My first foray into RBA

[KiwiBlue]

Please excuse the long post but I thought I would submit as much information as I can to help explain my situation.

I've been using a ProVari and Protank II/Unitank for the past year and whilst I'm really happy with it when it's running well, I do find the coils can be a little hit and miss, I also struggle with getting no draw at all on many occasions. I will probably move to an Aerotank and dual coils for when I'm out and about, but I think it's about time I made an attempt to build an RBA for the first time.

I've seen plenty of threads on this subject and my findings are that I should try an RSST with 400 SS Mesh wicks and 32awg Kanthal, running PG/VG 50/50 juice. I've seen a few videos on how to build them etc but I have a few questions I could do with some help with.

1. Some posts say that users can't get SS mesh wicks to work and a video I watched made it look very easy. Is this a good option for a first-time attempt? Is SS Rope better for a beginner?
2. Should I fully oxidise the wick with a torch, or just lightly clean it? What are the pros and cons for each?
3. Whilst I understand a mechanical mod will be better for RBAs, will my Provari suffice in the short-term while I'm learning the ropes?
4. Are there any mechanical mods that are recommended for use with the RSST? I'm thinking I may move on to a AGA-T+ and/or Kayfun at a later date.
5. What are the main dangers/pitfalls around using mechanical mods?
6. What kind of quantity of raw materials should I buy to get keep me supplied for a month or two?
7. Are there any other tools or products you would recommend I buy in addition to the above?

Any answers to the above, and any links to articles/videos that may help would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Cheers

 

[KiwiBlue]

Sorry, one more question: Does anyone know if the "Authentic RSST" beingsold on Fasttech is actually authentic? I find their product to be quite hit and miss.

Thanks again.

 

[revco]

I'll give it a crack, but keep in mind, I'm fairly new to RBA's myself. Nonetheless, I have a read a lot of things, so might be able to help.

1. When someone's really good at something, it's easy for them and easy to watch them do it. It's not hard, by any means, but you'll learn that you won't get things perfect the first 1, 2 or 20 times probably. I'm new to RBA's, I went with an IGO series RDA and started with simple, cotton wicks to help me with the learning curve. I'd probably recommend the same and anything you learn will translate across to more complex things.

2. It depends on the wick. For silica, most likely. For steel, definitely. For cotton, boil it. So basically, yes.

3. Yes. "Better" is not the best term to describe the differences, IMO. The difference between a mech and virtually any kind of APV out there is the APV has circuit protection and other nice safety features that will prevent you from hurting yourself. You also won't be able to go above certain power levels with an APV, which is probably a good thing when you're learning. With mechs, YOU are the only safety device. Once you understand how to calculate the amp load on a specific coil, know battery chemistry/safety and a host of other things, you're ready for a mech and sub-ohm building. Use the heck out of your APV, no problem.

4. Most mods will suffice here, or at least I'm not aware of any specific incompatibilities. It's all about power, resistance and your batteries.

5. You can cause thermal runaway if you don't know what you're doing, which can result in serious safety issues like acid leaks and/or heat/chemical burns. Also, again, a mech has no safety features...so if you hold that button down indefinitely (e.g. sleeping on it), it will fire until the batteries go out and it has every potential to start a fire, if in the wrong place.

6. That's a difficult question and entirely depends on what you want to play with. It could be Kanthal, silica, ekowool, cotton, mesh and possibly others...and potentially different sizes of each.

7. I found a 510 ohm meter to be helpful and save me time. If you want to pre-burn your coils, a torch is much better than a lighter. You might need drill bits/screw drivers of different sizes to try out different coil sizes. Some nail clippers and some grabby things (I use tweezers) will be essential. I'm sure I'm leaving something out here.

8. I don't know. Sorry.

Hope that helps! Best of luck and enjoy the journey!

 

[Kanj.nguyen]

1. Please dont use SS rope. I still cant understand why anyone would do such a thing. You would basically be using a solid block of steel to suck up the power from your tiny battery. Its just a shameful waste of power. At least use mesh.
Mesh can be difficult for a beginner, and it takes time to be skillful with it - time for practice, and more importantly time for research. A good knowledge base of physics/ general science is desirable and can shorten your learning time many folds. It took me a day to get my first setup to work, a few hours for the next, and after a week i could do a perfect one in under 60 seconds (yes, i timed myself - im that much of a dork). I have however moved on from mesh as it wastes power (explained above, same principle as ss rope).

2. Both ways work, but i prefer to just clean. The oxidization process is, contrary to what many would have you believe, unnecessary. The single most important thing is PRESSURE. If your wire cuts into the wick, you will have a hotspot regardless of oxidization. Read my blog post for further explanation and walkthrough.

3. Yes.

4. RSST looks quite good on the Smoktech Natural. But really with the wide array of cheap mechanicals from China, you have more options than youll ever need. Most of them are excellent, just pick yours based on aesthetics. Really, a mech is just a battery tube.

5. revco covered this one well enough. Use good batteries with a high ampere limit and safe chemicals.

6. What materials are you using?

7. Screw driver, scissors, pliers, torch, nail clipper, drill bits (not required, but good to have).

8. Probably.

 

[KiwiBlue]

I really appreciate your help. Thanks for your reply.

 

[KiwiBlue]

Thanks for your advice here.

Could you tell me where I can find your blog post please?

Also question 6. I'm still not sure what wick to start with so I mean materials for making coils. I was concerned about buying some stuff and running out because of wastage due to lack of experience. I actually think I need 34awg for the Provari as the lowest voltage is 3.3.

Cheers!

 

[Kanj.nguyen]

Thanks for your advice here.

Could you tell me where I can find your blog post please?

Also question 6. I'm still not sure what wick to start with so I mean materials for making coils. I was concerned about buying some stuff and running out because of wastage due to lack of experience. I actually think I need 34awg for the Provari as the lowest voltage is 3.3.

Cheers!

As i understand it, the Provari will run anything above 1.1 ohm or so. Im too lazy to do the precise math, but 30awg is your best bet. 5 wraps done as instructed in my blog post should give you right about 1.3 ohm. A $5 spool off ebay should last you a few months of frantic coil making.

Speaking of which, my blog post can be accessed by clicking on the number "1" next to the line "blog entries" that you will find under my picture on the left.