feel free to chime in here. Sorry to bother everyone with what must be a very basic question for many of you but I just wish to be safe.

Any help here would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks! Bobby

 

[State O' Flux]

I can't seem to figure steam engine out. Problem seems to be that when I type in resistance (.5) and gauge (26) it tells me I need 13 wraps on a 1.3mm mandrel. Is this correct and what if I want to use another inside diameter?
You can adjust the mandrel value by clicking on the x/y just below the "Inner diameter of coil" box. If you're set on metric units, and click on one of the fractions, it will convert fractional to metric... 1/16" = 1.588mm.
Steam engine doesn't seem to allow me to do this, what if I wanna use 1/6, 3/32/ 9/64th etc as in a Tobeco coil jig? I can't seem to switch from metric to USCS inch measurement where it makes any sense 1.3mm = (.051) what's that exactly?
You can change to imperial units using the "metric units imperial/USCS units" option in the upper right corner.

I was hoping to use a larger diameter than the second smallest one on the coil-a-ma-jig I use to tie coils. I don't want to do twisted or parallel yet - I need to learn those later and I will. I just want to coil this Mephisto up with the 26 gauge and hopefully figure out steam engine in the process.

If anyone has some suggestions for the other gauges I have, feel free to chime in here. Sorry to bother everyone with what must be a very basic question for many of you but I just wish to be safe.

Any help here would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks! Bobby

Example: Using your 26 gauge and 0.5Ω as values... with a 3/32" ID mandrel (2.38mm) and 3mm legs... you need a pair (dual parallel coils - see "Setup") of 9/8 coils (1.0Ω each) for a net resistance of 0.5Ω.

 

[ligyron]

Thank you!

Thank you, State o' Flux for explaining how to use the Steam Engine properly and for your clear example.

Now I can get going!

 

[State O' Flux]

No problem ligyron...

I've been using it since ECF member 'Dampmaskin' (dampmaskin is norwegian for steam engine) brought the simpler, first version on-line in February... originally called "Vape Calc".

As he keeps adding to the content and capability... lots of folks looking at it for the first time tend to be a little overwhelmed - especially if they don't have much rebuildables or electrical experiance, which in reality, is most people.

I keep forgetting to mention this when folks have SE issues... but if you scroll to the bottom left and click on "How it works" - then scroll a bit more... Dampmaskin has written a general outline of the program variables, and more importantly, how to interpret the results.

Once you get past the modelling basics... you'll find the heat flux calculator (wattage to wire gauge/resistance variables) to be pretty interesting. Using a color code system to represent peak radiant heat, it's fairly entertaining to model coils based on wattage requirements or capabilities (handy for high watt APV owners), and visa versa.

 

[SLIPPY_EEL]

heat flux calculator

We just adjust it to the wattage we are using, is that how it work's? i dont understand it, why would you not need it to be on an auto adjustment?

 

[State O' Flux]

We just adjust it to the wattage we are using, is that how it work's? i dont understand it, why would you not need it to be on an auto adjustment?

Yes sir. Just adjust the wattage to your particular APVs capabilities/desired output. If you use a unregulated mech, a quick calculation with Ohm's law values can provide potential wattage output for a specific battery.

A few ways to consider it's use...

If you change the wire gauge - within fixed resistance and wattage values - you'll note that the temperature changes.

Comng at it from another direction, you can fine tune wattage to produce a preferred temperature for an existing gauge and resistance coil.

If I built a 26 gauge, 1.0Ω coil... and wanted a very warm vape using a high output APV, the heat flux variable suggests that I start at around 28 watts and work my way up to around 35-40 watts.

Perhaps the most useful, for those with lower power devices... say you have a APV with a max wattage of 15. A quick look will tell you that using 26 gauge wire for a 1.0Ω build will result in a pretty "cool" vape... and that you'd be better off using 28 gauge or thinner.

Most folks are interested only in what build will provide what resistance... and temperature modelling isn't real high on the list of importance.
I'm guessing that a good number don't even notice that the wattage value is adjustable, and will just leave it in the default setting of 10 watts. If you do that... then the color codes and radiant heat values don't make a whole lot of sense. ;-)

 

[towelie]

Why do you want your coils to struggle for domination between themselves?

 

[SLIPPY_EEL]

Thankyou S.O.F, and yes you are right , a select few would just look at the result and not realise you have to adjust the wattage

 

[ligyron]

this is interesting and good to know as I ust bought a high wattage device (sig 150w) and this will allow me to know what wattage for what coil set-up. I would have overrlooked heat flux entirely had you not pointed out the relationship and temp/will now be another factor I can consider. Glad I asked about steamengine and even more glad you explained it's other abilities.

Many Thanks

 

[State O' Flux]

A location error correction:

In the second post, ligyron's second question reads the following:

Steam engine doesn't seem to allow me to do this, what if I wanna use 1/6, 3/32/ 9/64th etc as in a Tobeco coil jig? I can't seem to switch from metric to USCS inch measurement where it makes any sense 1.3mm = (.051) what's that exactly?

My response was:

"You can change to imperial units using the "metric units imperial/USCS units" option in the upper right corner".

The correct location for the "metric units imperial/USCS units" option is in the upper left corner, directly under the "Main Page" button. Sorry if this confused anyone... looking for something where it doesn't exist.