My build backfired!

[ericbnc]

I built a 1.6 ohm coil from 30 gauge Kanthal I wrapped on an 18 gauge blunt needle - I pulled 2 strands of 1 mm silica wick through this coil and mounted it on my drilled out Nimbus clone dripper. I have a pipe stem I like to use instead of a drip tip - might not be important but that is what sits on top of the dripper.

Everything checked out on the build - no shorts, no hot legs, and the coil was heated and pinched tight. I load up some 100% VG and start vaping - after a couple seconds I hear a pop inside the atomizer - startled, I pulled it away fast, but nothing looks wrong and the ohms still check out fine and no sign of a short according to my multi-meter.

I have another vape and pop! It happens again. I fired it again away from me and see when it pops a flash of flame come out of the top of the pipe stem - My build is backfiring!

I fired it with the cover off - just the exposed deck showing - and after a couple seconds the juice on the coil ignites. There is the source of my backfire. I moved the wicks around a bit and now my light show is gone. Never figured on that happening though...

 

[Myk]

That's odd.
I've had flames dry burning with the cap off but never while vaping. I wouldn't think 1.6Ω would get hot enough fast enough to do that.

I've also had RBA's with stainless snap crackle and pop while vaping when new but not flame.

 

[Papa_Lazarou]

Hmmm... any alcohol in the juice?

 

[ericbnc]

Hmmm... any alcohol in the juice?

100% VG juice

 

[ericbnc]

Takes throat hit to a new level.

 

[vapero]

This happened to me once but never figured it out

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

[Cr0tchF4i]

It's a short- that or absolutely zero juice.

 

[ericbnc]

No short - I tested for it before, during, and after. I think some of the wick was under the coil and the juice on it was igniting - I moved this wick and solved the problem.

 

[Crunktanium]

100% VG juice

Which is typically thinned with alcohol and or distilled water which might explain it.

Unless you made this juice yourself it's thinned because strait PG is thick as honey.

 

[Niko49]

Your air holes are too big. Too much oxygen is getting to the wick/coil. Either suck harder or adjust the holes.

 

[emus]

100% VG juice

I'm a little out of the loop but my 100% VG juice is actually 100% VG.
I think others figure it differently.

 

[turbocad6]

yeah, sounds like alcohol in the juice which is common from many vendors... let it steep open air a bit. if it keeps happening then just blow through the atty a little before firing to purge the buildup of micro explosive fumes in the chamber

 

[emus]

If it's anything like an NHRA car the back firing will stop once warmed up.