Modding an RBA for Bottom Feeding

[hildicat]

Been searching for a quality rebuildable for bottom feeders for a while. Luckily, I have a Chalice on the way and hopefully soon the ERA. It still occurs to me that with all of these inexpensive rba's being released the bottom feeders are still left out in the cold, or have to shell out big $ and sit on waiting lists to get some rba love.

I have seen reference (possibly from MWA) to modding the phenix rba for bottom feeding. I would think that this might also be possible with the forthcoming TCB-2. I don't own either, yet, but am interested in getting a few since they are relatively inexpensive. The only problem is I have no idea where to start the modding process.

I have plenty of old atty's with open center post that I can play with. 510's 306's 901's and 801's. Could it be as simple as pulling out the 510 connector on the phenix and replacing it with an open center post? Something tells me there's more to it than that.

Anyhow, I would love to hear from anyone who has done this, or is interested and has at least some ideas on how/where to start.

 

[rondasherrill]

On the Phoenix rebuildable you need to completely disassemble it as per the vids here: The Phoenix Atomizer Part 1 - YouTube

You will see that there is a part inside that has a center post, and flat part that goes to the side to where the positive post gets pressed into it. The center post is hollow, but closed at the flat part. You need to take the smallest drill bit you can find and just drill through the flat part. Then get an open center post and replace the closed bottom center post. Then put it all back together again. You will see now that there is an open path from the center post in the bottom, all the way up to the well where the wick is.

 

[hildicat]

Hey, thanks for that. It looks pretty doable. So a couple of questions...

1. do you think I can cannibalize an open center post from a regular atomizer to replace the sealed cap thats on the bottom of the phoenix?

2. do you think it would be enough to have the bottom and top portion of that center post open, or would it be better to add a thinner diameter tube coming from the open bottom and sticking up a couple of mm into the juice well? It seems to me that the center post tube is pretty wide and it would take a bit of pressure to squeeze juice all the way up the tube.

 

[Dougiestyle]

I built a bottomfeeder-friendly RBA with a RCA jack, an old carto, some silver wire and lead-free solder. Instructions can be found throughout this thread http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...-atomizer.html?highlight=smallest+rebuildable

 

[rondasherrill]

Hey, thanks for that. It looks pretty doable. So a couple of questions...

1. do you think I can cannibalize an open center post from a regular atomizer to replace the sealed cap thats on the bottom of the phoenix?

2. do you think it would be enough to have the bottom and top portion of that center post open, or would it be better to add a thinner diameter tube coming from the open bottom and sticking up a couple of mm into the juice well? It seems to me that the center post tube is pretty wide and it would take a bit of pressure to squeeze juice all the way up the tube.

What I would do is when you drill the hole, make it BARELY big enough to fit a 16ga needle through it, then solder the needle into the bottom post. Cut the needle short enough to be usable of course. That way, the needle will stay in place, and the liquid will stay in the well, instead of running down the side of the tube.

 

[par292]

if the phoenix can be modded to work on a bottom feeder, i would love to see pics of it done, i have a couple of phoenix's sitting here, and am not creative, but if someone could do it and show pics, ill bet i could do it

 

[rondasherrill]

if the phoenix can be modded to work on a bottom feeder, i would love to see pics of it done, i have a couple of phoenix's sitting here, and am not creative, but if someone could do it and show pics, ill bet i could do it

I will do it tonight or tomorrow and post pics... I just have to pick up a tiny drill bit. I snapped my last one on a different project.

 

[hildicat]

I will do it tonight or tomorrow and post pics... I just have to pick up a tiny drill bit. I snapped my last one on a different project.

I'm SOOO looking forward to this. Thanks in advance!

 

[par292]

yes thank u that would be awsome

 

[MXBNW]

I got the phoenix to feed Juice, now I just need to adjust the posts and cut down internal catch cup and adjust the air hole location.

I will try to get some photos of it this weekend or during the week if I have time. I should have it completed this weekend

I have a few more ideas for the phoenix as to making it in to a BF atty.

I can keep the thread posted if any one is interested.

 

[MXBNW]

Here are a few photos of the hole I drilled, the tricky part is the Pos pin is in two peaces. OS you have to drill out both and reconnect it after drilling. I soldered the two back together after I drilled it and then ran the drill bit back through it. After doing it you could most likely solder the two together before drilling that way every thing will like up perfect.

These are cheep and well worth the $ to play with for moding.

 

[rondasherrill]

So you used the original post and just drilled a hole through it... Why would you need to solder the 2 parts together? They are not soldered together to begin with. They are separate parts to make disassembly easier.

 

[MXBNW]

The 510 connector on the phoenix is milled out of one peace so just replacing the center post with an old open post is out.

Hey, thanks for that. It looks pretty doable. So a couple of questions...

1. do you think I can cannibalize an open center post from a regular atomizer to replace the sealed cap thats on the bottom of the phoenix?

(NO)

2. do you think it would be enough to have the bottom and top portion of that center post open, or would it be better to add a thinner diameter tube coming from the open bottom and sticking up a couple of mm into the juice well? It seems to me that the center post tube is pretty wide and it would take a bit of pressure to squeeze juice all the way up the tube.

I looked at this and found that an extra tube rely is not needed. It feeds good all on its own with the center post drilled out at about 1.5ml using 100% VG juice.

 

[MXBNW]

I got it all back together just find with the small center post soldered to the mail post.

I have some small flat head brass bolts I was going to drill out and tap the main Pos post and make pos pin adjustable.

So you used the original post and just drilled a hole through it... Why would you need to solder the 2 parts together? They are not soldered together to begin with. They are separate parts to make disassembly easier.

 

[hildicat]

WOW MXBNW! Thats fantastic. By the looks of it I would think just that one hole is all thats needed. So long as your wick sits at the bottom it should be enough to get a good soak from squonking, no?

 

[MXBNW]

I will give it a try, but it looks like the coil will be a bit to fare from the hole.

But if you had enough wick at the bottom it may soak up enough juice to work.

I will try to wrap one and see if it will work.


My plan is to cut down the CC and re drill the air hole. and lower the pos and neg post it should not be that hard to do.

I got a nice shop and lots of tools.

WOW MXBNW! Thats fantastic. By the looks of it I would think just that one hole is all thats needed. So long as your wick sits at the bottom it should be enough to get a good soak from squonking, no?

 

[hildicat]

I will give it a try, but it looks like the coil will be a bit to fare from the hole.

But if you had enough wick at the bottom it may soak up enough juice to work.

I will try to wrap one and see if it will work.


My plan is to cut down the CC and re drill the air hole. and lower the pos and neg post it should not be that hard to do.

I got a nice shop and lots of tools.

A few of the vids i've seen, they pack the wick down under the coil, i guess where the juice collects after dripping. I'm really hoping my theory is correct, cause unlike you I don't have a shop, or many tools, but at least I have an electric drill...

 

[MXBNW]

I will set up a wick and coil in the AM and let you know how it works. I will report back when I get it fired up

If feeds rely nice. I will check the bit size I used and let you know that to.

A few of the vids i've seen, they pack the wick down under the coil, i guess where the juice collects after dripping. I'm really hoping my theory is correct, cause unlike you I don't have a shop, or many tools, but at least I have an electric drill...

 

[mwa102464]

I'd be willing to bet the people making the Phoenix will be doing a BF Phoenix very soon, if not someone else will,,, these Atty' are priced right and more then fair then many of the others, ERA is nice but $55 is 3 x to much for them ( though I am getting a couple ) still the Phoenix is the one and I think the Chinese manufactures are going to start spitting these things out like wild fire soon enough, dont drive yourself crazy on modding just be patient there coming,,,,,, MXBMW = is a modding fool, like myself, and where just 2 vape nuts I say hang tight a bit and you will see these cheap No pun intended Wayne hahahah

 

[MXBNW]

LOL yep there coming for sure.

But I need something to keep the tools rolling in the shop these are cheep and fun to play with.

And you know me Mod every thing if it needs it or not

I'd be willing to bet the people making the Phoenix will be doing a BF Phoenix very soon, if not someone else will,,, these Atty' are priced right and more then fair then many of the others, ERA is nice but $55 is 3 x to much for them ( though I am getting a couple ) still the Phoenix is the one and I think the Chinese manufactures are going to start spitting these things out like wild fire soon enough, dont drive yourself crazy on modding just be patient there coming,,,,,, MXBMW = is a modding fool, like myself, and where just 2 vape nuts I say hang tight a bit and you will see these cheap No pun intended Wayne hahahah